Dawn of an Era

In a rather secluded office room of a inconspicuous building, sat a rather aged man in a black suit. On first appearance this man appeared to be in his late sixties as all the facial hair and that upon his hair appeared an almost snow white. His face itself held few wrinkles but his age could further be seen as elder due to glasses he was commonly found wearing. But if you looked close enough you could also see or rather feel a sense of life fitting of that for a man in his prime. The Daimyo Bane Shura, gazed down at several files within a blue folder with a tagged with information on the Chunnin Exams.

He had still been pondering if he should show up at the event himself. He never liked to do things without a clear goal in mind and at this moment there were any glaring benefits to doing so. Nonetheless this even was a massive gathering of ninja and political figures from all over the world so he knew that he could always find some benefits.

But before deciding he wanted to meet with some of his closest subjects. He of course would first turn to one of his guards to discuss possible outcomes. It did not take him long to hear the sound of knocking outside his room door. It was clear that one of his two personal guards Kosuke had arrived. "You may enter..." This all he would say as he for the man to enter into the room. He himself could still be seen reading through the files on information about the exams. It did not take long for him to notice the man fully enter and immediately kneel waiting for his command. As Bane looked onward towards the kneeling man deep hidden within his eyes a flash of deep affection could be seen. He would decide to tease the man a bit before getting straight into business.

"Rise my child... I have told you when it is just the two of us that you can forego the formalities and treat me as your family... It seems there is no issue with you treating me as your master and giving me your loyalty. But have I not earned the right to be treated as a father or even family?"

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Roku found himself skulking the halls of an office building where Bane had told him to meet. It was oddly rundown for a man of Bane's stature, but Roku figured that was probably the point. Couldn't hire the world's most deadly assassin in your living room, now could you? Roku, being Roku, sort of materialized from the shadows in the room that Bane and Kosuke were holding their conversation in, interjecting at precisely the wrong moment. "You still kneel for this man..?" His voice was buttery smooth, seductive in the least sexual way. "He owes all of his power to the likes of you... and you serve him as a god? I will never understand you, Kosuke..."

He then turned his attention to Bane, standing on the opposite side to him as Kosuke had been. "I'm assuming you want someone dead, considering all the... privacy?" Roku's lips curled into a faint, but slightly twisted smile. His gut lurched in excitement, sure he was right. That was sort of Roku's role here... he wasn't called unless he was wanted to put someone down. But that was how he liked it... the expectations held for him were simple. No politics, no formalities... just spy, infiltrate... kill. Shukaku, in Roku's mindscape, let out a soft sigh, as if exasperated in the most comical of ways.

Bane silently nodded at his child before his expression would become cold. He would suddenly sense a presence stepping out of darkness from the corner of his room. Was this a calculated attack? His eyes would then focus onto the person who appeared as they suddenly began immediately began harassing Kosuke. This man was someone Bane was very familiar with. In fact this was none other than his other guard Roku. Bane would simply sigh placing his palm onto his face while listening to his words. "I could have sworn that I told you our meeting time isnt till another hour from now. Do you just make it your mission to disregard ever order I give?" While Bane outwardly appeared unhappy at the mans actions and words there was truly nothing he could find fault in with Roku.

The man with his rather eccentric and aggressive nature was able to handle almost every task beautifully. So there truly was no reason to get upset by his brash words and actions. "Ah fine since you're both here at the same time I might as well brief the both of you... There has recently been a illegal business deal established within the confines of this village. Someone has located a large natural oil deposit within a patch of land I have part ownership of. Instead of chosing to make a deal with me for dual ownership they have chosen to go behind my back to another Daimyo. I plan on crashing this secret meeting to seemingly demand for share of the property. In reality Roku what I need you to do is infiltrate oil mine. Kill anyone who so as much steps or works near any area of this oil deposit especially those men of the other Daimyo. I will not allow anyone to step directly over my head within my territory. Since this foolish miner has chosen not only chosen not to inform me of it and share it with my competition he has not only forfeited his right of possession but his life as well." Bane decided to issue out his orders to Roku first because if he didnt the man would simply become more of a nuisance then he already was.

He then returned his attention back to his other guard, "Kosuke you will be tasked with assisting me with pushing through on this "business deal". I have a small inkling that the meeting will not go that easy so maybe youll have a chance to pressure them into submission. If given the opportunity simply kill the man who discovered the mine. It shall act as deterrence for anyone to not go over my head in my territory. While we cant deal with directly with the daimyos assistant in the meeting Im sure hell learn his lesson. You boys feel free to speak your mind on the matter before we sat out. I want this done quickly and cleanly."

