“Will she be okay? Did the surgery go well? Will there be any lasting damage? How long will she need to recuperate?”, a worried father asked, bombarding the doctor before him with a slew of questions. It had only be a few minutes since his daughter had been wheeled out of the operation room. Having gone in for immediate surgery after she had an accident with kunais and exploding tags. The distress father couldn’t do nothing but watched in utter useless as doctors rushed her behind those closed door and began the procedure to save her life. Yes, save, not attempted, but saved. There wasn’t any doubt in his mind that she would come through this ordeal for she had one of the best medics overseeing the surgery. However, he’s a father and his daughter meant everything to him thus he worried about her greatly, looking between the clock and closed doors every hour for any signs of life. When the doors finally did open it took some considerable willpower from him not to promptly ask about her. He waited. . . for a few minutes.

“The surgery went off without any complications. We were able to stop the internal bleed and remove every piece of shrapnel without causing any more damage to the organs.” Nanashi replied in a assuring, caring tone. The words bringing much needed relief for the father who now knew without a doubt that his daughter would be okay. Walking over to the sleep patient his hands lit up in a green aura, medical chakra, as he scanned her body making sure all the internal wounds were healing properly and that nothing was accidently left behind - shrapnel and otherwise. Minutes ticked by before the greenish glow faded into faint wisps, him nodding to himself in satisfaction as the scan showed the wounds were indeed healing correctly and that nothing was left behind “She will have to stay here for a couple of days in order to monitor her and to make sure no other complication arises.”, removing and disposing of the latex gloves, Nanashi picked up a medical file on the desk, writing in it before promptly closing it once more and turning his attention back to the father “A nurse will come by here shortly to check up on her and answer any questions you might have.”

The father nodded in appreciation, never once turning his attention to the speaking doctor, all of it going to his sleeping daughter “Thank you.”, the words were faint but Nanashi heard them as he slipped out of the room.

After leaving the patient’s room, Nanashi went about making his rounds around the hospital, checking on other patients, making sure they were during well and answering any questions that a nurse simply couldn’t. At one point in time the prospect of doing something like this was laughable to him, but times have changed, and he found himself enjoying his duties as the head of the hospital.

”Still no word on her whereabouts.”, he thought bitterly before shoving them to the fore corners of his mind. There was a time and place for that type of thinking, and right now it wasn't it.

Walking into his office, Nanashi set about doing the small pile of paperwork accumulated on his desk. Skillful eye scanned over every word and chart on each parchment, looking for any mistakes or needlessly added ‘fat’ that either hampered over exaggerate the reports - all in which were changed accordingly.

Knocking at the door caught his attention as he told whoever was there to enter “What is it you need, Ayaka?”, he inquired from the black haired boy before him.

“Nanashi-sensei, the Tsuchikage is here to see you.”

---

WC: 625

Out of his mountain of paperwork Akira had slowly diminished it only to see it replenished time and time again. New store owners were competing with traveling merchants and all of them wanted licences to sell things. While that meant the market was booming it also meant he needed to sign a lot of licences and read the backgrounds of the individuals applying. Still he had come up with a fairly basic solution to downsize that particular stack. He quickly created a department with individuals higher up in the university with a record of excellent standards employed there to look through it. While it was a solution he still had one or two individuals there only he knew of that kept an eye out for bribery. They had access to company financials, or at least just enough to view it as well as viewing employee financials. If anyone tried to be less then honorable they would have no way of knowing how closely they were being watched. As soon as the bribe was caught the bribe itself would be tracked. They would be fired and the person who gave the bribe would be imprisoned. With that it freed up over half the paperwork for Akira.

Still he hated playing the politician. He barely had time to enjoy himself. Most of his day was either paperwork or training. It seemed as if there was no end to either but the second of which he actually enjoyed. Improving himself was a constant goal. Still he had managed to lower his paperwork for the day down to a very small stack. It would take no more then an hour to complete. Still he was only half an hour in when he noticed something for requisitions for the hospital. It was signed by Nanashi himself as the head of the hospital. Surprised by this he sent for his assistant to pull Nanashi's file. A powerful woman he trusted and unbeknownst to herself he checked her chakra signature every time she entered the front desk through a wall to make sure she wasn't being impersonated. He was cautious to a fault. Still when she did return with the file he thanked her and excused her from his office. After she left he focused his chakra into his right fingertip and placed it over a seal on the file. His chakra marked to the seal to open the file safely. He had invoked a seal master that had worked for Nanashi briefly when Nanashi was a stand in Kage for this purpose. The seal was set that if the file left the building or someone other then the current Tsuchikage tried to open the file it would burst into white flames. Incinerating the contents and burning the person badly that had attempted it.

Still the file flew open at his touch and revealed its contents. He flinched back just a little at it though. He had always been cautious when it came to seals. They were so meticulous. The slightest mishap in the design of the seal or if done wrong even by a corner misdrawn and the seal could be little more then a big bomb. Still he flipped to the front page before noticing a big inactive stamp. Confused by why one of his elite Jounin might be inactive he flipped to the final page before noting it was from someone in the Daimyo's court. With a growl he slammed the filed shut and touched the seal with his chakra again reactivating it before storming out of his office. Setting the file down for his assistant to refile he growled about needing her to print out papers for a return to active duty. No sooner had the papers been printed then he stole a pen and stormed out of the office. He made his way quickly to the hospital not bothering with acquiring a guard. He marched straight into the hospital and straight to the upper levels where the head of the hospital was. His Golden gaze had fallen on the boy there with a stern look. When he spoke he hid the anger from his voice but still a little seeped out. "Inform Nanashi the Tsuchikage is here to speak with him" And with that Akira sat down. Sitting in the waiting room in slacks, dress shoes and dress socks with a buttoned up silver shirt and a black tie buttoned to the shirt with a green vest over it buttoned up as well. His pants, shoes and socks were black of course. The fine dressed gentleman as always.

