privacy and masked scientists

Tadara had essentially found himself contracted to a man whom he found to be dangerous. So it stood to reasons that soon he would be expected to complete dangerous tasks. He had a great deal of capability but his signature was too obvious. Without many people sharing his capabilities anything associated with stings, honey or wax would lead an investigation too close to him for anyone to remain comfortable. If he were caught he already expected utter betrayal from Chen. Such a man held no loyalty and nor did Tadara. He only saw useful gains for his own worth within it. Including trades for the village exclusives. So if his own capabilities had too much of a signature how was he to branch out? He had spent time studying different methods and considering his options. Outside of his bees his abilities were in fact limited. At least combat wise. He had been too focused for some time on one aspect but now that he had mastered it...his attention had been drawn elsewhere. There was one clan he had witnessed the power of firsthand. The way that woman had destroyed a portion of the hospital...how she had wiped it out with ease.

Of course with just a little bit of research he had discovered it was called blast release. And while rare it wasn't uncommon. There was a more prominent clan than his own that dealt with it. One with more active shinobi members. While not on the same level as the patient they were common enough. And effective enough. The ability to send in an explosive with a pinpoint charge to the brainstem would be highly effective. However his research on her blood samples wasn't enough to replicate the ability. It wasn't for lack of the ability to do so. It happened due to lack of dna available. There simply wasn't enough of a fresh enough sample. His experiments told him it was possible to bond the release with his own cells but he would need something to fully integrate with him to hold it for any length of time. A functioning organ or limb perhaps. There just needed to be a reason to obtain one. A reason to claim one. He had Yui as a patient and had seen the surgical modifications to her body. He summarized that someone would need such a surgery at some point. So he had set about researching possible individuals.

Through a great deal of research on his own he had located one such individual. A crafter famous from their village. While she was away now and vulnerable...he had no interest in attempting anything against her. She had more value than most as a crafter. Value was not to be wasted when possible. Nor did he wish to see if his own capabilities would even measure up. So instead he would make himself available. He was considered the head surgeon at the hospital in Iwa so likely she would know him at a glance as he would her. So he had come the festival in hopes of seeing her arrive. A coin here and another there and soon he would narrow down rumors of where she was likely to frequent. One such place was a tavern between stores in the market. If she were to shop for materials at the heavenly emporium she was most likely to stop here for a meal if at all. He was prepared to wait though. Patient for however many days this festival went on. He didn't care to participate and could afford a room at this tavern. It was the morning of the second day when he emerged for breakfast in the tavern. A fresh boiled egg and toast for him. Along with a coffee. He found it was the only beverage that helped keep his mind running strong. Tadara was seated at the back of the tavern in a corner. Nothing but wall to his back and all entrances to his front. He was wearing dress shoes and slacks with a white button up. Buttoned all the way to the second from the top. A black vest fitting his form even though his shirt was untucked. White hair hung messily about his face as black eyes stared almost blankly at the room. Ignoring his breakfast for now as he sipped his coffee and simply watched in silence.

Diana Elena Moneta, semi-famous head of Iwatomics Incorporated and now head of two clans was emotionally tired. Ever since becoming the head of the Kotōshura clan instead of the acting financial manager the workflow had not stopped. The meeting she had with Chen was still stirring in the back of her mind, but with her having to keep two clans stable while also attending both her managerial duties for Iwatomics and her own free hours for her next plans, Diana felt zonked; zooted; and absolutely torqued despite not having drunk a single drop of liquor the past week.

And yet she could not abandon her work. Sure she had been using clones to alleviate herself of many problems, being able to create up to five other clones of yourself made for an easier time, but that did not alleviate the limitation of their range. So even though she was on an away-from-work 'vacation' to the Heavenly Emporium and it's festival, her bag was filled with sealed-away paperwork she would need to deal with in a quieter place for the day. To do that she'd go to a place she was not necessarily fond of in terms of their food, but of their ambiance; a small tavern she had come upon during one of her outings with Titania. Titania had told her that she stumbled across the place before when the forgemaster was looking for a rare wood that could be used for a table she was commissioned for, but it was likely she had found the place when out on a blind date. I was a good place though, secluded enough that most people didn't wander in and out (a godsend during the festival), but not out of the way that they didn't have customers she could people watch, a hobby she had unfortunately not had much time to participate in.

