Marked for Death: A Rational Naruto Quest

[Immortal Lurker]

Frankly, it sounds as if his secretary loathes him enough to do it spontaneously.

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Just because we are already winning doesn't mean we shouldn't cheat. We're ninja. Getting a note to her in a timely fashion might be more trouble than its worth though.

EDIT: zephyr's reach on a note during recess? The secretary probably doesn't go outside during recess. But probably there is some school official watching who isn't the principal. Zephyr's reach a paper airplane to them, make it look like a student is trying to send the secretary an anonymous note through the recess minder.

He has a two hour lunch, which he may or may not take today. Could we draw important people to that location without raising any suspicions?

 

[hYGP]

Frankly, it sounds as if his secretary loathes him enough to do it spontaneously.





That doesn't sound like anything approaching enough good cause to risk being disqualified.

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Leave her a heartfelt note of appreciation that could conceivably be from an Academy student who just wanted to thank her for protecting them from the crazy Headmaster. That'd be one way to accomplish the goal, though I give it a 20% chance of working on the outside.

 

[Immortal Lurker]

Leave her a heartfelt note of appreciation that could conceivably be from an Academy student who just wanted to thank her for protecting them from the crazy Headmaster. That'd be one way to accomplish the goal, though I give it a 20% chance of working on the outside.

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I keep editing in ideas to avoid double posting, only to find that someone else came up with that idea while I was editing the post.

 

[Lailoken]

Is there any reason not to just have a henged clone run naked through the playground at recess while screaming about bees? It's not like he'll be in any shape to deny it when they finally find him.

 

[Immortal Lurker]

Is there any reason not to just have a henged clone run naked through the playground at recess while screaming about bees? It's not like he'll be in any shape to deny it when they finally find him.

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That would require imagining (or worse, learning) what Lizardbreath looks like naked. I will call upon Radvic to bathe this world in fire before I cross that line, or subject innocent ninja to imagery that humanity was surely not meant to see.

That would work if we knew that Lizardbreath was unconscious and completely secluded. We have a waterclone run in a loop through the playground and back to seclusion. "Oh god the bees!" shouldn't count as "significant social interaction," so this is well within the abilities of a clone.

downsides:

I don't think anyone will try to stop the clone, but if they do, the fact that this is a setup will be discovered.

This will all but ensure drugs are made illegal, which I think means a slightly lower score for us.

Upsides:

This will put a lot of egg on the Mizukage's face.

This will ensure that Lizardbreath is not merely fired, but disgraced. After reading the most recent update, that is what he deserves.

EDIT: An additional upside is that this ensures a rapid response from Mist.

 

[Lailoken]

That would require imagining (or worse, learning) what Lizardbreath looks like naked. I will call upon Radvic to bathe this world in fire before I cross that line, or subject innocent ninja to imagery that humanity was surely not meant to see.

That would work if we knew that Lizardbreath was unconscious and completely secluded. We have a waterclone run in a loop through the playground and back to seclusion. "Oh god the bees!" shouldn't count as "significant social interaction," so this is well within the abilities of a clone.

downsides:

I don't think anyone will try to stop the clone, but if they do, the fact that this is a setup will be discovered.

This will all but ensure drugs are made illegal, which I think means a slightly lower score for us.

Upsides:

This will put a lot of egg on the Mizukage's face.

This will ensure that Lizardbreath is not merely fired, but disgraced. After reading the most recent update, that is what he deserves.

EDIT: An additional upside is that this ensures a rapid response from Mist.

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Even if he's not secluded, it's not that big a deal. Witness reports are always conflicting, and everybody's going to be more concerned with putting out fires than anything else. If nothing else, this high-ranked ninja's incompetence and alcoholism led to his village being humiliated while it was hosting a critical international event. That's not exactly going to save face for anybody. Heck, I'd suggest sending one through the marketplace at the same time if it didn't mean splitting the group up too much. It should be enough to have him flash dozens of clan royalty in broad daylight.

 

[Cariyaga]

I'm pretty sure Kei cares more about doing well in the exams than petty revenge.

