Since I can, and had a feeling of a nice thought exercise over thinking what a likely mentality/POV Yuudai may have, that'd be his possible/initial POV before, after imprisonment, and likely descent into AHAHA...
Here, have a shot on what he might have been thinking during imprisonment. Especially when it came from a constant rereading, that chances are likely Jacob's met Yuudai during Part I of the Ninja Bailout crit, likely....
So, in a sense, was trying to think of it as a sort of 'Part 1.5' between Part I, and Part Yuudai, at a glance/guess. Dunno how canon this is, but it turned into roughly 2.5K of speculated POV, on Yuudai's end, I think...
Hope it's alright...
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Yuudai's Introduction to the Ebon Lord
For a sudden attack from the "Ninja Gaijin" of Ando's, who when he next woke up, still made him shudder that in contrast to the 'Highly Visible Ninja' who'd likely have a low ass life expectancy, this... Jacob, was the far opposite.
The fact he had no outward sign of a demonic bloodline, no obvious taint on his soul or chi that'd have marked him as a practitioner of the Forbidden Techniques (Kinjutsu). Just a completely, ordinary 'brute' who was somehow hiding a hidden dagger without his notice, until it was far too late...
The fact, he was the last man standing, while the rest of his guard of likewise mercenaries where by now, unconscious. Still made his blood chill, over how hidden was Ando's guardians, to not have been spotted by his client?
... The fact his dreams since being 'captured', where full of nightmares over that betrayal, and constant tiredness that made him look just as dead as the rest of the inmates in this completely unknown prison, made him in his calm mind shudder, over what sort of protection racket this 'Ando' person had without notice?
... The fact that he was nigh tired, irate, and constantly over time falling unconscious the moment he began to recover his strength, did not help his current horror. But what he did notice while his mind wasn't thumping in tiredness, was that he's in a prison of some sort. One with barely even a toilet, or if there was. One he wasn't aware of. Just what looked like a bed, some 'shadow' like being inside the prison itself, and barely even a cloth for a bed, if at that.
... At a glance over his foggy mind, before that shadow 'awoke' and drained him entirely on his powerless body (and it was NOT a nice experience), was that his room didn't had anything he can even think of utilising before chances being, the 'shadow demon' woke up, and sucked his reserves and life...
In front of him, laid what looked like a long term prisoner, of normal background... Only, by the looks of things, he's already got the appearance of someone whose suffering from symptoms of anorexia, and being attended by weird golems, some of them more 'plush like'... And smoking?
... That was, the last time he checked the 'mundanes' by the front of the cell. While from what he deduct is beside him (given their more 'familiar' groans, before likely hearing 'draining' happen from beside the rooms), room wise where a few more of his fellow masterless ninja, of various backgrounds and bare competence. And chances are, they're just as stripped of any tool that can be used, and likely faring a bit worse than how he's doing... If nothing else, a now masterless Kunoichi of Kagemaru's, might also be on those ranks for all he knew. Given how one of them where likely female sobs, before another 'draining' happened to put her own emotions in flux?
... Still, within a day. He'd have been almost confident he might be able to bail out within a week...
That was, before he woke up the first time, and the presence of a demon being right inside his cell, and likely every other person's cell, and draining their chi, put a massive wrench of his optimistic estimate. Before it made him dread that chances are, he's going to be stuck as a prisoner...
Especially when after a day of constant sucking of reserves, and constant flux of various states of being, he's likely estimated that every captive in this prison, is stuck in a sort of 'prison farm', becoming too drained, or tired to even think of breaking out, let alone able... As he noticed a likely fate of health deterioration from a likely mundane prisoner, at one such glances.
Still, for a shady 'Demon Ninja' that he did not know was a Ninja until it was far too late, he had to give props for the security. Especially when a restrained 'check' on his meager reserves at one point, noted that the bars themselves where highly reinforced with an unknown alloy to his knowledge. But that was before he was fully drained one time, and he wasn't able to fully check if there's any similar openings...
... Especially since after that check, the 'feedings' where a bit more constant, and made him paranoid that he'd has less time to think of a breakout, before his long term chances become impossible, as will his long term health...
As was the nightmares, and it was only by his years of experience, he's barely cried in despair... Especially when that will show weakness, to the 'shadow's, before they'd likely inflict even more nightmares that made him all the more irate.
... Those where his thoughts, before his hidden scars ached upon the next time he woke up from another nightmare, which made him panic over a sudden flux of energy, and chi he had in him for a change... Before the flux made him open his eyes, before some stranger, in a dark, black and purple coat, and piercing red eyes...
