Mission Details:

Despite the peace and quiet of the past few days, Nayoko was happy to be getting back to work; even if that work came in a strange form. Ever since his return from the Village Hidden in the Mists in the Land of Water, the newly promoted jounin had been on an unofficial vacation. He was not skirting his duties or anything, having taken care of some of the simpler responsibilities of a ninja of his rank, and ensuring that he was still present in the village and available for anything important that would come his way. But he had been relaxing for the most part at the suggestion of both his fellow shinobi and his father.  The former had simply suggested that Nayoko was in need of a break after all of the work he had done in Kirigakure no Sato, whereas the latter had insisted that he spend at least a little bit of time with his family after being away from them for months.

It had been a good suggestion, and so Nayoko had taken his father’s advice and spent some time with both the man, and his younger sister. Every day she was growing into a potentially strong kunoichi, and the Hattori man was only sorry that he had missed so much of her growth. She truly was at the top of her class, and still she was getting stronger day by day. It was an encouraging sight, and despite the horrors that Nayoko had become a witness to, he knew that the life as a ninja was the one for her. And so he had spent time training with her, playing cards with his dad, and simply being there for them. On top of that he had also managed to meet a few people around the village, genin mostly who had just begun on their journey as shinobi like himself. And over the course of those meetings, and thanks to one of the genin in particular, Nayoko had realized hat he wanted to help those young ninja. Not just specifically the ones he had met, but rather the whole generation. There were lots of new faces in the village that bore the Konoha forehead protectors given only to full fledged ninja, and they needed someone to show them the ropes. Why should it not be him?

The only real answer that he could come up with was that he did not feel like he was qualified. I mean, he certainly had the skills and the jutsu of a strong shinobi, but strength is only one thing required to be a teacher. You actually have to know how to teach first. And so that need to learn before he could teach himself was a feeling that was growing even that day as he dressed himself for the unforeseen mission that had landed at his feet. The note that had been dropped off was unspecific, and Nayoko would probably have ignored it under normal circumstances, but the threat that it mentioned was too great for him to treat as anything but serious. It was seemly sent by the administration office, although it did not contain all of the information that a message like that one normally would, which made the young Hattori more than a little suspicious. Even so, if the threat of a large force of rogue ninja could even have the possibility of being real, then Nayoko had to do something about it. Besides, the message also mentioned that he was so meet another ninja to assist him with the task, so either he would have backup, or the trap would be against one specific person, which Nayoko was confident he could take on.

And so Nayoko outfitted himself for the task at hand, throwing on his regular pants and boots along with his black, sleeveless shirt worn under the blue jacket that he almost always wore. On top of that, he made sure that his kunai was secure on the back of his belt, with his senbon in a pouch on his right leg. He followed up with wrapping his hands in the bandages that he always wore to protect them and last but not least, he attached his Konoha “forehead protector” to the front of his belt like usual, and tucked his silver necklace bearing the Hattori clan symbol into his shirt. Feeling like he was outfitted for the task at hand, Nayoko strode out of his house and into the evening light as he glanced back down at the scroll he had received telling him where to go. There was a spot in the woods to the south of the village marked out on a small, but detailed map where the Hattori was supposed to meet his ally for the coming fight. Taking a final note of its location, he took to the rooftops of the village and began to make his way to the south gate of the village, and then out into the wilderness surrounding the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

The journey to the small forest to the south was not like it used to be. Even as he ran along the road slower than his full speed, he remembered the time when he walked along that same path with his two friends, Daiko and Shimada, in tow to face an unknown enemy. It seemed like it was so long ago that they were assaulted in the woods and had to take care of the problem like any shinobi, with violence. They had emerged victorious, but at the time Nayoko was not sure he would have survived if not for them. Funny how times have changed, he thought to himself as he ran forward into an oddly similar situation. Though this time he ran alone, and this time he was far more confident in his own abilities. After all, he hadn’t been promoted to jounin for nothing. Nayoko had trained and completed missions and fought many enemies to reach the point where he was now. And even though this mission would be more difficult than any he had faced before, he was facing it with the confidence that left him calm in the face of adversity.

When he finally arrived at the clearing that was detained in the map, it was empty, and Nayoko wondered if he was too early. Regardless, he was to wait for his ally here, and so wait he would…

WC:1077

How strange it was how the days passed on. He was home and yet dared not step foot in the village. Not for his own safety that concerned him really but out of concern for all those who might foolishly attack him. Most Jounin were no match for him and even below those of that rank he was sure someone would try him. Even so far as perhaps a genin bent on justice. The truth was he didn't want to hurt them. He didn't want to walk the streets as a feared man. He soaked in adoration of the innocent but never did anyone built on the steps of fear and misery get very far. So it was that his days were mostly spent on the outskirts of the village with a transformation technique to alter his appearance just in case anyone might recognize him from Iwa. If he wasn't on the outskirts of the village enjoying the markets he would go to the theater and enjoy a Broadway show here and there in a private booth. Returning to his cabin at the end of the night off in the woods to rest alone. Mitsuo was gone to his Kage duties and Sayuri had been sent to Iwagakure. It was fairly lonely out and about by himself but at least he was getting by. He lived in relative comfort and had plenty of time to master his forms. Practicing them in the afternoon usually before bed. It was important as a taijutsu master to keep up on his training. Less he fall behind.

