Kirigakure no Sato.
Mizukage's Office.
Honestly, there was no point in keeping the guards around anyway. Inoshi's eyes lifted as he heard the first fowl traces of trouble coming his way. Foot steps, falling in a rapid pattern. Obviously distressed. Even so, they fell in a rhythm, one two, one two. This man had been trained. Yes, man. It was the most logical explanation to hearing the shinobi's steps from so far off. Weight, weight which was hard to accomplish in a female body. By the time the man had reached his office, Inoshi had nearly guessed who it was. The door flung open and a man poured through. A part of the ANBŪ units dispersed through the outer districts, grunt type ANBŪ member sent on recon and intelligence missions more often than not. Inoshi's gaze hardly faltered, glaring through the staunch silence that lay across the room.



"Mizukage-sama… I have a message from Mizushima, Akihiko"

'"Meet me where it all began'"


Inoshi's head raised a bit, eyes honing in on their target. Like a snake scoping the trajectory of attack, he suddenly became serious. Though, hardly bothered. More enthused, as if the idea entertained him. The disturbed shinobi before Inoshi moved, lurching forward, and charging forward. The Mizukage remained seated, vaguely watching the man as if staring over the rims of glasses. He aimed not for the Yamanaka man, his thoughts were on death. Glass shattered as the man hurled himself through the back window, launching himself into a complicated series of obstacles below. His body fell through the thick field of rocks, and protruding beams until it lay mangled on the patches of earth below. From outside of the room, the guarding shinobi flooded into the room, each ready for the worse.



"Sir!"
"Oh please, you saw the man. Were you actually worried?"
"W-What-- Sir, you're..."
"Never been better..."


Swiftly brushing past the elite troops, Inoshi made his way down the hall way. Each member of the guard slowly trickled into the room, by now fully accustomed to odd occurrences. Kunai in hand, the director made his way to the window. Something was wrong. Whatever message that man had brought to the Mizukage was meant for his ears only, that much was clear. This was a personal summons. The place where it had all gone down, the area where the first chase had been commenced. Of course, nothing of it was more genuine than any game he played for entertainment. The man he sought out now was hardly concerning by himself, which meant that whatever confidence he had gained now was not through his own means. He was not that kind of man, he would justify throwing children into combat before himself in order to accomplish his own goals. Of course, that was a perfectly valid tactic, though perhaps more effective against an enemy who held a shred of humanity within their grasps. Inoshi was no such man.





Mizu no Kuni | Land of Water
Not far from Shihon Island's shores.
Kimu Island.
His pace was quick as he made it through the market district of Kimu Island. A substantial economy built itself over the water, following the same architecture as the rest of Kirigakure's buildings. Where a peaceful residential area of occupation lay, a previously famed Kirigakure military base once existed. Now, Kimu Island was a-blast with hanging fabrics, colors, the smell of fine cooking, the ringing of bells from incoming sea vessels. Birds flirted with each other in the air, leaving the ground level birds to fight over whatever shred or crumb they could find on the beach's sand. As he was seen, so to was he respected. Most remained speechless, and did whatever they could to clear the path for their leader. Some stood quietly by, aghast in staring at the man before them.

Silks and fine fabrics covered Inoshi's body, replacing the somewhat average Mizukage cloaks worn by his predecessors. The same worn by most Kages of the various villages. Of course, instead of blue, his color pallet was shifted to an even colder tone. Deep purples enriched his appearance. Blonde hair, like gold, fell down around his shoulders, and began to trail around behind his back. Blue eyes, like light through deep ocean water, did not meet the stares of the humans around him. To what an end did they interest him? No, his goals were set much higher than tourism. He had come fully prepared, though without accompaniment. This was an event he wanted to attend personally, for his own amusement. The show was about to begin, and he would be viewing from the front row.


He would be left to watch as the secrets begin to bubble out.
As the lies which governed a life were broken.
And as loyalties hurtled themselves counterclockwise.


And so it was. This had been the place where Akihiko had made his escape. The man responsible for the murder of Kirigakure's second Hokage, Yamine. The symbol of peace throughout Kirigakure's line of bloodthirsty leaders. For a brief time, Inoshi had even served on the council with the man, back so long ago. He had been suave, and entirely persuasive with his will. Smart, full of tact and wit, though still an ordinary human. His flaws were as painfully open ended as any other's. And his weapon of choice was one loaded by the hand it shot at. Standing in the center of the water surfaced town, within the tallest tower. His vision was unlimited, despite the cold night. Lights flickered through the darkness so as to illuminate what the vanishing moon tried to steal away. It was an open balcony, with a dome ceiling made of thick stone. It had been in this exact location where Akihiko had seen Inoshi last.


One thing was clear.
The night would smell of blood.

Mizu no Kuni | Land of Water
Not far from Shihon Island's shores.
Kimu Island.

