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Marked for Death: A Rational Naruto Quest

Voting is open for the next 1 day, 5 hours
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It would be nice if we could get a digging jitsu, so that our forts have escape Tunnels that we can close off behind us with mew.
 
Cariyaga said:
We've still got one major advantage in our merchant network: Infinite ice production.
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Which requires ninja labor, which requires storage seals for transport.

VHITM could produce ice. Export the ice to the chocolate producing island, because that place must be hot.

What I am worried is Mist ninjas and the Mist navy. The chocolate production island is south of water country.
 
Kiba said:
Which requires ninja labor, which requires storage seals for transport.

VHITM could produce ice. Export the ice to the chocolate producing island, because that place must be hot.

What I am worried is Mist ninjas and the Mist navy. The chocolate production island is south of water country.
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We could always just use VHitM as our intermediaries for our merchant empire. Though that leaves the question as to what to do for the next nine months.
 
Cariyaga said:
Though that leaves the question as to what to do for the next nine months.
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Things which would help us in missions, or running a merchant empire (which we could work on acquiring in the 9 months):
  • Safehouses/bunkers in each nation
  • Stockpiles of supplies hidden places
  • A small village in (most) nations which likes us
  • Civilian operable storage seals
  • A reasonable amount of currency from each nation
  • A semi-permanent secure base inaccessible to ninja who don't know the secret (so hidden heaven, hidden underground, or hidden sea)
  • Barrels. Barrels everywhere
  • Any of the multitude of research projects we have
  • Any of the multitude of mechanical projects we have
  • Medical training
  • Pangolin recruiting
  • Better border crossing methods (maybe use our floating observation platform?)
I'm sure there's other things, but this seems like a decent starting list.

Edit (a few more):
  • Stopping Zabuza
  • Politicking in Rice for fun and profit
  • Rebuilding Iron for kicks and giggles
  • Recruiting other ninja to our cause
  • Abducting a civilian village and seeing what happens (put them somewhere safe)
  • Do missions for Jiraiya
  • Found our own small village for legitimacy and cover
  • Research how civilian and/or ninja merchants generally operate
 
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MechApt is the first step to making a calculator, which is how we make an enigma machine. I'm assuming current cryptography is still based primarily on one-time-pads, which is what the hot springs code seemed to be. Still, any mechanical cryptography should be a big advance. Though I guess we need typewriters before that's possible.

The description of the implosion seal is vague: Does it just *snap* remove all the air in the radius, including from inside of people's lungs? Or does that air have to have a path to reach the seal itself? Because I could make either a cannon or an excellent vacuum sphere, depending.
 
Considering pointing out that we have been successful on every mission Jiriaya has ever actually given us.

@Jello_Raptor
  • Why should the optional things be onscreen? Wouldn't we rather more of them happened, even if it were offscreen?
  • Apparently we won't get to visit Akane for a couple of days - should consider just getting favors started now.
  • On top of trying to build his barrel, perhaps Noburi could get his spare retrieved from Hashimoto?
  • "assigned[ / ]suggested" reading
  • Suggesting Mari do something "if she is serious about helping Keiko" is liable to earn us a tongue lashing. I feel like simply suggesting brushing up on how to use her skills to do good would probably be sufficient.
  • I still think asking Keiko to research the "basics of trade" is going to be taken as an insult ; I suspect suggesting she study "any advanced areas of economics her Mori training didn't cover" might go over much better.
  • As a result of the above two, would definitely move the CCnJ session higher in the list
  • Same goes for the New Team Talky discusions: it's weird to have Keiko trying to be more diplomatic before we get everyone on board with her being the new diplomancer
  • Since we haven't been given our combat gear back, presumably they won't let us go weapons shopping without a good reason - maybe get the Panchipaama gift cleared with Jiraiya?
  • I'm not sure in what context Noburi is supposed to be saying "I am not blinded by the fog of war, Hazou. I am the fog of war. A team mysteriously vanishes in the forest, and you think that of me? No, I am the one who makes them vanish!"?
@Twofold
  • When you say "high-order thing we gave", do you mean 5SB watchtowers? May want to make that explicit, it took me a second.
  • Remember that we're also delivering on the paralytic.
  • I don't know if it's best to frame the list of rewards as things others have veto over - rather, they're what Hazou would answer if he was asked for input. Else it's being awfully presumptuous.
  • I really like the personality swapping, that's amusing.
  • Both Keiko and Mari need to hear the CCnJ session, and I would argue to put it as early as possible
[X] In the Shadow of Leaf

Will try to be back in a couple hours to contribute more polishing
 
You know what is the best part about Konoha knowing about aerial platform construction?