A pin drop could be heard in the office as the words of his assistant, Ayaka, were processed completely. The Tsuchikage, Akira, if his memory served him correctly, needed to speak to him about some matter - something important if he, himself, came down here instead of sending one of his runners. For Ayaka, the silence was unnerving, and with bated breathed  he patiently waited for his teacher’s decision. Would he, Nanashi, really deny audience within the Tsuchikage? Such a thought would have been prosperous if it was anyone else besides the white haired male a front him. He didn’t bow to the whims of a man willing, he had too much respect for his own self-worth. He didn’t follow the rules like many others do - he skirts around them with a deadly precision one would expect from a surgeon like him.

What felt like hours were mere seconds that were finally broken by Nanashi, “ Well, don’t keep him waiting.” no sooner had the words were spoken, Ayaka hastily went to retrieve the waiting man. Getting comfortable in the chair, Nanashi reached to his left, grasping seemingly at air, however, the air around his hand warped and shimmered as a white basket with a single black, rolled up scroll, appeared on the corner of the desk. Plucking the parcel from it’s resting place, a sliver of chakra enveloped his hand and the scroll, humming briefly before the scroll unrolled and the contents presented themselves: the hospital’s financial report.

The reported detailed everywhere every once, down to the cents, of the money gain from the Daimyo and village’s treasury, went in regardings to improving and keeping the hospital running. It also showed the numerous of business partners the establishment held throughout Tsuchi no Kuni, and even in some of the other major countries. All of this and more was written down on this scroll, and if falling into the wrong hands could spell devastator for Iwa’s Hospital. An enemy, if finding themselves with this information, could theoretically cripple Iwa by persuading it’s business partners to do their dealing elsewhere.  It’s because of this that the information is kept in a scroll with a chakra scan system, only allowing those program to handle and attempt to open the scroll, with it being destroyed if someone with authorization handles it. Intertwined with the chakra scan seal is a password one that requires the handler to vibrate their chakra in a given manner in order open it, and even then it will only open if the person is calmer - perceiving any erratic behavior as hostile and cause for self-detonation. Of course, there are other features to the scroll and basket but that’s only for those who are privy to the information.

Nanashi had placed the scroll back into it’s basket, the latter shimmering out of existence at the exact moment of Ayaka returning - opening the door for the Tsuchikage before seeing himself out, shutting the door behind him.  An eyebrow rose a fraction at the lack of visible bodyguards accompanying the leader of the village, but no question came from such a trivial manner as Nanashi’s lone yellow eye, having lost the other one years ago, stare into harden gold ones “I take it this isn’t a social visit?”, the question was rhetorical one, but it would give Nanashi enough sometime to figure out what exactly Akira needed to ask him.

Nanashi couldn’t help but to look at the paper in Akira’s hand, and make out the heading of the first paper. “Oh, so the dirty secret has been founded.” He thought, to himself. “So, what is it you need to talk to me about, Leader-sama?”, he asked, making himself comfortable in the chair, as he waited for the kage to speak. It should be noted that Nanashi’s attire wasn’t his normal kimono get-up, but rather a pair of black slacks and dress shoes with dark blue buttoned up dress shirt.

---

678(1303)

Akira quietly looked about the waiting room as he waited patiently. His golden gaze taking in the design and lay out of the room as he contemplated the comparison between his own waiting room and this one. His waiting room was far cozier. Yet there was a slight level of ambivalence here that his own lacked. As if the nature of the room was far calmer then when waiting to see him. It made some sense though. After all it was a hospital. Not to include the small fact that Nanashi was known for a fairly calm demeanor. Akira had met him ever so briefly twice, though only he himself could possibly know that. After all at the time he had been under the guise of Mr. Kajiya. Even then his facial features had been dramatically different. Some key surgery had been enough to alter him so even one who had been as intimate as preforming an implant couldn't have much of a chance to recognize him. He smiled darkly as he thought back on the procedures. Such a potent medic had much more use in the field for him right now then in some hospital treating the common cold. Such a waste.

When the assistant returned those golden eyes snapped back to the young man. That gaze locked the boy there a moment. As if he was frozen under just that glance. His mouth opened as if he wanted to speak but all that came out was a gasp of air. The boy had forgotten to breath a moment. Still the almost spell like state snapped as Akira rose from his seat and straightened his vest. He nodded to the boy politely before the boy spoke up finally. Apparently Nanashi did not intend to keep him waiting. Which was a good course of action given Akira's lack of patience. He was aware of the rumor going around that should he lose his temper he was prone to crushing the closest offender to him into paste. Still he supposed that was mostly due to the lava Kage. The man had been brutal and considered every chance for bloodshed and opportunity. Then again it was entirely thanks to that man allowing himself to be infiltrated that Akira had managed to slip so far into the Iwa ranks that even the Tsuchikage at the time hadn't recognized him. Looking back at it he would of made a great spy had that been his intention.

However his intention had been to cleanse Iwa of its filth and corruption. He had crushed a great deal of it already. However he had reached a point he could not continue on his own. He was a warrior that had helped build this city from the slums it had been to a rising colossal economy. He had to rise above the rest and prove himself repeatedly. However now he knew a lone man could not be both a guardian and an executioner. He needed someone with a history like Nanashi by his side. Still as he walked across the room his foot steps seemed to echo as he drew closer until finally he stepped into Nanashi's office. A lone Yellow eye met golden ones and the door closed behind him. He monitored Nanashi's gaze as it flicked ever so briefly to the paper in Akira's hand. He watched as that lone eye scanned the document quickly enough some may have doubted he had time to read it. However Akira had some semblance of his capabilities. Still Nanashi had spoken of it not being a social visit and even inquired of Akira's intentions before making himself very comfortable in his chair.

Still Akira smiled slowly at the casualness the man took to the situation. When he spoke pearly white teeth showed in his smile as he took a cool tone. One that hinted at amusement but cautioned all the same. "My my you have been away a while. Typically people take a far less forward approach with me. Let us try again shall we?" He looked at Nanashi with eyes that almost dared the man to sass him as he smiled in such a way that made that gaze look far more sadistic. " A pleasure to meet you Dr. Guanyin Nanashi. I have heard a lot of great things about you. Won't you offer me a seat?"

