[Kojima Daisuke]

IF YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT CRUSHING ANTS BENEATH YOUR FEET

Daisuke let out a soft sigh as his head swiveled about, looking around at the scenery. It was a gorgeous day, the sun shining brightly in the sky, only a few clouds freckling the sky and a soft breeze rolling over the grassy knolls, but it seemed the young sage couldn't quite appreciate his surroundings.

"I dont think I could ever get used to so much open space.” The young sage mumbled.

"Oh?” Kota started, his eyes drifting upward to meet with Daisuke's. "And what makes you say that?” He growled.

"I dunno, honestly...” Daisuke said wincing slightly. "It just feels a bit... Much. Too much exposure compared to the mountains.”

"Because you have so much to hide? Or is it memories of that pink haired girl you've been crushing on that make you feel uneasy?”

"Oh, piss off.” Daisuke grunted, raising a graveled chuckle from his canine companion.

Their banter continued for a short while, their "friendly" back and forth contnuing as the duo approached their destination. A trailhead just past the outskirts of the village where they were asigned to meet with a contact from the grass village. Daisuke wasn't given a name for who exactly they would be meeting with, so there was something of a pit formed in his stomach at the thought he'd be assigned to meet with Koume. As he approached though, that feeling seemed to fizzle away as he saw a shorter male waiting at their meeting point.

Quickly, his posture shifted, his back straightening and shoulders broadening.

"You from the grass?” Daisuke hollard, waiting a few meters away, the large wolf standing by his side as they awaited an answer before approaching further.

^{THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK}

---

^{@akira | 1/15 Mission: [forging operations from grass to cloud]}

Temp By: Akira

SPOILER: Click to show

SA’s Active:

Daisuke

---

Sea of Chakra - Chakra Reserves
Thrill of the Hunt - Enhanced Speed and Endurance
Will of Thousands - Enhanced Strength and Durability

Summons: Kota

[Deleted]

Sozin had not been provided any details about the Genin beyond the name and they were the Raikage's Assistant. It was important for the assistant to perform diplomacy.

He had done it.

From Yukigakure to ... It didn't matter.

Sozin was shorter than Daisuke, but it didn't seem to matter.

It would only be a few more days and then Sozin would be back off on his journey. "Yes." It was evident because as he turned the headband for the grass would show up. "Daisuke?" He would ask, to confirm. There had only been one person he had been expecting, though - and then the summon to their side. Or Familiar.

Sozin would also glance over at the dog. Wolf. It was the eyes he was looking for. Wondering if there was a shred of sapience behind its eyes; but no such indication unless it spoke. The Wolf had senses unlike that of humans, and he wondered if it was true that they could sniff out the unnatural, or his nature. If the Wolf didn't like him, that would be enough for Daisuke and over for Sozin.

When the judging had completed. "I'm Sozin - Councillor. I'm told that you are a capable ally. This should be a piece of cake. Are you familiar with the docket?" The trivial questions out of the way, Sozin would place his hands behind his back and stood up tall, they could get on their way to the first destination that he had picked out.

And that was one of the victims.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Add any jutsu, relevant information here

[Kojima Daisuke]

IF YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT CRUSHING ANTS BENEATH YOUR FEET

Daisuke's head cocked back when the Kusagakure shinobi responded. His brow narrowed as he began his approach. The shinobi's eyes glanced to Kota, and the wolf seemed to match that of Daisuke's expression. Cautious. Hesitant. They were an ally, sure, but it seemed to both Daisuke and Kota that something was off about this... Sozin fellow.

"It is a pleasure to make your acquiantance, Councillor.” The wolf spoke for Daisuke, a bit more proper in his mannerisms than the shinobi himself.

"I'm Daisuke an' that's Kota.” He said with small pause, now standing only a few feet from his ally. "Familiar enough, sure. Some little shit has been forkin' money into his pocket, and we gotta find 'im and bring 'em in. Simple bag 'em and tag 'em sorta deal.”

The chuunin's hands thrust into his pockets, before he turned to the road leading southwest. "I'm admittedly a little out of my element when it comes to gathering intel on this sorta stuff. I'm also assuming you might already have a lead in a mind, being from here and all. So how 'bout you take the lead, aye, councillor?” He said with a smirk, his hand waving beside him to allow Sozin to take point.