That was partially why he was so surprised when he was settled into his chair in the cabin for the night reading a book with reading glasses on to preserve his eyes when there was a soft knock on the door. It was especially odd since he never had company over and he paid the manager a substantial amount of money for privacy. Even then the manager never actually saw his face, simply received generous payments for the cabin frequently. He had made sure to avoid being followed or any contact that would draw major attention to himself. If someone had managed to find him it wasn't by his doing. Still he would rise from his chair and calmly place a feather in between the pages as a book mark before setting the book down. A novel on some more western adventures of a detective and his combat savvy side kick. With that place on the desk in front of him he would take his glasses off and fold them before placing them on top of the book. He may as well investigate what was going on he supposed. If they were after his life he likely would have found their entrance far ruder than a simple knock on his door. Likely they would have simply burst in and started flinging fire and lightning. Simply put this felt different. They weren't even next to the door anymore from what he could hear.

Tsuyo approached his door as he straightened out his button up white shirt still tucked into his black slacks and took a calming breath. It didn't do him any good to allow himself to fall victim to anxiety over a simple knock on the door. Still he would pause as he drew close and close his eyes. Placing his hand on the door itself without touching the knob yet and feel out with his senses. As far as he could tell there was no one for some distance on the outside of the door. A good thirty meters was just as it always was. No scent of a man or sound of foot steps or breathing. How odd that they would knock and then leave. It was as if they had been instructed to not remain. With caution he would reach down and grab the door knob to turn it and open the door. Silver eyes sharp as he scanned for threats only to find a vanilla folder taped to his door. Well now that was interesting. With a smile Tsuyo would collect the envelope and turn to head back into his cabin. Letting the door swing shut on its own behind him. He would settle into his chair once more before picking up his reading glasses and unfolding them. Placing them on the bridge of his nose before taking the end of the rope holding the top of the envelope around a button and unwinding it.

With that done Tsuyo would shift the contents of the envelope out onto the desk with only two things in the contents. A picture and a letter. The picture was of a younger man with dark hair and eyes to match them. Thin by the look of him but still his eyes spoke of experience. He would set the picture aside before opening the letter. Within was some simple words of greetings and a request to accompany the young man on a mission and keep him safe while evaluating him. Of course it was signed by Mitsuo himself. So it would seem Mitsuo had intentions of his own and wished for Tsuyo to aid this young man. Perhaps it was something to benefit the country. Either way he owed Mitsuo a great deal and trusted his judgement. So he would set the papers aside and memorize the picture before setting about getting ready. Choosing a pair of dress boots tied tightly with his slacks tucked over the top. He then would select a red tie and tighten that around his neck with a perfect knot. A black vest over that with the tie buttoned into the shirt. He glanced at his twin daggers in their clip sheathes before deciding to adorn the small of his back with them by tucking them into his belt. Lastly he would slip into his long coat, the lord of fortune. Seemingly normal in appearance except it caught the light just ever so slightly. With that done he would exit the cabin as he locked it behind himself and moved to the prearranged meeting place by Mitsuo.

It didn't take him long to get there. Like a breeze on the wind he moved as little more than a blur across the woods to a meeting place not far away. He would spot the clearing some distance before arrival and allow himself to slow to a calm walking pace before breaking the tree line. He would step into the clearing and with silver eyes he would look around him. Dark hair shifting in a slight gust of wind before his silver eyes landed on the man from the photo. So he too was prompt. Still Tsuyo would stop and place his hands in his coat pockets as he waited for the boy to approach. Watching him and how he moved already.

1154

The young Hattori had only been waiting for a few moments, but in the silence of the evening just as the light from the sun was going to turn into the pale pink shade of a sunset he felt a chill creep up his back. The night had never been a time of great comfort for Nayoko, not since the passing of his mother. Though her death had not come as a violent or even a surprising tragedy, when she had passed on it had left him feeling hallow, like his happiness had been carved out and was being held in the dark of night where he could not find it. Over the years Nayoko had managed to find his happiness once again, and in fact, living for his mother’s legacy had brought him into the light far more than even he had expected. He had been able to sleep soundly at night, without the fear of closing his eyes and being swallowed by his dreams once again. It had latest for so long…

But those days were behind him now. Now he almost dreaded closing his eyes at the end of the day, because he knew what was waiting for him. It was the gift and the curse that Ayakashi had granted him the sight to see, and even though without her he would never have been exposed to the foul darkness that caused his sleeping moments, he did not blame her. He knew it was his own fault. In fact, he had asked for the horrible pain that he had to live through every single night. He had asked her to show him the way to be in tune with the nature chakra that flowed around him and everyone else. He had asked her to show him how to be like the Mizukage, the great Demon Ice Witch, the Butterfly Sage. And now he was a Butterfly Sage as well, though if he had known the price of becoming one…Naoko was not sure if he would have made the same choice.