 

[Immortal Lurker]

Even if he's not secluded, it's not that big a deal. Witness reports are always conflicting, and everybody's going to be more concerned with putting out fires than anything else. If nothing else, this high-ranked ninja's incompetence and alcoholism led to his village being humiliated while it was hosting a critical international event. That's not exactly going to save face for anybody. Heck, I'd suggest sending one through the marketplace at the same time if it didn't mean splitting the group up too much. It should be enough to have him flash dozens of clan royalty in broad daylight.

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The marketplace increases the odds of someone tackling him. Clan royalty greatly increases the odds. Actually, even on the playground there is the possibility of Mist ANBU guarding clan kids. That just means the clone shouldn't get too close to any kids.

We will need at least some ambiguity about where he is. This will never work if he sits in his office all day. And he will have to be very out of it for a episode like that to be plausible. I think this plan might only be viable if he is so obviously drugged that the mission is already accomplished.

I'm pretty sure Kei cares more about doing well in the exams than petty revenge.

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Probably, but I'm a pretty petty person. I would greatly enjoy reading about Lizardbreath's fall from grace.

 

[Cariyaga]

Probably, but I'm a pretty petty person. I would greatly enjoy reading about Lizardbreath's fall from grace.

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Either way he's greatly embarrassing the kage in front of foreign dignitaries and kage.

You can be sure that he'll be falling from the graces of Ren either way.

 

[Immortal Lurker]

We might be being idiots right now. Henged clone with a real note walks up to random secret police station.. Clone dispels itself, dropping the note that says "we saw the principal acting strange today at school, he is totally on drugs, ask anyone in my class"

This is exactly what a gifted academy student who wanted to conceal their identity would do. It seems within the abilities of a gifted student. Be sure to have the clone walk clumsily, to emulate a low skill student. The henge should be of someone with a famous face, something you could find on a poster, but with several rookie mistakes on it.

Question for the QMs: Could we voluntarily reduce the physical skills of a clone below 1/3rd of Noburi's? So that the clone's stats resembled that of a gifted academy student?

 

[Tua]

We might be being idiots right now. Henged clone with a real note walks up to random secret police station.. Clone dispels itself, dropping the note that says "we saw the principal acting strange today at school, he is totally on drugs, ask anyone in my class"

This is exactly what a gifted academy student who wanted to conceal their identity would do. It seems within the abilities of a gifted student. Be sure to have the clone walk clumsily, to emulate a low skill student. The henge should be of someone with a famous face, something you could find on a poster, but with several rookie mistakes on it.

Question for the QMs: Could we voluntarily reduce the physical skills of a clone below 1/3rd of Noburi's? So that the clone's stats resembled that of a gifted academy student?

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I think that could work. Getting Lizardbreath caught is a time limited priority, we can still inform the yakuza after that.

Is our fallback still contacting Jiraiya and having him spontaneously decide he really needs to inspect Mist's Academy so Ren and he may compare each other's educational system?

EDIT: Just to preempt the whole "but then Ren will know it was us" argument.
She will be aware of that anyway due to being able to deduce who a) benefits from this move the most - conveniently after this exam started to boot - and b) because smug Jiraiya's smug face will smugly let her know anyway*. Not verbally, mind you, but in the I-know-you-know-I-know sense where he will act with plausible deniability but everyone knows it was us. In the end, if she can't prove it was us, there is absolutely nothing she can do in an official capacity without facing push back from Jiraiya/neutral observers.
And she can't make things that more biased against us in the exams either without it being even more obvious and grounds for political push back (i.e. the difference between making us go last in the previous exam and directly interfering with the rules to punish only us).

* @Velorien Any chance to merge this into one of the story updates for people who only read Story Only or re-reads?

 

[Roomba]

@Velorien @eaglejarl can you let us know if there's a realistic chance of arranging a meeting with the Oyabun early in the morning? The reason I'm asking is that I don't want to put a negotiation strategy for that in the plan just to find out it simply cannot be done.

On the topic of simply reporting the headmaster, the problem is that the information might land on the desk of someone clever enough to understand the political implications and bury the scandal asap. Or alternatively, the official channel may simply be too slow - bureaucracies aren't exactly known for their swiftness.

