As soon as he got word of his arrival to the prison, Sanosuke dropped all meetings he had scheduled at the moment. The council looked towards Sanosuke in question of what got him wrestled. No doubt that the twin chairmen would want to have a word with Sanosuke afterwards of him abruptly leaving the council room in the middle of a meeting regarding the surplus of shinobi coming and doing missions alongside Kumogakure forces. But that didn't matter. As soon as Aelita walked into the room with her face looking pale and rather scattered than the usual newbie secretary, had while juggling many of her repsonibilities, he knew something was up. He signaled for the girl to come over to him and whisper to him what she had on her mind and why she would interrupt such an important meeting. He took off his hat and used it as some sort of blind so no other council could see behind his face or Aelita's for that matter as she told him in secrecy. When he heard, Sanosuke looked at her to be sure. She nodded quickly. That was that. His kage hat was put right back on his head promptly. Just as quickly as she came in, Sanosuke was gone. He was detained.

Binsu Genko.

An elite ANBU agent that was the top of his class. He was only seconded by ANBU captain, fellow Jyuudaime Raikage Candidate and member of the Kumogakure no Sato Sannin Bokuden Ryuzoji among the ANBU agents. He was another operative that went missing at the time of Reika's death. All of these ANBU agents, the supposedly shields of the Raikage, were no where to be seen when Reika was murdered. True, like Sanosuke, she grew tired of being followed around by the ANBU agents like she was some sort of prisoner and tried all her power to lose them. But for nobody to know what had occurred? That was hard to believe. And now this man, one of those whom Sanosuke would call a coward and a charlaton at his position, was captured? So when their leader is murdered, ANBU agents like this man, couldn't be found; however when they were trying to hide from authorites that wanted him dead he was found just like that? This wasn't a joke at all to Sanosuke. It was sick and twisted that left angry knots in his stomach from how furious he was at the entire situation. His fist were clenched as he stormed through his village towards the prison that held the convicted ANBU agent. Static electricity sparked the air with each step he took. Civilians steered clear of the angry kage making a warpath towards his destination. An entourage of ANBU agents circled around Sanosuke. Not out of his own safety, but to protect the civilians from being hit by the Raikage's angerful chakra that was whipping in the air like a hot curling iron.

It didn't take long for the Raikage to reach his destination at the pace he was walking. The prison was built in a mountain, away from any sort of sunlight that would pierce the clouds and rain down upon the earth."Open the bloody gates!" Sanosuke shouted loud enough at the gate that belonged to Athos' Keep, the high security prison for shinobi that were detained to ensure that nobody could possibly escape even if they wanted to with chakra means. The gates creaked opened not too long after Sanosuke's command. Quickly, Sanosuke walked through the gates and sensed the chakra of the man he was searching for. He wouldn't need the guide of the prison guards to take him into the cell where this coward was being contained. As he walked through the prison, not a single prisoner said a word as he passed by. There would be full blown arguments and fights breaking out in the cells. But as soon as the silver haired Raikage walked passed those cells, all fighting or social exchanges would cease on the spot. Just the man's presence was needed to warn the prisoners: This man was not someone to mess with. It would surely lead to our deaths.

Finally he reached the cell that contained this Binsu Genko person. From how he was sitting, it would seem as though he was completely content with his current position. His cell was rather nicer than the others he passed by. Why was he given his special treatment? If it was just because he surrendered himself, then Sanosuke would have given up on this morality thing that humankind has been harping since the end of time. Just looking at him pissed him off. Sanosuke realized that he was clenching his right first so tightly that his palms were so tender that any more pressure put on it now would cause himself to bleed. A big breath was taken into his lungs as Sanosuke tried to calm himself down. That big breath he has just taken was then exaled outwards. "I'd like to speak with Binsu...alone." Sanosuke said simply to his guards. Blue chakra danced on his fingertips as he moved it closer to the cell door and blasted the lock open gently enough for it to crack open. With that, Sanosuke entered the cell with his ANBU agents guarding the cell so nobody could get in and harm the both of them.