The decent chance that Pain will find out by spying on Konoha or Konoha using it in the field. There is noone in the Elemental Nations that gets a bigger boost from these seals than him. Canonically, Nagato needs a location high up to maintain a long range connection to his six paths, suggesting that one of the main problems with the technique is the terrain or the curvature of the earth getting in the way of his chakra transmissions.

With a Platform high up in the air it is likely that his operational range will increase by a lot, and on top of that he has access to Konan, who can use her paper to almost perfectly copy the appearance and texture of surrounding materials. Now he can have a nearly perfectly secure room situated miles in the air, camouflaged by Konan to be invisible from the ground.
 
Velorien said:
A general question: I've been getting feedback saying this is one of the best chapters I've written, and I don't entirely understand why. I do think this chapter came out well, but half of it is Inoue recapping things the reader already knows in a fairly dry manner, and the other half is a speech also recapping things the reader already knows (as OOC knowledge about the players' choice of motivations for Hazō). What is it people like so much about it?
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It's quite dramatic. I will note that the speech seemed longer than was natural, though. (Actually, I think both Team Uplift Finds A Goal speeches were that way.)
Also, I laughed at the 'middle aged ninja' line. Being in a good mood from early on helps.

...

I have a bunch of ideas for magic systems, and a few for specific scenes, but I want to write an ensemble piece, with a large number of protagonists. And I'm having trouble coming up with unique goals. Help?
 
Ok, there is a lot to address and please remind me if I missed anything.

OliWhail said:
If I was a Yamanaka I would scan you just for this, since it sounds like you're making up bullshit to scare me off. "Jiraiya can confirm that three of us have clan secrets to protect and that at least one of our bloodlines is likely a cognitohazard" is probably a more accurate way to convey the situation. This actually applies to @Dictator4Hire as well.
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Radvic said:
This particular phrasing seems combatative and challenging. While true and would be fun to read, I suspect it would have negative effects. Here's a suggestion:
"We have a variety of mental conditions from bloodlines to paranoia which we believe may cause discomfort or harm to mind reading attempts."
Alternatively, just repeat the same thing we told Jiraiya when he was going to have us mind scanned. Basically, we don't want this statement to come off as a challenge for them to mindscan us, or as an attempt to get out of mindscanning, which means not stating it in a way which implies they're inferior, or that we'd fight them in a mind scan, but as a statement of fact, which means telling them why.
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Due to popular demand, I'll change the appropriate section to be less combative.

OliWhail said:
Specifically, wear veils / disguises under whatever henges we have on.
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If they allow us to use any kind of techniques while in the village I don't see why not. However, they may be against such actions so I will add a line about asking for permission the henge first. Although if we do use henge they will learn about our normal procedures for stealth which may or may not be bad. Thoughts?

Twofold said:
I doubt public libraries will be good enough for Nobby's needs. He is going to need expert guidance and tutoring if we want him to get better at medicine fast. Also, he won't have time to diddle around in libraries hoping that he picks something up.
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Twofold said:
We are not going to get access to Sealing stuff unless we spend a favor for it.
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We don't know for certain whether or not there is anything of value to be read in a public library until we go and with all of the stuff Hazou and Keiko have to read I felt it best if we did not split the party.

Twofold said:
Kagome is also highly volatile, we should limit his public outings and have Mari on hand if he wants to go somewhere. The best option would be to have Jiraya pass on some very advanced Sealing stuff for him to read, so he would have something else to do with his day than to just worry.
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eaglejarl said:
Note that Kagome is about a Planck distance from a complete meltdown due to not having his explosives.
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I will put in an addendum for friendly reminder to Mari to watch over Kagome as we are in a highly dangerous urban environment and we are unarmed, but I get the feeling this will result in another hair ruffle.

Velorien said:
A new vote is opening.

You have until my update deadline (12 noon London time on Wednesday 23rd of November) to discuss and vote upon an outline for the technique you want. Jiraiya will then consider the matter and either give you a technique of his choosing that fits the requirements to a greater or lesser extent, or find you a teacher to do so. Note that this is a "what to ask Jiraiya" vote, not a "let's invent a ninjutsu" vote.
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I highly suggest to everyone that we take advantage of the extended deadline for this vote and focus on the next update instead. Gathering information about our current situation takes priority over future techniques we could get.

eaglejarl said:
Akane is not going to be receiving visitors for several days.
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I guess I can change that one bit of the plan to instead say that we will just drop off some books to read as well as a get-well-soon note. Hopefully she can read it when she wakes up.
 
Latest update of Books:

Dictator4Hire said:
Well, it seems we are finally in a situation where we can choose for ourselves what to do with our time. Let's do something productive like making our team not ignorant of the world around them:

[X] Action Plan: Oh my Jashin, Read a(ll) Book(s)!