1506

Corruption. If there is one truth in the lies of this world it is, no matter the place, day, or era, corruption is, and always will be, founded infesting the general populace like a vile virus without a permanent cure. Even during the dubbed ‘Era of Peace’ brought on by the forefathers, those before the current generation, corruption was still as prominent as it is today, albeit some historians will make you believe otherwise. They don’t want to tarnish the appeal of the beautiful era with the truth that despite the leaders best efforts corruption was there. That despite their optimist hopes, they still had to send shinobi out to permanent silence those who threaten the peace, even if it meant targeting their own kin. Yes, historians don’t want to write the dark, gritty truth of the proclaim “Era of Peace”. For if someone did, all of the shinobi who strives to recreate the time period would feel discouraged and, maybe, just maybe, give up on the lofty goal. And that can’t happen for martyrs are needed. . .

Nanashi isn’t a martyr. He doesn’t have any reason to preach his beliefs and ideology to the masses. While the idea might be pleasing to others, attention seekers, Nanashi not so much. He prefers to be in the foreground as much as possible. For the attention that comes from during such thing is something he doesn’t, and never will, want to have. In his current, rather former,  profession the last thing someone wants is having the spotlight directly on them. Once the world knows of your existence, nothing will ever be the same again. People will try and dig up everything about you, every secret that you thought have been buried deep up will surface, and people will either adore or hate you more for  it. Speaking of hate, you will be targeted by those who hate you, are envious of your status, and they will try everything in their power to silent or ruin you. And for shinobis, you already have others after your head, why would you compound this by being martyr?

“Although, it seems like someone is targeting.” He mused to himself, thinking about his current predicament that, if what he briefly read on the front page of the paper in the Tsuchikage’s hand is correct, will be solved soon. It was roughly two months ago that he received papers from the Daimyo Court of him being placed on active reserves and assigned to being in-charge of Iwa’s Hospitals full time - instead of part-time - where he came in only for major surgeries and during paper-work that acquired his signature or knowledge. In big red letters, the word indefinite was stamped on the paper with the signature of the Daimyo showing proof that he indeed proves of the action. As the reason for Nanashi being placed on the reserves? Apparently his talents were needed more in the hospital than on the field.

It was a bunch of bullshit. Someone(s) was obliviously targeting him and he wanted to know the reason why. Although, after thinking about it more, Nanashi wanted to chuckle, almost, for it took this long for someone to have the balls to target him - it is about damn time. When he find this person(s), for he will find them, will applaud them for such a courageous act before ending them. It was just that simple - they will die with them being applauded for their actions.

Akira, the current Tsuchikage, and successor to Nanashi’s short stint as Tsuchikage. He did have the luxury or misfortune, of having two different commanders with the man before him making the third.  It takes some time to get use to a new commander, especially if the former one was well liked, and even more so if the changes occur often - anyone who has experience dealing with this can tell you that. When Tomio became Tsuchikage, it took Nanashi some time in figuring the woman’s personality and quirks out before he could successful function around her like normal. The same can be said about Kazu, for despite them being friends, there were still aspects about the man that Nanashi had to learn how to deal with.

And then there is Akira, with they having only met a few times, Nanashi has yet to figure the enigma in front of him out.  The man was powerful - extremely so - and, if the rumors were correct, had a violent streak about him that's tightly concealed by the appearance of a well-respected businessmen. And despite having this supposedly violent nature, Akira has successfully curbed the amount of crime and corruption by a shockingly large margin with tactics unseen by the public eye. Not only that, Iwagakure’s once rocky relationship with other countries has changed for the better. Nanashi would admit that Akira has done more good for Tsuchi no Kuni as a whole than any other Kage before him and that at least entitled him some respect.

“Oh. Maybe the rumors held some truth.” Nanashi mused to himself, eye never wavering from looking at the before him. He didn’t showcase any fear for the man a front, only a small smirk, dancing with amusement at something he found funny “The pleasure is all mine Tsuchikage. Please, take a seat.” words that seem to be said countless of times left Nanashi’s lips with ease only befitting of someone of his prior profession. “Great things from me? It’s only great to those who benefit from them, “ he stated before continuing speaking “I hope you can excuse my forwardness from earlier. Being the leader of Iwagakure doesn’t give us the luxury of making social calls - at least not during my small rule. So, I assumed this was something besides a social visit. Of course, I could be wrong, either way you have my attention, Kage-sama. . .”

---

996(2299)

Akira studied him for a moment while he contemplated how much of a loaded gun the man before him might be. After all the man had been a temporary Kage at one point. Very temporary as it so happened but not just anyone was ever placed in that seat and given that gaudy hat. If they had decided at the time he was best suited for tsuchikage then they had done so with a very high opinion of his abilities both in mind and body. After all the Kage represented the strongest person in a given country. A guardian to them all and a pillar of hope and strength. Akira would need to remain semi polite if he didn't want something to escalate into one of the few fights he had experienced in a long time that could force him to struggle. Still he gave a warm and charming smile before he shifted over to the seat that had been offered to him as Nanashi finished his sentence. He settled down into it comfortably before crossing his left ankle over his right knee. A fairly relaxed pose of someone focused far more on politics and less on fighting based on how difficult it would be to defend from such a position.

Still he lifted the paper as if by itself it was a statement to answer the comment about Kage and social calls. His golden hues watching Nanashi for a reaction before he tossed it without ceremony onto the table between them and leaned back into his chair. His arms relaxing in his lap as he crossed his fingers. He would give Nanashi a moment to look it over if he bothered to acknowledge it was the document reactivating him to active duty. It was some one of an insistent move but still he spoke with a smile that didn't meet his eyes. "Now now, something can be terrible but still great. It is more a measure of importance then an actual emotion when I used it just now. There are many a people who did terrible things but they were still great things. What I have come for today is less so though. I was finishing up some paperwork and low and behold, you sir, are not an active shinobi. I wondered to myself if there was some mistake but perhaps, Maybe you volunteered for some early form of retirement. Agreeing to be one of the courts puppets? I doubt that myself but it is possible."

