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

[fervidity]

[Minato always had a lot of faith even if the situation looked bad. Kushina didn't have faith so much as she just made things happen by sheer force of will.

He probably had faith she would do fine and be completely and utterly fair, she thinks. She also thinks it still isn't a good idea, but finally she nods.

If they were in Konoha, she would insist they find someone else. They don't have that option here.]

Alright. I'll be a judge. As long as I can keep cheering everyone on until the exam.

[ura_no_ura]

You can cheer them on for as long as you'd like, Kushina-san.

[ Kakashi smiles softly at her, taking another sip of tea.

He believes what he said -- when push comes to shove, he's sure she'll be impartial and fair. After all, when lives hang in the balance as they certainly will here in Luceti, especially with the threat of drafts hanging over their heads, it'll be necessary for her to judge each candidate from the perspective of a kunoichi, not a mother. ]

If it gets too difficult, we can probably ask Neji and Mikoto-san to contribute their insights.

[fervidity]

[Well... good. That's a bit of a relief and her serious expression lifts, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly too. It wasn't going to be easy (especially for Naruto) but she's had to lock away feelings of loneliness and being overwhelmed before. Locking away her motherhood, a part of her, was going to be difficult.

But she would.

Kushina can't believe she forgot her best friend was a Jounin for a moment. She's been a mother for a long time though.]

That's right! Mikoto! Why don't you ask Mikoto? Or Itachi, for that matter. They'd be really fair.

[ura_no_ura]

[ The smile fades from Kakashi's face, and he looks away from Kushina for a moment, reaching for his cup again. ]

Having Mikoto-san or Itachi as judges would not be good for the morale of the candidates. While we might ask Mikoto-san to act as a proctor, and Itachi to perhaps participate as a potential opponent for the challenge part of the exam, we can't ask them to judge.

[fervidity]

[She's really, really confused by that answer.

And then she frowns.]

Why?

[ura_no_ura]

[ It's Kakashi's turn to be confused for a moment, his brows pinching together in a frown as he looks up at her in surprise.

Is it possible that she doesn't know what happened?

There's a long pause as Kakashi puts his cup back down. ]

Kushina-san... Are you aware that Itachi massacred the entirety of the Uchiha clan, except for Sasuke, on Konoha's orders?

[fervidity]

[What a punch in the gut. Kushina gasps like she has taken a fist, winded. The cup even slips from her grasp, spilling tea all over her pants. She doesn't even care or notice despite it being hot enough to warrant a reaction.

Sasuke said that the family was murdered, but he didn't say who. She didn't ask who. She didn't need to know the culprit to know the sort of pain he went through.

Maybe she should have.]

No...

No way. That can't be right.

[Picturing Mikoto and her perfect family and young Itachi sitting beside her, looking in awe at Mikoto's belly round with a second child, his younger sibling. It was the family she always wanted but was terrified to try for. She had thought that having a kid wasn't possible because there were too many risks involved. But then Minato came along...

Mikoto's picture perfect family shatters in front of her and she feels her heart pound in her chest, aching. Aching for her friend and for Sasuke who had to live through that. Aching for Itachi.

It couldn't be right. It has to be a joke.]

That's too awful. That's too awful to be real, Kakashi.

[ura_no_ura]

[ But that's just the thing isn't it.

It was real. It happened.

And Kushina had no idea.

Kakashi had thought by now, she would have known, especially as the truth isn't some sort of carefully guarded secret. Not anymore. At the very least, he thought Minato would have talked to her about it, or Naruto. Failing that, he thought she would have heard it somewhere. After all, the Uchiha Massacre was not only Konoha's greatest failing, but one of their greatest tragedies, too.

Kushina's reaction clearly indicates that he was wrong in his assumptions, and Kakashi reaches over to remove the knocked-over cup from her lap, before reaching across the table for some napkins, pressing them into her lap, where the spill is starting to spread across fabric. ]

I'm sorry, Kushina-san.

[ He says, voice quiet and solemn. ]

But it's the truth.

[fervidity]

[She sounds hoarse.]

Why are you apologizing to me?

