Making An Impact! (Hokage, Jounin)

It's a good job that ANBU black ops member was nice enough to let us in. I doubt that I'm strong enough to beat him in an all out match AND even if I did attack him, there's no doubt that the guards and that other shinobi would intervene then kick my ass. To anyone else it would probably seem like Hope was talking to his companion that he was carrying around on his back but in reality he already knew the fate of his mother. He refused to part from her until it was officially said by someone else; someone important. The funny part was that in part he was talking to her but to the idea of being alive within him, within his memories so technically he was talking to himself or rather inner self.

I wonder what this Hokage is like. Hope started to picture the appearance of the Hokage in his mind and came up with a number of different images. I wonder if he's weak. It would be ironic that he'd be weak compared to the past Hokage's like the Nidaime <3. Or maybe he's stick thin but incredibly strong and just somehow hides that strength. Ow maybe he's a Senju or Kangai...actually I don't understand the difference. I guess I just have a different name? Would I look anything like the Hokage? Is the Hokage the person that his mother sent him out to search for? Yoshimaru Kangai... He looked back at his mother's face contemplating what she meant when she wanted him to search for Yoshimaru while he walked in the direction of the Hokage's tower. "Brother, here I come!". He picked up his pace to the Hokage's office.

After a while, Hope came up to a more open space. The spaces between the houses was growing larger so it seemed that he was in a richer district. Although he didn't really expect to find the Hokage's tower here. He walked over towards it. His mouth dropped to the ground as he was semi-frozen in awe. "The Hokage Tower?!?!!! More like a fucking Mansion! Jeeeeesus! The dude lives here.....how lucky." Picking up his jaw, a smile spread across his face. "Time to invade". He marched over towards the mansion.

There was a shinobi that seemed to be a guard on the door. "What business do you have here?" He asked in a stern voice whilst leaning down to Hope's eye level. "With the Hokage?" He added. Underestimating Hope's height due to the fact that he was hunching, Hope turned his mother around so he was cradling her in his arms. He straightened up while doing so, revealing his full height. Being taller than the guard Hope watched as the guard tried to make himself look bigger before eyeing the boy up; waiting for a response. "Isn't it fucking obvious? My mother needs medical attention AND I have to see the Hokage regarding personal matters." Hope's face turned emotionless as he uttered his next words, "We have permission. It would not be wise to cross me." Sweat drops appeared on the man's face as he backed down from the challenge and moved out of the way even going as far to open the door for the pair of travellers. Hope laughed in the man's face and whispered to him in a less threatening manner, "Thought so.". He took a step inside. With a loud, echoing thud the big heavy doors slammed shut behind him. The doors themselves reminded Hope of a smaller version of the village gates....

The sheer space within the mansion was daunting. It made you feel as if you were cut off from the outside world. Hope hated being away from nature. After taking a quick look around, there seemed to be quite expensive yet intriguing furnishing. "Whoever lives here has a expensive yet weird take on life". Hope couldn't help but feel nervous as he was constantly aware of the fact that the walls seemed to be hundreds of metres away even though he had just entered the building.

Hope collapsed to his knees taking in a series of deep breaths and calming himself. After doing so, he refocused on his reason for being within Konoha and set his sights on the large staircase that lay in front of him. Carefully putting his mother over his shoulder he attacked the stairs with full force; One foot after the other. Upon reaching the summit, he crossed the small gulf between the top of the stairs and the doorway to what seemed to be the Hokage's office. As he grew closer, muffled voices seemed to appear out of nowhere. They were getting louder and louder with each step well at least the one voice was as the man exited the office.

Even though the encounter only lasted a few seconds as the two shinobi moved past each other time seemed to stay still. Hope's blue eyes flickered to their left to focus on the other shinobi's blue eyes. He took note of his ninja headband and flowing black hair and moved on towards the office thinking nothing more of the shinobi.

Tdap. Tdap. Hope timidly knocked on the door. For some reason it sounded like a heartbeat but Hope decided to ignore it. He slowly peered around the edge of the door trying to see if the Hokage was busy or not. After deciding that should be OK to walk in, Hope walked over towards where the Hokage's desk sat and he bowed in front of it. Lifting his mother's body off of his shoulder, he propped her up on one of the nearby seats and began talking to the Hokage. "I am so sorry to Disturb you sure but I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you." Pausing for dramatic effect and politeness, Hope started talking again. "You see my mother here was injured quite badly. We were attacked by a group of shinobi when travelling from Kirigakure to here....I fear for her life. Our transport was damaged during the attack so I had to carry her here."