He leaned forward then and from up his sleeve a pen slid out before tapping on the table before him. That golden gaze still studying him. He was going to word it in a way that even if Nanashi was a puppet of the court he would still serve some of Akira's purposes. In just a slightly different way then if he wasn't. He leaned back once more as he wondered just how this would go before he spoke once more. Like silk from a silver tongue. "Of course you can prove to me you are your own person and not a puppet for the court. Sign the papers I have provided and you will once more be on the active duty roster. At which point we have much to discuss. The court will not openly defy me as I do them as they are not eager to pick a fight with the man filling their pockets. However, choose not to sign it and I will dismiss you as someone useful beyond a civilian level. I will have little to no use for you then. Of course I won't remove you from your comfortable and safe appointment here but you will no longer be even an inactive shinobi. Harsh I know, but puppets have no needs for ranks."

2146

Politics. Some of the best liars can be found holding positions of power within a government’s body. These individuals are masters of their craft, skills having been honed through years worth of practice and experience, beings able to herd the masses with a few well-placed and timed words, playing on the fear, insecurities, hopes and dreams of all they meet. One must be on constant guard when dealing with these people, their tongues are deceptively sharp and are able to weave a tale to fit any given situation. Words aren’t the only thing one must watch out for, politicians are incredibly charismatic, a perfect blend of charm, power, and normality. They appear to be normal, down to earth, and only slightly more polished than their fellow man or woman. It is these and many other skills at their disposal they use to gain followers, believers of the words they preach and inspire obedience within them.

This, however, doesn’t work on other masters of the craft. No, a politician never fall for the tricks of another, they to know the truth behind the sugar-coated words and false truths, they are able to perceive the truth within the actions, inaction, and words of their fellow peer. One isn’t simply born a politician, they become one through gaining life’s experience, wisdom. It’s this reason why many politicians are either older or lived a life of many different opportunities. This is why young upstarts don’t make it that far their first time around.

There is a proverb stating, ‘some of the worst wars are waged with words’, it was coined by a retired politician. There is truth in those words, unlike shinobi and other who preferred fisticuffs to settle a dispute, politicians used words, with them they can cause innumerable amount of damage - way more than a fight ever could. These wars are brutal, hundred, thousands, even million of people lives can be affected by the words of those in power. One must know what they are during before entering a battle of wars with a politician. For one slip-up can lead to catastrophic results.

“That is why I stay away from them.”, Nanashi mused to himself, remember a few times where he had to deal with Iwa’s governing body. The former geisha, while not a politician per say, was verse in word play and acting - something that was required in his previous profession. Therefore, dealing with the council and Daimyo’s court wasn’t a daunting task. True, it gave him some trouble, Nanashi having to weave through the web of lies, read the words and play on the psyche of occupants, but he managed it well(in his opinion). Still, having a first-hand look at the inner workings of the council and Daimyo’s court, the shenanigans ployed by both of them, was enlightening.

Getting comfortable in the chair, Nanashi’s eye locked onto the paper in Akira’s hand, glimpsing on the portion about ‘reinstatement’, before they were unceremoniously thrown on the desk. Instead of getting offended by the act, something that didn’t bother him, he instead, focus on the contents of the paper. His eyes did not lie, this paper indeed detail his return back to active service which upon signed would take effect immediately.

Having finish reading the paper, his yellow hued locked back onto Akira, reflecting a hint of anger at the notion of being a puppet of the court. The idea of him willing submitting himself to the Daimyo’s court as their puppet is preposterous. Guanyin Nanashi isn’t the puppet of anyone. Besides, why would he agree to become an inactive shinobi? There isn’t any logic behind him do such.

“Yes, anything is possible.”, grasping the pen and with a flourish, Nanashi signed the papers to be reinstated as a shinobi “However, I’m not a puppet of the court. Although, I wouldn’t say the same for some of those who manage your papers. If the rumors are true, and indeed I say they are, you wouldn’t overlook something like this. So, I can only assume that someone was oblivious getting paid or blackmail in order to keep the papers of my inactivity away from you. “ he stated, the signed paper being pushed towards Akira.

The accusation proposed had been one Nanashi spent some time thinking about. It’s the only way to conclude why it took this long for Akira to become aware of one of his shinobi’s inactivity.

“Of course, I could have personally gone to speak to you about this, but I didn’t. Instead, I started digging into what the Daimyo’s court would want with me. What I found is interesting, the papers to place me on inactive reserves was signed by the court two days prior to the Head of Iwa’s Hospital, Yasui Namiyo and her significant other, disappearance. In which I was later on appointed by the hospital’s head. Furthermore, some of the council members don’t particularly like my past occupation, and it wouldn’t be surprising if a few still felt slighted by my dismal of them back then. “, mainly due to his time as a former geisha, he indeed did know a few of the council members on an deeper level. and it really wouldn’t be surprising if a few felt anger at his dismissal of their advances.

“I applaud them for targeting me, but their foresight is terrible. They truly believe I’m not going to do anything to do. Maybe they right or maybe they are not? Either way, they will know once I find them. I hope you don’t mind.” an underlined threat was made. Would Nanashi really go after the council? Would he really kill them? But a better question, would Akira actually care?