[Her face is still blank with shock, not believing it. She doesn't know what to do with herself other than try not to think about how a young boy could do that. How Konoha could order him to-- Then she gets an idea and she stands from her seat, the napkins falling out of her lap.]

I'm going to see Itachi.

[This explained why he was acting strangely during the announcement of his engagement. Luckily, he lives right next door.]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi rises with her, a slight frown on his face. ]

Are you sure that's the best idea?

[fervidity]

I want to know why.

[ura_no_ura]

He was acting on Konoha's orders.

[ That's why. ]

[fervidity]

What?

[ura_no_ura]

[ That had been the first thing that had come out of his mouth, that Itachi had done it on Konoha's orders, but Kushina must've been so shocked at the words Itachi massacred the entirety of the Uchiha clan that what came after probably did not register. A slight frown pinches between his brow, and Kakashi sighs again. ]

From what I understand, the Uchihas were planning a coup d'etat that would have made Konoha look weak, which would have triggered another war. As a result, Danzou, the elders, and Sandaime ordered Itachi to carry out the hit.

[fervidity]

[Right, yes, that's entirely it and not the mun being an idiot and forgetting what happened in the thread nope.]

Itachi's still just a kid! How could they do something like that?! Why didn't they just talk to the Uchiha? I know Mikoto would have listened!

[She is so MAD at EVERYTHING. How could the Sandaime allow that?]

[ura_no_ura]

I was five years old the first time I killed a man. Age doesn't really matter very much on the battlefield.

[ Apparently. ]

As for why they didn't talk to the Uchiha, what I was told is that there were talks but somehow they didn't exactly work out.

[fervidity]

That doesn't make it right! [Especially not for Kakashi. Way to break to your surrogate mother you were killing people at five, Kakashi.]

And they didn't have to resort to killing everyone! Making someone kill their own family!!

That's...! That's--

[There are no words.

She thinks of the Uchiha family here. Did Mikoto know? Her voice breaks.]

Who wants to live in a village like that? How is that better than anything here?

[ura_no_ura]

[ Sorry Kushina, he thought you knew. ]

It's not.

[ Better than anything here, he means. Kakashi's voice is quiet, far too quiet. ]

But a village isn't just made up of its leaders. It's also made up of its people. Our leaders... failed the Uchiha.

[fervidity]

[Kakashi's soft voice makes her eyes finally overflow, silent tears finally making their way down her cheeks. She rubs them away roughly, before he can see.]

They didn't just fail the Uchiha.

They failed everyone.

[She thought she was leaving Naruto to a good home, a good village. Not that.

It makes her sick.]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi can only mutely nod at that, and despite Kushina's efforts to wipe her tears away quickly -- he saw them anyway. Glittering in her eyes.

He looks away from them, out of respect. ]

[fervidity]

[They're a little red when she finally drops her hand and she stares at the ground.]

Does Mikoto remember?

[ura_no_ura]

I don't know... I haven't really spoken to her much...

[fervidity]

Shouldn't you? I know this place is bad too but if Mikoto's been killed then all the more reason to talk to her now. I hope Itachi is, even if--

[Deep breath.]

It wasn't his fault. Does he know that?

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi doesn't has an answer for either question. Not a good one, anyway.

He'd largely not gone out of his way to speak to Mikoto because speaking to her only reminded him more of how much he failed Sasuke. His inability to be a good sensei to Sasuke directly resulted in the boy not only leaving Konoha, but also killing his older brother to avenge his family.

As for Itachi --

Whether or not it was his fault, he still carried out the killing when he didn't have to. And though Kakashi is sympathetic and understands why Itachi did what he did, it was still wrong. ]

He made the choice to follow that order, Kushina-san. That was his decision.

[fervidity]

[That sounds like Minato's line of thought. Not exactly a good thing to pass along to his students.]

He wouldn't have had to if the Sandaime and all those other old, crotchety fools didn't make the order! And if they didn't teach everyone that the village mattered more than the people in it. Minato would have never allowed that.

[This is said to herself, more than Kakashi.]

What was Sandaime thinking?