Silver Foxes | Plot

[Yasuhiro]

Silver Foxes.

→ War. The most horrific, foul, nightmarish, evil happening. There didn't seem to be a point to it – only motive. Everyone probably said that they did it for the sake of their loved ones. They were killing the loved ones of others, for the sake of their own. This would appear to be a general trend in the ninja world. A recurring trait that would surface over and over since the beginning of time until the end of it. Fighting for the sake of these select people.

→ The young ANBU operative pondered this endlessly as he made his way through the foliage of the Land of Trees. Accustomed to this land, there seemed to be no stop to his speeding through the smallest spaces between branches. His goal was simply to gather intel for war advances. Any kind of intel. Be it about the territory, enemy movement, suspicious happenings. But so far there was nothing. Territory, virtually impossible to ruin for Iwagakure shinobi. Enemy movement, none spotted. Suspicious happenin-

→ Black like the night, his apparel contrasted with pure white hair on his head. His stealth formidable, his face recognized. More than suspicious, this could be opportunistic. Be it ally or enemy... Another fox has been found.

---

► DIALOGUE |

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► THOUGHTS |

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► WORDS |

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• Total: 206[/ul]
► ABILITIES |

► TECHNIQUES |

► INVENTORY |

• Belt Pouch

• Right-Side Tool Holster

• Left-Side Tool Holster

[/ul]
► CHAKRA |

[/b]
• Consumed: 0%
• Total: 100%[/ul]
► NOTES |

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/color][/font]

[Zaraki ☣Inari]

→ He stood upright between trees that towered towards the sky, trees that could treat him like nothing more than a mere ant. Was he truly an ant? No. He was Zaraki Inari - Takigakure no Sato's Double Agent and S-Rank Nukenin with a rather large bounty upon his head. A man who refused to kill under any circumstance, even if his friends were in danger, he would find a way with his skills. To never take a life, be it friend or foe, and strive for a conclusion that resolves without death - that was his Nindo. His Ninja Way. It was why he lingered in Takigakure thus far.

It happened perhaps a day, maybe tact on a few extra hours, that he'd confronted the man that placed the bounty upon his head and send group after group of ANBU and normal shinobi alike to capture his head. Not once did he take their life in attempting to escape, no once did he lay even a punch on any of them - he had no need. The man that stood in his former homeland bore no blood on his hands, not since that day, and proclaimed for forever more not to take life but valuables that come and go as your life passes on.

That ideal was the reason he founded and created an organization that borders around intelligence gathering, retrieval, and thievery. He had deeper plans than just being a petty organization that took what they want, or blackmailed a village, but from the outside, that's how he wanted it to appear. His thoughts swarmed around his future, and his mind, or more, his senses, both of the five basics and the sixth unproven one, caught a slight glimpse of movement, just a slight, and his guard was on-point. The first thing to come to his mind was, Did Daishin lie about calling off the dogs?

Whatever the case was, he wouldn't stay to find out, he moved upwards into the trees and attempted to leap away, but the truth is, will he be capable of doing so?

[Dialogue Color]: 78866B
[Dialogue Text]: QUICKSAND
[Dialogue Template]: "Words"
[Word Count]: [349]
[Techniques Used]:

[Chakra Reserves]:

[Inventory]:

[Yasuhiro]

Silver Foxes.

→ Not long after, it was apparent that Inari did in fact know of his presence as well. What to do... This man was known to be Jounin-level at defection. Being only Chuunin, maybe it wasn't the best choice to engage. Then again, the man had a record of... Not killing off the operatives sent after him. Maybe, just maybe, he would have a chance. But no. Before he allowed himself to engage, he recalled his Captain's orders to not do so were the man to be encountered.

→ That didn't mean that he couldn't extract as much information as possible. While he was unsure as to what were the circumstances behind this man's sudden immunity, he would feel obliged by his sense of patriotism or loyalty to still do something about the fact that said man was in front of him. He activated his eyes – at the very least, he could identify and decipher the man's chakra signature down to the last inflection or oscillation.