---

984(3283)

Akira watched with a small smile flourishing for just a second. People could hide a lot when prepared for something but truth was brash tactics tended to reveal a lot more then subtle ones. Take away what someone had prepared to say and read them as they simply react to your words was how you understood the truth. At least under most occasions. Nanashi might be an exception being his level as a shinobi. Still that was part of Akira's reason for arriving in person. Even if Nanashi only slipped up for a moment emotionally someone like Akira might be good enough to catch it. That and Akira felt the matter far to important to simply set upon someone else. The man was one of the few active jounin in Iwagakure and if he did have something to hide, then a simple messenger that may have caught it might not make it out of the office. Or ever be heard from again. Still those golden eyes looked into the yellow ones that stared back at him. He noted the emotion plainly shone there with a small hint of relief. Anger. Such a prominent and simple emotion in almost anyone. But at the same time it revealed a great deal about the situation. The guilty may have been flustered or panicked at being called out so suddenly. Yet with such pure anger at being called a puppet Nanashi was either truly irritated at the very idea or somehow being kept in the dark. Being that Nanashi's reputation was as high as his own he very much doubted the latter. He knew the court too well to think one of them was capable of keeping the wool over anyone's eyes for long. They were pig headed and to high on their thrones to think anyone might not simply obey.

Still Nanashi continued on and received a frown from Akira. Speaking of how someone was sneaking about Akira's files. The truth of the matter is the amount of work he was putting into Iwa had by all appearances loaded him down with so much paperwork that the file had simply become buried beneath it all. If it had been hidden from him then it had either been done poorly or now for some reason, someone wanted him to know. It was troubling if dwelled on too long. If someone was attempting to manipulate the flow of events they had targeted some very dangerous individuals to play with like pieces on a checkers board. Golden gaze passed over the signed paper passed back to him for a moment to simply observe it before he folded it calmly and placed it back into his pocket. He would be sure to keep a closer eye on events. Still Nanashi was hinting at some very dangerous thoughts. He had expected the man to still be laid back and serious at the same time. It appeared however that the people responsible had found a string to pull that unraveled that calm a little bit. Their own fault really. Still a few more things had changed about the man as well. It appeared to be the scar over one of his eyes was gone and he had the use of both of his eyes now as well as his hair was shorter. Less of a looker now and more of a professional appearance. Still when Akira spoke his voice was surprisingly calm for someone known to have a temper. Yet it lacked that soft feel to it that he usually had when he spoke. It was a far darker tone this time.

"You, will do nothing towards them for the time being. For the moment you will act as if they don't exist and if you move against them without consulting me, we will have words. I don't know what they are up to as of yet or what shadow games they like playing. Yet it will be me looking into it discreetly. Not you. I hope that clears up your schedule because I have intentions towards you I would like to share." With that Akira leaned back into his chair and rested his hands on the arms. His fingers tapping the fabric on them while he let the suspense build for a few seconds. Still he hesitated because he wasn't entirely sure just how this next decision would turn out. Still he continued speaking all the same. This time his voice regained its silky composure. A practiced tone of voice that kept him appearing as silver tongued as could be. "I want you back as more then some black ops ANBU. The divisions have opened and the medical division will be based out of a floor in this hospital. The east wing of the fourth floor that has been renovated from its abandoned state will be altered to your liking if, and only if you accept two things. First I want you to act as the captain of the medical division. Your medical talents are among the strongest in the world without question. The second, and the main reason you won't act against the court, is I want to name you Sannin. We need to show Iwa has power. Having a sannin is a good step. Not many other countries have that at this point. If you accept these terms then politically our citizens will actually begin to believe in themselves as a nation that compares or even surpasses the others. All that the next step requires is you Dr. Guanyin."


3077

Regeneration. A possible skill for any medical shinobi who has the capability and drive to put enough time and enough in learn. An art of being able to regrow a limb, organ, or any human body part is something that doesn’t come easily - there is more to regeneration than simple chakra manipulation. An individual seeking to learn the skill must have an unchallenged understanding of the human body, how every muscle and bone and cell work together in creating and maintaining a functioning body. Having the needed knowledge is not the only thing a medical nin must have in order to learn the art of regeneration; they must also have near perfect chakra control and chakra pool to be able to perform such a skill. Regenerating something when the main components of it is missing takes a considerable amount of chakra, some of which is used to stimulate or create skin cells, to recreate a missing appendage entirely. Slinging ninjutsu or another jutsus is far easier and less taxing than using a regeneration technique. It because of that reason why some medical shinobi never goes beyond the basis of regeneration - settling in learning a standard, but least effective(in some people’s opinion), form.

Nanashi, himself, never sought out the art. The ability of regeneration had always been something that the Guanyin Clan pride themselves in, or so he has been told. They are one of the few clans capable of regenerating any lost limb or organ with little to any difficulty and all it takes is a simple chakra needle. A chakra needle jam packed with potent,  concentrated medical chakra that’s programmed to regrow any missing body part. It’s truly a marvelous ability, and one many associate the clan with. The ability is one that Nanashi has only used twice in his whole career; once to regenerate Mr.Kajika’s arm and leg, and most recently to regenerate his own eye - it having been lost for some time now. Those were the only times that he had ever resorted in using that particular technique which the clan was proud of. Reasons for not using much wasn’t due to a lack of proficiency, rather he had reached a plateau and couldn’t find a way to ascend it. He knew there was another level of regeneration to the technique - he just couldn’t reach it yet. And he might never truly reach it.

