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Naruto Quest: The Endless War of the Shinobi Empires (AU, Rinnegan MC)

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Arc 2: Chapter 32
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    • [] It's time for you to go back to Kushina's house. You...learned a lot today.

    ---

    "I think it's time for me to head home. Thank you for everything, Rokugo." you gratefully said, standing up and bowing politely.

    "Yeah...I'm pretty tried. I think I'll go home too." Rokugo replied, also standing up. He gave you a lingering look, one of worry and curiosity. It didn't last long as he turned around and began walking away. With Rokugo's story fresh in your mind and heavy on your heart, you walked back to Kushina's house. Thankfully the walk back was peaceful and as Kushina's house came into view, you saw her coming out of the front door. She was holding a plate with a teapot and several cups on it in one hand, and the other hand having a plate with some pastries stacked in a neat pile.

    "Oh, Maya! Perfect timing! Since it was a gorgeous day, I managed to convince Jiao for some tea. Do you want to join us?" Kushina asked, a smile on her face.

    "That sounds great!" you said. You followed Kushina around the house and to the backyard, where you saw Jiao wearing an unusually casual outfit of a purple shirt and long black pants, her long purple hair tied into a ponytail. She turned her head towards you and and wrinkled her nose for a moment. Kushina placed the tea and treats on a circular table with a patterned glass surface and noticed there was only two chairs, and Jiao was sitting in one of them.

    "Oops! Maya, you sit, I'll go get one from the dining room real quick!" Kushina said, walking back to the house. You took a seat, sitting across from Jiao. You stared at her for a moment, which obviously got Jiao's attention.

    "Stare any longer and I'll have to charge you." Jiao said, looking at her immaculate nails.

    "Just curious as to why you're not all dressed up like you usually are." you truthfully said.

    "Even someone as refined as I tires of the minutia of fashion from time to time. Besides, it is not as if I am in the presence of high class." Jiao stated.

    "I mean, Kushina is the wife of a Hokage, that's pretty much as close to royalty as we get here." you said.

    "If that's your example of royalty in this place, then I do not have high hopes for the others." Jiao snidely said. "Of course, perhaps I shouldn't speak so highly of the royalty I know of..."

    "Eh, I'm no fan of the Kage myself." you said with a shrug. Jiao didn't respond beyond a grunt. You reached over to the teapot and suddenly an invisible force stopped you.

    "Maya, what are you doing? You are not to pour tea for yourself, that is the host's job!" Jiao sneered, looking annoyed.

    "I think Kushina wouldn't care if-"

    "That's not the point! You lack etiquette! It goes against proper manners!" Jiao growled.

    "I'm back!" Kushina exclaimed, now coming out with a chair. Jiao freed you of her telekinetic grip as Kushina put down the chair and sat down. She looked at the teapot and the empty teacups. "Aw, why didn't you girls pour yourself some tea? I wouldn't mind!"

    Jiao sighed, pinching the bridge of he nose as you playfully stuck your tongue out at her. Kushina looked confused, but clearly it didn't bother her much as she quickly poured the tea into the cups and handed them to you and Jiao before pouring one for herself.

    "So Maya! How has your training been going? Sorry I haven't been around much to help. You still doing those exercises?" Kushina asked before sipping the tea.

    "Yeah, it's going fine! I've been doing everything you said! Stopped a bit early today and walked around though." you answered, leaving out your encounter with Yukari. "Tried getting Jiao to join in, but she is resigned to her fate as a wimp."

    "How many times must I repeat that brute force doesn't work for someone of elegance and grace?" Jiao said, rolling her eyes.

    "So I'm not elegant and graceful then?" Kushina asked, crossing her arms.

    "Not in the slightest." Jiao bluntly replied.

    "Ouch." Kushina said, wincing. "Wasn't expecting the honesty there."

    "Eh, don't worry about Miss Prissypants there, she's just jealous of our muscles." you dismissively said. Jiao shook her head, but Kushina got a good laugh out of it. You finally had some tea and it was quite delicious! You grabbed one of the pastries and Kushina stretched her arms into the air, yawning.

    "It's so good to be outside. Being stuck in the conference rooms for hours on end was driving me stir crazy!" Kushina said.

    "Oh? What were the meetings about?" you asked.

