Probably don't need to do a contingency beyond "stay together and with an ANBU", but chances are Hazou's not going to break rank about that. Keiko, on the other hand...

I dunno. We definitely need to have our ANBU + Hazou/Noburi 'within the general vicinity' of the meeting, and also need to let Keiko know while also making sure she doesn't accuse of spying (or similar).
There's gonna be ANBU no matter what, whether Keiko wants them or not. We can try coming along, but I think showing Keiko we trust her to take care of things herself and come back to tell us what happened would go a long way in showing her we really do trust her, and that we'll rely on our teammates more.
 
Noburi paused, bite of sandwich half-taken, and gave Hazō a jealous glance before ruefully shaking his head and going back to his food.

Not sure if anyone mentioned this explicitly, but Noburi seems to have strong feelings about our merchant network idea. I think it might be because this kind of scheme was the kind of thing we did with him previously and now he feels cut out. Either way, I'd like it if we could put something in the plan about getting Noburi deeply involved in the merchant network, rather than the current winning "Let him..." which sounds dismissive to me.

Also, those observations are not those of a socially incompetent person. Props to Hazou, and hopefully putting more effort at Empathy can lead to better observations.

[X] Training Hazou: Empathy Drip.
 
Not sure if anyone mentioned this explicitly, but Noburi seems to have strong feelings about our merchant network idea. I think it might be because this kind of scheme was the kind of thing we did with him previously and now he feels cut out. Either way, I'd like it if we could put something in the plan about getting Noburi deeply involved in the merchant network, rather than the current winning "Let him..." which sounds dismissive to me.

Also, those observations are not those of a socially incompetent person. Props to Hazou, and hopefully putting more effort at Empathy can lead to better observations.

[X] Training Hazou: Empathy Drip.

Maybe we're just looking at it differently, but I feel like the plan is adequate in including Noburi with building up a starting network.
 
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Edits:

It is not within my power to figure out good presents for Mari and/or Hana.
Rough draft.

Someone said something about playing in our league. Well, now's a good time?

This was going to be much less fleshed-out. Then I remembered that there is a restaurant named Byakuren's Cookbook, that Shin said "We'll lose like Kurohige" and that he probably enjoys being an overly dramatic little shit.

(Why yes, I enjoy making the lives of the Kurosawa clan more... interesting, why do you ask?)

WC: 375

[X] Action Plan: Byakuren and Kurohige

  • General:
    • Double check details with Keiko/Noburi, and then with Jiraiya that our plans are still alright.
      • Be careful: Jiraiya's probably still pissed.
      • Does Keiko need more time in Mist for the meeting? What about backup? We can stay a decent distance away?
    • Try to move about in groups of 4+
      • Uplift + Higashino if possible
      • If not, try to choose alternate companions.
        • Ex: Ino might enjoy shopping.
  • Send messengers to:
    • Shin: Invite him to lunch at Byakuren's Cookbook.
      • Also make reservations there.
    • Ikeda's team.
      • You guys were awesome. Sorry we didn't have more time to hangout. Let's keep in touch!
  • Spend tonight and tomorrow morning at the market
    • Shopping!
    • Approach merchants, travelling performers/bards, craftsmen, etc.
      • Prioritize merchants you've already spoken with
        • Glassblowers, salt/spice merchants, brewers, others.
      • Musicians/bards/performing troupes: ask around taverns.
      • Offer writs of patronage, price guarantees, and other minor promises.
      • Tactics for new/wary targets:
        • Let Noburi smooth talk them while you appear reserved and skeptical.
        • Noburi will prod them into making a sales pitch to ease your reservations. Eventually acquiesce.
        • Keiko could interject from the rooftops: "Be grateful we are even considering you." etc.
  • Lunch
    • Prep:
      • Observe OPSEC, stay on your toes, no hard precommitments.
      • Be confident: Shin is not a Jonin.
      • Shin is a silver-tongued chakra viper. Keep your cool. Insults and backhanded compliments are meant to provoke you. Exhibit dry amusement instead.
    • Start the interaction amicably.
      • Minor flexing: casually name drop Ami for the regulars' menu. Mention we're getting promoted, ask if he is as well.
      • Ask after the junior diplomat offer.
    • Gauge his answer, then elaborate:
      • In the spirit of where we left off last conversation: order a bottle of Kurohige's Revenge and two glasses (shallow pours, save the rest).
      • Cooperation was our motto during the exams. We're here to build bridges.
      • Here's your career on a silver platter. Perhaps by some miracle you can convince us that the clan is halfway decent somewhere down the line too.
      • So what's it gonna be?
  • See Momma.
    • No fighting, spend some nice time with her.
    • Confide about the Ami debacle. Avoid details that might breach OPSEC.
      • How do you deal with people like that?
      • Whats the deal with that Jonin aura crap anyway?
    • Give her the biggest hug.
 
