Orders For Expansion

Valen Minamoto sat behind his desk, elbows on the surface and hands steepled in front of him as he waited for the three shinobi called to his office to arrive. Before him on the desk lay three envelopes, all three of which held details of a mission to travel to a minor nation, listed within the contents of the mission orders. Along with a second smaller envelope with a letter to the leadership of the nation in question. As well as a seal with a large amount of Ryo within each. The first envelope listed the nation the bearer was to go to as The Land of Moon, the seal within holding 8,616,000 ryo. The designated letter to its leader read as follows.

‘Esteemed leadership of the Land of Moon. The bearer of this letter is a shinobi in the employ of Kirigakure and I am writing to you with an offer to leave the affairs of your nation to the great nation. My own name is Valen Minamoto, Jounin Commander of Kirigakure and this message should hold a seal with a large amount of Ryo within. I bid you take it and cede any artifacts of special techniques you might have to my messenger. Then send a delegate to Kirigakure with all financial, military, and domestic information you have so that we might take over swiftly and peacefully.

Regards, Valen Minamoto.’

The other two letters read much the same only with different names of course and different Ryo amounts. The one to Taro Island held only 7,000,000 Ryo and the one for the Land of Sea held 11,000,000 Ryo instead. The letters to his shinobi simply informed them of their location and to make haste to their assigned nation. That there was a scouting team waiting for them on a corvette assigned to them in the harbor and they were to return as soon as possible.

Each envelope was labeled with a name. One ‘Touka’ the second ‘Dante’ and the third ‘Blitz’. Touka would be sent to Land of Moon. Dante would be sent to Taro Island and Blitz would be sent to the Land of Sea. He had sent the summons for them not long ago but he expected them any time now. Until then he would simply continue his contemplation of his plans for the future of Kirigakure.

[1]

Dante had received a well written letter from a Jounin Commander named Valen Minamoto, requesting service from Dante, an expedition of sorts. He glanced down at the letter as he walked towards the office of Valen. Dante didn’t plan on taking anything except for his necessities and what not. He folded the piece of paper up and tucked it in his pocket, reaching the office of the commander. His ears flicked with a bit of annoyance but he shrugged it off.


“No time like the present.”


From there, he made his way in, maneuvering through the building to get there quickly, opening the door to his office and staring blank at the commander. Dante had been the first one to arrive which kinda made it awkward for him. “Yo.” He put a hand up before closing the door behind him and walking closer to his desk. “So a mission, yeah?”

---

Received Envelope with the Sum of Money and destination to go.

The hour was late but that didn’t mean the shinobi himself was able to sleep pondering with thoughts on how to become stronger rather than listening to his alter ego. Gazing down upon the blade of his father rested upon a wooden shelf separated from the surface by a white cloth. He felt as if he was growing and such battles in the future would only lean into its destruction, something he would hate to see especially since he had plans on surviving a bit longer. Wondering if he could obtain such a weapon was something that rattled his mind knowing he needed to learn and become more skillful with the blade. During his thinking a knock would present itself upon the front door of his home once he answered it he was introduced to nothing but a tiny slip with some words on it. A signal was sent out but he began to wonder if it was okay to be sending such things to a shinobi of his caliber, sighing he laughed a little before waiting for the sun to rise. Heading out in his usual uniform carrying around no sword at this time as the note only stated it was a meeting making his way to the destination and up into the office he was second to come in. In front of him was the unusual shinobi from before, one with animal-like qualities the name escaped him but maybe after the mission or meeting more would be revealed. Across from him behind his desk was the mastermind behind it all sitting in silence waiting for probably one more person to start but for now entering in silence was the best move. He leaned on the wall behind the opened door and awaited for orders.

Glancing upon the two in the room for a little Blitz closed his eyes and began to catch some rest in the corner till the meeting was started he would remain silent closing his eyes. Getting the well deserved rest he declined from himself it was best to see what would happen with such individuals in a room. Plus with a hint of curiosity he wondered why now was summoned for something that he had no intel on. The village seemed safe and silent but maybe on the outside it needed more help. Endless possibilities but he could only know from one exact person and that man was sitting ideally and quietly waiting for someone; whoever the last person was, Blitz was happy to know he could steal some rest.

