Kumogakure Internal Affairs Interrogation Room #1212

ANBU operated an internal affairs bureau within the Defense Coordination Center. This bureau consisted of several floors dedicated to managing Kumogakure's internal security. Ken would be led to a lower level floor that contained interrogation rooms. He wouldn't be shackled as a sign of respect and good faith. He had willingly turned himself in and ANBU had decided that restraining him might sour his mood. Shimiko was confident that she could handle him but she saw no reason to provoke him for the time being. He was told to sit in the interrogation room and wait. There would be a chair and a plain table in the pure white room. There would be a black window that he could not see out of but ANBU intelligence analysts could see in. A group of analysts listened in on everything that he said in the room and took notes. A young analyst would sit opposite him and ask him to provide the following: the names and whereabouts of the shinobi that helped him take the Land of Demons, all of his knowledge pertaining to Kirigakure including the placement of key resource collection sites and internal hidden village structure, all internal affairs involving Kirigakure, and finally the nature of his activities within the Land of Demons. It wasn't a true interrogation as they expected he'd supply the intelligence willingly as a condition of him being pardoned.

Shimiko would arrive later to explain to him what the next steps were.

Ken had been taken into a sort of custody he had a general idea what was going on if the village openly accepted him it would possibly saw them into war. They did not take the land of demons as he expected they could not accept his offer. His gamble had paid off he only hoped those he had warned to get out of the land of demons left. He knew people would want justice on them since they could not get it from him. As he sat down they asked for those that helped him take the land of demons over as a sad look crossed his face. Yomi was dead and four of those that helped him had died.

"Interesting course you seem to be making sure I will write down who helped the main other person died to the plague though. I have no issue with this only four actually survived but I doubt they stayed around after I left. As for the information on Kiri, I can only give you what I know, with me being listed as captured or missing in action they made change stuff."

He would begin to write down the information they wanted, he was sure they would have taken his advice and left. After about an hour they had a very detailed report giving many insights into Kiri and how it was running and the security measures. He also painted another picture that Kiri was a lot less stable than everyone assumed, the Kaguya held the power there and Takeo was more or less a puppet leader to their whims. He also wrote his reasoning for his actions in the land of demons wanting to end the battle as swiftly as he could he had to go through extreme measures, he detailed how after the war he helped the poor finally have comfortable lives while punishing the filth nobles and others that had abused the system that was in place for ages.

"That is all the information I have for you, this is as accurate as a statement I can give not knowing how the situation in Kiri has changed since I left the village. So how do I get to talk to the real person that wants to talk to me, no offense but you are not someone used for negotations so I would like to speak to the one that is."

"Someone will be with you shortly," the young man said before collecting the notes he had taken. He stood and departed from the room. Ken would be left alone in the interrogation room for close to half an hour before anyone came back. The ANBU analysts on the other side of the glass whispered to each other as they tried to make sense of who this man was. They wanted to classify him, categorize him, and create a psychological profile for research and analysis purposes. However, despite their efforts, he seemed to defy their expectations and predictions. Ken was very unique in terms of his motivation and means of thinking. He had played his hand well so far but how would he fare against Shimiko Chinoike?

The door would open and in would strut the woman herself. Shimiko was feeling somewhat casual today, and thus she wore no tie. She opted for a plain unbuttoned white dress shirt (which partially exposed her breasts) and a black mini-skirt. She wore her hair fashioned in its traditional style of two pig-tails. It was a hair-style that she had kept from her days as a genin albeit with a bit more volume than before. Shimiko was largely unarmed although she did have a fan in her hand. It was one half of her twin tessen of terror duo. Shimiko sat in the seat that the previous analyst occupied and stared at Ken.

The two had finally met at last.

