Learning From An Unexpected Source

Mission:

Tenn'o rushed out of his home. He had quickly gotten into his shinobi garb ninja headband and all. The situation had gotten worse yet another Iwa citizen visiting the emporium had been assassinated. Ten had been sent out to investigate the strange death of the first victim just yesterday by Iwa's diplomat, and already there was another body. Though Ten was confused when the diplomat had told him that this was an "international affair" and that there would be "another" to support him. Tenn'o was not opposed to cooperation outside of his own village, well Tenn'o had never done something as such. He was a loyalist to Iwa any slights against the village that took him in were bound to anger him, but killing innocent civilians. That was too far.

Ten would look over the crime scene. The victim had a quick and precise cut along the throat. This was not some crime of passion this obviously had some sort of goal. But what goal was it? Political sabotage? Did these people have some sort of connection? The first victim was killed in the same way. Maybe there was something more to this than Ten could see. So Ten would stand over the body of victim number 2 and await for his companion. Making sure not to damage any possible evidence in his subtle movements.

Kagura took a deep breath and sighed. Apparently, because she was no longer an official Jounin of Konoha despite still being a citizen, she was now capable of handling possibly international crisis dealing with a country's ninja that otherwise absolutely despised Konoha. An Iwa ninja had been killed, the second one in two days, and since Kagura had been resting in the Emporium at the time and was considered to be quite powerful, the power that is decided that it was time for her to step in and handle the situation. They hoped that with someone of her reputation, she could find the culprit and put a stop to it altogether, but still felt the need to pair her up with an Iwa nin. The swordswoman decided to take the opportunity to try to hopefully garner some goodwill for herself from the nation, considering that she personally had nothing to do with the atrocities that her village had committed against them.

She arrived silently and swiftly, walking towards the young man who fit the description of the individual that she would be working with and noted with her Sensory the level that he was currently at. Kagura herself was concealing her Chakra, not wanting to be a beacon in the city for anyone with Sensory, not that it had stopped them from finding her anyway. Approaching the young man, she slowly came to a stop and stood next to him. Perhaps she could use this situation to help teach the young man a thing or two as well. "Good morning. My name is Kagura Ezume, and I will be helping you today, but I would like it very much if you could take the lead on this investigation; you are comrades with this individual after all. I will help in any way I can." With that all said, she paused and waited, hoping to learn his name and get to work from there. She was dressed in her more more formal attire with her sword on her hip, but otherwise had nothing else that stood out all that much.

[1]

Tenn'o's partner had arrived. He hadn't had to wait long after his arrival for hers so he already had a good impression of the woman. Looking her up and down he would nod, such attire was formal and acceptable for the atmosphere Tenn'o approved. Opening his mouth he would begin to speak.

"Name's Tenn'o. Tenn'o De'ath. It's a pleasure to meet you. As you probably already know we have two deaths. Both shinobi of Iwa. Both experienced enough to outclass most genin or civilian. So that leaves two theories. One- This is some sort of political from a fellow shinobi power to sabotage to reignite a war. Or Two this is a third party that wishes to profit off a shinobi conflict." Tenn'o Would kneel down to get another look at the sliced throat of the victim. Tenn'o would then sigh before looking up towards his partner.

"While this would already be bad normally this happened in the heavenly emporium. A 'safe' space if you'll have it. This means diplomatic tensions are at an all high no doubt why we are collaborating, seeing as our villages have tension outside of the Emporium. But on the bright side, I did find one clue. If you look closely you can see small grains of a dark particulate in the wound. What are your thoughts" Tenn'o would peer open the throat wound with his gloved hands? Giving a proper view of the particles. When asking his question he would look towards the Konoha ninja.

Tenn'o De'ath. An interesting name to be sure, one she would do well to remember. Since leaving Konoha she was able to focus more without being haunted by the memory of her former lover, Akari, due to being around all the places that they used to visit. This focus allowed her to be more present, particularly in situations like this one where her role was important and needed instead of distracted, and she ensured that she was staying on her guard; if someone had murdered this individual for whatever reason, they could return to try to influence the investigation. She knew about both deaths, but it was new information to her that both of the deaths had been Iwa shinobi. They, naturally would be looking towards Konoha, but there was a solid chance that was how it was orchestrated. "There are a dozen more viable reasons off the top of my head, but yours are the most likely."

