The sands swept over an area of the desert that glistened ever so slightly here and there. One might mistake it for water but the locals knew the glass hid beneath the shifting sands. At least around the edges of what used to be the village. Although the glass was solid none really ventured too far within. There were things within that glass maze that didn't appreciate survivors. During the day it grew unbearably hot and one could find themselves suddenly blinded by the reflection of the sun. Perhaps even finding your skin burnt slightly. Reddened harshly from the concentrated rays. It was avoided. So many had fled. Left with what they could and used what resources they had to flee to other countries or villages. However there were those that couldn't. Those that lacked the resources to get across the desert alive. Either being attacked by bandits or simply lacking food or water. In some cases both. It was a harsh reality for them. They could not move forward and find a new home but their old home was gone. Turned to the glass that tormented them. However there had been some helping aid. At least a small group that had decided to stay behind to save those without.

On the edge of the glass. Not even a quarter mile from it to the south was a small settlement. Men, women and children gathered there between two large dunes. A single well at the center had been producing enough water for all of them to get by one while some support from Konoha had supplied them with basic necessities. Food was rationed still as they didn't have the new growth was still in its beginning stages. As for housing doton had been used to create dome like structures thick enough the desert sun wouldn't penetrate it and turn them into an oven. With the one circular entrance to each of them in a large circle. They had been swept free of sand and filled with blankets and clothing. Dishes had been designed from clay or crafted from the glass of what was once their village. Children played and laughed while others toiled about with chores. They seemed to be rather at peace with the simple life style. They could have left when the Konoha support troops moved on to find others like them but they had chosen to stay. After all, this was their home. If they didn't have to, nothing could force them to leave.

Still a call was made. A sort of whooping noise before eyes rose to the top of one of the dunes. Cloaked figures had crested the dune. Each of them in cargo pants with boots on. Tan cloaks hiding their figures with hoods over their heads. Masks covered their face. Gas masks. Covered in the dust from the sands but made to keep their air cool so they could travel for long distances in the sun at a fast pace. Some of them had weapons on their back while others kept them hidden under the cloak. Still one man stood at the front of them. Removing his hood and gas mask to reveal long dark hair and an black eye patch over his right eye. The symbol on it was a Jackal head. He was the leader of this group and as the cheers from below would indicate their leader as well. His own little tribe. A couple of pallets were brought up with ropes by two men on each pallet before allowed to slide down the dune. Water and food supplies. A sort of a tribute from the local bandit groups. One freshly raided just that morning. Ryu let his men begin to slide down as well after the pallets. Eager to be greeted and partake of the soon to be feast for the night. Ryu though stood at the top. The sun hanging low. Perhaps an hour before sunset. His Blue eye seemed to shine. Perhaps it was the light of the setting sun...though it glowed almost like it held an energy within him.

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Ryu had eventually gone to join those below in the little tiny gathering of huts. No more than maybe a hundred assorted people. Perhaps aside from himself nine were capable fighters. They certainly were not designed to make it far outside their hidden position. In the center of the dunes. A valley hiding them from being easily spotted from other directions. It also made approaching the camp without stealth jutsu or something to hide someone impossible. Still that was just the ones in the camp. Ryu had his hands in a few pots. Spotters out on a week run mapping movements of other tribes and bandit groups. Ones he intended to avoid and others he intended to raid. It was good to keep track of them. Especially when bandit groups split apart. They always fought over their loot when they did. Leaving them weakened and easily picked off. It was something bound to happen in most bandit groups. Of course sending in men to infiltrate and begin to subtly push it along helped. Still he only smiled at the thought and made his way down to the tribe. He clasped a couple of people on the shoulder and shook some hands. Typical behavior he supposed.

It was odd that he had just been some criminal before. Now he was something more. He was something needed by these people. As for his business operations, He no longer had the bar as a front but at the same time he didn't need it. There was no one enforcing the law beyond bandits on the main road. His smuggling operations had avoided those from the beginning. Trade was on the up and up. However there was still the shinobi from other countries moving around. He couldn't invest too strongly in his tribe or it would be noticed. If it was noticed they would investigate and that he couldn't have. Still the people there didn't starve like they used to, they didn't want for much other than perhaps more luxury. It was a community and it was building. So he had settled in a chair as the fires were lit and the food was prepped. Some booze was passed around for those who wanted it. A bottle of brandy was in his hand though it wouldn't do anything for him. It was mostly just to wet his lips so only a couple of sips had come out of it. It's golden color still holding true.

Still he had only begun to eat when two of the younger men he was training came running up. His blue eye would shift to them a moment as they caught their breath. They would both speak over one another until Ryu held up his hand not holding the bottle. Pointing to one of them. It was clear that one was to speak. So he took a breath and started over. "Yo, Jackal. There some samurai lookin fool here lookin for you by name. Some guy callin himself Yosei and speakin fancy and shit. Like riddles ya know? He on the edge of the village man. You gonna go check him right?" Ryu would sigh. They didn't like mysterious outsiders much. Always ready to pick a fight with anyone wandering too close. He supposed they were skittish from the fires. Still he would shake his head as he stood before speaking. "I will see when I meet him. For now get some grub. Your on first watch in the morning." With that they huffed and wandered off. Still Ryu would take a big swig of his drink...This was usually not the fun part. Some mysterious samurai guy talking fancy? Usually not good news.

