The Tsuchikage's Office

Nee-san sensei. He had never been called sensei before or at least when he was called that it never truly meant anything to him. He considered it a meaningless title until now. Nee-san was fairly good at teaching but he didn't really see himself as the sensei type. However, coming from Marx it had a nice ring to it. The boy mentioned that he could get the puppets ready but he needed a minimum of three weeks. The Tsuchikage frowned and decided that it wasn't sufficient. He needed his student to work under a greater amount of time pressure. He pretended to give the time frame consideration before ultimately rejecting it.

"Two weeks. I need you to have them complete in two weeks time not three"

He knew that this would really put Marx under a time crunch but he figured it would be good for him in the long run. Because he was a puppeteer, Nee-san would need to push him in different ways than another shinobi who relied on their body to fight. He expected Marx to learn how to innovate and make his processes much smoother and efficient in order to meet the deadline. The reduction was not arbitrary and Nee-san was certain that at his age he could have completed a project like this within a two week time frame. Nee-san of course could have been overrating his own skills at Marx's expense but even if he was he felt justified in doing so. Each generation had to be stronger than the last if  Iwagakure was to thrive militarily.

Nee-san leaned forward and interlocked his hands while he gazed at Marx through his sunglasses. He wanted to see the effect that the demand would have on his student.

"That won't be a problem will it?"

Marx knew better than to crack under pressure, he knew how to school his features so that his facial expressions were able to lie as well as he could, when the time called for it. Outwardly, he looked as though the demand didn't phase him, like he was thinking it over in order to determine how best to do it, but inwardly he was thinking about how delicate all the mechanisms would be and just how much could go wrong if he rushed through even one of them. He could donate less time to the overall look of the puppets in order to lessen the time-frame, shorten the amount of times he would leave his lab to eat and rest. He could cut down the time exponentially if he just set up that cot he had in his lab and took his meals there. His panicked thoughts calmed down once he realized he would be able to do it within the two weeks he was given. He would make sure of it. He needed to constantly impress his new teacher with what he could do, both with his puppets and with other skills of his. He gave a slight nod and a small smile "No problem at all, I can definitely have them finished within two weeks. And the costs for the puppets will be paid for by the generosity of Iwa, yes?"

If the boy was apprehensive about the new schedule he hid it well. Nee-san could tell that the time table intimidated him to some degree did not break under the added pressure. Marx gave no complaint, excuses, or room for negotiation. He agreed to have them completed in two weeks and asked for a confirmation on the funding. Nee-san nodded. "Yes. The village will take care of all expenses." With the matter of puppetry being settled, Nee-san would consider other ways to develop the grown of his new student. He could test his mettle in a fight later for now he was curious what leadership qualities Marx possessed. Marx was young and Nee-san guessed that he had not been given any authority of others. If there was one thing he had learned over the years it was of the importance of power and having command over others. The status of being someone with a title gave perks but it also gave responsibilities. If Marx was to learn from him then he would need to know how to manage and control other individuals.

"Have you ever taught anyone before? Do you have any experience leading a squad or directing other shinobi?"

The question was broad and meant to entice explanation. He did not necessarily peg Marx to be the type to go out looking for additional tasks but it was possible that the Chuunin could have at one time or another come into a leadership role. The First Tsuchikage was never much a sensei but more of a mentor and role model. He pushed Nee-san to explore his own strengths and capabilities but never really imputed on him any of his own skills or styles. The way he and the First Tsuchikage fought were radically different as were there leadership styles. Nee-san however considered Marx to be his student and if he was worthy enough perhaps his successor. He wished to impart more knowledge than the First did to him. He wanted to mold Marx in a far more direct fashion than the First did to him. Part of this was because he had a higher opinion of himself and his methods than the First Tsuchikage. The other part of it was that he longed to make Marx dependent on him for guidance. If the only way he knew to work was Nee-san's way who else could he turn to for assistance? The thought caused a stirring in Nee-san's loins that was not easily ignored. He adjusted his sunglasses but said nothing as he listened to Marx's response.

