Event Mission Details:

The Siren's Den. If there was a place Mizuki wanted to visit in Kirigakure, it certainly was this one as the place would quickly reveal what kind of people made up Kirigakure demography, but also because the research done before her trip revealed it to be in the hands of the Seven Swordsmen. As a kenjutsu specialist herself, the history and the story of the Seven Swordsman had always intrigued her. The weapons, so she had been told, were unique master pieces on their own, which was already plenty of reasons to find someone here that knew more about them, but their owners too were said to be reputable fighters head by head. While she didn't assume she would meet any of them, she did expect to find more stories about them here than in any other place. A little moment of self-indulgence she granted herself after all the travels she had done in favour of Kumogakure. She'd linger around the place for a while before attempting to meet the Mizukage in person.

Since she had taken little time otherwise to blow off steam, Mizuki was still wearing the black leggings and shirt that fit her body perfectly, upon which she wore a navy blue dress reaching her knees and the Village's flak jacket. She had removed her headband and attached it in the vicinity of her ninja tool belt, leaving it visible for the perceptive but otherwise hiding her affiliation - a measure of protection as she was not quite aware how Kiri-nin would take the presence of a Kumo-nin. On top of her attire, a long grey cloak covered her body, the presence of her katana being about the only thing that remained obvious.

As she entered the bar, her blue-green eyes glided over the area, taking note of the many tables already taken by patrons, the large stage currently showing off a stage-band and a few dancers, as well as the several waiters and waitresses walking on and off to bring in the requested drinks. Moving to an empty seat near the bar, she requested one of the house's cocktail and allowed herself to wind down for a little before she'd pick up conversation with one of the bartenders on the history of the establishment, which would essentially lead her towards a revelation of the Seven Swordsman. Considering she could genuinely pass for a tourist or a wandering warrior, her ignorance on the matter would easily be forgiven - especially if she was willing to spend a few ryo on drinks while she was listening.

---

437/3000

Despite the rousing atmosphere that clung in the building, always rearing, never waking, there were a few people who had proven to be more perceptive than anticipated. A drunk, obviously not perceptive enough to see the kunoichi sitting on her stool, had bumped into her and spotted the dangling headband, instantly raising alarm as he called upon his kinsmen to assure she was, indeed, a Kumo-nin. What started as heated accusations bolstered by the masses around them, eventually ended in one of them unsheathing a blade. At that moment, even the diplomat could no longer  passively stand by as her own life was being threatened.

Leaving her seat, she stood straight amid the circling crowd, eyes fixated on the armed man. Even though she requested him to sheathe his weapon, the man's mind was held captive by the crowd around him which urged him to attack rather than to find a peaceful approached to this uncomfortable yet still salvageable situation. Unfortunately, he gave in, raising his weapon as he moved in to attack. Before Mizuki could move to parry, a whistling shadow shattered the blade held mid-air and a dumb-folded silence suddenly cloaked the crowd as everyone wondered what exactly just happened. While some seemed to look at Mizuki as if she had been the possible source of this swift disarming, others looked around the place in hopes to find the man daring to spoil the fun.

Until their eyes crossed the Mizukage.

Armed to the teeth, nerves of steel and a porcelain face bearing a quiet smile, a shiver ran over Mizuki's back. Despite the cool attitude, the woman nearing the bar oozed every bit of power equal to the new Raikage she had come to represent. In dead silence, she took back the whistling shadow, which seemed to be a single arrow, and started talking.

"That's quite enough of that don't you think, we shouldn't be throwing around such harsh accusations... You know, when a stranger enters my village and begins talking and asking openly about the seven swordsmen, it often reaches the ears of a passing shadow... and its the shadows in this nation that whisper such things in my ear and make me curious. So, what brings a ninja from Kumogakure to the land of their sworn enemy? I do love to hear a story. How is Sanosuke these days?"

There was a moment of silence as Mizuki tried to assess the situation and the person in front of her, noticing the casual demeanour with which she almost disregarded the existence of the people that were around her. The confidence and certitude in her own power was not to be denied, and that was further strengthened by the status she held - not one person would dare to interject a single word now that the Mizukage had spoken. Bowing respectfully towards the Mizukage for a start, Mizuki then answered curtly in hopes to catch the attention of the kage to its fullest.

"An invitation of the new Raikage, Hastur Miyamoto, has urged me to seek you out, Mizukage."

With this, she had not only stated her business as a shinobi 'seeking out their sworn enemy', but also dropped an inkling of an idea on Sanosuke's current statement. He was no longer Raikage. While Mizuki knew this to be the case since quite some time, it somewhat surprised her the Mizukage was not aware of this change. For all the kunoichi knew, the ruling kage was information of the greatest importance.

