video | 003

[ura_no_ura]

[Video]

[ When the video first goes on, the screen is covered by a glove-covered hand, but after a slight shaky moment as it's set down on some sort of ledge, the hand retreats, revealing Kakashi standing outside. A few trees, still droopy with melting snow, can be seen in the background. Those familiar with the terrain might recognize it to be near Flame Building. ]

Hello, Luceti.

[ Kakashi dips his head in greeting, since he's addressing all of Luceti. ]

My name is Hatake Kakashi. Some of you may be familiar with me. For those of you who aren't, I'm a shinobi from a village called Konohagakure -- or Konoha for short -- in a country called "Fire Country." I am also the Commander of the Third Division, which is primarily a short-to-mid-range combat division, of the Allied Shinobi Forces. Many of you may be acquainted with or might recognize my comrades, amongst whom include Uzumaki Naruto, Nara Shikamaru, and Rock Lee. [ The names Kakashi lists aren't at random, but selected based on his observations of how recognizable those names would be. ]

The reason why I reach out to all of you today is simple. While things in Luceti currently are peaceful, and it appears we have nothing to worry about, the ever-present threat of the Malnosso and the Third Party remains. Kidnappings still occur, with seemingly no conceivable way to stop or fight them. Should there be an attack on the enclosure, at present, there is no organized force that can fight in concert to protect the enclosure and ensure the safety of civilians who might not be able to fight back. While some of us may be used to working together due to missions and drafts, as far as I am aware, no formal training or maneuvers are ever held to ensure all parties working together are using the best tactics and strategy. And from what I know, there are no formal safety measures in place to protect civilians or evacuate them to safer ground should a fight break out, as it did a few months ago.

On behalf of Konohagakure and Fire Country, by order of Namikaze Minato, the Yondaime Hokage-sama, I would like to formally extend an invitation to anyone who has military training, unique or magical powers, or immense skill in battle strategy, espionage and intelligence-gathering, field medicine, hacking, or other specialized skills to join us in forming an alliance. This alliance would not only give those of us from different worlds a chance to meet and discuss our shared interests in protecting Luceti's inhabitants, but would also give us the opportunity to learn and adapt how to fight with and against those with different training or powers. By conducting shared training sessions, maneuvers, disaster simulations, and taking missions together, we can share resources and power, as well as develop strategy.

As for who's in charge... seeing as we're all from different worlds, it would make much more sense for us to establish a council of leaders from different worlds. We invite leaders from other worlds who might have similar shared interests to contact us, and open a line of dialogue.

We look forward to hearing from you all.

[ Speech finished, Kakashi bows to the camera again, then reaches out and turns off the feed. ]


[Action | Flame Building | Afternoon ]

[ Yup, that sure is Kakashi walking vertically up the side of a wall. Just strolling along like it's no big deal. ]


[ Text | Filtered 100% to fellow ninja, written in extremely formal language ]

By order of Yondaime Hokage-sama, the Konohagakure Jounin Exams will soon be held for all qualified Chuunin. If you are interested in participating, a sign-up form has been placed on the door of Yondaime-sama's place of residence. Direct any questions you might have to Hatake Kakashi.

[ Text | Filtered 100% to Shikamaru ]

Shikamaru, I've nominated you for jounin promotion to Yondaime. Though we've decided to hold jounin exams, I've requested a special exception for you. However, if you would like to take the exams in the interest of fairness, you are still welcome to do so. - Kakashi

[ Text | Filtered 100% to Naruto ]

Naruto, I just wanted to let you know that I nominated you for jounin promotion. However, because you are still genin, it will be necessary for you to take the exam. - Kakashi

[ Text | Filtered 100% to Sakura ]

Sakura, I've nominated you for jounin promotion. Usually, this means immediate promotion, but because your peers don't have anyone to nominate them, we've decided to hold exams this year. Let me know if you would like to compete in them. - Kakashi

KONOHA JOUNIN EXAMS	LUCETI ALLIANCE DISCUSSION		ACTION
Kushina & Lee Kushina & Kakashi Kushina & Ino Kushina & Minato Temari Sakura Sasuke Lee Neji Naruto Ino Mikoto Shikamaru	Aang Adela Billy Bones Deadpool Eleytheria Elizabeth Gai Ginia Ikki Iroh Jean Johanna Karla Kirk	Law Loki Luke Masaomi Minato Peggy Riku Rogue Saleh Saori Steve Teddy Thor Vegeta Yuffie	Erwin Lea Sasame Trunks

((ooc: Since this is a call for discussion, feel free to thread-jack and hold your own conversations throughout the post. Kakashi will try his best to answer all comments. Also, feel free to comment on this post even it's super late. As long as we're within the 3 month bracket, we're cool!))

