The man with blue hair hummed along to the melody of his guitar. His fingers strumming against the strings in perfect precision, practically rehearsed and well-performed as if an audience was there to listen. Tōkai walked with along guitar in arm, playing away a simple lullaby as the sky above turned shades of orange and red. Of course as the man was deaf he had little to no ability to tell just how his song sounded, but he well knew it sounded as it should. Each finger on the board exactly as it should, each play of the strings memorized to the exact feel. The song sounded as it should, nothing more and nothing less.

The wanderer went wherever his feet would take him, and today that meant the village hidden in the stones. He had just come to the giant and and very large wall, The famous protective fortress that surrounded the village of Iwagakure. There were of course guards on standby, and several travelers and villagers milling about at the day's end. Tōkai himself was just making his way inside, flashing some travel papers by without giving time for too much scrutinization. Whether they were fake or real was left to be imagined, the traveler wouldn't take a chance to have them examined too closely however. It was far easier to keep such things as names under a sort of veil. Otsuka was a name he sometimes tried not to throw around too freely. Iwa was the origin of his bloodline's Kekkei Genkai, perhaps that was one of the unknown reasons Tōkai had found himself here. And for that same reason, he wished to keep the Otsuka name unknown.

In any case, perhaps it was just because the young man hadn't been to the Hidden Stone village yet was the other reason why he was here now. Or... Had he? He couldn't quite remember. But, since he wasn't sure, it always nice to visit places anyway. As a wanderer, he had no one that could tell him where he could go and where he could not.  He walked freely, a sort of lightness to his steps while his fingers dancing over the guitar strings. After a few quick glances around, he noticed that a some passerby had taken notice of his performance. With a smile and slight bow, Tōkai stopped in his steps, conveniently spotting a curb to stand on, he found himself a miniature stage and audience.

He played along, keeping the crowd entertained for the remainder of his song. It wasn't exactly a festive tune, but one fit for the day's end. It was, after all, a lullaby meant to lull the weary to sleep after a day of work or play. Tōkai himself wasn't sure if there happened to be a difference. The younger of the crowd surrounded him with dreamy stares. He kept his smile up, undisturbed by the spell of his own song. If only anyone knew that the musician was deaf, would they hear something different? Since he couldn't hear at all, he only had to wonder. The last time he had heard the song be played aloud was so long ago before he had lost his hearing, but with each strum of the strings he felt the melody through as if the memory of sound was returning to him. It was one of the reasons why he loved to play guitar, but of course only those limited songs he could remember.

The melody soon slowed as the lullaby came to its end. Tōkai waited an appropriate moment before taking a bow. He saw the few people clap their hands together politely. The blue haired man took off the hat on his head, holding it upturned and walked around the crowd. Just as he expected he felt the weight of the hat become heavier as people threw in change. After making a round the crowd had already began to disperse. Tōkai quickly counted the coins, it wasn't much but a little in change. He didn't expect that much considering it was an impromptu performance. It was however just enough for one drink at bar, or nightclub. It was all he needed for now, and it was better than being penniless just the few moments before he had walked into the gates.


He thought out loud, half joking at himself. It wasn't unusual for him to be unsure of where his next meal would come or if he would have a roof over his at night. Most nights it wasn't so, and other days all he would do was get drinks from a bar, get horridly drunk, and then wake up the next day in a bed with some stranger. At least the countless, forgettable one night stands had given him a place to sleep, so he couldn't complain.  It looked like that was where he was headed tonight, if he was successful in winning over someone. The traveler never really had plans for how things would go, but it was sometimes funny that certain way was something that happened to him often. He couldn't help but smile, laughing to himself over his own predicament. At the day's end, it would only be his visit's beginning.

