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

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi looks genuinely confused for a moment. ]

Why would I hold it against him that you two get along?

[ Isn't it a good thing that they do? ]

[complicatedliar]

Guilt by association. [Loki grins.] Let us just say I am well aware how some in this place--who will be interested in your alliance if they're not complete fools--will speak of me. If you haven't heard all the lovely stories yet, I shan't spoil their fun.

[ura_no_ura]

[ No, Kakashi hasn't heard a single bad thing about Loki yet, and his expression indicates that he's maybe just a touch incredulous, if not perhaps, a little concerned. ]

Are you saying you have enemies here in Luceti?

[complicatedliar]

[Dryly:] I have an entire coterie of people waiting breathlessly for the day I look at someone the wrong way so they can get their righteous jollies playing hero. It's tiresome.

[ura_no_ura]

[ Ah. He's starting to get it now. Kakashi raises an eyebrow slightly. ]

Is that so.

[ Sort of deadpan.

If there is an "entire coterie" of people waiting for Loki to do something wrong, then that means the god most likely has done something worthy of such watchfulness, no different than the way Kakashi treated Pain and Konan when they were still in the Luceti enclosure. Of course, being locked in an enclosure makes being choosy with alliances a little more difficult, especially when certain skills are needed for a particular cause.

And in this case, it most certainly is true that they all share a common enemy. ]

Is there anything else you'd like to tell me.

[ Flatly. ]

[complicatedliar]

[Loki laughs. He's finding this entire business very amusing, actually.

But this is his chance to put his own spin on things, which is always useful. He knows what the likes of Steve will end up telling Kakashi, and that knowledge is useful as well.]

I truly care not if those who wish to lovingly tend their grudges spin tails of what they consider to be my misdeeds or make suppositions as to my character and goals. I am already dead, Kakashi, and I perished in battle whilst saving the lives of my brother and his mortal lover. And now I am here, back with my lady and with those few I would call family, who have been truer to me than those who once drove me to madness with their lies and abuse.

I have no concerns left.

[This may be the most useful part of perpetuating the story that he is dead. It renders so much that opponents in Luceti would use against him as moot. It's delightful.]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Loki might be dead back in his world, but he's alive here, and what he does here is Kakashi's only concern. Kakashi's not even sure if he survived the war, himself. For all he knows, he might very well be in a similar position as Loki or any of the others here who should be dead, yet have managed to escape death in this realm.

The only thing that matters to Kakashi at the end of the day is this: ]

If you have no concerns, then why did you volunteer to join an alliance?

[ After all, one doesn't pledge to join an alliance without reason. ]

[complicatedliar]

[...this is a Kakashi I feel as if you have missed my point don't make me spell this out it's just embarrassing look.]

I have no concerns in regards to those people who wish to bank the flames of old enmities. [He flicks his fingers.] Let them cherish their grudges if it brings them pleasure.

But you did hear the bit where I mentioned I have a lover and family here, yes? I hope I didn't mumble.

I also have this strange little dislike of being at the mercy of people who think me a charming sewing project. Such as the rogue Malnosso. And having tried death once, I'm really not all that eager to do it again.

[ura_no_ura]

[ Actually, Kakashi did need to hear him say it, because saying the words helps him parse out truth from lie. And in this case, regardless of what Loki may have done in his previous life, Kakashi's certain that he must truly cherish his lover and family here in Luceti. ]

Mm, so you'll join to protect your lover and family. [ And yourself. ] Would that dedication extend to the rest of the civilians here in Luceti, too?

[ The ones who can't protect themselves? ]

[complicatedliar]

[So very dryly:] I also have a bit of an allergy when it comes to bleeding for people who hate me. That's never been a secret. [He laughs.] I did not contact you to volunteer as some sort of selfless shield, and you would be a fool to think that my best use, no matter the circumstances of my death.

[Though if Kakashi ever does a bit of research, he'll find out that for all his multitude of sins, Loki has always had a weak spot when it comes to protecting children.

