[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Ryu - - WORDS - - -

L

eaving the island of Yuki no Kuni was something that Shuka did with great rarity. Her most recent excursion had been to Mizu no Kuni for the Chuunin Exams, a lovely trip taken along the water routes that had been secured by the joint effort of their two nations. Today was an excursion as important, though requiring much more careful balance than her leisure trip.

Her and the Lord of Takigakure had agreed to a meeting. Rather than visiting either of one another's nations, instead they had settled upon a neutral ground. Takigakure was even more of a private group of shinobi than most others, so this decision did not come as a surprise to Shuka.

The traditional meeting places for such neutral diplomatic meetings were Hot-Spring Country or Iron Country. The closer of the two was the land of hot springs, and it was a more pleasant place to visit regardless, so that was the locale decided upon. It was the safest place one could visit for a diplomatic meeting, because there were few in the world who would risk the ire of every other nation to defy the peace pact on these lands.

The summer was beginning to fade into autumn and that was a lovely time of year in Hot-Spring Country. The air was still warm, but with a cooling breeze through the beautiful trees. It was a shame most of this trip would be spent indoors.

The esteemed leader of the nation helped to organize a meeting location for the two parties and Shuka was ferried from her suite to the meeting room, taking her place at the table along with her small diplomatic envoy.

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Ryu]

[Word Count]: 295
OOC Note(s):N/A

Meeting of such nature were common after years of being Lord of Takigakure, but they could easily change by the second if one side felt itself superior or stronger than the other. The art of negotiation was just as dangerous as the battle field. Though upon neutral grounds, there was little chance of an all out conflict, and Ryu did not seem to feel that threatened by the Lady of Frost. Especially when he imagined she was not long for this world by any stretch of the imagination.

In the end, he would await her within the meeting room that had been arranged for the two, watching her upon her arrival as she entered with her envoy. His own remained few, but they were dedicated to their task of protecting their lord.

As he stood until she was seated, he would look upon the woman with a calm gaze, closing his eyes before then finally speaking.

"Your presence and arrangement of this location were generous Lady Shuka..."

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[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Ryu - - WORDS - - -

U

pon meeting him in the room, she gave a small nod of her head - not quite as shallow as a proper bow, as they were equals and leaders of their nations, but still a display of respect. Though she was his elder, he had also been working the role of Lord of Takigakure for far longer than she had held her own position, and that deserved a display of recognition. Then she took her seat.

"I thank you for joining me here as well," she agreed when Ryu spoke. "The Lord of Yugakure is always so generous, offering these meeting arrangements for us."

There was much to discuss. These meetings could rarely cover every single topic that would end up being codified on their agreements, but the goal was to address as many of them as possible. Where to begin? Perhaps with what Yukigakure could offer to the land of jungles.

"The Mizukage and I have been working on developing the eastern trade routes and shoring up defenses for merchants along those travel-ways. Establishing port bases and the like to stop at to make those routes more comfortable for traders. I know that pirates have been causing more trouble in the waters of Kaminari no Kuni since the plague and have made sea exit by the east more difficult. I wanted to invite you to engage with these trade lines as well. If we can establish routes connecting the north and south, we can have defensible travel routes bordering half the continent."

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Ryu]

[Word Count]: 295
OOC Note(s):N/A

"This arrangement with the Mizukage...the boy I take it? "

A serious expression crossed his lips as he then allowed his eyes to close. Agreements with Kirigakure had proven to be reasonable, but the unstable leadership had not made such commitments reliable to say the least. His own partnership with the land of mist had still remained to be seen completed, nor had any real results come of it.

"Or has it changed once more? I find such partnerships with the mist to be wasteful upon a land that can not even decide who should lead it. You place much trust in them, have they given you anything to prove itself worthy?"

Ryu was indeed testing the older woman's resolve, but he was not here for the Mist. He was here for Yuki. In the end though, if he were to join in such trading plans, he was not going to do so without some means of knowing the reward was indeed a certainty.

"While I can see the need of Yuki and the Mist relaying on the waves, Taki does not. What are we to gain from aiding in the protection of these routes? What is Yuki prepared to give?"

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[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Ryu - - WORDS - - -

T

he Lord of Takigakure called into question the reliability of the village hidden in the mist. Certainly they had dealt with much change in leadership in recent years, and the appointment of such a young kage was unorthodox, but leadership changes were all over the content, especially of late. Shuka's own tenure as leader was relatively short in the span of leaderships, the lord of the rains had changed in recent times, and the Hokage had changed over not long after her correspondence with the previous ruler of the leaf.

Not faltering at the questioning, Shuka had her answers prepared. Luckily, she had years of diplomatic experience to back her up.

"Though the mist has seen inconsistency in prior years, they have been a committed and helpful ally. Their naval forces are second to none and they have offered to share of this technology with us, along with ways to travel beneath the water's surface." Something very useful up north, where ice flows can block the water. "They've additionally been much help in developing bases in the waters outside Kaminari no Kuni."