Comments

[windandrain]

[She just smiles, understanding the gesture, though confusion at why he'd need to feel relief about asking her anything is definitely on her mind.]

Training whom? Do you have something specific in mind? I already give swordplay lessons to Vegeta and Trunks.

And, I would possibly be open to missions. That would depend, of course.

[ura_no_ura]

[ Knowing that someone he can trust and count one, someone powerful like Saori will be on his side, willing to help out in this effort, makes things a little easier for Kakashi. Even though he has everyone from his village, he has few people outside of his own people whom he truly feels he can trust.

Saori just so happens to be one of those people. ]

You see, the idea is that should we gather enough combatants, we very well will be able to carry out large training operations, and perform maneuvers. However, without anything [ a beat, as he looks at her. ] or anyone to fight against, regardless of how much we train together, learn formations, and develop different battle strategies, we won't be able to test under duress.

I think you'd be able to provide that.

[windandrain]

[She eyes him somewhat cautiously, studiously looking him right in the eye.]

You want to have your people try and fight against me? In a group? I could do that, though, again it will depend on the situation. Against a group, a great many of my tactics are lethal.

[ura_no_ura]

Is there some way for them not to be?

[ Perhaps, not put so much power behind the attacks? Kakashi's not sure, as he's never seen Saori fight, though he certainly has heard of her accomplishments. ]

[windandrain]

That's...hard, but maybe we could do some of it in the battle dome? I know there are safety protocols there.

[Pulling the punch of a lightning bolt only goes so far.]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Luckily, Kakashi can cut through lightning with Raikiri, right? ]

Mm, I suppose we could...

[ Though, he's a little wary because the Battle Dome is under surveillance, and if they were to be practicing battle formations... He wouldn't want it recorded. ]

[windandrain]

[For punks with tricks like that she has more than a few surprises.]

I gather you have reservations, but I'll do my best not to seriously injure anyone, you know. And there are rules that could be put into place, like tag. If you're touched, you're dead, which means I don't have to use real force. But for one to one training, it's best to use the Battle Dome.

Would you want hand to hand work done as well?

[ura_no_ura]

Well, the thing is, we might be talking teams starting at four people, going up as large as a company of thirty or forty, depending on the situation...

[ Is it even possible to do hand-to-hand combat training with that many skilled combatants... ]

[windandrain]

I was taught to fight by the god of battle himself. [She smiles sharply, and he'll be greeted by a sudden flash of long canine teeth.] I've fought at least a dozen Third Party warriors alone here on two drafts, as well. Do not presume that I'm anything like a shinobi, my dear friend. If you wish to attempt it, I'll consider it.

[And the idea of that many players in one thread is stupid as hell]

Though, thirty or forty against one, or even a dozen against one, would be a waste of time. The likelihood of such an occurrence is astronomically low unless you're fighting the General himself. Though, with him you'd be better suited to fighting from a distance.

[ura_no_ura]

[ shhhh... Kakashi doesn't know he's in a roleplay game~ ]

The battlefield I was taken off of back home... Let's just say, it was hundreds of thousands against two or three people.

[ Of course, those two or three had the help of over a hundred thousand clones, but still. The "opposing" side was only comprised of a few individuals. ]

So you're saying that we'll never encounter a situation like that here.

[windandrain]

And those two or three people had powers you would consider godlike, or some means of confounding their opponents, did they not?

[She smiles even wider, her teeth showing all the more clearly. It's an amusing idea...really.]

And yes, I am. The Third Party has very few...skilled combatants, and many, many minor gnats or monsters that they'll throw at us. The Malnosso, if you were ever to manage to engage them in battle, would use Shifting magic and technology against you instead of single warriors. It's simply not how battle works in this world. If anything, you're more likely to encounter vast numbers instead.

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi nods. He's starting to understand more now, and is glad he had this conversation with her. ]

Then perhaps, a team of four to start with.

[ He pauses again, in consideration. ]

I think any combination of your techniques, in addition to hand-to-hand combat would be good training...

[ Kakashi trails off for a moment as he thinks of her earlier statement about godlike powers. ]

As for those opponents... They did seem to possess godlike powers for quite a number of reasons. But in the end, we knew they were only human. [ A beat. ] Well, mostly.