    "Nothing too interesting really. Just stuff about traders and the routes they need." Kushina said, biting into pastry she had grabbed.

    "There's trading routes? I thought that would be difficult with the war going on." you replied, interested.

    "It is, that's why most traders have to hire shinobi from the empires to protect themselves. We were just dealing with an interesting one where- oops! That one is a bit secretive. Just forget I said it." Kushina said, now sipping her tea.

    "Aw c'mon, you can't just dangle that in the open and not expect me to be interested." you exclaimed.

    "Ehhh. I mean..." Kushina muttered. It didn't seem like she needed much pushing to talk, but at the same time, should you really dig for information like this?

    Well?

    [] Push Kushina to talk about trade routes. While you were curious, this could also be good information for later.

    [] Back off, it's clear it's a secret and you don't want to pry and make things awkward.

    [] Write in.
     
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    • [X] Push Kushina to talk about trade routes. While you were curious, this could also be good information for later.

    To infinity and beyond!
     
    [X] Push Kushina to talk about trade routes. While you were curious, this could also be good information for later.
     
    Arc 2: Chapter 33
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    • [] Push Kushina to talk about trade routes. While you were curious, this could also be good information for later.

    ---

    "C'mon, Kushina-sensei! This kinda stuff is super interesting to me!" you said, a pleading tone in your voice.

    "I mean..." Kushina muttered, crossing her arms and closing her eyes, clearly thinking it over.

    "I must admit, I am also curious." Jiao surprisingly said, now casually sipping her tea. You didn't know if she was actually interested or if she was doing it for your sake, but you appreciated the back up.

    "...Fine. It really isn't that interesting though." Kushina sighed, giving up. "So we managed to make secret negotiations with a trading family within the Frost Empire. They wanted to move out of the Frost Empire and into the Leaf Empire for their own safety, and it's highly important we have them come over safely."

    "I would assume they have something very valuable then." Jiao offhandedly said. "I cannot imagine risking the lives of valuable soldiers just for mere cloth or jewelry."

    "You'd be right, Jiao. They have a fairly large supply of crops that were modified to grow in half the time and be extremely hardy. Not even the biting cold of the Frost Empire can make them wither!" Kushina answered.

    "Are the traders the one who modified these crops?" you asked, leaning forward in interest.

    "No, these crops were modified by the First Hikage of the Frost Empire, Shigetaka Otokorashii. I haven't heard much about the man other than he's a brilliant scientist who invented these crops as a way of surviving the harsh tundra the Frost Empire's capital." Kushina replied. "He seems to be a very private man."

    You remembered Byakuren mentioning Shigetaka's name while he was giving you a choice where to infiltrate, and Kushina just gave you a little more information. If he could modify crops to survive harsh winter, you could only wonder how he may be able to use his talents for peace! You discarded that thought process for now though, as Kushina wasn't finished.

    "Anyway, we want to make sure they come over to the Leaf Empire, times have been tough and having this miracle food help us not only feed our shinobi, but the civilians as well. The Akimichi Clan is very vested in this deal going through as well." Kushina said before munching on another pastry.

    "Who are the Akimichi Clan, and why would they care?" Jiao asked. You silently thanked Jiao, as you had no idea who they were either.

    "They're one of the major clans within the Leaf Empire, and they have a special jutsu which lets them change the sizes of their bodies using calories. As you might guess, they'd be interested in something that would allow them to operate at their best." Kushina answered.

    "They can...morph their bodies? The techniques of this land continue to confuse me..." Jiao grumbled.

    "I suppose it could be weird if you're not used to it!" Kushina chuckled. "So yeah, that's pretty much it. We're still deep in talks in how to get the merchants over to the Leaf."

    "Wow. Thanks Kushina, that was really interesting!" you gratefully said.

    "Well I'm glad someone thought so!" Kushina chuckled. The rest of the time was spent with small talk about various things until every topic had been exhausted. Kushina mentioned that she was going to stay at the Administration Building for the night to deal with a bunch of paperwork she had built up and left with a wave and a smile.

    It didn't take long for night to fall and after today's investigation and the harrowing story Rokugo told you, you felt more tired than usual. After writing everything down in a report you'd give Byakuren later, you flopped onto your bed and quickly went to sleep.