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Akira moved along the streets at a fairly slow pace. A couple of shinobi followed close behind in ANBU gear with the hooded cloak hiding most of them. Yet they weren't for him. Instead they were there for his companion. To his left was a hunched over old man with a walking cane in dark brown robes. The man had a very thin hairline left and a beard which hung to about his chest. His eyes seemed to be closed but it was obvious he could see just fine where he was going. His skin on the other hand was wrinkly and spotted and yet the man held an air of authority behind him. Even standing next to Akira he seemed well placed. The guards were always attending to this man. One of the oldest and most trusted advisors to the Tsuchikage. Things only seemed to go badly when the Tsuchikage did not heed him. Akira on the other hand had dressed in his usual modern suit. His long slacks were thick enough to keep his legs warm and his dress boots were designed to keep the cold, wet snow off his feet. His top was a buttoned up silver shirt tucked into his pants with a black tie buttoned into it. A white vest over that with dark green backing and shoulders was also buttoned over the tie. Lastly he had on a long dress coat. Of course it looked normal but it was anything besides that. The long coat was actually crystal infused fiber with chakra enhanced capabilities. A light armor that could stop any weapon.

Still Akira stroked his forked beard as the old man droned on about proper taxation. His own golden eyes looking around. People bowed as they walked passed but he wasn't exactly a rock star. It didn't matter though. He was their king in his own mind. Even if they didn't swoon at his approach they did respect him. He had summoned the old man to his office originally but it turned out if you wanted the advisers time these days you needed to join him for his daily walk around the village. He hardly minded though. His attention was more drawn to the sound of music off in the distance. With his hearing he could pick it out from several blocks away. So long as he concentrated anyway. It was an intriguing sound. Almost lulling him to a sense of peace. Still he sighed as he noticed the old man had stopped talking to buy a hot tea and take his medicine. For the moment he had to tune back in and find out if this channel had anything to say besides taxes. His golden eyes glanced to the old man as he tossed back some pills and sipped his steaming tea. He sipped a couple more times before looking to Akira with a serious expression. His voice quieter now. "I have not missed what you have done for this village young man...however I share your concern with our Daimyo and his increased taxes. I have looked through the records and none of our taxes have come back to assist in any repairs for months. This needs to be addressed in his court. I will keep you informed of the results. In the mean time...please...enjoy your day."

The old man bowed his head in respect and Akira matched it. After all the man had been in office for a couple of generations before Akira had been born. He was well beyond retirement age. The fact that he was still alive was probably due to his exercise and medicine. However as Akira watched him walk away with his two guards he couldn't help but feel confident in the mans chances of success with the Daimyo. Everyone in Iwa respected his word. The Daimyo and his court shouldn't be any different. For now he moved down the street with his worries elated for the time being concerning the daimyos tax and lack of support in return. His thoughts drifted to the music as he made his way down towards it. He was curious about a street musician outside this time of year. After all it was freaking cold out. Still his long strides got him there just as the song ended and the artist held out his hat. Coins dropped into it one after another but that seemed odd too. He was sure he had found home and job for every Iwa citizen of adult age. Perhaps a kid after some extra spending money for the holidays? Either way Akira approached and reached into his coat pocket before placing a rather large coin into the hat. People cleared out as they saw Akira present and mumbled from a distance. Would Akira be angry at a vagrant? How would he handle this? Still Akira merely smiled and spoke in a warm voice lined with a silky smoothness unaware the individual before him was deaf. "Why hello there. And whom would you be?"

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Holding out the hat, Tōkai noticed that suddenly some members of the crowd began clearing away. The deaf man seemed was simply focused on the weight of the coins from the hat he held out. Eh… people here are generous hm…? The weight of the hat suddenly became a lot heavier, a certain audience member was being extremely generous.

The cold metal of the coins had clinked in his hands as they fell from his hat, if Tōkai had been able to hear them. He saw the vapor expel from his breath into the cold winter air. He had little appreciation for the cold, but he didn’t mind it much as the heat. At least the cold would mean no bugs, he rather disliked ants or anything in relation to tiny things with exoskeletons. With the coins in his hand, his mind wandered to what he would be doing for a place to sleep that night.

It seemed that in the midst of his thoughts, someone had come up to him. Tōkai looked up see a man a few inches taller than him with dark hair and smile on his face. With a few glances around, the wanderer saw that it was likely the man before him that caused a parting in the crowd. Anxious faces looked on to the pair, though Tōkai wasn’t sure why he would be the center of attention.

