Leaf District

In the quiet sanctity of his office, Inoka felt the weight of leadership pressing down. The silence that stretched between Tenbo and Tentai was palpable, a stark contrast to the usual bustling activity of the Hokage’s office. Sensing that something was amiss, and perhaps not wanting to deal with it in Tenbo’s presence, Inoka decided to take action. “Tentai, let’s reschedule this meeting. My presence is needed elsewhere at the moment,” he said, his voice even but firm, effectively dismissing the meeting and clearing the room.

Once alone, Inoka’s mind raced with the responsibilities that beckoned. He summoned a human-sized puppet, intricately crafted and perfect for his needs. With precise movements, he placed a sealing tag on the bottom half of the puppet’s head. Channeling his chakra and focus, he cloned his consciousness and a portion of his chakra into the puppet, using his clan’s advanced Mind Puppet Switch Cursed Seal Technique. This allowed him to operate through the puppet as if he were there himself, a clever ploy to handle multiple tasks simultaneously while conserving his energy.

The puppet, now an exact replica of Inoka, stood up, the transformation complete. It shared a bright, charismatic smile with the real Inoka, exuding the confidence of the Hokage. “Off to Amegakure, I go,” the puppet declared, and with a series of hand seals, it disappeared in a puff of smoke, heading towards the train station.

Location: Konohagakure - Leaf District
Posting Order: Inoka -> All Welcomed
Posting Time Limit (PTL): 3 Days (Approximately 72 Hours)
Skip Points: II
Puppet of Inoka - Traveling to Amegakure:
Bounding across the rooftops with agile leaps, the puppet captured the attention of the villagers below. Murmurs of awe and curiosity followed its path, “Woah, is that the new Hokage?” they whispered as they watched the figure move with purpose towards the train station. Upon arrival, it timed its entry perfectly, boarding the train just as it was ready to depart. Settling into the private quarters, the journey to Amegakure was swift, under an hour thanks to the efficient travel network.

Stepping off the train in Amegakure, the puppet retained the dignified aura of the Hokage, drawing more curious glances from the rain-soaked locals. It moved confidently through the unfamiliar streets, its presence alone demanding respect. “Excuse me, where do I find the Amekage Yonrochi?” it inquired politely of a passerby, hoping to be directed towards the Amekage’s office without causing any unnecessary stir. The mission was clear, and Inoka’s puppet was ready to navigate the delicate political waters of this impromptu diplomatic visit.

Yaju observed them a beat before adding another notion to this little exercise they were about to go through. They were bound to have in their mind that taking their time to decide a leader was something that came with the leisure of peace time; however this was going to be a lesson in reality for the lot of them. Yaju would cut them off before they could even continue their deliberation. His stern fatherly tone cutting through the air with a taste of venom amongst his words.

“Times up! There's been an adjustment to the rules of your new situation. The three of you are now under the pursuit of these hounds here. He jested behind himself with a point of his thumb. The hounds that sat his sides no longer on their haunches but standing at attention their tails nearly bone straight. Yaju soon jested to the forest in a heartbeat after he jested to the hounds at his side. He soon began to speak again as he pointed at the forest behind him. ” Your objective here is to show me you won’t need a baby sitter in the event that something actually happens to me or we need to split up. The world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows and quite frankly if you can’t survive the pups here you can’t survive a real confrontation either… Yaju looked down his nose at the three of them as if studying how quickly they would get moving into the forest. If they hadn’t quite understood what Yaju was saying it would be come clear very soon as the hounds that sat behind him with the exception of the largest of the litter, Jujin had scatter into the forest of death. They were going to be getting a head start on the trio of boys that sat before them and hunt them down like rabbits.

”In short your next objective is to survive. he let out a hearty chuckle before returning to a more serious tone and speaking once more. ”Trust me when I say this, you’ll need to make a quicker decision the next time a decision like this arrives. It’s not always going to be at your leisure and that much should be clear to you in the future. Aside from surviving this little encounter your objective is to reconvene with me at the largest tree in the center of the forest of death… Oh! Good luck by the way.. Yaju’s image no sooner went up into a cloud of smoke leaving behind nothing but a trio of scrolls for the boys in question each a different color but just like the chunin exams of old their goal was to return the to Yaju successfully without being captured.

---

Location: 44th training ground [Forest of Death]
Posting Order: Yaju Inuzuka -> Gyoken Uchiha -> Kokezaru Sarugami -> Hayate Hyuga
Posting Time Limit (PTL): 3 Days (Approximately 72 Hours)
Skip Points: II

As the three young shinobi stood waiting for their sensei's command, the atmosphere around them tensed palpably. Yaju Inuzuka, their formidable instructor, had a spark of anticipation in his eyes that seemed to prelude a challenging lesson. "Times up! There's been an adjustment to the rules of your new situation," Yaju announced, his voice carrying a mix of stern expectation and sly enthusiasm. "The three of you are now under the pursuit of these hounds," he gestured to his canine companions, their postures shifting from relaxed to intensely focused, their tails stiff as rods.


Yaju took a moment to elaborate on their test, his tone unwavering, "Your objective here is to show me you won’t need a babysitter in the event something actually happens to me, or we need to split up. The world isn’t all sunshine and rainbows, and quite frankly, if you can’t survive the pups here, you can’t survive a real confrontation either." His words cut through the air, leaving a heavy impression on Gyoken, who felt a burgeoning respect for his sensei, recognizing the importance of the lesson Yaju was imparting.


As Yaju's figure was suddenly obscured by a cloud of smoke and vanished from sight, Gyoken turned to his teammates, Kokezaru and Hayate. With a serious expression replacing his usual jovial demeanor, he said, "Let's give it all we got; we're not to hold back by any means necessary." Forming a hand seal, his black onyx morphed into the two tomoe Sharingan, sharpening his senses and reflecting his determination.

Nodding firmly to his teammates, Gyoken crouched momentarily before launching himself forward, moving with the agility and grace of a cat. He entered the dense foliage of the 44th training ground, darting from tree to tree. His Sharingan illuminated his vision, allowing him to see chakra signatures colored distinctly to differentiate their sources and compositions, ensuring nothing in the forest could take him by surprise. This intense exercise was more than just a test; it was a crucial step toward harnessing the full potential Yaju believed he could achieve.​

Location: 44th training ground [Forest of Death]
Posting Order: Yaju Inuzuka -> Gyoken Uchiha -> Kokezaru Sarugami -> Hayate Hyuga
Posting Time Limit (PTL): 3 Days (Approximately 72 Hours)
Skip Points: II

The Travel had been a soothing experience a chance to wander nature without the feeling of stepping on eggshells that comes from being among normal people though like a predator with eyes on prey he kept his attention on that horizon that offered answers. Yet by his very nature Yugo could never truly shut out the disparity in his nature the calm part of his mind compelling him to never let a single moment go to waste. loading one satchel with provisions a plenty and another satchel filled with nothing but containers of water a chance to force him to steady his pace and carry enough weight to make him need effort to keep up a quickened race across the districts intent to improve slowly on his speed and stamina so that he could rely on those more than his monstrous nature. Of course by journeys end with arrival to the gate of Konoha his load had been lightened the water brought mostly expended and his mind a bit lighter from time spent away from fragile people a soft breath of satisfied calm passing his lips as he strides forward.

"So this is Konoha?...now lets see if my instincts can lead me forward still.."

The young Kumogakure Genin cut a peculiar figure a pale tangle of hair only loosely tamed by a single bind at the back contrasted with the darker coloration of his attire making him stick out to the natural coloration of Konoha. The demeanor of his movements reminiscent of a apex predator at a watering hole no aggression but just a faint unease from something that could be dangerous but has no inclination for hunt as it seeks something more essential. His pace is stead as he wanders paying only peripheral attention to the immediate surrounding his golden irises wandering over distant structures scanning the landscape as he naturally begin to shift away from any crowding of citizens.

The village of Konohagakure hummed with the vibrancy of a peaceful day. Laughter echoed down the streets, a testament to the community's blissful ignorance of the world's darker edges. Children darted through the bustling crowds, their game of shinobi tag weaving a tapestry of joy amidst the village's daily rhythm. Parents exchanged pleasantries with shopkeepers, their faces lit with the simple joys of civilian life. Unlike them, the village's shinobi carried the weight of a harsher reality—one where threats lingered just beyond the visible horizon, a truth well-concealed from the general populace.

In the midst of this facade of tranquility, a distinct figure moved with purpose through the crowd. His presence was marked by a demeanor as rigid and controlled as his mission. "That’s him, Soichiro," came the directive in his mind, the voice of Yamanaka Inoka, his superior, transmitted with the clarity of a telepathic link. Acknowledging the command, Soichiro Nara, a man whose towering frame was as imposing as his expression was impassive, responded in kind, "Got 'em, boss."

Approaching the young genin from Kumogakure with a stride that matched his formidable presence, Soichiro extended a document to the boy. “Yugo of Kumogakure, my name is Soichiro Nara. I will be your personal escort around the village. Please keep this passport with you at all times. Now follow me,” he intoned, his voice as deep and emotionless as his expression. His features betrayed no warmth; they were the mask of duty, sculpted to reveal nothing beyond the professional veneer required of his role.

Without waiting for a reply, Soichiro turned on his heel, expecting the young shinobi to keep pace. His steps were measured, each one a silent signal of his escort duty, as he led the way through the village's vibrant streets towards the administrative heart of Konohagakure. Here, in the shadow of the Hokage's office, the true nature of their world—and perhaps the purpose of Yugo’s visit—would soon unfold.

Location: Konoha City - > Hokage Mansion
Posting Order: Yugo -> Suchiro/Inoka
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days.
Skip Points: ll​

Yugo's attention had fully been on the admittedly impressive design of Konoha but stopped his pace when the village officer shinobi had made his presence clear. The Kumo genin took a moment to examine this figure not much surprise on his face stoic and placid from the relaxation of his travel letting his blood remain at ease. For Soichiro it would likely be noticeable the subtle shift in demeanor pupils dilating as if Yugo had shifted from a passive automatic near fugue state to one of more direct and active observation of his surroundings though it could be felt there was no hostile intent only a young man being weary of an unknown. With a stoic nod Yugo complies with the order seeming more in the moment as he follows.

The young Jugo clan member had to admit to himself he was hoping for more time to see where his instincts lead him perhaps not the thought of a brilliant genin but intuition was a tool Yugo at his disposal for a reason. However he was hardly surprised at the timely interaction even in an era of peace and even at his young age he could imagine it being unappealing to have a member of the Jugo bloodline wandering unattended. Of course the youth of genin tempted him to make some snide and playful remark about being a tourist but such thoughts were swiftly torn to shreds by both halves of his mind knowing such an attitude had no benefit in finding what he had come this far to seek. Yugo swiftly matches his speed to Soichiro's though does not conform his rhythm of steps keeping his own natural stride and simply adjusting the speed to keep a relative position following as they at last reach the Hokages office.

"You have my appreciation Soichiro Nara, your professional demeanor is a credit to your village" Yugo's words were polite but said dispassionately a formality of etiquette but an obvious intent to keep his emotions reigned within him in every way not willing to let any portion of his emotions or mind loose. Yugo walks into the office of the Hokage with the same calm measured and stoic composure as he had entered Konoha with consciously remaining in a respectful distance and mannerism recalling with intense focus the exact manners he had been expected to display to the leadership in Gold district. Yugo bows his head slightly forward as a show of complaint respect but does not say a word once in the office until he is addressed first. All the while the slightest tingle of uneasy excitement is wriggling inside him an eagerness to get to his business and find what hints of his bloodline might be found that he could learn from.

As they progressed through the village, Soichiro Nara maintained a stern silence that matched his imposing stature. Known for his potent shadow techniques, Soichiro's considerable physical strength enhanced the efficacy of his jutsu, particularly his signature Shadow–Neck Binding Technique, which mirrored the formidable power of his robust frame. This technique was not just a display of strength but also an embodiment of the lethal synergy between his physical prowess and the strategic genius inherent to the Nara Clan. Personally trained by Hokage Inoka, Soichiro was a man of few words, his presence alone enough to command respect and ensure compliance.

Upon arriving at the Hokage's office, Soichiro positioned himself by the door, his posture rigid and alert. Inside, Inoka awaited their arrival with a welcoming smile, his eyes tracking their approach long before they reached the office. "Welcome, Yugo. I hope Konohagakure has been accommodating," Inoka greeted, his tone warm and inviting. He continued, addressing the purpose of Yugo's visit with keen interest, "I understand the nature of your visit. Unfortunately, our knowledge of the old ones is quite limited. However, I recall a legendary shinobi, Orochimaru, who conducted experiments related to your ancestor's juinjutsu techniques. Though my information is scant, I believe his last operational base was at the Sand Peninsula, though it has been deserted for decades."

Inoka's expression conveyed both intrigue and caution as he spoke of Orochimaru's research, clearly seeing potential in uncovering more about it. "I can't spare many shinobi, but Gyoken might be suitable for accompanying you. He's currently training in the Forest of Death and knows Sunagakure somewhat. If you encounter any dangers, I urge you to retreat immediately. I'd prefer not to have any mishaps under my watch," he advised, his concern palpable.


Handing Yugo a uniquely crafted kunai, Inoka added, "This might aid you on your journey." His smile was reassuring, a blend of leadership and a genuine desire to assist in Yugo's quest. Inoka's involvement hinted at his deeper interest in potentially beneficial discoveries from Orochimaru's research, revealing his strategic approach to leadership and alliance-building.

Location: Konoha City - > Hokage Mansion
Posting Order: Yugo -> Suchiro/Inoka
Post Time Limit (PTI): 3 Days.
Skip Points: ll​