This trip to the Land of Earth had proven to be an eventful one in the past few days, and with less than a week left before he would return to Kirigakure, Issei felt he needed to do everything he could manage to before he left. Having spoken to Takao and Masahide about his circumstances, he'd left his past (and what was his family) in Iwagakure behind and made it his goal to find out how he whom he had inherited the Shikotsumyaku from and where the Surgeon was hiding, if he was even alive. There was also the general problem of becoming a better shinobi and how to go about doing that, considering his age and how he was still a Genin. The books he'd read in the library at the University had provided some help with that, and of course he continued his day-to-day training, but there was something more that he felt he needed. Whether it was the authority the figure commanded or the rumors about him, Issei figured that the Tsuchikage could provide him with the clarity he sought out so desperately. He scheduled a meeting for the following day and got a response within hours.

Now, the Tsuchikage was a busy man. He operated Iwagakure no Sato from the inside out and was easily the strongest shinobi in the entire village, so meeting with him was intimidating, to say the least. Issei was sure to be on his best behavior and command an air of formality and politeness, even going as far as to tie his hair back and trim the patch of hair on his chin. He dressed in a dark pea coat, a white shirt, and gray pants, along with his usual black sandals and leg bandages. His upper right arm was bandaged, too, and he wore a silver watch on his left arm. He opted to actually put his Kirigakure headband on his head, to keep up with village standards. Though it wasn't necessarily uncommon or rude for shinobi to wear their hitai-ate around other areas of their body, it was easier to identify them if it was worn properly around the head as it was meant to be. Once he was well dressed, he followed Masahide's directions and made it to the gates of the administration building, which was rather heavily defended. He supposed it made sense, since the Tsuchikage was such an important man. It was only fair that he would need sufficient protection from any threats; Issei, although not nearly as high-ranking or well-known as the Tsuchikage, understood the need for security because he often defended himself the same way (often out of fear).

The pale Kiri-nin stood outside of the gates, in the cold, awaiting clearance. Winter had finally reared its head and clouds shrouded Iwagakure, leaving the streets dark and cold despite it being midday. The security process was lengthy, especially considering Issei was visiting from another country. Momochi, Issei. Kirigakure no Sato. Genin. 30 years old. he repeated in his head, as if proving to himself that these facts were true. For some reason, it all felt so strange; he felt disconnected, he was someone else watching everything unfold. He finally got past the initial gates and into the main building, immediately noticing a change in temperature. Some kind of heater, he supposed, but he welcomed the change and removed his hands from his coat pockets. Now that he thought about it, he had never met a Kage before; he'd had brief encounters with Ayakashi back home, but this would be his first time sitting down and speaking to one. A receptionist at the front desk greeted him and asked who he was. "My name is Issei, surname Momochi. I'm scheduled to meet with the Tsuchikage soon." The receptionist nodded and sent him on his way across the stone floors to an elevator near the back. Up to the Akira's office he went, counting the floors as he rose...

The rise up the elevator was only a couple of floors. The lights would shift from the top to the bottom of the elevator and once again as it passed two floors to the fourth. The light only slightly increasing the dim and narrow space within the confines of the metal box. On the back wall of the elevator was a fish eye camera. It wasn't the kind of camera that turned and saw something but rather the kind that saw the entire space at once. Even so it was easy to feel like it was simply watching you when you were alone in the rising elevator. One could wonder who was watching it though. The kage himself or perhaps a security team? The elevator was used for more then just the top office of course but the security was mostly in place for the fourth floor. Still the elevator paused on the final floor. It seemed to hold for just a little longer then usual but it was quickly evident that entrance to the fourth floor was restricted. Still he was expected so after just a second of confirmation the doors shifted open before sliding all the way. Presenting its inhabitant to a room much warmer then the ones below. Likely due to the lack of traffic.