It seemed to be too late for Tōkai to catch any words that the man had said. His lips just stopped moving as the deaf man looked up. It would be rather awkward if he just stood there smiling, but it couldn’t be helped that Tōkai really had no idea what the man had said, if he had said anything at all. Perhaps he was just standing there to smile at some random street musician? Well, he was awfully close if he was meaning to do anything as simple as that. The blue haired pursed his lips and motioned to his own ears, while playfully shaking his head.



If the man would understand what Tōkai was saying, that he was deaf, Tōkai himself wouldn’t quite know. His own words had been just a little cryptic, but he was sure it would make one wonder what he meant. Also, if he had been playing guitar, then how could he have been deaf? Tōkai himself often wondered if his music actually was any good since he couldn’t hear it at all. He must’ve been a little decent, if so many a crowd had gathered and he had been so generously rewarded by the man in front of him.  


It was a sudden musing as Tōkai went of a tangent from his own words, not really waiting to see if the man would have responded. Perhaps he would have, and then this time Tōkai could carefully observe the man’s mouth to see what words would have formed.  He didn’t care to hide the fact that he was observing the man’s lips, perhaps it would only support his claim that he was deaf. Not to mention Tōkai’s regular unusual pattern of speech.  If there were sounds or other stimuli, such as the chatter of stray words or casual sounds of a city during a winter’s nightfall, he would show no reaction. Tōkai himself ended up only adding to his general musings.



The blue haired man tapped the bottom of his chin in a mock thinking position. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. But he was sure, maybe, that he had quite possibly been to Iwagakure no Sato? His travels had taken him many places, village after village, country after country, and at times it was simply hard to keep track.  Each place was just so different it was simply difficult to tell if he had been there or not. Tōkai was the type of person to easily forget things, though often times he just chose not to remember. It was easier after all, though it could come his disadvantage. It was hard to make friends when you could never quite remember them. Fortunately, it wasn’t like he set out to make friends all the time. He did remember he had a cousin, though he wasn’t quite sure where his cousin was currently. Anyway, even if he had been to Iwa before, would that mean anything to the man standing before him?

He shrugged, letting those be the last of the words he'd say for his turn. He breathed out again, a little cloud of vapor forming in front of his mouth in the cold air. He kept a smile on his face, a friendly one like that the man before him. It was natural for Tōkai to revert to a happy grin, though he had no particular reason to feel so frivolous.

896/1812 Total Words~

Akira eyed the young man with a golden gaze for a moment as the individual hadn't taken note of his words. The musician was either extremely confident in his abilities to ignore people or somehow he had managed to miss Akira's words. He hoped against the first but he was a very experienced speaker and always spoke clearly and directly when he wanted to actually address someone. When he spoke people had a tendency to listen. Especially if they knew whom he was. People did not ignore someone in his position. However he had to be patient and leave room for the chance the words he had directed to the individual hadn't actually gotten through. He stood there patiently for a moment until the boy actually seemed to notice he was standing there almost as if surprised. So the boy hadn't actually heard him. That was a relief at least. He doubted he had the patience to deal with someone arrogant at the moment. However he blinked in surprise as the boy indicated his ears and spoke in an odd way. He had certainly not expected someone to be deaf. He almost felt guilty for losing patience over it. However he was well aware it could not of been helped and he hadn't done anything that would lead those watching to believe he was inconsiderate of the disability. Still the boy spoke of how things changed over time. Or rather how they didn't stay the same at least. It was odd speech but for the moment Akira did not have knowledge of sign language. However, even as he accepted that as a drawback to this conversation a smile played across his features. A gloved right hand lifted with the palm up between them. Akira had his own physical oddity. His chakra was visible whenever he accessed it. That however was going to serve a purpose with his level of chakra control. Carefully hid golden chakra lifted in strands from his palm and began to form into words. A single sentence in the palm of his hand for the moment. The golden sentence hung there for a moment as it read.

"I assume you can read, yes?"

