When the comforts of civilization begin to dull our senses, we must never forget that in the beginning, there was war. And war. And more war. Long before there were empires, there were humans consumed with greed and the hunger for power. Resources, territories, information—these were the forms of sustenance upon which we preyed. Today, we call such habits vices. Oh, how arrogant we have become! Are we not still impelled by those primordial emotions? Is the advent of war so far-fetched? But alas, for you to truly understand, we must dive deeper into this land’s half-forgotten past.
There was a time when might was the only law that humankind knew. Fearsome clans roamed throughout the land, seeking amenable grounds within which they could take root and opposing forces against whom they could test their mettle. Given the irregularity of nature’s bounty, certain regions appealed more than others, and dominion over such coveted territories became the spark that ignited the earliest inter-clan wars. These fierce, internecine affairs tended to conclude only when one side had decimated their competition into oblivion, and many clans of story were rendered extinct during this period.
The victors of war, having claimed their territories, often made truces with surrounding locals, offering protection in exchange for access to the yields of agriculture. Over time, certain communities emerged as more dominant than others, either due to numbers or sheer talent, and their rapid expansion would force smaller, neighboring communities to either collapse into their fold or be devastated. When the dust settled, humankind found itself divided into the five major territories that we are familiar with today. And was the bloodshed over? With our lands obtained and our bellies filled, were we finally content?
06/01/2023 June is for Juggin
We made it y’all, another month of OTA, and fresh off the press we have another promotion ready. Leaving behind the opening bonus sadly, we welcome the jugggggg! June is for juggin AKA working hard, so we are making it a double rewards month for every mission completed! Yes we said it's double rewards, now you all can really get into the thick of those builds if you work hard enough. And who knows what you might uncover in the process. AND all jobs are free to enroll no quest EXCEPT ANBU(Black Ops) roles.
Post by Sōsuke, Itada on Jun 13, 2023 21:38:51 GMT -6
This was not the first time he’d witness Chae’s Chidori, the last being the first, out late night during patrol through the outskirts of the Land of Water.
Itada half-knew what to expect; speed, power, precision.
He remembered the ambiance of the wilds during his partner’s last demonstration, and the “thousand chirping birds” had been true to its name startling everything within an earshots radius. This time it was different though– his hand brimmed with a calming, yet dangerous electricity, and a numbing hum replaced the horrendous screech ..
Itada imagined it sounded like music to a God of Lightning.
Even more impressive, there had been no blood - a notable achievement since the last he’d seen.
The conversation with Yohru would continue until it was over, and the elder of the jounin requested for them to accompany him to the infamous Enter the Dragon nightclub. It wasn’t his type of scene for real, but it it wasn’t everyday that family returned from a voyage.
Besides the village had been boring lately – he wasn’t opposed to celebration.
By the time Mochizuki arrived, Itada had been leaning against the wall opposite the entrance, not far from either who I came with, chillin’ (for lack of a better word). Ever vigilant, he had seen the first, what he assumed to be ANBU, slither into the room with the Mizukage shadowing.
The eye contact Mochizuki gave to each shinobi was returned in full from Itada, a slight head nod following the Uchiha’s greeting to the Water Shadow.
“Mizukage-sama”
With the Mizukage’s attention focused mainly on Yohru, the Sōsuke scanned the room, noting the position of Chae, and any kunoichi beautiful enough to catch his eye.
Having snuffed out the remaining life of the hostage, Chae gave an acknowledging not towards Chiatsuki once praise had been given. Although he showed no expression in the moment on stage, Chae always found Chiatsuki's excitement toward displays of power & violence to be pretty entertaining. The lot of Kirigakure surely had their respective quirks that outsiders could've easily considered psychotic. But alas, such had been the culture in which they were raised and groomed.
Wrapping up his speech Chae lightly sighed once Chiatsuki ushered the core group to congregate at Enter the dragon, Kirigakure's most notable and lucrative club. Although underage, being not only Chiatsuki's brother as well as a person if interest within Mochizuki's forces, age restrictive rules hadn't applied to the likes of Chae and even Itada in most cases.
Once inside, Chae remained within the designated VIP section, and from afar, watched the moment Mochizuki and his men cleared the entrance and continued thereafter. As the Mizukage approached, Chae lowered his head just as itada did and almost addressed him in near unison.