There wasn’t much of a choice in the matter, Nanashi knew he couldn’t act against those responsible without the order coming directly from the man before him. One might argue, due to his standings with a couple of hospitals outside of the village, and connections without the various Geisha House, that Nanashi could act with the Tsuchikage being none the wiser. It’s true, there is a slim chance he that he could act in such a manner, but they were dismissed rather quickly. Nanashi wouldn’t bother with pursuing the individuals until giving an order to do so. He, unknowingly to all beside the man a front of him, respected Akira, not due to his Tsuchikage, but his demeanor and approach in rebuilding Iwagakure back to her former glory. The man also held Nanashi’s respect because of his power, being the only one capable of possibly defeating the Guanyin member. “Of course, I won’t move against them, until you give me the order to do so. It already been nearly two months, I can wait longer. If you do some digging into the backgrounds of certain members, don’t be surprised that my name pops up a couple of times. “, words were spoken in a controlled manner lacking enough emotion to not give anything away, but enough to make things seem un-bland. He talked like he didn’t care that he was a former geisha - a cheap whore - and quite frankly he didn’t. And it wouldn’t be surprising if Akira knew this already.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. The moving hand of the clock on the wall was the only sound within the room. A tense silence having fallen over the pair of men, as Nanashi waited to hear what else Akira wanted or needed from him. To those less powerful, they would find themselves suffocating if they were in the room with these two Iwa powerhouses. Men who have cemented themselves as the strongest within the village. Akira, a man who taijutsu prowess has no equals, and Nanashi, a man who is known for his deadly ability with necrosis and medical ninjutsu. Akira, more so than Nanashi, is the backbone of the village not only on the political front but also strength wise. But, despite being in a room with someone stronger than him, Nanashi didn’t feel threaten at all. If anything, he felt relax, as evident in him getting more comfortable in his chair, waiting for Akira to speak.

Anbu. Only a handful of people has served in the elite brotherhood as long as Nanashi had. Granted, the infamous notion of Anbu has dwindled over the years, with more and more recruits filtering in on a daily basis, no longer being wary of joining the organization.  Being a part of it was still incredibly stressful, the mental task of cutting all connections one has with family and friends, and gaining a new identity was something many had a hard time accepting ii the long run. Long hours and an inability to contact family and friends unless outside of duty cause quite a few to do their term and ask to become Jounin. However, Nanashi, isn’t like the majority, having served as Anbu since the time of Special Jounin, only leaving during his small tenure as Tsuchikage, and returning immediately afterward. Never had he thought about moving away from the Anbu lifestyle, having enjoyed it immensely. Thankfully, it seemed like he wouldn’t be forced out of Anbu, but rather, placed in the medical division - if he accepted captaincy.

That wasn’t all, Akira, in wanting to show Iwa’s strength, wanted him to become one of the first Sannin in Iwa’s recent history. Of course, Nanashi couldn’t choose one or the other, having to agree or disagree both offers. A silence from earlier fell upon the room, Nanashi mulling over his decision before speaking “ If, I accept the medical division captaincy, can I train the recruits how I see fit?  I won’t do anything to them that would jeopardize the strength of Iwa’s military. You see, I always believe that some of the best assassins, killers. in this world are medic shinobi. They are the only ones with extensive knowledge on the human body and its function. For a medic, a simple prick, can be lethal. You know this already, though. If, I accept this, I would like to train all the recruit in the art of killing using their medical knowledge - in short, I will be training them in becoming true combat medics.  This way, instead of being just a support member, they will also have the capabilities and know how to kill enemies. All of this would be run by you before it’s implemented. As for the position of Sannin. What exactly would my duties entail?”

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1221(4504)

Akira paused as he listened to the man across from him. It was hard to tell if the man was older or younger. Perhaps it was the white hair or the stern expression the man kept on his features but when combined with his youthful skin and face the man seemed to become ageless. Certainly a useful thing to have features wise. It provided an air of mystery whether or not the good doctor intended it to be so. Even if he did Akira had some experience with the mans background. A brief skim had revealed what Akira was before he was a shinobi. Certainly a different upbringing then Akira's own. For someone to have risen so far with people fully aware of his past was surely an impressive thing. For the moment though it simply implied that Akira had no reason to underestimate the being across from him. Either of them could fill the room with death or life in an instant. It was common thought that Nanashi was the more capable medic. Of which Akira had no doubt in the heat of battle. For the moment though when it came down to the scalpel Akira though his own hand was more practiced. Perhaps not though. Since the political games began he had little time to work with the healing arts.

Still Akira waited a moment in thought before he calmly rose to his feet and moved to the side of the room with the window. He crossed his hands behind his back where he folded his left hand into his right hand and clasped them comfortably together. His golden gaze looked out over the courtyard of the hospital and then up over the city itself. The bustle of a community pressing ever forward into a new age seemed to fill his vision. Tall buildings under construction seemed like fingers reaching for the sky. And so it was for the most part. The people of Iwa were done living in the shadow of their own history but instead now intended to rise themselves to new heights. Not to simply be an extension of the mountains around them but to touch the sky itself. The buildings would take more time to finish building and construction crews worked tirelessly at them as if to shorten the time. Already the administration building seemed to fall into the shadow of the sky scrapers. So well named the buildings were. Akira himself wondered what it would be like to stand amongst the clouds and look over them to the lands below. The lands that he protected.

It was only after a pause fitting the thought behind it that Akira would speak up. His voice calm but almost tired. As if he was being patient with a great deal of things all at once and this was just one on the list of them. Still his silver tongue spoke out the silk towards the man in the room with him. Careful not to sound Jaded. "I don't disagree that they make excellent killing tools but I do want the focus of the division to be life. Teach them to defend themselves properly but I urge you never to suggest killing is their purpose. Words like assassin and killers must be avoided. Our nation for too long has seen the underbelly that is the beast known as humanity. Our very roots a bathed in blood and we can not fully bloom while that remains at the forefront of everyone's mind. The medical division will be a beacon of hope and trust to the people. As is the same reason you will be named Sannin. We can not let our past cast a shadow ahead of us if the light shines to the front. Your duty as captain and Sannin will be to oversee the growth of the next generation and be an example to them. You, Dr. Guanyin, will be either our Lazerus, risen from the grave to give hope and faith. Or you will become our Dracula. Undying and terrifying. I prefer the prior but if the latter keeps our nation safe I can accept that as well."

