Part 3: The Line Between Common and Privacy

While the Demon Protection Agency held well to its secrets for multiple generations, the building itself is open and revealing. The front of the building is covered with tall tinted windows. The front doors are glass. It gives a very friendly air: a good image of a "people's agency." Such support from the community is key, after all, in demon fighting.

Other agencies, businesses, and even some military operations have tried to do what the Demon Protection Agency specialized in. Most were not non-profits. They charged for demon protection and removal like one would for termites or a water leak. Very few competitors were successful at deterring demons. The best way to fight a demon is with holy powers; the second best is with other demons or demonic abilities. Next to none of the competition were able to last the passage of time. Only one agency has been around for five generations.

The Demon Protection Agency, with its secrets and hidden memberships, is still an honest company. It does not try to underhand its clients, it does not limit its support to certain areas, and it does not betray those who have come to rely upon it. The agency simply protects everyone. It is because of this policy that the entire population of Konaha, as well as several other cities, nations, and countries, have become the agency's clientele.

Even the most conservative citizen has come to rely on the Demon Protection Agency, even it reluctant to do so.

The representatives of the Uchicha Corporation arrived at the front of the building twenty minutes before their one-thirty meeting time. Punctuality is a sign of professionalism. The Uchihas are always known to redefine professionalism. The four males and one female approach the glass doors in an orderly fashion. First is the two lazy assistants, followed by the eager director. The president and vice president follow through the opened doorway last, conversing on last minute details. They pay little attention to the two assistants holding the door open. Even Ino's little gasp of excitement is smothered from their ears.

A large, busty blonde greets them just at the threshold of the building. She's a bit on the older side, but her true age is well hidden by a thin figure and large breasts. She's wearing a low hanging top that isn't the least bit modest. A smirk is on her face, hands on her hips. Her hair is bleach blonde and in two low ponytails going down her back. A purple diamond sits dead center on her forehead.

"Just as expected. You Uchihas are always early, aren't you?" The woman looks proud to have been ready for them. She even cackles in amusement. "Well, welcome to my agency. Thank you for your interests in the Demon Protection Agency. We're looking forward to having your support in our future endeavors." The woman holds out a hand to Itachi. He accepts and they shake twice. She then shakes Sasuke's hand. "My name is Tsunade. I'm the godaime of this branch of the agency. Basically, I make all the big decisions." She laughs in good nature. None of her guests laugh back, but the woman refuses to be put off. Tsunade gestures to the smaller woman beside her. She is dressed in a long black dress; a small, living pig is hanging from her arms. Her hair is brown and short. The woman smiles weakly. "This is my main assistant, Shizune."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Shizune says with a bow. The pig in her arms grunts in agreement. Shizune then moves forward from Tsunade' side, shifting so she can offer out a hand. It's not for shaking though. "If you don't mind, I'll take all the necessary paperwork before we get started."

Sasuke hands her the folder he had been holding. Shizune takes it and moves to leaf through the documents within. In doing this, the pig is released from her arms and falls with a light thud to its feet without batting an eye. Shizune pays the pet no mind, her eyes scan over the documents with efficient speed. The pause in conversation draws out. Everyone waits and watches for Shizune's conclusion.

"Everything seems to be in order," the woman declares with a much brighter smile. The tension dissipates with her approval. Shizune turns to her boss. "I'll take these to the security and records. Please continue, Lady Tsunade."

The bustier of the two nods with her arms crossed. She waves the assistant away. "Sounds good." She turns to address the businessmen waiting for her. "We'll start with an explanation of our people and our facility. You'll get some nice insight on the various methods of demon expulsion."

"Isn't that information classified?" And it is Kakashi of all people showing concern. Though his mask and eye-patch hide almost his entire face from view, his one visible silver eye flashes with an edge of warning. Why he is upset with this possible information leak is not expressed though.

The godaime snorts and crosses her arms. She eyes Kakashi for a moment before shaking her head in the negative. "Not at all. Consider it bonus information for how we decide who to send out for missions. The techniques themselves are not going to be provided. They are ancient skills passed down and well kept. I'm afraid nothing that vital is going to be revealed on this little tour."

Not waiting for anyone's reply, Tsunade gestures to the front entry as a whole. "Now then, we'll start with the simple stuff and end with the more interesting attractions. I had planned for you all to meet a few of our hunters, but that didn't really work out. One had personal issues come up, and the other had a conflict." She shrugs in nonchalance, as if the loss is really nothing to her. Ino looks devastated however. The four males show no signs of caring either way.

The group moves through a set of doors and down a long corridor. "Now, everyone knows about demon classifications. The public has to be informed so they know how severe a demon infestation may be. What is less known is the ranks and classifications of our hunters and their abilities."

Tsunade stops the group in front of a row of windows. They reveal a room where a small group is training in a sort of martial arts. Most look fairly young, and their techniques are sloppy overall. A taller tanned gentleman, wearing a green vest and gentle smile is moving around the younger students, helping some but mostly addressing the mass with instruction. He looks pleased, even a little humored by everyone's efforts. Then a student punches through the floor. The man immediately frowns and yells at the young boy, who smiles cheekily behind his long scarf.