"Mizukage-sama..."
Soon, everyone settled and Chae made note of the Mizukage's comment regarding Chae's presence which had been a fair assessment, anyone that knew him, knew under normal circumstances he hadn't frequented establishments of that nature. However, Chae in fact wanted to at least see everyone together before his excursion to find the legendary Ramuh.
Knowing that Chiatsuki and the Mizukage had the floor, Chae remained learned forward on his side of the Vip couch section as his hand momentarily rubbed his agitated eye, hoping to ease the irritation he felt.
It wasn’t long before the Water Shadow arrived at the club. A punctual and serious man who doesn’t like his time wasted. With that said, he also made sure on his end he came through. Some may see the Water Shadow as an intimidating force, but I could see him for the man he truly was.
When he entered the establish me—everything stopped. The blaring music, the clamoring that made it hard just to hear the person in front of you, the dancing, etc. The mere presence of that man commanded respect, all eyes were on him and his bodyguards.
With his next step, everything resumed. He was the silence in the noise that made his way all the way to Chae, Itada, and me. The Water Shadow’s words on my gathering earlier and seeing Chae in a club were met by a big grin. In truth, I didn’t even tell him of my return personally.
I immediately made my way to the Chiatsuki Compound to share my thoughts and desires with everyone. It wasn’t to be disrespectful, but this sort of thing was better when I could gauge the Hidden Mists’ enthusiasm first. Especially since they would be all offering their lives for this expansion I had in mind. As he sat before me, our eyes leveled, and the grin faded away.
“I’ve found many and a way to strike under their nose.”
While I gave most of my attention to the Water Shadow and this situation, a bit of my awareness stayed on the women dancing around us. How did I manage to focus with all this twerking going on?
“I arrived back from the Land of Hot Water today and I did have a guess with me… but he’s no longer with us. While I was there, I discovered the turmoil that exists between the borders of the Fire and Lightning countries.
Not only are they unaware of this threat just outside of their country, but they also have no means of helping them.”
I decided to down another shot before proceeding. There had been a lot of information I needed to recite, and the alcohol helped with all the talking I had to do.
“With that in mind, I figured that these outside forces could be utilized to tear down the villages. We could cut off imports by land and sea, as no one could have as strong of one as us! But my focus isn’t merely taking out those villages—I want to see the Hidden Mists’ influence expand and reach other shores.
There are so many weaker nations that are laying in wait for someone to come and take their land and resources. Then we can weaponize the inhabitants as extended parts of our military force.”
The waitress returned with more drinks for everyone, I nodded at her with a gentle smile. She wouldn’t say a word, just a bow and then she was gone. My eyes swept across the room, briefly looking at Chae and Itada, and returning my gaze to the big man.
“The Hidden Mist doesn’t just have to be a village, it could be a dynasty, Mochizuki-sama… And I am willing to put myself at the forefront of this plan. We’ll need to gather a substantial number of resources before we decide to expand overseas. Luckily, there are some countries much closer waiting for us to strike!”
I paused briefly…
“There are many risks, but the rewards far outweigh ‘em! I know this may be a bit to take in so briefly. But I envision a future where the world is united under the Hidden Mists’ sigil. What do you think of all this, Mochizuki-sama?”
A subtle chuckle escaped Mochizuki's belly as he listened to Yohru speak. It was a rare occasion to witness a lecture on the capabilities of his village. ‘Bold,’ he thought. From the perspective of the water shadow, he sensed a slight growth in the shinobi since their last encounter. However, Yohru remained unchanged. Mochizuki's gaze wandered around the room, observing the reactions of his comrades, while the speaker continued. Eventually, his eyes settled on Senju, the man who had concluded the briefing of his trip. In that moment, Mochizuki signaled for a drink with a simple wave of his hand. They knew his preferences here.
"Konoha and Kumo. The Land of Hot Tea?" the man began.
Mochizuki burst into laughter once again, this time more hysterically, causing him to remove his cigars from his mouth. He couldn't believe that Yohru had returned with mere plans. After a while, his laughter subsided, and he placed the cigars back in his mouth, fixing his gaze on Yohru.
"That's delightful, but it seems you're still the same. You should have simply initiated our conquest and called for support once you captured something of use. Clearly, you still lack the power to accomplish such feats alone."