Nayoko reached and rubbed his tired eyes, and as they closed the memories of each night’s troubled sleep came to him. For every single night without fail, Nayoko was plunged into the Dream, which was more of a nightmare. It was where he could train as a butterfly sage, and where he could strengthen his connection to his Senjutsu chakra. Though it was not through physical training, rather it was a disciplining of his mind as well as his body that was required. But training was not the issue, rather, it was the subject with which he had to train. It was the beast inside of him, the beast that ruled the Dream that had Nayoko always on edge. The beast was powerful, powerful enough to cast the young Hattori aside like he was nothing most of the time. As Nayoko grew strong, he had been able to fight it back physically some of the time, but the physical fights in the Dream were nothing compared to the phycological battle he fought with himself every time he saw the beast. The beast was truly formless, a manifestation in Nayoko’s subconscious that knew exactly the right places to prod and push in order to hurt the jounin the most.

That’s why each and every night, Nayoko had to face a monster that took the form of his mother. She was beautiful, every single time she started off beautiful, and almost every single time, Nayoko would forget where he truly was, and that it was not just a normal dream, but rather a nightmare of the same name. He had gotten better at seeing through the deception lately, able to force the beautiful to reveal a more a accurate form that cause his mother’s beauty to be twisted and changed into that of a monster, nay, a demon that was hell bent on nothing but Nayoko’s destruction. And each and every night Nayoko would fight the creature until he was eventually defeated, thrust from the dream and into the waking reality of his exhaustion. His nights were no longer restful, and now that he was getting back to proper shinobi work, he wondered if it would affect his performance, and to what degree.

With this inner turmoil coming to a slow rolling boil in Nayoko’s head, he removed his hand from his eyes and looked up just in time to see something at surprised him. Movement form the trees, which was quickly replaced by the form of a man stepping out into the clearing. Nayoko turned to face him, stepping forward and preparing to defend himself even as he began to take in the appearance of the gentleman who was either his ally, or his enemy. The man was dress formally, almost to the point that Nayoko thought he was lost for a moment the white, button down shirt under a black vest and complete with a well made red tie, complete with black slacks and matching dress boots, all topped off with a very formal looking coat. If not for the way that he carried himself, Nayoko could have mistaken him for a party guest of some kind, rather than the shinobi that he knew this man was. Hs posture and stance, as well as the way his eyes scanned Nayoko just as much as Nayoko was scanning him suggested experience. The silver eyes contrasted heavily with his black hair which framed a face that Nayoko recognized, though he was not sure form where. Try as he might though, Nayoko could not find any sign of a Konohagakure forehead protector that would mark him as an ally.

Felling like enough silence had passed between the pair, Nayoko stepped forward gain, choosing to remain wary, but trusting in the intelligence that he had been given. “Good evening, I assume you’re the mysterious ally that I was to meet here for my mission?” He paused, extending his hand to shake the stranger’s. “My name is Nozara Nayoko, I don’t believe we have met.” Whether or not the man shook his hand, Nayoko would step back after a moment and ask the questions that had been weighing on him. “I must admit, this is all a little strange for a mission of this caliber, don’t you think? I would have expected some kind of briefing, or perhaps at least to meet you before the mission was expected to be executed, and yet here we are, under mysterious circumstances…I don’t suppose you would be able to shed a little light on the situation, would you?”

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Tsuyo would watch with a wary gaze. His silver eyes measuring the young man on the other side of the clearing. He wasn't intimidated but only a fool wishing to lose his life thought himself out of reach of someone he did not know. This was a ranking individual that Mitsuo himself had wished him to monitor and decide if he would train. He had never known Mitsuo's judgement to be lacking even when his own was. That fiery tempered man had saved his life with his insight multiple times. He had also felt the sting of it before and knew to listen. If any man were his equal it was the sword saint. Yet here was a member of the generation after their own. His hyuga eyes observing every minute detail as the young man spotted him and began to approach. A wary step of his own carrying him closer and closer. It was interesting to meet such an individual under the circumstances. It made the day far more interesting. He approached with no weapon drawn and a measure of confidence in himself that was needed to get somewhere in life. There were those who waited for something to happen and then there were those who made something happen. This young man was clearly the latter.

The young man reminded Tsuyo of his own younger days. Confident in his taijutsu skills he would readily approach any challenge be it direct or no. He had been a prodigy and destined for greatness as he suspected this young man was. However there had been a foolish and direct man walking that line when Tsuyo was still a young man. He would rush head first into danger simply because he thought he could overcome it with his bare hands regardless of what it may be. He had since learned some more subtle arts and as such had become exceedingly more dangerous. However this young man was also a taijutsu specialist. He could sense that much about him. The way he moved suggested martial training. Fluid and yet as solid as any stone in the clearing. The young man was no push over in all likelihood in hand to hand combat. From where Tsuyo stood he could see the calluses built over the knuckles that came from training taijutsu. The man had not shirked in his efforts to rise to power. Perhaps Tsuyo was just what was needed for the young man to gain that extra push.

Nayoko spoke first. Inquiring if the man before him was the ally he was supposed to meet. Tsuyo wondered idly if he had not been if he wouldn't simply say he was and wait for an opening. Still the chances of an ally being intercepted and arriving here was minimal. An Assassination would of been much more achievable with an ambush in the woods. A clearing simply provided too much vision and not nearly enough cover for back up. Not that any amount of cover could hide one from Tsuyo. Still the young man would step into a hand shake and Tsuyo would raise his own hand politely. Their hands would shake firmly but to those of at least A rank perception they would feel something there in that touch. A unison as their doton and Suiton chakra almost merged together. Something was pushing Nayoko's chakra towards the familiar chakra of Tsuyo. In a moment Tsuyo had realized something familiar about it. He had only interacted with that sensation once before in a private fight that had left both parties torn and bloodied with the land scape forever altered. His spar with Ayakashi.