As for questions of what could be offered -

"I understand that Basin Country is surrounded on all but one side by land, and you can access all of the continent by land routes, but sustaining trade with the outer continent becomes more possible with reliable sea transport. Rice-Wine Country, Spear Country, Pink-Flower Country and Nadeshikogakure..." The possibilities really would become expansive if more sea travel was opened up for Takigakure. Quite literally dozens of nations ripe for diplomatic and trade outreach.

"We are also particularly skilled with the development of rail lines through harsh terrain. We can provide engineers to create more efficient land routes within Bonchi no Kuni. Naturally, we can trade goods and resources between our countries as well. Yukigakure has many ores and other goods." The hot topic is always those which they receive from Ranmantaru. "Ranmantaru Honeysuckle is one of interest to many trades. It makes for good spirits, I have heard, but also produces interesting results when lit aflame." She brought some with her, just in case he inquired for an example, though she does not make offer of this yet.

"Might I ask the same of you? What does Takigakure bring to the trade?"

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Ryu]

[Word Count]: 295
OOC Note(s):N/A

"The one thing that matters most to any village or country... "

Ryu adjusted his posture within his seat, his eyes firm as he looked toward the Lady of the frost in a calm tone of voice.

"It is no secret that Bonchi no Kuni has access to as much technology as the next, much of with goes into research and development of further medical techniques and equipment to ensure the survival of our forces in combat...I offer what we have in exchange...as well as resources to allow for you to do...similar work..."

A smirk crossed his lips as he then held his hands in front of him.

"Our means of producing our most sought-after prize remains secret naturally, but we can provide you with a supply of it and ensure that our forces are at your leisure depending on the need..."

It was not surprising to say such a thing, but the fact that none had come close to replicating the factors that made Hero's water was indeed priceless, if not only for the benefits it gave any army. There was also the medicinal supplies that could be gained from working with Taki, which Iwagakure had earned from their years of alliance.

"The fact that you wish to allow for work on a rail system through Bonchi no Kuni is interesting...and a promising gesture at best...if capable of providing it. As promising as having us to ensure that your people stay in good health I imagine...don't you agree?"

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[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Ryu - - WORDS - - -

O

ffers of medicinal supplies were sorely tempting. Yuki had their own medical divisions which focused on such research, of course, but the areas of expertise were slightly different. The Yoi were more interested in enhancement and the Nue had very particular focuses as well. It made them all quite hardy in combat, but left some gaps in study. Yukigakure was a frigid land, and as a result many of their medicinal supplies had to be imported, as they were incapable of growing on the frosty grounds. They cultivated some internally, but large-scale farming operations were better suited for food supplies than medicinal ones. The promise of stronger options was a much-needed one.

Especially considering the fact that colder zones were more prone to the spread of illness. Shuka was no scientist, so she wasn't sure why, but she was aware that the rural communities of Yuki no Kuni were more prone to outbreaks of illness than similar villages in other nations. Those reports were anecdotal, as she had not yet been able to gather the data necessary to prove it, but if her labs worked with those of Takigakure, perhaps they could each come to some enlightening realizations.

"I do agree. I believe that these would be profitable trade agreements for both of our villages and thoroughly benefit the nations in which we live as a whole." That was an important element. The Daimyo of Yuki no Kuni was more of an isolationist at heart, disliking extending beyond the reaches of the island into the wider continent. Proving to him that these trade deals would be useful to him and the civilian populace of Yuki no Kuni was important. Perhaps Bonchi no Kuni's Daimyo was the same.

"Are there any other concerns you would like to have addressed?" She inquired.

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Ryu]

[Word Count]: 295
OOC Note(s):N/A

"Hmm...naturally.."

Though their alliance was all but set in writing at this point, there was clearly more that could be learned of the frost nation at this moment than would be possible after. Still, in the end, their trades were even and could work to each others benefit. So long as they continued to operate within the realm of their agreement. Though of course, Ryu was not without his own curiosity.

"I imagine that there is some...but more so a personal inquiry...you claimed to wish for a coming together of the nations...does that mean that you favor the idea of peace among the others or simply with those that present the possibility of an alliance?"

It wouldn't be wise of him to jump into bed with the woman whom had publicly announced such line of thought. But then, she had managed to gain some ties with the others. So clearly, they either respected her enough for her wisdom, or wished to see how long she managed to play this long game out. In the end, there was something that could be learned from the wisdom of elders. That much, he could at least appreciate to a degree. Not that he was one to listen often to it these days.

"What gives you any faith in such a concept when war is part of our nature? It is the reason why we build forces and towers. It is the very principle of why shinobi exist. Peace benefits no one...or very little..."