After it was acknowledged assuming it was a positive response, Akira let the Kanji shift around slowly in his hand. After all the level of chakra control he was displaying took some effort. Still he didn't seem to be struggling with it as the lines seemed to dance back and forth. Soon they formed another sentence as Akira watched the boy. Smiling to him as he held out the words. "Iwa has undergone some significant economical shifts as of recent." As soon as it looked like the boy was done reading the words would fade out like smoke and fade back into to solid lines again. Akira was mastering this quickly."They say the New Tsuchikage is kind of a hard ass and refused to let his nation live in squalor." Akira chuckled at that little inside joke of his. He had no intentions of revealing his exact Identity for the time being. He found people were usually more direct if they were not afraid of his irritation towards them. Something that typically happen when you could flick someone to death. Not that he was known for doing any such thing to innocents. Still Akira was far too aware of the eyes of the curios watching him while pretending to have business nearby. He always had to be politically correct around others outside. So irritating that people just wanted a reason to be filled with hate. Still he let the words shift once more, quickly this time as he was eager to be elsewhere.

"Would you walk with me? It is far too crowded around here if you are done preforming."

Akira wasn't one to wait long for a response. All he waited for was the appearance the boy was finished reading before he turned and began walking. Making sure to leave room to walk on his right but not his left. He was a master of chakra control but it was still easier with his dominant hand. At least enough for him to find it more comfortable. Still he walked at an average pace with only a brief pause to let the young man gather his things. If he followed Akira they would head down the street away from prying eyes and ears so that now it looked less like he needed to watch himself. Still he was following the road heading to the far side of the village. Towards the Academy. As they walked this time Akira would hold up his right hand while only glancing in the direction of Tokai. Sure to watch where he was going. "I am Dr. Kazako by the way. I am surprised you can play so well without your hearing. Whom might you be I wonder? With such talent surely you have a name." The words hung suspended there. This time reading out multiple sentences. all in golden Kanji made of chakra.

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Tōkai was surprised to find that the man didn’t say any words in response. Instead, the blue haired wanderer was answered with a smile. He sure seems to enjoy doing that… A look of skepticism came across Tōkai’s face, however it soon turned into smile in return. The dark haired man lifted his own hand, almost like magic, golden strands of chakra formed kanji on the stranger’s palm. It was a simple question, one that made Tōkai laugh aloud. He nodded, as obvious as the answer would be. While he didn’t much care to question how the man before him had the ability to do… exactly whatever he was doing, Tōkai thought it cute that he would go through such measures to make the deaf man feel a little more comfortable. Though, it wasn’t like he specifically needed it. Tōkai was perfectly capable of reading lips, after over a decade and a half of practice. Besides, when most people found out his handicap, it wasn’t like they specifically knew sign language. It was a talent he was forced to develop since his unfortunate accident.

The golden words soon faded away like mist, then transforming into new ones. They explained that Iwa had indeed undergone some changes since the wanderer was last here, or rather, if had been there at all. It was apparently because of a new Tsuchikage. The Stone Shadow… leader of the village hidden the stones.



Tōkai said the title out loud, a smile on his face as the other man chuckled with the mentioning of it. Each syllable stretched with the tone of unfamiliarity. Laughing at the leader of the village probably wasn’t something proper to do, but the native of said place seemed perfectly alright with it. Tōkai himself had no reason to respect that specific authority. The concept of the hierarchy in a shinobi village was rather foreign to him to begin with. Never a part of one nor had the desire to join one in his twenty-two years was partly the reason he had little care for how they worked. The other part being how another certain village had been indirectly involved in the incident that caused his deafness.  The man before him likely never been involved with that incident either, but Tōkai couldn’t help but feel annoyed that he likely held a connection to his village, a loyalty that Tōkai himself never cared to feel. Tōkai’s smile, however, masked any hint of contempt.

The golden words shifted again, this time inquiring about a walk together. Tōkai simply nodded his head again. Moving his guitar around the strap so his instrument was his back, he quickly followed his impromptu tour guide.  He followed him on his right side, the same one that the man held his palm up for those words written in golden chakra strands. Despite his dislike for village ninja, it also couldn’t be helped that sometimes the abilities of some were rather amazing. Tōkai whistled out loud as he followed the man to wherever their destination would be, he rested his hands behind his head, walking at the casual pace his newfound companion had set. He was half hoping that the man would lead him to a place with a bed, or perhaps his own. But he didn’t dwell on the idea too long. He wasn’t that interesting in that sense, Tōkai was slightly hoping for someone with a bit more vigor anyway. For the little interaction they already had, the man before him was too stiff for his taste. Yet another faint hope was that Tōkai himself could melt away that stiffness. He smiled at that idea and let out a breath of air, a cloud of water vapor formed in front of him in the cold winter night. The man kept his palm up, forming a few sentences of golden kanji. He finally revealed his name, Dr. Kazako and complimented on Tōkai’s skills with his guitar. He also asked for a name.