The young man finally put a name to the face before releasing his hand and the joined power between them was released just before Tsuyo's would begin to finally overpower the boys own inch by inch. He could feel the young mans energy was actually close to his own and refined as well. If there was ever a promising student this was it. Yet there was something else there. An almost oily feeling from that connect that marred his pure golden chakra for but a moment. Was there something dark about the butterfly school of sages that he was not aware of? How interesting a concept. He would glance down at his own hand as the sensation faded from his fingertips. He was a master of chakra and this was simply fascinating to him. Still his silver eyes would return to the young man before him. Nayoko was asking questions about the mission. Something which brought a smile to Tsuyo's face. He couldn't stand those that followed blindly the orders given to them. A mind that wished to know the truth behind things was destined to be a great one. He was beginning to see the promise Mitsuo saw in the boy already.

However a much truer test was about to be given. The boy would be unable to proceed without him and yet Tsuyo was about to give him something to consider that might bring the boy about to question even Mitsuo. Yet the young man he inquired of an introduction and Tsuyo felt it would be rude to ignore it. Questions about the missions or no he was amused at the idea of being entirely truthful. Who knows? The young man might be comforted having a name filled with such fame at his side. So Tsuyo would clear his throat and fold his hands over his stomach quietly. Speaking up with a smile and a voice that was like silk on the ears. His charisma having gained him a great deal in life.

"I know very little of the mission you were given. Truth be told I am simply your insurance policy on such a high ranked item of interest to the village. As your personal medic I can assure you no wound will stop you from the end goal. How rude of me though. You have introduced yourself and it is time I do the same. I have been known in the past as Kazako Akira but here I am more normally known as Hyuga Tsuyo. At your service."

2190

There was a certain level of relief that flooded through Nayoko when the man took his hand in greeting. Though he knew that a handshake did not mean his worries could be completely gone, he knew that he had put himself in a vulnerable position already, and if this man was going to attack him, that would have been the perfect time. But that relief was quickly replaced by something else. It was a feeling that Nayoko had never felt before, but after feeling it, he hoped that it could happen again. He could feel his own chakra mingling with that of the stranger; the fluidity of their suiton chakra slithering its way around the combined steadiness of their doton chakra. It felt as if their two shared elemental affinities were pushing toward one another in a sign of recognition that was almost startling to the young Hattori. He could feel the power of the man before him, and knew in that instant that if he chose to do so, Nayoko would be dead in seconds. The feeling of being overpowered sent a shiver up Nayoko’s spine, and as a subconscious reaction that he certainly did not wish to show, he felt his senjutsu chakra react and begin to crawl its way into his hands, urging the jounin to let it mingle with the stranger’s chakra as well.

He was grateful when the man broke the handshake, though he knew the damage was done when he glanced down at his hand for just a moment. Trying to disguise the new discomfort he felt wit his inquiries seemed to work for the time being, as the older man’s eyes returned to Nayoko while he explained what little he knew about the situation. The response he got was not the one he expected, and yet as the man spoke, the pieces of the puzzle seemed to fall into place piece by piece. "I know very little of the mission you were given. Truth be told I am simply your insurance policy on such a high ranked item of interest to the village. As your personal medic I can assure you no wound will stop you from the end goal. How rude of me though. You have introduced yourself and it is time I do the same. I have been known in the past as Kazako Akira but here I am more normally known as Hyuga Tsuyo. At your service."

The names rang true in Nayoko’s mind, but each of them for a vefry different reason. Connecting all of the dots took a moment, but before too long, the twenty two year old knew who he was looking at. Kazako Akira was not just a name that could be thrown about without recognition. The man was a hero to Iwagakure no Sato, and it was from reading of that heroism that Nayoko realized he recognised the man before him. He had brought life back to a village that had been crumbling for years before that, known only for filth and squalor. The criminals of the city had been wiped away and the village had been given a clean slate that included trade agreements with Nayoko’s own home in the Village Hidden in the Leaves.  It was in that new golden age that Kazako Akira had finally stepped down as the Tsuchikage, disappearing into the legends of the land after that time. That name alone meant a great deal to a history buff like Nayoko, but on top of the other name meant that there was much more to the story that most history books did not know.

Hyuga Tsuyo had been a taijutsu prodigy from around a decade earlier, back before Nayoko had even become a genin. He and his squad had supposedly been out on a mission that none of them returned from, the leader included in the disappearance. It had been a tragedy at the time, especially considering how well known the squad had become as experts on chakra suppression. The whole thing made little sense to Nayoko at the time, but now the narrative began to form in his mind. It seemed that Tsuyo had left Konoha at the time of that disappearance, increased in power through whatever means he could fine, and then eventually became the Kage of the foreign nation. To anyone else it would have seemed like a far fetched story, but hearing form the man itself made it seem far more plausible.