The benefit of going with the Yakuza is that, unless they decide to betray us, they will know how to guarantee success.

 

[Velorien]

smug Jiraiya's smug face will smugly let her know anyway*.

* @Velorien Any chance to merge this into one of the story updates for people who only read Story Only or re-reads?

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Pinging @eaglejarl. I think this belongs at the end of your Chapter 170.

 

[Velorien]

@Velorien @eaglejarl can you let us know if there's a realistic chance of arranging a meeting with the Oyabun early in the morning? The reason I'm asking is that I don't want to put a negotiation strategy for that in the plan just to find out it simply cannot be done.

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Doubtful. The Oyabun is a very busy man, and trying to meet him with zero notice would likely be considered disrespectful if nothing else. You might be able to meet someone further down the ladder, and then get them to send it upwards in a hurry, but you'd be pushing your luck unless you could convince them (and they him) that it's a genuine emergency which only he can deal with.

 

[Roomba]

Is anyone against asking the QMs to give us advance message from Jiraiya, like they did earlier? It would make planning easier, and I can't see much of a downside, maybe aside from surrendering some of our agency, but there were some objections to it. We'd essentially be reporting successful infiltration and asking if he has suggestions on how to make it stick.

[X] Action Plan: Conservative Followup

Proceed with this plan until prank effects or lack thereof are visible, or important info comes up.

1. Lizardbreath Prank Followup

• Message Jiraiya, informing him of infiltration success, ask if he has suggestions on ensuring no coverup. Your idea is an anonymous tip from a student. If he wants to do it himself or has specific instructions, follow them.
• We're reporting to an authority outside of school that would make sense for an academy student to pick. Mizukage office sounds like a safe default bet.
• Report is carried out by Noburi, who creates a water clone, which dons face-concealing clothing and Henges (intentionally somewhat poorly) into a stock character used for training it in the academy.
• The clone drops off a note, and then dispels itself. Note reads "The headmaster is acting really strange. I'm afraid someone might get hurt. Please help." in rushed handwriting.
• Time this to occur a little after the drug should take full effect on Lizardbreath, as per Noburi's estimate.
• Once it looks like the prank is taking effect, leave a message for the Yakuza, pointing out that the Mizukage is likely to clarify her stance on the legality of drugs in the coming days.

2. Carry out our bodyguard duties while waiting for prank results to manifest.

• Use the previously established protocols for movement.
• Leave Pandaa or a clone inside the palanquin if leaving it outside. Palanquin bearers instructed to keep an eye out and not leave. Protect Palanquin using Air Domes if viable.
• Keep looking out for attempts to track us or other teams as potential targets.
• Fate Point Declaration: We've established an info drop location to share with other Leaf Teams. Keiko checks it out when it's safe to do so.
• If time permits, Keiko secures food according to the client's specifications and puts it in storage scrolls.
• If the client wants to make riskier deals, object on the grounds of the recent attempt on her life. Request that she tell you where she wants to go and to whom she expects to sell, and schedule that for tomorrow.

 

[Kurkistan]

• Leave Pandaa or a water clone inside the palanquin if leaving it outside for more than a few minutes.
• Fate Point Declaration: We've established an info drop location to share with other Leaf Teams. Keiko checks it out when it's safe to do so.

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I'd change the first bullet to "leaving it outside/unattended for any amount of time".

For the second, I'd thought we already did that?

 

[Roomba]

I'd change the first bullet to "leaving it outside/unattended for any amount of time".

For the second, I'd thought we already did that?

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Probably ok for the first one. I was worried about chakra costs in case we do a lot of stops, but it should be ok regardless.

For the drop, I don't think @Velorien got to it in the update, and there's been no acknowledgement of it or a loss of FP, so it doesn't seem like we have.