    ---

    Your eyes snapped open and you were in a familiar gold tinted void, the meeting place between the mortal and divine realms. As expected, you saw the towering being known as Raksha standing in front of you, waiting patiently. You jumped to your feet and looked at Raksha.

    "Hello Raksha. Are you here to remind me of the effigy near the Leaf Empire?" you asked, cutting straight to the point.

    "My, how bold. That is indeed the case. But I come bearing more than a gentle reminder." Raksha said, his booming voice echoing throughout the void. He chuckled, all three of his faces grinning. "With the time given to me, I managed to exactly pinpoint where the effigy is."

    "Oh? Where is it then? I can keep it in mind for later!" you cheerfully said.

    "I wish you would take this more seriously. These demonic energies are ruining your world and yet you push it back..." Raksha said, shaking his three heads and sounding like a disappointed parent.

    "I am taking this seriously, I told you before, I can't travel freely, you know." you sighed.

    "Hmph. If that is the case, then I feel like I should withhold my information until you are ready." Raksha said, his voice now a low growl. "Unless of course you change your mind?"

    You didn't like how impatient Raksha was being, he seriously expects you to run all over the continent for his own whims! It's an important mission sure, but he clearly doesn't understand the difficulty of doing so.

    What will you do?

    [] Fine, you'll focus on the effigy now. You did promise him after all, and unlocking more of your power is always good!

    [] Tell Raksha you'll focus on the effigy, but you'll take things at your own pace. Sure, it'll piss him off but he's being annoying so he deserves it.

    [] If Raksha is gonna be petulant about it, he can wait even longer for you to find the effigy then!

    [] Write In.
     
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    • [X] I know its hard to wait but if I screw things up at the human level below your comprehension and die you will never get what you want, I will get it done as soon as is expedient. So where do I need to infiltrate to get it?

    Playing up that he has us doing skilled labor he doesn't understand might maybe help. Or maybe it will piss him off for implying he doesn't understand something, who knows.
     
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    [X] Tell Raksha you'll focus on the effigy, but you'll take things at your own pace. Sure, it'll piss him off but he's being annoying so he deserves it.
     
    [X] Tell Raksha you'll focus on the effigy, but you'll take things at your own pace. Sure, it'll piss him off but he's being annoying so he deserves it.
     
    [X] Tell Raksha you'll focus on the effigy, but you'll take things at your own pace. Sure, it'll piss him off but he's being annoying so he deserves it.
     
    Arc 2: Chapter 34
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    • [] Tell Raksha you'll focus on the effigy, but you'll take things at your own pace. Sure, it'll piss him off but he's being annoying so he deserves it.

    ---

    "Fine, I'll focus on finding the effigy, but I'll do things at my own pace. It might be a bit before I can truly search, but I promise I'll find it." you said, fearlessly looking at the towering asura.

    "Not the answer I was looking for...but I suppose I have no choice. Very well." Raksha said, you could hear the annoyance in his voice but it's not like could do anything barring denying you information. "I found the effigy on the northeastern coast of the Leaf Empire, right on the border of the Frost Empire. Built into the cliff face is a small and well hidden cave. Within should be the effigy you're looking for."

    "Thanks for the information! I'll try to get at it first thing." you said, nodding. You were about to say something else, but then you heard a very faint and dull knocking sound. You looked around in confusion as the sound got louder and louder. Eventually one of the knocks was so loud that it tore through the void and sent you back to the waking realm!

    You eyes snapped open and you quickly heard that the knocking sound was at Kushina's front door! Wearing nothing but your pajamas, you moved out of your bed and downstairs. You were pretty groggy, but that tiredness instantly vanished as soon as you opened the door, revealing a muscular man with long red hair tied into a loose and sloppy ponytail, his narrow orange eyes drilling into you.

    "Hey there. I'm Kotei Uragiri, may I speak with you for a moment?" Kotei casually said, an arrogant smirk on his face.

    You could feel any warmth you had instantly leave your body and your mouth suddenly became very dry. It took you a moment to regain your composure and reply. "What are you doing here?"

    "I'm here as an official shinobi of the Whirlpool." Kotei smoothly answered. "A short time ago, I found your friend with the purple hair skulking around private property so I had to detain her."

    "What? That makes no sense!" you blurted out. You tried to sense Jiao's chakra, but she wasn't in her room! "Where is she?!"