The only question that still loomed so large in the Hattori’s mind as he looked over the formally dressed shinobi, was how on earth he ended up in the clearing with him. He doubted that the village administration would send him to work with a man that was supposed to be dead by all accounts, and even if they did know about him, why would they choose Tsuyo over one of the village ninja, like Rippa, or another well known, high ranking ninja. The only thing that Nayoko could come with was that there was somebody that knew both men that wanted to protect the village; someone that could not go directly to them for help for whatever reason. As soon as the thought entered his mind, he knew exactly who had sent him to the clearing. The looking of recognitions would show on his face in the form of a smile and a nod before he addressed the legendary shinobi again. “Well, its an honor to meet a shinobi for such fame, though after thinking about it, I think we have a mutual friend to thank for this encounter…” He stepped over to a tree that was nearby at the edge of the clearing and leaned against it. “Sarutobi Mitsuo sent you, didn’t he? I’ve not seen the man in months, and this is how he first greets me?” Nayoko let out a small chuckle, “He must be doing well.” He waited for a moment, trying to process exactly what was going on, and concluded that the mission must be a genuine one that for whatever reason Mitsuo was unable to accomplish himself at this time. So he trusts me with something this important…It brought a certain measure of confidence to Nayoko, knowing that a man of such fame and infamy believed in him. Regardless of his crimes, Nayoko could not help but respect the man and his mission, even if they disagreed on methods.

Turning back to Tsuyo, he allowed his smile to drop as he focused back on the task at hand. “Well, if you are truly here as an insurance policy, I apologize for making you babysit me, though I believe there will be enough action that I won’t be the only one with his hands full. There is supposedly a camp of rogue ninja amassing out here, and we’ve been tasked by the Sword Saint of Konoha with eliminating them before they can reach our village. They are led by a nukenin of some repute, Momochi Hanzo. He’s a psychopath the abandoned the village some time ago, and he had apparently used that time to amass some kind of force to move against my home.” He paused for a moment, going over the details in his mind once again to make sure he had not forgotten anything. “They aren’t to be left alive. Other than that, we don’t have any special instructions. Do you have any suggestions on how you think we should proceed?”

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Tsuyo would listen quietly as he reached into his coats inner breast pocket and pulled forth a square little metal box with a blue rose imprinted on the front on a white background. He would press a tiny little triangle button on the side and let it click open in his hand like a book. His silver eyes glanced down as his other hand reached in and collected a cigarette with a silver colored filter. A single cigarette that smelled of some sort of flowery coconut scent. A smell one might expect from incense but certainly not one of those. He would place it in his lips and close his case before pocketing it again. He would smile a moment before taking a lighter from the same pocket and lighting it as well. Obviously he had neither the raiton nor the katon nature if he was concerning himself with using such a tool. Still he lit it and the smoke smelled all the more like someone was burning something sweet in the air. The lighter disappeared back from where it came and he let out a small cloud of smoke that quickly faded away. His attention back on the young man in front of him as he studied him casually. Wondering to himself what all Mitsuo had thought of sending him out here to meet the boy. He didn't seem to be taking the truth badly. From what Tsuyo could tell if there was anyone in the village capable of coming after him in that moment it was likely this kid.

Still the young man would speak and a single eye brow would raise and he would smile. Tsuyo certainly wasn't an angel. His Halo long lost from the darkest dream he had so long ago. However even if they called him devil his heart wasn't empty. He still had a connection in his soul to this place. However his attention was more on the possible apprentice in front of him. Considering crawling around his mind and seeing what was within it. They may call him devil but he was here to make a deal with those that would be tempted. If there was someone who would make such a deal this one could certainly benefit from it. He would take another drag from his smoke as the kid moved and leaned up against a nearby tree. Casual even with such a task set upon him. It was good he wasn't absorbed by fear. If anything that cold intellect would do him some good in battles to come. However his next comment would bring a grin from Tsuyo. He was observant wasn't he? Of course there was one man of power that could bring Tsuyo where ever he liked. As of him what he liked. His brother was none other than Sarutobi Mitsuo. The sword saint of Konoha. Not of blood but of bonds forged in war. Of pain and blood, fire and ash they had formed together as a team and no man could stand against them in Tsuyo's mind. Still the kid wasn't wrong. He was in control of the situation.

Still the kid would drop his fond smile and move onto the business at hand. Describing what they were summoned to do or rather what he was summoned to do. It appeared there was a group of fanatics that were moving against the village. Moving towards it at whatever pace they could while avoiding patrols likely. He was unsure of the numbers since it hadn't been clarified but he wasn't exactly here for them. He wanted to evaluate this young man before him. However there were some rumors of the man leading the group. He was considered incredibly potent as a shinobi. It would be interesting to see the limitations of both Nayoko and this Hanzo. Yet he was more interested in his role to play in this mess. He would flick his thumb against the butt of his smoke and let the ashes on the tip fall to the grass. Letting out a low breath of comfort from the little thing between his fingers. Taking another longer drag as the young man spoke that they weren't to be left alive. His style wasn't to allow low lives to continue breathing anyway. He would glance into the eyes of Nayoko before silently reaching behind himself and under his coat. There was the sound of two clicks as something unclipped from his belt. When his hand came back it was holding two curved daggers in black leather sheathes with silver handles wrapped in silk. With those pulled out he tossed them to the young man. The weight of the daggers surprisingly heavy. He would smile a little before speaking once more. His voice as silk and smooth as before but now with a hint of amusement.