3773

Receiving the title of Sannin was never apart of his endgame. Upon becoming a shinobi, he had thought he would retire peaceful, as crazy as it sounds, at the rank of Jounin - having no need or want to go further. Those were the ambitious of a teen tired of killing, tired of seeing the blood of men and women  on his hands, tired of seeing the faces of Geishas that he couldn’t save, tired of them haunting him in his dream. Someone who were tired of failing those close to him. Dreams of a teenager who founded his pregnant wife slaughtered like a pig in the home they shared. Men have don't ways of dealing with traumatic, or what might be deemed as such, experiences with the great ones using them to propel themselves further, and the others drowning themselves in self-loathing, and then there were those who did self-destructive activities to hide their pain; Nanashi is the latter type. Killing and Sex, the two passed vices of him. It wasn’t uncommon to find some woman or multiple within his bedroom on any given night nor was it uncommon for him to occasionally leave Iwagakure for some reason or another. And in those incidents, he allowed his first vice to come into play. So, yes, one could say Nanashi was broken when he became a shinobi, but not he isn’t.

Through experience gained as a shinobi, his goals, his ambitious changed. As he rose through the ranks, gaining student(s), help in the conflict with Kiri, and ascending to Kage, Nanashi realized that what his younger self-wanted couldn’t exist. Retiring at Jounin rank wouldn’t make a difference in the grand scheme of things, peace wouldn’t come from it, those close to him would still be targeted by others wanting to cause them harm, and he would lose them. Through it all, he realized that he was being selfish, using his vices as a crutch, that the death of his wife and unborn weaken his steel will. And more importantly, he became stagnant.  The realization became the kickstart he needed. Killing and Sex no longer were the main priority, training was, he began to train more, diving into his Mother’s art, and recreating them for his purpose. Stagnant. Selfishness. Self-loathing. No longer would they define him, he would become the man that he shall have been. Even though the changes started occurring a year ago, they were still happening, even during his time on inactivity. The fruit from the changes have yet to bear, but maybe the prospect of being a Sannin would be the nutrients needed.

“You are right. Our home doesn’t need any remainder of the bloody roots that’s buried deep in Iwa’s core. The deeds of less than humans who called or call this place home shall be deeply buried. While I might not agree with you on somethings, I do agree it’s time for Iwa to bloom. As the head medic of this hospital and the Captain of the medical division, I will do my part in helping Iwa bloom.”, Captain of the Medical Division, Nanashi had agreed to become it, “Those in my division will learn everything and more about the human body. My knowledge will be passed onto them. Asides from teaching them the art of healing, they will learn how to properly defend and incapacitate an enemy shinobi who gets a little bit too close. They will be medics first but know will know how to end a life when a situation calls for it.”. There isn’t any point in just being a medic. An enemy shinobi knows medics are typically the weakness and strongest link. They are the weakness because they usually just focus on healing, and they are the strong because they keep the team healthy. What Nanashi wanted is to train medics who didn’t have the weakness of not knowing many offensive techniques. Who couldn’t kill when the situation called for it.  

“Very well. You got yourself a Sannin. I’m not going to lie, I have grown weak in these months stuff behind this desk. I would like to take some time off, not from my duties here but from doing missions, to train and get back into shape. I can’t promise that I will become the Lazarus of Iwa. No, you seen reports of my signature Jutsu, and you know my moniker given within Kirigakure. I will be the pestilence who affects anyone daring to hurt Iwagakure.” with those words, Nanashi accepted the title of Sannin.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

“Excuse me Tsuchikage-same and Dr. Guanyin. A few moments ago we received word from a messenger bird of squad returning back with their critically injured teammate. The report didn’t state the injuries but they were bad. The medic of the squad couldn’t heal them, only lessen the blood flow. The squad’s estimate time of arrive is 10-15 minutes. We have already began prepping the room for you.” stated a male nurse, having walked in after being told so.

“Thank you. I will be there shortly.” Nodding, the nurse quickly left, closing the door behind him.

“I’m sorry about that. If the meeting is done, I need to prep for the incoming patient.” Nanashi said, waiting till he was certain the meeting was over before standing up and shaking Akira’s hand, a firm grip being applied, and waiting till the Tsuchikage exit the room before doing so.

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933(5437)


**Didn't know if you wanted to continue or not. We have covered everything needed. So, unless I missed something we can end this thread. . *

Akira listened with a sense of interest in the mans words. Nanashi appeared older then Akira by some degree. Probably difficulties in life causing frown lines or maybe it was the grey hair. Or was it silver? This short it was hard to tell. Still Akira smiled a small and sly smile as his hand raised and stroked his forked beard. Some had commented how he had the charm of the devil but he doubted he would of made any headway with Nanashi had he lied to him at all. Perhaps not revealed everything during the length of the conversation but still he had been honest enough. Nanashi was not someone he moved like a pawn on his board. If anything Nanashi was his queen so to speak. Gender specifics aside he felt Nanashi had the highest potential in the country. Even if he claimed he had fallen behind when it came to pure power from sitting at the desk. He doubted Nanashi would be an easy target for anyone attempting to start a fight in the hospital...no that wasn't entirely accurate. Anyone who started trouble in Iwa was bound to face his rot. Bound to experience the terrors of the dead before actually being dead themselves. Rot was not something to take lightly. It was hard to fix medically and generally impossible to reverse by common medical means. A lesser medical ninja would have no choice but to surgically remove the rotted flesh to keep it from infecting the remaining muscle tissue. Amputations were not uncommon. Still he was confident enough in his own abilities to say he could withstand Nanashi for at least a few moments. Some would scoff at only being able to last a few moments but Nanashi's power was no joke. Not even remotely funny. That being the case and all Akira would be forced to take him seriously in that scenario and at that level, most fights ended within only a few moments. It would be a close battle indeed and unlikely both of them would walk away whole. That was the danger of being high ranked. Life and death switched places in less then half a second. The memory of such a lesson being taught to him made his hand rise and rub his eyes as if they had become sore all the sudden. The mere memory of having them ripped out causing discomfort.

