Saying Goodbye (Goro)

Roxas had sent word for Reiver to meet him at the council building ones he was finished with Dipu's problems. It had been a few days now and time was running out. Judgement Day in this war would soon approach and Roxas wanted to make sure to save as many lives as possible, even if it meant sacrificing his own. God if Laxus knew of his plans he would rip Roxas a new one, and not in the fun way. But this had to be done else they would probably lose thousands in the war. Best case scenario is that peace would come. Worst case meant his death. And right now it seemed close to the worse case so he was mentally preparing himself for the moment by saying goodbye.

Reiver rubbed his head, he had been asleep for a few days after saving Dipugakure from being destroyed by the Dobutsu by lifting it from the sea and partially creating a mass of land to support it, how ever it would only be temporary as he planned on eventually moving it to the Land of Malice, but not how the others were, instead it would be much father in an underground cavern only accessible via the sea, but for now he was off to see Roxas for a meeting of the council or so he knew. It was unfortunate that the only people who actually ended up on the council were Ibara and Shi, and their Representatives ended up being the only two leaders for the new nation. A Nation raised by war and the unjust treatment to them as people. Well moving along with this story Reiver walked into the council building for the meeting. "Whats the matter Roxas." His words were nothing more than a statement, they both knew the war was pretty bad men and women dying left and right not just on their side but on the Shogunate's side as well. They seemed to have a reprieve from the Dobutsu as it seemed their last attack was their final offensive, which Reiver set his sights on a new objective, however it would take a bit of time and he would need to contact someone he had heard rumors about since Jazz had come into the ASN's care.

When Reiver arrived Roxas would sit up in his chair and motion toward Reiver's for him to sit. "Hello Reiver. It has been quite awhile since we last met. I have heard you disappeared for awhile. Judging from what my own innate ability is telling me you have gotten much stronger. I hope the awakening process was not too harsh on you," he would say before pulling out a cigarette and lightning up. He took a nice long drag before continuing. "As you may know, the Dobutsu are no longer a threat. But the Shogunate have began moving their army across the continent by land and sea and reports say they are twice as large as our own army. Sadly, with just us being here we are unable to completely supervise the war efforts and as such things are progressing slowly." He would take another hit of his cigarette before dumping the ashes in an ash tray he had brought.

Roxas looked out the window at the desert landscape of Kohaigakure. "I fear we may lose this war. Currently, the Shogunate leaders are spread out. Their exact location unknown, besides Cyrus who is currently in Madness. I do not wish to see the shinobi nation enslaved by the shogunate once again, but even more so I would hate to lose the life of any more of our men. As such, we need to form a new plan. Together me and you can try and find the leaders and kill them one by one, or we can work on evacuating the entire nation to the south, past the storms.of the lost sea and into unknown lands. That will be risky, I am not sure if we would even succeed. The third option is that I try and convince the Shogunate to a mano a mano fight, the two leaders spare the lives of their men by fighting in a one on one deciding match. However, I doubt the Blades would hold up to that. No doubt if I even get close to victory they will jump in and kill me. The fourth option is to go into an all out war as we are now. Jump the Shogunate before they can create fortifications. And the Fifth option is to surrender. They may still attempt to take my head, being the designated leader on screen and all." He would take one last hit before putting out the cigarette, not even blowing out the smoke of any of the hits. "So, what do you propose we do, Reiver?"

Honestly the options seemed to be rather great in many to Reiver, too many choices and too many outcomes to possibly choose the right ones. "Honestly my friend, I would like to hope we can some how take peace without any more blood shed. This peace isn't just a cease fire or anything but possible an alliance. While they haven't made a move we still have Pandora to the north who threatens not just ASN but the Shogunate as well. That being said I would prefer to try to forge some sort of alliance that will stand between the two nations. This war was brought on by a handful of shinobi who are likely dead by now, this war should have never happened in the first place. Granted I would not wish to propose giving up the freedom this nation has gained and enjoyed to some extent be taken away just to be repressed again by the Shogunate. I mean we both know what it was like at the Shogunate's academy. After all we were in the same class, although i missed the genin exams at the time due to a health issue at the time." Reiver didn't really comment much about his awakening as he had possible insight on the Shogunate. "The awakening well.... that was, im glad to have survived even though i had broken an arm haha..." His head still held the memories of his alter self. These options were too bleak and it seemed that nothing would help unless they could come up with an idea on what to do.