"I'm afraid I do not know anything about Sanosuke's current state of affairs. I have never met the man, and by the time I was a kunoichi, Lin Katonrai had succeeded him as Raikage. Though she was fervent believer that the relations between our Villages should improve after Sanosuke's fall as Raikage, her rule did not last long enough to see me trained properly to bring her message of diplomacy to the other Villages. Hastur Miyamoto has claimed the rightful title of Raikage now and gave me the honours still to seek out an audience in his name."

It had been Kumogakure's power games in a nutshell, as far as she had been politically involved enough as a genin to know the details behind the moves. Up to this day, she still had no idea where Lin and Gora had gone too and what the actual source of hatred was between Kirigakure and Kumogakure, other than it being related to Sanosuke.

"My apologies for this less than ideal way of meeting you, Mizukage. This place was supposed to be a brief refreshment before seeking an official audience.", she apologised as she bowed once more.

---

790
Total: 1227/3000

Ayakashi's answer was short and quickly put an end to future hostilities as she spoke to Mizuki's assaulter. Beckoning for her to follow, the two walked outside the bar and into the open street. The light outside caused Mizuki to briefly narrow her eyes as the contrast with the dim light from inside was great. By the time her eyes had accustomed to the natural light again, the Mizukage was walked backwards and pointing out that she had yet to introduce herself. Mizuki could scold herself for her lack of proper etiquette as she was usually not the sort to slip up on something of importance as this. Though she hoped the awkward situation at the bar would somehow shelter from a bad impression, she certainly would not forgive herself as easily.

"Of course. My apologies for my lack of courtesy, I did not intend to be so rude. My name is Raiu Mizuki, chuunin of Kumogakure. As I mentioned before, I was send as an emissary to the other Villages with a particular invitation from the Raikage.", after properly introducing herself, the Mizukage continued speaking, apologising in her own way for the behaviour of the man inside. She nodded in empathy. She knew well enough the outburst came not from hatred but from a need to be heard, but it remained an odd experience to see that Kirigakure harboured that same sort of grudge as Kumogakure's people did. Both nations seemed to have suffered at the hand of Sanosuke, bolstering Mizuki's determination even more that a diplomat was required to make amends an hopefully restore the many wounds and frictions it had caused.

"I understand and do not hold a grudge against the man. We have had people from Kirigakure stumble in Kumogakure before, terrified just as much that our people would be out for blood. Back then, Lin had since replaced Sanosuke as Raikage and was the person to step in much like you have done now. Seeing as I wished to see Kumogakure's relations with other Villages restored, she took me as her apprentice in hopes that I would follow in her footsteps."

But now, Lin was gone. Mizuki had tried to find her, but she had found no trace from her disappearance, or that of Gora. She had even visited the newly risen Raikage in dark hope that he, perhaps, would know or even be the cause of her disappearance. And though he had not given her any satisfying answers, he had given her the opportunity to proceed with what Lin had wished to see fulfilled.

Pushing back the past to proceed towards the future, Mizuki revealed the scroll which held the black raiton rod. Before she continued, the kunoichi looked around her and at the crowd that passed by. Though she wanted to reveal the black raiton rod, she disliked the idea of having to show it off in the middle of a moving crowd, considering the power it held. "This scroll contains an item that serves as the new Raikage's invitation. Considering the power it contains, I'd prefer to reveal it in a less crowded place so as to assure the safety of civilians. Would this be alright with you, Mizukage?"

Shinobi would probably be fine as they'd either have the speed or endurance to deal with the black raiton, but the same could not be said from civilians. And though she had yet to see the effects of anyone touching the black raiton, she certainly didn't wish to take any risk here, in Kirigakure, where the relation between the two Villages was sour at best.

---

611
total: 1838

A hint of worry shimmered through the kage's voice when Mizuki mentioned the gift she had. And rightfully so. Everyone a little concerned for the safety of others, or themselves, would not blindly rush in where angels feared to tread. Mizuki in turned hesitated a little. Was it dangerous? To be honest, she couldn't say for certain. She had never seen or tried to stand in the thunder's pathway, but unfamiliar with the black raiton and basing her decisions mostly on the reputation it held, she had always opted for a safe approach.

"Honestly, I doubt it's safe to civilians. It contains black raiton, which, based on its reputation, is not something I'd like to unveil in an uncontrolled area. However, I've used the rod in several ways depending the region I was in. In Iwagakure, I used it as a business card. I found myself in a difficult position, assaulted and outnumbered by bandits. I have been lucky a couple of unexpected allies had appeared, one of them being an ANBU of Iwa. The signature raiton of the kage proved I did not come with empty words when I stated my business as diplomat."

Kodai, Sayuri and the ANBU. Three people of Iwa had shown up eventually, each in their own time, to help out the wandering chuunin. Kodai had shown the prowess of a genin, putting himself in far more danger than he had should for his rank, and even Sayuri had been a little careless in her believes to preserve life - a philosophy Mizuki shared with her. It was when the ANBU arrived that the greatest of dangers was dealt with rather swiftly.