→ His mask made him feel safe. It concealed his face, his eyes. Effectively put up a barrier between him and the outside world. As if he couldn't be reached. All foolishness aside, it wasn't part of his body. At the distance they held from each other however, he figured it would be unlikely that he were to lose his mask. Some... Five meters or so. Just enough to see each other; not enough to suddenly break out in a fight that would cause him to lose his mask, or so he thought.

→ Ironically, excessive distance soon became the issue. As if out of pure instinct, the rogue simply went ahead to make his escape. Quickly reacting to the initial movement, the younger man would try to stop the older one from doing so. He produced and simultaneously ejected a Black Needle from his forearm. It slid through the black cloth wrapped all around, aimed not at Inari himself, but at a spot in front of him. A trick that usually gets people to stop moving.

"Stop! ...I'm not here to fight you."
Hopefully he doesn't just disappear.

→ He figured that immunity indicated Takigakure and Inari were on the same side. Or at least some sort of similar page.

---

► DIALOGUE |

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► THOUGHTS |

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► WORDS |

[/b]
• Total: 589[/ul]
► ABILITIES |

[/sup]
3x Kunai Speed Ejection
D-Rank Strength & Endurance[/ul][/ul][/ul]
► TECHNIQUES |

► INVENTORY |

• Belt Pouch

• Right-Side Tool Holster

• Left-Side Tool Holster

[/ul]
► CHAKRA |

[/b]
• Consumed: Low & 5x Tiny

[/b] & 12%
• B-Rank CC: Exact Amount
• Deduction: 89%[/ul]
• Total: 11%[/ul]
► NOTES |

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/color][/font]

[Zaraki ☣Inari]

→ His attempt to escape seemed to have been disliked, as the air produced a screeching effect, similar to that of a Kunai, but seemed more sleek and less...rigid, however, his body responded as it would in any day in any age against any projectile. A jump towards the left with a front-flip and the facing the enemy with the grabbing of his Shintai, then, throw his shintai while distracting the enemy, luring them away from the Shintai, afterwhich...disappear. He done so. Jumped to the left. Front flip. Landed. Grabbed his Shint- Wait what? His hand felt nothing as he reached for his holster, and it seemed he'd forgotten once more that he'd given his Shintai to Satori for safe keeping. The flying hell.

At this point, his eyes were on the individual, ANBU mask being the focal point of his gaze, and it did not produce an easy feeling. Even after the ANBU declared a friendly truce his guard was higher than a hillbilly on sunday. His actions, words, and uniform screamed completely different things, however, Inari didn't want to fight either, so he needed to prepare an escape plan if possible, and obliging this ANBU in whatever he wanted to talk about was a way to do so.

"If you're not here to fight, why are you here?" He asked, keeping his distance and his hands mimicking the appearance of claws, almost as if he was a fox.

[Dialogue Color]: 78866B
[Dialogue Text]: QUICKSAND
[Dialogue Template]: "Words"
[Word Count]: [590]
[Techniques Used]:

[Chakra Reserves]:

[Inventory]:

[Yasuhiro]

Silver Foxes.

→ Despite the Needle not being aimed at the man so as to maim, it was purposely evaded. Not that it had to be evaded. This man was wary. On edge. This was the usual atmosphere of ANBU work. Although this wasn't a "usual" situation in the line of work, the fact that it had to do with a rogue was close enough. Standing firm without any sudden movements so as to not startle the man, the younger one replied; "I'm just doing recon in the area. Having come across you is a coincidence." Hopefully Inari would believe him, as it was after all the truth.

→ However, he couldn't help but focus on a particular fact that was just uncanny. The type that can't be ignored. Both of them had a semblance. It was almost faint, but it was there. They appeared almost albino – more so Inari – clad in dark clothing, sneaking around in the shadows. He wanted to ignore this, it was just a similarity that caught his eye for a brief moment. Even though it persisted for some unknown reason, and all that was lurking around in the back of his head was: He looks like me, he looks like me, he looks like me...