^{THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK}

---

^{@akira | 3/15 Mission: [forging operations from grass to cloud]}

Temp By: Akira

[Deleted]

Ah man... It was another one of the rough ones. Sozin had had enough of them with Taki, with those in the village with their upbringings. Scoundrels who didn't know how to talk properly. Sozin would smile at Daisuke. Sozin did look mildly surprised, but he wasn't quick to change his tune. "A Wolf summon? Interesting." Sozin did have the thought wondering if this kid was a Sage or Sage apprentice, on the basis of the summon and the position. It was an important title to have: so it would have made sense.

But even so, it did not come to pass his lips. There were a million and one different combinations and he had no idea if the Sages were the wolf family, and so he kept his mouth shut. "Tag them and bag them... yes." Sozin would repeat Daisuke's words, perhaps a little more eloquently. "It wouldn't hurt to try and find out if there's more of them - I would expect that a forger means very little without the documents being worth something, to someone. Unless they're just poor and short sighted." Sozin would also have to expect at times that the simplest answer was likely the truest answer.

Sozin would happily take point, starting to walk. Their desination would take them to that of one of the victims first, so that they could get an idea of the kind of crime that was being perpetuated. There would be travel time, as was always needed. "The Raikage's Assistant, then - you must have handled my mail when I made the request to come." Sozin had been an Assistant himself, though he didn't know how the work differentiated in villages, he had very much been administrative based in his own village at the time.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Add any jutsu, relevant information here

[Kojima Daisuke]

IF YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT CRUSHING ANTS BENEATH YOUR FEET

The young sage offered a small nod when Sozin brought up the topic of the letter. "Most requests like this one come through me first, yeah. Save for a few 'higher up the chain' messages for the Raikage. Though more often than not, she just hands them back to me to dish out. With the Hancho position being temporarily vacant, I've been left to most of the decision making, but Kizumi requested I take this on myself.”

Daisuke could have continued on that note, though he wasn't exactly eager to explain to a complete stranger that her hopes for this venture was for him to learn a little charisma. Clearly, though, Kizumi knew enough about Sozin to figure he had a much more refined nature than Daisuke himself. That wasn't exactly saying much, though. Kota had always been the more diplomatic of the two.

Upon their approach to the small village, Daisuke would turn his nose upward, taking in a small sniff. The air here was strange. Stale, he thought. His nose was by no means as accute as Kota's would have been, but his sense of smell was still a bit better than the average shinobis would have been. Save for an Inuzuka, of course. Still, it felt cause for concern.

"Something feels off about this place.” Daisuke said, his posture shifting like he was on guard. Kota seemed to agree, a small growl escaping the wolf as the tuft of fur on his neck began to raise.

^{THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK}

---

^{@akira | 5/15 Mission: [forging operations from grass to cloud]}

Temp By: Akira

[Deleted]

"Yes," Just as he'd anticipated. The knowledge he was being fed from across the village though was providing a wider and more holistic view of the village. Positions were going empty: though everybody would always assert everything was perfect, that would never change for an outsider. They couldn't give themselves away. But even in that wording alone, he had been in good conscience trying to be helpful - but Sozin saw through it.

"The position of the assistant is to make their Lord or Lady's easier. It's a fast track to leadership, if you are found in need of wanting." Sozin would comment: his opinion on the matter. Though - there were deeper reasons for the way he spoke about wanting, when in relation to his religion. "And you, Wolf? Words tell me you're a summon, and that those teeth aren't just for show." There were three beings capable of rational thought, it seemed... though - as an animal, it couldn't really be relied upon as something with rational thought.

Another opinion, Sozin supposed.

Sozin would not not notice the sniff that Daisuke gave as he came to a stop ahead of their place. "Charcoal and oil." He knew it, but perhaps Daisuke could smell something he could not? If it had been an indication of his thoughts, Sozin also looked at the wolf briefly before turning back to in front of them. A sense of smell shared with the animal, a synchronicity was unsurprising.