Ever since ANBU had brought the Rape of Demons to her attention she had longed to watch the man bleed and suffer. She prayed to Jashin that he would afford her the opportunity of sacrificing this mad man. It wasn't just that he was a blasphemer and a godless murderer, it was far more personal than that. Despite his rationalizations, Ken had engaged in acts of rape and human trafficking. Shimiko's twins had experienced the horrors of sexual abuse and the idea that another shinobi had inflicted it on innocent people was enough to make her dizzy with rage. Shimiko wanted to rip out the man's throat and saturate her half naked form with his blood. Unfortunately for her and fortunately for him, she was now Captain of the ANBU and she needed to think beyond her own wishes and desires. Nariko believed that Ken could be useful and Shimiko herself had acknowledged that as a fact. This was about more than just petty revenge, it was about doing what was best for Kumo and the Church.

Shimiko still didn't speak though. Instead, she only stared at him with an emotionally unavailable expression.

They had left the room as no one appeared for around thirty minutes, he was sure they were debating what to do, he was nothing like the reports they likely had on him. He was clearly smart and capable and he knew he could easily escape if he truly wanted to but he surrendered willingly. A woman would walk in and take a seat, she was wearing quite a revealing outfit he was sure this was all part of her strategy. This would not really effect Ken he was not a child after all but she spoke no words, it seemed she wanted him to speak to try to get the upper hand.

"I am sure you read the reports and you likely despise me for my actions, however, I changed the land for the better. The people are free from the corruption that ran rampant, I made them be able to understand freedom and joy again. They can now finally build up as a nation unless Kiri just takes their funds and doesn't build the infrastructure which is what I am sure will happen."

He would wait to hear from her as he was sure she had some proposal she wanted to talk to him about. If she did not he would already be in jail, not that a normal jail could hold someone like him for long.

Ken wasn't fazed by her entrance which was fine. She figured someone with his experience was probably used to leading interrogations. He knew what to expect and he gave off a distinctly unperturbed demeanor. He opted to start defending himself without Shimiko's prompting. He spoke of why he had done what he had. Shimiko allowed him to blather on without saying a word. It was Interrogation 101 to let the detainee do the talking. The one who spoke less was leading the conversation and the one who felt the need to fill the silence with words was the one in the submissive state. In the middle of his mini-speech, Shimiko opened up her fan with a flutter and began to fan herself. The black metal tessen bore the symbol of her Church and she elegantly waved it in front of her face as she turned her face to the black glass.

She continued pretending as if he wasn't even there. She kept him in her peripheral vision but other than that, Ken might as well have been talking to air.

"..."

Ken watched as she tried to pretend she did not hear him, so this was the childish game she planned to play. This was fine he had only been testing her anyways but he wondered just how long she would be able to hold her tongue, how long would she be able to tolerate him. He had an idea to test her and see just how well she was holding back her words, as a smile crossed his face he would look her directly in the eyes before her was a man without any fear, in fact, his eyes suggested he viewed her as nothing but prey.

"I see so you want to let me talk myself into some sort of twisted confession, I assume you think I have a massive ego and can't see as if I had done no wrong. I have done wrong but here is the thing, I did all of these crimes as you call it and yet I am fine. Unscathed without a single mark on my body despite crushing a village with ease. You know I still hear the screams and begs for mercy, the wonderful cries they let out begging me to let them live, but no I showed no mercy to those foolish nobles and their families. For them standing by letting the father or mother be corrupt and doing nothing they deserved the very fate given to them. I bet something else you heard about makes your blood boil. I am sure you heard I raped someone I did rape that stupid whore woman, I killed her after as such a wench was not worthy of bearing my child. The pain in her families eyes as I made them watch, was wonderful"

He would wait and see if she reacted, it was obvious he was trying to get a reaction out of her as he continued to smile, one thing was clear this man was not a man of mercy. No, he was more like the devil a weapon of fear and destruction a tool used to crush and obliterate a foe, such a weapon had to be used carefully however or it could destroy your very nation.