Marx nodded and knew that he would be able to do more expensive and complex mechanisms with the village's coffers paying for everything instead of his own. He was truly excited to make them, he could already envision the tools within his hands, working furiously to finish them before his dead line. The older male's question brought his thoughts to a halt, requiring him to recollect himself, causing a short pause "I've never much cared for leading people. Either I lose interest and leave them to their own devices or I treat them like puppets to be manipulated or chess pieces to move across a board." He was quite puzzled by the question. There were a few reasons he could think of that would explain why Nee-san had asked it. He was a Chunin, and he could very well be put in charge of others during a mission or, Kami forbid, an actual Genin team until they ranked up themselves. The chances of each only increased as he went up in rank, but that also brought him to his next conclusion: Nee-san may be grooming him as a successor. He didn't have eyes on the spot, if he was being honest. But if something were to happen to his ever generous sponsor, another person could rise into his space that wasn't so generous, and then his funding would fly out of the window. Unless he became indispensable to the village. So he could hope Nee-san lived a very, very long life, he could make himself an integral cog in the machine that was Iwa, or he could become Tsuchikage. He thought the last would be the easiest route, but it still didn't appeal to him. He thought of ways he could take the title and yet have someone handle all of the affairs, but then again that was something far in the future if he was lucky. He needed to focus on the here and now, the most pressing being getting Nee-san interested enough to take him to bed...

But still that wasn't truly immediate. This meeting, here and now, was "I assume you plan to hone my leadership skills? I would need....guidance to learn how to lead people effectively, with some regard for their life."

It was as Nee-san had suspected. Marx had managed to avoid or shirk any genuine responsibility for leading other shinobi. This wasn't completely unexpected but a tad bit disappointing. Marx was similar to him in that he aimed to use people for his own ends. Puppeteers tended to think alike and Nee-san trended towards the same leadership style. But the first thing Marx would have to learn is that people unlike puppets were sapient. The more you exerted control over them, the more they resisted. The Kage's recent interaction with the Amandi Clan leader came to mind. It takes years of persistence to establish a network of control over institutions or individuals. Whether Marx wanted to or not, Nee-san would make sure he learned that lesson.

"Yes. If you are to be my student you will learn how manage and effectively govern a group of shinobi. If you possess the aptitude and willingness I may place you in a position of authority. But regardless, you will learn how to run a tight ship and you will learn how to lead." The emphasis was designed to make it abundantly clear to Marx that despite his loathing of leadership it would be seared into his mind during the course of their relationship. The Tsuchikage's pupil ought to be someone that could get things done when the situation called for it. Nee-san lamented that he had little time for the lab since becoming Tsuchikage but if Marx was capable of running his experiments for him, then that would be one service of many that he'd expect the Chuunin to perform.

At this juncture, Menza would knock on the door thrice indicating to Nee-san that his council meeting was to commence soon. The aide had wisely decided not to physically intrude when he was alone with his new student. The Tsuchikage would have liked to use this as an opportunity to give Marx his first lesson in statecraft but its sensitive nature precluded even his new student from hearing about it. He would give Marx the chance to lead fairly soon but for now he was content to allow the boy to progress in his engineering. Nee-san stood and gestured for Marx to rise as well.

"I have a meeting to attend." he said coolly. "Come see me when you are finished with your puppets and I'll inspect them personally". Nee-san would retrieve his Kage hat and place it squarely on his head in preparation for his meeting. He would then walk from behind his desk and place a hand on Marx's shoulder. The Kage's hands were surprisingly soft and gentle for someone who had been a ninja for so long. He was meticulous about protecting his hands. They were critical to so many of the finer shinobi arts and so he ensured that they were always in immaculate condition.

"Don't disappoint me Marx-kun"

The Tsuchikage's hand would rise slowly. His fingers traced a line from his shoulder to his neck until it found its way to his cheek. Nee-san gazed at him longingly as he stroked the younger man's cheek gently. Business before pleasure he reminded himself before withdrawing his touch and walking to the door. He opened it and showed Marx out. As the Chuunin left the office Nee-san would make a final remark:

"My aide will send you the appropriate paperwork for the village to cover all your expenses"

Once Marx was shown out, the Tsuchikage would close his office and alert his secretary he would be out for the day. Nee-san would then head to his meeting.

