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.
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