As she approached the tavern, she'd activate her sensory to get an idea as to the kind of environment she'd work in, and it was adequate enough, only a few patrons. Just enough to watch people for breaks, but not enough to distract her from her work. Some of the signatures were familiar enough, but none she had catalogued in depth. As she opened the door to the tavern she'd fail to recognize Tadara immediately in the corner, not out of ignorance but out of a lack of expecting to see anyone she knew for something more tantalizing: food.

Approaching the counter in a casual outfit of white and grey, she'd "Good morning, I will have a Sausage Sandwich and a red rooibos tea with orange honey, please and thank you." While the sandwich was not her primary choice of morning food, the tea was always a welcome taste to get the chaos of the morning mind in check. With the order complete she'd take her regular seat at one of the tables and pulled out a crossword, idling wondering what life had in store for today.

---

185/185 CP
Sensing Technique; -0.5 CP
184.5/185 CP

Tadara would find his efforts had suited him well. He didn't need much to get by and he had more than enough funds to remain here for a massive duration of time. However if he remained here with no results he wouldn't increase his value. Black eyes however would take in the face of one too famous for her crafts to not be known. At least not by anyone with a portion of a brain. Tadara only knew of three individuals in the world who had been master of two clans. Such an achievement was to be monitored. Of course one of them was a patient of his. Having fallen to the plague that kept so many unable to awaken. Of course he was tasked with finding a remedy but he was also interested in replicating it. If he could than even the mighty could be targeted if needed. However his goals for the time being were more short term. He had a name and a face but not a personality. One may say he lacked information. He could spy on her of course for a time but if she caught him....he would face far more consequences than if she had not.

Black eyes watched her enter as he studied her. No emotion playing across his features as he appeared to mind his own business. However he was hyper aware of everything happening in the room. The man with the bum knee had rubbed it three times and commented about the weather twice regarding it. Likely an old injury that healed wrong. Two men were discussing losing some item lottery and how maybe it was just better to rob one of the winners. Their posture and tone however lacked experience. Likely they were just going to end up becoming tests for the weapons themselves. This Tadara did not mind. They nor the winners were his concern. Nor the competition or their lives. He had come here to meet with someone in particular and that took precedence. He was Twenty meters from the exit to the front and fifteen to the back. Though that would be delayed by the kitchen if he went that way in the event of an emergency exit. Besides she was closer to the front door anyway. So if he joined her he would be closer to the front exit as well. No one else was paying attention to either of them however.

So the solution would be simply to introduce himself. Human interaction was a pain but she was rumored to be highly intelligent at least. So having made up his mind after running the numbers Tadara would put a cloak on and pull up his hood and place a mask over his face. It was a festival after all. His mask was lacking in any art. A simple white mask but with very defined facial features. Covering all but his eyes. A single ribbon strapping it back. His white hair hidden by the hood. Though those black eyes were still there. Empty of anything so much so that looking into the eyes was like looking into a void. Still he would rise. with his black cloak falling about himself and hiding most of his features. He looked a bit like a very plain cultist but the masks were common during the festival. He would collect his simple plate of food and drink. Walking over to Dianas table he would set them down and sit without an invite or a request. Simply settling in and using spoon to tap the hard boiled egg and crack it. Speaking in a dull voice as he did.

"Diana Elena Moneta. You have value considerably higher than most in Iwagakure. Yet the stress isn't healthy for you. Do you know the effects of long term stress? A taxed mind is a weary body."

'Three across: Senju Wolf'

Writing in her answer, Diana briefly wondered who made the crosswords she received every so often in the morning. Whoever had the job of 'daily crossword creator' must have been intelligent, but like many idle thoughts the curiosity of it's maker passed the baton to 'Four down: Wandering Sentinel.'