Then he began to explain the first major clue that he had found, and Kagura took a moment to think about it. Dark particles? That could be much of anything, but the way he said it made it seem like he knew exactly what it was. "To be fair, to me, that could be a hundred different things... but why don't you enlighten me since you seem to have a solid suspicion?" She could make a hundred guesses, but that would be a waste of time and energy if he knew what they were from. Kagura's Sensory was very active at the moment, keeping tabs on their surroundings and inspecting anything that looked out of place. If she noted anything, it would be brought to his attention, of course. For now though, she liked the idea of letting him lead and her follow and simply ensure that nothing could harm him while he did so.

[2]

Tenn'o took note of the woman's response to his theories. Even he himself believed that Konoha would not be so visible as to do something like this. Especially in a diplomatic safe ground. Not only radicals with specific pinpoint goals would do this. Tenn'o had a suspicion of who this group of radicals are. Listening to her speak Tenn'o would then respond. "Of course I have my suspicions. As you may or may not know Iwa has a certain clan subjugated, one with a very particular bloodline."

Tenn'o would feel a sharp pain in his head pulling a hand to face he would clutch it slightly in pain. This happened often though, for no particular reason, Tenn'o always felt a disturbing feeling when referring to certain subjects. Maybe they had something to do with his past Feeling the pain subside slightly he would continue. "The Kazehana empire had a vast reach controlling both earth and wind countries. But after their collapse, they were believed to be subjugated by Iwagakure. But that's enough of a history lesson, to the point. These particulates are probably sharp metals controlled by the famed 'Magnet Release' of the Kazehana. This is how they were able to get the drop on trained shinobi in broad daylight." Tenn'o would drop his hand from his face and turn to the other shinobi.

"My issue lies in where to start searching, while they may still be prevalent politically it's not like they have some kind of set address for assassinations" Tenn'o would remark sarcastically completely unaware of the footsteps that echoed in the alley to his right malicious intentions poised.

Kagura nodded, knowing exactly who he was talking about. But she wondered what they could possibly gain by trying to start another war? The entire reason their country collapsed if she recalled correctly, was because they simply didn't have the power to stand up to all the other nations during the war, so how would starting another benefit them? Perhaps some misguided fool thought that it would weaken Iwagakure enough for them to regain their independence... but she doubted that highly. There simply wasn't enough strong shinobi in that country to keep Iwa, or even worse, another nation from simply marching in and subjugating them again. She was mildly concerned when he clutched his head, and with her Sensory on full alert, she doubted it was any sort of Genjutsu... but wasn't absolutely certain. But since she was on high alert, she did notice something else just as he was claiming he didn't know where to start looking.

Calmly, Kagura got to her feet and moved to the alleyway off to the side where she couldn't be seen, and since she had her Chakra suppressed it was a far shot for the individual in question to even possibly know she was there. As the individual emerged they would find themselves grabbed in an iron grip, lifted off the ground as though they were made of nothing more than a kitten in their mother's grasp, and pressed up against the alley wall. With a series of puffs of smoke, fifty clones of Kagura appeared around her, creating a task force outright in an instant that began to address the crowd, asking them to stay back for their own safety. At the same time, Kagura would forcefully drain the subject's chakra for a moment and looking into their eyes with a steel gaze that felt like it could cut the very air between them.

"You are going to answer each and every one of his questions without omitting anything or lying, and if you don't or try anything funny I will pin you to the wall with swords and see how long it takes before gravity rips through your bones." The person in her grasp didn't move, obviously terrified, and she turned her gaze towards Tenn'o. "I think we can start right here. Ask away." The intensity was gone in an instant, not directed towards her new companion in any way, as though her blade had been quickly sheathed.

[3]

Tenn'o would look up to meet Kagura's eyes when he noticed her stand up as if attracted to something, or someone. After a brief moment of deliberation, Tenn'o would stand up to follow the woman watching her walk into the alley she would suddenly start to move so fast that Tenn'o blinked and she reappeared with a cloaked individual pinned to the alley wall. The sudden change of scenery was a shock but a somewhat welcome one at that. His lead had appeared out of thin air. Taking a moment to nod towards his compatriot he would begin to speak.

"Thanks for the help Kagura. I can take it from here." Looking towards the assailant's fully masked head, Tenn'o would reach up and yank off the mask. Taking a moment to look at the man he would notice some key features the light skin color, his black eyes, but most importantly his blood-red hair. The man's eyes would move up Tenn'o's body but upon meeting Tenn'o's face he would sneer and begin to talk.

