Konohagakure

A loud yawn cut through the sounds of the streets in Konohagakure. Rain lightly drizzled from a grey overcast sky down on the village, but the Hokage was nice and dry underneath his red hat. Sukino raised an eyebrow at his companion, Nebo Senju, who was just finishing his yawn. The Senju waves at Sukino half heartedly and tried to look innocent.

"I'm not tired, I just had a long night preparing."

Sukino nods, understanding that a lot of things had to be done before a Kage Summit even begins, especially one with as much political weight as this one. Missions of B rank or higher were put on hold, security was tightened, and a council was formed if the high ranking shinobi to keep things in line while the Kage was away.

Sukino and his assistant Nebo were on their last walk through the village, both in full traveling gear and ready for any situation. During times of civil unrest such as now random vigilantes would be more common on the road and would like nothing more than to anbush a Kage.

As they approached the front gates of the village they both would notice a disturbance, the two posted sentries at the gate were standing in the middle of the road staring at a figure about 200 meters away. Sukino activates his triple tomoe Sharingan to get a better look, and instantly notified the curious Nebo that it was the mizukage, his sign language flashing as fast as his hand signs would. Nebo cocked his head to one side in confusion as Sukino's eyes returned to black. "The Mizukage? Why is he here? I thought he would be closer to the summit by now.

Both men approched the sentries and just by Sukino's presence they went back to their post knowing he would take care of it. As the Mist shinobi draws near Nebo waves him towards the duo and starts the conversation. "Hello Lord Mizukage, it is nice to meet you. I am Nebo Senju, assistant and translator for Lord Hokage here. On his behalf I welcome you to Konohagakure. Might I ask your business? We were just leaving for the summit but if you want to join us we can wait for you."

Sukino bows his head to the Mizukage as a greeting and to confirm Nebo's words. He too wanted to know why the Mizukage would stop here of all places before a Kage Summit.

Slokrath bowed to both the Hokage and his assistant, then he let out a hearty chuckle as he began to explain.

"Haha, to be honest I was hoping to grab a lunch from one of your villages famous noodle shops. After all Konohagakure is on the way for me, and I figured it to be a safe stop. I was also just curious to see if you had left yet, Lord Hokage."

Slokrath paused momentarily and shifted his gaze to the gates; taking notice of the enhanced security around the Hidden Leaf.

I see you have also increased your security around town. It is really a shame that after so many years of peaceful coexistence that this tragic blight has divided the ninja world instead of bringing shinobi together. In fact the conflict between the Mist and the Swamp has gotten so bad back in Kirigakure, that I couldn't even afford to bring a single ninja for my security detail. My Anbu operatives have assured me that there is no word of an attack, and that the rebels intend to keep their word during the ceasefire. But I would rather know my village and its people are safe.

After hearing the Mizukage's reasoning, Sukino put his hand up to his lips and silently giggled to himself upon hearing of the food. Nebo had a more conventional reaction. "Oh... I see. Well I am sure our local vendors would happily oblige you.

Sukino seemed more at ease now, seeing as his first meeting with another Kage was not all business and politics. He pulled on Nebo's sleeve to get his attention then quickly went through sign language for him. Nebo turned to the Mizukage after Sukino was finished to relay the message.

"The extra security was proposed by the village Elders, but Sukino has been so busy he let them deal with the details. I will be his only protection on this journey, so we can definately relate." Nebo had to pause for Sukino to sign some more before he could continue. Even with Sukino's speed and Nebo's experience it still took longer than normal speech.

"Lord Forth also would like to join you for lunch, and recommends that ramen shop across the way.I think it would be best to get out of the rain as well."

The shop in question was a small walk in restaurant sporting a large red banner for their shop out front. There was a foldable sign out front with the days specials written on it, and it seemed today had a special on fried pork.

Before they went anywhere Sukino held out his hand to Slokrath in greeting then would jesture for him to lead the way.

"I would love the company!" Slokrath announced in his boisterous voice with a large smile on his face.

He walked to the shop and held the door for his traveling companions. The interior was nothing exceptional, but the aroma of the kitchen spoke volumes. A heavenly blend of green onion, pork, celery, garlic, and spices wafted through the air teasing the Mizukage's olfactory senses. His stomach let out an audible rumble and he belted out one of his iconic chuckles.