Mind drifting as it was, it hadn't yet turned off her sensory as she had yet to receive her morning boost of lifegiving plant water. Did she need the tea? Not necessarily given her life so far. Even if she was no longer wandering from place to place, she never truly had felt safe being one of the rare people with two natural bloodlines. She knew she was a prime target in her youth, and new that she took up both clan heads, she wouldn't be able to hide it much longer, if at all. So she had honed her innate awareness for danger through sensing. Was it always accurate? Not always, but it made her life easier, and it was this survival habit that informed her that someone was approaching her table, someone not from the kitchen area and prompting her to look up.

On one hand, the chakra of the person before her seemed familiar, which was not necessarily a bad thing...but she didn't recognize it either, so the fact they were wearing a mask and cloak put whoever this was into an unfavorable position that woke her from the natural groggyness of life, festival or not. They had no elemental natures, no outstanding chakra levels, and no-wait. Their eyes was something she could go off of. Her first thought was that they were unique, but as the yoctoseconds passed her unconscious mind said otherwise as the memory of Chen came forward. They were not the same eyes, no, but they held a similar emotion, or lack of it. But they were an indicator, giving her an inking of what this person could do.

If she hadn't brought her personal crossbows with her in her bag and wearing the contacts Cerise gave her, she likely would have just stood up as soon as the man had sat down and left, but she felt safe enough right now. That did not mean that whoever this person was would have it easy. She would keep eye contact with them as they spoke, taking in each word they said with care. Whoever this was knew her full name; knew something regarding her value, crafting or bloodlines she didn't know; and was...talking to her about stress? It took her a few seconds to process this line of thought. First from why it was brought up, to if she looked stressed right now, to if she didn't how did they know she was stressed, and then to lots and lots of unmentionables that could get the Sage of Six Paths to blush in case the person before her was a genjutsu user or mind reader to try and throw them off guard.

Nothing seemed to come from her train of thought, so she brought it to the station with a simple statement to the mystery man without breaking eye contact. "While I am grateful for your concern, I am not interested in whatever you are trying to offer me at this time, be it a good or a service. If you do have a reason to speak with me that warrants taking up my free time, you may bring it up after I receive my food and drink." And she'd go back to her crossword puzzle as she waited, breaking eye contact but not dropping her sensory. "And if you do not have a reason, then you can help me with my crossword." At least her order wasn't likely to take long to come out, so they wouldn't have to wait long for the potential reason this person may or may not have for invading her table.

---

184.5/185 CP
Sensing Technique; -0.5 CP
184/185 CP

Analyzing Tadara; 1/2

Tadara would listen and simply observe. They held a caution about themselves despite the minimalist threat level that someone like him put off. Masks were common out and about so no one else in the room was really giving him any of their time or attention over it. Though it was true no one else in the room was wearing one. Perhaps it was uncommon for the masses to behave this way. It could be they were already associated or did not mind their business being in the open. Irrelevant to his current situation. He adjusted his stance to about eighty percent of the room to be below average intelligence. General appearance, speech patterns, how they carried themselves. Even their posture were taken into account. However those eyes would shift back to the woman in front of him as she finished. Her patterns suggested she held a higher than average intelligence by far. Even if he wasn't familiar with her accomplishments. Still she would stand out to him. Details sank into those empty eyes and he almost seemed to stare through her. As if the idea of secrets was pointless with him. Time held all answers after all. Information simply was one resource within time.

Still he considered her words. Whatever he had to offer regardless of what it was...she was not interested. It was a bold claim. There were always pressure points....important things to those around him. Even he was driven by something. Those with more drive gave into greed which shifted to envy which usually caused depression or homicidal rage depending on the unique aspects of the patient in the study. All humans had to give into this greed eventually. A business owner and head of two clans had drive....Perhaps she was under the impression she had anything she may need? He had rarely seen pride over greed. This intrigued him. So between the option to either wait in silence or help with a puzzle he chose the latter. If it was some sort of test she wished to put forth for him...he did not fail tests. If allowed he would hold out is hand for the puzzle. If she handed the puzzle and pen to him he would glance down at the page. His eyes reading it for about ten seconds. Then he would look back to her. Those empty eyes staring at her as he scribbled. Never looking down.