"Heading south could be possible however, is that something everyone will be alright with? Not to mention the possible death count, not just for the shinobi but mostly for our civilians who still live in our lands." This was going to be a tough choice, but unfortunately this choice fell on them since they were the only two who held any power over the nation.

Roxas shook his head. "The south is impossible. Ive seen it with my own eyes. Many would die and I would prefer to keep as many alive as possible. I shouldnt have even brought it up. The power it would take to move thousands to the forgotten lands... Only the Juubi would be capable of it." Roxas would sigh and lean back in his chair, taking out a piece of cinnamon bubblegum. "Peace is still possible, but the last negotiations were because of the Dobutsu. With them no longer a true threat there is land to be disputed. Our lands, shinobi lands that we rightfully deserve. And as for Pandora, spies say they havent even amassed an army. We could roll in and destroy them in mere moments. Even with Carmen and Xan. The Shogunate wont consider them a threat which is why they are trying to corner us with their army. We are the only threat standing in their way. But Cyrus isnt unreasonable. Maybe he will discuss negotiations, maybe he will attack. I am uncertain as I have only met him during the chuunin exams semi finals when I had to fight him. To think wewould be opponents again so many years later..." Roxas sighed before looking at his new blue hand. "Arikiko is still with us. He should be much stronger by now especially with the newly funded pet. If we have to fight we will be outnumbered three to five, but maybe Tikatchi will stand down and I have never thought of Ririko as a threat. Vendetta is unknow to me though i hear she has power granted to her by kami. And then theres Asura, the invisible sniper. She is probably even more dangerous than Cyrus."

"Personally I don't trust the accuracy of the spies in Pandora, only reason being is Pandora is too unknown for all we know they could have an underground army hiding from our eyes or perhaps our spies are double crossing us and working for Pandora." South was out of the question but east wasn't. "The traveling doesn't have to be south we could always head east and take land there. But, honestly id rather not give up the land here just yet." The Dobutsu not being a threat was true, but how would the Shogunate know this unless they were keeping spies in ASN territory. "Well what do you think are actual outcomes rather than having Dangerous ones. Also give me what ever details you have on each of them."

"Outcomes... Well, least likely is that they will agree to a one on one with me and Cyrus. In which case chances of victory is fifty fifty. What will most likely happen is that each of us will be facing a blade, but they will throw a couple at me. In which case our chances of victory is probably twenty percent. Maybe ten percent." Roxas would grip the table in frustration. "There is one option left that could ensure our victory. But it wont be for many years. And that is infiltration and trickery. It has a ninety percent chance of succession but it would result in you coming out as a bad guy to our people and making it so our citizens and shinobi are brought under Shogunate rule until the plan has come to fruition. But it would also mean a huge victory." Roxas would stand and walk to the window where his fierce tigrex Yoshi was guarding the building. "If you are willing. Then i want you to kill me. And take my head as a peace offering to surrender to the Shogunate. Make up whatever story. Tell them I was insane for trying to keep our freedom. Whatever. Ill be reborn, unknown to them. Ill pose as a student and when they take us away Ill work my way up through their ranks. Take over their leadership and finally, break off from the Imperial Continent and bring about freedom for the Shinobi once and for all."

The idea itself wasn't a bad one but to kill him? "First explain what you mean, if i kill you how will you be reborn? and how long would it take for you to be reborn." these weren't even questions they were simple statements that needed answers. "As for looking like a bad guy, eh... someone has to do it, it isn't like we could ask Arikiko to do it since well he isn't part of the ASN only logical person would be for the next in visual power to take over." Rubbing his chin lightly Reiver looked to the opposite side that Roxas was standing. "I'm not against it, if it secures a place where the kids can live peacefully for now then so be it." He knew this would be the best possible means to really stop the Shogunate from attacking at this point granted he wanted to say they could easily take them out. However, the price would be too high for them to do so. Another thing was Reiver never cared for needlessly killing people for no reason, but it seemed that this was needed. "Very well Roxas. We will go with your plan."