Now here he was before him. One of the men that may have been the reason why Reika died. Although that may be trivial, the fact that he's responsible for allowing the motherly Misora to die alone. That much he couldn't forgive. But here he was, sitting before him as Sanosuke stood. It was his fault, he chanted But he knew in his heart of hearts that it wasn't his fault. So why was he so angry at just looking at him. What could he possibly say to him that wouldn't wind up with him punching Binsu so hard in the face that Sanosuke might be impeached out of office for killing a prisoner without a trial. He couldn't take it anymore. Throwing one solid punch at a wall that he knew wouldn't break from his punch, Sanosuke threw his entire weight into it. For a second, Sanosuke stood there with his fist on the wall; his breathing turning into panting as he tried to calm himself down. A sickening thud sounded throughout the cell as Sanosuke retracted his fist. None of his bones were broken, that was for sure, but he would definitely have bruises. With his anger somewhat vented out, Sanosuke could finally think straight. Straightening himself up, Sanosuke tipped his hat so his eyes would be looking straight into the eye of the convict.

"You better have a damn good reason why we found you. Or you're going to soon wish you stayed under the rock like the spineless worm you are."

---

Laughter? Now that wasn't a response he was prepared to receive at his question. Sanosuke believed that his aura around him would have the ex ANBU agent deadly quiet. No way he would be pleading for forgiveness, for if he did then there was no way he would be ANBU. It was commendable that he would laugh in the face of danger, that much Sanosuke had respect for. Even before death where Sanosuke could easily be his executioner, this Binsu character was laughing. Nerves of steel, Sanosuke liked that very much. Although his laughter caused Sanosuke to clench his fist to resist the urge of punching the man straight in the jaw. He already vented his displeasure he currently had of the man right now with the indent he left on the wall from his last punch. Any more would give the impression to Binsu that he was just a child throwing a temper tantrum. So Sanosuke would listen to the man's words. Most of them held true, while others led to him gritting his teeth behind  tightly closed lips so the man wouldn't have the satisfaction of seeing him show obvious signs of anger. Despite that, Sanosuke would continue to listen to the man's story.

A quest for answers? Some of which he found out for personal questions he had. Others however he found concerning Reika's death. At mentioning of  his hunting of Kumo's bingo books, Sanosuke stayed silent; his temper now reduced to a low simmer. That would explain the note he received anonymously about some of the nukenin that was in Kumo's bingo books being handled. So it was from Binsu this entire time. "I have been busy handling affairs within the village, than to spend my village's resources on a runaway who can't even find it in him to pay respects for their leader's grave. The one YOU'RE sworn duty is to protect. What use is a vassal if they can't protect they're own lord?" Sanosuke's words would be carried like two poison tipped daggers going into Binsu's seemingly calm demeanor. It was an ANBU's sworn duty to protect their kage, despite Binsu's reasoning for leaving he failed in that regard. Sanosuke would be sure that he knew about his failure and what's more how he didn't even both to pay her respects.

Sanosuke stared back into the solitude eye of his prisoner before him. Sapphire clashed with the single visible eye of Binsu as the two men exchanged glances. Not a single guard would dare to come between the two men glaring into each other. In the prison cell, it wasn't a Raikage questioning a prisoner; it was two men sizing the other up for weaknesses. "While you were on your so called quest for 'answers' we've had our hands full with another intruder. This time attempting to destroy the crime scene where Reika was killed. He was detained but killed himself before we could question him, it's a shamed we didn't have an ANBU captain like yourself to properly interrogate him." Sanosuke began to walk around Binsu as he spoke. Like a lion moments before pouncing on his prey, Sanosuke was reminding Binsu that he is the one with the power and not him. It was him that left his village in this critical state. Sanosuke and Kenji could only do so much, doing without such a strong shinobi was very difficult indeed. But this man didn't seem to care, maybe he did. Sanosuke couldn't make heads or tails of this man. "I sure do hope, you're personal 'questions' were important enough to forsake your village."