He gave himself to death so easily, Akihiko. A man skilled enough to evade Kirigakure's search for years, well witted enough to completely re align a young warrior. Kirigakure's Jinchuuriki, even. He was a valid excuse for entertainment, but nothing more. After all, these before him were those bound by their own mortality. Ticking clocks with a predetermined date of expiration. Inanimate objects which could be broken and cast aside so quickly as he wished it. As his moronic enemy lurched from the shadows, speaking with a curt tongue, Inoshi could not help but lift his lips in a smile. A snarling smile, entirely like that of a predator staring at a meal; merely entertained by whatever false confidence the victim tried to boast of. He made himself sound so big, so important, this Akihiko. Yet he clung to a small female for any real hope. A female weakened to the point of uselessness by her own faltering ideals, broken morals, and shattered loyalty. She was a lost wanderer of life's long pathways, set to a confusing destiny befitting of the Jinchuuriki.

"You speak as if you have confidence backing you, Akihiko."
His lips now fully creased into snake's long smile.
"You are but an unimportant piece of my playing field."
His hands raised, carrying the beautiful fabrics with them.
"You move as I wish, you hide as I wish, and you bring me her, as I wish."

And their eyes met. Only, Inoshi's were not of this world. Or the next. They hid secrets more forbidden than those of human nature. A piercing blue, like ice made dark with crimson shadow, they struck at the opposing man. Inoshi was no longer the man Akihiko had known. He was night and day from his earlier life. Dark chakra filled the area like an energetic wave of malice. He was not of this world. The pure power of complicated blackness penetrated Akihiko's mind, granting Inoshi access with ease. Using thought itself to string together sentences, the Yamanaka's voice was erupt from within Akihiko's own head. Like an echo, the likes of which being impossible to describe with words alone, the deep voice of Inoshi spoke. But we were never friends.

A pure tone of hatred licked at Akihiko's insides, violating his every thought in the most intrusive way. I suppose you think it possible to defeat me with the help of such a weak creature? You are but a side project, Akihiko. Had I willed it, you would have fallen. Each breath you take is with my permission, I suggest you not make me prove it. The words spread, like a contagion, reaching the mental space of the girl as well. Even Ophelia would receive their echo, snapping through her mind, lubricated with a desirable scent of fierceness. He meant not to keep her censored, and so she would not be.


Like poison seeping into his bones, Akihiko stopped his movement. Paralyzed by a deeply rooted fear. No, this was not the same Inoshi he had known all those years back. This Inoshi was one changed by something ancient, something primitive, yet advanced well beyond anything current. Inoshi continued to walk forward, advancing on his prey. Everything was bland in his vision. So open ended, and obvious. Even the smallest expressions meant so much. He did not require the ability to read a mind in order to see thoughts on the faces of those around him. Fear, anger, betrayal. Nervousness, and utter intimidation. Each plagued the man before him, freezing him in place temporarily. Hands which acted as if they were not his own clasped Akihiko's head, as he staggered back a few steps. Among the average, he was able to shake off the vile presence of evil with with some efficiency, actually. Most who were subjected to his most corrupt energies found themselves sick.

"I would hope that this is not your attempt in scaring me."
His noble way with words making him sound elegant.

Squirming in an unspoken rage, Akihiko whirled around with a venomous snarl of his own. Glancing back at Ophelia as if to ready her, he rallied his confidence back as much as he could. "I can't believe Kirigakure has accepted someone like you as their leader," Akihiko said with a tense, coarse tone, his hand slowly moving to grab a kunai from his pouch. Inoshi's ghost like stare remained, analytical eyes picking the man apart, and tearing away his defenses. Growing more and more impatient with the conversation, Akihiko sought to finish what he had been awaiting for years. "Ophelia, we'll do this as planne--" But he would not finish his sentence before he was interrupted. There, only inches ahead of him, Inoshi's body lingered. With a single sucking breath, Akihiko braced himself for an attack suspended in the silence of shock.

And then it came.

Like being hit by a bolder, the Mizukage's fist slammed into Akihiko's gut. A ripple of pure momentum. Chakra, like a near explosive push, erupted from Inoshi's own limb in order to throw the man backwards. A long tendril of chakra in the shape of his own arm giving length to the range and power of his attack. Unable to guard in adequate time, the full force of the attack bashed into the prince's torso, causing him to hunch over under the severe force. A single ribbon of blood flew from Akihiko's mouth as he flew backwards, crashing into one of the five pillars which supported the tower's high roof. The stone cracked at his back upon landing, and the whip like arm of murky, purple chakra struck at his neck, fingers created in an instant to strangle the endangered man. The gap in their power was obvious, even despite Akihiko's impressive battle experience. Of course, he would not keel over so easily, but this was no longer as possible as he had originally thought. He was not expecting this. Still connected to Akihiko with the chakra created arm, Inoshi walked forward slowly, following the thin line of his jutsu.

"You've welcomed death prematurely, this time."
Glancing at the girl, he continued his slow pace towards Akihiko.
A thin smile carved along his lips, he bent his head at her.
"And I suppose you think her strong enough to weaponize against me?"

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