Roku nodded slowly as Bane explained his instructions, hanging onto every word with a sense of uncontrollable enthusiasm. He leaned forward slightly, as if the concept of his justified killing had an irresistible pull on him. He was practically salivating, as if over a steak. He paid no mind to Kosuke's ignoring him - that was typically how the man coped with Roku's incessant pestering. As Bane moved onto Kosuke's instructions, Roku would immediately cut in, as if they weren't important. "Okay, okay, I can do that, but where am I going? What's our time table? Do I get there and start working, or wait for a signal, or a time..?"

Kosuke's unquestioning obedience somewhat baffled Roku. Sure, Roku did what he was told too, but he questioned everything. He was a fighter in today's world, and if he had learned anything, it was question everything. Roku listened to Bane, but he did not trust him. After all, Roku was hired rather regularly to kill people Bane had considered allies or business partners previously, and knew that it was only a matter of time before Roku was considered a loose end and also disposed of. But then again... maybe only Roku thought of things in such black and white, harsh terms.

Bane sighed at Roku's actions once again but at least he was being more interested than argumentative for once. It just made more sense for Bane to issue out his orders before Kosuke because this was what happened everytime. "The mine is located in the outskirts of the village hidden within a natural cave found within the ground. Its best for you to leave as soon as possible and clean up the mess. You'll have approximately an hour to finish you half of this assignment otherwise Kosuke and I wont have any leverage in the meeting. I shall be allowing you to do as you see fit but it would be best if you could keep the operation quiet we dont want to alert any other villagers or rival gangs in the area." It was best to let Roku have free reign over his operations. Bane only felt it necessary to inform him of his bare minimums for the tasks he gives the man. That way he would not have to bother being questioned at every step and there was a chance for Roku to go above and beyond on his own if he kept some of his rationality during his assassinations.

"Kosuke for us on the other hand I intend to make a loud and attention grabbing entrance. The more we make a scene the less there attention will be placed on the mine. Remember even if I am to be attacked do not kill or gravely wound anyone but the original miner who discovered the deposit. A mere broken leg or arm is fine though if you feel the need to go to such miles. I dont exactly what to lose the trust of the people in the area but its important to send this message." Upon issuing out the remained of his orders Bane would quickly stand as he prepared to leave the office and began. This was the final chance for the two of them to ask any relevant questions. He never liked to talk business outside of enclosed environments and chose to adapt to situations as they saw fit if drastic changes occured during missions.

Bane nodded as he watched Roku leave without another series of questions. It was now time for him and Kosuke to handle their part of this assignment. He would let him take the lead a much as possible. It seems that this adopted son always handled things to Bane's satisfaction. Crashing into the meeting and easily disabling the people on guard was the cleanest way possible. Bane would not step into the room however until the clean up was done.

Upon entering the room an almost demonic like smile hung on his face. "Gentlemen sorry I arrived so late it seems that I have misplaced my invitation, hopefully there is no bother to the few of you. Or did you truly think you would be able to simply just take something belonging to me right up under my nose?" Bane quickly made his way to the nearest chair as shouts of protest filled the meeting room. The loudest being those who belonged to the rival Daimyo hoping to finish this deal as soon as possible.

Bane on the other hand would simply cut off the men attempting to pressure him. As he stared down the miner who discovered the natural resource but did not inform him. "You should know how I Bane Shura operates... You play ball with me and you will get a piece of the pie. But since you've decided to go behind my back you should already know any of your rights have been revoked. I shall give you two options... Submit or Die. The little flies buzzing around my oil deposit should already have been disposed of. Please do not think you have any backing to stand behind you in this meeting any longer. If you come work for me and continue excavating the oil deposit you can at the very most keep your life and still get paid for your work. Decide I will give you a moment to think while my guard deals with some unwanted pests."

Bane did not give the miner a chance to speak before putting the pressure on him. It was clear from the sweat and shaking from the man he knew his options were limited. Bane was known for his actions and not his words so the miner knew he no longer had a backing with the rival Daimyos men. Bane had simply chose to ignore the others in the room their thoughts and opinions didn't matter. They should be fortunate that they were still even alive at this moment. But of course there would still be a few idiots to try Bane's patience. "Bane Shura don't think just because you control the area that you are allowed to have control of the deposit. It is something that will help the entire country and should not be hogged by a single man! We will not let you ruin this deal for us! Our men shall soon arrive to put you in your place!" Bane continued to ignore them. They would soon learn how foolish they were. There was only one message he would utter as a warning...

"Those outside of this meeting who come shall die. Keep trying my patience and I may just put down the messenger to warn the master."