Ken continued to blather on but then he said something that provoked a response from her. He bragged about raping and murdering a woman. She had indeed read such reports from her scouts. Apparently, he raped the woman in front of his men and then split her in two with a great sword. Shimiko's expression didn't change as she had mastered the art of concealing her emotions. However, her training had its limits. Shimiko's anger could be seen in other, more subtle ways. She gripped her fan a bit tighter, her waving increased a notch, and a vein or two would be visible on the smooth skin of her neck. The more he droned on about the graphic and violent encounter was the more she longed to separate his head from his neck. Shimiko's breathing increased as she remembered the pain and suffering that her own twins had gone through. The sexual assault, the beatings, the humiliation, the psychological torture, and utter neglect. Shimiko was practically creating a tornado with how fast she was fanning herself. Then all of a sudden, she stopped. She realized what he was doing and set her fan down as she turned to face him. He had gotten her attention but that wasn't entirely a good thing. A sly grin began to spread across her face. It was now her turn.

"Right. You know...speaking of wenches...I recall you weren't alone in the Land of Demons. You had a partner with you, didn't you? Halycon Yomi? She did some pretty awful things in that country too. Killing innocent children like it was some kind of sick game. I fought her in the Shinobi World Tournament and beat her without breaking a sweat. I couldn't kill her then and there because you know..."

Shimiko gestured to the black glass indicating she was talking about her superiors. Normally you wouldn't let your target know he was being watched by people behind the glass. But Ken was probably intelligent enough to already know he was being observed.

"But when she got sent to the hospital, I made sure to let her know what I think of rapists and child killers. If you want her back, you can collect her in pieces"

Shimiko didn't like to be provoked and so since he wanted to play this game, she would oblige. She was certain that he must have cared for the woman in some capacity. A comrade with an appetite for death and destruction just like him was bound to elicit some feelings. She was curious as to how he would react to the news. It was risky to tell him something like that but Shimiko had temporarily forgotten her mission. This was now a match of wits between two high-level shinobi. They'd learn a lot about each other from this meeting, although there was the risk that the animosity between them would initiate something far more spectacular than a war of words.

He glared at the woman the anger and aura he would give off was clear killing intent however he calmed himself. She sure liked bringing that stuff up as he smiled and thought of how to anger her further. She seemed to hate those crimes lets see how she would act if he turned his attention to her, how well could she control herself he would test this.

"I see you sure are stuck up on that stuff, I was not part of Kumo and neither was that land, as for Yomi if you did as you said I won't ever forgive you. I doubt you would however being she died shortly after your battle with her, who says you didn't poison and kill her off, I would put it past someone like yourself. I can also say you know you look pretty good, how about you see how good of a lover I am, the scream and cries she made wasn't just because of pain it was also pleasure."

He continued to smile as he was trying to make her react violently only to prove his point. She was not so different that he was, she was a killer an a monster just like himself just hiding behind a mask. Ken just threw this mask away and accepted who he was, he hoped she would realize it was best to show one's true self and not repress how they really are.

She had gotten to him. The Chinoike allowed a smug look to make its way across her face. She had successfully rattled the child-killing mass murderer. He expressed doubt over what she had said but he did confirm he cared for the woman. Shimiko guessed that such psychopaths usually had a thing for each other. He then began to hit on her and brag about his sexual prowess. Shimko rolled her eyes and her haughtiness was replaced with disgust. She shook her head and crossed her arms. Enough with the foreplay... This game was getting tiresome and worse yet she was beginning to think that he was enjoying it. It was time to move onto business.

"Not in a million years Ken. You disgust me. But luckily for you, my Kage thinks you might be useful and I happen to agree. Its the only reason you're still alive right now. You said you would be willing to turn yourself in on the condition that we accept you as an asset of Kumogakure. Very well, we accept. Your first mission will be deep cover and subterfuge. You're going to help us take down the Society for Rebirth and Reordering."

She sat back in the chair and wondered how he would take the news. The analysts in the next room over were already leaning forward with anticipation.

He simply smiled at her and laughed a bit, so that was the plan they wanted him to be used as a weapon against the society. What made her think he would not simply just join them, he had no reason to feel loyalty toward Kumo they had basically gone against the agreement, wanted to put him on public trial and basically send him off on a death mission. So either he comes back having taken out the biggest enemies to Kumo or dies it would be win-win either way. Not a bad plan but not exactly smart, if he did join the society he would make them far more dangerous and certainly nothing to scoff at considering the strength already.