The warmth wasn't the only thing different with the room. It was darker and more comfortable than the offices below. More like a living room really. Dark carpeted floors ran across the space and a large chair (Occupied at the moment) Sat next to a stone fireplace. The fire burning with life and crackling with steady noise. A fan keeping it hot while a stack of wood sat next to it. A possible way onto the floor perhaps? Who brought the wood up? Still that would hardly keep attention. On one side of the living room was a cough with a coffee table. Magazines and books decorated the table. Across from it was something just as big that stirred and sniffed at the new face as they entered. A Kodiak bear. It huffed before laying its head back down lazily. It hadn't detected any explosive residue. The large man in the chair wearing furs lowered his paper as he snorted at the bear. He was almost just as big with clawed hands and his face was bear like as well. Not the most attractive fellow. Still the member of the Kuma clan assigned as a guard glanced at the new arrival with black eyes before flipping the paper back up. Across the room from the fire was a desk with a woman typing away at a computer. She hit the print button as she looked up with silver eyes. A scar running down the right side of her face from an old burn over her right eye. She was wearing a more formal attire with a button up blouse and slacks but still something about her seemed like she was more dangerous than the large man. She pulled up the printed page and folded it before placing it in an envelope and licking it closed. She then picked up a wax template. A single tendril of red glowing liquid rose from her finger to hover under the wax before it faded and the wax dripped onto the envelope. She then pressed a seal into it and put it in the outgoing. A Kanetsu. Either way she nodded to the newcomer and indicated with a raised hand that the office was down the hall.

Passed her desk was an arch way that curved into a single hallway leading to a pair of double doors. Reinforced chakra wood from the look of them. Imported from Konoha no doubt. The walls around the doors were obviously local though. No other place in the world melded chakra reinforced stone so well. The front of the office was like a bunker. One way in. Still should he attempt to open the doors he would find them unlocked. No one had walked with him this far and now he was alone in the hallway. Still at his touch the door would swing open slowly and allow him to see inside. No windows lined the room but instead it was a big oval office made entirely of chakra reinforced stone. Framed portraits of the previous Tsuchikage lined the walls in thick frames along the wall the door was on. On one side was a fire place with a fire flickering with life. The chimney may have been considered a weak point if not for the razor wire line through out it. Anyone trying to sneak down it would be cut to shreds. A lion skin rug marked the floor in front of it with two red leather chairs, one on either side each with a small table to their right. On the back wall was shelves with a stone desk in the center and one big chair behind it with two little chairs in front of it. A single glass of scotch sat on the desk on one side and a cigar butt rested on the other end in an ash tray. On the wall opposite the fireplace was a chilled liquor cabinet. Dozens of different alcohols lined inside and dripped with condensation along the windows. A single box of cigars rested on the prep counter next to the glasses set there. It was actually fairly warm in there as well. Just behind the desk was a coat hanger with one coat hanging from it with twin sheathed daggers. Curved like fangs. Lastly Akira stood facing the fire place until the door creaked open. He turned to look at the new arrival with golden eyes that seemed to reflect the light and see everything .He had his hands tucked behind his back and looked formal and yet comfortable. His hair fell back around his shoulders like a lions mane and yet his facial hair was far more conservative with two forks on his chin. His outfit was extremely tidy with a button up silver shirt tucked into black slacks leading down to polished black dress boots. His dark tie was buttoned into his shirt which seemed optimal for a taijutsu user. A white vest with dark shoulders was also buttoned up over his tie. Still when he spoke his voice was like silk on the ears. Warm and comforting. Practiced in a way that suggested he was confident and social at the same time.

"Mr. Momochi. It is not often I have a visit from a kirigakure shinobi. Please. Have a seat." Akira said with a smile that met his eyes and lifted his right hand to indicate one of the seats in front of his desk.

1131

The elevator doors opened after a couple of floors and he found himself in a passageway that was busy with people. Mostly notably were the stoic, silent individuals whom Issei assumed to be the Tsuchikage's guards. Made sense that there would be extra, personal security to surround the office. Issei continued on down; the guards let him pass and he reached a door at the end of the corridor. As he went to push it, it creaked open and he entered a large room made of stone. There were pictures of people all over the walls, which Issei could easily assume were previous Tsuchikage before Akira. A fireplace, a lion skin rug, leathery chairs, a desk, and what seemed to be a mini-bar, full of a variety of liquors and alcohol. He was impressed, but he had expected nothing less from the man holding the highest position in the village. A voice greeted him, coming from the figure standing near the fireplace; Akira himself.
"Mr. Momochi. It is not often I have a visit from a Kirigakure shinobi. Please. Have a seat." Issei gave the man a smile and a slight nod before accepting the offer and taking a seat in the red leather chair on the left. His eyes roamed the room, taking a closer look at the rug and the walls and the paintings; there was an atmosphere of command, and Issei understand very well that he was in the presence of a powerful leader, political figure, and fighter, and none of those titles were to be taken lightly. He remained respectful and tactful, much unlike his usual, cynical, rude demeanor.