They had come to a work yard. Metal materials were being lugged around, the noise of labourers working away. To the distance and on the left a warehouse - empty and two storied, with the 'bottom' story being open, for materials to be left underneath it and out of the rain. The second story was apparently offices of some kind, based on the open windows and a couple of people walking to and fro on them for some purpose. "Maybe. This was where one of the receipts were forged. It made sense to see who had to lose or benefit from this deal. It could be a hideout, or it could be someone who paid a price in exchange for money." There were lots of reasons that this crime could have taken place and ultimately it was down to them to figure out... follow the yellow brick road, right?

On the right hand side though, was a quarry. Meticulously planned: built into the side of a mountain cliff edge where a single path snaked up and down, a machinery of some sorts to travel materials up and down the path, as well as materials being shuffled down the path by other manual labourers. He had seen a quarry once, with someone: but never in use.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Add any jutsu, relevant information here

[Kojima Daisuke]

IF YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT CRUSHING ANTS BENEATH YOUR FEET

Kota offered a small hum when addressed by Sozin. It seemed the man knew of summons and their capabilities, but summons as a whole were not exactly a rarity in the shinobi world. Uncommon, sure, but known enough that most trained ninja would recognize when when they saw it.

"You are wise, Sozin-sama. The wolves of Tsuki-no-yama are bound to those found worthy of the Will of the Cloud. We fight for our home just as any shinobi would. And offer teachings to those our Alpha deams a part of the pack. Daisuke is one such individual. And he bares the mark to prove it.”

As if on queue, Daisuke pulled at the collar of his shirt, revealing a punctur wound scar for a brief moment.

"A gift from Don'yokuna.” He said shortly.

The trio continued to move forward into what Daisuke assumed to be a steel mill. A quarry carved into the side of the mountain, and a work yard set up on the opposite side. Likely many who called this village home would find work opportunities here, though he assumed some were less legitimate than others, given their reason to be here.

Daisuke remained quite for a time. His train of thought was focused on the proper steps forward, how to sniff out their target, and how to find cause or evidence to take action. This wasn't some group of bandits they could simply kill or aprehend. He could not use his typical brute force methods to end matters here, like he could with the missing-nin that he had tracked previously. No, this was a far more delicate matter, and it was for that reason why he was assigned to this mission in the first place. If Daisuke was on the fast track to leadership, both as he wanted and as Sozin alluded to, then he would need to take a position quite similar to the councillor himself. He recognized that, and made himself willing to learn with the realization.

"Sozin...” Daisuke said before they continued into the building. His gaze was averted for a moment, before bringing himself to meet Sozin's eyes, and earnest and humbled expresion on his face, rather than his typical furrowed brow.

"I told you before I'm not exactly a specialist when it comes to more diplomatic methods, and this is going to require a lighter touch than what I would normally use. I... I would appreciate it if you could take point on this. Allow me to observe. Learn from you. I'm afraid if I start doing much of the talking I would be trying to force a closed hand.”

Kota let out a soft hum, turning his head to the young apprentice.

"Well well, look at you Daisuke.” He chuckled. "It seemd you really are growing.”

^{THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK}

---

^{@akira | 7/15 Mission: [forging operations from grass to cloud]}

Temp By: Akira

[Deleted]

"Mhm." Sozin would look back seeing the wound that Daisuke was referencing. Sozin looked at the puncture wound, then the wolf: and made the assumption it might have been another Summon as a part of their unusual rites of summons. Perhaps even the boss- but who could know?

"No?" Sozin would be amused at that by the way his gaze was soft and he was smirking. A Kage Assistant that wasn't diplomatic? Extraordinary. Little more than a bodyguard that did clerical and administrative work... unless he was in his own evaluating mode for Sozin?

It wouldn't have surprised him if Kizumi lent an ear to his words, and so it would be like whatever Sozin said could be relayed to the woman directly, and if that wasn't direct diplomacy in action - what was? Sozin stood out a bit - as did Daisuke, two Shinobi and a large wolf made for the introduction to a joke. But there was no joke as they stood out: between the civilians in their own day to day operations. Right underneath the metal structure, up the metal staircase and into the office - there hadn't been much... stopping them. Sozin would look back, seeing if the Wolf would also make their way up the stairs or wait at the bottom.