Sanosuke stopped his rotation and stood before the man once more. They didn't exchange glances this time, Sanosuke moved quicker than the man could react. His gloved right hand moving faster than the biting motion of a king cobra, Sanosuke wrapped his fingers around Binsu's throat and held him against the prison cell bars. The cell itself shook violently as the man was held there. Should Binsu attempt to struggle, Sanosuke would increase the tightness of his vicegrip until his struggles came to a stop so the prisoner would listen to the Raikage's words. "Why have you returned with a smile on your face, a sword on your back and without your hands and feet bound by the heavy weights of regret?" The Raikage quoted Binsu word for word after asking him to ask said question. Binsu was speaking just the same question Sanosuke was having about his whole ordeal. What exactly did this man want now after all of this time away? Did he want to answer for deserting his village? Did he want to join them? Why now? Clenching his teeth, Sanosuke didn't bother hiding them behind his lips as he let Binsu see his barely reined in anger. "Speak, damn you..."

Listening to Binsu's words only infuriated him more. Despite how much he wanted to hate the ex ANBU and deny his facts, they were indeed facts. Facts he couldn't deny. Yes he did overlook looking for the ex ANBU to find out his location, yes he was bluffing about himself being too busy with the affairs of his village to find him. His responsibilites as Raikage, he had been poorly in juggling them to not look for such an important member of their village. Just from talking to him, Sanosuke knew just how important he was to his village. Despite his anger towards him, Binsu knew that his services to the village was still needed. He wasn't going to let some anger filled Raikage ignore that fact. It seemed that the one eyed man knew that fact crystal clear and was relishing in his position of him being needed for the village. In fact, Binsu was beginning to overstep his boundaries. Just as he was insulting him, Sanosuke closed his right eye and opened it up to reveal the seal of his clan: the demonic pact. The cryptic design of the demon on his iris for the prisoner to see. It carried a message: 'finish that sentence, I dare you. It will be the last audible sound that comes out of your disrespectful tongue of yours. That much I can assure you, Binsu Genko.'

Surely enough, the man held his tongue. As the man was struggling under having his throat held there in place by the Raikage, Sanosuke took notice how quickly he didn't resist being held against the bars of the prison. Despite his force, Binsu was relaxed and not at all nervous. From feeling his body, Sanosuke could tell just how calm he was under the pressure of having his life in danger like this. Even with Sanosuke's vicegrip around his throat, Binsu was able to speak clearly without the situation detering his speech. At the end of his answer, Sanosuke dropped Binsu to the ground to allow the man to recover himself. After clearing his throat, Binsu waited until Sanosuke was in a better state to listen as he heard his proposal. The Raikage stood where he was looking the man up and down. In a prison cell like this he would have the audacity to make such a ridiculous request. It was so spontaneous that Sanosuke was at first taken back at his words. He wouldn't say anything as he would let Genko's words stick and marinate in his head. Genko, even while in prison with his life in the position that he could so easily have it taken away from him, asked the impossible. He was asking to touch the sun with wings made out of wax and pigeon feathers.

Binsu Genko, former captain of the Kumogakure no Sato ANBU black ops, was asking to be one of Kumo's sannin. At first chuckling came out of his lips, it was light then it gradually turn into laughter. His shoulders rose and fell with each laugh that came out, the man's body shaking more as he laughed. It was humourous that he couldn't help himself. The prisoners in the nearby cells were uneasy at the laughter of their leader. Sanosuke could hear them squirm in their respective cells as they strained their ears gingerly to hear what was going to happen next to their fellow prisoner that the Raikage was visiting. "That is why you've come before me. Have you ever thought that I might just deny your request and kill you right now?" Sanosuke spat out venomously. Any signs of him laughing before was no longer present. His features hardened as Binsu would be looking no longer at a Raikage possessed by repressed anger, but a Raikage possessed by a demon. Oxygen began to leave the prison cell as the chakra that was rolling off the Raikage's skin was creating a vacuum taking out all of the air in the area of the prison cell and replacing it with his own fuuton chakra laced with raiton chakra that will stun anyone that would dare breath it in.