→ "Sorry about throwing that." Maybe apologizing would show some more humility and help with this encounter. "Force of habit. Gets people to stop." He'd thought really carefully about the next few words. "Figured it would help, but anyways... What are you doing here?" Not that he'd understand any answers Inari would give him. But it was always better to come back with something to say rather than not. It could help those with a higher paygrade understand Inari's situation, as a sort of update.

What is the connection...?

→ Deactivating his eyes under his mask, he awaited a response.

---

► DIALOGUE |

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► THOUGHTS |

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► WORDS |

[/b]
• Total: 900[/ul]
► ABILITIES |

► TECHNIQUES |

► INVENTORY |

• Belt Pouch

• Right-Side Tool Holster

• Left-Side Tool Holster

[/ul]
► CHAKRA |

[/b]
• Consumed: Atomic

[/b]
• B-Rank CC: Exact Amount
• Deduction: 5%[/ul]
• Total: 6%[/ul]
► NOTES |

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/color][/font]

[Zaraki ☣Inari]

→ His crimson eyes stayed on the ANBU's form, his appearance been so familiar, not in facial recognition, but his ANBU appearance with the mask - something he saw quite often as a Takigakure Shinobi. His words held no killing intent, neither did the aura he released. His explanation also clears up a lot of misunderstanding he had before, and if it wasn't for Inari's trustufulness, he probably would've already left, and if it wasn't for his ability to remain calm and gentle in even the strictest of situations, he would've attacked for his own survival by jumping to conclusions. His eyes calmed down, and a small smile appeared on his face - his guard was dropped. Although, in truth, it didn't matter whether his guard was down or up, he could react the same at the first scene of unusual activity- teleportation.

When the ANBU apologized, he continued his soft smile, "It's okay. Perhaps you can forgive me for attempting to leave?" Hehe. He let loose some slight stretches. Perhaps he was TOO relaxed. "Me? Feeling nostalgic." Albeit vague, it was a bit of truth. It had been a little over a day, and as such, he has had time to leave this area, but he couldn't, no, he didn't want to. There was nothing forcing him to stay. He simply wanted to.

He placed his arms to his chin, and then brought one up to his chin in a curious posture rubbing it, "Why did you want to talk to me?" He asked, "I mean, there must be a reason for you stopping me, so tell me that secret intention of yours."

[Dialogue Color]: 78866B
[Dialogue Text]: QUICKSAND
[Dialogue Template]: "Words"
[Word Count]: [859]
[Techniques Used]:

[Chakra Reserves]:

[Inventory]:

[Yasuhiro]

Silver Foxes.

→ Fortunately things didn't go downhill. Inari seemed to be a reasonable man if anything, which was definitely a good thing. But the young man approaching him would have to be careful in his inquiry. Depending on what questions were to be asked or what was to be said, he may or may not accidentally spill things over. "...Curiosity, I guess." He decided to play the imperfect human card. With a mix of honesty. "We were told to follow you but not engage. I suppose I understand that engaging someone of your level would be foolish, but... Still, the sudden immunity strikes me as odd."

→ Hopefully Inari would understand this as well. "You get what I'm saying... right?" It was as if Inari had something beneficial to Takigakure. In fact, knowing Kawaguchi-Sensei, there would be no other way possible for an S-Rank Nukenin to acquire such a status. And so far, Kawaguchi-Sensei's ambitions were seemingly few and specific. Obviously they would be related to the war. And there was but one thing that instantly came to mind. The same reason for this young man's state of being. Thinking about it brought back memories and incited thoughts of meditation about life.

→ "But I think I can make a wild guess." Pausing briefly, he mentally prepared himself for what he was about to say. "It's related to the tailed beasts, isn't it?" For a moment he thought that maybe all these indications of uncertainties might give away his low ranking, but he figured it didn't really matter. What benefit could having a higher paygrade provide him in this situation? Maybe some leverage due to implied privileges or authority that comes with such a paygrade, but he wasn't looking for any sort of leverage.

→ No, it might be more advantageous if the truth itself is what would be made apparent. That even though he was a low-ranking operative, this young man had the knowledge and brains to change the course of important events.