Goals:
  1. Survive
  2. Don't piss off Leaf
    1. Be polite to everyone we meet
    2. Listen to our handlers and follow their instructions to the letter
    3. Don't give the Yamanaka a reason to scan us.
      1. Politely ask, if we are allowed, under what conditions the Yamanaka will scan us so that we might not necessitate that happening. Explain that we have clan reasons for not wanting our brains perused by a new ally.
        1. "It could also negatively affect your health, so... yeah... fair warning 'n all that."
        2. Say something nonconfrontational as a fair warning like "Jiraiya can confirm that three of us have clan secrets to protect and that at least one of our bloodlines is likely a cognitohazard" or "We have a variety of mental conditions from bloodlines to paranoia which we believe may cause discomfort or harm to mind reading attempts."
  3. Learn as much as we can about the following topics
Steps:
  1. Dispel
  2. Ask to be excused to our temporary quarters citing that we think Jiraiya should have as much time as he needs to mull over our previous declaration. As a Parthian shot, express our interest in some light reading as a way to relax and if there are any libraries our handlers could take us to when they are ready.
  3. Once we are situated and our handlers have been assigned to us, ask to visit the local library or local equivalent after we finish a tour of the places we are allowed to visit in Konoha and which ones we must stay away from.
    1. Politely but firmly insist that we want to wear veils or something similar to obscure our faces from prying eyes. We know it won't be enough to deter someone like a Hyuuga, but it might help in case there are any Mist spies in Leaf passively looking for their missing-nin.
      1. Ask permission to use henge as well over the disguises so we don't stand out in the crowds.
    2. If there is no publicly available library, burn one favor (or haggle/guilt-trip by saying that we just gave Jiraiya the "sealcrafting innovation of the year") for a stash of books containing topics we desire to research.
      1. If we are not allowed to do that either, ask our handlers what we are allowed to do while we are in Konoha and spend the rest of the update getting to know them as they give us a tour of where we can and cannot go.
  4. At the local reading center, suggest to each member of the team to do the following:
    1. Everyone scans what is and is not available so that we have a list of what we can and cannot read about for the next update
      1. If one of the topics listed below is not available proceed to the next in line.
        1. If one character completes their assigned suggested reading, have them collect books for the other team members and then peruse topics that personally interest them or chat with the handlers as is appropriate in such an establishment: quietly.
      2. If we are asked why we want to go to a library, truthfully reply that we never had the chance to learn for the sake of learning before and that we are eager to complete our non-combat educations. Having the chance to relax and improve ourselves at the same time is a rare treat for people in our positions and we want to take full advantage of the opportunity. We won't be idle, but we won't be physically exerting ourselves for the first time in months: perfect.
      3. Maintain our disguises (w/e they are) as we read and keep them on until we are safe back at our designated accommodations.
    2. Hazou reads about engineering and natural laws with an emphasis on mathematics, physics, chakra laws, rationality (gotta go meta), and lastly abstract thinking.
      1. What is the "Inumura diffusion" and how can it help our education as well as our seal craft?
      2. Learning about buoyancy would help us if we ever want to make something lighter than air.
    3. Keiko researches law (particularly in relating to missing-nin as well as basic ninja protocol (if she gets snippy tell her to compare and contrast Mist methods with Leaf's since we need to fix any potential culture gap issues immediately)), economics/logistics (i.e. the basics of trade, how merchants operate, prices of goods, etc.), and international history plus politics
      1. Basically, suggest to her that we don't ever want to have a mistake like we had in Hot Springs again where we didn't realize that ninjas from two different countries would work together to maintain the security of a DMZ.
      2. If we have time, ask her to look into laws related to re-instating missing-nin or the process by which a village can (for lack of a better word) adopt missing-nin into a village so that hunter-nin won't bother us anymore.
        1. Are there any cases where this has happened before? How did they do it if it happened?
    4. Noburi studies up on his medical knowledge by reading about physiology, how chakra works in the human body, and biology in general.
      1. While he looks for his books, suggest to him that he should try to ingratiate himself with our Leaf minders to get to know them better.
        1. Even if he fails his rolls it's not like they are going to murder him for putting his foot in his mouth.
      2. If he has time he can also look into chemistry and then persuasion.
    5. Mari does as she pleases as per usual, but discretely suggest she look into psychology/counseling if she wants to continue to help Keiko with her problems.
      1. Also suggest to her to watch over Kagome as he will be excessively stressed due to not having any weapons in a ninja city. "I realize this may be obvious, but just in case..."
    6. Kagome, if he can be persuaded to do so (and our handlers allow it), should look into works by sealing masters just to see what he may have missed out on in his years of isolation. If he does not have access to anything worthwhile to him, have him look into survivalist literature or forensics so that he can improve the team's overall stealth.
      1. Challenge him to see if he can spot any flaws in the published works and remind him that one day, again if he so desires, he may have his works published in an establishment just like this alongside the greats of sealing.
    7. Hazou asks permission to pick up some reading material for Akane too, consisting of more engineering materials as well as mechanics/machinery, trap-making, inventing and the latest no-chakra-involved inventions in Konoha, and some light reading like canon's "Tales of a Gutsy Ninja".
      1. Also drop off a get well soon card in the cover of one of the books, telling her that we will not abandon her and wish for her speedy recovery. No matter what happens or what she chooses she will always be a valued member of our team.
      2. Since she can't have visitors, have the team drop off the books and note wherever the hospital staff will allow us so that it gets taken to Akane before she wakes up.
  5. At night, have Hazou ask Noburi what he needs to make a new barrel so we can plan for it later. (At the moment, I'd rather not have Noburi wandering around un-henged with a barrel strapped to himself while we tour Leaf, but I also do not want him to be a liability if we get attacked for some reason.)
Timetable:
  1. This should only take a few days with a hard limit of a week at most.
    1. If we are denied any chance to read some books, end the update after one day of meeting and greeting our handlers plus whoever/wherever they allow us to visit.
Contingencies:
  1. If Hiruzen wants to talk with us further have Mari take lead.
    1. If he wants to talk to Hazou, pause the update so we can collect our thoughts before we talk to the God of Shinobi.
So, did I miss any subjects? Suggestions?