"As you may know by now, I am a Jaeger. But I am also known by what people are calling us, a generation of hybrids. My anscestors were a Kurogane and a Ronin. Their child married a zireh. And that child married another zireh. I am part Cypher and Yoroi with ninja and ronin blood. As being part Yoroi I have access to one of their jutsu. When killed as long as my living weapon survives then I will be reborn from them. Tekio is a liquid and has recently become seperated for me. Part of her is downstairs in human form. Another portion of her lies in the center of Shogunate territory with my cousin Jasmine. When I die she will birth me. But i will be at an incredibly weakened state. I will need time to regain my lost power. But Ill be able to change my name and appearance before anyone finds out. So, I should be successful in infiltration." Roxas would clench his fists.

He took a deep breath and pulled out his two pistols, a rifle, a shotgun and his scythe of death. He took off his Apocalypse Blade in its capsule form and then took off his fake arm. "Before we do this I need to prepare. It will only take a minute. I have hidden my money at the Academy to recover once dead. Noone can now of my being alive till after the coup has finished at the Shogunate. Just in case we did decide to go with this idea I have already registered my fake identity under the Academy roster." He took off his chakra skates and took a small glance at them. "I regretably wont be able to take everything with me at risk of being caught. Ill have to purchase new equipment later on. However, I have recently bought projectile accelerators for varying students so having the guns wont look suspicious. But judt in case Ill keep the dual pistols on my person." He set them aside from the rest. "I would like one last favor. Return my scythe to the reapers of kohai and sell my arm and sword then send me the money. Ill have my arm back from the rebirth and i cant have my old weapons. When i get to the Shogunate Ill have Jasmine make me more items."

Reiver shook his head, it was clear they already were set on this path of killing the current Roxas off. "No, i have no need to sell them and it would look even more suspicious if i gave a student all that money for no reason, So I will do one better for you, ill hold on to your equipment, I will return the scythe to the Reapers but the rest of your equipment ill keep until you finished the take over or until you need them for the take over, that way you wont need to wait for a smith to make them for you." Reiver took a deep breath before continuing. "I'll hold on to everything just put them into a scroll and ill keep it with me until you are ready for them. Also, don't trust anyone connected to the shogunate with who you really are, not even our genin will know I'd rather them think im a traitor and be oblivious to what is happening so if things go south they aren't targeted. So you will be on your own doing all this. Also it would be smarter to pretend to not be part of your clan until the time comes for you to reveal yourself." These terms, or more or less commands so to speak were rather logical one if Roxas were to depend on anyone else that opened up chances for things to be messed up, if he involved the genin in on the plan things could get ruined not to mention they would likely be killed if found out, and if he 'stayed' part of his clan then that left a possibility for someone to make a connection. "I will change my looks and make it so no one knows what happened to me other than me 'leaving' ASN after handing it over to the shogunate. I thought about bringing Summer into my org but now I'll have to reconsider until later on. I'll see what i can do but i won't be attached to the Shogunate or will i be easily found, if possible."

Things could go south, hell Cyrus could even kill Reiver for shits and giggles if he wanted to i mean with Roxas 'dead' and Reiver the last standing council member he could just kill Reiver and take over ASN anyways with two leaders out of the way it wouldn't be hard to do.

Roxas sighed. He wished they had the manpower to take them on but Roxas was a Zireh. He was programmed for war and he knew when they could win and when they could not. Their probability for success was low. "Just send them to Laxus then. I wont really be needing them. This should return my arm which will lower some suspicion. I am known for being a man with a metal arm after all since i lost mine back at the Academy." Roxas placed the rest of his weapons on the table. He then took a deep breath and stepped toward Reiver. "Im sorry for any problems I cause you. And I will hate to have to leave my family squad and Yoshi. I would take him with me but my squad already knows I have a fierce tigrex. He will stay with my family to protect them." He closed his eyes and turned around, his back to Reiver. "Alright. Let's do this. Strike me from behind as if it was an assassination. They have skilled medics so they will probably discover if I was killed willingly or not by the way the cut."