...what are the chances Mari left behind some old keepsakes in her old apartment/house/wherever the fuck she lived?
MIST ANBU: I'm sorry, the T&I evidence room is not open to traitors.

Oh, also, get Hana a bottle. Or maybe some of our OPSEC-insensitive seals like PMYF or something.
Ahhhhhhh I dunno....

You store liquids in them.
 
Jiraiya's notes (excerpt)

Kurosawa Hazō: Medium-length black hair, blue eyes (agent 137 reports characteristic of Kurosawa Clan), medium height for a 13-year-old. Solid, muscular build with little excess fat. Constant analytical gaze, as if taking notes on surroundings. Habitual slight frown. Strange resemblance to category 44, especially in information processing.

Wakahisa Noburi: Short black hair, brown eyes, short, stout build. 137 reports all characteristic of Wakahisa Clan. Eyes move quickly between points of interest. Expressive face, but has received training to conceal emotions.

Mori Keiko: Black hair in a short bob, dark eyes, slim, waifish build. Slightly above average height for a 13-year-old. Tends towards fixed stares. Low affect.

Ishihara Akane: Well-cared-for straight brown hair to just below shoulder-length, deep brown eyes, tall for a 15-year-old. Smiles often, likes to move around, but is still when attentive. Young, but plenty of raw potential. Could be quite stunning in a few years' time, especially with Inoue's guidance.

Inoue Mari: Magnificent bright red hair, vivid blue eyes (odd; pre-swamp dossier from 137 describes as brilliant green; swamp surveillance describes as near-colourless grey; cf. cases 71 and 33). Short (5 ft approx.), but very well-endowed. Both enthusiastic and highly skilled. Solid 8/10, maybe a low 9. Could be a full 10 if she learned some of the rarer seduction ninjutsu and worked through a few of her deeper issues.

Addendum: 224's report mentions an additional group member (poss. connection with notes from 112?). Medium-height male, gaunt, pale skin. Exceptionally untidy brown hair, blue eyes. "Twitchy" movements. Avoids eye contact.
We should find out what Category 44 is.

ALSO we're clearly not crazy, Jiraiya noticed Mari's eyes changing color, too.
 
Edits:

It is not within my power to figure out good presents for Mari and/or Hana.

Zabuza's autograph seems really nice. If we approach him right now, in the public, he wouldn't maim us. Probably.

As for Hana... I don't think we should aim for something elaborate for her. Do we know about any particular sweets she enjoyed in times of our childhood? Should work well enough.

E:

We should find out what Category 44 is.

ALSO we're clearly not crazy, Jiraiya noticed Mari's eyes changing color, too.

I wonder whether we share category 44 with Ami...
 
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Zabuza's autograph seems really nice. If we approach him right now, in the public, he wouldn't maim us. Probably.

As for Hana... I don't think we should aim for something elaborate for her. Do we know about any particular sweets she enjoyed in times of our childhood? Should work well enough.

E:



I wonder whether we share category 44 with Ami...
Category 44 is clearly functional insanity.
 
@Velorien

Any comments on the currently winning plan, O Dark One?

Approach merchants, travelling performers/bards, craftsmen, etc.
Your plan doesn't specify what you are trying to accomplish with this section. At the moment it boils down to "negotiate with merchants" without specifying the subject or your desired outcome.

Gauge his answer, then elaborate:
What does this mean?

Ask after the junior diplomat offer.
In the sense of "about" or in the sense of "subsequently"?
 
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