I feel as though we should devote an entire update just to enriching our team's overall education. Meeting various canon characters can wait until after we establish a rapport of not causing trouble by doing nothing more than sitting quietly and reading in a library. All of the topics I listed I believe will benefit the team in the medium to long term once we have our freedom back: Hazou's regime will give him plausible sources for all of the hivemind's crazy projects, Keiko's will allow her to act as our legal expert as well as a business executive, Noburi can learn more about his specialty as a medic even though he has no barrel at the moment, Mari's will allow her to help out as team counselor more, and Kagome's lets him improve his craft of choice or at least satiate his paranoia.

Edits in Bold
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Dictator4Hire said:
Well, it seems we are finally in a situation where we can choose for ourselves what to do with our time. Let's do something productive like making our team not ignorant of the world around them:

[X] Action Plan: Oh my Jashin, Read a(ll) Book(s)!

Goals:
  1. Survive
  2. Don't piss off Leaf
    1. Be polite to everyone we meet
    2. Listen to our handlers and follow their instructions to the letter
    3. Don't give the Yamanaka a reason to scan us.
      1. Politely ask, if we are allowed, under what conditions the Yamanaka will scan us so that we might not necessitate that happening. Explain that we have clan reasons for not wanting our brains perused by a new ally.
        1. "It could also negatively affect your health, so... yeah... fair warning 'n all that."
        2. Say something nonconfrontational as a fair warning like "Jiraiya can confirm that three of us have clan secrets to protect and that at least one of our bloodlines is likely a cognitohazard" or "We have a variety of mental conditions from bloodlines to paranoia which we believe may cause discomfort or harm to mind reading attempts."
  3. Learn as much as we can about the following topics
Steps:
  1. Dispel
  2. Ask to be excused to our temporary quarters citing that we think Jiraiya should have as much time as he needs to mull over our previous declaration. As a Parthian shot, express our interest in some light reading as a way to relax and if there are any libraries our handlers could take us to when they are ready.
  3. Once we are situated and our handlers have been assigned to us, ask to visit the local library or local equivalent after we finish a tour of the places we are allowed to visit in Konoha and which ones we must stay away from.
      • Politely but firmly insist that we want to wear veils or something similar to obscure our faces from prying eyes. We know it won't be enough to deter someone like a Hyuuga, but it might help in case there are any Mist spies in Leaf passively looking for their missing-nin.
        1. Ask permission to use henge as well over the disguises so we don't stand out in the crowds.
      • If there is no publicly available library, burn one favor (or haggle/guilt-trip by saying that we just gave Jiraiya the "sealcrafting innovation of the year") for a stash of books containing topics we desire to research.
        1. If we are not allowed to do that either, ask our handlers what we are allowed to do while we are in Konoha and spend the rest of the update getting to know them as they give us a tour of where we can and cannot go.
  4. At the local reading center, suggest to each member of the team to do the following:
    1. Everyone scans what is and is not available so that we have a list of what we can and cannot read about for the next update
        • If one of the topics listed below is not available proceed to the next in line.
          1. If one character completes their assigned suggested reading, have them collect books for the other team members and then peruse topics that personally interest them or chat with the handlers as is appropriate in such an establishment: quietly.
        • If we are asked why we want to go to a library, truthfully reply that we never had the chance to learn for the sake of learning before and that we are eager to complete our non-combat educations. Having the chance to relax and improve ourselves at the same time is a rare treat for people in our positions and we want to take full advantage of the opportunity. We won't be idle, but we won't be physically exerting ourselves for the first time in months: perfect.
        • Maintain our disguises (w/e they are) as we read and keep them on until we are safe back at our designated accommodations.
    2. Hazou reads about engineering and natural laws with an emphasis on mathematics, physics, chakra laws, rationality (gotta go meta), and lastly abstract thinking.
        • What is the "Inumura diffusion" and how can it help our education as well as our seal craft?
        • Learning about buoyancy would help us if we ever want to make something lighter than air.
    3. Keiko researches law (particularly in relating to missing-nin as well as basic ninja protocol (if she gets snippy tell her to compare and contrast Mist methods with Leaf's since we need to fix any potential culture gap issues immediately)), economics/logistics (i.e. the basics of trade, how merchants operate, prices of goods, etc.), and international history plus politics
        • Basically, suggest to her that we don't ever want to have a mistake like we had in Hot Springs again where we didn't realize that ninjas from two different countries would work together to maintain the security of a DMZ.
        • If we have time, ask her to look into laws related to re-instating missing-nin or the process by which a village can (for lack of a better word) adopt missing-nin into a village so that hunter-nin won't bother us anymore.
          1. Are there any cases where this has happened before? How did they do it if it happened?
    4. Noburi studies up on his medical knowledge by reading about physiology, how chakra works in the human body, and biology in general.
        • While he looks for his books, suggest to him that he should try to ingratiate himself with our Leaf minders to get to know them better.
          1. Even if he fails his rolls it's not like they are going to murder him for putting his foot in his mouth.
        • If he has time he can also look into chemistry and then persuasion.
    5. Mari does as she pleases as per usual, but discretely suggest she look into psychology/counseling if she wants to continue to help Keiko with her problems.
      1. Also suggest to her to watch over Kagome as he will be excessively stressed due to not having any weapons in a ninja city. "I realize this may be obvious, but just in case..."
    6. Kagome, if he can be persuaded to do so (and our handlers allow it), should look into works by sealing masters just to see what he may have missed out on in his years of isolation. If he does not have access to anything worthwhile to him, have him look into survivalist literature or forensics so that he can improve the team's overall stealth.
        • Challenge him to see if he can spot any flaws in the published works and remind him that one day, again if he so desires, he may have his works published in an establishment just like this alongside the greats of sealing.
        • If sealing is unavailable or gets exhausted, suggest he look into cryptology or something to help him relax, like books about his hobbies (i.e. woodcarving).
    7. Hazou asks permission to pick up some reading material for Akane too, consisting of more engineering materials as well as mechanics/machinery, trap-making, inventing and the latest no-chakra-involved inventions in Konoha, and some light reading like canon's "Tales of a Gutsy Ninja".
        • Also drop off a get well soon card in the cover of one of the books, telling her that we will not abandon her and wish for her speedy recovery. No matter what happens or what she chooses she will always be a valued member of our team.
        • Since she can't have visitors, have the team drop off the books and note wherever the hospital staff will allow us so that it gets taken to Akane before she wakes up.
  5. At night, have Hazou ask Noburi what he needs to make a new barrel so we can plan for it later.
    1. (At the moment, I'd rather not have Noburi wandering around un-henged with a barrel strapped to himself while we tour Leaf, but I also do not want him to be a liability if we get attacked for some reason.)
Timetable:
  1. This should only take a few days with a hard limit of a week at most.
    1. If we are denied any chance to read some books, end the update after one day of meeting and greeting our handlers plus whoever/wherever they allow us to visit.
Contingencies:
  1. If Hiruzen wants to talk with us further have Mari take lead.
    1. If he wants to talk to Hazou, pause the update so we can collect our thoughts before we talk to the God of Shinobi.
So, did I miss any subjects? Suggestions?

I feel as though we should devote an entire update just to enriching our team's overall education. Meeting various canon characters can wait until after we establish a rapport of not causing trouble by doing nothing more than sitting quietly and reading in a library. All of the topics I listed I believe will benefit the team in the medium to long term once we have our freedom back: Hazou's regime will give him plausible sources for all of the hivemind's crazy projects, Keiko's will allow her to act as our legal expert as well as a business executive, Noburi can learn more about his specialty as a medic even though he has no barrel at the moment, Mari's will allow her to help out as team counselor more, and Kagome's lets him improve his craft of choice or at least satiate his paranoia.

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HoratioVonBecker said:
For @eaglejarl's sake, please put those sections in spoilers.
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Better?
 
Radvic said:
  • Abducting a civilian village and seeing what happens (put them somewhere safe)
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I like this idea the best.