"In Sunagakure, I found myself on a battlefield. People were fleeing a world of chaos. From the words of a few deserting shinobi, I understood that a former Suna-nin named Syekren, the sword saint Mitsuo and a certain Lamya were laying Sunagakure to waste. It was a terrible sight...", she trailed off a little, remembering the death and destruction in the Village itself. "I used the rod as a beacon back there while I tried to find as much survivors as possible. They gathered around the rod, a few amount of wandering warriors and former shinobi making sure they would not touch the rods. Women, kids, elders... The death count was tremendous, the terror even worse."

Shaking her head, Mizuki pushed aside the images she had seen. Even if she had nothing to do with the whole war herself, the event had changed her. Though she believed in peace, the once loathed idea of killing had made room for a newfound option of a merciful death. Some people beyond hope, stuck under debris and dying a slow yet inevitable death as it was every soul for himself, had been given a peaceful end. The Arts taught by her father had been given a new direction, her naive ideals dulled.

"In Konohagakure, I was somewhat forced to use it as a display of intimidation. Due to an unfortunate misunderstanding with a drunken sailor, a mob had gathered around me. It proved quite difficult to persuade the riled up crowd of my intentions, but all seemed to quiet down when the black raiton rod was revealed and the situation finally explained."

Finishing her story, she wondered if it would have been sufficient an explanation for the Mizukage to reveal that her intentions were sincere. She had seemed a little on edge, but as the story progressed the Mizukage regained some of her more relaxed posture.

"I enjoy your goals, I wish i had more ninja like you, though to be honest, with your message I'm somewhat surprised I didn't hear it coming from someone from the hidden leaf. Togetherness and friendship was always iconic of the way of fire as I'm aware. Though, I'm not certain that the land of Clouds was ever known for some form of overarching philosophy. "

The words still rang true. Konohagakure had been rather open after the misunderstanding. Friendships fostered fast, even with a few people who had originally seemed to be bandits. She had been able to help them out, giving their kid a chance at becoming a Konoha-nin. The people had been friendlier than most of the other Villages, giving Mizuki a good time during her stay.

"We still are not, and probably will never be as open as Konohagakure is. Few share my points of view on the diplomatic approach, but even if we remain rooted in our traditions of individualistic power and prowess, I'm of a mind communications with the other Village is a bare necessity. If not to keep each other informed of fleeing Missing-nin who could possibly pose a threat in another Village, then  as a network of information. With the power and abilities we shinobi hold, is it not our responsibility to watch over and guide those that are unable to wield it? How can we preserve the safety of civilians throughout the Village and the lands we travel if we can't keep open communications?"

Of course, that didn't mean sensitive information about power and techniques had to be shared so openly, but a notion of communication could only do good. Perhaps the economy of all Villages could improve this way, travel could become safer, cooperation to catch dangerous Missing-nin would be possible. There were plenty of options that opened up once an ounce of decent communication had been settled.

Arriving at the platform, the Mizukage made sign this would be the place where the raiton rod could be revealed. Mizuki nodded, taking out the scroll and unsealing the raiton rod within it. While the Mizukage was preparing for the worst, making Mizuki a little uncomfortable and worried in turn at all the precautions the kage felt necessary, she stuck the rod into the ground, invoking its signature black thunderclouds in the sky. Not wanting to stand too close herself, she moved over to the Mizukage and took position a little before her as if serving as a living shield. Even if Mizuki knew the thunder cloud held no danger at this range, seeing the Mizukage on edge like this the kunoichi felt it her duty to assure an ounce of safety. The Raiu were anything if not traditional bodyguards, and that tradition ran strongly within her veins just as much. With a loud crack, the black raiton struck down, hitting the rod perfectly as always. Once it had passed, Mizuki moved over to the rod again to pick it up and seal it back into the scroll.

"My apologies for the worries, Mizukage. I did not mean to put you on edge like this. Having seen its power, the Raikage Hastur Miyamoto wants to have his presence acknowledged as the new rightful driving power in our Village.", she said as she bowed formally, with this having successfully performed her long-time task in Kirigakure.

---

1168
Total: 3006

After the message was brought, Ayakashi requested to meet the Raikage. With the Chuunin Exams approaching, talk about that growing quickly in amount these last few days, it would be excellent timing to travel together. For Mizuki, having finished her mission, she would finally be able to return home. For the Mizukage, the rods having piqued her interest, it was an excellent reason to visit Kumogakure.

"That is correct. The Chuunin Exams should be any time now. I'm most grateful for your hospitality, Mizukage, and will remain here as you request. I'll find myself a room to rest in and send you a letter where I'll be residing, should you feel the need to contact me."

The idea of finally being able to return home was a most welcome one.

---

[EXIT]

133
Total: 3136