(Exit)

Upon hearing the words from the older male, Marx would give a small, almost unnoticeable pout. He didn't truly want to learn to lead, nor business of state, but he needed the Tsuchikage's backing for his future endeavors, so he had no choice. He also felt a pulling attraction to the man that just wouldn't go away. There was only one course of action from here on out: he needed to continually impress Nee-san in order to work his way from his side into his bed. He didn't know how well that was working at the moment, but he assumed since he was being given a chance it was working somewhat well. He rose when he was prompted, and was slightly shocked when the other's hand found its way to his cheek. He was making more progress with seduction than he had originally thought, which excited him. Especially given the age gap and the forbidden nature of the relations. It was something that would definitely cause outrage and that just made Marx want to do it more. He was a rebel after all. He placed a small kiss on the heel of the Tsuchikage's palm and gently whispered "I won't disappoint you in anything I do." The emphasis on "anything" implied something that Marx hoped would be enticing to the other. He didn't want to be the only one depending on the other for satisfaction, he wanted to be the one and only thing that Nee-san focused on outside of his official duties. He wanted to be an obsession for the bald man. He sauntered out of the office, giving a small sway of his hips in case the other was watching. He was going to start on his puppets immediately, if only to beat the deadline far earlier than either of them estimated.

[Exit]

Nee-san had returned to his office after being in and out of meetings with his Jounin Commander, Daimyou, liason, and various other important people. He had communicated to them the severity of the threat posed by the malevolent entity skulking across international border. He had successfully persuaded the Daimyo that a joint international task force was not only in Iwa's best interest but that a permanent military alliance with Suna would act as a buffer towards future threats. He had largely kept everyone in the dark about his plans with respect to Sunagakure. Shin Kazehana was not at the meeting and their timetable to execute their plan of action was running out. He had to meet with Shin to help develop a joint contribution to the effort against the enemy and solidify their political, military, and economic alliance. Nee-san was so busy preparing for his trip that he had completely forgotten Marx until someone mentioned that the Chuunin had passed away. Nee-san guessed that it must have been the same perplexing illness that had snatched the Raikage's life before his very eyes. The disease was troubling and hastened his urgency in developing a solution to such maladies for all of mankind. Losing Marx did not bother him on a personal level though, he had not known the boy long enough to care for him if such a thing was even possible for the steel hearted Lizard. He had lusted after him but there was little time to act on it and with the issues presented before him he had even less time.

Nee-san had spoke to his brother Reisan about his plans with respect to the Wind Country and Suna. He was one of the few people he trusted with the secret. The Jounin Commander was understandably pissed but his brother acquiesced as he knew he would. As Tsuchikage the decision was his to make and his alone. Reisan did however make an unusually bold request. He wanted one of his sons to go with Nee-san when he visited the country. The Tetsudashi had a host of spawn that Nee-san had called niece and nephew although none of them meant more to him than the dirt under his shoe. However, if he was to take someone he figured it ought be a pupil from one of his most valuable Jounin. Despite his prejudices, Nee-san was pleased with the work that Masuyo had done. He was pleased when his aide reported that Rivu was arrested for derelict of duty. The rapid response on the part of the Head Instructor allowed his corpse to be salvaged before the illness rendered his body totally useless. Masuyo had also taken possession of the Amandi clan heir by becoming her sensei as he had requested. He would need to speak with Masuyo about the excellent work she had done in serving Iwagakure. But alas, he would not be able to do it as his next task was to deal with Sunagakure no Sato first. Nee-san went through the appropriate files and decided on who he would be taking. He had send for Jinn Tetsudashi and so waited in his office for the young man to arrive.

Jinn received a note that he had to come to the kage office. He took a deep sigh tough when he heard it before got into his standard black tank top with his black slim fit pants. He calmly made his ways towards the halls. He knew he meant nothing to the Kage just like everyone else and wasn't really looking forward to it. He was thinking he would get a scolding since he was the only survivor of his old team.

Jinn calmly opened the door of the Office and walked in. He looked towards Nee-San with a casual face that he mostly carried with him "So why am I here Nee-San?" Jinn asked calmly with his hands in his pockets. He still wondered why he was here though since he only had a idea but you never know. Jinn was just curious at the moment if that was true or not though.