 

[faflec]

[X] Action Plan: Conservative Followup
@Roomba thoughts and associated comments:

• I'd hesitate to specify the Mizukage Office since it's likely to be guarded with highly-skilled ninjas. This is compounded with your decision to make a poor Henge, which may or may not be seen through. Perhaps we should instead leave this up to the team?
• Are clones subject to the "wear-a-bandanna" rule? Honest question.
• NO to the idea of using Water Clones; Elemental Clones last 10 minutes and I doubt any time we leave it unattended will be for less than that.
• I'm still leery of using Pandaa instead of the palanquin bearers...still. Might I suggest we have the palanquin bearers be there as well?
• For the last bullet point, I'd argue that it'd be better to keep things on the less-risky side. Maybe word it to the client that given the attempts on her "life" already that we should focus on safety for today?

 

[Immortal Lurker]

[X] Action Plan: Conservative Followup

Message Jiraiya, informing him of infiltration success, ask if he has suggestions on ensuring no coverup. Your idea is an anonymous tip from a student. If he wants to do it himself or has specific instructions, follow them.

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Messages to Jiraiya I thought only happened once a day, and I thought it was late in the day. There are only four days left in the event, and I think it will be fine to take initiative on this.

Absolutely inform him that the mission was a success, though he probably already knows. (He might even know from watching Team Uplift and their reactions. Remember that he has his scariest ANBU on us at all times.) Inform him that we left the tip as well. Because this is so likely to get out even without any aid, it is unlikely that Jiraiya has a plan that relies on this being leaked in a certain way. If he did have such a plan, he would have mentioned it in the totally-not-a-go-ahead message.

I recommend changing the note to:

"The headmaster is acting really strange again. From the paranoia and hyperactivity, I think its [Most common illegal stimulant]. I'm afraid someone might get hurt. Please help."

Because as it was, it just looks like Lizardbreath is being abusive again. And if they were willing to put up with thirty years of abuse and the occasional dead student, they won't change their behavior just because someone sent a note. They need the whiff of something that might be illegal, and apparently child abuse isn't illegal, because this is fucking Mist.

As an aside, given that students are super likely to report this, it would be hilarious if our water clone got caught in a line of students and students' water clones trying to report the same thing.

 

[Cariyaga]

[X] Action Plan: Conservative Followup



Messages to Jiraiya I thought only happened once a day, and I thought it was late in the day. There are only four days left in the event, and I think it will be fine to take initiative on this.

Absolutely inform him that the mission was a success, though he probably already knows. (He might even know from watching Team Uplift and their reactions. Remember that he has his scariest ANBU on us at all times.) Inform him that we left the tip as well. Because this is so likely to get out even without any aid, it is unlikely that Jiraiya has a plan that relies on this being leaked in a certain way. If he did have such a plan, he would have mentioned it in the totally-not-a-go-ahead message.

I recommend changing the note to:

"The headmaster is acting really strange again. From the paranoia and hyperactivity, I think its [Most common illegal stimulant]. I'm afraid someone might get hurt. Please help."

Because as it was, it just looks like Lizardbreath is being abusive again. And if they were willing to put up with thirty years of abuse and the occasional dead student, they won't change their behavior just because someone sent a note. They need the whiff of something that might be illegal, and apparently child abuse isn't illegal, because this is fucking Mist.

As an aside, given that students are super likely to report this, it would be hilarious if our water clone got caught in a line of students and students' water clones trying to report the same thing.

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To my knowledge they happen in the morning and at night.

 

[Roomba]

I'd hesitate to specify the Mizukage Office since it's likely to be guarded with highly-skilled ninjas. This is compounded with your decision to make a poor Henge, which may or may not be seen through. Perhaps we should instead leave this up to the team?

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I think in this case, "leave it up to the team" translates as "please figure this out for us" rather than "this is unnecessary detail". Velorien indicated that it's not obvious to him how this should be done, and I think we need to be specific. What we're doing here is supposed to simulate an academy student leaving an anonymous tip, so as long as the clone behaves consistently with that, I think it should be ok. As in, if we're stopped by scary ninja, give them the note and dispel.

Are clones subject to the "wear-a-bandanna" rule? Honest question.

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It's a grey zone. If used against other participants and clients, I think so. In this case, I think Noburi's clone being identified as his would be more harmful than it not wearing a bandana.