OliWhail said:
I'm not sure in what context Noburi is supposed to be saying "I am not blinded by the fog of war, Hazou. I am the fog of war. A team mysteriously vanishes in the forest, and you think that of me? No, I am the one who makes them vanish!"?
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I'm actually curious about this too. It sounded cool though, so I put it in my plan.

EDIT: Oh wait, it's a Breaking Bad reference. No wonder it seemed so familiar.

OliWhail said:
  • When you say "high-order thing we gave", do you mean 5SB watchtowers? May want to make that explicit, it took me a second.
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I don't want to refer to it directly unless we absolutely have to.

Any ideas how to word it more clearly?

OliWhail said:
  • Remember that we're also delivering on the paralytic.
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Totally forgot about that. Though if they took our stuff he should already have it. Did we put in a nice biohazard letter like I suggested at one point?

OliWhail said:
  • I don't know if it's best to frame the list of rewards as things others have veto over - rather, they're what Hazou would answer if he was asked for input. Else it's being awfully presumptuous.
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I put that veto thing there to make it look more like a suggestion. I guess I'll take it out then.

OliWhail said:
  • I really like the personality swapping, that's amusing.
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Good, I was a bit worried since nobody said anything about it.

Now that I think about it, positive feedback for plans is really rare. I need to remember to give some for the next planning round.

OliWhail said:
  • Both Keiko and Mari need to hear the CCnJ session, and I would argue to put it as early as possible
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I took Mari out because I have no real problem with her correcting us. For some reason Keiko infuriates me way more.

I guess I could put Mari back in. Does anyone else feel strongly about it? Not putting MEW back in though. I'm still hoping we can snatch that Cat Summons contract at some point.

Actually, is now a good moment to have this discussion anyway? We could save it for once we get out and are not surrounded by hostile operatives. Hazou can grit his teeth for a good while if need be.
 
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Updated plan, follow red for new edits and orange for the old ones.

