☁️ || Kumoimine Keep| Kumoito: Imperial Palace

[ghostfinch]

Quote:
　
KAITO





"No one will think poorly of you," Kaito said earnestly. He did, of course, beam at the sight of the confections. He knew he'd want to make sure some were intact by the time he returned to the Arashikage, but they looked so good that he simply wasn't sure he could resist. "If you'll also accept something from me, Empress..." He handed over a large scroll to Momi, then accepted the tarts.

"I have specialized in the arts of fuuinjutsu. I would appreciate it if you would use that scroll for a reverse summoning technique if you ever need my immediate help. I believe the Arashikage is working on something similar with her Ukyo sealing so that the Empire and Zaishin and the villages can all communicate much, much faster." With that, he would bow and walk with Momi unless Rieyar said something that had him sticking around.

Chakra Pool: 4,515/4,515
Stamina Pool: 3,745/3,745



rocket punches


hurrak

 

[Rocket Punches]

Rieyar somewhat sheepishly acknowledged the pastries, still looking a bit dazed by the whole ordeal. This was not at all what they expected when they agreed to come back home, and it seemed they were set to head back to Arashi, a prospect that made the child quite nervous even as Kaito graciously accepted the treats and set off. They hesitated slightly, but there was little they could do to assist here in Kumoito at the moment. While the empire certainly had its problems, as much as Rieyar disliked it, the jashinist fixation on the villages' biju meant their skill with medical jutsu was much more likely to be of use to a wider set of people if they remained in whatever this weird psuedo-volunteer role was. They gave a little bow after a moment and hurried off after Momi and Kaito.

[Sorry for spacing on y'all.]

◄ B-Rank || Kumoito || Civilian►
Chakra: 870/870 || Stamina: 760/760

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◁ Stats ▷
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+0 Strength || +2 Speed || +0 Agility || +0 Endurance
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◁ Modes and Buffs Active ▷
ıllıllı None ıllıllı

◁ Activations Used ▷

Activation 1: Infinite Draw: Korabo - 2x Mystical Hand Technique
Rank S x2

Activation 2:
Rank

Activation 3:
Rank

◁ Non-Activation Techs Used ▷
ıllıllı None ıllıllı

◁ Active Modifiers ▷

◁ Passive Modifiers ▷

◁ Combat Inventory ▷

Hurrak

ghostfinch

 

[jake23482]

Tsukiko Yukimoto [] Student [] E-Rank
=Ninjutsu - Ninjutsu =
[[Stamina: 100/100]] === [[Chakra: 100/100]]

Tsukiko would arrive at the palace gates with her records sealed neatly in a scroll. She wore her best outfit, the classic white dress uniform, styled in one classic of The Land of Snow's naval officers. With full confidence in her ability to join the ranks of Kumoito's military and prove her direct worth to her Empress, the frosty navy soldier saluted the guards and declared her desire. "I, Tsukiko of the clan Yukimoto, am here to present proof of my training and wish to request an audience to gain acceptance into the military ranks, sir!", she said with a firm salute before standing rigid and at attention until the guard acknowledged and passed on her request.

Normally, Tsukiko would not have put on such a display. However, she was here to make an impression and to make her family proud. They were immigrants to these lands and the first child to be born and raised in the Lightning Empire came with the expectations that she could prove the Yukimoto family's worth to the Empress and lower nobles they served. She only hoped that her arrival would be welcomed and not seen as a minor annoyance. Right now she was nothing, and she was almost certain that she would likely be greeted by something like a secretary. Though, no matter the role of who handled her request and paperwork, she acted like she would be expected to in the face of any perceived superior.

Hurrak

My graduation is at your mercy.

 

[Hurrak]

tab
It wasn’t a “grand” exchange. As per many times before the guard had a message relayed. In time, someone managed the distance from the interior to the specific guard who forwarded the message.
A taller, sunkissed individual clad in orange and blues appeared in the distance. A glint of sunlight flickered from a round broach on his breast that wordlessly indicated his position to the knowing. To the unknown? He was just a guy with a big flashy pin who appeared at the other end of Tsukiko’s path.