"So basically you want me to try to take out the most powerful missing-nin group in the world, not exactly the welcome I expected and put me in some farse trial to make people think I died. So even if I won I would never be allowed back in Kumo, why would I accept such a deal, even if I take them out I would never be allowed back inside the village I serve. What makes it worth my time to accept this deal, certainly you can see from my point of view it isn't a good deal for me, either I keep to my word and take out this group and never be able to come back to this land despite being a shinobi under them. The other option is joining that group which I would rather not. I don't really find their path what path I wish to take in life, I simply want to retire in peace someday, neither option will give me that I will always be hunted down, I am tired of running and always fighting. Did you know I have a child, shes about ten now maybe she is eleven, I simply wish to someday retire and disappear from everyone's minds thought to be gone forever. No more fighting no more battles just raise my child to become strong so the world doesn't eat her alive. I do have one favor to ask if I do die, please seek her out, I know you would never harm a child and would not hold her responsible for my actions, if you can promise me this I will do this mission."

This was a game changer most likely, Shimiko likely had no clue about his daughter and even if he died he hoped she would accept his daughter into this village to help her get strong. This likely would be something Shimiko could accept, he could go all out and know his daughter would become strong and they would know he would try to take out the group. If he lived he got to have his daughter in the village no matter what he did, if he died they could bring her to the village and she would be safe.

Shimiko's eyes narrowed as the Walking Death laughed at Kumo's plan. He found it funny and he made it clear that he was not inclined to take such an offer. He didn't really have a choice now that he was in Kumo but Shimiko guessed that if he wanted to, he could make it quite costly to subdue or kill him. Kumogakure was sensitive to damage with respect to its internal populace and infrastructure. Even more importantly, they would lose him as an asset and have to contend with Kiri all for nothing. Shimiko listened as he explained that he was not interested in this ultra-dangerous mission. Ken's points were valid, but life wasn't fair and shinobi were often asked to do dangerous things. What he said next surprised her but she didn't let it show on her face. This was easy because, quite frankly, Shimiko didn't care. Lots of people she killed had families. The people in the Land of Demons had sons and daughters whom they cared for and wanted to keep safe. It didn't stop this monster from tearing their lives apart. Shimiko wasn't inclined to let him off the hook just because he had a kid. She figured he could be lying but she doubted that given how easy it would be to verify something like that. And from the way he phrased his request, he'd be trusting her and not the other way around.

He was correct in that Shimiko did not want to harm the child. Jashinism rarely passed the crimes of the father onto that of the son or daughter, and this wasn't one of the instances where Shahadah* was permitted. If Shimiko did find Ken's spawn she wouldn't hold anything against the little one. That said, she wasn't exactly thrilled at the propsect of having to take the child into the village. But Shimiko knew that Ken would not go on this mission unless she gave certain assurances. And if she failed to keep up her end of the bargain, then he really could join the Society in retaliation and add to their strength. As much as she hated doing anything for him, she recognized that ensuring he fulfilled the Raikage's objective was more important than taking revenge on him. Shimiko tucked her fan back into a strap on her thigh and stood from her seat, looking down at him with cold aqua-green eyes.

"Ken I don't take pity on you for having a child.....it will not give you a pass. However, I will tell you this....if you manage to take down the Society or help sabatoge them at the right time so that I can deliver the killing blow...you will be pardoned for your actions and I will personally ensure that you will be permitted to retire in peace so that you can raise your daughter. While you undertake this mission, I will find her and take her to Kumo. She'll be safe inside our village and I will keep an eye on her. If you happen to die while on this mission, you have my word that I will look after her and raise her to be as strong as you are....if not stronger."