Nee-san leaned back in his chair as his nephew walked in. He was a strapping young lad, lean but tough like his father at that age. Nee-san had read his file. He was the sole survivor of a mission gone wrong. Call it luck or a Tetsudashi's blessing, Jinn had managed to live while his comrades died. He was curious about what made him so special. Nee-san didn't believe that blood or your last name made any person more fit for survival. It was ingenuity and a capacity for strategy that always won out in the end. Unfortunately, even the grandest of strategy could not beat death. It was inevitable. Or at least it was for the time being. Nee-san's life work was to bring humanity eternal life. He fancied himself a shinobi Prometheus. An divine angel bringing tangible immortality whereas the Sage and his disciples were mere fairy tales chasing the shadows of ages past. Nee-san's work was very real and was grounded in science and research. Now that Sunagakure was within his grasp, he had a very real and close opportunity to complete his Work. He knew that the village housed ancient secrets regarding Puppetry and what lay within those scrolls would be immensely beneficial to his magnum opus.

The Tsuchikage didn't need an escort but he thought it fitting that his brother's progeny witness a historic moment. It was a mild and pitiful gift considering all Reisan had done for him but it was a gift nonetheless. Jinn was a good choice although the genin seemed to be quite presumptuous as he referred to his uncle and Lord Kage by his first name. Nee-san examined Jinn for a moment before speaking.

"If your father was here he'd box your ears bloody for referring to your Kage by his first name. And if by some cruel joke you were my own issue, I'd do much worse. Fortunately for you, he is not here, I am only your uncle, and I happen to be in a good mood"

Nee-san pulled his vaporizer pen from an inner pocket of his robe and took a deep drag. He released a stream of smoke into the air and told Jinn why he had been summoned.

"I am going to Sunagakure no Sato to finalize an alliance between our villages. The event will be historic and far more impactful than many people realize" Nee-san hinted that what he planned on doing was far more serious than a mere alliance. The framework had already been agreed upon by Shin and himself but since the Kazekage's absence from the Summit, he figured that it was time to meet him face to face to finish what they had started. The illness that had killed the Raikage was a curious thing and if had put Shin out of commission then perhaps it would serve as a perfect opportunity to extract far more concessions from Suna than originally possible. Shin was a fearsome barrier to direct action on the part of the Tsuchikage but if he was not well then he'd simply pull the alliance closer towards his favor. By the time Shin was in a position to do anything about it Nee-san would have what he needed from the Sand Village.

"You are coming with me to Sunagakure. It will be of benefit to your instruction as a Iwa shinobi and as a Tetsudashi. Gather your equipment and meet me at the villages gates, we are leaving immediately"

Nee-san would get up unceremoniously, usher Jinn from his office, and then leave.


Exit

Jinn shrugs mentally about the kage's replies about how he addressed him. The Village Jinn lived in was safe and his family was safe so far how knew though. Jinn was someone as long both of them were safe he had nothing to worry about since he lived for both. Big chance the kage didn't know about this though since he kept to himself allot. In his free time he was exploring caves or training hard. He was mostly training with or without sensei. Something he was training to perfect his skills although otherwise, he was training new ones. he wasn't going to a new skill until he knew the one he was training was perfect and efficient to his fighting style

When Nee-san said it would be more impactful then most people realize jinn simple shrugged physically. "We will see about that." He said after the kage waved him off and Jinn calmly made his way out to gather his stuff.

exit

Nee-san had come back to his office and was standing outside the terrace when he was joined by his older brother. He had received a report from his guards that the genin he had arrived with had doubled back in the general direction of Sunagakure. It appeared Jinn had disobeyed a direct order not one but twice. The first time was a forgivable instance of adolescent stupidity, this one however was far more insidious. It could be considered a form of treason to leave one's village without permission. The Kage had mulled it over on how he would handle the situation. He had made an inaccurate conjecture on being able to find Sunagakure within a small period of time and he did not plan on making a similar mistake in the near future. Whatever he decided to do, he felt that it was only fair that he ask the young man's father on what to do. Reisan had so many children Nee-san thought it hardly likely he'd care if one of them ended up dead. But even if neither of them valued Jinn's life in of itself, executing a fellow Tetsudashi for treason would reflect badly on the clan as a whole. Jinn had put them in a precarious position. Worse yet, there was the issue of sending a joint team to combat the entity that posed a threat to them.