Odds were this official would be someone Tsukiko would see again. For now, at least, the official was talking partially to himself aloud and partially to the figures at their respective posts. "“ I can not wait until she lifts these visitor limitations!” A voice carried loudly from an entrance ahead. “C’mon! Bossman wants a new pair of rollerskates, yeah yeah yeah!” He could be heard joking all the while maintaining a relatively warm demeanor. The official finally stopped himself beside the guard. "“You wanna rock out in the ranks?” His tune was lively (probably even more so for a typical palace official) even as he accepted the paperwork. "An enlistee, huh?” He said after a brief review of the first sheet. It was weird discussing things outside. “Okay. Cool, cool. Follow me.”

Tsukiko was led inside for a brief procedure. “Ever been here?” The official asks, grinning, in reference to the interior entrance that was decorated splendidly with an array of tapestries, paintings, and maps, and photographs. “Decoration changes up as often as I can get away with changing around things before someone notices.” He laughed and snapped his fingers. “Ten years of calling the shots and counting! Haha!” He then withdrew a folded pack of paper that was roughly about the size of a business envelope from the interior of his robe. One might say that he was prepared, to say the least. Paper was passed from one hand to the other, he withdrew an inkpen and a tall round stamp from the interior of his robe. “We’ll just use this space here. It’s awkward just standing around outside and stamping things.”

Their walk lead them to a small, informal table floating along the wall at the turn of a corner. It was a lengthy walk just to find a suitable table. They didn’t even stop at some office set up since her escort was proving themselves to be start of walking office. “Alright, now the routine goods I am required to say.” he said as if to himself and adjusted the collar of his robe “A-ahem!”
With a breath, he voiced a rehearsed line loudly and proudly:
“YOUR DEDICATION TO OUR GREAT EMPIRE IS IMMENSELY VALUABLE! ON BEHALF THE OF EMPRESS AND EMPEROR CHOSOBAKE, I, AMANO UJITOKI, THANK YOU FOR YOUR READINESS TO SERVE AND DEFEND THE LIGHTNING EMPIRE, ITS PEOPLE, AND ITS INTERESTS!”
His delivery was intentionally loud. Nothing obnoxiously earsplitting but passersby at work would know the nature of Ujitoki and Tsukiko’s exchange well. Either addressing a full platoon or a single person the matter of anything joining up was a big deal. Ujitoki smoothed out a note on the small table, flipped it around to face her, and extended the end of the pen. His finger pointed to a line. It was her agreement to serve Lightning. He inadvertently jabbed his innocent digit against the table’s marble surface. Still. “Please sign here.” His hand recoiled thereafter the deal was finalized.

jake23482

 

[jake23482]

Tsukiko Yukimoto [] Student [] E-Rank
=Ninjutsu - Ninjutsu =
[[Stamina: 100/100]] === [[Chakra: 100/100]]

Tsukiko blinked quite visibly a few times at the rather relaxed demeanor of the man, Ujitoki. For somebody who worked on the direct authority of the Emperor and Empress, she felt like one would have to be rigid and uptight. Like herself, for example, as she held herself with all of the dignity and candor of a proper navy officer in the making. Her posture was straight and each step taken with poise and presence. She could not have been a more contrasting image to the man who lead her inside the palace itself, though there was no disdain about her aura. It was quite the opposite, as she quite respected somebody of such a high station above her own who felt like they could be so relaxed. She actually envied Ujitoki slightly, and was even quite amused by his own lack of proper decorum.

When they finally halted and Ujitoki pronounced her acceptance into the ranks of the Imperial forces, Tsukiko felt her lungs swell with pride as she bowed formally to him before signing on the line to finalize her allegiance in writing. She then offered him a formal military salute, before cracking a soft smile. "So, with all of the paperwork signed, I suppose it would not be out of line to request a task to prove my skills? Shinobi call them 'missions', however I find the terminology too...simple. A quest!", Tsuki asked with a wide grin. She seemed confident that she could handle anything that might be requested of her.

Hurrak

- basically asking for a Mission of B-Rank. Topic of your choice. You can GM it if you want, but I could just solo write it too.