"Whoayou?" An elderly, gruff woman: more muscular and older and taller than Sozin and Daisuke themselves stood. "I'm looking for a Mr... Masako?" "Mrs." The woman corrected. "I'm sorry - it must have been a clerical issue." Sozin wouldn't argue on the woman's... correction. "I don't talk with foreigners." Sozin would lean his head. "I'm..." She put her hand up. Sozin knew he could have thrown her body like a ragdoll through the building, and the temptation appeared to be growing. "None of your shit, foreigner." Sozin stepped forward, absolutely within her space. "We're looking for the person who approved the contract that you made the mission request about?" The woman was steely, eyes glazed over as she spoke through Sozin to the person behind: to Daisuke. "How bout we go and talk in my office, boy?" Sozin would gulp. Anger rising. Sozin would step down, though - stepping back and crossing his arms, leaning on the side of the wall they'd entered by. "Go for it." He could disparage the woman later, but his reputation was more important as it stood.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Add any jutsu, relevant information here

[Kojima Daisuke]

IF YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT CRUSHING ANTS BENEATH YOUR FEET

Daisuke's brow remained lowered, a gaze of half caution and half aggrivation, it seemed. Before they entered the building, Daisuke would turn to Kota, placing a hand atop the large wolf's head with a rough scratch.

"I don't think bringing you inside is gonna do us much good, Kota. Probably best to head back for now. I'll summon you again if I need to.”

The large wolf gave a small hum of acceptance before disrupting into a puff of smoke. "Right, then.” Daisuke mumbled, turning back to Souzin as they stepped inside.

He'd follow shortly behind, following Souzin's lead as they headed up the stairwell. Before them, the two were greeted by a woman built like an oak tree. She was rough, rugged, and from his assessment, she could pop his head clean off his shoulders by squeezing it between her bicep and forearm. 'Yikes.' He thought to himself before she'd address them with a not so welcoming remark.

Daisuke remained silent, his body language labeling him much more to that of a bodyguard for Sozin rather than the diplomat he was supposed to be playing. He'd let out a small 'tsk,' scoffing at the idea that she wouldn't speak with foreigners. 'What a loada shit,' he thought to himself, his eyes peering at her from the side. His brow would soon raise, however, as she addressed him. 'Boy?' He thought, 'Fuckin'...'

The young chuunin let out a small graveled hum, his eyes moving from the woman over to Souzin, and back to Mrs. Masako. He straightened himself taking in a quick breath, eyes still cautious, but far more focused. As much as he wanted to straighten her out, claiming himself to be far more the foreigner than his partner, Daisuke knew better and kept his mouth shut on the matter. It was all just his pride talking anyway, and that just got him into trouble far more often than not in situations like these. Instead, he simply gave her a small nod, and stepped inside.

Daisuke held himself tall, waiting for the larger woman to enter in behind him and take her seat behind what he assumed could only be her desk. Her arms heavily plunked down on the desk before she leaned back into the heavily cushioned seat. Her bead like eyes drifted up to Daisuke, a slight grimace forming on her face, but not a single word came.

"So?” Daisuke said, his tone matching the body language Mrs. Masako gave off. She winced at him, her eyes narrowing as she took in a deep breath before finally speaking.

"They guy you're lookin' for is Asuna Kirito. Onea my foreman. Hasn't shown up past couple days, but you might be able to figure out where 'es at from someathe workers in the steel yard. I'duh fired 'is ass the minute I found out if it wouldn' be such a hit to morale around here. Too manya these shit heads take kind to 'im. Ees puttin' extra money in their pocket, so I can hardly blame 'em, but he's stealin' from me and mine, and if he keeps it up much longer we're gonna have to close up. Now get out and throw his ass in jail."

Daisuke stood across the room, arms crossed over his chest as she went on to paint a little tale about what exactly was going on here. He'd give a small smirk, his brow raising slightly before he eventually let the train of thought go, and let things lie where they may.

"Fair enough.” He eventually said before making his way to the door to once again meet up with Souzin and relay the information.