"My target would come before me of his own volition. Ya know. We all thought you were dead. I thought you were dead! but soon you truly shall be." Tenn'o would inspect the man closely, the sharp flash of pain he felt earlier reappeared but Tenn'o would do his best to ignore it. This person knew him, no, had known him prior to his awakening. The thought would inspire his next question.

"How do you know me? Who. No. What am I? Does the Kazehana clan approve of this?" Tenn'o would ask the shinobi. He was trying his best and nearly failing at having a mental breakdown in front of a more experienced ninja. Tenn'o would not want to embarrass himself. That would hurt his already dwindling reputation with Kagura.

"Of course they don't the clan is blind to our views. They have grown weak and forgotten our glory days, we shall remind them. Say do you remember anything about sand honorable Tenn'o. It blows in the wind so swiftly and its particles so minuscule but it never truly dissipates." The man would briefly look between Tenn'o and Kagura as if determining his odds of success. But upon looking at Kagura a look of fear appears on his face. "Long live the empire" He would say before suddenly his neck would burst open spilling blood with black particulate mixed within. Suprised Tenn'o would run his hand through his hair and would look down at his blood soaked body. How was he going to even begin to explain this to his superiors? Sighing still shook by the display he would pose a question to the other shinobi present.

"Well at the very least we can confirm our theory of it being both the Kazehana and radicals. I was unaware of a Kazehana rebel faction though. I say we report this to either my or your superiors first before we investigate further or else we may have bigger issues on hand. What are your thoughts?" Tenn'o would ask the older shinobi. It was likely that she was more experienced than him so he would concur with her on this matter.

Kagura did not even loosen her grip on the man when Tenn'o said that he could take it from there; it was the fear she had placed in him that would make him compliant, and her Sensory that would allow her to tell if he was lying, so she had absolutely no reason to back down in the slightest. That being said, she would be paying particular attention but was unsurprised when it was as he suspected. The fact that he at least knew who it was that was targeting his life was important; it would allow him to report properly so that they could act and subjugate this rogue faction. It was interesting too that they thought he was dead; had someone tried to kill him before? What made him such a high-priority target? The name didn't ring a bell, so it wasn't any sort of notable family.

But when Tenn'o began to speak his own questions, she noted something important; he had amnesia of some sort. That was the only logical explanation of the question of 'who or what am I'. This was a concern for certain because any sort of mental problem could be the result of a complex jutsu designed to put on a lock in the mind, or even head trauma causing a lack of memories. She wouldn't hold that against him of course; he wasn't old enough to have done it to himself, which made him a victim of circumstance.

She could see him starting to consider his options against them, and she already started draining him from her grip, but apparently, he had a fail-safe option; sand inside his stomach and lungs, and used it to commit suicide. Why was it black though? What was the point of asking if Tenn'o remembered the sand and wind? Perhaps he was a Kazehana himself and they considered him a traitor as a member of Iwa? He did have the red hair after all. But she would let that suspicion dwindle; she had never let go of the man until she felt the life leave his body, ensuring that he didn't try anything in his final moments. Once that was done, she would set the body down and begin to check his pockets and anything else she could for any additional clues.

The combination of 'we thought you were dead' and his amnesia made Kagura think that it was possible they tried to kill him, failed, but wound up giving him a wound that erased his memory. There were too many holes that needed filled before she could get the full picture. He asked her thoughts on things and then took a breath before speaking. "We report to the officials of the Heavenly Emporium. Once they have our official report, they will inform Iwagakure in kind, since they are the ones responsible. Once we finish our report, you and I should talk. There are a few things I need to clarify so I can help you properly. It is very possible you are still a target. I do not 'report' to anyone. Technically, I am a simply a citizen of Konoha, not a Shinobi. Not anymore."

Part of her was hurt to say those words, but it was the truth; she didn't have to report anything she didn't want to... but she probably would anyway. Knowing about the political stances and tensions of other nations, especially one that was hostile to Konoha, was something that was worthy of reporting in case it became important to negotiate peace. Plus hearing how a citizen of Konoha helped with a murder investigation of that hostile country might help alleviate tensions, if only a little bit.