 

[Hurrak]

tab

The palace official would return the bow and then laughed lightly. Warmly. Awkwardly. Tsukiko's request absolutely reminded him of his age. “Ah-ha…” His fingers- still throbbing from smashing into marble- were moved up to soothe his temple. As if to soothe away unspoken thoughts as he hummed. She’s just a kid. His mouth upturned into a grin. She didn't do anything wrong, after all. “Jobs, missions, assignments. All the same.” He gestures his aching hand to “fan” away the thought before he uncapped his stamp and clumped rubber to table. A round, orange emblem printing his name with the same, large circle crammed beside the etched characters. As Ujitoki began retiring the signed agreement, pen, and stamp back into pockets he nodded. "There." He capped his stamp and swept the paper up into his palm. "Now, don’t forget we were a ninja village here once, after all."

"On the matter of work I certainly have something that's up come up. I’d like someone to look into it before it gets out of hand. Would it match up to a B-rank? Eh,” he rolled his wrist side-to-size and shrugged again. So-so. “Still need intelligence on that to finalize the verdict. B's a safe number- er- letter to ride on. All the same, it's work if you’re interested. See, he pauses and clicks his pen.
"See. We have a decommissioned ‘factory’ in the Marble Quarter and a trespasser who is effectively having far too much fun on Imperial property. ” Ujitoki returned to fumbling his fingers behind the lining of robe. He apparently had plenty of pockets sewn into his tinted kosode. A pen was slid between his fingers and a notepad was palmed into his other hand. “We have far too many resources far more pleasant for anyone down on their luck to go and drifters don't need to be lingering on my problems." Pen met paper.
Whatever Ujitoki's problems were the thought of just scratching the surface with casual note knocked his sunny aura down a peg. Briefly. He eyed the notepad with a run-down look before bouncing back. "Let me see, I I know our trespasser has some tricks up his sleeve I just don't know his deal. If you want the job I can jot down the address? Err... no? "

jake23482

 

[jake23482]

Tsukiko Yukimoto [] Ensign [] D-Rank
=Ninjutsu - Ninjutsu =
[[Stamina: 200/100]] === [[Chakra: 425/425]]

The offer of a task well above those granted to normal 'graduates' of her station clearly demonstrated how much was being expected of her by the minister. Tsukiko could not let the confident smirk wash off her face as the man extended the offer of the address to the abandoned factory, where the 'quest' would lead her. "I will look into the matter of this trouble-maker, Sir. I will do my best to exceed expectations in the effort.", the noble born ninjutsu specialist said with all of the rigidity and poise one could expect from a future navy officer. It was clear that Tsukiko took herself seriously, and wanted others around her to do the same.

She had not missed the notation of the potential trespasser having some tricks up their sleeve, but she had her own. While many had known her from being of the clan that could manipulate ice, only a few (including Ujitoki, who had seen her file), knew that the newly inducted soldier of the Lightning Empire was capable of producing a second advanced chakra nature; Boil. If anything, she was a mistress of water in the making as she could control the element from solid, to liquid, and finally to gas. She had figured that is probably why such a task of a higher rank was being assigned to her, but it was nothing she was prepared to speak openly of. Some secrets were best kept until needing to be shown off.

Hurrak

 

[Sleepy Senpai]

Masanori walked through the gates after the guards let him through, heading into the building to meet with whomever would be dealing with the graduation process of students in the academy. There were no formalities between him and the guards, in fact the young Hatake was rather silent the entire way, a sense of purpose in his steps. Bringing with them, a total opposite type of energy, a pink-furred shiba that went by the name of Ryo, happily followed behind the boy, giving the guards an acknowledging bark as they passed through.

Kumoito in a way was still kind of new to him, despite being here since he was about five years old. These last few months exposed him to a sense of freedom, as far as travelling around the city, that he didn't get to experience prior to joining the academy. He could understand why Noriko had so much to talk about every day after class, there were so many different places to explore, and new things to see. While the interior design of the palace was astonishing, Masanori couldn't bring himself to care too much about it. He knew that his sister, being in the exact place he was only months ago, was likely ecstatic. Someday soon, hopefully, they'll be able to share their experiences together.

He forced his mind to get back on track. Memories or thoughts of Noriko tended to drift into a mixed state of anger, grief, and regret as of late. Masanori would approach the first person he could find, silently presenting his graduation records, hoping they met the requirements of being enlisted into the military. Ryo would excitedly sit at his side, barking happily. Masanori was still working with him, as it became obvious that the hyperactive Ryo had trouble staying in a seating position due to his excess energy.