[ Madara, as far as he knows, is an Edo Tensei. ]

[windandrain]

Mostly?

[She pauses, suddenly curious.]

Forgive me for changing the subject a moment, but this sounds intriguing.

[And he should know by now how much she loves stories.]

[ura_no_ura]

Well, you see... when I said we were fighting against a couple people, really what I meant is that our opponents had unbelievable powers. We were not only up against a man-made created army of clones that were over a hundred thousand large, but also, they had resurrected some of the strongest shinobi of all time in an undead form using a technique called Edo Tensei...

The strongest of them all is Uchiha Madara, who was considered one of the strongest shinobi of all time, while he was alive...

[ It's actually far more complicated than that, but this is the jist of it. ]

[windandrain]

Oh, Neji mentioned that. Ninja...necromancy, yes?

[A ridiculous concept.]

And this Madara was an undead copy?

[ura_no_ura]

Yes. He apparently single-handedly not only wiped out five of the kages who went to battle him, as well as thousands of shinobi, but also rained two meteors down on them.

[ It sounds almost impossible saying it aloud, but he'd heard it from Naruto, who'd recounted what happened. ]

[windandrain]

That sounds like my uncle when he's in the mood for war. I can certainly see how you'd see that as godlike.

[Because seriously, it sounds so ridiculous.]

I...do not think you'll be fighting that sort of battle here, though. And if you do find that to be the case, Vegeta, Goku, Trunks, or I will handle that.

[ura_no_ura]

Hopefully, Madara never turns up here. If he does... the kind of devastation he can cause will be on an unimaginable scale.

[windandrain]

He will be dealt with. Don't worry about that.

[She gives him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.]

When did you want to start? And do you want personal training, as well?

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi smiles at that suggestion. Training with Saori would not only be rewarding, but also a great way to spend time with her. ]

Mm, I'd like that very much.

[ A pause. ]

Did I ever tell you that my primary elemental affinity is lightning?

[windandrain]

You did not.

[She gives him a warm smile.]

I'm afraid I don't know what that means for a shinobi though. What can you do with your chakra?

[ura_no_ura]

It means I can produce different lightning-based techniques.

[ Kakashi explains as he raises his left hand (as Saori's arm is looped through his right) and focuses, concentrating on gathering chakra in his hand to activate Raikiri. Within a second, a burst of vivid bright white, crackling lightning forms in his hand, so condensed that the very edges are tinged with blue. ]

Like this.

[windandrain]

[She looks at it as it forms, smiling gently as she reaches out with a finger and touches it, a spark of her own leaping from her fingertip as it contacts. A bit of her own divine Anima, the sacred power of the gods, flows along that current and into Kakashi. A being sensitive to energy would note a sudden, subtle charge flowing between them. One part lightning, one part blessing, and one part siphon, she simply diffuses the edge of the Raikiri like it was a barrier between them and touches the edge of his finger. She seems stronger the moment they touch, and Kakashi will feel a tingling sensation throughout all of his chakra points as she mingles her energy with his for a moment.]

I knew another mortal here who could do that. A young girl named Pao-Lin. A friend of Barnaby's from his home.

1/2

[ura_no_ura]

[ Before he can even stop her or deactivate the jutsu, she'd reached out, and for a moment, everything in his mind whirled to a scream as he started to yank his hand back, to try and pull her out of harm's way because if she touched it, it would slice her fingers right off, burn through them the way it always burns through flesh and gristle and bone and hearts. But before he could even react, there was a shift in energy, some sort of charge flowing between them, something of a burst, and he watched, almost in slow-motion, as her hand went right through the lightning, fingertip touching his own.

She doesn't burn.

There's just a tingle of sensation, a sense of her power growing stronger, her chakra sizzling against his own, and Kakashi's not even sure what he's supposed to think when the rules of the world he's from dictate that this shouldn't even be possible. All Raikiri has ever been to him his entire life was a weapon that put out lives and soaked up blood.

And here she is, completely unharmed, touching him through it.

Smiling, even.

Kakashi doesn't even properly hear the words that come out of her mouth at first, when all he can hear is the condensed screaming of birds and the echoing crunch of bones and his name in the distance of seventeen years past. ]

[ura_no_ura]

[ He jerks his hand back, jutsu flickering out as his gaze snaps off her face.

Tries to compose himself as he looks away, shoving his hand back into his vest pocket. She'd said something, hadn't she. Something about Barnaby. Something he should've heard, but it hadn't properly registered.

He should say something, shouldn't he. ]