"While it is true I was asked to come out here, It was for your benefit but not in the way you think. I am strictly your support young man. We are to test your limitations. For the majority of the mission I will simply be observing you and making sure the devil doesn't come to collect your dues today. Death answers to me in this place. You will be resting in your bed tonight but you will be pressed to your limits. That isn't to say I won't offer you any assistance. Those two daggers are of the finest make. Armor, flesh, bone, None of it is more than air to those blades and no blade can break them. I would like you to utilize them to help you through this; lets call it a trial. Once you truly reach your limits I will step in. One must know these things if they wish to find a suitable apprentice."

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It was clear that Nayoko’s assumption was right when he dropped Sarutobi Mitsuo’s name into the conversation. The grin that spread across the former Tsuchikage’s face was one of familiarity as well as approval. With that suspicion confirmed by the Hyuga, Nayoko began to put together the pieces in his mind that had led up to the current moment. Mitsuo knew well enough how missions were distributed in the village, since he himself was the seventeenth Hokage. That meant that the notice probably had not come through the village directly, but more likely was a threat that Mitsuo had discovered and was unable to deal with at the time for whatever reason. Perhaps he even left the rogue ninja camp standing because he wanted Nayoko to prove himself by taking care of the threat. It had been a long time since the two men had met, in fact the last time they spoke, the Hattori had been a chuunin. He had come a long way since then, and if this was meant to be some sort of test that Tsuyo was going to assist him with, then so be it. Either way, it meant that Nayoko would be able to put down a threat against his home.

Tsuyo silently smoked on a cigarette as Nayoko went over everything that he knew about the mission, which admittedly was not much. Regardless, the Konoha Jounin was confident that with backup from the shinobi before him, the rogues would fall one by one eventually. Even so, the silent contemplation from the man was beginning to make him slightly uncomfortable. He knew that if Tsuyo wished it, Nayoko would fall dead in a moment’s notice. Sure, maybe the Hattori would keep up for a moment or two, but that would not last at all. Silently thanking the forces that be that today Nayoko was allies with the man, the duo locked eyes for but an instant before Nayoko’s eyes wandered down to Tsuyo’s hands when he heard two quiet clicks coming form behind the man. Pulling from underneath his coat on his back, Tsuyo’s hand returned into view holding two curved daggers in sheathes of the blackest leather and with silver handles wrapped in silk. He was about to comment on the craftsmanship of even that small portion of the blades when they were tossed toward him nonchalantly.

Snapping them out of the air, Nayoko was surprised by the weight that they had in them. The jounin had never been one for using weapons, but as he held the sheathed blades in his hands, he wondered if he should invest in some of his own. He glanced up to Tsuyo questioningly, only to see a small smile on the man’s face before he began to speak smoothly once again. "While it is true I was asked to come out here, It was for your benefit but not in the way you think. I am strictly your support young man. We are to test your limitations. For the majority of the mission I will simply be observing you and making sure the devil doesn't come to collect your dues today. Death answers to me in this place. You will be resting in your bed tonight but you will be pressed to your limits. That isn't to say I won't offer you any assistance. Those two daggers are of the finest make. Armor, flesh, bone, None of it is more than air to those blades and no blade can break them. I would like you to utilize them to help you through this; lets call it a trial. Once you truly reach your limits I will step in. One must know these things if they wish to find a suitable apprentice."

There was a lot to digest on those statements, not the least of which being the fact that Tsuyo would only be acting as support for the mission. Nayoko stifled a sigh as he thought of how much harder the mission was about to get, but tried to look on the bright side of the situation, understanding that no fatal harm would come to him at least. Plus, it would give him a chance to test his own new limits. Pushing past those initial thoughts, two more came into view. The first of which was that he was going to be using the stunning weapons that he now held. Knowing that he would have to see them to understand their true beauty, Nayoko strapped them to the back of his belt before slowly drawing them and testing their weight. Despite the heaviness that he felt earlier, they matched his fighting style perfectly. Though Karate was meant to be used without weapons, the way he could grip the reverse daggers meant that he would not have to give up his technique to use them effectively. He could not help but smile as he glanced over to the man with hi final concern. “Well, I appreciate the weapons, that much is for sure. And I’m sure I will come to appreciate your support in the battle to come. But I have to ask, why are you considering me to be an apprentice? Why not somebody from the village you ruled for so long? Or perhaps another Hyuga who could master the Gentle Fist that I certainly cannot?”

He would wait for a reply tentatively, trying to understand the man’s motives before pressing forward. Regardless of what the Hyuga taijutsu prodigy would say, Nayoko would eventually move the conversation back to the mission. “Very well then…is there anything else we should take care of before we move on to take out these rogues? I was given an approximate area to look for them in, so we can move there as soon as we are ready.”

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Tsuyo would listen and watch every move and breath the young man took. Studying. Always studying him as if searching for something he had not yet found. He of course would have all the time in the world to study him if he so chose. However the real question was if he was training his would be hunter. If he was training the man that would one day take him down. If that were the case he was likely going to need to keep a couple things to himself. On the other hand he had a great deal he could teach the man without putting himself too far into danger. He had never ran from a challenge that was possible before. He had run from the entire village when he was but a spec jounin but this? He was back now with an air that no man could touch him. Something had grown in him that he was considered a master of his arts. Something had changed to make him from another prodigy to a legend. Trials and tribulations had literally torn him apart and forced him to remold himself. At one point all his power had been stolen from him, and he had managed through his own influence to gain it back. Yet there was more to this boy than met the eye. A familiarity of sorts that almost made his eye from Ayakashi burn with chakra. If not for his control it might have lit up like a Christmas tree.