“...”

Touka walks up to the Mizukage complex for the first time in years. The last time she was there was when she was a young child walking with her parents. This time, she is definitely not as young, nor is she with her parents. "Well... I accepted this mission to become acquainted with more shinobi of the village, so hopefully they don't look at me sideways." She speaks out loud to herself before walking into the building and attempts to find her way to the right room for the meeting and briefing. After a few minutes, she finally makes her way into Valen's office. Realizing she was the last one to make it, she says nothing more than a simple greeting to the 3 of them before realizing Blitz was one of the individuals in the room. Instinctually, she reaches for the scythe on her back, before remembering that he was kind of the one who gave it to her. Weird... that situation. Nonetheless, this weapon has become a beacon of calm to her, as she spends her time running her fingers across the carvings on its handle. "Touka Hozuki, reporting for service."

Touka reaches and collects the items that were prepared for her and the mission, before mimicking the other 2 and waiting for any other orders. No words spoken afterwards. Always true to her nature even when trying to make a good impression.

It wouldn’t take much waiting for the first to arrive. The door opened and one Dante Osaki would enter with a cavalier greeting and closing the door behind him before moving toward the desk. He would ask about the mission but Valen would remain silent with a simple raised eyebrow. He did not like to waste words but he did nod toward a side table with a carafe of ice water and glasses. Who knew how long they would have to wait for the other two after all. A few minutes after Dante arrived Blitz would enter the room and silently lean against the wall, not a word coming from him. He seemed to gather that they were waiting for one other member of their little party.

Eventually Touka would arrive, a few minutes after Blitz in fact. All in all the response time was rather good. So no one would be getting words on timeliness this morning. Still, now it was time for them to understand. “On the desk you’ll find an envelope with your name on it. Within will be instructions and a second envelope you will not open. You’ll each be leaving the village for a few weeks and will be expected to return as quickly as you are able. I’ll be honest, I’m looking to see how trustworthy you are, and I intend to allow for others to get the same kind of tests in the hopefully not too distant future. For now though you three are what are available. Should you pass this test and prove that I can trust you. You’ll find rewards for that trust come swiftly. “ He would say before glancing at the sides of the room. On each side were weapon hooks holding a large number of weapons. Three on each wall with a seventh set of hooks behind him. Two of the hooks were empty. The ones for Shibuki and Kiba. The rest of them though held the five remaining seven swords. The hook behind him held Samehada, considered by many to be the most powerful of the swords.

The two side walls of the room held Kabutowari, Hiramekarei, Nuibari, and Kubikiribōchō. Each weapon prominently displayed. “For example, should you prove I can trust you, and show you have the capabilities to wield one of these. I would be inclined to ensure it reaches your hands.” He would say before pausing for a moment. He would let that thought sink in for a time before continuing. “Or, if swordplay is less your style. I could see myself training you in secret a technique of the village, perhaps both. The potential for advancement within the ranks isn’t even in question either. So long as you have the minimum level of physical capability required. You’d find yourselves promoted to Chuunin rather swiftly. With the promotion only being held back by that capability.” He would before nodding toward the letters. “Take them, leave as soon as you are able. While you’ll prove I can trust you so long as you perform the task the faster you do it then the better rewards that will be waiting for you. Your transportation awaits.” He would finish nodding toward the door in dismissal of the three.

[2]

Dante’s ears flicked with the promising rewards, a stern look and a smile crept across his face, his tail swishing side to side with eagerness. “Right. Two weeks time, from here to there and back. Seems easy enough.” Dante made his way to Valens desk after he proposed his offer with the successful completion of the mission and took the envelope with his name on it. It felt pretty hefty and so he stuck it in his pocket for safe keeping. “Thanks. See you in two weeks I suppose.” He gave a half salute type of wave to Valen and exited the room, not waiting for the rest. Dante peaked his head back in through the door, ears twitching once again. “Oh..! Well…” his eyes rolled around for a moment then shook his head. “Nevermind. Cya!” He called out before leaving the room with the click of the lock and the room falling silent.