^{THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK}

---

^{@akira | 9/15 Mission: [forging operations from grass to cloud]}

Temp By: Akira

[Deleted]

Sozin would watch by the door down the stairs and seeing people go by in their various doings, sometimes holding tools, sometimes just walking. Sozin would let Daisuke deal with it, because what was the alternative? While he waited, he would go through a few internal things in his mind, only returning to active use when Daisuke returned.

When Daisuke relayed the information, Sozin would rub his chin. "That seems too easy." Was it, though? They had been caught out, which was why the mission had taken place. Was this just a case of retrieving a man so they could be done with them? "Did she say how long it had been going on for?" They couldn't fully ascertain the damage without a full investigation but he didn't really suppose the racist woman or rather... distrustful woman would let him (a Kusa shinobi) anywhere near her documents.

Still, he crossed his arms - but turned and released a little sigh as he began to make his way back down the stairs. "Let's find this person and then find out if there is anybody else involved." That was the best they had, but it was easier than other missions he had performed in his life time since there was a clear target in mind. He stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"Let me see if they have any other details. They could have a home address for this... Kirito." Sozin would go back up the stairs, and would return about a minute later, paper in hand. He waved it at Daisuke as he moved past them. "All too happy to help where it concerned finding this Kirito." but Sozin's disgruntled tone would make it seem as though the interaction was still unpleasant nonetheless.

"I doubt they'll be there, but it's a good starting place..." Sozin wondered if it would even be occupied.

---

Half an hour later...

The front door to an apartment smashed open, and from the view of the doorway, Sozin would put his leg down, having kicked it through. It was a... pitiful door. But it was not an empty house - stepping over the door, which had become half loose and more so ended up diagonal to the floor, could see that it was very much a used house, but nobody appeared to be home on the first glance.

Instead - it was clearly not a home for domestic sleeping: equipment, and tables, and items that even Sozin himself hadn't seen as he looked around. It was hastily emptied, but not everything could be taken. Into the building: far by which the wolf would not have the ability to manoeuvre through easily, Sozin would look around, picking up items here and there.

"A full operation that I don't think people were sleeping here for..." It did worry him, since this all appeared to be rather sophisticated for a single person. "If we're all able to be defrauded this easily... is concerning." He would comment as he continued looking around for any indicators of where this person might've went.

Perhaps even, the wolf could get a scent if it was recent?

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Add any jutsu, relevant information here

[Kojima Daisuke]

IF YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT CRUSHING ANTS BENEATH YOUR FEET

Daisuke couldn't argue with Sozin's plan of action, though he did indeed have his doubts. While this "Kirito" was not currently on sight, the chunin would find it rather hard to believe that he would simply be residing in his own home. But, the boy held his tongue for now. He had already asked Sozin to take the lead on this, and he was learning to allow others to do so. He was worried that his opinion, or rather the way he would phrase his concern, would come across far more as insubordination as opposed to constructive thought.

Upon their arrival to Kirito's address, Sozin would kick down the door with the two of them stepping inside.

"Thought so.” Daisuke muttered to himself as he and Sozin looked around, finding the place empty.

Several thoughts then ran through his mind as he and the Kusagakure Shinobi seemed to come to the same conclusion. Far more than a home, this was a place of operation, and Kirito seemed to be far from working alone.

"Nah,” the young sage would return, "We're shinobi. Ghosts. We don't exist to most.”

Daisuke continued looking around, trying to find something he would be able to use as a marker. While they had no idea where Kirito could have been at this exact moment, he was certain they would be able to find something to lead them to him. It was no paper trail he was looking for, but rather something he could use to pick up a scent. Unfortunately, he couldn't find much, but he did find enough. Daisuke pulled a jacket hanging form the back of the chair, nodding his head to Sozin to follow him outside.

"Come on,” he said, flicking the jacket over his shoulder, "I got an idea.”

Once outside, Daisuke took in a deep breath and calmed himself. He did his best to focus, to listen to the world around him and gather what energies he could. It took him a moment, as he remained still, his breathing becoming slow and rhythmic, before his eyes burst alight with chakra and his hands echoed a thunderous clap. Within seconds, Daisuke would take on a strange transformation. His hair lengthened drastically, fading into black, while his ears perked up, his finger nails grew, and patches of black fur formed over his hands and arms. Not only that, but he even grew a tail.