"Well, I guess that's what I get for not eating in almost two days."

He looked for a table with enough room to accomidate the party and their equipment, then, slid in to a booth and rested his ax against the wall. Next, releasing the clasp, he removed his cloak and hat, draping them over the blade's head. As everyone settled in to their seats a waiter approached to take everyone's orders.

"I'll take the special, double pork." said Slokrath.

Nebo then placed an order for himself and the Hokage. The waiter departed for the kitchen.

"So Nebo, I have met with Lord Sukino before when dealing with trade agreements in the past, but there was always another interpreter provided at the meetings. It is a pleasure to meet you. How long have you two worked together?"

As Nebo ordered two of the same as what Slokrath was having, he turned to listen to the Mizukage. However his face remained blanke and he took a gaze at Sukino who made a dismissive jesture. For the most part Nebo and Sukino had known each other for years but their time together was not fully on record and even more secretive was Nebo's true purpose, which was to keep the Mangenkyo Sharingan in check.

Sukino had wished to keep his ocular prowess hidden, so only a select few in the village even knew the Mangenkyo was active.

Nebo choose his words carfully."As I'm sure you are aware I cannot speak of everything to do with our past, but I have known him since around our time as jounin. It has been an... interesting relationship."

Sukino nods in response, giving his confirmation before Nebo continued. "I have only recently been assigned as his assistant, so considering how short a time he has been Hokage you can see I am fairly new to it. It is lucky that I am here for the Kage Summit, or Sukino would be going alone."

After the idle conversations the food arrived, making Sukino's stomach rumble as well before he and Nebo pick up chopsticks and clap them between their hands before eating. The blend of flavours was extraordinary and gave the two Leaf shinobi a final taste of home before they left it altogether.

Slokrath grabbed his chopsticks and started to shovel the ramen in his mouth with ferocious speed, his stomach finally filling up with the delicious noodles he had been craving since he left Kirigakure. He finished half of the bowl before setting it down to take a breath.

"They sure know what they are doing back in that kitchen. Great choice Sukino!"

He picked his bowl back up and promptly finished the dish with a loud approving slurp. He set the bowl down on the table and leaned back letting the hot soup digest while he relaxed. This would be his last chance to rest before the group headed toward the summit to meat with the other Kage.

"So," Slokrath began, "What do you make of this whole ordeal Sukino? It has been hard enough for us dealing with one rebellion, I can only imagine the nightmare you have been dealt having to manage two fronts."

He paused for a moment grabbing a toothpick.

"Personally, I just want to see these rebels come back home. I have seen enough bloodshed for a lifetime, and I am honestly worried that this blight is only the start of something much worse."

Sukino watched in veiled awe as this man before him guzzled down an entire bowl of double pork ramen special. He had barely touched his own, and sheepishly nods at the comment thrown his way while trying to calmly eat his own noodles.

When the conversation turned more political his shyness only became more apparent, his signing to Nebo quick to get the spotlight off of him as he paid full attention to his bowl.

Nebo read his signs and turns to the Mizukage in answer. "He has been questioning that very thing for awhile now. The blight seems to be more complicated than what we can see, and he wants to study it further before doing anything rash." He pauses so Sukino could sign some more, using one hand as the other was holding a piece of pork to his mouth.

"As for the rebels, he wants to hear what they have to say first. He knows not to rely on experience he doesn't have."

Sukino finishes his bite and wipes his mouth before jesturing towards Slokrath's equipment that had been set aside. "Oh... and he wants to know about your... spear? He can't find the sign for it. He means your weapon."

Slokrath pulled his had from the blade and placed it back on his head, then removed the cloak setting it in the empty space next to him on the booth seat.

Ahh my Broad Ax! It was a gift from my father, Sven Olfson, it's a traditional weapon used by the Vikings in the far west.

Slokrath lifted the heavy steel blade holding it out horizontally offering it to Sukino and Nebo. The metal was cold to the touch, the balance felt awkward and top heavy, the steel was black as midnight, and the poll was strange and squared off.

It is quite hefty, and most people think it looks almost unruly, but their is a method to effectively using it. The trick is to never let it stop moving, let the weight of the blade keep the momentum flowing so that you expend as little energy as necessary. I hope to pass it on to a son of my own one day, along with all of the other traditions my father taught me.