Twofold said:
[X] Action Plan: In the Shadow of Leaf

Goals
  1. Do as we are told and keep Jiraya happy
  2. Check up on Akane
  3. Agree on rewards
  4. Start training
  5. Don't cause an incident
Methods
  • Continue the discussion with Jiraya
    • About the high order thing we gave to him out of the goodness of our heart
      • How likely is it that we are going to get killed to make sure that we don't spread it around?
        • How are you going to ensure that doesn't happen?
        • Is the Hokage likely to do that? If not, are his aides/confidants/minions/rivals going to act independently?
        • What about the people you are going to give it to?
      • Is this going to happen every time we come up with a new stuff? What are you going to give us to incentivize further creativity?
    • Why did J want us in Leaf and how long do we actually have to rest before are getting stabbed again?
    • Does he know other people who are up to changing the world
      • Preferably the sort of people J has a hard time interacting with because of who he is or who they are?
    • Did Jiraya get the paralytic sample? We have no idea about its potency but it should be with our stuff.
  • Haggle for rewards
    • Most of these rewards are centered around making us stronger and better assets, so it's against Jiraya's interests to be stingy here
    • Hazou's suggested list of rewards, ordered by priority
      1. Medical training for Nobby
        • Konoha has the best mednin around, this should be an easy thing to do
        • It is very important since it keeps us alive and opens new angles of attack
      2. Information on our families in Mist
        • Is mom still in active duty? Prisoner? Alive?
        • Whatever the others want to know
      3. Free Pass to cross Fire borders
        • This should come packaged with Akane's reinstatement
        • Akane is not much of a carrot if we can't come to see her
      4. MechApt specialization for Akane
        • Naturally don't decide this until Akane wakes up and has had her say
        • She needs something to pass the time
        • Get a tutor and reading materials
      5. New Sealcraft for Kagome and Hazou
        • We showed you ours, now show us yours!
        • There's a very good chance we will make improvements, we can kick those back at you
        • Priority on what Kagome deems necessary
        • Hazou specific sealcraft requests:
          • Wide approach (Hazou's preferred option)
            • Multiple low-to-med utility stuff for ninja operatives
            • Examples in order of priority
              1. Communication devices
              2. Advanced alarm seals
              3. SCBA
              4. Night vision
              5. Eye/ear protection
              6. Sound muffling seals
          • Deep approach
            • One heavy specialization
            • Everything Jiraya has on storage scrolls
      6. Mist generation jutsu for Nobby and Mari
        • You do have water ninjutsu specialists in Fire, right?
        • Or just Mari if Nobby is busy
      7. Earth Jutsu for Hazou
        • Didn't you agree to this last time?
        • Hazou has room for two 10 dice jutsu
        • Some ideas, use training plan vote to decide
          • Tunneling jutsu
            • Personal combat tunneling
            • Tunnel building for out of combat
          • Sensory jutsu (Tremor Sense, See Through Stone, etc.)
          • Nintaijutsu (Doomu, Earth Fist etc.)
          • Ranged attack with a roll tied to another skill or attribute
      8. An up-to-date bingo book or comparable intel
        • I can't believe we didn't ask for this last time
      9. New ninja gear and essentials, our old ones are rather contaminated
  • Talk to Nobby and Keiko about changing our main Diplomancer
    • Talk to Nobby first
      • Our reasoning
        • High level Diplomacy is really hard, and Nobby is already pursuing two other hard subjects (Medicine, Water Jutsu)
        • Keiko will have to learn to maneuver social situations with the pangolins anyway
        • Vampiric Dew and keeping out of sight go so well together
          • "I am not blinded by the fog of war, Hazou. I am the fog of war. A team mysteriously vanishes in the forest, and you think that of me? No, I am the one who makes them vanish!"
        • It would be nice if our only medic wouldn't be the most obvious target to attack in the party
      • Our emotions
        • Nobby is an incredible ninja and has nothing to prove to anyone
        • He is obviously the most socially adept out of the genin, but that goes for his chakra control and potential as a ninjutsu specialist too
        • It is his call, job designation won't work in the long run if people are not 100% behind them
    • If Nobby agreed, talk to Keiko
      • Figure out with Nobby how to sell the idea to Keiko
        1. It sucks for the moment, but it'll synergize really well with her pangolins.
        2. Some of her best friends are giant insectivore armored tanks. Even when she's not talking to the pangolins directly better social skills will allow her to capitalize on the fear and respect that inspires.
        3. Her bloodline is pretty kickass, but social skills are its big failure mode. If she can get good at diplomacy she can start using them together to be even better at analysis.
          1. She might be able to go full psychohistory in the future.
        4. We've got her back and know she can do this if she wants to
  • Meet our minders
    • Try to get along with them
    • Use them for social practice
      • Keiko
        • Try to build bridges and make nice with them (Diplomacy)
      • Hazou
        • Create an extra youthful personality, and see how long it takes them to see through it (Deception)
          • When they do, swap to a muted personality that is really depressed and negative
            • When they call us out on that, apologize and tell them that we needed the practice
    • Ask to spar with them a bit to assess their skills to cultivate our bonds of YOUTH!
      • Keep Nobby water ninjutsu a secret, only have Hazou and Keiko do sparring
      • Maybe do team spars if that seems fairer, or more interesting?
      • Only use standard skills and academy jutsu