"That fucking boy was never the same since what happened to his team" said a voice from behind the Tsuchikage.

"Trauma does have a way of damaging one's executive functions particularly the ability to ascertain the consequences of one's actions"

" What are you going to do?"

"What would you like for me to do?"

Nee-san would look at his brother from behind his shades and analyze his reaction. The Tetsudashi clan leader scowled and said nothing. He didn't have to. Nee-san already knew his thoughts on the subject. He'd never assent to the murder of his own kin but he would not admonish his Kage for issuing judgment on objectively treasonous actions.

"He committed treason....."

"A harsh word, he's just a genin filled with delusions of grandeur"

"All the same...he committed treason and if you will it he will die for it."

Nee-san blinked and was somewhat surprised at how blunt his brother was. He guessed this was some attempt to demonstrate that his loyalty to the village superseded that of the bonds between him and his family. Then again, Reisan could be testing him to see how Nee-san viewed family in relation to his obligations to the village. The boy's life was inconsequential to Nee-san, surely his brother was aware of this. Yet tarnishing the clan's name would be detrimental to his own selfish interests and Reisan might believe he could leverage that to save his son's life.

"The Kotoushura and the Muramatsu are itching for an excuse to position themselves for leadership especially given how volatile the situation with the Amandi Clan has become" Reisan was not so subtly reminding Nee-san that his primary allies would always be the Tetsudashi whether he cared for them or not. The warhammer wielding Jounin Commander was not known to sugarcoat things but he was not so insolent as to insinuate that he would betray his Kage should his son be sentenced to death. Nee-san had considered this line of argumentation and had adequately prepared for it. He proposed a compromise solution.

"Jinn has placed us in a bad position but there are ways he could rectify it without paying for it with his life. He will be part of Iwa-Suna's joint contribution to fight our collective problem in Kumogakure. I will notify the Kazekage to expect him and receive him, hopefully the Kazekage will send out scouts so he doesn't die in the desert. If Jinn dies in the fighting then our problem will be solved if he manages to survive and make a meaningful contribution then perhaps a pardon is in order"

"And you're okay with putting one of our own in the hands of a foreign Kage? Do we even know if Shin is still in charge of Suna. You told me he wasn't even at the Summit"

"He wasn't. He could be in a coma, dead, or merely posturing for all we know. What happens to Jinn will be a decent indication of where we stand with respect to the understanding I had reached with Shin. If all goes smoothly, our destinies will be intertwined. Send a letter to the Kazekage explaining what we discussed, tell him that I wish to meet him"

Reisan bowed and answered "Yes Lord Tsuchikage" . The older man walked away to pen the letter and send it to the Sand Village.

The following letter was then sent out from the Tsuchikage's Office to the Kazekage's Office:

Spoiler:

Nee-san still hadn't heard from the Kazekage and he was growing worried about the deal he had struck with Shin. The Kage decided that more than enough time had passed before he was ready to take things into his own hands.

Exit.

Satomi kicked opened the door of the Tsuchikage's office. The battle for Iwagakure was over. They had taken many losses throughout the night and Satomi was not in the best mood. Losing most of his Shinobi in this attack was already weighing heavily on his mind. There was shuffling behind him, the Tsuchikage had been captured after his force were defeated. He wasn't saying a word and he didn't want to get the rest of his people killed so he surrendered. But refused to tell the ANBU anything of worth.

The Uchiha marveled at the luxurious building, the office was massive. Possibly for more reasons than just presentation alone. There was two ANBU members left and they pushed the Kage inside the office and he stumbled till he was standing behind Satomi. "Now, you have one chance. And exactly one chance to tell me where you keep the village scrolls, and the artifacts. I'm sure you keep close tabs on them."

The Tsuchikage said nothing. Satomi was sure even torture would not get him to say anything. But...there was another way.
Satomi walked up to him till they were standing only a few feet apart. Activating his Sharingan he looked him directly in his eyes. Instantly his strong demeanor changed. Caught in the Uchiha's Genjutsu: Sharingan. Satomi looked through his mind, conjuring the Kages memories so that they appeared in the Uchiha's mind. Then he asked, "Where are they?" Satomi asked again.