The words were remarkably gentle and sincere despite the earlier hostilities between the two ninja. Shimiko had a soft spot for children. She had her hands full looking after the twins but this was for the sake of Kumo. Ken would not undertake his mission unless he believed that his kid would have a better life in Kumo. She obliged out of a sense of duty to her village, and she looked him in the eye to let him know she meant everr word of it. But that didn't mean he had no reason to fear her.

"However, you're wrong about one thing. There is nothing I wouldn't do when it comes to protecting my village, my Church, my friends, and my family. I'd hurt anyone, kill anyone, and torture anyone if I thought that it would keep my own kin safe. If you betray us and join the Society, I swear to Jashin that I will hunt you down and make you suffer....then I'll do the same thing to your daughter."

*Vexations 11: 78-101

He listed to her as she did make the promise he wanted if he survived she would let him retire in peace if he died fighting them she would help raise his daughter. She also made it clear if he joined the society she would harm his daughter as a look of extreme anger crossed his face, still, he understood her reasoning. She needed something to prevent him from betraying the village, this was best for both of them. He would calm himself and nod his head in agreement, now he had a reason to want to destroy this group, he was sure he could not stop them himself but if he could cause them harm at the right time when needed they could be crushed.

"I agree to these terms, this will make sure I do not join their side except in deception, this also makes sure my daughter will be protected no matter what. I will do what is needed and pretend to be part of them and wait for the signal for me to act and turn on them. I won't make it easy and I will go for a kill if possible or at least cause some of them to be severely injured. I think this works best for all of us, I only hope you have a good plan to take them out."

He knew the group was very powerful so it would take a lot t take them out, from the rumors he had heard they had a tailed beast on their side. Along with with with Honiko someone that should not be underestimated. He waited for the negotiations to finish, this was going to be an interesting time as he would need to seek out the group, though he was sure they would likely look for him if he escaped from prison.

Ken gave her a look of pure hatred when she threatened his daughter. Shimiko couldn't blame him. If someone were to threaten the twins, her very first instinct would be to kill them. He did seem to understand the logic and rationality behind the threat though. Ken agreed to her terms and expressed hope that she had a plan to take them out. As of right now, the Chinoike didn't have much of a plan besides "get stronger". However, the building blocks would be formed soon. A plan...right...

Shimiko nodded in agreement. "We're working on that....but so long as we're on the same page, just hold up your end of the bargain and we can go our separate ways." She wasn't going to make him contrite for his actions in the Land of Demons but if she could get his help in stopping the Society, then maybe Jashin would have mercy on his soul.

"The analysts will have more questions for you and then they will walk you through what's going to happen. We're going to try your minions first, then you. We will stage an escape. Your cover story is that you were aided by ninja from the Land of Demons that were sympathetic to your cause and agreed with your harsh actions against the nation's corrupt ruling class. You then narrowly escaped re-capture. Your first order of business is to find the Society...we don't have much information on that yet but as soon as we do we'll find a discrete way to give it to you. You can tell my men the whereabouts of your daughter and I will pick her up and bring her to Kumo myself."

Shimiko headed for the door and opened it. Before she walked through she turned back to give him one final look.

"Ken, we have a chance to do something good here that will be remembered for ages. Don't screw it up."

She then left the interrogation room. A few minutes later, analysts would file in one by one to brief Ken Tetsudashi and collect more intelligence from him. Once they were through, he would be led to his private quarters. It wasn't a true jail cell but rather a fairly comfortable living space for him to dwell in until he it was time for the trial to begin.

Exit

Ken nodded in agreement though from the minor pause she seemed to have she had no plan on how to deal with the society. This was fun he would not be able to easily track them down after all so he would have plenty of freedom to travel the world and get to meet people. Finding information about them would not come easy, though he wondered if they would reach out to him after his land of demon actions and escaping from Kumo, he would need to make sure it appeared real and he had a plan for that. He would tell her men where his daughter was located in the land of sound her name was Tokugawa Nina. He would tell them the exact location and give them a letter to give the mother, he knew she was dying so this was best for his child, he had a lot of work ahead as he would wait to be falsely imprisoned in the jail.

-Exit Thread-

EXP:10x7=70