Ryu wasn't aware of it as he walked across the tribal village but he was quickly stepping within the mans sensory. As soon as he did it would be like static energy crossed his field. Someone around Jounin level was present. Perhaps not something he had expected. Still As Ryu would walk his chakra would appear like two dog like ears over his head..alert and attentive. A tail not visible outside of chakra sensory at the moment swished slowly back and forth. Electricity crackled around him and the earth seemed to flow freely chakra wise from his legs, connecting him to the ground beneath. He had mastery over both doton and raiton. However what might draw the attention was the glow of his blue left eye. Such energy running through him it actually caused it to glow. However the other eye, the one hidden by the eye patch. It breifly loomed around him. A single tomoe like a backdrop behind him looking at Yosei as he came into view. He had a sharingan. A man around Jounin level, a sage and with a sharingan. Yet his chakra seemed almost warped...wobbly even. As if it were different and unstable. Still Ryu would approach and stop about three meters from the man. Tilting his head as he looked him over. Certainly a ghostly type person. Intimidating in his own way but at best Ryu could just sense...something on the edge of his senses. As if his sage mode was calling out to him to check this man. To warn him. However he wouldn't activate that...not now. It had a mind of its own. Instead he would shift the hand holding the bottle to indicate towards the man. At this distance the man would see three things on him. A basic and worn kunai on his right hip. The hilt of a decent dagger, about B rank quality sticking out from the small of his back. Lastly there was a glove on the hand holding the bottle that almost hummed with energy. His other hand was shoved into his pants pocket. Still he would eye the man and speak finally.

"I am told you're lookin for me. Now, out here that raises some flags. Not many people come lookin fer me by name see. When they do they usually lookin to pick a fight. Now, I ain't lookin for a fight tonight. If you ain't neither, your free to rest here and eat, drink with us and be on your way when your rested. That is, less' somethin else on yer mind Mr. Samurai?"

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"Then we are in accordance, venerable leader of men. There is no sense in the spilling of more blood upon these sands who have already known such misery. I am called Yōsei, I traverse these dunes in search of the faint hope which lingers still in the hearts of those who have withstood the tragedy here. To one such as you, who has united the hands and spirits of men beneath your banner, I owe a great thanks, for you watch over where I cannot while I slip through this land and go about my work. It is my intention merely to speak with you a moment, and share with you these guarded truths."

Ryu would sigh if he didn't think it would offend the individual. Instead he would run his free hand through his hair. Letting the exasperation fall from him. The guy sounded like he was talking in riddles. Words used that he could only piece together in context. Still it had only distracted him at first from realizing a strange thing. The sound was not directly from the man. As if the wind had shifted to carry the words unspoken in truth. He heard it as he would a normal voice. He could tell that much. It wasn't some illusion in his head he was fairly sure. Still it had him on his guard. A man with strange words that moved strangely around him....If Jackal had to guess, he could assume this guy was a genjutsu user. His perceptions were likely just being manipulated. Still there would be no reason to talk to him had the intention been to do him in. Still he talked as if he was some sort of a spirit of the desert. Seemingly intending no harm. Though no one could stand in front of him and assume him harmless. Still in response Ryu would simply nod his head and take a swig of his own drink. Listening as the man continued after a pause. They always wanted something if they sought him out. Always.

"I have persisted here for many weeks but did not see the fall of this great kingdom. Though I have spoken with that which proclaims herself Empress, I have little knowledge of the history surrounding what came to be her 'Empire'. I am a seeker of stories and a forger of contracts, I wish to understand what ruin befell the Sand, hoping to glean from it the power by which I may return hope to the world. Grant me the tale of this downfall and allow it to become part of sacred scripture, and tell me what you desire most. Together we may contribute to a new era."

There it was. What the man had sought from him. He wanted information. A scripture he called it. More riddle talk. As if he was speaking cursive. Ryu would stroke his chin before making a "Hmm" grunt. Short but to indicate he was thinking out loud. He knew who the guy was talking about sure. Tales of her powers had reached him and from a theme he knew. It could only be her. Damn if his luck wasn't shit. Still if she was calling herself empress she had better things to do than to take on his little band. For now Ryu still had time. His blue eye would shift over the man a moment as the bottle would shift to his side. He would hold up a finger with his free hand as he stopped stroking his chin with it. "One moment good bruv. Don't be alarmed." With that Ryu would shift his hand. Moving down to kneel as he finished the seals and placed a hand on the ground. Waiting and watching to see if the man would merit the use of chakra at around a B rank level or if he would choose to demolish Ryu for attempting it. Still the doton chakra flowing into his hand and the signs had not been of a hostile nature. They felt like they were creating something. Not a directed attack but instead flowing into the ground beneath them.

With that the earth would begin to rise up around them. Shaking the ground the stood upon. In a circle around them it would form. Solid rock raising up and towards itself in a neat circle. Closing itself off at the top as they were plunged into darkness for only a moment. Then a light would appear. Ryu had turned his palm upwards and a ball of raiton formed before rising into the air. Splitting off from itself multiple times to form a circle pattern of balls of raiton casting off light. They had vision again but were sealed off from the world. In front of them had risen a table and a chair on either side. Ryu would settle himself onto the stool on his side. a flat but round surface. Even the table was round. With that he would set the bottle in the center of the table before speaking. His blue eye watching the other man to see if he was worried by the little display. Gauging what his would be customer thought of his own abilities.

"I feel you. Really I do. Everyone wants to know, who, what, when, where and why, Hell even some ask how. At the same time you gotta realize, for us folk out here, you snitch on someone that strong you likely just saw your last sunrise. Along with everyone within twenty meters of you when you go. That said, you wanna barter. So with me, you get privacy, a room all to ourselves. But yer also dealin with a Myugan. It is custom when a bottle is offered before a deal is struck, everyone at the table shares a drink. It's bad form to ignore the bottle. I can let the oversight go though as my bet is you didn't know. "

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