... Still, despite the surprise wake up call, he noticed he was still in his 'prison' cell, with the shadow more 'clinging' to him instead, in front of a stranger who for all intents and purposes, looked way too 'tacky' to be anything but scream "Edge Lord", more than a sinister being...
... At least, that was his first, bored impression, as he then mustered the strength to rest his legs, for a bit, while trying to conserve what little of his drained chi in hand...
... After a bit of staring, and brooding over what this 'strange being', whose likely the 'Gaijin' in a more edgy disguise than what could be given credit for. Yuudai eventually became impatient, and spoke an inquiry on who he is, and why he's stuck in a cell.
Which was responded, by a sinister smile of the cloaked man, before he spoke words that were in a familiar, foreign accent... But in a more, menacing tone, befitting of a surprised Demonic Ninja.
"You may call me Ebon and as I have an offer for you." Spoke the mysterious being in slightly broken english, spoken fluently. Who is likely a Demonic Ninja called 'Ebon'...
Which clearly, didn't impressed the Ninja much, before he had to hide some semblence of surprise over the bizarre 'offer'. Before he inquired, mildly curious on what made him 'different' from every other captured ninja, to the Gaijin Ninja calling himself "Ebon".
"I know of your past, Yuudai." Said the stranger called 'Ebon', which gave him a bit of a surprise, over how he could have gotten his real name already, when his identity was hidden from others.
"I know of the wound deep inside your heart." Said the stranger, over likely noticing your hidden issues, which made him slowly realize just how much he may have known from you from a possible draining, which drew his horror, that turned to ire...
"I know of the betrayal you felt that day. I know of the heartbreak you experienced when you held your sister's -" Continued the Stranger, as he casually commented on your betrayal, that impelled you interrupted in anger, your stoic mask dropped.
HE HAD NO RIGHT TO SPEAK OF THEM! Shouted Yuudai, before his own eye twitched over that day, his clan betrayed family, before he began to angerly inquire on how he knew, while restraining the worst of his fury.
"Oh, you'll know if you joined me but for now, let's say I'm a bit out of the ordinary." Said Ebon cryptically, which made his expression darken over how he's jus- "I know exactly what you want. You've been drifting from place to place, desperately trying to find some mean to make the White Moon Clan pay, Yuudai-kun." Said the stranger, which made Yuudai's thoughts over that bastard stop, over mentioning that name in the name of vengeance...
"My offer is simple. Become my comrade, Yuudai." Said the edgy stranger, which made the masterless Ninja pause over the bizarre promise the dark ninja is offering him. "Become my comrade and gain the means to finally strike back at the White Moon clan. You will gain resources, soldiers, and most importantly, power. All you have to do is become a fellow servant of the Ebon Emperor." Said the man named Ebon, likely implying that so long as he serves him, he'd have a better shot at vengeance than what he had as a wanted ninja.
... Which, has placed the Ninja himself in shock, over how much he's learned... If he's learned too much of him, and how he could likely betray him should he think of betraying him, should be become a threat to his vengeance or have no further reason for loyalty... Which made him paranoid, on what possible catch, or reason this competent Ninja before him, would want a dishonurable ninja like him, who'd have promised vengeance against his abandoned clan...
... Upon his conflicting thoughts, over how that stranger said affecting him. Yuudai eventually rehersed a basic chi exercise, to calm his thoughts down... Before he began to assess the scenario...
This 'Ebon', likely some Ebon Emperor. No... If he were this Ebon Emperor, he'd have called himself the Emperor. And he's apparently asked for an offer for servitude as his own Ninja, is a surprising offer... One that made the professional ninja himself, a bit paranoid over how overly easy such an offer is...
... Especially when past his brutal tone, he'd barely guessed it was meant bluntly as, 'be my assassin.' ... Odd, given how he's likely already an assassin as is.
Which made him inquire what would happen, should he refuse?
"Then, you get to stay down here and become a source of energy for my powers." Said Ebon, confirming Yuudai's light suspicion on what's likely happened to every one of the prisoner's trapped here. "Considering how much strength you have, you should last quite a while. It's not like you could beat me anyway. Nobody knows you're here and nobody cares." Replied the edgy stranger, bluntly... And even if by some chance there was maybe a bartender, what difference would it make, in his line of work?
... Especially when he couldn't afford to have any ties to people, least they become collateral against his dishonored clan.
"So what is it gonna be? Will you join me or will you become my battery?" Inquired the mysterious man, in Ebony...
... Which made the ninja scoff, over such a weird offer... Yet he didn't say anything, in fear of making...
... With that, he meditated on the events, and offer he's been given as of late. While oddly not being as drained as he was before. Which gave him the time to more clearly reflect on his current situation.