Or the extreme wagging of his tail that was likely acting as a propeller, constantly lifting his pink, furry butt off of the ground. A single finger pointed in Ryo's direction without so much as any other movement coming from the young Hatake. Ryo returned to his seated position... only to resume his excitable tail wagging and floofy rump hovering moments later.


Hurrak

 

[Hurrak]

tab

One eager bright-eyed recruit arrives and replaces another. Oh well, he thought, and shrugged lightly like the matter was routine. Meeting people day in and day out came with Ujitoki’s job. Whatever that job is exactly. He seemed content otherwise. An introduction was a short string of words about as casual as the previous as the man reached to accept the paperwork. "How’s it going?" He asked warmly, expressing more than just a little humdrum courtesy. Ujitoki's visitor didnt come off as stoic...and uptight... as the previous. Maybe the kid was distracted?
"Oh hey, what’cha got?”

As of late, it appeared to be documents which introduced him to new faces. “Masanori?” He read aloud as his glance set on and off the young visitor (who was easily a whole head shorter than this palace official). “Huh,” Ujitoki repeated the visitor’s name with a tune of interest in his tone. “Masanori! Hah! I like it! My dad’s name was Norinaga. His identical twin is an old salt named Masanaga.” he shrugged, cracking a grin, and dismissed his ramblings with a wave of the hand and started to go for the stamp in his pocket. Again. "But that's a story f- bro! That's a pink dog."
His attention darting downward to take in the perky pink pup behaving below. A most unprofessional display unfolding piping squeaky 'air kisses' toward the dog lastinf for a solid three seconds before Ujitoki raises his focus up again. "Please sign this!"

sleepy senpai

 

[Sleepy Senpai]

Oh boy. The young Hatake had a lot of work to do with this one. Masanori moved his gaze from his hyper companion to the palace official in front of him, handing over the documents. A blank gaze disturbed with a sudden raise of an eyebrow while the palace official displayed their amusement for his name. Their father and twin sibling, having taken on a similar naming scheme to Masanori and his sister, only reminded him of what he had lost, and painfully so. His gaze averted to the floor, but thankfully the blonde-haired male bounded off onto another subject. A pink, furry one.

Ryo knew that he was being talked about, already up on all fours while staying hunched towards the ground to appear like he was still sitting. Tail swirling around excitedly like a propeller, threatening to send his now quivering body skyward in an instant. The squeaky air kisses were the icing on the cake, and quite literally, too much sugar for the young pup to handle. What was supposed to be a happy bark, sounded more like a loud, quavering howl taking on many different pitches during its duration. Masanori embraced the canine with surprising speed, gently stroking his chest until they finally calmed down. "He's a stray. Found him in a small town."

He rose to finally sign the papers presented to him, pausing momentarily before sealing the deal. A free hand reached into his pocket, presenting the male with a picture. The scarf she wore in the photo was now around his neck, and aside from much longer hair, the two possessed strikingly similar facial features. "This is Noriko, my sister. Have you seen her?" Something he had gotten so used to doing whenever he met a new face now felt somewhat... odd. He could hear Maiana's words echoing in the back of his mind, and a bigger part of him didn't expect the man to know much, just like a majority of the people he had asked in the past. However, with this likely being a very similar chapter for all graduating Academy students, he'd take whatever information he could get, if the palace official offered any.

Masanori signed the papers, awaiting an answer.


Hurrak

 

[Hurrak]

tab

He tried not to laugh, that is, at the dog. Ujitoki’s mouth bent, bit his lip, and gritted his teeth. “Eager little thing, huh?” He chuckled weakly in some effort to make light of the excitement he had quite the hand in causing. The photo was revealed and Ujitoki slowly accepted the paperwork as he took in the frozen image of a near lookalike of the boy he was talking to. The not-so-subtle details defining brother from sister was touch and go even for the untrained eye. Ujitoki’s sights passing back and forth from photo to its presenter. His grin failed for guilt and regret over his lighthearted chatter of twins. “Oh,” he said, a sigh slipping seamlessly on his breath, “i’m sorry.” The young man was exhibiting his guilt as anxious bow-like nods of the head as if apologizing wasn’t enough. “I mean, I ain’t the police but tell me about her. She…didn’t have any issues at home, did she?”