While it wasn't a full transformation and use of Sage mode, as he was still learning, it would provide him with what he needed for now. Daisuke pulled the jacket from over his shoulder, taking in a deep sniff to engrain the scent into his mind.

"Not sure if it's him,” he started, his voice graveled and feral, "But this is my best bet.”

Daisuke crouched, turning himself to the east before he bolted off, following the scent he'd picked up.

^{THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK}

---

^{@akira | 11/15 Mission: [forging operations from grass to cloud]}

Temp By: Akira

[Deleted]

Sozin would continue walking around, putting items away into his clothing: items of use. For the mission. Of course. Some documents seemed blank...a couple of ninja ID - templates. All evidence to put this person away that they'd not managed to take absolutely everything. "Here -" He would pass Daisuke a letter - it was an invoice... or at least a partial invoice. "Might be a lead for the future for someone buying from the forger... Just as good as guilty, in my view." Daisuke would have an idea, and he wouldn't discourage it: giving it a one last look as Daisuke left, picking up a final few... forger items, and then leaving. He definitely felt a bit bulkier, but he would be lighter later on as he gave some items over to Daisuke.. for now, he would keep them to himself. But he would exit with Daisuke and watch the teenager.

Another Sage apprentice? Or Sage, as Ryo was around the same age? Sozin would cross his arms as he waited, not interrupting the man's peace - as he gathered nature energy. This seemed to be something that he kept on running into. Bijuu and Sages and Jinchuuriki... he came across them all. People might've even considered Sokira to be a... interesting person. But, the Wolf might have noticed while they waited that Sozin was not at all fussed or perturbed by the change of appearance... but it did take him a moment, only first drawing a mild inference from the lack of movement, followed by confirmation as he started seeing the changes.

When Daisuke finally did rise, Sozin would glance over him. There was some confusion, and some humour to his voice. "Why do all Sages get tails?" It was wondrous. "You must have a good proficiency to pull Nature energy like that." By the way of the Sage mode - he had seen the Tiger sage, he had seen the Ape sage: and saw the changes. A Tail - for balance, perhaps? Ears, nose... all enhanced physical senses. That was corroborated when he took off with the scent trail. "Fantastic!" It was something that he could not do.

Sozin would keep up with Daisuke, though he would note that Daisuke was mildly faster - on account of his effort, having to expend more active energy it seemed to keep up with him. The Wolf clearly had zero issues, given it had four legs opposed to the two ninja's feeble two legs.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Add any jutsu, relevant information here

[Kojima Daisuke]

IF YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT CRUSHING ANTS BENEATH YOUR FEET

Saisuke still found himself amazed at the strength he obtained through the use of natural chakra. This was, by his count, only the third or fourth time he had used it with any succession. Sometimes, if he was unable to gather enough lasting energy he would gain a blue glow over his skin rather than undergo a full blown transformation. This, however, made him far more powerful, and he could maintain his sage mode for far longer if he managed to keep a steady income of natural energy.

His feet pushed powerfully into the ground as the two shinobi moved, following the scent of his "prey." It was almost as if he was running on air, he moved so quickly. It was a true thrill, for him to experience sage mode, each and every time he managed to use it. Soon, though, Daisuke would be able to truly test this strength. The scent was growing stronger, and he knew they were getting close.

Before too long, the duo would arrive at a rather perculiar facility. It was no single home, no abandoned factory, but instead, it was just a patch of gravel outside of a doorway, built into the side of a hill. To their right, there was an old truck that reeked of the Kirito they were persuing. But, there were others too.

"He's in there. Got friends with him too...” Daisuke paused, his eyes narrowing as he surveyed their surroundings.

"It's gotta go underground. Whatcha think? Wanna try the diplomacy route, or move in with a bit more... Vigor?”

^{THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK}

---

^{@akira | 13/15 Mission: [forging operations from grass to cloud]}

Temp By: Akira

[Deleted]

Sozin kept up but that was about the best he could manage. When they came to a stop - he would survey the area around them a little more thoroughly then the peripheral vision he'd been using, as he had been taught. "Interesting." Sozin would first note as he regarded at the man's nose.