The option dawned that he could very well give a fake one, it wasn’t like the name he used was his real one anyway. His surname, Genshi wasn’t exactly his own, but he still truly was Tōkai. The other name, Otsuka of Bakuton, was… left to be desired as his own. If the so-called Dr. Kazako knew anything about the history of his own village, he likely would recognize the name connotated with the Iwagakure explosion corps.


In the end, the wanderer decided he would just go a single name basis, making sure to add in the part as to how his name was written for the benefit of the man who communicated through the golden words. As for the compliment, Tokai only smiled again. An arch of an eyebrow indicated that he was questioning the validity of the praise.



He laughed again, his skeptic face only being a mockery. His blue hair fell onto his eyes, the one blue eye that could be left seen winked playfully at the Dr. Kazako.  



Tōkai lifted his own hand and tapped his finger to his palm. He let out another breath into the cold air, the cloud of water vapor formed mist around his hand that soon faded away, similar to the way the golden words faded away to black on the Doctor’s palm. Tōkai soon cupped his own hands in front of him, blowing warm breath gently to warm his chilled face a little. He placed one hand in his pocket, with the other he adjusted his collar around his neck. His head turned toward Kazako, or rather, his eyes kept watch on the Doctor’s palm to see what other golden kanji would form in response to his question.

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Akira was rather satisfied the young man had opted to come with him on his walk. Prying eyes and strained ears were how rumors started. They probably already had a rumor going about that Akira was paying a vagrant for favors of a sexual nature. It wasn't beyond him really but his excursions into the night life were typically more discreet. A man had needs after all and it was hardly illegal here to service another for profit. The people simply wanted a flawless leader. Even with all the good he had done in the village and the surrounding areas they still doubted him because of his habits. His luxurious tastes, his choice in company and his drinking as well as smoking habits. Lord help them on the occasions where he loses his patience and went hunting members of the infinity gang to relieve some pent up aggression. Every time he did they flipped out either about how a Kage shouldn't endanger himself on those missions personally, or they actually saw the state of the bodies brought back. Shattered and broken as they were the witnesses whispered a little quieter about their disapproval. It was natural to fear power though. Too often it was used to spread fear and gain influence through innocent lives. Having it defending the innocent was too foreign a concept for them.

Still the boy spoke of his name and Akira smiled. He was even kind enough to describe how to spell it. A kind gesture even if it was for the boys own benefit. It certainly would prevent Akira from making a fool of himself by guessing how it was spelled. A small chuckle even escaped those lips as the musician spoke honestly and humbly. Not a common thing with musicians. He was a little too used to speaking to individuals who dedicate their lives to the art and demand perfection. Playing songs written by westerners long dead and never being creative. Not all were that way but the ones who had the audacity to demand an audience with him typically were. He wasn't typically amused by anything being demanded of him. He would never lash out at a civilian for being disrespectful but after meeting with him they certainly knew better. Perhaps that was why he took to this new street musician. The music was a tune he hadn't heard before and it intrigued him greatly. Such talent deserved to be rewarded. Still the question of his own talents caused him to look back with a golden gaze. The kind of gaze that seemed to look into a person and see all. What was on the surface and what was in the core of the persons being. Something about this person was a tier above others. A level higher then the average man. Still he flicked his wrist and the Kanji popped up before floating away from his palm and hovering in the air in front of Tokai until it was touched...If Tokai touched it he would get a sensation from touching Akiras chakra. A sense of firm warmth but smooth and flowing just under the surface. Doton and Suiton based.

"A lovely name. As for my talents, I am a leader in the medical field so I suppose that would be one. I also carry some influence in the village."