ooc: Again, I'm so sorry about the delay. I eagerly await your response.

sleepy senpai

 

[Sleepy Senpai]

Masanori's lips pursed at the palace official's response. He wasn't aware that he was reacting in such a way as he returned the photo back into his possession, a gaze settled on the blonde male that appeared to be looking through him at the moment. Noriko wasn't much of a 'problem child' as he could recall. In fact, both of them were rather obedient children - in Masanori's case, due to a matter of having to stand in as the man of the household. Still, the two of them had their faults: Masanori, with his temperament and willingness to cause physical harm at the slightest provocation. Noriko's sense of wanderlust and desire for adventure were less severe, yet still problematic if their mother had any say in the matter.

Ever since the two were old enough to go out on their own, the only thing their mother wished for them was safety. Naturally, a curfew was enforced on the twins to ensure they'd be home by sunset. On occasions this rule would be broken; becoming more common for Noriko as of late since her enrollment into the Academy. She wanted to hang out with her new friends, explore more of the city, and had recently taken an interest in learning how to swim. With her mother and brother working to provide for the house, it left poor Noriko with little to do when she was at home and often Masanori would get an earful when he did get home from performing odd jobs about not spending as much time with her as he used to when they were younger.

So she started staying out later. This raised concerns for Masanori, who - just due to the honest person that he is - often 'ratted out' his sister for not sticking to the curfew whenever his mother asked him directly about it. This didn't negatively impact the relationship between him and Noriko, nor her and their mother. Though constantly mentioned to her twin brother how she felt that their mother was holding them back. Constricting them. All she wanted to do was see and experience new things. "She..." Masanori began to speak, blinking a few times to relieve his eyes of the gaze he held for however long he'd been standing there thinking.

"N-no." His gaze fell to the floor. He wasn't lying, but it wasn't the full truth. "Noriko liked to stay out late after curfew. To hang with her friends from school. Mother didn't approve... I was worried, sometimes..." A hand ran up through his hair, a sigh following shortly after that signaled a hint of frustration. He had a feeling that telling the palace official this wouldn't get him anywhere. Sure, they weren't the police, but Masanori was already aware of how helpful they've been so far.


Hurrak

 

[Hurrak]

tab

“Hey, hey. I’m sorry!” It was some attempt at giving comfort. He was bitting his lip and wincing. The palace official already slipped up once. He’d kick himself for not picking up on the correct vibes before opening his mouth before. If he failed again then whatever he’d say would probably do more harm than anything. “it’s cool, man. Breathe.” Twins, dogs, and the missing the mark for the better words to say.
“Look. I’m not gonna’ leave you hanging. If I do leave you high and dry then I think my cousin would kill me if I didn’t write myself off first. Hang on, les’ go in here and sit.” Wasn’t much of a sitting room. Masanori was led to a very informal space some ways off from the grand entrance he’d been handling affairs. A small table dressed with a small lacy table cloth, a couple of chairs Ujitoki arranged earlier to shoot the breeze and play cards with anyone else who had too much time on their hands lately. “Here, br- hmm.” he stumbled over himself catching wind of his excessively casual chatter. Bro. “Here, take a seat for a second. I think we’ve got a minute since I’m not on the hot seat anymore. I won’t run you through a bunch of formalities.” As he gestured to a chair across the little table, he winked and smiled, That said, friend, you can call me Ujitoki.” His introduction came, went, and the smile on Ujitoki’s face fell and skewed like something was gnawing to wiggle and writhe into words. “So,” he continued upon a sigh. As if the weight of his words were already pressing weight on his neck. He nodded slowly before he faced Masanori again. “Seems you’re in the military now, right? You don’t have to have be handed sugar coated sweet nothings now.” He spoke soberly. Almost somber sounding compared to the spirited person Masanori met.