"The crossword puzzle. An exercise for the mind. Triggering your memory capabilities. Working it out like a muscle. This is a basic level of practice for ones intelligence. But limited. The mind is more than a muscle and capable of far more than the average homo sapien. It is a series of electrical signals flying across your mind instantly. Our conscious mind observes about ten percent of this to avoid sensory overload. In reality our subconscious perceives thousands of things a second. It runs our bodies functions and catalogs it all away. Memories most can't access. However with practice memory becomes clear and precise."

With that Tadara would stop. Handing the crossword back over with the pen. Never having looked down after those ten seconds. The entire crossword was filled out correctly with the lettering in beautiful penmanship centered perfectly in their proper boxes. He had memorized the answers and the positions on the page. Coordinated his memory of the page with his hand from memory and did it correctly. Those black eyes would blink once slowly as he folded his hands on the table. All of his movements seemed slow and deliberate. As if he was forcing himself not to be so stiff.

"I think you will find I have value to offer Ms. Moneta."

Diana would continue to watch this masked person, taking more mental notes over their size and likely weight, the rhythm of their breath, the small things she could use to try and understand who this person was seeing as they were not leaving her personal space. At least they had agreed to join in on doing the crossword, when they held out their hand for the puzzle she would note the hand's coloration and minute calicles from work, something nearly everyone had but not something she was fully informed over. Handing the crossword over she would be surprised yet again as they both spoke about something other then the crossword puzzle, but also filled the rest of it in. She couldn't blame herself for the latter, she should have been more clear on what she meant by 'help, the the former was very much not asked for.

Taking the now-completed crossword she'd quickly scan the answers and, they were indeed correct. Even is he had technically done what she had asked, it was not improving her mood. "Limited or not, one must remind themselves the basics every so often lest they get caught in the complex." She was looking forward to figuring out 5 across, she was fairly sure she had it right and seeing she was, well she felt a little robbed despite her correct guess.

As she finished responding, a waiter would come by and put her food in front of her, the smell of her order like a second wind. "Ah, my breakfast. Thank you very much." She'd hand the waiter a small tip before picking up her tea, blowing on it, and then taking a small sip. The morning refreshment was bliss, even with the stranger before her the stress melted away for that brief moment of relaxation and a small smile escaped onto her face. She couldn't stay in it forever though, and the moment would pass right back to reality. Setting the tea back down she's look to the masked man as if the previous seconds hadn't happened.

"I do not doubt that you have value in some form to me, everyone has something they can offer, even if they should not. However, when one comes up to another hiding their face and addressing the other by their full name without even offering a pseudonym to call themselves by, it is often considered rude, festival or not. To many it would seem as if you are a merchant that is trying to sell a placebo of some kind. I do not doubt the integrity of the sellers within the Heavenly Emporium, but I do not enjoy those who ignore even casual courtesies."

Picking up her tea once more she would take another sip, the previous bliss lessened but not absent as she was more focused on who she was pretty sure was a he now given their hand structure. "Now, with my breakfast here, you may proceed with whatever you are attempting to offer me as I eat, as it is clear you still have one."

---

184/185 CP
Sensing Technique; -0.5 CP
183.5/185 CP

Analyzing Tadara; 2/2 - Ready

Tadara would listen a moment as she spoke of the basics and not getting caught up in the complex. His head tilted as in confusion at this statement. The complex was mostly combining different basics until it became so. So in practicing the complex all of its intricacies were practicing the basics. So if he practiced just the basics and not the complex would he just be repeating a step without the end result? Perhaps it was a riddle? But it didn't register as one he heard before. If she were testing him he would have failed this one. His mind simply disagreed with the statement. Moving parts in a clock after all. Still her food would arrive and he would glance blankly at it a moment and then to the waiter who looked to him as if he may want something. Tadara would simply stare at him silently as Diana tried her tea. The waiter thought better of even asking if Tadara wanted anything. Turning away with his eyebrows raised. This one seemed a little out of it somehow was the waiters thought. He prefered to avoid Tadara if possible. This Tadara did not mind as he would not be staying here later than tonight.