More and more chakra began to seep out of Sanosuke's body very soon turning the man's body into a living torrent of energy. Chakra so intense and powerful that it was visible to the naked eye without the assistance of any chakra sensory abilities. Light shone from the prison cell as the prisoners that were nearby only saw a bright light from the cell close by, counting their blessings they weren't the prisoner in that cell. To Binsu it would look like he was before a diety as the torrent of chakra swallowed Sanosuke's visible form from Binsu's one good eye and replaced it with a single form of chakra that had the demonic mark of Sanosuke's clan in its eyes. It would be leave even the strongest will individuals speachless as they wouldn't know what to do in their situation. Even his voice took a noticeable change, sounding more archaic and demonic with every word he spoke. Despite the raging winds Sanosuke was creating with his chakra, his words still echoed and bounced off the prison cell walls. "If I made you one of my sannin, you would belong to the village and serve it from within better than you have previously. If I made you one of my sannin, you would answer to me no questions asked. If I made you one of my sannin, you would dedicate more than what you committed to Reika Misora; the Raikage you failed." Sanosuke growled, his voice so forceful that it rumbled the entire prison to its core. His eyes shone bright blue with chakra and powers that Binsu wouldn't even begin to comprehend if he spent the rest of his life gazing at with his one good eye he had.

"Are you prepared for that life to live? To cast aside your previous life where you failed in your only mission of protecting the previoius Raikage, and be reborn in the world as my sannin who's sworn duty it is to serve me?" Sanosuke finished. The rumbling stopping as he finished speaking. However the raging winds only increased in its force as Sanosuke continue to stare into Binsu's eye to search for his answer. His jutsu would prohibit any movement of the kind, besides small ones. Even then small movement like a nod of the head took much mental preparation and willpower to do even that. If he was really dedicated to serving him, Sanosuke knew Binsu would summon his strength he had in his body to simply nod that he was ready for whatever Sanosuke had in store for him...

---

Chakra 365/386. Jutsu Used:

At the man's answer, Sanosuke let him stay on the ground and grovel to collect himself. He had overstepped his boundaries to someone who could easily end him. This situation, Sanosuke admitted, he was handling with more of an iron fist than he was known to. It was true that he had to show that there was no room for insubordination under his rule, but his tactic of doing so was what an observer would call going to radical ends. He had to know that this Binsu person could be trusted. Him going to such extremes was to test out his resolve. If he truly wanted to come back to Kumo and serve the village, Sanosuke had to know how this man would deal with one challenging his resolve to protect the village at all cost. Even if it meant that the man would hate him while serving him, that just meant that he was the perfect candidate for the job. Approaching Binsu, Sanosuke knelt down to meet him face to face. Sweat was caked on his face from the amount of willpower and inner strength to simply speak while under his technique. "This hatred you have for me. Keep it. You will hate me as a person, because you're forced to work under me in order to protect your village." Sanosuke said low to Binsu. The last part of his words would come as a whisper. "And that is why I know I can trust you the most."

He wasn't wrong in his words. Binsu would come to hate him, which was good. He didn't particularly need people that liked him to serve under him to protect his village, Sanosuke needed people that would put behind their personal vendettas with him and work under the common goal of protecting his village.  That hatred Binsu has for him will be good for the village. Dangerous people are after Sanosuke's life, the Court of Owls being a prime target for his life. In case he is killed by them the Raikage needed leaders to step up to the plate to take the reigns in case the worst possible outcome occurs. As Binsu would be taking the time to understand Sanosuke's words, he wouldn't notice the sudden surge of chakra developing in the silver haired man's right hand. The chakra took the shape of a sharpened weapon as Sanosuke plunged it into Binsu's side. It would cut through his flesh easily as his hand would go right through him. He was sure his attack would only go through flesh and not hit any organs that would endanger his life should they be damaged. Binsu's body was strong and could most likely take this sort of injury. However it will surely hurt like hell and cause a significant amount of blood to arise. Pulling his hand out from Binsu's body, Sanosuke would take his bloody right hand and place it on his left shoulder. "On this day, Binsu Genko was executed by Sanosuke Flynt for the charge of desertion. May the Gods have mercy on his soul."