---

► DIALOGUE |

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► THOUGHTS |

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► WORDS |

[/b]
• Total: 1,241[/ul]
► ABILITIES |

► TECHNIQUES |

► INVENTORY |

• Belt Pouch

• Right-Side Tool Holster

• Left-Side Tool Holster

[/ul]
► CHAKRA |

[/b]
• Consumed: 0%
• Total: 6%[/ul]
► NOTES |

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/color][/font]

[Zaraki ☣Inari]

→ Curiosity? Such a risky reason for approaching someone with S-Rank Abilities by oneself. At least, that's what he thought until this masked man revealed that Daishin had kept his bargain and ordered a cease fire, at least half of his bargain. Guess it couldn't be helped. Daishin was a man who liked to keep an eye on his assets. He nodded slightly when the masked man asked him if he knew what he was implying. Well, he had no secrets. Daishin probably wouldn't have told his lapdogs of the reason anytime soon, and keep it in a secret manner in-case his poor judgment lead to damaging the villages well-being, and he understood that reasoning. His lips were about to open when the boy decided to take a wild guess, and Inari listened for amusement, but it seemed he was unusually sharp and knowledgeable about his village status and wants.

"I must say, you're a very bright individual." He complemented his excellent guess, "You're anything but wrong in your guess." He responded, hopefully sating this boys curiosity. He shrugged his shoulders and placed his palms in his pockets for comfort. "However, it's not much of a challenge. If it was not for just his want for Intel Gathering regarding the beasts, i'm sure i possess the ability and intelligence to capture a beast myself. " He bragged, and he wasn't wrong. He possessed the ability and knowledge to properly seal a Bijuu into a host, and if left to his own devices, he probably would've done so if it wasn't for it not being an immediate goal. To have a tailed beast in his group would allow Zenko to become a superpower, despite being a relatively small group of a hand full of skilled shinobi.

"Now that i, hopefully, sated your curiosity. Mind relieving my own?" He asked. It was a strict belief he had that one shouldn't give without giving, but not the belief that one should take and give. That, to him, was something that didn't go both ways.


[Dialogue Color]: 78866B
[Dialogue Text]: QUICKSAND
[Dialogue Template]: "Words"
[Word Count]: [1198]
[Techniques Used]:

[Chakra Reserves]:

[Inventory]:

[Yasuhiro]

Silver Foxes.

→ So he was right. Why though? Takigakure must have had that capability by itself. Was it because of the war? Would using the village's men and resources to capture another tailed beast be too much during such times? The thought left a bitter taste in the young man's mouth. This tailed beast business was supposed to be his responsibility. It was the sole purpose of the creation of the rinnegan in him. To know that the village had to rely on a deserter rather than on him, who was supposed to carry out the task in the first place...

→ "I see. That's excellent." Of course, now he could report back to Kawaguchi-Sensei that this man could actually deal with a tailed beast himself. On one hand it would look bad on part of himself due to not being able to do it while possessing the rinnegan... Yet. On the other hand, it was too good a chance to pass up. If what Inari had said was true, then it could change everything. He still had to weigh his options – whether he was going to swallow his pride or not for the sake of the village was a decision to make later. For now he would tend to the situation at hand.

→ Seeing as how he had already answered Inari's question, he wondered what "curiosity" the man was referring to this time. But Inari did give him something to work with, so he would have to oblige. "...Of course." He responded briefly. While he wasn't going to be stingy, he still had to keep his guard up just in case. Depending on what Inari wanted to know, he could be either honest or otherwise; clear or cryptic. At the same time he had to consider just how much of a gap in power there was between the two. It's not like he could say anything displeasing willy-nilly.