NO to the idea of using Water Clones; Elemental Clones last 10 minutes and I doubt any time we leave it unattended will be for less than that.

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This I want to leave up to the team. They'll know best. Clones have the advantage of using Noburi's chakra, which is less precious than Keiko's. They're also more competent than either Pandaa or random civilians.

I'm still leery of using Pandaa instead of the palanquin bearers...still. Might I suggest we have the palanquin bearers be there as well?

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I assume they're there by default. Didn't help the last time.

I recommend changing the note to:

"The headmaster is acting really strange again. From the paranoia and hyperactivity, I think its [Most common illegal stimulant]. I'm afraid someone might get hurt. Please help."

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Referencing specific drugs is going to look suspicious, I think. Maybe something more general, "acting like he's out of his mind"?

 

[dadiacdownload]

-Team trap: Do we need to re-list the details for trying to catch Team Trap, or list it as a priority? Maybe that understood by QMs, I don't know

-Yazuka Meeting: If we have time tonight, K. could go to the bar and ask for a meeting with the local Y. boss tomorrow evening? or, if we only have time to go to the bar in the AM, ask for the next morning or evening [test day 3 of 5] to discuss our client's desires to do business, showing respect, strength and that we are not in a hurry. We've been told the cost for getting the Obayan is too high but local boss would be well informed of our plans even if he is uneasy, plus potential opportunity to give them some intel RE headmaster fallout. If we add this, I personally am happy if this all happens offscreen: request for meeting left at bar.

-Illegal drug sales: Take time on illegal sales in bad areas, refuse to take our client to dangerous areas tomorrow on security grounds; get a list from our client of exact such destinations so we can prepare security (or learn that she doesn't have any actual names). We might legitimately need 24hrs-48hrs to plan such a trip.

-Message drop: We have K. checking the drop; should we leave a message suggesting a meet with one team or all teams if there is nothing there? or something to move that plot point along.

 

[ContextBot]

@eaglejarl , @Velorien , @OliWhail , are the Character Sheet's completely finished? Because Akane has Ghost Scales and PKH....unless the Pangolin are ok for her to have those jutsu...

 

[Immortal Lurker]

To my knowledge they happen in the morning and at night.

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Ah, then it won't delay anything at all. No point in not asking him then.

For the last bullet point, I'd argue that it'd be better to keep things on the less-risky side. Maybe word it to the client that given the attempts on her "life" already that we should focus on safety for today?

Click to shrink...

-Yazuka Meeting: If we have time tonight, K. could go to the bar and ask for a meeting with the local Y. boss tomorrow evening? or, if we only have time to go to the bar in the AM, ask for the next morning or evening [test day 3 of 5] to discuss our client's desires to do business, showing respect, strength and that we are not in a hurry. We've been told the cost for getting the Obayan is too high but local boss would be well informed of our plans even if he is uneasy, plus potential opportunity to give them some intel RE headmaster fallout. If we add this, I personally am happy if this all happens offscreen: request for meeting left at bar.

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These combined are a good idea. Day 3 should be after the announcement. The announcement taking place after the meeting is scheduled but before it happens confirms that we did it without anyone having proof. I am assuming that the Yakuza share our position that any decision is better than limbo?

-Illegal drug sales: Take time on illegal sales in bad areas, refuse to take our client to dangerous areas tomorrow on security grounds; get a list from our client of exact such destinations so we can prepare security (or learn that she doesn't have any actual names). We might legitimately need 24hrs-48hrs to plan such a trip.

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"Dangerous areas" probably means basic civilian interference. Team Trap is our biggest threat, and they have proven they are willing to operate anywhere. Waiting 24 hours still might be a good idea, because then it happens after the Yakuza meeting.

 

[Roomba]

@FourScore @Immortal Lurker what do you guys want to discuss with the Yakuza Oyabun, exactly? We can't really give him any specific information, because we don't know what Ren will do, or when. If the point is to warn him that something is about to go down on the drug legislation front, we can just leave him a message. And our client being able to deal in Yakuza territory should be covered by our gift of explosive tags.