Still his black eyes stopped trailing the waiter as Diana continued. She was lecturing him on the intricacies of social interaction. Views that with this data revealed seemed to add up. Still he found her reasoning and approach to him frustrating. He didn't want too much of this meeting getting about. The fewer who knew what was up your sleeve the fewer who could prepare countermeasures against you. With the missions Chen was going to use him for....he expected secrecy to be a large part of it. Still it wasn't as if he was unaware of this character flaw. Others said he lacked a personality. That they saw no ambition in him. This simply wasn't true. They simply couldn't perceive the endless data around them. The craving for knowledge above all. Above the lives of others even. His black eyes blinked slowly as he glanced to her breakfast and then back to her. He glanced down at the table and contemplated her words. Casual courtesies. He saw other people interacting sometimes. What would they do with their hands in this situation? Deciding upon a specific hands folded on the table along with forearms. Fingers interlaced. She would tell him to make his pitch now and he would wait. Just about ten awkward seconds. She was studying him. He saw it in her eyes when they seemed to figure him out. Still he would speak.

"I am not selling wares. Nor do I have any association directly with the emporium as of yet. I am however here because you are here. You have value. Thus the travel I undertook from Iwagakure. I had a female patient there at one point named Yui. You're predecessor of your current position. As for an alias, doctor seems sufficient. As for my time there I studied my patient extensively. Including the strange surgery she had done on multiple points of her body. One I believe specific to your clan. You and most other members of your clan lack this alteration. I can recreate this for you."

Diana, despite her annoyance towards the boy, was someone who did what they could to keep their word, and quietly listened as the 'Doctor' spoke, being careful with how she ate as not to appear rude. New info arose from the boy. An Iwagakure resident. Someone who had spent many hours with Yui Kotōshura's body for medical reasons. The man having close-up knowledge of the Kinjutsu post-application. An offer to apply it to the clan.

Diana stayed quiet for several seconds after he had finished, having set down her tea as she deliberated over this new information. He was right, yes. There was value in having someone who could apply the kinjutsu, but if that were the case then why did they not have it on their person? When they had reached out to take the puzzle she would have seen the stitching one normally makes to keep it sealed, yet she hadn't seen it. Which meant that while they knew of it, they didn't know how to replicate it. And if he had come to her, then he wouldn't have known what she had learned while in stasis.

"I see, you seek a trade instead. Yet you go about it in the strangest way possible." She'd sigh, this was something she'd need to deal with as soon as she could. "I am not that surprised the news hasn't gotten out yet, but There is a reason the kinjutsu has not been applied. It is not due to a lack of people who can apply it, but it's limitation is due to my most recent decision as Clan Head. Several Shonobi already have their surgery dates lined up, and I myself do not have it only due to my own schedule. Now, with that in mind, why do you really want the Kinjutsu 'Doctor'? While I can think of a few reasons, I would like to hear it from you."

It wasn't a big leap in logic, but the possibility of a clan member trying to use a doctor to learn the kinjutsu so they could have it applied to them wasn't out of the question. The fact the man before her had no element ruled out the major chance they were a Kotōshura as many with sensory didn't expand what they could do with the sixth sense more then her, and since they wore a mask she wouldn't've been able to track them down if she had just given it away, so that would need to go. There was also that small chance they could be an enemy trying to get ahold of the technique, as anyone could claim Iwa-nin, but could they prove it? All and all it was just...strange.