He reflected on himself as is, his talents, capabilities and what he can make out of the offer, should he accept or refuse it. And his chances of being able to betray this 'Ebon' at a later date, should he be found wanting for his bold request of a Ninja without a clan, and likely discovered dishonor on top.
The betrayal he experienced by the coward of his clan leader, of all the sacrifices and risks he made, to protect his family and clan... Only for those sacrifices, to be made in vain, when that bastard had to 'save face'...
And what exactly, could he get. For a surprise offer, by an edgy Demonic Ninja... And how far, would he be willing to fall to the Forbidden Arts, in order to enact vengeance?... Especially when it have been even more impossible to resurrect the fallen... Which made Yuudai force to deal with dark thoughts, before his mind dwelt in grief again, over the temptation to research, or even think of performing Forbidden Techniques, that could damn the soul... Before he weighted in on what he'd want, what this 'Ebon' could offer, and a rough plan on what he can learn about him, in case he'd have to deal with him at some point...
... By the time Yuudai woke up from his own mediation... He felt his energy still somewhat drained, but nowhere near as drained as it was before. He might have been able to escape, given time. If not for the offer still hanging around his head, and the potential resources he could get from a shady person...
Which made Yuudai inquire, on what exactly, he can do. Under a tone of consideration, if only to get a gauge on just how he'd fare against the stranger called 'Jacob', who calls himself Ebon in a direct conflict.
Much to the cloaked stranger, smiling, before he uttered a few simple words...
"That can be arranged", said the cloaked stranger, before with a sudden wave of his hand, and crying dark flames that flowed through his arm, came a 'massive swarn' of shadows, weird golem... And a gigantic amount of Magical Artillery... Made the Chunin himself, secretly shiver in fear, over how dangerous this Ebon ninja is in truth...
... Which made him admit past a shudder over how many demons this 'Ebon' has likely binded, along with a potential to summon an Arsenal of magical weapons, that'd be able to break through a fort, that he's capable. But he was still curious, on why would he want another assassin, especially when given his talents, he'd likely not even need to think of hiring another assassin.
"I need someone to take care of the...black ops stuff, you know, the kind of things that I don't want being connected to me." Said Ebon in a brutal manner, giving you an idea on just how much responsibility he'd be asking you for.
"While I could do it myself, my time can be better spent elsewhere. That's where you come in. You once spent a year as an inside agent on one of the White Moon clan's enemies." Said the dark ninja himself, likely listing cryptically how he'd have still somehow read your entire memory.
"Your ability to seek out information, kill without leaving a trace, and sabotage enemy facilities are superior to my own much less subtle capabilities. Does that answer your question, Yuudai-san?" Said the stranger, which made Yuudai gag mentally over such a blunt statement...
... Which in hindsight, made him reflect that even if he had some tools to remain hidden. At closer inspection, he'd currently be a likely high grade Genin, with a bloodline affinity at most... Which made Yuudai himself mentally laugh over the dark irony, of having been bested by a person with a potential within the shadows themselves...
... At least he's honest. Before he had to ask one more question, given how shady the person himself is. In if he's planning on ending the world or something stupid, given his likely edgy costume.
"What!? No! My objective is to save the Ebon Emperor." Said the stranger called Ebon, which made him inquire if it's to save the one who gave him his powers? While not even thinking of mentioning his light suspicion of him being 'Jacob'.
"Correct." Said Ebon bluntly, which made the clanless shinobi himself, sigh over going through all the questions he wanted to ask, for his potential 'employer' who killed his past client... And at a glance, he's a possible 'prodigy', who might want to secretly learn how to be a more proper ninja from someone like him, which made Yuudai shudder over just how much of a headache he'd get into should he accept...
... Yet at the same time, the potential to have under employ, dark arts. And a long term reward of overdue vengeance, when trying to join another faction or clan would be futile, given his dishonour... Made Yuudai sigh, over the calculated sacrifice he'd make to the darkness, in hopes that overdue retribution might be delivered by his hand, one day.
... With that, the clanless shinobi, accepted his offer. Promising his services, so long as his new 'master' is not found wanting... While thinking of how long, until he might have a chance to even assassinate that traitorous Clan Leader, if he couldn't even beat the silent monster in dark clothing, at his current experience...
Which made the cloaked person callinig himself "Ebon," grin in a eerie grin.
"I am pleased that I now have someone to take care of all the black ops stuff." Said the stranger, as he shook your hand, as you felt the rest of your drained reserves be given back to you over time. "Now, there was just one last thing to do..." Said your master, Ebon. As he jestered Yuudai to follow him....
Unaware of just what sort of offer Yuudai himself had accepted. Or the potential of joining a faction that'd have offered him more than he initially expected to gain.
Especially when he eventually had to swear his loyalty, to the Black King himself.