    "As I said, I had to detain her for the safety of the Whirlpool. She's currently locked up in a cell but I don't think she was doing anything too bad, y'know? All I need for you to do is to follow me and give a statement. If everything goes alright, I'll release her and you two can go on your merry way." Kotei explained in a warm and understanding tone.

    "What do you mean?! Jiao wouldn't be wandering outside at night!" you exclaimed.

    "I know it's a tough situation Maya, but if you want to help your friend, you just need to cooperate." Kotei said, his warm tone slowly slipping towards annoyance.

    "I...never told you my name. How?" you shakily asked.

    "I have some very trusted sources." Kotei simply answered. "Now, I don't want to use force, but if you don't follow willingly, I must use my authority as a shinobi to bring you in."

    You didn't quite know what to do. Following Kotei is obviously a bad idea after everything you've heard about him, but if he has Jiao, do you really have a choice? What will you do?

    [] Follow Kotei. You don't want to do it, but if Jiao's in danger, you don't have much of a choice.

    [] Tell Kotei that you won't go with him unless he brings Jiao here. You just want to make sure she's safe.

    [] Hit Kotei with a surprise genjutsu and then run into town. You have to find Jiao!

    [] Write In.
     
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    • Honestly, this is super fishy and feels like a lose lose situation.
    Which is what a competent adversary like Kotei would do.
    And he is probably aware of his weakness to genjutsu and has some preparations or it's a trap to goad us into attacking him.
    Which would give him or the village leverage over us, with the add on that they may keep Jiao as a hostage.

    I also don't think we should just run out into town in our pajamas.

    [x]Covering our bases
    -[x]"Let me put on some clothes first" Close the door on him, put on your clothes and start up clarity while out of sight.
    --[x]"This is really fishy and I don't trust you. Would you mind if we swing by the administrative building and get Kushina?"
    ---[x]If he refuses or there's an ambush hit Kotei with a surprise genjutsu and then run into town.

    I'm split if we should try to inform Kushina of the situation or look directly for Jiao in the worst case.

    And I wonder if we shouldn't leave the village to look for the effigy for both the power boost and to let things cool down a bit once this new situation has been concluded.
    After that we can still return.
     
    [x]Covering our bases
    -[x]"Let me put on some clothes first" Close the door on him, put on your clothes and start up clarity while out of sight.
    --[x]"This is really fishy and I don't trust you. Would you mind if we swing by the administrative building and get Kushina?"
    ---[x]If he refuses or there's an ambush hit Kotei with a surprise genjutsu and then run into town
     
    I'm somewhat iffy on the part where we close the door on him, won't he assume we are trying to be sneaky and run away like a paranoid person whose job is being a sneaky ninja?
     
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    Yeah, that might bring some problems, but on the other hand, we also gave a very plausible excuse and no time to think about it.
    I don't have anything better
    We should have some leeway because he has a hostage and expects us not to run away.
     
    [x]Covering our bases
    -[x]"Let me put on some clothes first" Close the door on him, put on your clothes and start up clarity while out of sight.
    --[x]"This is really fishy and I don't trust you. Would you mind if we swing by the administrative building and get Kushina?"
    ---[x]If he refuses or there's an ambush hit Kotei with a surprise genjutsu and then run into town

    True, its not like we are actually going to be doing anything suspicious if he busts the door open.
     
    Arc 2: Chapter 35
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    • []Covering our bases
    -[]"Let me put on some clothes first" Close the door on him, put on your clothes and start up clarity while out of sight.
    --[]"This is really fishy and I don't trust you. Would you mind if we swing by the administrative building and get Kushina?"
    ---[]If he refuses or there's an ambush hit Kotei with a surprise genjutsu and then run into town

    ---

    "I'll need to put on some clothes first." you quickly said, looking down at yourself and your pajamas. Before Kotei could answer, you closed the door and quickly ran upstairs. You took a deep gulp of air as you made hand seals, applying your Clarity genjutsu on yourself. This dampened your your anxieties and kept your mind alert and clear, giving you a better idea of what to do now.

    You knew Kushina was at the Administration Building and she would be the one most willing to help you in this situation. All you had to do was convince (or trick) Kotei in a way which allowed you to get there. You got dressed and returned to the front door, opening it and seeing Kotei still standing there, his arms crossed.