Slokrath gave a muted chuckle under his breath thinking back to the time he spent with his father training, studying, growing...

You know, it doesn't matter how old you get, or much time passes, I still miss him. My mother passed peacefully in her sleep. It was hard to cope, but there was closure, but my father... I never got that. He was assigned to the first team our village sent to research the blight. No one ever returned from that journey, and we have no way of knowing what happened to them.

As the weapon was offered Nebo shrunk visibly into his seat, not a fan of large weaponry. Sukino however stood and gently took the weapon from Slokrath, hefting it carefully. He kinda liked how it felt, but his enjoyment didn't last long. His gaze became distant as Slokrath talked of his parents deaths, and he stared off into space while his own past flickers through his mind.

A scene of flames engulfing his family comes to his mind, and shortly after the image of his mother hanging from a rope squeezes in. His PTSD is triggered, and he shuts his eyes. A single drop of blood rolls out from under his right eye, and his hands let go of the ax as its blade imbeds itself in the table.

Nebo notices and instantly pulls out a rag, covering Sukino's bloodened eye before it could open and pulls the hokage down into his seat again. Hidden on the other side of this white rag is a sealing jutsu used be Nebo to surpress the Sharingan, but the way he had done so looked like he was simply taking care of his bloody eye.

"I am sorry Lord Mizukage, he gets these panic attacks sometimes." Sukino opened his left eye, the standard Sharingan pattern replaced by one that resembled black flames circling the center pupil. He blinked and it disappeared immediately into a faded black eye as Sukino tried to calm his heart rate.

Nebo pulls away after he is calmed down and let's out a sigh of relief before storing the rag in a pouch. "I think it best we take our leave. I will pay for the meal." Nebo gets up to go do that while Sukino bows apologetically with his head and stands while putting his own hat back on.

Slokrath gathered his belongings and followed the group to the threshold. Small droplets of water burst on the ground as the clouds overhead continued to drizzle; the rain had slowed but was far from ending. Before they crossed through the exit Slokrath put his hand gently on the Hokage's right shoulder.

"Forgive me if I brought up something painful, It was not my intention."

The Mizukage bowed to signify his empathy and sincerity, then entered the deluge. They came to the gate of the towns north exit, and began on the path for the summit. There were only a few hours of daylight left but no one wanted to burn any more time. For the most part the time passed in silence with few exceptions. Slokrath was enjoying the cold mixture of air and water splashing against his face, he was also deeply embroiled in thought.

"That eye... It was brief but I am sure of what I saw... He has awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan, presumably in both eyes." Slokrath's gaze drifted to his own Right arm thinking about his kekigenki. "It must be hard having your greatest strength come from tragedy." While he didn't know the details, Slokrath was aware that great pain was needed to activate and progress the Sharingan. He also knew that mentioning death was what triggered the loss of control in Sukino.

After a few hours of travel the light began to fade. The rain was a light drizzle but more clouds seemed to be rolling

"I think it is best if we set up camp now, There is a nice clearing just ahead and the rain only looks to pick back up in the next hour."

As the group was exiting the Hidden Leaf the two stationed sentries waved at the Summit bound shinobi as well as recording the time of their departure for record keeping. It was not long before Sukino felt a hand on his shoulder and blinked at the Mizukage's words. He gives a nod of understanding before they continue their walk.

It goes on for hours, a dead silence besides the sound of dirt and twigs crunching under their feet. Eventually the sunlight runs out, and it was time to camp. Sukino inspects the clearing that Slokrath points out and claps his hands together. Five hand signs for an earth jutsu flash through his fingers, and once released several large rock spikes burst from the ground, Sukino using his Earth Style, Rock Spear Cage to create an angled teepee like structure out of stone with an opening on one side as an entrance.

Nebo heads off to collect a little firewood while Sukino uses a smaller earth style to dig out the fire pit in the center of the 20ft diameter teepee and made sure there was a small opening at the top for smoke to escape. Now content with his work it was not long for Nebo to return with the wood and uses a flint pouch to light it. Sukino avoids his gaze from the fire and sits further away from it, dozing off to a light rest as his eyes close and Nebo gets warm by the fire.