Moving In

Oshiroku sat at his desk flipping quickly through the general junk he now accumulated in his Mizukage position. He was happy to be Kage of his village but there was a lot more work. Taking a quick brake he looked out his window over the large lake in front of his office, the main building in the whole village.

There was small noises of thumping, as Ryu's boots clinked on the large fleight of stairs, Ryu knocked on the wooden door that her old Mizukage had owned. Ryu smiled at the sight of the name, 'Mizukage' on the door, she didn't know why, but she did. There was then a slight draft of wind through her hair, almost like a slight breeze, she turned around, then she saw no windows, at least not open. She turned back around as the there was thumps from the other side of the door.

Hearing Ryu at the door Oshi sighed "Come in already Ryu...Are you just going to stand there forever?" he said.

"Very funny, Oshi, but I don't think you should say that.." Ryu said with a small laugh, "So, whatcha' doing here now as Mizukage?" she asked, "I mean, want me to help somehow??"

Masahiro released a slow breath. The girl had almost spotted him, having sensed his gentle presence within the corridor.

It had been years since Masahiro had been within the halls near the Mizukage's office. Last time he was here, he had been rudely declined the position of Mizukage. Apparently their current kage had had a better grasp on his emotions then Masahiro did. Perhaps the new kage even knew more in terms of technique and skill, however no one, not even the leader of the Village Hidden in Mist had such a great command over water then he did. It had never taken Masahiro even half the chakra as it did for others to produce water jutsu. Perhaps it was because he was relatively limited to these water jutsu that he had been declined.

Regardless, he wanted his title, and though he would be polite and abide by their rules, the experienced Fujiwara had neglected to deal with the guards. Now, he dropped to the floor from his spot on the ceiling, not making a single sounded, and approached the door as the nin before him had closed it behind her.

Taking one last breath, he knocked quietly, waiting approval to enter.

As Ryu walked in Oshi tilted his head to the side a bit. "Sit down Ryu" he said gesturing to the chair next to his desk "We have a guest" he then said as a body hit the floor outside and then knocked on the door. "I might need you to do somethings for me but this seems important" Oshi said quietly then "Come in" tidying the papers on his desk.

Masahiro turned the knob and pushed the door open, taking three slow steps into the center of the room, placing himself across from Oshi and beside the other Mizu nin.

"Mizukage."

The word was pronounced with a slight snarl, and though Masahiro was attempting to be civil, he could not hide his disdain for the man currently inhabiting a seat that should belong to him alone. But then he recognized the man. Or rather, recognised that it was not the same nin that had won the position from him.

"You are not..."

His words stumbled, but he regained his thought patterns and began to formulate a new plan.

"You are not the man I thought to occupy this position. As you are new to the role of Kage, and perhaps even the village, I will tell you about myself."

He paused, allowing the listeners to get comfortable.

"My name is Masahiro of the Fujiwara clan. years ago, I was a renowned jounin of Kirigakure and had been given the title God of Water. I was offered the position of Mizukage, however it was only held above my head briefly until they handed it to another gentleman, someone more... level headed. My quarrel is mainly with him, and unfortunately you've now inherited a large part of it. After being denied privilege to lead the village, I left to become a missing nin."

At this point Masahiro exposed his head band, placing it on the desk.

"As the previous Kage has moved on, I cannot resume my battle with him. And commencing this battle with you in such a surprise would leave you at a disadvantage. If you would be merciful, I'd like to resume my role as Jounin, or perhaps something else to your liking here in Kirigakure. I do know, too, that my actions to date leave me punishable by law. I do however, recommend you do not take said action. for I will withdraw my offer to rejoin the village."

And that was that. From the moment he started his speech, Masahiro had not moved a muscle, save his eyes monitoring the man behind the desk. He waited for an answer.

"Ahh Mashiro" Oshi said calmly "Let me tell you a little about myself...After the great Mizukage Modorokie retired I a Sannin took his place...I am confused about your quarrel with him...I am also confused about why you wish to come back now...why should I let you come back into my village after you express open hate toward me and my mentor".

.::. Tsumi appeared down the hall, with his appearance came a strange melody. He walked over to the doorway and sat outside, awaiting the end of the quarrel .::.

Masahiro smiled, "You mentor, though skilled, had less power then I. It is in my belief, that the country falsely chose their leader, as the kage should be determined by the most powerful."

He paused for another moment, this required delicacy.

"I've come here in good terms, and have not yet uttered a hostile word. I've always wanted to do my country best, and by reinstating myself into it's ranks, I hope to do just that. On another account, I do wish to challenge you for your title, but not quite yet. Having me under close company, will certainly give you a chance to observe me, and me a chance to observe you. If the day comes where we do find ourselves at two ends of a battlefield, this not only ensures it will be a fair fight, but it will give each of us, more then a fighting chance."