Still Akira paused in his thoughts and turned his head slightly too look over his shoulder at the door as his senses took in the feel of someone approaching. Even with the design of the room Akira could somehow feel someone approaching. He wasn't sure himself if he could hear it like a whisper or if perhaps he could just feel it. Then it struck him that he had felt it after all. His senses had risen to such a level that he felt the unconcealed emotions of the person approaching. Panic, fear, hope....all of them seemed to radiate from the hallway. It wasn't humanly possible but then again, neither was smashing his way through a wall and he knew he was more then capable of that. Still his own abilities had surprised him. He was relieved at Nanashi's acceptance of both rank and title but now he wasn't sure what to make of what was coming down the hall. It was almost a sweet relief when a set of knuckles rattled on the door. As if he hadn't gone insane and imagined it. There was in fact someone else out there. He smiled at the realization of his new heights and turned his golden gaze away from the door even as it opened. His golden gaze watched as Nanashi listened to the man speak of another injury. If anything was evidence of his crusade it was how overworked the hospital was with injured shinobi. There was little that could be done to lessen it though. Missions went badly sometimes. They still had to soldier on and press against the evil that was the old Iwagakure. Whatever losses they suffered their enemies suffered more. Along with that Iwagakure was known for its brutality in battle. Burned and broken bodies were buried where the bandit groups had fallen. Even if one of their warriors was injured Iwagakure had a hold on being the most medically capable nation at the moment with Nanashi and Akira both present. Even the most dastardly of injuries could be fixed in a single day by the two of them. Their nation stood alone with Nanashi able to repair even lost body parts and Akira able to manage any surgery presented to them. Between the two of them only death prevented their own from being whole again. An undying army of shinobi was proving too much for their enemies and they were winning.

Still Akira made sure he had the document before rising from his seat as Nanashi did so.and rising his hand. A firm handshake was shared before Akira smiled and released it before speaking. "I will finish filing the necessary paper work. You will have your title and position by tomorrow. Do train as you see fit with yourself and use the division to the end that we discussed. You only report to me now, not the Daimyo's minions. Don't forget that. He won't challenge my say directly as of yet. We are too useful to him. I shall be off then." With a smile he left the room. Moving as the signs directed towards the trauma ward. Eager to do his part as he moved about before finding the exact center of the ward. He could probably hit the whole floor and the floors around it from there. He smiled to the nurse that passed him looking both surprised and confused. Before Akira spoke to him. "You are going to want to prepare some discharge papers. Run along now." Once the nurse obeyed Akira spread his feet and took in a deep breath before holding out his hands with palms facing each other about shoulder width apart. He let out his breath and began to let chakra radiate out from him. The doors around him shook as the lights flickered a little before green chakra began to swirl around him. Slowly the chakra formed into an orb in each hand glowing so brightly it cast a shadow off of everything around him. Then as suddenly as it began Akira slammed the two orbs together and a wave erupted from him. Passing harmlessly through walls and doors alike. With that done Akira let out a tired sigh and dusted off his hands before heading home. Nanashi would later find out that every one within twenty-five meters of where Akira had stood regardless of injury had been healed almost entirely. Tender scars remained and lost limbs were up to Nanashi to fix. But Akira had healed the entire trauma ward in one jutsu. A promotion gift.

Exit thread
4948
Perception A-3 ~> S 1550/1550
3398
Strength A-3 ~ S-1 3300/3300

98 wc remaining

Mirroring the Tsuchikage’s smile and firm handshake, Nanashi spoke in an even tone “Very well. I will be training in some of the training grounds on the outer fringes of Iwagakure no Sato. Where the population is sparse or non-existence. There is a couple of jutsu theories and concepts I came up with that need to be tested. Many of them are harmless in nature, however, quite a few of them deals with my necrosis ability and, therefore, need to handle away from civilization.” Akira might be the only living person to know in great details the destructive ability of Nanashi’s Necrosis jutsus. Known by some as rot, Nanashi is capable of turning normal harmless chakra into something that shouldn’t be possible. As the name suggest, his chakra takes on the characteristics of necrosis, blacken and rotten the skin and muscles of targets without little repercussion on who it’s targeting. While many have seen the aftermath of these techniques, characterized by the rotten flesh or in extreme cases complete removal of flesh, leaving on goo behind, only Akira knows the grizzly details of each usage.

Yet, despite his prowess with Necrosis, Nanashi is far from being an expert at it. No, that title is owned by his mother, she having pioneered the frown upon art even when the Guanyin elders told her not to. There is no Guanyin alive capable of matching that woman’s ability when it comes to such a dark art. Nanashi knows if he ever had to serious fight his mother then he would die. . . no doubt about it. When it came to this particular line, the woman simply had no equal. . . yet. It has become one of Nanashi’s goals to suppose his mother in the grizzly art, something that is easier said than done. Unlike others, Nanashi’s mother wouldn’t teach her son any of her higher necrosis jutsus, keeping them to herself, and forcing him to create his own. She did allow him to look over some old scrolls tho which helped him immensely.

Walking out of the room, Nanashi noticed Akira heading towards the trauma ward. Despite it not being any of his business what the Tsuchikage did, Nanashi  find himself mildly curious, therefore, he sent a clone to follow along. Even without being a sensory, Nanashi felt the building up of chakra within Akira. No normally using such a large quantity of chakra in the hospital would be frown upon with the perpetrator, if not a part of staff, being escorted out. However, this chakra didn’t belong to just anyone. It belonged to the Tsuchikage, Akira. Not only that, Nanashi easily noted the soothing presence of medical chakra and made the assumption whatever his leader was planning to do wasn’t harmful.

An assumption prove right as the wave of chakra seemed to wash over the entire ward, a warming sensation prickling at his skin. Having an idea what happened the clone disperse itself, giving it memories to Nanashi. Seems like he got his promotional gift early.

[exit]

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513(5950)



Atrophy Aftermath - Diminishing Strength -> 675/675


Atrophy Aftermath - Ebbing Speed -> 675/675


Atrophy Style: Touch of Misery -> 675/675


Hovering Hands (ホバリング手 ~ Hobaringu-te) -> 675/675


Preemptive Start -> 900/900


Serene Mind -> 900/900


Violent Force Back -> 900/900


Total:: 5400

Remaining:: 550wc