He leans forward, voice dropping as if he is imparting a secret.]

I am here because wherever I may be, I play the long game. And I do not play to merely survive. I play to win.

[ura_no_ura]

Well, our goal is to win.

[ That's the point isn't it, and this alliance is part of a long game as well, one that first begins with making the Malnosso believe all they're doing is putting together an adorable little self-defense club. ]

I believe we'll be better with you than without you, Loki-san. But if you would rather not participate in responsibilities that might involve the rescue and protection of civilians within the enclosure, I will keep that in mind.

[ Not everyone is cut out for that kind of work, or has that sort of interest. And at the end of the day, Kakashi would rather have the right people in the right places, than attempt to count on someone who would doesn't share the same interests. ]

[complicatedliar]

[He snorts.] I doubt that would be the most effective use of my time or capacities.

Though I always do look after what is mine.

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi nods. ]

Understood.

[ If Loki can contribute in other ways to make this a truly meaningful alliance, then that's what matters at the end of the day. ]

[complicatedliar]

[And now at this point, the cards Loki is willing to show are down on the table. It's Kakashi's move, and that will determine how Loki will play this moving forward. Part of the alliance or quietly trying to destroy it? It will be interesting either way, though the former would be much more useful than the latter, in the end.]

Have you any other questions?

[Not that he will necessarily answer, let alone truthfully.]

[ura_no_ura]

Yes, just one.

[ Kakashi fully intends on working with Loki in this alliance. After all, someone with his skills will be far too useful to just let go. In his world, recent history has also shown that a shared enemy can bring together even the most bitter of former enemies in an alliance. And he knows he can count on alliances, being a commander of a division overseeing tens of thousands of allied shinobi who, just months ago, would have had no qualms about cutting the other's throat. ]

Should battle break out, do you prefer to remain away from the fight, or would you want to be on the front lines?

[ After all, some strategists just simply do not do as well in battle. ]

[complicatedliar]

If I am not needed, I am happy to place my focus on the larger picture. [He laughs.] But I am accustomed to getting my hands well dirtied. One cannot survive a life in Asgard as a warrior without being in the thick of things often.

i feel like i'm always apologizing for being slow during the week V_V

[ura_no_ura]

So you're saying that you're capable of being on the front lines, but you'd prefer not to if we can keep you out of battle.

[ Kakashi sees no reason why that would be a problematic arrangement. ]

[complicatedliar]

[Loki has to wonder if he's being all that unclear.]

Yes, that would be the case.

I tend to put myself in the place in which I will be most effective, should it come to that. [And try to stop him. Go ahead.]

[ura_no_ura]

[ It's not that Loki is unclear. It's that the language he uses offer wiggle room for equivocation and in a situation like this, equivocation is a risk Kakashi's not particularly keen on taking. ]

I think we can work with that.

[ A slight pause. ]

However, in order for us to be able to work together most effectively, we'll need anyone who's interested in playing a very active role in this alliance to train with us on a fairly regular basis. Is that something you're open to?

[complicatedliar]

I have quite a bit of spare time on my hands. What sort of training?

[Always know what your opponents can do while holding back your own strengths...]

[ura_no_ura]

Everything from combat training to running battle and disaster simulations.

[ A pause. ]

Of course, training aside, we should focus on strategic planning and analysis of our potential enemies as well.

[ Namely the Malnosso and the Third Party. ]

This will help us devise battle formations, countermeasures, and more.

[complicatedliar]

Ah. All of that is suitable. Though I shan't be so useful for combat training, I think. But I shall of course be happy to help.

[A lie; he teaches well. But he has no desire to teach combat.]

[ura_no_ura]

Ah. We won't need you to do any teaching. But we may need to see how you fight, so we can figure out the best way to fight alongside you.

[complicatedliar]

That is fair enough. [He laughs.] Though I'm certain others will be happy to tell you how I fight as well.

[ura_no_ura]

Being told how you fight won't really help us develop fighting tactics together, Loki-san.