Then the Tsuchikage began to spill the beans. He told him where they kept the village scrolls hidden and the artifacts. All kept within a vault in the building. Satomi now with the information, ordered the guards to take him away. He would have to jail them later. Satomi left the office and went one floor down. There were bodies of both Leaf and Stone ninjas littered around the complex. Staining the original look of the place.

But that mattered not to Satomi. He was only there for one reason alone. There was a large room where the majority of guards were centered around. They were dead already. Stepping over the bodies, Satomi walked into the room where a large vault could be seen in the back. The area was indeed trashed and destroyed slightly from the fighting around it, but the vault remained untouched. Walking over to it, there was code to get in. Having read the Tsuchikage's own memories and hearing it from him, he was able to figure out how to open it.

Inside he was treated with new treasures. There on a pedestal in the middle of the vault were three items. The Treasured Tools of the Sage of the Six Paths. There was golden rope, a large flat blade and a gourd. He knew their names and their worth now and went to pick them up. He tied the golden rope around his arm, and took the gourd and attached it to his back. He picked up the sword as well and kept that on his sash.

These tools would be very useful for Konoha. Though he was liking the Golden Rope, he would rather fancy the weapon and the sword as well. But that was for another time. On the walls were a number of scrolls. Iwagakure's Kinjutsu scrolls. Their most powerful techniques were now going to be property of Konoha. Interesting to study what they knew and how their history was instilled in throughout the decades. Collecting the scrolls as well, he had found what he needed.

The Tsuchikage was useful, Satomi would have to kill him. Him being left alive could be room for rebellion. Though execution had already been served through the village. The need for more death was unnecessary. There was much for the living to still do. Grabbing the treasures, Satomi left. To return to the office.

Satomi decided to leave the treasures in the vault. However he would take the scrolls, these needed to be under supervision. Now it was time to deal with Nee-san Tetsudashi. Satomi had learned a great deal from the Tsuchikage using his Sharingan powers. There was serene silence as he made his way back upstairs, there was a hardly lit room next to the office used for storage purposes. But now it was being used to hold none other than Nee. The Tsuchikage had grown weak and incompetent as a leading power in the world.

They could do nothing to stop the resurgence of power in Konoha. And now his village would propel them to the new world. Nee was sitting in a chair bound with seals. The two ANBU guards on either side of the room watching him. Satomi walked in and looked at Nee. "I found what I was looking for. There is no need to keep you alive any longer."

"Do your worst." Nee said through gritted teeth. Satomi leaned forward and drew his white chakra sabre from his back. He dashed while point the tip of the blade towards Nee's heart. The blade went through his heart, and a subtle grunt was ejaculated. The light disappeared from his eyes as he died. Sato flicked the blood off his blade and sheathed his tanto.

"Keep the body, I may have need of it." Satomi said leaving. Returning to the office as he prepared to subdue the rest of the land of Earth.

[Exit]

Satomi wrote:Satomi decided to leave the treasures in the vault. However he would take the scrolls, these needed to be under supervision. Now it was time to deal with Nee-san Tetsudashi. Satomi had learned a great deal from the Tsuchikage using his Sharingan powers. There was serene silence as he made his way back upstairs, there was a hardly lit room next to the office used for storage purposes. But now it was being used to hold none other than Nee. The Tsuchikage had grown weak and incompetent as a leading power in the world.

They could do nothing to stop the resurgence of power in Konoha. And now his village would propel them to the new world. Nee was sitting in a chair bound with seals. The two ANBU guards on either side of the room watching him. Satomi walked in and looked at Nee. "I found what I was looking for. There is no need to keep you alive any longer."

"Do your worst." Nee said through gritted teeth. Satomi leaned forward and drew his white chakra sabre from his back. He dashed while point the tip of the blade towards Nee's heart. The blade went through his heart, and a subtle grunt was ejaculated. The light disappeared from his eyes as he died. Sato flicked the blood off his blade and sheathed his tanto.

"Keep the body, I may have need of it." Satomi said leaving. Returning to the office as he prepared to subdue the rest of the land of Earth.

[Exit]

Voided. Nee-san's been dead for years buddy.