---

► DIALOGUE |

"[/b][/ul]
► THOUGHTS |

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► WORDS |

[/b]
• Total: 1,565[/ul]
► ABILITIES |

► TECHNIQUES |

► INVENTORY |

• Belt Pouch

• Right-Side Tool Holster

• Left-Side Tool Holster

[/ul]
► CHAKRA |

[/b]
• Consumed: 0%
• Total: 6%[/ul]
► NOTES |

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/color][/font]

[Zaraki ☣Inari]

→ The ANBU responded with a positive response. Inari touched his chin, looked upwards in the sky, rubbed, and then turned back to the ANBU with a fluid motion of thought. "I want to see your face." He removed his hand from his chin, placed it back in his pockets, and begun to look at the ANBU with his crimson eyes. He knew the mentality of ANBU, the mask, and the protection it can seem to stem from, with the ability to isolate themselves from the world. When their mask is off, they're at their most vulnerable, and this was one of the main reasons he wanted the man's mask to come off. That, and curiosity in the facial features of someone who has equal if not higher curiosity than himself.

They say a curious mind is a mind that can be malleable in every sense of the word. This is why ANBU, they weren't curious, they weren't freethinkers, they did what they were ordered, and returned back if successful or failed - or died trying. Simply thinking that reminded him of his younger self, one where his curiousity was filled with the belief of The Inari, and he became what ANBU generally are - a slave to command. When he lost all that he ever had, he regained his malleable mind and this is how he reached this point in this time. It was a quick but intriguing piece of information that explained his own persona to a certain extent. Even now, he still possesses that malleable mind.

[Dialogue Color]: 78866B
[Dialogue Text]: QUICKSAND
[Dialogue Template]: "Words"
[Word Count]: [1456]
[Techniques Used]:

[Chakra Reserves]:

[Inventory]:

[Yasuhiro]

Silver Foxes

→ That was a hell of a request. Not only was the young man on duty, he normally didn't feel comfortable taking his mask off in public when off duty. Inari must have known that was a huge request. What could this young man possibly get out of taking it off in front of Inari? Probably nothing good, his instinct told him. A deserter of his own village, asking him to reveal his face. No... He couldn't just do this. "My... Face?" Surely he wouldn't have to explain how ridiculous a request it was. And he didn't figure that it would hurt to say "no".

→ For the sake of getting along, he wasn't just going to say that. He just wasn't going to simply say "yes" either. "That would be counterproductive. Why should I reveal my face?" He was puzzled. Going by mask and hair alone would suffice to identify an ANBU operative on any day. Knowing his face... How would that benefit Inari? It's like he was trying to get closer. Exactly what an ANBU operative is supposed to avoid. As an ANBU operative the young man was an agent of Takigakure. Otherwise, it would be his own personal choice whether or not to take off the mask, but at the moment, he was acting on behalf of the village.

A weakness. It's the ANBU operative's weakness. If the ANBU operative comes out in the open like that... He's exposed.

Witnessed.

But despite the risk that entails, would personal attempts at trying to demolish that weakness be relevant? Even if it were...

No. This is a bait. Inari must have his own agenda, and he's assessing the situation. Observing, keeping his eyes peeled for whatever he could possibly reap.

That's all I can really say for now, but what is his agenda? What does he want to know?

→ Before Inari could respond, he began talking again; "I don't know what you're planning, but that was bold." Though he realized that in order to make any progress here he would have to put himself in Inari's shoes. So the next step would be empathy and projection. As far as he knew, Inari was a thief. A skilled and ingenious one at that – going so far as to devise a method that would allow him to instantly bail should he be caught in the act or predict a likelihood of such misfortune taking place. More importantly, it also allowed him to bypass any barriers or physical limitations. Virtually nothing was out of his reach provided he had previously been there.

"It could be that you want the simple advantage of knowing my face: Identifying me anywhere were I not wearing my mask.

And while identifying me by mask is certainly easier... You must figure that overt is covert in this case, depending on how many people know both my mask and my face, and who they are."

→ He paused briefly, making sure he was getting this right. It was imperative that he let Inari know just how much he was capable of figuring out. Based on the man's words so far, he was beginning to have some suspicions about what he's been up to.

"...But your audacious announcement can be taken as proof of your utmost confidence in whatever it is that would keep you...

Or even I...

From possibly perishing at the hands of the village.

An indication of that right after you said you're likely capable of capturing and sealing a tailed beast by yourself?