He recalled their touch even as the young man freed the daggers and held them. Admiring them. The chakra had shared elements but both chakra had been at the very least touched by something else. Something familiar both in pain and in a bonded friendship. His free hand went and itched under the eye as if to comfort it a moment. The eye? Of course thats what was familiar. He had only spent time with her once and sparred to an aggressive conclusion. However even if he did wound her a couple of times he eventually was unable to stop her jutsu. Unable to match her power for power. He had picked up some new abilities since then. Yet he wondered if he would fair any better. That familiarity wasn't directly from her though. Only from when she had activated her sage mode. So the boy was a sage was he? Not only that but a butterfly sage? Those had always been fascinating and promising for power but he wondered if the specific sage animal was seeking out potential Kage. If this boy made it into the Kage seat that would be perhaps the two most powerful nations under the grasp of a single sage school. His hand went from itching his eye to stroking his beard. Was that Ayakashi's intention? Was there some other game afoot here? If so it could not long be hidden from him. Not in this world with his eye. However there were only paranoid guesses to work off of for now. Nothing to really base it on.

Still the young man would approach him with questions. Tentative as they were the questions were being asked with blades out. For a moment Tsuyo would wonder if he intended to be intimidating. It was likely unintentional but Tsuyo would ignore it either way. The young man didn't know it but those daggers were currently of very little threat to Tsuyo. Still his question was an interesting one. Why he had picked Nayoko instead of someone from Iwa. Why he hadn't chosen a hyuga as his prodigy. After all a man like Nayoko couldn't learn the gentle fist. That much was fairly true. However it merely made Tsuyo smile and let out the last drag of his smoke before letting it fall to the ground and grinding it out with the heel of his boot. His left hand running through his hair as he thought back on those memories. Of the students he had trained and how they had risen through the ranks with that training. One was the Tsuchikage now and another the captain of the Monoliths. He couldn't be more proud of them. Still the young man before him had questions that merited answers. So he would take a breath and his words would explain his choices.

"A long time ago someone told me to take caution with those I train with. Each person can share their talents and their habits with me. I believed them for a time and mastered the gentle fist and trained only within the Hyuga. However when I ran or rather was forced to flee I could not use that fighting style or risk being discovered. I know now that one needs to reach out and learn everything they can and reach out to touch the impossible. My friend I wasn't able to use Gentle fist for a decade in public. I learned Jujitsu, Sambo, Sanshou, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Pencak Silat, Luta Livre, Wrestling, Boxing, Kick Boxing, Judo, Hapkido, Pankration and Hard fist. All of these I can teach you as I learn even more. The question of why you though? Because I believe and others believe you have the potential to do great things for this village. I want to teach you to touch the impossible and never have to back down. With your own hands to mold a future for the entire village."

He would smile a moment and give the guy a chance for that to sink in. He loved this village even if it didn't love him in return. Still the young man would seem to be eager to move on with the mission. He spoke of having an approximate area to seek out this large party. It was dangerous though because if they were detected first than the enemy would be upon them with likely jutsu at the ready. A disadvantage he wasn't eager to test. So Tsuyo would raise his hand with some measure of humor. His voice ringing once more.

"Well there is only one small matter if you don't mind. Would you prefer to seek them out as is or undetectable by any means?"

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In response to Nayoko’s inquiry, Tsuyo seemed more amused than anything else. Nayoko watched on, waiting for an answer as the former Tsuchikage ran his hand through his hair and stomped out a smoldering cigarette on the ground beneath his boot. His words came out smoothly, and they gave Nayoko a boost in confidence that he was not expecting. "A long time ago someone told me to take caution with those I train with. Each person can share their talents and their habits with me. I believed them for a time and mastered the gentle fist and trained only within the Hyuga. However when I ran or rather was forced to flee I could not use that fighting style or risk being discovered. I know now that one needs to reach out and learn everything they can and reach out to touch the impossible. My friend I wasn't able to use Gentle fist for a decade in public. I learned Jujitsu, Sambo, Sanshou, Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Pencak Silat, Luta Livre, Wrestling, Boxing, Kick Boxing, Judo, Hapkido, Pankration and Hard fist. All of these I can teach you as I learn even more. The question of why you though? Because I believe and others believe you have the potential to do great things for this village. I want to teach you to touch the impossible and never have to back down. With your own hands to mold a future for the entire village."

