Board Thread:Konoha Logs/@comment-25955740-20160417015710/@comment-24937485-20160419031617

Song



Clearer than the sound of a thousand roaring warriors, louder than the echoing of a hundred bolts of lightning drumming thunderous noises through the air, more profound than the very breath one would inhale when first entering the world, more intense than being held by one’s moths for the first time. It was the sound of an endless row of drums being struck in uplifting cadence that preceded the huge fanfare which came walking through the main gates of Konoha.

First came two rows of drumming men, a traditional drum strapped around their waists, all dressed in oriental regalia bearing the royal red of the Daimyo. Their heads covered by masks of red birds as their arms struck in perfect rhythm, raising and falling in perfect unison, wave after wave, like the echoing of a million heartbeats that send tremors through the entirety of Konohagakure as all of the festival speakers fell deadly silent.

Then, between the drummers, strolled forth a large cart mounted with a huge Gong which was struck by a man that rivalled Godric in height; swinging a large red stick the end of which was wrapped in royal silk. Time after time again he struck in symphony with the drums as the parade continued through the main road of Konoha where more and more spectators began to gather on rooftops and by the side of the street, cheering and looking on in amazement as the very Daimyo himself was then seen passing through the gate. It was hard to get a clear view of the lord of the Land of Fire because of the ring of seven body guards, each dressed in red robes and cowls, that walked outside a square-formation of four extremely beautiful, but underage, girls which held up their umbrellas; occasionally spinning the umbrellas before changing their formation as if dancing along to the music. But to those lucky enough to sneak a peek they’d see an overweight man with slanted eyes and a thin beard extending down from his chin.

The Daimyo’s entourage, ever aligned by the two rows of drumming men that seemed endless, continued to pass through as the parade began to approach the large open square in front of the Hokage’s building. Just then, a large amount of ANBU took place in hiding around the square; always out of sight but always keeping everyone in their view, ready to act in a moment’s notice.

But one could wonder why the ANBU were even there given what followed next.

[Pause Song]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">The drums suddenly stopped playing as the whole marching band took up position in the square after setting up two thrones at the north side of the square, closest to the Hokage’s building; the left, red, throne inhabited by the Daimyo and surrounded by his people. The many drummers took place by the left and right side of the square, over a hundred men on each side that stood perfectly still, ready to continue playing at a moment’s notice, while also acting as a barricade between the people and those taking up residence inside the square. The south of the square was kept open while a group of academy students on each side held out torches and golden banners while looking all the way down to the gate, far south, where it was yet impossible to see who ro what was coming net.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">Then, from in the distance, one could hear a single loud voice.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">“Order of the Phoenix, assemble!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">What followed was the sound of a hundred warriors shouting out in reply.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">“YES SIR.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">And then they were seen like shining beacons in the distance, walking side by side in lines of five, twenty rows deep, a legion of a hundred men dressed in the most intricate golden armor. Their shoulder pieces fitted with wing like protrusions as their plated skirts flowed along with their movements in such grace that each and every one of these warriors seemed noble. All of them carried a single Katana in their left hand, the golden sheathe set with many rubies and featuring the engravings of flaming birds with trails of fire in the wake of their flight; to such details that the sheathes almost looked alive. But most amazing of all were the capes of fire that fell down their backs, ever burning, but cold enough for a child to touch without burning his or her hand, at least, when the warriors were in a passive state such as now. When in battle, these capes would grow to immense temperatures while spreading out like the wings of a phoenix; making each of these golden, legendary, warriors capable of flight. Because of this they were perhaps the most famous army of the land of fire, or even all the shinobi nations.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">And in front of them walked one man. He was not dressed in any armor, he was not cloaked by a fiery cape, yet he burned brighter than the whole army combined. Tall, broad shouldered, with the guide of a lord of warfare and justice. His eyes of such prowess, will, and vigor, that all of the spectators could do naught but bow their heads in respect. In his left hand he held the sheathe of a sword famous in myth and legend, the Phoenix Blade which carried the very spirit of the Phoenix King, one of the mightiest mythical beasts in the known universe; the being which bestowed the Order of the Phoenix with their fiery capes.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">And only one man could wield such a mighty weapon, only one hand could grasp its searing sheathe without finding his hand burnt to a crisp, and that man was announced by the entire legion behind him, their voices louder than trumpets as they bellowed throughout the streets of Konoha.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">“THE LEAF WELCOMES YOU, LORD OF FIRE, HEIR OF HEARTS!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">“Ikeru Senju, Second Hokage of Konoha, The Child of the Roaring Sun, The Wildfire Emperor!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">“We are the army of Gold, the Order of the Phoenix, Swords of the Sun!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">“In your honor. WE CELEBRATE!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">[Un-pause Song]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">Again… the parade began to play, slow at first but building up to an intense climax as the Hokage and his army entered the square. The Order of the Phoenix then spread out in two rows of fifty men in order to close of the south side of the square while only Ikeru walked onwards and took a seat upon the golden throne beside the Daimyo, his long red hair, and black and red Kimono, making him stand out against the golden background.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">[Pause the Song]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">He raised a hand, immediately silencing the crowd, and allowed his gaze to wander over the mass of people that had gathered. His voice powerful, full, and carrying the vigor of one who spent more time on the battlefield than a soul should ever endure.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">“We gather in celebration, today, for one very reason. Not to enjoy ourselves, not to be wasteful, not to forget. No. We gather to remember, to live for those fallen, to spread joy in their name. Today we honor those fallen, by honoring the lives that we’ve been blessed to keep throughout our years of living. –Now standing up from his throne, speaking more intensely.- Today we are one, one village, one heart, one future, one past, one present. Today we are thankful of those who give their lives in order to hold this village safe.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">He then unsheathed the majestic Phoenix Blade which radiated at such brilliance that it was next to impossible to make out the actual blade before it exploded in a wave of fire that travelled upward before taking up the shape of a huge and majestic bird of prey composed of nothing but fire.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">[Un-pause the song]

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">And as the bird screeched, the music rolled back in, fireworks exploded from all throughout the village in every color one could imagine.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">In an instant, the sky was brighter than ever before.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">“Family, friends, beloved people of Konoha. Let yourselves live free in this Festival of the sun!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">And on that note, the festival broke loose as spectators were allowed to walk inside the square where they began dancing and singing while the music played. The Order of the Phoenix walking back in order to give the people more space while ever keeping at watch with eyes keener than those of the ANBU hidden in the shadows.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:12pt0in;line-height:15.75pt;border-style:none;border-width:initial;padding:0in;"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:'TimesNewRoman',serif;">A line of people had gathered by the two thrones, people who sought to congratulate the Daimyo and Hokage; people who were all given a chance at brief conversation. But most commoners didn’t dare step forward so at the moment there were only a dozen or so that stepped forth one by one in order to give and receive their blessings before passing along. After touching the forehead of a woman with child, blessing her with good fortune, Ikeru gazed up at the Phoenix in the sky that continued to fly around majestically, but then his attention was drawn to the next in line.