Shiranui

> *"Noise creates illusions. Silence brings the truth."*
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The Shiranui is the Intelligence Division of the Republic. Due to their ruthless and cold work, they are both hated but mostly feared throughout the isles. Their operatives are rumoured to be one of the best within the known world. The terrible secrets that these cold-hearted men and women bear are enough to destroy legends. Or create them.

## Recruitment

It isn't entirely certain to many on how the Shiranui recruit their operatives. But it is clear that they carefully screen and select those that seem to fulfil their expectations. The odd thing is that not the best of the best are picked but sometimes the feeble, young or the weak are recruited into the elusive organisation. The lack of understanding has created various urban myths, such as that the Shiranui has managed to capture various oracles. These oracles are then being put to use to help the Shiranui pick out potential recruits, individuals that are destined for matters that will either aid the Shiranui. Or are picked to then be eliminated, to prevent either the Republic or Shiranui to suffer.

## Hierarchy

It won't surprise one that the hierarchy of the Shiranui follow a similar hierarchy as many other organisations. At the top stands the leader of the Shiranui. Throughout the recent decades this position has gone through various names but the leader has near absolute power and sway within the organisation. This isn't because the strongest or the most intelligent is picked from their ranks. It is because of the loyalty that is drilled into each person working in and for the Shiranui. Regardless if it is a dull job at the administration, logistics or the ' front'  of underground warfare against foreign powers.

Below the leader of the Shiranui are various other people in power. They are rarely known to the world, even though it requires talent and a certain tenacity to rise to such positions. For origin, wealth or influence won't matter. All that matters is loyalty and competence.

## Equipment and skills

The equipment of the Shiranui tends to be quite dull in comparison with many other military, clan or government organisations. This is likely because the Shiranui isn't known to be a prestigious order or striving for such a trivial matter. The uniform tend to be dull of colour and lacking anything to clarify one's origins of birth, regardless of how prominent their clans or families were.

While many operatives within the Shiranui are educated on the matters of chakra and ninjutsu, the misconception exists that all operatives of the Shiranui are capable of moulding chakra. Though a decent portion of its operatives is capable of utilizing ninjutsu, combat isn't their priority. These mandatory studies and training are meant to help the Shiranui field operatives to become better at their tasks. To recognise and know how to deal with various dangers, with or without the usage of any form of ninjutsu.

The primary orientation is still focused on tasks that involve gathering intelligence as performing counter-intelligence operations. This is usually not as thrilling as a regular shinobi's mission to combat a known enemy but it is certainly far from being a safe endeavour. And though less appealing, being quite more rewarding for both the operative as their organisation.

## Sub-Organisations

The Shiranui has some sub-organisations that are fully dedicated to their own tasks. Following a somewhat similar structure and aimed to strive for results, rather than gain prestige or notoriety, these sub-organisations are rarely seeing as a matter of their own. Either due to misunderstanding or lack of knowledge, these sub-organisations are thrown in together with its parent organisation, the Shiranui.

### Umibōzu

Named after the paranormal phenomena or yōkai, this organisation is tasked with locating as dealing with rogue shinobi, deserters or dangerous individuals to either the Shiranui or the Republic. Clad in dull grey atires, these operatives are trained to perform stealth at an advanced level. Combined with rigorous training, they are combatants that lack forgiveness for their enemies or see them as anything else but targets, that need to be annihilated.

While more focused on combat, they don't follow a rigid pattern on how to deal with their targets. At times, the Umibōzu prefer to apply poison to subdue or kill their target. Or deploy innocent or blissfully unaware bystanders to get a killing angle on their target.

### Onryō

While the mythical creature of Onryō is known to be vengeful spirits, which don't rest after seeing their enemy die, these similarly named operatives are quite similar. They are an elite task force that is required to deal with defending the assets, locations and individuals that the Shiranui has a great interest in. Their training is considered harsh and unforgiving, required to mold them into the elite operatives that the Shiranui demands them to be.

But besides their duty to guard and oversee the protection of various precious individuals, the Onryō is tasked to avenge any of their fallen comrades or whenever a site under their protection gets violated. When set on a path of retaliation, the Onryō is known to work without a sense of mercy. If the culprits are taken down, it isn't uncommon for the Onryō to set their sights on the culprits family and friends.