The office of the Shimagunikage was situated at the very heart of the INC Village. At the top of the tallest building, the most powerful ninja of all the Island Nations, chosen by majority vote of the Island Leaders, could observe and protect all the residents of the Coalition Island Village. There was a quaint little desk kept tidy by doing the majority of the paper promptly and on time. Accompanying the desk were a set of chairs at it's front and a couch against the wall beside the door. In the window sat a single message bird post, it's fierce-looking messenger perched there, staring out into the clouds of the village.
kage's office 1 - Eternal Frost Jonin's Briefing
The Shimagunikage welcomed the two squad leaders into his office and sat down behind his desk, gesturing to the two chairs they had seated in for every briefing thus far. "We've received intel that a group of renegade ninjas, calling themselves The Weapon Masters, are planning a raid on a caravan being dispatched from the Village of Merchants. Vannor, the leader of Merchants, has requested the aid of the Coalition to protect the caravan. He has sent enough currency to pay for the use of
both squads. The Masters having such a reputation that it warrants such necessity," He briefed the two of them quickly, he took a puff from his pipe before gesturing to his aid to continue the briefing.
The aid nodded and handed the two of them a dossier on their enemies. "They are searching for a weapon rumored to be among the shipment. According to Vannor, these Masters consist of a small band of highly dangerous ninja, each of them entries within our Bingo Book. The Assassin Archer, Iteza Locksley, who single-handed struck down as many as 38 Jonin ranked ninja throughout the Island Nations. The Mistress of Chains, Naomi Ky'ton, who's responsible for the destruction of the city of Kelnor. Which, I believe, the two of you can recall had been razed entirely tot he ground in a single night. A man by the name of Orem Anbiru, very little is known of his exploits, save for the sheer size of his strength. The man wields a ship's anchor as a pickaxe, and has an anvil fastened to a pole as a hammer."
He paused momentarily to allow that information to sink in before handing them an additional folder of information. "The Masters are lead by a man calling himself Tetsu Vizago, the Iron Faced. Our intel shows him as the man who decimated the Iron Forges of Temeraire, slayed the entire crew of 1,500 on the battleship Akihashira prior to sinking the vessel."
The 'kage leaned forward and folded his hands, looking at the both of them. "I don't have to tell you how dangerous the situation is. Our enemies are joining forces, we can only assume as a direct result of our forming this Coalition. Your squads have proven their ability during the mission in the Frost Village. Vannor has personally requested the protection of
both squads, out of both fear of the Masters, and respect for the reputations of the squads. The caravan leaves the Village of Merchants in 3 days. You leave as soon as you have finished briefing your subordinates."
Before dismissing the Jonin, he moved around his desk and carefully touched Ishiaki's shoulder. "A word of caution for
you, Ishiaki. There is a 5th member of the Masters, one whom I believe you are already aware of...The Master of Blades, Rath Cohan, is among them. He will certainly target you above the others."
"You are correct, of course...He will, 'kage. Thank you for the forewarning."
Ishiaki replied solemnly. He bowed his head to the village leader. "I will be ready to face him." He rose to his feet with a sigh.
Tsu stood there, and frankly, couldn't believe her ears. "Permission to speak freely 'kage?" she asked, trying not to obviously sound as if she was going to question everything about this.
Ishiaki looked at her curiously, wondering what she was about.
"Of course, Tsuginohi." The Shimagunikage replied and nodded, gesturing to her with his open hand to continue.
"Well... even though we won against a group of highly trained ninjas before, it was rather... luck for quite a bit of it. It exhausted half the team and almost killed Ishiaki. I mean... are we really going to PURPOSEFULLY take a team of young, under trained ninjas up against enemies who are in the Bingo book? I can understand Ishiaki, and even myself, going, but why bring the kids out there?"
Tsu asked. The missions before had just... wound up dangerous. But actively seeking out an enemy they knew was deadly to even fully trained ninjas? That seemed like suicide.
"You have done more than win against highly trained ninjas. You and your students have created a reputation for yourselves. Seyonne and his Beastmen were powerful allies and your students, in particular, defeated them on their own." The 'kage explained to her, easing back to his chair slowly. "This time both squads will be working together to defeat enemies of equal notoriety. I do not expect the children to walk up and defeat the enemy. They will have to fight. It is the nature of ninja to battle those stronger than themselves and then persevere." He folded his hands together and looked at her suspiciously. "Would you prefer that I send you and Ishiaki in alone to face the 5 of them? Would not your greater numbers be an asset in any situation?"
"At least, if we failed, it would be two deaths, and not eight."
Tsu pointed out "Ishiaki was mostly exhausted last time from using his chakra up to heal others, and causing great harm to himself. That would not be happening this mission, it would just be a straight battle. I just... don't like risking the lives of the squads."
"The two of you alone are not strong enough. You will need your students." The 'kage decreed simply. He sighed and set his pipe to the side. "Tsuginohi, do you not trust your students? Do you not believe in their ability? The squads will be working together, pair them up accordingly to maximize the benefit. All eight of you will be going and you will protect the caravan."
"I don't believe their abilities match up against ninjas from the bingo book."
Tsu said flatly "I believe they are advanced for their age, but getting them all killed will be worse for the reputation of the coalition than sending a team of ninjas who we know can look out for themselves."
"Your previous missions have served to recruit others here to begin training, but we still lack an actual force outside your own squads. We have very little choice in the matter, but to send the eight of you. If you are through speaking frankly, Tsuginohi, you have to brief your teams and prepare them for the tasks ahead." The Shimagunikage said blatantly
Was she through? Not really. But the way he said it made it clear. "Alright, 'kage."
Tsu said softly, hoping that her team made it out of this alive. This would be hard... very hard.
Ishiaki tucked the folders under his arm and headed for the door. He looked over at Tsu expectantly as he stopped before the door.
Was she through? He couldn't help but wonder. He understood her reluctance, especially given the notoriety of their opponents this time...but orders were orders and he udnerstood that as well.
Tsu took the folders, nodded to Ishiaki and then just... left. She didn't say another damn thing. Orders were orders and these orders were rather dumb. She walked out with Ishiaki, trying not to seem angry as she went along. Kids. kids against people in the bingo book.
Stumble!