      • No chakra boosting or combat styles
    • Give our minders advice on how to interact with Kagome
      • Don't interact with Kagome
      • If you do, do it from far away
      • No sudden movements
      • Don't seem suspicious
      • Don't ask any questions
  • Check on Akane
    • Bring flowers
    • Tell her about Jiraya's unilateral decision to reinstate her
    • Don't push for a decision about sticking with us
      • It is a big question, and her recuperation will take time, she has time
    • Discuss rewards with her (see rewards section)
  • Ask Jiraya to deliver Nobby's spare barrel
    1. He can't train properly without one, and he is not building one while in Leaf
    2. Ask for the one stored in the medical clinic at Iron
    3. Ask for the broken barrel too (It was a good barrel!)
    4. See if he can't find a backpack or similar disguise for it. Nothing to change it's functionality, just some way to cover it up and hide what it is.
  • Communicate Hazou's feelings to Keiko
    1. Use clear communication no jutsu.
    2. "Keiko, I'm trying to be helpful and yes that means stating the obvious sometimes. It's not meant to imply that you haven't thought of these things, just that I think it's important."
    3. "I would appreciate if you stop being snippy just because I mention some step that you think is blindingly obvious."
    4. "Mind you, correcting my mistakes, and overruling me when you think I'm wrong is important and neccesary. I just feel hurt by the personal jabs you make when I am trying to use a mode of communication that requires trust and mutual goodwill."
  • Go out and explore Konoha
    • Akane
      • Get better
      • If able, read MechApt specialization books and get tutored
    • Noburi
      • Med-nin Intern Quest
    • Mari
      • Socialize with the older Leaf ninjas
      • Ply her trade
      • Plow some jounin
      • You know, Mari stuff
    • Kagome
      • Learn new Sealing stuff!
      • Preferably somewhere close to the team and no other people around
      • I'm sure they have a library an old grumpy man we can poke with a stick somewhere
      • I doubt Kagome is the first insane sealmaster they have entertained
    • Hazou + Keiko (The New Team Talky)
      • "Keiko! We are going to go out and make friends!"
      • Talk to civilians and low level ninjas
        • Learn about Konoha, its people, and the relationship between ninjas and civilians
        • Start with our minders
        • Some tour options
          1. Hazou is craving ramen. (The hivemind wills it)
            1. Those hole in the places/tiny pop-up stands are the best.
          2. Take a tour of the historical sights, see what stories Konona like to tell about itself to itself.
            1. War Memorial
              1. If we have a tour guide/minder, ask them about it.
            2. Hokage Monument
              1. If we have a tour guide/minder, ask them about why the monument was created? what should we know about each Hokage.
          3. There are hot springs, I'm sure we could all use a relaxing soak.
            1. Everyone should probably take an extra towel to whip any peeping toms.
            2. Inoue is free to use genjutsu if she wants.
          4. Take a look a weapons shops.
            1. Keiko could use something exotic as a gift to Panchipaama?
            2. Our standard kit could probably use a sharpen and polish.
      • Hit the library
        • If there's no public library, see if we can get our minders to get us access to books we're interested in
        • Get a general idea of what sort of text there are available (or not available)
        • Focus on different topics so you can teach them to other party members after leaving Leaf
        • Hazou's focus
          • Natural philosophy with an emphasis on mathematics, physics and chakra laws
          • Political philosophy and its history
        • Keiko's focus
          • Law, Konoha specific and international
          • International trade and agreements
            • "We don't want another DMZ incident."
Contingencies
  1. Don't piss off Leaf
    1. Be polite to everyone we meet
    2. Listen to our handlers and follow their instructions to the letter
    3. Don't give the Yamanaka a reason to scan us.
      1. Politely ask, if we are allowed, under what conditions the Yamanaka will scan us so that we might not necessitate that happening. Explain that we have clan reasons for not wanting our brains perused by a new ally.
        1. "We have a variety of mental conditions from bloodlines to paranoia which we believe may cause discomfort or harm to mind reading attempts."
  2. Safety and Security Rules
    1. Politely but firmly insist that we want to wear veils or something similar to obscure our faces from prying eyes. We know it won't be enough to deter someone like a Hyuuga, but it might help in case there are any Mist spies in Leaf passively looking for their missing-nin
    2. Never be in a group of less than two (Except for Mari)
    3. Keep a watch in our rooms even at night
    4. Make sure we all have whatever the local equivalent of white flags are
    5. Try to stay in public areas with a reasonable number of civilians and other ninja
  3. Combat contingencies
    1. White tactics only
    2. Use any panic buttons Jiraiya has given us
    3. Try to leave the city or converge on Jiraiya's office to turn ourselves in. If trying to turn ourselves in, make sure we're waving our white flags.
  4. Assume we are being spied on at all times by multiple hostile parties
  5. Ask for a way to contact J or his trusted agent fast if we get in trouble
    • A panic button: Colored fireworks, sealing based solution, or something quick like that
    • A slower but more covert way: a deadrop, a trusted messenger, preferably something outside Konoha's standard military structure
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Some of the outstanding issues:
  • Keiko's summon scroll
  • What to study at the library
  • Training plans in general.
If they haven't taken the scroll yet, they probably wont. I don't think there is much we can do about it now, expect not bring any attention to it. Any ideas how to keep it safe from thieves that are not on official Leaf business?