"My mother always said that if anything were to happen to her or my father that I should seek out Yoshimaru Kangai of Konoha and seek refuge within Konoha and become a powerful shinobi under the tutelage of it's jounin. So Hokage-sama please allow me to stay within Konoha as one of its own. I will defend the village at all costs. I am willing to take any tests or exams that you want AND I'll earn my own way. I'll get a job and buy an Apartment and do everything that I can for the village so......." Sliding down onto his knees he pleaded with the Hokage, "Please let me stay. I have nowhere else to go and nowhere to call home." Hope awaited any reply.

Keiden's eyes buzzed back and forth across the paper he had been reading, it was nothing specifically important, imports from smaller countries and the like, the same stuff he had to deal with quite often. He heard the door to his office creak open, but did not look up until he has scrawled his signature across the bottom of the paper and placed it in the 'Outgoing' basket, where his assistant would collect it later. As he finished he cast his eyes up towards the newcomer, he looked strangely like the second Hokage a particularly odd resemblance to Nidaime Hokage.

The man was carrying a lump of what looked like a woman on his back as he walked in. He promptly sat the woman down on a chair near the desk, and turned to speak to the Hokage. "I am so sorry to Disturb you sure but I have a matter of great importance to discuss with you." the man paused for a moment, "You see my mother here was injured quite badly. We were attacked by a group of shinobi when travelling from Kirigakure to here....I fear for her life. Our transport was damaged during the attack so I had to carry her here. "My mother always said that if anything were to happen to her or my father that I should seek out Yoshimaru Kangai of Konoha and seek refuge within Konoha and become a powerful shinobi under the tutelage of it's jounin. So Hokage-sama please allow me to stay within Konoha as one of its own. I will defend the village at all costs. I am willing to take any tests or exams that you want AND I'll earn my own way. I'll get a job and buy an Apartment and do everything that I can for the village so.......

The man suddenly without warning droped to his knees to beg, "Please let me stay. I have nowhere else to go and nowhere to call home." Keiden, stood up from his steated postion and looked at the man, glanced backat the wounded woman, now knowing it was the man's mother. He looked at the man again. "Stand.", he said, it wasnt in the tone of an order, but it wasnt quite a request either, "So You wish to become a chuunin of my village?" he paused looking over at the woman's mother, "Well..." he said, trying to make it quick, "I'll have to devise a test of sorts to prove your skill. However it may be wise to seek medical care for your Mother and it might be easier to convers if I was aware of your name."

OOC: Rather shitty post, my bad.

Taking a minute to calm himself down, Hope started to take in more of the environment around him including the man sitting calmly at his desk. The office itself was pretty basic really. Well elements of it were like the wooden furniture displayed either a love of nature, the lack of funding or any other hidden reason behind its existence. In Hope's opinion, the Hokage wasn't what you would have expected well appearance wise anyway. He's an old geezer! Hope took a moment to laugh at that fact and then tried to hide the fact that he was laughing at the man who was not only his elder but as well as his superior. He hoped that the man wasn't paying enough attention to notice his stifled laugh.

The Hokage himself seemed to be really wrinkly in comparison to the group of people that Hope was used to. Maybe he just didn't have that much experience of the world around him. After the death of his father he sort of kept to himself and stopped applying himself in his studies that was until he found Konoha. Realising that he had gone quiet and was now looking at the ground whilst reflecting on past events, Hope looked up into the Hokage's light brown eyes and rose to his feet. "Thank you sir." He whispered whilst bowing to show respect for the Hokage.

Hope closed his eyes. He was listening carefully to the Hokage's words. Taking in all the information. "So You wish to become a chuunin of my village?" he paused looking over at the man's mother, "Well..." The man said, trying to make it quick, "I'll have to devise a test of sorts to prove your skill. However it may be wise to seek medical care for your Mother and it might be easier to converse if I was aware of your name." Opening his eyes, Hope realised that whilst standing up he was nearing the Hokage's height. At nearly eye level Hope spoke in a clear voice. "Yes sir. I do wish to become a Chuunin of Konoha....or whichever rank best suits my abilities. To be completely honest I'm not really used to this kind of thing. Ever since-" He paused as the muscles in his arms flexed as Hope's hand tightened into a fist at the painful memory, "Ever since my father died, my mom sort of took care of all this kind of stuff so I don't quite know what to say..."

"Erm...on the matter of my mother....well I think that it's too late to save her. Even without medical training I can tell that she's past the helping stage. Can I ask that she be taken somewhere to store the body ready for a funeral. Perhaps the Kangai house? I do have to speak with Yoshimaru right away and I intend to do so after I take this test? Wait your not him are you?" After taking a moment to think things through Hope looked back at the Hokage and said, "About this test.....I guess I'm ready for anything that you throw at me. For me this is all of nothing. I'm sure that you can understand my situation. As an orphan there really isn't anywhere else to go........and the name's Hope."

