A Traveler through the Mist

Walking out from the mist Felix smiled, so this is the Kirigakure, known the best for their legendary seven swordsmen. Standing under the gates a sudden feeling of remorse came over him. “So many gates I walk alone now, but my friends, my comrades will live on for as long as they are not forgotten.”

Following the path Felix kept his head down as he looked for somewhere he wouldn’t draw much attention and if he could find a bite to eat well that would be a plus. Seeing an old man walking ahead of him Felix matched his pace, “Excuse me sir, would you be able to recommend a place where a humble traveler could get a hot meal on a cold night?” Instantly the old man’s eyes drifted to the hilt that hung on his right hip. After assuring the man that he was nothing more than a traveler he got directions to the local tea house.

Sitting in the tea house Felix still kept his head down low as he was now in the presence of Kirigakure ninja, every now and then someone’s eyes would gaze over at him. Still Felix tried to draw as little attention as possible.

The Mizukage was informed of an outsider entering Kirigakure. It was perhaps the safest of all Ninja Villages since it wasn't even a part of the Mainland, where all the conflicts often started. The Gates were almost always secure, Jonin always patrolled the Gates, on different shifts; however, they had ever right to patrol the Gates of Kirigakure. The Village itself was totally concealed, often by a thick mist, surrounded by tall canyons. It was impressive terrain. Though the Ninja Village was in construction there were often merchants sent by other Ninja Villages as a part of trading treaties, or by the Daimyo of Mizu no Kuni. However, this time, the guest of the Mist Village was a particularly strange, and powerful one.

After being informed of the stranger's presence, the Mizukage sent a single ANBU operative to escort him to the outskirts of their Ninja Village. It was suspicious enough, but, the strange was not a welcomed guest. No one in Kirigakure would believe him to be a simple traveler, for one, the Village wasn't 'Hidden in the Mist' for no reason, only a skilled Ninja would even be able to find its location. Also, the Village was under construction, weaker, and vulnerable. Finally, a tourist could go all over Mizu no Kuni, and could embrace its beautiful scenery without finding Kirigakure once.

The Mizukage waited for the uninvited guest in the outskirts of Kirigakure, he knew that his chakra presence was worthy of recognition. With him were four trained ANBU, all a part of a single Squad, and oriented in cooperative combat against opponents. They'd serve their Mizukage undoubtedly.

As the ANBU entered the teahouse fell silent, and all eyes fell on him as he made his way to the back where Felix sat seeming to ignore the strained silence all around him. Looking into the tea glass he studied the ANBU’s reflection, “Guess I wasn’t as successful in not drawing attention as I would have hoped. So what do I owe this honored visit from the Mizukage’s right hand?” Felix lifted the glass to his lips as he waited for the answer he already knew was coming.

“Come with me” The ANBU replied rather forcefully “I have orders to escort you to the outskirts of the village. Whether or not I use force is up to you, now come quietly.” The ANBU placed his hand firmly on Felix’s shoulder, trying to let him know that he couldn’t escape or win if he tried to fight.

Setting down the now empty teacup Felix stood and turned to face the masked ninja, “Very well, I shall go with you. Lead and I shall follow, oh captor my captor.” [OOC: Please I hope you get joke.] It was about 15 minutes later when Felix arrived to find himself in the company of the Mizukage himself. Kiri no Kami, legendary Mizukage and possessor of the Rinnengan.

Felix’s face went somber for the first time since he had entered the village “Well I feel I have you at a disadvantage Mizukage, I know of you and yet you know nothing of me other than what your ANBU have gathered.” In an instant his face brightened “So how may I be of service?”

The Mizukage turned around slowly when four ANBU appeared behind, and in front of him. The strange Shinobi stood still, a Shinobi not from Kirigakure, and a Shinobi unfamiliar with Mizu no Kuni in general. With his head turned in the direction of the Ninja, he spoke. "...Your chakra is unique - and unfamiliar to my own eyes." He paused. "Who are you?" The Mizukage spoke deeply, his voice was authoritative, as if he could call upon thunder on a mountain. "You disregard all hostility post-war... And enter Kirigakure uninvited. Explain yourself." The Mizukage demanded, now his whole body turned, he was directly across the Ninja, only separated by a few yards of soft ground. He glared at the Shinobi with his sharp, rippled, Rinnegan eyes.

Felix’s voice was serious as he studied the Mizukage for a moment, taking in to account that he was now surrounded by six very powerful ninja so he had to be cautious. Those eyes really are the Rinnengan, hmm I was expecting something more spectacular than a purple bull’s-eye. Though he doesn’t need it he still has an escort of four ANBU, most likely skilled in counter and defensive ninjutsu.

Felix’s voice never wavered “My Name is Felix Pyre it is a pleasure to meet you, I am merely a humble traveler seeking refuge in your village for the evening. I love to learn and when I come to a new place I make a point to learn the local culture and customs. You would be surprise what you can find out in a tea house simply by sitting still and listening to the conversations.”