[4]

Tenn'o would notice an inquisitive sort of look appear on Kagura's face throughout the ordeal. It's quite possible she was starting to understand the mental situation Tenn'o withstands. Tenn'o was not a fan of people knowing but seeing as him not telling everything he knew could affect the situation. Taking a moment to consider her proposal Tenn'o chose to agree.

"You're correct. We do need to talk. But it should wait until after our report. Though I must say I am surprised I would have assumed that you were a shinobi seeing as you joined me for this mission." Sometimes Tenn'o would like to hear the story about that one but it would have to wait for another day seeing as they had a job to do. "Now why don't we get moving we need to get to the diplomacy district."

Upon confirmation of the plan of action, Tenn'o would begin to move towards the diplomacy district. The head tower to be specific where the heavenly emporium authorities lie. Upon entering Tenn'o would look towards Kagura and say.

"Why don't you take the lead"
(sorry for the short post had something pop up while I was writing it.)

Kagura nodded to the insight that the chit-chat they needed to have could wait until after the report was said and done and then replied simply to his statement.  "When I was, I made quite an impression.  I still have all of my skills as well, but like all good Shinobi, I tend to try to stay under the radar when possible.  They asked me to assist you because of my reputation."  As was proven when she had handily taken care of the would-be assassin without even so much as ruffling a feather.  Two of the many clones around them came in and grabbed the body, wrapping it in a blanket and then walking towards the Hospital on the station.  The medical ninja there would be able to tell them about any more clues that might be lurking within the body or otherwise.

He asked her to take the lead, to which she nodded, and the vast majority of the clones dispersed completely, leaving only four of them to walk around the pair as an escort.  Each had all of Kagura's strength, speed and power, and with her own Sensory on high alert, there was little to no chance of anyone sneaking up on them and making any sort of a mess.  It would take someone of her own level at least to even have a chance of giving her difficulties, and she hadn't sensed very many people that would cause such a problem in all her time here.  They arrived relatively quickly, and Kagura reported the situation to the authorities, and then returned to Tenn'o.  "They know what happened now, and will inform Iwagakure.  The way I worded it should make it to where the peaceful Kazuhane Clan members should be unaffected."  There was no point in getting innocent people in trouble, after all.

[5]

"You must have truly been a shinobi of some caliber to have the higher-ups still requesting you for missions after your retirement. It's an honor to be in the presence of someone so experienced." Tenn'o was slightly confused at the thought of a non-shinobi being asked to do missions by a village even after some form of retirement. Though he could see the merit in a simple "citizen" of Konoha assisting one's enemies during a time of peace. It could do wonders for national security. Walking alongside Kagura he would wait outside while she did her report. Seeing her come back out he would listen to her words.

"I must thank you then. This would cause great civil unrest if the Kazehana were to be persecuted. Though I doubt my village would go as far as that. I would hate to take the risks." Tenn'o would exhale in relief before straightening his posture. He then began to speak again.

"Though I must ask do you have an idea where to go with this mission now it seems as if we hit a roadblock. Should we leave it to the officials to search for more information or?"

Kagura only shook her head side to side at his first comment, knowing all too well that she wasn't really anyone important or overly powerful. It was the methods she chose to really play to her strengths and play it smart in tactical situations that earned her a reputation; that, and her extreme chakra reserves. Being able to summon a thousand shadow clones in an instant casually had made a significant impact on the people around her without a doubt... but she hadn't made hardly any impact in the war, so distraught with the death of Akari. But that was why she was here; getting away from Konoha had allowed her to start to heal, and that also meant that the inactivity she had because of the pain and grief was no longer holding her back. She would help this young man here and now, and start to help the world in her own way one bit at a time.

"No. We are continuing on. You are a target, and it is quite possible someone was watching the assassination attempt made on you, and will send more people. I hope you don't mind, but I need you to be bait for a little while. I will keep you safe without question, that is a promise. I am going to see if I can flush out our quarry and force them to make a move." If he disapproved, she would do something different with him, but it didn't change what she was going to do next. With a series of puffs of smoke around them, suddenly the entire area was filled with hundreds of clones... 300 to be exact, and they all wordlessly moved in every direction. She would comb the streets, find anyone suspicious, and tail them. Dispersing a clone would give Kagura real-time information to work off of, and they could keep Tenn'o safe and sound while finding the root of anyone left in the Heavenly Emporium.

[6]