Mochizuki took a few deep drags from his cigar, releasing thick clouds of smoke that billowed above his head. The white-haired man could recall the abilities of his shinobi with precision, and as for Yohru, his family possessed potential, but he himself was more of a speaker—a captivating one, at that. However, for the first water shadow, this display was far from impressive.
"But I commend you for being wise enough to seek support, considering you have gathered two of the most notable shinobi in the village upon your return."
Mochizuki reclined in his chair and took a few more puffs from his cigar.
"With the current peace treaty, we owe no allegiance to anything beyond the major villages. So this in fact could be a significant addition to our legacy, and some financial gains for the village wouldn't hurt if executed properly."
He paused briefly, creating more smoke-filled clouds.
"But what does this mean for us? How can you possibly lead such an endeavor when your support might actually be more capable than you?"
Post by Sōsuke, Itada on Jun 26, 2023 23:29:02 GMT -6
Itada’s eyes cut to Chae as the Mizukage berated Yohru for not already initializing his plans before returning to the village.
He knew Chae was listening; and so, the Mizukage’s words to the ‘Kirigakure no Kijin’ would have reinforced what Itada had told him days prior— about strength, and how the strong could do as they pleased.
The Sōsuke listened more as the conversation continued, the Mizukage’s critiques and criticisms of the kiri jounin coming steady and with haste. To a bystander, not familiar with the customs and cultures of the Hidden Mist, the tension and awkwardness that mulled about as the meeting unfolded would have made one uncomfortable.
The communication between two of the kiri militia was interesting, to say the least – to an outsider it would have seemed confusing, but it seemed a natural things for denizens of water country.
Perhaps it had something to do with all the death that came from the sea.
”Lord Mizukage.. let’s not forget, they say the demon of the mist has never lost…”
A slight reminder of the Jounin’s capabilities in defense of his mate. He would give time for his comments to meld itself into the conversation.
I tuned in to Mochizuki as he spoke—laughed even, at the information I had presented to him. Knowing the kind of man our Lord was, I had seen these comments and worse coming a mile away. But a man like him valued power, being a very powerful man himself.
If I wanted to be in a position like his, then an immense amount of power needed to be obtained. How would I obtain it? I would continue to push myself. My brother and Itada had both been formidable shinobi. I never thought rank or age meant much in the ninja world.
Especially with us not being so far from the warring clan’s era where kids were made to fight as old as four years old. Regardless, though I was an optimistic person, I was grounded. Mochizuki’s words didn’t offend or hurt me—they motivated me.
Politics and strategy were my thing, and perhaps my Lord forgot that a sleeping dragon lay beneath him. Mochizuki continued, but it seemed that the words he spoke struck Itada, causing him to speak out. Itada and Chae had known of the Lord’s persona, but of course, I had a closer relationship with the ninja.
However, this wasn’t the time or place to unleash emotions. My eyes shot over to him.
“Itada-san… the Water Shadow-sama is a man of tough love. Surely what he said is true, but the meaning behind it isn’t to humiliate me or anyone.”
I wanted to take another shot, as it looked like Chae and Itada didn’t plan on having their drinks tonight. Instead, I would get more comfortable in my sit.
“Thank you for your praise. A man doesn’t need to be the strongest to lead. Surely it helps, but words and strategy could be far more deadly than the most powerful ninjutsu.”
I paused briefly to scratch my head as the conversation was kind of detouring from the path I wanted. However, I was formless like water and able to adapt easily.
“I believe that somewhere in their gut, Chae and Itada see me as a capable ninja and so does many other Mist ninja. With that said, I aim to obtain your admiration as well! I will become a far more powerful ninja than you could imagine.”
I smirked and then belted out a hearty laugh myself.
“So, if you will continue to have my back and fan the flames of my ambition, this plan will make us great. The most powerful country—the most legendary dynasty. Everything just needed to fall into place…”
My expression began to become more serious, as I looked straight into the eyes of the demon that stood before me.
“I have a request before we begin the expansion—I would like to formally request Chae and Itada become members of the ANBU. It’ll be way for them—for us to become even stronger and develop more skill in places they may lack.”