---

183.5/185 CP
Sensing Technique; -0.5 CP
183/185 CP

Tadara Analysis Ready; on hold

She would remain quiet and calm as she politely went about her meal. He would tilt his head but pay it little mind. Instead those black eyes shifted to the door as a couple of people arrived. His eyes studying them a moment. They were armed Konoha shinobi but by the look of them they weren't paying anyone any mind. They went straight to the counter and ordered breakfast for themselves. Yet Tadara was wary now. His shoulders tensed a little at their arrival. Konoha had been known to interfere with Iwagakure matters and he held no trust for them. Well that was an inaccurate thought. He held no trust for anyone. But the data suggested they would interfere with him if they caught wind of his interest in making a deal. Oh how one might relish the idea of eliminating the issue but he did not move to do so. He simply observed them and then went back to simply keeping track of them.

Finally Diana would speak once more. She seemed to have already handled these surgeries and planned ahead. She was implying her clan had no need to make deals. Not for this after all. She claimed his version of seeking trade was the oddest way possible. This would have him frown as it was an incorrect statement. It was true that he lacked social skills in almost every situation. However he could think of a dozen more awkward ways to go about it. Flirtation or murder being two extremes. She was exaggerating than. People had a tendency to do so. However if she was willing to settle for mundane work he couldn't really argue against it. Perhaps she thought all surgeons were just equal at their art. He had no real way to show her that he was a superior breed. That when it came to the medical arts his mind was a treasure.

Still her question stood. Why did he want it? Well that was an assumption. Though not incorrect. He had approached her after all as a surgeon and made an offer. So likely she had come to the conclusion with relative ease. Black eyes slowly blinked before he would reply. Chen had inquired much the same. People in a position of power always seemed to want to know what others wanted. How to control others based on their greed. He supposed this was how they maintained said power after all.

"I do not really have plans for it. However I do believe one might call me a collector. I seek knowledge of all kinds. Economic based currency rises and falls in value. People live and die. Grow old and sick. Knowledge though in some cases can build nations. Break tyrants. Cure diseases and even aging. I merely seek to increase my own knowledge to increase my own value. By increasing my knowledge I better increase the value around me. From economics, to ecology. Agriculture to academic. In due time I will find new ways to combine this knowledge into something the world has not yet seen. Discover what can improve the world starting with my residential city. I offer a service in return for knowledge exclusively for myself."

As the Konoha shinobi entered Diana kept her calm(ish) demeanor about her. While she was not a fan of the nation's warmongering behavior, she found no reason to blame the individual shinobi for what had occurred. When one enlisted into a military, they swear their body over to its leader, and anyone who tried to take a moral choice instead of a military choice was shunned, punished, and likely killed. It was why she was glad Masaru let her stay as a guest instead of being forced to join the military, as it let her act like an 'outside' contractor who assisted the military, but did not have to face the moral choices one in the field would make.

She was well aware that she was in the minority with this viewpoint as she watched Doctor's muscles tense. The scars of the war were still fresh, and the clans she watched over had many who wanted the blood of the leaf to be spilled, even after the kage summit. That was the other reason she took up the clan head position for the Kotōshura, as they had the most anger given the history with Yui. So far the clans had listened to her, and she would not force them to like Konoha, but she had made it clear that she would personally step in if any guests of the Leaf were harmed by their hand without good reason.

As the Doctor replied to her question, Diana felt more unsure as to how she was going to handle this. He called himself a collector, which made sense at first, but his words were contradicting his previous offer. The few collectors she had met were more like hoarders, never letting people touch the collected, only looked at if even that. Yes, he had shown sufficient proof that he was likely from Iwa from his reaction (or that he had some sort of grudge with Konoha), but the reasons he spoke about why he was a collector...he spoke less like a person and more like a machine. Like her earlier years. No that wasn't correct, she spoke that way as a defense mechanism, he spoke in mono for another one she was yet unknowing of, though she had a clue.

Was she really considering giving him the technique she had waited years on obtaining?

Her morning meal finished, she'd slide it to the side and lean forward. "...If you truly wish to have the technique, then you will need to offer something of equal or greater value; Knowledge for Knowledge. You know my thoughts on your original offer, so what else do you have that could be traded?" Hopefully this would be enough to deter him. Most clans were either small enough they hadn't developed a unique technique or were limited by their bloodline, but there was a small chance that they were from that clan, and if they were and offered to teach her their techniques...well.

