This post marks my mission using the following elements:
- Convince a neutral party to fight with you (3)
- Negotiate for or speak on behalf of your clan (3)
Summary: As Trunks and the girl make their way across the world, Trunks will open up about his past and connection to Golden Sabbath, in order to justify his earlier behavior. Speaking for the clan, Trunks would out lay their merits and contributions to the world, and explain how terrible it would be for their people if they were to fall. Through his words, Trunks will inadvertently can the girl to action to help Golden Sabbath with this enemy.
As Trunks and the girl walks, there is an awkward silence and tension between them. Not being a fool, Trunks knows why as his previous threats ring through his ears. Taking a canteen out of his bag with his free hand, takes a swig and attempts to pass it to the girl, who simply shakes her head and looks away at the gesture. Nodding in affirmation, Trunks slips the water into his bag again, and separates his rings from his Shakujo which form a hexagon shape on the ground before running a barrier between them. Stepping into the platform ahead of the girl, Trunks speaks for the first time in a while.
I know you're probably tired from walking, if you get on this platform though, we can ride to our destination.
I'm fine, you can go ahead if youd like, but I will walk.
You were running around spreading information about a wanted clan. People seen you, know your face and voice. As they do mine, but you don't have the benefit of Ninjutsu to hide yourself. With this, we can ride high above the clouds, at heights that even Sharingan couldn't detect our travels. I offered my protection and you accepted, so please, allow me to protect you.
After a few moments of pause, the girl huffs
Fine, since you insist. Looking none too pleased about her decision. Slowly she boards the platform with Trunks, sitting as she does. Trunks then lifts his staff into the air, making the platform raise above the clouds and onward toward their destination.
After a ways of travel, the woman speaks, coming as a surprise to Trunks.
You're very loyal to this Sado character. Any particular reason?
For a moment, Trunks doesn't speak. It's true that his loyal nature to this man was nearly unprecedented for him. In fact, he barely knew Sado as a man before he was taken from the world. Collecting his thoughts, Trunks speaks.
Have you ever heard the news of a slain tribe and think to yourself that the next great mind could have been one of those fallen? Sado is that fallen man. He caught me exploring his home, though that was unknown to me at the time, and we fought. Through an exchange of fists, I grew to know Sado. I grew to know his dreams and visions of peace for this world. I've seen first hand his effect on this around him, how his mere presence gave people the confidence to move forward. If this light in a truly dark world was taken from us, I need to know how and why. I cannot let this monstrous deed go unpunished.
After a long pause on both of their parts, Trunks speaks up again.
I'm sorry for my earlier actions. Sado would not have approved, so I truly am sorry that I allowed myself to transcend to such depths. I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me.
After a shorter pause, the girl turns over her right shoulder to look at Trunks with a half smile.
It's ok, you just scared me is all. If that were one of my friends I was screaming about, I don't know of I could hold in my anger either, so really I forgive you. So this Sado must have been quite the man in order to have gained so much respect from you and some of the others.
He was quite the man indeed, Trunks acknowledged. It seems that Sado's ability to influence those around him didn't stop at the grave, an idea amazing to Trunks.
Yeah, he was truly an embodiment of the will of Golden Sabbath. Everywhere he went, he passed on peace and protection; the two main priorities of our clan. Everywhere that Sado and I travelled we met people that were in some kind of need, whether it be medical or simple hunger. Not once did we let anyone walk away from meeting is without having their problems, at least somewhat, lifted by our actions. Knowing that, sometimes aided by our help, these people may have to endure the will of others that do not mean them well, others who look to take the prosperity from their lives for the sake of having it in their own, we as Golden Sabbath couldn't just help and leave. We would offer our protection and promises of future aid to anyone worried about anything happening, or said to happen, in their homes.
How much help could you really offer? Most people of this world are simple, they don't have Ninjutsu to sense out an attack, nor the skills to do anything about it if they did. Seems like your aid is something of sentiments alone.
I can see why you would think that, but we can be and have been of use to several people across our lands. For example, right after joining Golden Sabbath, I was with Sado when a girl came to us from one of our lands to tell of a hunting party from her village that gone missing, and wanted our help in finding them. We travelled for days, not taking time to rest or eat until we followed their trail to a very disturbing forest. With signs of struggle and a lab burned to the ground, it seemed very unlikely that we would find them alive. But we pushed forward, for the girl that first came to us, to the loved ones and family that would never have closure, to all of her people that would go hungry, we knew we couldn't stop until they were found or undeniable evidence for their deaths was uncovered.
Did you find them? Asked the girl in a genuine tone, clearly interested in Trunks' tale.
Yeah, we found them, alive too. But I have to warn you, this story doesn't have a happy ending, aside from that fact. When we found them, they were in rags, starving, and suffering from several severe medical issues. They had been.. Captured by a shinobi scientist who... Preformed several tests on them, which basically amounted to the type of torture you see in movies. Sado and I did what we could to heal them, but even medical Ninjutsu has its limits. None of them will ever be the same again, so to say we took home the people that left is arguable. Seeking justice for them, Sado sought out the perpetrator, only to find a diplomat of the land these events occured in. I moved the people to safety in case of a fight, but Sado ultimately talked the entire situation down. And now Desmond is a friend of Golden Sabbath, or at least was before these bounties came up.
It sounds like you've done a lot of food in the world.. It's too bad you may not be able to continue if your bounty is claimed.
Death isn't something I fear, what I fear is letting down those who need me. To allow those in need of protection to suffer because of my own inability. Id rather give my life protecting my people than to know that they were hurt because I didn't. I fear the unknown of that situation.
Well, when you put it that way, I can see how these bounties could mean bad news for those other than yourself, but what can you do about it?
We cut off the snake at the head. This staggering amount of money is coming from somewhere, so if we follow it we will find the people responsible. With Sado gone, I'll need help. I have to regroup with the clan, who I've actually never met before.
Well, you've convinced me. If you can't find your clan, I'll help you. We will fight together and help bring back peace to your lives and homes, as you have done for so many others.
That is a very nice gesture, but I cannot allow you to do that. You do not have shinobi skills, so how could you fight? Sticks and rocks don't work against people like me, and neither do most weapons in the hands of untrained fighters. You would inevitably get yourself hurt or killed, and I can't have that on my concience.
Ugh! You men make me sick, always thinking with your fist first! Listen up short stuff, because I use my head for more than a hat rack, so you are about to hear a real idea. People can aid in a fight without being the one throwing the punches. Do you know where to start with this? Who to talk to, and who not too? There is a very fine practice of finding correct safe information, and that process doesn't involve lies about Granny's and abandoned warehouses. I can be a ground troop for you guys. Plus, I'll have you there to protect me, so I have nothing to worry about.
She raised a good point. Having eyes and ears on the ground, with the common folk wasn't a bad idea. But the influence of the group that they are attempting to find is massive. They probably have people circulating inside our lands with our people right now, Trunks thinks to himself.
I'm sorry, but I simply can't allow you to do that. The risk is entirely too great.
Pighead! I guess we will just have to see about that! the girl says a bit red in the face as she turns back around in a huff, crossing her arms. Rolling his eyes and laughing silently, Trunks finds this all a bit amusing considering the tension from before. Seeing the end of the land, Trunks and the girl move forward to the next.
-Entering LM from
You must be registered for see links
, LLM-