After his line of questioning, a malevolent grin crept across Mochizuki's face. It was evident that he had fully embraced his sinister nature. As the Uchiha spoke up in defense of his leader, a slight smirk played on Mochizuki's lips. His eyebrow raised ever so slightly, and vivid images flashed through his mind, depicting himself mercilessly breaking one of Itda's limbs, particularly his arm. The thought of inflicting pain seemed to ignite a sadistic fire within him.
But just as he was ready to unleash his wrath, Yohru's words captured his attention once more. Mochizuki suppressed his violent impulses and shifted his focus to the Jounin's response. He took deliberate puffs from his cigar, the smoke swirling around him like an ominous haze. In the depths of his mind, he reflected on the Senju clan member, finding them intriguing yet lacking in meeting the expectations associated with their age and rank.
With a sudden clarity, Mochizuki removed the cigar from his mouth, allowing his words to punctuate the tense air.
"Itda, watch your mouth. I wasn't speaking to you,"
he said calmly, his voice laced with an underlying threat. His gaze, devoid of any special ocular power, possessed an intensity that rivaled even the most formidable Sharingan.
His tone grew colder and more menacing as he continued, ensuring his words lingered in the air like a chilling breeze.
"Just like Yohru, you too have failed to live up to the standards expected of your clan. Don't be deceived by titles and tales. I have no qualms about taking the life of a shinobi."
As the final syllables left his lips, Mochizuki's countenance transformed into a psychotic smile, striking fear into the hearts of those around him. His mind whispered the word "woozah," relishing in the macabre delight that coursed through his veins. With a sinister gleam in his eyes, he shifted his attention back to Yohru.
"Yohru, we must address the ailment that plagues you. Doubt and uncertainty have already cast their shadows upon your followers. If Itda dares to question my authority, who's to say he won't test your loyalty at a critical juncture?"
The Mizukage's grin returned, amplified by the flickering flames of his malevolence. He took a few more drags from his cigar, the smoke curling around him like serpents in the night. In the midst of this eerie ambiance, a waitress arrived, presenting him with a drink of grand proportions. With a commanding gulp, he consumed its contents before passing the oversized cup to one of his vigilant ANBU guards.
"I recognize the opportunity that lies before us today, but I cannot trust you to partake in this endeavor until certain matters are resolved,"
Mochizuki declared, his voice dripping with calculated cunning.
"Presently, Chae and Itda outrank you, and your team lacks a dedicated medic. To become a true force, a veritable powerhouse, is your only option."
As if guided by a maleficent spirit, Mochizuki's sword, a mysterious and sentient entity he had obtained during one of his treks through the Mizu no Kuni, stirred with anticipation. The blade, wrapped in enigmatic bandages, sensed the surge of power in Chae, fixating on her with an intensity that sent shivers down the spines of those present.
"Not her, boy. Your watchful eye shall be upon the one who speaks so loudly," Mochizuki hissed, his voice a whisper infused with the echoes of imminent dread.
"Through the aid of this sword, perhaps you can transcend your current limitations and become the true demon of the mist, rather than a mere orator."
As the words left his mouth, the sword, alive with anticipation, streaked across the room. It slithered around Yohru's ankle, binding itself to him with an insidious hunger for his chakra. The blade emitted a series of ominous clicks, as if rejoicing in its newfound connection.
"Now, she remains under my control, but I have commanded it to heed your will. You have undoubtedly heard tales of this sword, and now I entrust it to you, to initiate this conquest."
As the sword merged with Yohru, a strange sensation washed over him, a tethering of their souls. It was an unsettling experience, observing the sword feed on external sources of power. Mochizuki, always a visionary, recognized the hidden advantages of this arrangement. By leaving the sword in Yohru's possession, he could clandestinely monitor every move without arousing suspicion. Once the fusion was complete, the sword settled on Yohru's back, its spiked hilt piercing his flesh, drawing forth a trickle of blood, a testament to the bond formed.
"Given time, the sword will fully merge with you, granting you its full potential. Until I command otherwise or until you surpass my might, this sword shall remain loyal to you," Mochizuki affirmed, a hint of sinister satisfaction dancing in his eyes.
With a heavy sigh, Mochizuki's gaze returned to the Uchiha, a flicker of desire still lingering within him to break Itda's arms and unleash his pent-up rage. But he held back, recognizing that such actions would only serve to benefit the young shinobi. He was not one to adhere to societal expectations or cater to public opinion. Unapologetically, he embraced his own twisted disposition.