The Mizukage wasn't amused. Did this Shinobi think him a fool? But... There was truth in the man's eyes. It was strange, but, he was worthy of trust. "I see you're armed, and your chakra levels are high - precisely who are you?" The Mizukage questioned the strange man with a stern look on his face, this was no casual conversation, thinking so further, would only disrespect a man in power. The Mizukage's arms were folded against his chest, as he stood tall looking at the man before him sharply. "Be honest with your reply." The Mizukage demanded softly. Mere lies could not fool the Samsara eye, an eye that witnessed and bent the cycle of life, and death to its will.

Felix smiled “I have been nothing, but honest so far Lord Mizukage, but the answer that you seek is one that is very personal. You wish to know what village I call home; I don’t call any village home anymore I haven’t for ten years. This is the first time I have stepped back into the ninja world in ten years.” Felix’s voice got stronger as he spoke.

Drawing the Dragon’s blade from its sheath he held it across his palms staring at his reflection in the blade. “I am Felix Pyre; I am a former ninja of the Kohona. According to their records I died ten years ago along with the rest of my team.” Felix stopped before he revealed his true nature it is dangerous to reveal all of one’s moves so early in the game.

The Mizukage wasn't pleased by the Shinobi's response. The Fifth Great Shinobi World War occured in the midst of this Ninja's absence, and he clearly wasn't involved in it. To neglect the quarrels of war was disgraceful, especially since other Ninjas' lives were at stake in the War, and thousands died - the Ninja World lost many fine Shinobi in the war. One being the Mizukage's younger brother - and prior to that, his mother and father. The Mizukage paused.

Slowly, the Mizukage looked back up at the Shinobi across from him. "...It would explain why you're not in Konohagakure's Bingo Book." The Mizukage remarked. "...You're a Missing-nin nonetheless. You are not welcome in Kirigakure." The Mizukage warned him. "...Unless there is more to your presence here." He continued staring at the Shinobi sharply, with his intense, rippled Rinnegan-eyes. If there was more to the conversation, then the Shinobi could speak, and earn his right to being in Kirigakure, if he was here for a useless purpose, totally disregarding the recent War, then the Mizukage didn't want an outsider who could only cause problems within his Ninja Village.

Felix’s eyes narrow check, it seems this game of verbal chess is at an end. “I often wonder if it wasn’t true myself, if I did die that night and was brought back from the other side of the veil as something more. You see when I awoke four days after my supposable death, I wasn’t entirely myself. In fact, I wasn’t myself at all; the dragon’s they took me in after I answered one question. What is my reason for being a ninja? Back then I didn’t think much of it, but now after you provided me with the last piece of the puzzle, I see why they took me in.”

Felix looked up facing the Mizukage a new determination burned in his eyes, “You want to know what I answered, well even if you don’t I am going to tell you. I became a ninja to protect my home; the dragons gave me the power to do so.” His eyes changed suddenly as the pupil started to change narrowing like a cat’s and the iris grew to cover the whites in an amber glow. “I am the Dragon Sage and my loyalties lie only with the dragons and my friends.”

The young Sage's speech was dramatic enough, a torrent of love for his comrades; it was surprising, that a man so dedicated to friends, lacked dedication to his own Village - or so it seemed. In truth however, he now had the skill to provide more protection for the Village he came from, yet, here, in another Village, his protection was also necessary. There was perhaps more use to his presence here. "...If you wish to stay in Kirigakure, you must do service for its reconstruction." The Mizukage spoke subtly, but with a deep tone of voice. Being a Sage required great skill, and unless he was here to aid in Kirigakure's reconstruction, he was merely a threat to the Village, and its people. Sure, he had dedication to his friends, but, to strangers? What would drive him? Sheer kindness? That is unlikely - especially in a time that resulted from destruction, and death.

Felix smile faded “Then I will take my leave from your village, but know this” Leaning forward so that only Mizukage could hear him Felix’s voice was no more than a whisper. “The Sage of this generation has been named and though you may possess the Rinnengan of legend, you are still suspicious of any who may pose a threat to your way of life. A stranger is not always an enemy, but he may also not be an ally; I will advise you to be careful and keep your friends close. The war may have ended to most everyone’s eyes but you need to see it for what it really is...merely a ceasefire as the warring parties refresh their battlements.”

Retreating backwards Felix smiled as he bit his thumb and weaved the hand signs; slamming his hand down he laughed for the next instant he was atop a white dragon that spread his wings preparing to take flight, “My ride is here I hope you don’t consider it rude to leave in a rush, but I believe it is time I announced my living state to another kage.”


[ooc: I hope you dont mind about my rant to you just thought I would throw some sagely vague self fulfilling words of advice to you. Just be glad it wasn't beware the yellow mist. you can either lock the thread or post a reply and lock I dont care either way.]

The Dragon Sage warned the Mizukage of future turmoil, turmoil that was already a possibility, and very present in the Ninja world. Just as other Kage are rebuilding their Ninja Villages, the Mizukage is no exception. All that the Mizukage seeks, is his Village's restoration - but, if war were to come once more, then so be it. The possibilities were endless, and the Mizukage kept that in mind as he sharply observed the Dragon Sage, and his own motives. "Mizukage-sama... He was most disr-" The ANBU operative bowed deeply, but was paused before finishing his statement by the Mizukage's hand. "...There is no need for respect, in a time of ruin. What is important... Is proving my reliability to Mizu no Kuni, and the Ninja World." The Mizukage then turned around, and walked away slowly, only to disappear with utmost mystery following his actions.