Tsunade chuckles at the antics before her. She addresses the group with a grin. "Most of our members actually start training as children. All of our members are trained in martial arts. However, we have specialties within the hunters that offer themselves better against certain enemies. This is the same for any situation you know. You don't send an electrician for a water leak, after all.

"In this class, students are learning the most common and easy way to channel their power: into their own physical body. We call this tiajutsu. If done correctly, it can increase physical strength immensely. However, as you saw, it takes a great deal of practice and control. Building physical and spiritual stamina is key or your body wears out twice as fast."

She moves away from the window, leading the group down the hall further. All businessmen follow, except for Kakashi. Instead, he lingers a bit, watching the teacher scold the destructive boy. The teacher seems to be yelling, his face flushed red, and the boy is no longer so cheeky about his behavior. The teacher pauses to take a breath at the end of his lecture, and as he does so his chocolate eyes glare the rest of his students into submission. As he scans the area though, he spots Kakashi up above through the window. Though unable to hear the man through the window, Kakashi can tell that his voice stutters as their eyes connect. After all, the children show confusion at his hiccup in speech.

Kakashi grins at the man and waves. The teacher visibly sputters some more, but frowns and turns back to the class. He puts renewed effort into their training by yelling an order for everyone. Even from where he is standing, Kakashi can tell that the children are groaning.

Resisting any laughter, Kakashi rejoins the rest on their tour. He's feeling much happier than before. It is somehow visible, despite the mask, and Itachi eyes the man critically for a moment. But the silver-haired assistant ignores him in favor of getting out his porn book.

Tsunade is still going through the tour, either having ignored Kakashi's momentary split from the group, or honestly not caring. "The infusion of objects is a harder but doable task. A weapon, for example, can be infused to be stronger than steel. It takes even more concentration than just infusing your body and-"

"What exactly are you infusing?" Ino interrupts. "You never really explained that."

Tsunade freezes and blinks at the woman. She stares and then frowns as if insulted. An awkward pause ensues. Sasuke shoots Ino an irritated glance, mentally reprimanding her for speaking out of turn.

A quick clack of footsteps approaches the group. It is Shiune, pig back in her arms. She joins the group by sliding up to Tsunade's side, a sheepish smile across her face. "I'm sorry for the delay. Taking the back halls can be so confusing." She laughs awkwardly for a minute. It does not release the tension. "That's right, you were asking about the infusion, right? Well, um, some people call it chi, others call it chakara. There are several names really. But it's a source of energy that can be trained and toned for use by living things." Shizune risks a glance at Tsunade, who has shifted to cross her arms and glare at a wall. "It has various properties. Most are elemental. There are basic elements and combined elements. The two most powerful and rare are Holy Chi and Demonic Chakara. These two are the only ones that can actually banish demons, but unlike the other elements, they can only be learned by people of a certain background."

Interest piqued, Itachi asks the next question: "Certain background?"

"Oh, well," Shizune stumbles with the words. "It's complicated. Demonic Chakara is gained through contracts and ceremonies. Holy chi is passed down lineages of sacred beings." She does not elaborate beyond this however.

Tsunade huffs and throws her arms out. "Anyway! You can infuse the stuff with weapons and the weapons gain new properties. Got it? Good." Her good humor from earlier seems to be gone and the woman scowls in annoyance. "A good ninety percent of our members use these two basic techniques in battle. They work well enough for D, C, and even some B-Rank demons."

"That's right," Shizune cuts in. "However, for our more durable enemies, we rely on ninjutsu and genjutsus. These techniques actually manipulate the chakara into a physical shape or create illusions to take down enemies."

"These techniques have various applications; it would be impossible to name them all, as more are being created every day," Tsunade sighs. "Instead, we'll just show you some."

The woman turns abruptly and moves to another area. Shizune is hot on her heels, looking embarrassed of her boss's attitude. Ino totters after the other women. Her eyes are wide and excited at the prospect before her and she giggles a bit. Shikamaru follows, pace slow to the point where he almost seems physically unmoved by the idea of seeing these techniques in action. Kakashi dwindles a bit, face still buried in his porn, but he pauses when he notices that neither the vice president nor president has moved.

His eyes lift from the book and glance at the duo. A single eyebrow, the only one even visible, is up in question at the brothers. Itachi ignores it in favor of watching Sasuke. His younger brother has a mixed look on his face and is staring back down the hallway.

"Is something wrong, little brother?"

Sasuke frowns but shakes his head no. "I thought I recognized that man from the classroom; but I don't remember where."

Itachi scoffs. "It hardly matters. Remember, this is a confidential arrangement. We signed off that we would not let any provided information leak. The people here work in privacy from their normal lives."

Now it's Sasuke's turn to scoff. "Someone tell that to Ino," he complains. His pale hand rakes through his black hair. "She nearly ruined our tour just at the beginning."

"Yes, her curiosity was not well received. But I would not dwell on it," Itachi replies. "The situation has been resolved for the most part." He then turned and walked to meet up with the original party. His brother trailed behind. Kakashi, eyes trained on the youngest brother, follows last.