"Yes sir. I do wish to become a Chuunin of Konoha....or whichever rank best suits my abilities. To be completely honest I'm not really used to this kind of thing. Ever since-" Keiden's attention was drawn to the boys muscles as they flexed, before he spoke, most likely because of stress, "Ever since my father died, my mom sort of took care of all this kind of stuff so I don't quite know what to say...Erm...on the matter of my mother....well I think that it's too late to save her. Even without medical training I can tell that she's past the helping stage. Can I ask that she be taken somewhere to store the body ready for a funeral. A brief display of shock appeared on Keiden's face, the man displayed seeminly no emotional reaction in regards to his dead mother.

"Perhaps the Kangai house? I do have to speak with Yoshimaru right away and I intend to do so after I take this test? Wait your not him are you?" Keiden's face resumed it's signature wall, blocking all emotion as he spoke oncemore, "I'm afraid...."he paused for a moment, trying to find the right words, I'm afraid, Yoshimaru Kangai is no longer a ninja of this village, he left in a cowardly attempt to avoid punishment. he said, rather harshly, before the newcomer moved on to the next subject.

"About this test.....I guess I'm ready for anything that you throw at me. For me this is all of nothing. I'm sure that you can understand my situation. As an orphan there really isn't anywhere else to go........and the name's Hope." Keiden paused for a moment, running through several scenarios in his mind, trying to find the best one in the village. "The way I see it. You have two options. Option One: You may be defaulted to the Genin rank, and train from their. Or, Option Two: You spar another Shinobi and depending on your performance, you may be able to obtain a higher rank." He took a sip from the glass of water next to his desk before he opened his mouth to speak once more with a small yawn. "The choice is yours...."

Hope displayed a puzzled expression as he went over the Hokage's words. "He left in a cowardly attempt.......well with respect sir, That is your version of events and I'm not sure how much truth there is within your words based upon the fact that I do not know you.". Picking up on the Hokage's harsh tone, Hope doubted the amount of truth in it as he was obviously biased. After all he probably didn't appreciate people living his village. Especially without consent. Who wants ninja running out of their village, left, right and centre? Missing nin......Despite Hope's deep hatred for them he didn't feel anything for Yoshimaru's departure. After all everyone seemed to be walking out of his life. Yoshimaru was just walking out before walking in....

Putting that aside, he listened carefully to the mans words. "The way I see it. You have two options. Option One: You may be defaulted to the Genin rank, and train from their. Or, Option Two: You spar another Shinobi and depending on your performance, you may be able to obtain a higher rank.". He waited until the Hokage had finished drinking from his glass in case of saying something that would make him spit out the liquid in shock or whatever. In all fairness Hope wasn't going to take any chances. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again as he watched the Hokage yawn. Which Hope took as rude...

"The choice is yours...." He waited patiently for him to finish and then started his reply."With all due respect and with past experiences I think that the rank of Genin is a little below me. It's true that I probably don't know the standards of your village but I'd still rather not be a Genin. Besides I may have to wait a long time to become a Chuunin so thanks but no thanks, I'd better choose option two.". After taking a minute to process all of the information he started talking again before the Hokage could interrupt him when given the chance. "I think that you would be wise to take note that I am interested in tracking down Yoshimaru. As you can imagine I have a lot of unanswered questions for him that constantly haunt my conciousness. So the higher I rank up and the faster I can leave the village with permission to get these questions answered. Of course there is the option of moving into his now vacant house to see what information I can pick up. I'm sorry to say this but if all things don't go well then I guess that I shall be burying my mother and leaving to give chase."

Knowing that he was probably coming off quite rude but wanting to be truthful he decided to conclude and get everything started. "Well I have said my piece and you have listened to what I've had to say to which I say thank you but I would prefer if you started this 'test' a.s.a.p. So let's begin!".

"I think that you would be wise to take note that I am interested in tracking down Yoshimaru. As you can imagine I have a lot of unanswered questions for him that constantly haunt my consciousness. So the higher I rank up and the faster I can leave the village with permission to get these questions answered. Of course there is the option of moving into his now vacant house to see what information I can pick up. I'm sorry to say this but if all things don't go well then I guess that I shall be burying my mother and leaving to give chase. Well I have said my piece and you have listened to what I've had to say to which I say thank you but I would prefer if you started this 'test' a.s.a.p. So let's begin!".