"Vigor... I have no time for sneaking around." Sozin was serious: his religion literally forbid assassinations in how he interpreted it. It said you must not provide them mercy: and he did not provide people with a quick death. To do so was a mercy, and that was incompatible. Sneaking around, he had done on the occasion - but always before a fight, he would make himself known. They'd come to a hiding hole, a mound in the ground - and he would weed them all out.

"Good sense of smell, huh? You're like those Hyuuga." Not that he would explain the relationship with the two, the range of powers the Sages gave gave him enough pause to wonder if it was because of the animal, or because of the way they did their training - because Taki looked different, as did Midori: and though he knew generally speaking they became stronger, more durable - harder to kill.

Sozin did, for what it was worth, try the door as to not give them the greatest warning but it did not budge - So, what that meant specifically, was that his boot was against the part of the door closest to the handle, and it would fly off the hinges - a second time. Only, this time, it had been intended to be used as a projectile, and he stepped through and down the route into the ground to what was a well lit setup.

The room itself hadn't really been set up properly: there were lots of boxed up items, a desk had been well used, with papers strewn about - and it was a replicated effort. They would both come face to face with a group of them - not particularly militant by the way they were dressed, didn't initially indicate shinobi... but appearances could be deceiving. "So there IS more of you?" Sozin would grin. They had been caught with deer eyes, and yet, none of them were armed or trying to fight it seemed - "I ain't - nope. Nuh uh." One of them stood up from their desk, hands in the surrender pose above their head. "I'm not trained like that, man." Sozin laughed. "No killing today, I suppose?" Of course they had not been given leave to murder without reason, but keeping them alive would have been preferential for Kumogakure's justice system. Would the rest of them comply?

SPOILER: Click to show

{Spoiler}Add any jutsu, relevant information here

[Kojima Daisuke]

IF YOU ALWAYS WORRY ABOUT CRUSHING ANTS BENEATH YOUR FEET

With another deep breath before they entered, Daisuke's stone pendent began to glow. A sign of his inbalance in natural chakra against his own, causing a curse under his breath. As quickly as his form changed, it seemed to revert him back to his normal state, his necklace siphoning out any and all nature chakra in his being. It was clear, still, that Daisuke needed practice. Sage mode was a tough thing to gain any experience with, let alone master.

Sozin would at least give him the curtosy of waiting for Daisuke to be ready before he'd once more kick in the door, the two of them making their presence well known.

Lightning crackled and hummed energetically over his skin as the young sage and the councilor entered. Neither of them wanted to waste time, and the chuunin grew a smirk over his face, Sozin earning a fair deal of respect for wanting to share in Daisuke's favorite tactic.

Immediately it seemed on of the few stood, his hands raised, admitted that he would much rather leave this place alive than dead. Simple enough, he thought, but his eyes turned to the rest of the group.

"Which one of you is Kirito?”

Daisuke's voice was calm, though commanding in tone. The lightning over his body no doubt adding to the civilian's sense of dread. The Lightning release armor was not something he thought to use lightly, but it seemed to garnish a similar effect in just his presence alone.

The groups eyes moved back and forth, their heads turning to each other as if waiting for something, before a man stepped forward, hands raised.

"Just... Let 'em go. I got everyone into this, and clearly it's me you want. Let 'em go, and you can take me.”

Daisuke smirked.

"'Fraid that's not an option, bud. The only choice you have now is whether you wanna leave dead or alive.”

Fear had struck the audience, and Kirito, despite his efforts to hide it, would likewise grow pale. But it seemed none of them wanted to die here today. The man's arms feel to his sides, his head hanging low before he'd simply raise his hands to Daisuke in surrender.

It wouldn't take long for the two shinobi to bind the group and get them ready for transport to Kumogakure. Daisuke made certain to seperate each of them from one another, spacing them apart against the gravel outside of the underground facility. He'd cross his arms over his chest, gaze turning to Sozin.

"Guess that's it then. I can wrap up the report, make sure you get what's coming to you. Your reward and all, I mean. And I'll get this lot off to what they deserve as well. Pleasure workin' with ya, Sozin.”

^{THEN YOU'LL NEVER BE ABLE TO WALK}

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^{@akira | 15/15 Mission: [forging operations from grass to cloud]}

Temp By: Akira