"But enough of this diversion. We have important matters at hand. How do you plan to initiate the conquest of the Land of Hot Tea? What resources, time, and personal commitments will be required? Will your team alone be enough, or do we need additional reinforcements to ensure our dominion?"
As his words hung in the air, a foreboding silence settled upon the room, each syllable pregnant with the weight of impending darkness.
Post by Sōsuke, Itada on Jul 2, 2023 14:06:53 GMT -6
It was ironic, really.
The Mizukage had just demonstrated why shinobi like Yohru were necessary; what he possessed in strength and sheer power, he lacked in etiquette and leadership qualities. Just a moment ago he had praised Itada for his rank and capabilities, proclaiming himself that the Sōsuke was a notable shinobi of the village, and in the next - had retorted - shifting both his tone and demeanor into a threatening and aggressive one, now redirecting his slew of insults from Yohru to Itada.
Aggression and dominance was the way of the Sea, and those without power to withstand the rush of waves fell victim quickly to its depths —
— but even the Sea gave heed to the sway of the moon.
In his mind, had he been Mizukage in Mochizuki’s stead, he would have listened and heard out what it was that his generals had to say and took their concerns and criticisms into account. It was a reason shinobi tended to operate in teams or units. It seemed that in the midst of all the power the Mizukage commanded, he’d forgotten the basics of being a shinobi.
The Uchiha remained himself through the Mizukage’s antics — the dramatics of puffing his cigar, the transfigurations of his face, the sinister smiles aimed to strike fear into those around him — stoic and calm as always, the only response Mochizuki would be blessed with was the image of the Uchiha’s usual apathetic gaze.
While the denizens of the village and all of the cannon-fodder background shinobi of the Mist may have feared him — Itada did not.
However, he did not wish to challenge the Mizukage here. He was no fool and he understood the repercussions of such an action, and so he’d mind his tongue. In reality, for all the information and intel the Mizukage thought he knew, there was much he did not.
Itada was not one of the average — he was cold and calculating, all his movements pre-meditated, and there were many things he kept hidden from the eyes of the world.
Overly calm and analytical, rarely can others intimidate or rouse Itada beyond the level he wishes, making him ideal for battle and conflict, but horrid for torture and someone who relies heavily on reading the opposition.
Had the Mizukage paid any heed to those who pledged their allegiance under his rule, he would have known that Itada was unique in more ways than one, and that he was an individual that could not be handled or controlled by the methods Mochizuki chose to employ to keep his subordinates in line.
He would have also understood that with his Jounin status, came perks, and knowledge only entrusted to those worthy and of rank. In truth, the Mizukage was lucky that Itada was a ninja loyal to the Hidden Mist .. it would have been nothing for him to leak valuable village intel to every enemy nation.
The Sōsuke continued to watch the scene play out as the Mizukage’s sword slithered from the Water Shadow to the Demon of the Mist. Itada watched with slight irritation as the sword made its way over to Yohru and began the process of bonding with him. The feeling had nothing to do with his recently returned comrade, but more-so at the fact that he had waited too long in asking Mochizuki for the blessing of wielding such a legendary weapon.
With a heavy sigh, Mochizuki's gaze returned to the Uchiha, a flicker of desire still lingering within him to break Itda's arms and unleash his pent-up rage.
In the moment, it seemed like an intentional jab, as if the Mizukage knew that he had wished for the right to wield the Samehada.
“Tch…”, escaped from Itada’s lips as he began his stride toward the exit.
There was no need for him here — his concerns meant nothing, his words fell on deaf ears, and his validity as a shinobi had been questioned by the very man who he’d sworn his allegiance too.
The Mizukage had acted as if Itada had disrespected him or something, when all he’d done was bring up mention of the tales his comrade has managed to create over the years through his deeds and accomplishments as a shinobi of the Mist.
This had been the first time since his enlistment in the kiri militia that Mochizuki had rubbed him the wrong way.
With the Curse of Hatred embedded in the threads of fate for those of Uchiha descent, the Mizukage’s display today could have sowed the seeds for disaster in the future.
He will forgive, but he will never forget.
last edited Jul 2, 2023 14:09:33 GMT -6 by Sōsuke, Itada