Kieden let out a small chuckle as Hope spoke, ”Hmmm,.. a little eager?. He stood and gave hope a brief nod. ”Wait here for a moment.” he said as he walked to the door on the left wall of his office. Opening the door he peeked his head in and quietly discussed something with his secretary who was inside. He then stepped out, closing the door and returned to his seat in a few swift movements. ”One momme- he started to speak but was interrupted by a puff of smoke within the room.

”My lord.” the newcomer in the room spoke, his body hidden in a black cloak and his face obscured by an ANBU mask, he turned slightly to Hope and spoke, ”And greetings once more Hope Kangai.”

Keiden nodded at the ANBU member an launched quickly into the business at hand, "Thank you for coming on such short notice Shi. I have a rather important matter for you to watch over. He paused for a moment in thought, "I need you to contact Shihiouin Uchiha and tell him to meet you and " Keiden waved his hand towards Hope and continued "Hope, here at that Training grounds for a spar. He should be very eager for another fight, if past experience is anything to go by. I will then need you to watch the fight and judge Hope's skill and report it back to me. " He yawned slightly and went on turning to face hope now, "I would do it myself, but I have several other matters to attend to."

Shi gave a quick nod after listening to the Hokage's order and got to work immediately. Pulling a small brush, a canister of ink and a piece of parchment from somewhere in his cloak, he made several hand-signs before his hands moved like lightning across the parchment. After only a few seconds Shi stopped writing and the characters the parchment rose from the page and took the shape of an ink black falcon with a small mouse hanging by it's tail from the falcon's mouth. The bird then took off out an open window into the village to find the Uchiha.

Shi then turned to Hope and have him a curt nod, motioning him to follow as he walked out the door. "Good luck." Keiden said to Hope as he returned to his paperwork as Shi left the room.

"A little eager.....With all due respect, what would you expect me to do? Every minute that I waste, Yoshimaru gets further away, ever increasing the distance between us. Maybe I can find answers if I set up shop in his old home but still there are things that need to be said." Hope stopped talking and retreated into his physic, thinking and debating on matters of importance. He zoned out. It was the perfect time to do so, the Hokage didn't require his attention so he was left to his own thoughts. Showing no interest in the man's conversation with his secretary, Hope stood his ground, immersed in thought.

Hope listened carefully to the Hokage's words. Well that was until he detected a strangely familiar chakra signature appear seemingly out of nowhere; accompanied by a cloud of nearly white smoke that erupted from the beneath the newcomers feet. It was the ANBU black ops member from before. The chakra was the same, the shape of his body was the same, the voice was the same and even the slight grace of his movements were the same. This was definitely the same man from before. Hope was sure of that.

Not wanting to be ignorant, he nodded towards the shinobi in acknowledgement even though he was only the focus of his attention for a brief moment of time. Hope started taking more interest in the current situation and listened carefully to the words of the conversation. Going over them in his head. I have a rather important matter for you to watch over. Hmm..It seems like I'm being the centre of attention once again. Well let's hope that this Shihouin guy doesn't get pissed off at the fact that he's being used as a guinea pig......Hope continued to listen. Intently. I will then need you to watch the fight and judge Hope's skill and report it back to me. So I am to be judged by this ANBU member. Hmph. No matter as long as he is observant because I'm going to give this battle everything that I've got!. The Hokage addressing him directly broke his chain of thought. He had to refocus, recall from memory what the man had said before saying a reply based upon impulse. ".....I understand Sir. Your a busy man, I can see that you have alot of work to do before seeing to less important matters. Although it is a pity that you shall not be there..I am going to prepare myself for the battle to come......".

Watching as the ANBU wrote at an alarming speed, his hand sprawling wildly across the page. Hope wasn't at a good angle to see clearly what was being said. That didn't really bother him though, he wasn't interested in the message that would be rude. He was in fact interested in the man's technique. It reminded him of something that his father had once said....Hope, display interest in others techniques. Study them. For you will not know whether you shall have to fight an opponent of the same style or skill. Becoming mesmerised by the new technique, seeing it for the first time ever, Hope couldn't help but watch as a bird clambered out of the parchment. It was composed of chakra infused ink which was interesting to say the least. The bird fluttered it's 'wings' and shot out of the open window no doubt in the direction of Shihouin.

Taking note of the ANBU motioning him to follow him to the training ground, Hope bowed to the Hokage and gave him what he considered to be a brief reply. "Thank you for your time. I shall take my leave......And let us hope that the next time we see each other one shall have good news for the other." And with that Hope followed the ANBU member that was going by the name of Shi out of the room and towards the training grounds.....