After he was seated and comfortable, Issei replied to Akira with a greeting of his own, matching the respect he was given in an equal response. "It's really my pleasure, Tsuchikage-sama, thank you for having me on such short notice. I'm honored to meet you, sir." Since the fact that he was a Kiri ninja had been brought up, he figured he would bring up the fact that he used to live in Iwagakure before he returned to Kirigakure. "Although I was born and raised in Kirigakure and I'm a shinobi there now, I lived in Iwagakure for a number of years in the past, and I consider Tsuchi no Kuni like a second home to me. That's part of why I'm here; I couldn't help but pounce at the opportunity to meet Iwagakure's leader." Keeping his posture as best he could, he relaxed his muscles and laid back a bit further so that his legs pushed out and his back filled any extra space left in his seat. He crossed his legs, placing his right foot across his left knee and letting it rest there.

"I hope this little meeting isn't taking up too much of your time. I know you're a busy man." Issei added, speaking with genuine concern. His pale eyes met Akira's and he basked in their warm, golden glow.

Akira let a bit of a smirk slip across his lips for only a second at someone pointing out it was an honor to meet him. It wasn't so many years ago that his name meant nothing to most. Well that wasn't entirely true. His true name meant something to the ANBU division of Konoha and his alter ego had connections to powerful individuals now associated with other countries. He doubted he still held their loyalty seeing as communication with him had dropped. Truth be told this name hadn't even existed a few years ago. His forgery had served its purpose though. In a country filled with despair his name hadn't seemed odd that he had been a loner. Still it was nice. Being in the position of power he had always craved drew respectful comments from people who didn't even care to know his history. Nor would he expect them to have studied him. That aside it was nice that there was another shinobi in his office closer to his own age then the youth that smashed their way through life that typically made their way in there. The youth certainly were scary at how fast they grew in power. If anyone of them stuck with it he would eventually have to step down. His own potential virtually at its prime now.

Still he took note of his invitation to sit being taken and done so in a professional yet comfortable way. His eyes studied the individual as he stretched out and relaxed. Certainly more built then the average individual. Wider shoulders and a stern face. He may only be a genin at the moment but his pale eyes spoke something of lengths of experience beyond his rank. It was a pity he had returned to Kiri instead of becoming an Iwa shinobi. Someone matured with tragedy and life within his ranks would of been nice. He would of probably trained the man personally to try and see if his own thoughts were correct. It was difficult to measure potential so early on but he felt a sense of confidence and caution from the man. Two things that worked very well hand in hand with each other. Knowing ones abilities and willing to wait and measure them against the situation. Akira returned to his warm smile and crossed the room at a normal pace. Simply walking to his desk as there was no reason to show off his abilities at just a formal greeting. That and it would be in poor taste to be showing off to a genin even if they were a cut above the norm.

An eyebrow rose though as the young man explained his reason for being there and expressed his hopes about the length of the meeting like an apology. In truth Akira's expression was one of amusement as he took his seat and picked up the cigar on his desk. Lighting it after it was already out was one quick way to kill the flavor but he wasn't one to waste a cigar. He pulled a book of matches out of his vest pocket and struck one before relighting his cigar and puffing it to life careful to blow it in the mans direction though the scent would linger. He looked to the man once more before he cleared his lungs with a circle of smoke and smiled.

"Nonsense. We have a good standing treaty and trade agreement with Kiri. With it being so rare I get a visitor from there I have ample time to show plenty of hospitality. Cigar? I have some fresh ones if you like. As for your time here in Iwa...if that has been a while then surely you noticed some of the changes I made? Tell me...do you think Iwa better off now?"