"Give me a bit of time first we have a little bit of that right now, also... I hate to say it but if i were to send the stuff to Laxus it would look suspicious. i mean when does an assassin send his targets items back, and plus it would make more sense for me to take them from your body and keep everything for myself, if i really betrayed the ASN." Reiver sighed softly, it was a tough choice, "Your pet staying with Laxus is one thing since he isn't here right now so that could be understandable as for everything else that wasn't prepared to go with you ill keep until the time is right at least." Reiver stood up finally and stood next to Roxas. "You most definitely caused a bunch of trouble, but i can't say it hasn't been a fun run so far, only thing i see a problem with is me being able to stay with ASN even after it is taken in by the Shogunate, we both know not a single one of the people we command will trust me and nor will any follow me either. Least of all your squad or mine, or even my old squad. I might just disappear for the time." In his right hand a crystalline blade started to form as he stood there. "I guess the chances are too low for us to come out on top huh?"

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Spoiler:

"Your assassinating me to prevent a war so it wont be so strange. It would be more awkward. Your not doing it out of payment or gain. If I surrender, Ill die and we probably wont get another chance. If we stage my death then we have a chance. The people may hate you but may not all. Some may see the wisdom in trying to prevent more death. You took it upon yourself and when the plan succeeds I shall be sure to clear your name." Roxas looked at a single spot on the wall. He was prepared mentally but made sure to keep his body relaxed because he was in the room with an ally. "Its just you and me. Tierno is unreliable. They have joined forces with the Mishura and so Tikatchi has become a traitor. They outnumber us, even with Arikiko's assistance. If I had more time we could probably win but the time is not up to me. It will happen soon. And we just arent ready. So our chances are less than ten percent as things are." He pulled out another cigarette and lit it. He inhaled deeply and then exhaled. "Lets do this."

"That is pure speculation, i mean no one will know exactly why i am killing you." Shrugging lighting Reiver allowed Roxas to take a hit from his cigarette. "All the same i guess, ill send someone to drop off the items to Laxus. However i might just hold on to that metal arm of yours, never know when it might come in handy haha!" Reiver sighed softly as they spoke. "Well we will see what people think of me after it happens right?" Without giving him time to respond Reiver twisted around counter clockwise, with his A rank speed, as his blade finished forming and easily connected the blade to the back of Roxas's neck, assuming he didn't react out of habit the blade would easily sink through his flesh and cut through. "Well, i guess this is it for now."

Roxas's head didnt give way easy but Reiver managed to get through. Roxas's body was lifeless, his eyes dulled over. The cut wasnt exactly clean but it had done to job. The time of Roxas was now over, and so Reiver now had one last jobto do. Represent Roxas's head to the Shogunate and bring peace as well as protection to the ASN even if it made him look like the bad guy. However, his hand began to glow and Roxas burst forth like a newborn, quickly growing in size. He was butt naked when he finally stood, his arm returned and his head reattached. Roxas would stretch before looking to Reiver. "You know what to do. Take care", he would say, grabbing his guns and then taking off out the window at ripping discord speeds heading high above the clouds where noone could see him.

[Exit]

Reiver looked over the body sighing softly to himself. "Well looks like i have to proceed with this, however sorry Roxas but there will be a change of plans to this." Reiver looked back as he quickly grabbed a bag and scooped Roxas's head up and tied it shut. "Hmm I'll keep his gear for myself I guess, it'd make sense." Reiver bundled the items on the table up before looking back at the body. "... I guess i should do something about it." He shook his head again then turned back to the body and walked to it and placed the Reaper's Scythe on it. "I'll just give this part back to Jazz... it's the least i can do right? I remember him saying something about wanting to give her his scythe" He shrugged and walked out then looked at the young woman behind the desk. "I want you to get someone to deliver the body and scythe to Jazz of squad seven... Don't ask questions just make sure they get to her." He then proceeded to walk out and head to Madness."

/exit to madness