Nayoko could only stand silently for a moment to try and process the words he was hearing. The young Hattori could only assume that the ‘others’ that Tsuyo was referring to was Mitsuo, which in and of itself was an honor. Though Nayoko did not approve of the Sarutobi’s methods of protecting the village from the outside, he had an undying respect for the man as a superior ninja. But now, that feeling had extended to Tsuyo. The man before him had left his own world behind, for reasons that were unbeknownst to Nayoko. But to think of what he did with his life after he left…to save so many people in the Land of Earth. It was a compromise that Nayoko was not sure he could have made. He loved his village too much to leave t behind, that much he knew for sure. But still, he could not help but respect the man before him. And because of that, his words meant even more to the jounin. This man truly believed that Nayoko could grow into someone that could mold a future for the Village Hidden on the Leaves. He felt that through his training, Nayoko could protect the village in whatever way that he needed to. And those words left him a little bit stunned, but not with fear or anxiety, but with anticipation. Nayoko wanted to be able to do all these things that Tsuyo believed he was able to do. He tried to formulate a thought or way to thank the man for his words, but he could not come up with anything that did not sound ridiculous.

And so instead, he simply nodded and gave an affirmative response before launching tonto what he new about the mission and his knowledge of their location. In response, the smiling nukenin simply raised a hand in response and offered a simple question. "Well there is only one small matter if you don't mind. Would you prefer to seek them out as is or undetectable by any means?" Nayoko could not help but raise an eyebrow. To be completely undetectable would certainly be an asset, but for Tsuyo to use such a jutsu would probably be draining to him. Nevertheless, if he was offering an advantage, then Nayoko would certainly take it. “While I do have my own techniques for remaining hidden, I must admit that they don’t completely hide me from any means of detection. I can only make myself invisible and silent. So, if you have a way for us to get the drop on them, considering their far superior numbers, then I’ll not only be impressed, but I will take it!” He smiled at that, ready for Tsuyo to perform whatever technique he had up his sleeve to give them a major advantage in the coming fight.

As he was performing it though, Nayoko would continue to speak, expressing one last thought before the pair would depart on their mission into the heart of an enemy camp. They would leave no survivors, and their village, their home, would be kept safe because of it. “Tsuyo…Thank you for being here at the behest of our mutual friend. I honestly don’t know if there would be a chance for me to complete this mission alone. And thank you believing in me. I promise, I will not let you down in this coming fight. I’ll show you that your confidence is not misplaced. And I’ll show you that I will make a great student to the former Tsuchikage.” He turned to face Tsuyo then, a determined smile on his face and the Will of Fire that Konoha was famous for burning behind his eyes. He was ready.

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Tsuyo would watch the young man as he would take in all his words. It was a good feeling having someone tentative to your words when you spoke. As a sensei it was paramount that his students be ready and observant when he was teaching or others could get hurt, Not just a simple hurt but badly as could the wielder of such power. Those who learned under him could withstand the lightning of a greatest storm and crush through stone with a simple touch. With a brush of their fingers the world could change around them and such power came with temptation to abuse it. If anything he needed to see what reasons this boy killed. How he ended his targets and with what resolve. Did he enjoy killing for fun or was this just a part of his resolve. He wasn't expecting his would be study to show mercy here. He wasn't naive like that. The men they were hunting were bad men and he had spent his life hunting men like them. If anything this was a challenge young Nayoko had to take. He needed to show he could take on this redeeming challenge for his village. That he could defend them against what may come when titans like Mitsuo and himself could note. To show he could be the next Hokage.

However there was no need not to take an advantage when you had it. Tsuyo was aware of that and had been developing his own advantage for some time. While it was designed to be used with Mitsuo's own seals he could probably get by with it for now. The chances that this enemy had a running sensory randomly set up right as they arrived was slim even if they had one at all. He had no crystal ball of his own but he knew Nayoko had a general location. He could maintain this jutsu for them as long as it was needed. Shadows in the day were coming for this lot and Tsuyo was eager to see it happening. So his right hand lifted with his left and combined as he would slowly form three hand signs while concentrating on them. First was the tiger, putting his hands together with the index and middle fingers pointed up and the other fingers curled. It shifted as his fingers all curled into a combined fist with his pinkies pointed straight down. The Dragon hand sign. Finally it shifted with a simple left hand flat over his right fist. The dog hand sign.

Tsuyo would reach out with his right hand then as chakra began to swirl around the two of them. A golden dragon flickering in and out as its long body coiled around them and the grass flattened across the entire clearing. A low hum began to emanate from his right hand as his silver eyes seemed to be the only thing visible from his face as the golden chakra hid it in shadow. If Nayoko hadn't known it before he knew it now. Tsuyo was not a simple shinobi or gentleman. He was a walking power house with a frightening set of techniques that made him more than man. The sheer pressure of the jutsu forming was enough to feel like there was a weight present all around them. Pressing on the lungs and forcing air to become heavy and difficult to breath. Nayoko would be able to endure it but it was enough pressure wise alone to knock out a genin. That hand was reaching out to Nayoko to grant that power to him. The palm pressing with a solid presence as suddenly golden chakra would raise across Nayoko and cover him in a blanket entirely while at the same time racing up Tsuyo's arm and coating him too. The golden chakra humming before the world around them would seem to turn grey as the color dulled out of it and sound seemed muffled. There was no scent or flavor in the air. It was void of all things that made life worth while. All five senses could no longer detect them and yet Tsuyo and himself seemed to be in full color still. The dull world apart from them. When Tsuyo spoke his voice could be heard clear as day and as silky as ever.

"Welcome to my hidden kingdom. Please, lead the way. No creature can see us, hear us, smell us, taste us, and should they nearly touch us they will be driven to avoid us. Be warned though, the moment you touch another, this jutsu will break from you. If you attack do so wisely."

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