Here are some bare bones training plans. We could get team stealth up to 12, but we can train that later so better leave that XP be for now and see what happens with this reward business. Social skills are the thing we need now and Nobby should finally become a true medical ninja.

Someone check the math please.

[X] Training Hazou: Advanced Flowcharts

Maninpulation 7 [14]
Presence 5 [24]
Composure 5 [34]
Deception 13 [47]
Deception 14 [61]

Saved 76 XP


[X] Training Keiko: Inheritor of Talky

Only go through with this training plan if we have successfully negotiated the swapping of diplomatic responsibilities with Keiko and Noburi.

Presence 6 [12]
Diplomacy 11 [23]
Diplomacy 12 [35]

Presence 7 [49]
Manipulation 5 [59]
Composure 5 [69]
Diplomacy 13 [82]
Diplomacy 14 [96]

Saved 23 XP


[X] Training Noburi: Field Medic Extraordinaire

Withdraw 63 XP from Medic Fund

Medicine 4 [4]
Medicine 5 [9]
Medicine 6 [15]

Intelligence 3 [21]
Medicine 7 [28]
Medicine 8 [36]
Medicine 9 [45]

Intelligence 4 [53]
Medicine 10 [63]

Resolve 4 [71]
MedJutsu 7 [78]
MedJutsu 8 [86]

Resolve 5 [96]
MedJutsu 9 [105]
Medjutsu 10 [115]

Stamina 4 [123] //This is for Syrup Trap and we should've bought this ages ago.

Saved 30.5 XP
Medic Fund 0 XP
 
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