She'd need to think about that.

---

183/185 CP

Tadara Analysis Ready; on hold

She would push her remaining breakfast to the side and Tadara would remain still. She was observing him and he knew it. She wasn't some nobody she was a crafter. And crafters were often more intelligent than most. His reaction to the Konoha nin was greater than her own but she certainly took note of it. She was uneasy with him however and that was to be expected. Even added into his calculations. Still he would leave his hands on the table where she could see them. Seperated and laid down flat. There were specialties where this hand position could still benefit him but he didn't have them. Almost everything required hand seals and so his hands separated and laid flat was the most defenseless and vulnerable position he could think to take without making a scene. Black eyes observed her a moment as she observed him. Her visible body structure and position. Everything about her visibly ready adding into her profile in his head. She was wavering. He could see it in her calm demeanor. How it accepted the conversation with...less but not gone irritation. Progress was being made now. However she would speak of a trade and he would raise an eyebrow behind his mask. Remaining still as he replied.

"Your thoughts on my original offer are troubling. While this will give my identity to you at least for the rest of the establishment I am a mystery without them heading to Iwa. So I feel...reassured in keeping my identity between us. I am the lead surgeon at the iwagakure hospital. The one most capable in the surgery rooms. With me your percentage of success goes up significantly. However if that doesn't appeal than perhaps another category you are familiar with. "

His black eyes would shift back to the Konoha nin a moment. Were they listening? They liked to dig into others business a great deal. He held a sensation for them he wasn't familiar with...on most missions where he had to handle an enemy the sensation he felt for them was disdain. However Konoha had infiltrated their daily lives and abused authority for years. The very destruction of his clan could be contributed to them. So he felt something deeper. A hate that brought a scowl behind his mask. Still one of them would meet his eyes and Tadara would divert away from them. A confrontation would not be suitable.

"These clan techniques, I can not use them so their value drops for me significantly. However I do enjoy knowledge. However I, as yourself, am a chemist. If it is knowledge for knowledge of equal or greater value. Than A recipe for a technique. One not commonly known as it is my own creation. With your work, do you prefer poisons, provisions or drugs?"

The Konoha nin that had caught his eye had however not thought to let it go. He had turned in his barstool and was attempting to stare down Tadara. Even though he was being ignored a smug smile on his face was showing he intended to show Iwa their place even here. If Tadara looked back his way the man was ready to start a scene. Which Tadara was avoiding at the moment as his dealings with this person were more important than anyone's ego. However Tadara did not give off a sensation that the was afraid. If anything he had calculated for this already. If engaged he would escape to a less populated place. He wasn't fast so their confidence would have them keep up with him until they were alone. Likely their preference as well. And their mistake.

It was of some comfort to hear that the person before her would finally give her an inkling as to who she was talking to, and as she took in the information, she'd slowly nod. "I see." That explained his confidence at least, and technically it also answered her question as to who he was, but not in a way she liked. She had heard of the lead surgeon, sure, but outside of his skill and him being of the Kamizuru Clan, she knew next to nothing given his lack of time in the limelight. It was the sort of information that would bother her for weeks until she went to confirm it later when she got home, but that was for later. Night now she needed to finish this impromptu deal.

She'd watch his eyes flicker to those in the background, but didn't move to look at what he was gazing at, instead waiting for him to continue eye contact with her. The way he looked at them though, it made her curious once again as to what he was planning to use the kinjutsu for. Yes, he said he wanted it for knowledge's sake, but that hate...She needed to make sure that whatever this man did with the kinjutsu would not cause a political backlash. The Kotōshura were her to guide and the Kinjutsu hers to give out, but she was still not of Iwa. If the clan decided she wasn't worthy of being clan head, well she didn't want to use the traditional method of laying down the law because she gave it to someone not of the clan.