It was about then that Akira would stop as a vendor would wave to him. He would look over to the man and smile before bowing his head. He then changed direction and moved over to the stand. It hissed with boiling vegetable oil and smelled deeply of fried foods. The man behind the counter was older but had a grand smile plastered on his face like nothing could remove it. The shop was small and was basically a counter with a couple of stools but it appeared to be an order and go place anyway. Still Akira stepped in front of the counter and within that area it was considerably warmer. Still the old man bowed a couple of times to each of them before speaking. "Tsuchikage-sama...so good to see you again...Once more I thank you for helping me keep this shop open after that incident with my competitor. The repairs look very nice...please.. have a Kushikatsu for you and your friend yes?" Akira smiled and thanked the man before he was handed two fried things on two sticks. He offered one to Tokai before biting his own and exiting the stand. Continuing his walk towards the University. A bite quickly taken out of his food before the could took its heat. Goat meat deep fried...tasty. Still he let loose another set of golden letters. This time careful to walk side by side with the boy so he could watch him for the reaction if he caught the mans lip movements and the reveal of his position.

"I have a floor at the university with some spare dorm rooms. I will make you this offer, I will house you until you choose to house yourself and in return, you elaborate on what you mean when you say your hearing isn't what it used to be."

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At the wanderer's inquiry, the man of golden kanji returned a golden gaze. Yellow eyes seemed to stare beyond the surface and deeper still, into the soul. Tōkai's own aqua blue orbs, easily countered with a calm stare of denial. The smile on his face was the opposite of what the blue haired man felt on the inside. It wasn't anger nor any feelings of contempt, simply one of suspicion and selfishness. Being on his own had caused him to be quiet paranoid of others, yet the joking demeanor he put on simply was something he too enjoyed. What the man with golden eyes would see was exactly what he wanted. In a way Tōkai had nothing to hide, but he wasn't too keen on revealing everything at once. He had his own priorities, most of which he couldn't quite list off the top of his head, though he knew that making friends wasn't one of them. There was, however, curiosity; the feeling of wanting to know more and how far he could push it. Tōkai surely wasn't being honest, yet he had not spoken a lie. Words weren't the only way to lie, and the man beside him should have realized that just as well.

More kanji formed on the Doctor's palm, with a flick do the wrist the words were hanging in the air in front of Tōkai. It was if he was inviting the wanderer to touch his fingers the chakra. Glancing over them, Tōkai saw that the man was proclaiming himself talented in the medical field and had so a position of influence in the village. A diplomat and a doctor. Not the most favored of duties by Tōkai's standards, yet the man was currently displaying his own prowess with chakra control. It was impressive, Tōkai had no reasons to think it not so. Taking upon his unsaid offer, the blue haired man lifted a finger to the golden kanji in front of him. Hardly a tap was all it took before the  golden kanji faded away into mist. A sense of smooth warmth flowed just underneath his finger tip.


Tōkai smiled, a simple play upon words. His eyes diverted away from the man to nowhere but just ahead of him. It was of no consequence that Tōkai would poke fun at a job that would involve such things like politics. He knew very well he wasn't fit for such a duty, he wasn't delicate enough nor did he care to be. Whether the man beside him was more fit that he was, Tōkai wasn't exactly sure. First impressions were hardly true of any one person, he couldn't help but feel there too had to something more than just being a medical professional and some sort of leader figure. Perhaps that was all there was to it, perhaps he was directly lying. Perhaps, it was a little bit of both.

The wanderer continued to follow the Doctor to a small food stand of sort. Though he couldn't hear the popping of the oil, Tōkai could smell the distinct aroma of fried foods. The deaf man wasn't particularly hungry, but he figured he might as well eat. He was curious as to what kind of foods were Iwa anyway. Kazako stepped up the man at the counter and Tōkai's eyes witnessed a rather interesting exchange. The old man, presumably the owner bowed several times to the pair. Tōkai kept watch of the elder's lips, catching sight of a single word that made the wanderer narrow his eyes.

"Tsuchikage-sama..."