His voiced boomed throughout the prison to notify all of those listening in the conversation to know what had just occurred. Gasps could be heard from the prisoners as they heard what just conspired. Even as convicts who were convicted of worst crimes than just desertion nobody would think the Raikage could come into a man's cell and kill him in cold blood. The gasps died down quickly as they heard the Raikage stand up from the rustling of his robes. "From this day forward, you are Han Itagaki. Sannin of the Village Hidden in the Clouds." Sanosuke said in a much low voice that he was sure nobody could hear besides the two of them. Even though Sanosuke was standing up while Han was kneeling on the ground trying to keep his voice down from the pain he was experiencing. He was sure his words reached him of his new identity. Walking out of the cell, Sanosuke snapped his fingers to summon the medics that would come to pickup Han and escort him in secrecy out of the prison to treat his wounds. From there, he would go through the process of being reinstated back into the shinobi under his new identity.

As he walked, Sanosuke clenched his fist. If it was for the sake of his village, Sanosuke would gladly be labeled the dictator by few and a benevolent ruler by the majority. Was this what you've all faced while serving the seat as Raikage? Sanosuke wondered this of all the Raikages that came before him. To be both titles but be one person? The stress for balancing both labels would be enough to drive anyone insane. Sanosuke guessed that is why many rulers went mad with power. Shaking his head to refuse that fate. That will not be him. He will carry the weight of both titles and make Kumogakure no Sato the strongest village the world has ever scene. And his newest addition to his village's strength, Han Itagaki, will be one of the pillars of strength that will assist him in holding up his village.

---

Chakra 355/385. Jutsu Used:

"You've let your guard down you know."

The voice from which Han would hear this from would be in his immediate right most side of his bed where the shadows blended in to mask the presence of Sanosuke Flynt while in his signature black cat form. He had came in an hour while Han slept in his bed still unconscious from the treatment he was getting. He was simply visiting him to see how he was coping. Although it was him that put him in this state, Sanosuke still felt no guilt over his actions. This was to look at his newest investment in protecting Kumo in case of his demise. The council had always wanted him to be more serious about either finding a successor or at least a recommendation of a new candidate in case something like this happened. It also let the Raikage have some time to think to himself while watching the unconscious sannin before him. This man will lead his people when he cannot should the Court succeed in their plans in disposing him. He only wished that he knew for certain this was the right choice. He couldn't hesitate in his decision. Hesitation has led to many rulers to meet their demise prematurely. That will not be him.

At hearing Han's breathing change to signal him waking up, Sanosuke reverting to his henge form and darted into the shadows of his bed. Upon this transformation, it seemed as though his piercing red eyes gave himself away to the nurse as she came in to see how Han was doing. Once she smiled, the woman looked downwards and accidentally made eye contact with Sanosuke. Quickly she left the room, closing the door behind her. That was when he made his presence known to Han. Crawling out from under the bed, Sanosuke stretched his back in a feline matter before pouncing on the bed. The apple on the tray looked rather appetizing so he took it and began to claw at it until it was in smaller pieces for him to eat it without worrying about him eating the skin.

Of course Han will have questions why he was here, but Sanosuke would simply wag his tail and not think too much about his own problems; and instead give off an aura of laissez-faire so Han wouldn't detect his worries coming from him. Each bite he took from the apple reminded him why he hated hospitals. Even their fruits were mediocre. But then again fruit was fruit. "Came here to deliver your file." Sanosuke said between bites. Using his chakra telekinesis, the feline cat's golden markings on its fur glowed as a scroll from under the bed floated to Han's lap before dropping it on the man's lap. "In that file you'll have everything you'll need to know about your new identity. Study it until it has become a part of you. The ANBU branch will want a meeting with you regarding your future working with them as a captain." Sanosuke scarfed down the rest of his apple before letting out a burp. Just as the nurse closed the door, Sanosuke branched his chakra outwards to soundproof the room they were in so that nobody could listen to them. So he seriously doubted anybody would hear his burping.

Leaping up to the window, Sanosuke took the time to enjoy the sights. Bellow were kids playing what looked like a rather old game and enjoying themselves. They were the future of his village. He'd do anything to protect them. Even if it meant being seen as a villain to some like the man he had his back behind to. "Of course this all won't happen until you are better." Sanosuke returned a dry smirk behind him. From everything Sanosuke had said to the man up to this point, this was the only sentence that held the least amount of bravado. It was sad some might say. If Han could look into Sanosuke's eyes, there would be another emotion inside that Sanosuke didn't want to be seen to the public. Fear. It was fear of what to come. It was this fear that made Sanosuke put forth the actions prior to the worst scenario from happening. But despite this fear, Sanosuke would continue to fight on. He'd be damn if he let those assassins kill him off so easily. But it wouldn't hurt to have a backup plan in case they succeed.