“Police reports for missing juveniles and adults often reach us when detectives need a second hand on the case. Fortunately, most missing persons find their way home and others just aren’t so lucky. Meanwhile, some get caught up in messes along the way.” Ujitoki met another pause like this was some tragic build-up to something more and knitted his brow as his pensive stare met the table cloth. As if starting down a bitter pill to swallow. “I’ve got an idea. But I want you to know that this isn’t a guarantee on what happened but it’s something that we…” The official’s sights met Masanori again and his tone swept softly into sympathy as he traversed over his words slowly: “...probably want to consider. There are crooked kings and queens of the underground who’d snatch up attractive able bodied people for profit. Someone might have snatched her up into the illegal prostiution ring. ”
How softly can anyone drop a bombshell? It wasn’t an idea Ujitoki took lightly and anticipated Masamori not taking to it well. Yet, his own passions against this crime ring didn’t take long to show as he sneered and thumped his knuckles on the table. Apparently rolling a couple heads didn’t stick the message for a small-timer who started kicking up dirt again with a damn death wish- dipped out of legal channels- and probably fell back into Kuroi Mura.” Still, the official curbed his anger with a sigh. “I’m sorry to even mention it and I get that this is a lot to consider. In short, I can contract a team to look into it for you. Anything to get answers.”

sleepy senpai

 

[Sleepy Senpai]

It would seem at that moment that Ujitoki's apology did little in the ways of soothing Masanori, however, the boy was willing to sit and talk nonetheless. The pink-furred Shiba Inu followed closely behind, only sitting after Masanori took his seat in one of the chairs that surrounded the small table. A short introduction was given, and since Ujitoki already knew his name due to having access to his records, Masanori simply nodded in response. He picked up on Ujitoki's change in tone, causing him to sit more upright in his seat, leaning forward on his arms which now rested atop his thighs. Masanori wasn't the most perceptive person, but he had to wonder what reason the man had for opening up a conversation with his enlistment into the military. Though he could agree with what followed. He preferred to be told the harsh truths... even if that only put him even more on edge for Noriko's safety.

He had Masanori's full attention now, with an intense steady gaze leveled onto Ujitoki. As if him leaning forward wasn't already enough. These pauses in the man's speech were killing him. As much as he wanted to tell Ujitoki to just spit it out, Masanori just wanted more of a lead than he already had for Noriko's whereabouts. Ujitoki's tone changed again, and Masanori's brows furrowed in confusion. Then anger. "Wh- !" The young Hatake shot up from his seat, remaining frozen in his stance as he looked at Ujitoki in disbelief. Prostitution!? He couldn't bear the thought of his sister enduring that kind of predicament, and knowing how passive she'd been against her bullies in the academy...

Masanori did his best to breathe, and remain calm. Ujitoki was not the bad guy here, he was just opening him up to potential possibilities. His fists were released from their furiously balled state - suddenly aware that he was doing so. Nostrils continuing to flare, another deep inhale was released in a low, rumbling growl that elicited a whine from Ryo in response. Whoever this 'small-timer' was, had some sort of reputation here, and that didn't settle with Masanori well at all. "What do you know about this person? Where is Kuroi Mura?" The struggle between maintaining civility whilst battling his anger was evident through the almost demanding nature of his questions.


Hurrak

 

[Hurrak]

tab

Masanori shot up from his seat. The official’s body language was rigid and stagnant to the teenager’s anger as if he was reluctantly expecting an eruption.. He was stern, still, but not he wasn’t going to chide someone for being angry. Ujitoki knew if were in his shoes, he’d be burning the same rage. “I'll tell you what I know but look. Get the idea of going to Kuroi Mura out of your head now. We don’t send envoys, officials, anybody there.” He waved his arm over one side of the table in a single swoop. “Nobody in their right mind needs to be going out there alone or without protection! I won’t send defenseless fodder for the ring.” Alone, defenseless, and weak. He couldn’t emphasize enough on the defenseless fodder line.

Anger wasn’t enough. “But I will tell you what I know. Her name’s Nao.” As he dropped the name, the man paused as if waiting for Masanori to simmer. ” She’s an orante pest who cropped out of the Oni clans. Wanted for murder of Governor Fujitani and the opposite of what you might think a humanitarian outa’ be like. She likes her name being known. Leaves behind vague notes or vines of lantern flowers after incidents. She wants us to know it's her work. Take that information and get stronger.”

sleepy senpai