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]

By my last count, around thirty, give or take.

[thefinaljedi]

Just shinobi, or others as well?

[ura_no_ura]

Shinobi make up about half, and we haven't yet begun to personally reach out to our network here in Luceti.

[thefinaljedi]

[He nods.]

A start. Though, I suppose on the subject of networks, I'd like to point out the locked network. Anyone can see the posts, save the Malnosso, even if they don't know about it. John's assured us of that...and John's survival depends on it, so it's fair to say he's on the level. Next time, please remember that, or we may find ourselves under more scrutiny.

[ura_no_ura]

Mm, I'm aware of the locked network, but I actually posted on the public one this time to ensure everyone would have the chance to see this. I had been under the impression that most people in Luceti knew of the locked network, but it's recently come to my attention that this isn't the case.

That being said, I think future posts should go on the private network.

[thefinaljedi]

They should. I just wanted to make sure you understood that it was there.

[Luke shrugs, not trying to sound sanctimonious.]

Now, I guess it's fair to say that I'm willing to throw in with you. There are two other people from my world here, my parents. Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and Senator Padme Amidala. We're no strangers to danger, obviously, and I believe I speak for all of us when I say that this sort of thing is what we do, and we're willing to work with you.

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi bows his head slightly in thanks -- a slightly deeper nod than the one he'd given Luke to express that yes, he does understand the locked community is there. But Kakashi had his reasons for not posting on it. ]

I'm glad to hear that you are willing to join the alliance. Any resources or skills you may be able to provide will be quite welcome... and of course, knowledge. I think learning about each other's worlds and cultures in addition to working together, would be a very good way to begin understanding what it is about our worlds draws us here. Maybe if we find common ground amongst us, we can form a deeper understanding of why we're here.

[thefinaljedi]

Well, Anakin and I are more than proficient mechanics and technicians, in addition to our Jedi training. All three of us have experience at espionage, sabotage, battlefield command, triage, and logistics management, and I can safely say that should we ever obtain aircraft of any sort there are few pilots as good as us.

[Luke runs a hand along Artoo's dome]

And then there's this little guy. He's a capable slicer, and he's got his fair share of tricks too.

I'm sure there's plenty of common ground to be had, as well. The similarities between shinobi's manipulation of chakra and the Force alone speak volumes to me.

[ura_no_ura]

I'm afraid I'm not familiar with "the Force" or "Jedi," though it's clear you're familiar with the techniques of my world...

[thefinaljedi]

Right.

[Nodding, Luke launches into the explanation.]

The Force is an energy that surrounds all life, a sea of light and strength binding us together. It's inside us and all around us, waiting to be sensed. And there are those that can sense it and manipulate it. The Jedi are an order of peacekeepers, guardians, and warrior monks in my galaxy who draw power from the Force and use it to protect those that can't.

[ura_no_ura]

Mm, I see.

[ It does sound a bit like chakra -- Kakashi can see why Luke made the analogous comparison. He's a little curious as to what occurs when one manipulates the Force, though -- and just how similar their powers might be. ]

Would you be able to demonstrate, or would it be too destructive?

[ After all, with the right manipulation of chakra, one can produce massive fireballs. ]

[thefinaljedi]

I can demonstrate a bit, though some of the things I can do are a bit harder to show. Telepathy, Healing, Psychoempathy, and Precognition for instance.

[But as he says this, he's already starting to float just off the ground, and several large boulders are with him. A sense of heat fills the air around them as he does so, though it's entirely in the mind, a byproduct of the power he's using.]

The Light Side of the Force isn't prone to flashy displays of power, and the Dark Side sound never be used without great need.

[ura_no_ura]

[ The charge of chakra through the air is unmistakable. This man is not one to be easily trifled with -- Kakashi can sense that with the strength of his chakra, and the way he manipulates it. How the air feels charged with heat.

The particular power he's demonstrating reminds Kakashi a bit of Pain, but Luke certainly doesn't have a Rinnegan. ]

Are you capable of controlling the elements?

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke shakes his head and lands a few steps ahead. As he stops focusing, the heat in the air vanishes, though the boulders begin doing a small loop before settling back to the ground.]

There are no elements in the Force. It transcends them, encompasses all of the ones you'd be familiar with and more. I can influence them through the Force, but not like elemental magic in the sense of casting a spell or working a jutsu.

[ura_no_ura]

Hmm, I'd be interested in learning more about the Force sometime.

[ Perhaps not at this immediate moment, as they do have other things to discuss. Now isn't the proper time to talk more about powers, regardless of how interested Kakashi is in learning more about the Force. ]

It seems like a very... unique skill.

[ To say the least. ]

[thefinaljedi]

Of course, I'm more than happy to teach, though perhaps later.

[As they're nearing the farm.]

I've been storing weapons up here, things I'm not sure the Malnosso would like us having.

[ura_no_ura]

Since I've arrived here, I've learned that there are quite a lot of interesting, different weapons from other worlds, such as "guns" and the like. I haven't had much experience training with them, but I think it would be good to start picking up more skills with other weapons.

[ Kakashi says as he continues to follow Luke at an easy pace. ]

What sort of weapons do you have stored?

[thefinaljedi]

Some guns, a few weapons from my home, some minor explosives, a few droid scouts, and a blaster cannon. It's only got enough power for two shots, but it's enough to blow through a house.

[He's rather nonchalant about it, honestly.]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi's not sure what "droids" are but he knows what a "scout" is. And though he's never seen a "blaster cannon", judging by Luke's description of it, it certainly sounds powerful enough.

Or as powerful as most A-rank or S-rank jutsus anyway. ]

Mm, I see. One of the concerns brought up is how accessible ammunition is, and where we might be able to store it, especially for those of us from worlds that might not have access to powers like the Force or chakra.

[thefinaljedi]

Well, hand blasters...which are basically guns that fire energy, don't have ammunition. The larger ones do have power cells or gas-tanks, though.

And if you need a place to store things, my cache on the farm has room. As does Nami's cottage, since she's apparently departed again. Neither were built by the Malnosso.

[ura_no_ura]

What is the likelihood that the Malnosso might be able to observe us stockpiling weapons and ammunition, even if we take safety precautions?

[thefinaljedi]

Less out here than in town. It's commonly believed they bug all the buildings they've built. But there's no structure out here.

[ura_no_ura]

So that means we could conceivably also conduct training and perform joint maneuvers undetected out here as well?

[ Kakashi's initial assumption had been that the entirety of the enclosure was under surveillance -- apparently that isn't the case. ]

[thefinaljedi]

Potentially. Though, again, that's just an assumption. It's the best we have, though. But if you're using the area out here, it'd be best if nobody had their journals.

[ura_no_ura]

So you're saying, leave the journals behind before we conduct any kind of training.

[ Kakashi nods, filing this fact away mentally. ]