The rest of his words were rather irrelevant, but now Tōkai knew exactly what position of influence the man beside him held. The leader and supposedly the strongest ninja in his village. A Kage? Were they all so secretive about their position? The deaf man had never met one before, he could only imagine as to why or how the doctor had withheld such information. Tōkai only smiled to himself. Perhaps it truly wasn't the best conversation starters, introducing oneself as Kage of said village. It was a surprise, how pleasant it was left to be determined. It was confirmed at the statement, that the man who stood next to him was stronger than any shinobi Tōkai had encountered in his travels. Maybe... Even stronger than her?

It would be welcomed if he was. And he likely would have connections to higher places. The deaf man had often toyed with the idea of revenge, only ever hardly dedicating himself to the idea. It was simply the question of what he would do to the person who caused him to be the way he was.

The man of dark hair and golden eyes soon left the stand with some kind food in hand, Two sticks of fried meat and one he handed to Tōkai. As he followed, Tōkai took a bite of the treat. Tasty and warm, and likely the first kind of meal he'd actually had all day. Another round of golden kanji formed in front of him. The blue haired man blinked in slight puzzlement. It was an offer of a secure roof over his head for the time being, of which Tōkai was surprisingly grateful to hear. The price itself the supposedly simple explanation as to how the deaf man came to be deaf. Another smile formed on his face, his tongue licking his lips from satisfaction of having something to eat.


The question posed itself more than just a inquiry of titles, but a confirmation that Tōkai did now realize he was talking to the Tsuchikage. Not only that, but the deaf man did see an unfair deal. A room for a story? And since the man was supposedly a doctor, it wouldn't take a genius to realize that he was offering to see if he could restore his hearing. Tōkai knew that while many claimed they could perform miracles and perhaps the Tsuchikage could, the deaf man wasn't looking for one.


His free hand traveled to the opening of his shirt collar. Despite the cold, Tōkai left his coat open and he always left the top button of his shirt undone. His black undershirt already exposed some of his collar bone, but he stretched it out and further down. Tōkai pointed his chin up, allowed the doctor to examine his chest and neck. What he would see would be a glimpse of numerous old scars and long, ago badly healed burns that marred his skin. They were random in order, seemingly no pattern but scattered around his skin. Yet burns that melded with the scars, it only reminded one of something like a close ranged explosive. It was evident that the scars reached down past his chest, likely covering his stomach area. What he wouldn't see was the ones that covered his fore arms, left unseen by sleeves of Tōkai's coat.



It wasn't an extensive explanation. Tōkai only barely alluded to the fact that he was a user of Bakuton. He wasn't even sure the Tsuchikage would be able to figure it out. It wasn't the entire truth, riddled with only vague remarks. He would have to interrogate  him further if he wanted more specific information.


With the final remark, Tōkai did wish to confirm that it was indeed an explosion that took away his hearing. Assuming that it was of Bakuton origin, would be a connection the Tsuchikage would have to make himself. Tōkai realized that revealing so much of himself was something he didn't do often, but he didn't meet Kages often either. Perhaps a good impression for the first time around? It seemed likely, but Tōkai wasn't quite sure.

1468/4357~

Akira listened to the jest about patience and patients. A clever play on words even if he had heard it before. Though in his mind wanting to heal people should be a part of politics to begin with. A lot of people got into politics to change something at first but in the end most of it was corrupt. Each wanting wealth or power. The difference with Akira is he had both with or without his position. He had no urge to increase his own standing much higher then it was. After all he was just short of daimyo and even that man didn't cross him if he didn't have to. He cared about people more then any of his own needs. That was probably why Iwa was starting to heal finally. He treated it as a patient with an illness. Attacking its symptoms and reinforcing its system. It had made him plenty of enemies. Not even just with the thugs he wiped out or the drug trade he burned to the ground....some part of it could not of existed without the politicians help. And with that they likely had gained some ryo or even influence with such tainted and corrupt trade. He had ripped that from them with his own hands.