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[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Ryu - - WORDS - - -

S

hifting to topics of the ideological nature was always somewhat risky in diplomatic conversations. On philosophical topics like peace and unity, people could differ very greatly, and even from the inquiry it was very obvious to Shuka that Ryu's opinions were quite far from her own. Shuka could be a firm ruler, but Ryu was a very harsh man with a reputation to match. She did not know him personally enough to know if he was truly bloodthirsty, but the rumors that circulated about him did not paint him as a very peaceful man. He was one who valued power above all else, and those people were likely to favor war.

"I am not ignorant enough to believe that war and death will never knock at our doors again - even now there is a turmoil brewing between many nations of this continent." As was ever the case, across the span of decades.

With all that considered, how to phrase her exact mentality?

"I think peace, however impossible it may seem, is a goal worth striving for. Even as an unobtainable beacon, it motivates one to consider their actions more carefully, to make practical decisions. Given how often fighting occurs, we could say that it is of the human nature, but consider the divide that exists. There are far more civilians than shinobi, more people inclined to lives of peace, seeking art and community, than there are soldiers.

When it comes down to it, war benefits... power. People like us, or other powerful shinobi, or merchants who stand to gain from the trade wars spark. It does not benefit the small. The tiny villages that will be rolled over, full of people who never had a say in the initiation of the war. I fought in the second and third shinobi war and I saw, killed, many such people. These are the ones I consider when I discuss along lines of war and peace."

To her side, one of her diplomats dressed in all white seemed to take note of this. Perhaps it was an ideology Shuka had not spoken aloud before, something she was allowing Ryu to be privy to.

"Of course, the greater peace you can have within an alliance, the more you and yours can stand together when war does, inevitably come. I seek to help my allied nations prosper, and to prosper myself, so that we can crush any who bring war to us under our heel."

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Ryu]

[Word Count]: 295
OOC Note(s):N/A

"While I do not agree completely with you on those merits, I respect your willingness to say it..."

Ryu would remain where he was, his eyes narrowed as he spoke once more.

"But it is true....an alliance does more to benefit us in unison than without it apart....and my respect for a woman who speaks of such things despite no promise of seeing it is at the very least admirable in it's own way..."

Not to mention foolish, but he would allow the aging female her moment of victory for the time being. He had been party to one of those small villages in which she spoke of, and had seen that with or without shinobi, chaos often came. Maybe not in her lands, but it rose it's head no matter the demographic. Mankind would always seek authority and claim over land, people, things. It was the rule of nature. The strongest among them prevailed. It was the very reason why they were seated here today.

"The terms of this alliance are acceptable...and if there is no more to add to it, Bonchi no Kuni accepts it. The transition will likely be slow, but you and your people will receive what is promised once you do the same. I expect working with you will be fruitful for both of us...and...perhaps insightful...Though understand my reluctance in allowing full access to every part of our country as a precaution...Much like you...I wish for my home to be safe, but ready to act when need be..."

Closing his eyes, the man would rise from his chair, making his way over in her direction as he extended his hand.

"May both our lands prosper in this arrangement..."

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[Yuki Shuka]

Yuki Shuka --- TAG Ryu - - WORDS - - -

R

esponding as expected, Ryu did not agree with her assessment. They were of two very different minds. Not only was Ryu somewhat younger than her (though not by as much as one might assume), but he had also lived a very different life from her own, grown up in a quite disparate environment. Yukigakure had the strong benefit of being an impenetrable land. No one had successfully invaded its shores because of the terrible waters around it. This meant that its shores, its villages, had never been broken by the terrors of war other countries had experience. There were pillagers and pirates, mercenaries and nukenin, but an enemy army had never made landfall. This certainly shaped her perception as much as it shaped Ryu's own.

When Ryu rose from his seat, Shuka followed suit, standing as well. He offered his hand and she stepped forward to take it, a firm handshake. Despite her generally warm demeanor, her hand was surprisingly cold, belying her chakra nature. With the firm squeeze, she gave him a slight nod. Then she released his hand and stepped back, allowing him a path to the door.

"May both our lands prosper from this arrangement," she repeated, almost a form of verbal contract. "We can have our people work on drafting a written contract for our signatures to formalize this deal," she informed Ryu.

ISHY of THQ & ADOXOGRAPHY

[Ryu]

[Word Count]: 295
OOC Note(s):N/A

"Hmph..."

With an agreement brokered between the two nations, all that remained was to see the fruits of it in action. As Ryu made his exit from the room, he'd nod his head in the direction of the older woman, making his way outside as he could see his own escort ready to take him back. While there was never a need for such things, the security of their leader remained paramount in their minds.

Though with things now becoming much more manageable, it would soon become clear just what the Taki Lord had next in store for his enemies. These alliances only in his favor, and the creation of a united front when the time came to strike was coming soon. It was only a matter of when.

Yet, this was indeed a stepping stone in the path to greater power, and the woman herself had expressed it. Strenght for when and if it came against them.

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