"You've let your guard down you know," a small black cat jumped up onto his bed and spoke. Binsu arced his eyebrows and stared unknowingly at the small creature, unsure if he had heard it right or heard it at all. "Cerberus?" he thought, suspecting it might have been one of his feline companion's many forms, but the cat didn't sound like his sadist friend. The swordsman grit his teeth at the sound of the feline's next line, right after it had targeted a nearby apple and had sheared it's form into multiple pieces. "Came here to deliver your file." Binsu snickered at cold tone in which the cat had relayed the message. The black cat sounded just like him. "Wait, is that?" he dared to suspect he had visited him in such a comical form, as if to mock his condition. Right on his lap too. Binsu blamed himself for not realising it sooner - after all, Sanosuke was the only person apart from the hospital staff that knew of his admission - although a small part of him couldn't help but curse at the thought that he had forced him into this frail state.

"Still, there are worse ways to die." Binsu relaxed his stare and purged a heavy sigh, or was it a yawn? His memory teased him. With his attention still fixed on the cat, Binsu let his gaze wonder around his bed to catch a glimpse of a floating scroll, presumably under the influence of the deformed Kage's will. The item swiftly found it's way into his lap and rested there until Binsu decided to pick it up. The cat opened it's ridiculously small mouth to speak again, this time taking a bite from each slice of it's apple between sentences, it's eyes still fixed on the damaged nin. "In that file you'll have everything you'll need to know about your new identity. Study it until it has become a part of you. The ANBU branch will want a meeting with you regarding your future working with them as a captain." And suddenly it all came back to him; why he hadn't bothered to correct the nurse when she referred to him as Mr. Itagaki. He had been assigned a new identity to replace his own, a precaution he didn't think was necessary but agreed to nonetheless. However, that wasn't the reason he raised his glare from the scroll and returned it to the cat, only to show him a concentrated brow and a wrinkled forehead. "Do they know i'm stuck in a hospital bed?" Binsu began, but the Kage was quick to address his concern. "Of course this all won't happen until you are better." That put the swordsman at ease for a second, and boy did that second go by quickly.

The cat then leapt onto the window seal and paused to take in the view below, but Binsu directed his attention towards the scroll in his hands. A small part of him wanted to read it's contents, the rest of him just wanted to forget this had ever happened. Perhaps life would have been easier for him had he stayed on the run. Surely it would have meant less responsibility than that which was waiting for him in Kumogakure, but he knew he needed to return sooner or later. Maybe it was best sooner. He didn't like the vibe this new Kage had laced into his persona - that vibe of brutal dictatorship - but he'd force himself to adapt to it for the good of his nation. But on another note,

"I'm a Sannin now..."

---

Total WC = 4476 (-2000 Trainin Fuinjutsu B -> A rank)(- 2000 Training Pet "Cerberus" C to B)(and -250 for training pet jutsu: supernatural walking technique)

Remaining WC: 226 ~
Total EP acquired: 4

A gently breeze swept through the open window and into the hospital bedroom as Sanosuke looked outside taking in the view of his village. Although it wasn't as spectacular as the view that he normally got from his vantage point at the village, it was certainly a pretty good spot to look at this section of the village. He could see people walking through the streets each with their own agendas. The breeze ruffled his fur as he closed his eyes. This was for the best. He needed soldiers for in case of his death. He truly didn't want this role of being a tyrant to Han, but did he have a choice in crafting the perfect successor that would serve the village better if not the same as he was running it? Maybe in time Han would understand his reasoning, but in the meantime the young Raikage would just have to hope that the newly appointed sannin would do as he commanded. "I'm counting on you. Don't fail me." Sanosuke said in a low voice. Despite it being so low, he knew that he heard what he said before making his way down the tree and walking away from the hospital that held his recovering new sannin and second in command.

[thread exit]

WC: 5006/2250(Speed S-2 --->S-3)
2756/2,500(Training of Kaze no Yaiba completed) 256 words remaining