[exit thread after obtaining envelope]

A lot of information was dropped during this time from the individuals in the room leaving the safety of the village to head off into the world not for battle but for some way to gain land. With the prizes sitting in front of everyone it made sense to send those he wanted to trust with such a task but for Blitz his mind focused purely on one blade wrapped and hidden underneath its wraps waiting for its time. Locking his eyes upon it he continued to listen and absorb the information given as in time the flame swordsman stopped explaining and allowed them to get down to business. Before leaving the corner he put himself in he noted one thing that he didn’t take time to ask on their previous meeting the young woman who once again made her appearance in front of him. Keeping the scythe he found on that day on her body and seemed like she was willing to test her skills against him once more. If the others weren’t so inclined to keep the office clean without the sight of battle he would have accepted her offer and clashed with her in the very room but it was only a thought he didn’t have a problem entertaining. Even smiling he finally understood her name and with that maybe next time they faced each other in the training grounds she would indeed be more powerful then she was when they first trained. Watching the first one get up and receive his information before walking out and biting his tongue, hopefully the matter would be resolved whatever it was he was keeping to himself but it did seem simple enough to leave and return with new information and be blessed with something strong enough to gain a new title in the village.

Walking up to the table and grabbing his side of the information he gazed at the blade once more with only intent on claiming it and becoming an even better shinobi from that point on, but it was all in due time. He had weeks to think about it but he knew that leaving the village now in his current state would not benefit him, but he was once again allowed to pass the gates of the village and be exposed to the outside. Every time he entered the outside it was only to kill and slaughter camps of bandits, thieves and criminals but now it was to keep the borders of the village strong and alive. Removing his eyes from the hidden blade he could only chuckle to himself in front of the remaining people in the room before rushing to the door behind him with nothing but a grin upon his face. Leaving the room and soon the building completely without saying anything he knew his mission and for once it felt peaceful to be sent out on a challenging but not deadly assignment where it would leave nothing but bodies at his feet. Heading straight home he started packing and planning for the trip.

~Exit Thread.

Touka stands, listening to the words of Valen as he spoke of their objectives and the possible rewards. As he gestures to the walls on either side of him, motioning to the weapons that were hanging up, displaying them as possible rewards, he also offered the possibility of gaining a special technique. Touka thinks to herself that there are quite a bit of people, now that she has chosen to open herself to the outside world a bit more, who are even a bit interested in teaching things to others. It's a trait she definitely isn't used to, but it is something that she wants to get used to. She looks at each weapon individually before grabbing the handle of the scythe on her back, running her fingers across the carvings once again. Doing so has become an easy way for her to focus and relax in certain situations along with helping her memorize her tasks at hand.

Touka spent so much time studying each individual carving in the handle of her weapon that she knows that they all are different, even if some are only separated by a slight difference. For this mission, she rubs the forth water serpent god's head from the end of the handle on the forehead, beginning to etch the mission into it and herself. After such, she raises the envelope assigned to her up in front of her chest before clasping down on top of it gently with her other hand.

"This mission shall be completed. I won't fail."

Touka turns to walk out, scanning her eyes over the weapons once more, though none of them immediately catching her attention... yet. Though her eyes did linger on Nuibari for a second longer than the rest. She continues her walk out of the office and out of the building, starting her trek to the Land of Moon.

(Exit Thread)

One by one the three shinobi would come to pick up their envelopes and give assurance of the simplicity of the mission and that they would not fail. Well, Dante and Touka gave assurances. Blitz just took the envelope and left. That was fine though, so long as the job was done. The mission would prove if he could trust the three shinobi with further responsibility and possible rewards. He knew what two of them wanted at least. Blitz had been eyeing Samehada and Touka had been eyeing the Nuibari. Two of the seven swords of the mist. Artifacts that he himself had the capability of distributing. Arisu did too of course, as his superior. However given that they had never been distributed out before he had doubts they would be soon unless he took action to do so. In the privacy of his office he leaned back in his chair and considered the weapons with a frown.

Perhaps the swordsman of the mist would need to be brought to strength.

Perhaps, he even had a couple of candidates for that currently traveling for the gates for all that they were worth in order to buy minor nations on his orders. Or perhaps they were hightailing out of a town now that they had scored a large payday. One thing was for sure, time as always would bear it's secrets.

[Exit]