    "How rude, you didn't give me a chance to respond and you slammed the door in my face. Then again, I always appreciate it when a girl dolls herself up for me." Kotei said with a chuckle, sending a shiver of disgust down your spine.

    "I didn't do it for you. In fact, I don't really trust you. If Jiao was rightfully detained, then I'd like to go see Kushina and the two of us will figure it out." you firmly said. You looked at Kotei directly in the eye, although you knew that it would be a different story if you didn't have Clarity activated.

    "Hm. That's a reasonable idea, but do we really have the time for that?" Kotei asked.

    "What do you mean?" you said, dread seeping into your body.

    "Well when I found...what's her name? Chow? Anyway, when I found her, she decided to get violent and I was well within my rights to defend myself. However, I didn't expect her to be as fragile as she was. She's pretty hurt, unsure how long she has to live. I have my precious Yukari tending to her, but time is of the essence, don't you think?" Kotei explained in a casual tone, as if he was making small talk.

    "You're lying!" you blurted out, your anxieties cutting through your genjutsu for a brief moment.

    Kotei leaned forward, his face only an inch away from yours. His eyes almost looked like the sun from how intense they were, which was contrasted by the soft, almost caring smile he wore. "I have no reason to lie, Maya."

    "Kotei! What the hell are you doing?!" a woman's rough voice suddenly said. You tilted your head slightly to see behind Kotei and saw a woman with similar red hair to Kotei, tied into a loose ponytail. She had a cigarette hanging out of her mouth an a studded metal club slung over her shoulders.

    "Makima?" you muttered. You remembered meeting her a bit ago, and she was the first one to tell you how screwed up Kotei and Yukari were.

    "Oh?" Kotei muttered, turning around. "Well! This is a surprise, what are you doing here, sis?"

    "Don't call me sis, you fucking monster!" Makima growled, slamming her club on the ground. "You know that you're not allowed to set foot in the Uzumaki and Uragiri Clan grounds."

    "I know, it utterly breaks my heart to go against the decree our father made, but I'm sure he'll forgive me just this once. I'm here on official business." Kotei explained, walking forward and seemingly ignoring you for now

    "Fuck off, you don't deserve any forgiveness! Leave that woman alone and stop any bullshit you're trying to pull!" Makima demanded.

    "Whatever happened between us, sis? You used to be so cute, always wanting to hang out with your big bro. If only we could return to those days..." Kotei whimsically said.

    "Don't play innocent with me you piece of shit! Go now, or I'll contact-"

    "Mommy and daddy, right? Tell them big bro Kotei is being a meanie? You smoke that cigarette, you put on all those scary looking clothes, you act all tough, but at the end of the day you're still just that scared little girl, aren't you?" Kotei said before going into a chilling laugh. "You're so pathetic, sis."

    "This is your last warning Kotei! Get the hell-"

    "How's Ume doing?" Kotei suddenly asked.

    "DON'T SPEAK HER NAME!" Makima roared, rushing forward and attempting to cave in Kotei's skull with a powerful swing of her club. Kotei simply flew into the air to dodge and looked down at both you and Makima, a cruel and malicious smile on his face.

    "Makima-" you began, but without ever taking her eyes of Kotei, she cut you off.

    "Get the fuck out of here. Find a safe spot and hide, I'm going to kill this bastard!"

    You only had a few precious seconds to make a choice. You did want to find Jiao as fast as possible, if she really was injured then she needs help! However, you still wanted to get Kushina, but could you really afford using that time to get her when you could be finding Jiao? There was also Makima. You didn't know her at all barring her name, but should you really leave her alone at the hands of a monster like Kotei?

    What will you do?

    [] You have to find Jiao. You can't waste any time on anything else!

    [] Go get Kushina. Having her help would make things a lot easier!

    [] Help Makima fight Kotei. You can't leave her to fight him alone!

    [] Write In.
     
  • Threadmarks
    • [x] Go get Kushina. Having her help would make things a lot easier!

    She can probably put a stop to everything at once.
     
    [X] Go get Kushina. Having her help would make things a lot easier!
    -[X} Raise a racket yelling about how kotei has started going on a rampage at Kushina's house and is trying to kill his sister as we go
     
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