When the doctor's gaze decided to come back to the conversation, she waited again for him to finish before responding. "I prefer applying my knowledge to provisions, however I do not dabble in the chemical crafts to often for several reasons. For her, chemistry was less of a 'what can i physically make' and more 'how can I apply this to jutsu', seeing as she was saving her money for future pursuits. "As such, a recipe does not hold much value for me at this time. Clan techniques would be suitable, at least they should be if my information on your clan is correct."

---

183/185 CP

Tadara Analysis Ready; on hold

Tadara would pause. This woman was difficult for whatever reason. Perhaps she was concerned about her techniques being misused. Her clan had explosive potential but as of yet only one had truly used it. And she had used it abusively. Including destroying an entire section of his hospital rather than exiting via a door or a window. She had caused pain and turmoil just to be flashy and make a point of her destructive power as she left. Threatening Tadara who had attended to her in the process. Heads of this clan seemed to be crude and self centered. Perhaps he should have tried buttering her up a bit with flattery. He wasn't very good at that however. Still she would brush off his chemistry works and those dark eyes would watch her. He had developed cures for any poison and drugs to expand the mind. Methods of reducing side effects or nullifying them entirely and a poison that ended lives in a matter of second. Yet she dabbled she said and so she had no need for these recipes. Perhaps there was no way to make a deal with this woman. If she chose to be difficult and demand technique for technique.

"I am not the leader of any clan thus I can not trade its techniques without recourse as you could. What you are asking is bordering on illegal. If you can not be bartered with for my medical expertise or a recipe such as a cure for any and all poisons I have nothing left to offer. As such I assume this means negotiations have failed. Its always strange for me interacting with those who find themselves at a higher station. They don't seem to see the value of what is presented to them. Is there anything else you wished to discuss?"

He was blatant and a little insensitive but he never changed those dark empty eyes. They focused on her fully now as the konoha nin suddenly seemed forgotten. Simply waiting to see if she would brush him off. If she would make such a mistake as to ostracize him. If so he would consider her another obstacle for him and alter his plans as needed. He had hoped though that this would go more smoothly. In due time though he would find other opportunities. He was a patient man and would play the safe route as needed rather than openly bend or break a law.

Diana quietly listened to the boy's response, and wanted to sigh. He had been close to getting the technique from her, but he just didn't have what she wanted; what she expected of one asking for it. For as smart as he had claimed to be (and she had no reason to assume otherwise), he still had much to improve on. Maybe someday she would have to call upon him and he would gain access to the kinjutsu, but today was not that day. "If you truly wish to get your hands on the technique, you know what I wish to have in exchange. Either go get permission from them, or become clan head yourself."

Diana stood up, tired of this discussion. There was much to do, and she had been delayed long enough. "I do hope you understand why I was insistent on the technique. You came to me for a negotiation at breakfast; without notice, without warning. You hid your identity despite claiming to be an Iwa ninja, and then deflected several times about your identity till I had to pry it out. While you may have tools that would likely be useful for me, you have do nothing to endear me to you." She'd finish grabbing her belongings before looking at the boy again. "If you ever wish to request access for application of the technique, use the proper channels next time."

She'd pull out some ryo and gently hand it to the waiter for her meal, her belongings gathered. She was about to walk away without saying a goodbye to the boy, but she stopped. "...I do recognize the value of what you could offer me despite my station, I even acknowledged it earlier. But there is more to a transaction then just the value of the offer that I do not believe you understand yet, even if you know it. Perhaps when that happens I will be more open to giving it to you. Goodbye Doctor, and may the Sage guide you home safely."

With that she'd head back home, more work to be done then ever before.
{Exit}

Tadara had little interest in continuing an endeavor where he was at such a disadvantage. It was chaotic to think he could negotiate when conversation cues avoided him. She made it very clear what she was insisting on. He supposed he could become head of his clan but that meant more responsibility and no purpose to it. Aside from a means to an end. Even with that in mind he would leave shortly after she did. There was work to be done. Always work to be done.

Exit thread 8 posts = 80 exp