Still he listened to the boys story as the neared the university. A bit about how he had been experimenting with his own abilities and had a small accident. That golden gaze glanced across the scars as if reading a book. He had seen injuries like it before but most of the time a med nin was fast enough to prevent anything getting to that point. At least that was the case in Iwagakure since he arrived. However that was years ago...some of the abilities surfacing these days were incredible in comparison to just a few years ago. Still the way it had healed even Akira had to admit it would be difficult to heal at this point. The internal scarring was likely along the same lines and if the deaf status had been a result of that then the eardrums might be permanently scarred. It would be too difficult to tell for the time being without actually going into an in depth examination of the damage. One that he wasn't willing to do out in the open or had time for right at that moment. Nor had the individual asked him to do so.

Still Akira stopped walking as they reached a bridge that seemed to be the only way into a fortress. Along the bridge people in school uniforms mingled. Thicker coats over the usual uniforms with wool socks up into the skirts for those still daring enough to wear one in the mountains in the winter. A couple of dozen groups simply hung about on a free period or meal between classes. The view from the bridge could see beyond the mountain and out to the sea for miles. It was actually a nice view if one cared for that sort of thing. Still Akira paused and turned so he could be seen clearly. When he spoke it was with a smile and warm still. He knew he couldn't be heard but the fact that the other had picked up on the tsuchikage statement proved he was good at reading lips.

"Well that does sound unfortunate. If you ever wish to look into it further let me know. For now my floor is the first sub floor here and you have your pick of the rooms. My other students have moved onto other things for the time being. I would encourage you to study what you like but also a tiny bit of parting advise. People at this school will be looking to learn things. You could make a bit of coin teaching private lessons on music or even sign language. I assure you the shinobi residing there could benefit from being able to silently communicate.  Either way even if you just wish to lounge about it was nice meeting you and I look forward to our next meeting. I have duties to attend for now however so I must be off.  Stay pretty." With that Akira chuckled and turned and with a single step was gone leaving only a puff of dust in his wake. He was certainly fast even if it appeared to be a casual step of his.


Exit thread
3316/3000 Byakugan to C - B rank

Through the course of their walking and talking, the two had come to reach a scenic bridge that led to rather large fortress like complex, likely the school that the Tsuchikage had mentioned. Tōkai would only take advantage of the kind offer, as it was free of charge and he was sure he would have a fun time with the college kids. The wanderer had never actually had a formal schooling of the sort, and seeing so many people around him in uniforms, matching yet also varied by style and covered by winter coats, was something that felt oddly out of place. He wasn't going to enroll anytime soon, but perhaps he would just happen to find one of those uniforms lying around...


Tōkai only smiled, muttering the words to himself when the dark haired shinobi suddenly paused and began saying a few words. Though he likely realized that he wouldn't be able to be heard, he also likely caught on that Tōkai was skilled in the ways of reading lips. His eyes closely following the movements of the Tsuchikage's mouth, Tōkai pursed his own lips while seeing what he had to say.

There was some mention of Tōkai's deafness and past injuries, and a suggestion of possibly examining it further. Useless in prospect, but a polite enough offer. Once again, he reminded the wanderer of the open room and the possibility of studying up on a few things if he so chose. What was more entertaining however, was the idea of Tōkai himself teaching a class. Music or sign language, lip reading those talents he had so far displayed unique to himself. But, the idea was shot down before it really had a founding. The deaf man was still deaf and simply trying to imagine the handicapped while teaching a class of hearing enabled students already gave rise so many problems. There too seemed to be an ulterior motive, the Tsuchikage saying that shinobi would benefit from silent communication. More like his own shinobi benefiting, but as he was a village shinobi it seemed he was programmed to think of what could be best for his village.

In the end, he concluded that it was nice to simply have a chat with the wanderer, that they should meet again, all the polite things to say. He had other duties to deal with and walking around with a wanderer likely wasn't at the Highest priority.

"Stay pretty."

Tōkai blinked at the statement, but returned a small laugh as the Tsuchikage chuckled aloud. The next moment, the Tsuchikage turned and stepped, suddenly seeming to vanish into thin air. Tōkai only rolled his eyes at the showy (no not so) display of power from the supposed strongest ninja of the Village.


Keeping a smile on his face, Tōkai turned and casually walked forward. His hands reach around to the guitar on his back and he pulled the instrument back to his front. Strumming few times to warm up his hands, the deaf musician soon began playing his lullaby once again as he entered the university.

541/4898 Total Words~

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