645/1776

Akira was a gentleman, through and through, and he had charm that even someone as cynical as Issei couldn't resist. When posed with the idea of Issei's appointment being inconvenient considering his busy schedule, he denied it and went on to guarantee that he had more than enough time to greet with a personal visitor from a village he was allied with, considering such a thing was rare. He offered Issei a "fresh" cigar, but Issei didn't smoke, and he didn't need an addictive habit. "No, thank you, that's alright." he said, raising a hand. Akira went on to ask Issei a question, concerning his perception of the village and how he was receiving the various changes that had been made since Akira had become Tsuchikage. "As for your time here in Iwa...if that has been a while then surely you noticed some of the changes I made? Tell me...do you think Iwa better off now?" It was an interesting question because of the purpose behind it; either Akira felt self-conscious about his leadership, or he was genuinely concerned about how people were receiving the changes he'd imposed. Issei assumed it was the latter based on how Akira presented himself; what he had was a desire for feedback, basically.

Issei nodded, clasping his hands together and resting them on his lap. "I find that Iwagakure no Sato is running smoother since you became Tsuchikage, which is a welcome change. Other than that, I don't really have anything specific I can point out that could be considered better off. You know what you're doing for the village and you're making progress, and I'm sure that's more than most villagers could ever ask for. You're a highly respected individual, to say the least." He smiled soberly. His mind reverted to his original purpose for having scheduled the meeting; he wanted to learn from the Tsuchikage, absorb whatever knowledge he could from the man in an effort to better himself. He was oftentimes feeling lost, but he was building himself up piece by piece in order to establish a sense of self, something that most people had from the moment they were born and yet he was struggling so hard to grasp.

"I have to ask, did you ever intend to become Tsuchikage? As in, was it an established goal in your mind beforehand, or were you simply the most qualified for the position and you accepted the opportunity?" Issei's eyes remained steady on Akira's, maintaining eye contact. His forehead was wrinkled slightly as he a spoke, a potential sign of the inquisitiveness in his attitude. He didn't stop there, as he asked an additional but related question. "And how exactly did you go about becoming Tsuchikage? Personally, I don't see leadership like that as something that I would like to do in the future, but the idea interests me nonetheless. Someone growing from the average, run of the mill genin to the next Kage of one of the five largest villages in the nations. It seems miraculous, but such is the case for most Kage, I suppose. From where I am, that level of achievement, that threshold of power, seems so distant." Realizing he had gone on for long enough, he pursed his lips, letting his smile fade back into his usual half-frown. He idly cracked a knuckle or two in his left hand, still gripping his right. His pale, almost gray eyes still held the spark of interest as he wondered how Akira would respond.

Akira simply smiled as his offer for one comfort or another was denied. He really didn't expect people to accept much more than a casual drink from him anymore. Luxury seemed so taboo with most of the people that came into his office expecting professionalism. He really was a simple man to understand though. He sought relaxation and if he could acquire it he did. Still he felt the current air in the room was pulling from the flavor of his cigar. Always so awkward smoking alone in a social environment. At least the individual didn't seem to care to point out how bad smoking was for a shinobi. So often he heard the same remarks...the scent lingers on you and makes you easy to detect...the smoke will ruin your lungs one day. Cancer is gonna kill you. Well he was a walk right up to you for a fight kinda guy, he could heal his lungs and on the same note he could remove his own cancer and heal that too. All of it was such a mute point. Still just to relieve the tension of smoking alone he moved his hand with the cigar and pressed it into the glass ash tray. Smoldering the heat within.

Letting the remainder of the cigar sit there as the last of the smoke faded he observed his visitors body language. Placing his hands in his lap and eye contact when speaking. This man was very serious about this meeting and so Akira out of respect should be too. Still he listened with some satisfaction and a small smile as he was informed how highly thought of he was in the village. Even someone who was merely visiting their old home could see the cogs of progress turning better than they had before. Still the man across from him seemed to inquire his own thoughts now. A deeper question perhaps than even he realized but one could understand the question of a shinobi wondering about what power was and how it was obtained. It was true there was a considerable amount of distance between any genin and a Kage. Yet it hadn't begun that way for the Kage. Still Akira spoke calmly and without any hint of malice or sarcasm. He simply spoke with golden eyes watching the man for any reaction.