I must say, Inari-san, I should probably be impressed. Am I to believe that you're some incredible super-shinobi?"

→ The more he spoke, the more he convinced himself. Rather, the more real it sounded to him. Either way, this was sort of exciting. Yet somewhat troubling at the same time. Such a daring character in the face of Kawaguchi-sama's potential wrath... It could mean a lot of things, but the first thing that came to mind was the possibility that he would be willing to take advantage of the village's current status as a warring nation. Even so, their allies were Kusagakure and the mighty Konoha. To just what extent would Inari's confidence continue to impress the young man?

"Or it could be that you have some damn good backup.

Either way, you can probably give me something in exchange."

---

► DIALOGUE |

"[/b][/ul]
► THOUGHTS |

[/i][/color][/ul]
► WORDS |

[/b]
• Total: 2,314[/ul]
► ABILITIES |

► TECHNIQUES |

► INVENTORY |

• Belt Pouch

• Right-Side Tool Holster

• Left-Side Tool Holster

[/ul]
► CHAKRA |

[/b]
• Consumed: 0%
• Total: 6%[/ul]
► NOTES |

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/color][/font]

[Zaraki ☣Inari]

→ The ANBU initial response was as he expected. Their mask was a symbolism of a boundary that disrupts them from the outside world, this is why Inari asked for such a request, at first thought, removing a mask should be as simple as breathing, but not for ANBU, and not for those who try to cut a line between their reality and the reality of others. They tend to believe they are different, incapable of engaging in the primary reality. There were numerous times when he himself posed as an ANBU in enemy villages for infiltration, retrieval and espionage missions, at which he succeeded, and the life of an ANBU was beautiful, but self-destructive. Your reality can only last for so long, and as such, could affect you for a lifetime after you removed your mask in your most comfortable state.

He wanted to break that line of possibility. Remove the mask early on, like prematurely inducing a babies birth and give him 2 extra months in the real world. A slight smile appeared on his face as the ANBU asked for his reasoning, and of course, he wasn't going to explain the entire process, and he wanted to see something. He stayed quiet with a confident smirk implying that it'll only be redundant as the ANBU had already grasped "why" and just not "how." So he stayed quiet.

The ANBU continued his line of thought and deduction. Exclaiming the boldness that was Zaraki Inari, something he tended to display quite often, perhaps it was his own arrogance that played into such bold behavior or something more? Perhaps. However, he's probably the boldest Nukenin in existence in that he'd infiltrate his own village looking for his head, infiltrate with zero casualties, and exit with a deal beneficial to himself as well as getting the best deal there was. He had a huge pair between his legs, and he wasn't scared to show it. He asked if he were to believe if Inari was some sort of Super-Ninja, and he replied with a tone of confidence, "Perhaps."

Then he deduced that Inari either been a super-ninja or had incredible backup that were infallible in reliability. He had one thus far, but that shinobi had enough power in his village that it would seem impossible that he actually possessed such an ally so deep into Konohagakure's domestic seat of power. Not only a clan leader of the Uchiha Clan, but the Captain of Konohagakure's Domestic Police Force. His words rained volumes of influence, and that was all Inari's at this moment.

"That depends. What do you want?" He asked as if nothing was beyond his reach - it wasn't. This ANBU's freedom. Easily secured. To become powerful. Easily Capable. This man, Zaraki Inari, he had no boundaries on what he can accomplish, and this is why he was before the ANBU who was scared of revealing his face. "However, before you give me some brazen request to determine whether I'm this so called super-ninja, to ask, you must remove that mask. Then i shall take your desire and respond." He wondered if this boy ever had any control over his own life. He'd seem to jump at a chance of a figure seemingly capable of giving that control back towards him. This indeed proved this ANBU had a malleable and free mind. Daishin-San... He thought.

[Dialogue Color]: 78866B
[Dialogue Text]: QUICKSAND
[Dialogue Template]: "Words"
[Word Count]: [2019]
[Techniques Used]:

[Chakra Reserves]:

[Inventory]: