@Lori
The small, run-down hotel room was dimly lit, the sound of rain pattering against the cracked windows mixing with the faint hum of a flickering light.
Fugu lounged on a tattered couch, his massive frame sinking into the worn cushions as he toyed idly with the hilt of his sword. His sharp-toothed grin never faltered, a constant expression of casual menace. Across the room,
Shokaku stood by the window, his back straight, his hands clasped behind him as he peered out at the rain-soaked streets below.
The door creaked open, and
Lori stepped inside. Both men turned their attention toward him, their sharp eyes locking onto the young man. For a moment, the room was silent, save for the steady drip of water from a leak in the ceiling.
Shokaku frowned, his gaze narrowing as if dissecting the man before him. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and deliberate.
"Fear." He let the word hang in the air, his expression unreadable.
"That’s what you believe defines us, isn’t it? Fear and power, and all that, most say fear."
He nodded to himself as he stepped away from the window, his movements slow and deliberate.
"You’re not wrong. Fear is a weapon we’ve honed to perfection. But it’s not enough. Fear alone doesn’t inspire change—it must be paired with vengeance." His tone sharpened as he spoke the word, his eyes glinting with purpose.
From the couch,
Fugu let out a sharp laugh, his voice dripping with mockery.
"Oh, give me a break, Shokaku. Vengeance? That’s what you’re going with? Of all the words you could’ve said—HMP!—you choose that?" He smirked, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back.
"I’d say resilience. That’s what we’re about. No matter how many times we get knocked down, we always get back up, stronger and meaner than before."
Shokaku turned sharply, his cold gaze silencing Fugu’s laughter. His voice was steady, each word measured like the edge of a blade.
"Resilience without purpose is just survival. And survival isn’t enough. Vengeance is the flame that ignites the engine of the Rain. Yonrochi should be conquering the Leaf—we’ve always been the birthplace of legends. Hanzo, Pain, Yonrochi himself… yet we’ve allowed ourselves to be trampled underfoot. That ends now."
He stepped closer to the young man, his presence looming.
"Fugu and I will lead a manifest destiny across this shinobi world, united under one purpose. Politically, if possible. By force, if necessary." He paused, his voice dropping into a dangerous whisper.
"You know as well as I do—revolutions are never peaceful. That’s why we need you, Tokage. The information you’ve provided so far has been exceptional. Now prove your worth. Help us kill him. We have limited time but the ninja world is broken at this moment, I hear we aren't the only ones still weak from an attack."
Fugu leaned forward slightly, his grin growing wider, a predatory gleam in his eyes.
"Wouldn’t be wise to disappoint us," he drawled, his voice casual but brimming with menace. The light above flickered, casting long, jagged shadows across the room. Shokaku’s piercing gaze remained fixed on the young man.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
@Inoka
Tokage led the way through the rain-soaked streets of Amegakure, his movements brisk but precise.
Yonrochi, draped in his robes, followed silently, his presence commanding despite his lack of words. The only sound accompanying them was the rhythmic patter of rain and the occasional distant clamor of construction.
After walking half a mile, the half-built bridge came into view, its skeletal frame stretching across the misty expanse. Flanking the structure were two towering metallic statues—one of
Hokage Inoka, the other of
Amekage Yonrochi. Workers were chipping away at the statues and the bridge itself, their tools ringing out in the damp air.
Stopping a few paces away,
Tokage gestured proudly toward the scene, his voice firm but laced with subtle pride.
"A bridge of unity. One of purpose...Yes, yes."
Yonrochi remained silent, his sharp eyes scanning the unfinished work with an inscrutable expression.
After a brief pause,
Yonrochi spoke, his voice calm but tinged with dry humor.
"Not sure why Tokage enjoys sucking up to the Leaf so much. This entire bridge was his idea." He then turned to
Inoka, his face becoming a faint frown.
"As for putting a face to a name..." Yonrochi’s tone shifted, adopting a more harsher edge.
"Did you find it cheeky or clever to come as an animated puppet? ...Actually…" His laughter erupted suddenly, booming across the space.
"I LOVE THAT! I used to do the same thing back in the day! Gahaha!"
Tokage, standing just behind him, thought silently to himself,
Thank god they’re getting along… He adjusted his notebook and watched the interaction carefully, his mind ever analytical.
After the laughter subsided,
Yonrochi turned his full attention to Inoka, his demeanor shifting to something more thoughtful. He spoke with measured curiosity, his tone calm and deliberate.
"I was on my way somewhere, yet you caught me meditating before I could leave. Say... there is something I’d like to ask you."
He clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze steady.
"I was looking through an old book of shinobi—particularly from the Leaf—and I came across an interesting profile. The Rat King... Tenbo, was it? And then there was another profile, one I believe is dead… Mugen. Yes, that’s the name. Tell me about them. I know Amegakure is... complicated in the eyes of Konoha, but they caught my attention. I must know more."
As Yonrochi spoke,
Tokage remained quiet, observing his lord closely. His thoughts raced as he considered Yonrochi’s motives.
"I wasn’t there when Tenbo and Yonrochi met... but it’s clear he doesn’t want the Hokage to know what they discussed—or even that they met at all. He’s fishing for information while pretending it’s just idle curiosity. But saying he read about them in some old book? That’s such a flimsy cover. Especially to someone from a once-enemy nation. What is he playing at? I suppose the Hokage could humor him since he obviously accounted for time sending a puppet..."
Tokage kept his expression neutral, though his thoughts churned beneath the surface as the rain continued to pour, masking the tension lingering in the air.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Location: Amegakure - Rain District
Posting Order: Inoka -> Yonrochi/Tokage/Rain-men
Posting Time Limit (PTL): 3 Days (Approximately 72 Hours)
Skip Points: II