He stepped a few feet closer to the desk, leaning forward. "I feel it's in both of our interests to keep me close to home. Perhaps my talents will even be of use to you. This is my offer. What shall you have me do?"

Oshi leaned back in his chair, straight faced, and thought for a moment then saying..."The position of Jounin is a position of respect and of trust...two things that I do not have for you...you may join this village but at no higher rank than Genin..." Oshi paused at this folding his arms across his chest "I would also advise you to stop your campaign to become the Mizukage...My skills are not only with Water and I long ago passed up the strength of my mentor...His strength was great and his strategy strong but I have learned all his teaching and more...do not think that you could defeat me easily" At this only uncrossed his arms spreading the papers back over his desk "You may leave now" Oshi said glancing at Ryu "If you wish to stay as a genin in my village Ryu will take you to the registration office to get a headband and to put you in a squad...if not you will be escorted out of the village"

.::. Tsumi listened carefully to this, intrigued as to what the mystery man may do .::.

Such insolence! He came here on noble grounds, simply to challenge the current Kage. He had made a simple offer, one Masahiro had found to be a peaceful solution. Perhaps the gentleman was simply scared of losing his seat of power.

"I came here to uphold my family's honor. It is you who does not understand the tradition behind the Bloody Mist Village."

He stood at full attention again. "You show arrogance Kage, arrogance and ignorance. You, trying to muddy the name of the Fujiwara by sentencing their last and strongest warrior, to the rank of GENIN!"

This was the first time he had shouted, and a pulsing sensation was felt from the floorboards.

"So be it, I'd like to be escorted. Ahehe, if your troops can successfully place a headband upon my forehead, consider me recruited."

Oshi sighed pushing his papers back in a stack this talk obviously not over "Masahiro you don't understand...I will not have myself or my people go out of the way to bring you into this village...there is no arguing...I can not trust you in the position of a Jounin and you have not competed in the Chuunin exams therefor you will be a Genin...or you will leave right now...if you will not leave on your own I will have a troop escort you out...you are in no position to negotiate..."

Masahiro was grinning from ear to ear now.

"You misunderstand me Kage. Let's make a game of it. I'm sure you have some playful spirit left in you."

Masahiro glanced over at Ryu, eyes glistening.

"If your subordinates are so loyal, and loyal to your skillful self, they should then be quite skillful themselves. I'll certainly become one of your gennin, and I will climb the ranks quite quickly if I do," Masahiro reached down, a fingertip spinning a document so he could look at it. The paper then disintegrated as water seeped through his glove and soaked it. "In fact, it may even be fun. But, I will only do it, if your nin can prove that my place is truly as a gennin here, and manage to fasten a headband to me as I evade them across the village."

He paused again, still staring at the Mizukage.

"Or, you could deny me even this small feat, which, if you accomplished, would give you total control over me, as well as bring a peaceful solution to this meeting as I'm sure you can imagine what damages would be caused if I were to be forcibly removed."

"Keep in mind too, if you decide to simply say no, I will need to be forcibly removed regardlessly. My... negotiations, are rather a win-win for you."

Oshi thought to himself for a second going over his options. Ryu was a strong ninja but she had been on three missions in the last month alone and Oshi could tell by her posture and breathing that she was tired. I don't know what sort of strength this man has...I can't put a spent ninja up against him...what should I do?...All of Oshi's other ninja in his small village were disposed of at the moment so what was he to do. A smile came to Oshi's lips as he stood up slowly "Although I am a Kage Masahiro I am not an old man and...I do still have a playful spirit...If you wish to prove something to me that is exactly what you should do...prove it to me...why don't you battle me...during this battle you can compare your skill to the leader of this village...if you can prove to me that you deserve my respect I will promote you to Jounin but...If not you will stay at genin rank" Oshi paused for a second "Be aware though Masahiro I still do not trust you...you will have to prove your loyalty to really be part of this village" At that Oshi stopped waiting for an answer.

Masahiro laughed.

"That's all I needed to hear."

Turning he headed for the door.

"I'll be waiting out by the seashore, 14 miles west of the docks there is a small cove. Meet me there, for I'm sure we'll need to distance ourselves from the village on this one."

He closed the door behind him softly, and with that, the water clone dispersed itself onto the floorboards. Stroking his chin, Masahiro suddenly claimed all the information his clone had taken in. Standing up, he took a look towards the office window from the rooftops across the street, nodded once, and disappeared.

Oshi put his things away not rushing to get to the battle. His opponent had obviously picked an area that would work to his advantage but the good thing was that Oshi knew this. His opponent knew nothing of his styles. Leaving finally Oshi walked toward the seashore bracking into a small jog a little bit later.