"I personally never aspired for Kage. Yes I was the most qualified at the time and still am. What I did do however was aspire to become stronger. I reached for new heights with my own hands for my own reasons and I fought for it. With time, training and being intelligent enough to survive it all I rose to new heights. As for how I became Kage...each time one is appointed its treated differently. My predecessor was a barbaric man. He brought me and two other powerful men into a room and last man standing was made Kage. If you are to take anything from this meeting Mr. Issei I hope it is this; No man power that roams the five nations started as they are now. We each in our own time grow and flourish if we simply know how to perfect ourselves and are keen enough not to sacrifice our lives.needlessly. If I began as a boy with no knowledge of what chakra was...so can you grow to my power and perhaps even further. For now if you would be so kind...There is a bottle of aged brandy on the counter there with a seal on it still. Do me a favor and bring it to your kage upon your return?"

613/2389

Akira smoked a cigar for a few puffs before extinguishing it in the ashtray next to him. His glistening eyes seemed to look right through Issei and he spoke of how he made his rise to Kage. He admitted that it was never a goal he aspired toward, although he was most qualified for the position, but he did have that desire to become stronger that seemed to be all too common in the shinobi world, with Issei being no exception. Issei knew, for himself at least, that it was hard to be content with his own prowess considering how dangerous the world was and how much stronger others were. It was hard to have a sense of security, and that was his personal motivation for growing stronger. Akira's motivations were likely a bit different, but that much could be expected based on the contrast between their two personalities. They were similar in some ways, as Akira was clearly just as calculating and attentive as Issei, but he had a certain confidence that let everyone around him know that he wasn't to be messed with—likely a trait he'd had well before becoming Tsuchikage.

The conversation flowed into a response to Issei's next question concerning exactly how Akira got to said position. He described the previous Kage as a "barbaric" man, and every time a new Tsuchikage was appointed, it was apparently treated differently. Akira's specific rite of passage, so to speak, had been a gruesome battle with the two other strongest ninja in Iwagakure no Sato. Obviously, he had emerged victorious; he closed the story with a word of advice for Issei. "No manpower that roams the five nations started as they are now." He further explained this by saying that everyone needed time to grow and to perfect themselves, so long as they were smart enough not to waste their lives in vain. His last bit of encouragement was with the fact that he had started with no knowledge of chakra and advanced to the highest position in Iwagakure no Sato, which served to be an inspirational tale that set him as an example to those around him of what a dedicated shinobi was capable of, and he let Issei know that he had the potential to become that powerful or even more. Issei nodded, accepting this guidance as truth because he knew that Akira was right. He thought of himself again, of his everyday pressures and his greatest fears, of his successes and of his failures, and looking at the circumstances from a broader perspective, he understood that no matter what he was doing, he had been growing as a person and learning from his experiences. No one had ever promised him it would be a fast or easy process, but he had to remember to acknowledge his progress and continue moving forward understanding that he would get where he wanted to be eventually.

And with that, Issei felt a weight lifted off of his shoulders. Akira had moved on, bringing the meeting to a close as he gestured toward a nearby counter. A bottle of brandy, according to his request, that he wanted Issei to bring to the Mizukage as a gift when he returned. Issei accepted the task happily and he made his way to the counter, taking up the bottle with both hands and inspecting the label. Expensive stuff, by the looks of it. He turned back towards Akira and smiled. "I'll be sure to bring this to Ayakashi as soon as I get back...anyway, I'm going to head out, then. Thank you again for having me, Tsuchikage-sama, it's been a pleasure speaking with you." His usual socially inept self wasn't sure whether he should've gone to give Akira a handshake or even go as far as to offer a hug, but he ultimately decided against either option and instead headed toward the door, already having said his farewell. On his way out, he remembered Kirigakure, and pondered how Ayakashi would react to this fine liquor from Tsuchi no Kuni. He did appreciate the help that Akira offered wholeheartedly, though; their meeting had only motivated him to work harder to become the person he wanted to be.

[ Exit Thread ]

Training:

Thread closed

Training
7217/9000 Medical to SS
http://www.narutosaga.com/t17660-food-chain-private-akira-nk#152264

+2389
9606/9000 Medical to SS trained