Chapter 4: Better Keep an Eye on This One
Shino's Intro: Hi readers. Any fans of mine out there? If so, it'll be logical for you to like this chapter. In this story, I'm not exactly the stoic bore like I am in Manga. Actually I'll provide some comic relief here, and I'm liking this new role so far. Oh, by the way, before jumping to conclusions about what Naruto says in this chapter, remember that the story of the manga is about friendship and defining what that means. This chapter, and the next one, will probe into that.
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Naruto leads Shino and Shikamaru leaping from branch to branch as they hurry through Fire Country at a neck-breaking pace. They want to make it to the Iron Country and rest for the night before the Summit the next morning. However, Shino and Shikamaru are struggling with heavy breathing to keep pace with their leader who hasn't yet broken sweat.
Seeing that they'll be running out of tree branches soon, which means they are almost out of the Fire Country, Naruto calls out to his select attendants flanking him, "Shika and Shino, how about we rest up a bit? I think we're already halfway there and ahead of schedule."
"I believe your assessment is logical, Hokage-sama," Shino tries to maintain his calm monotone, but his heavy breathings sabotage his efforts.
"Yeah," Shikamaru agrees while not faring any better, "what he said."
Once they jump off their last tree branches, they untie their carry-ons from their back and take their much deserved rest.
Something has been bothering Shino since he received that notice from Kakashi to accompany Naruto on this trip. Taking the opportunity, Shino inquires, "Naruto-sama, while I understand why you've selected Shikamaru to accompany you, I'm having a difficult time reconcilling why you've selected me."
"Shino, I know you want to keep things proper and everything, but it's just us now. So no more 'Naruto-sama' nonsense, just 'Naruto' would do," declares their leader. Seeing his subordinate wanting to rebuff, Naruto states emphatically, "And, that's an order!"
"Hai," Shino finally relents. An order is an order, after all.
"Now, back to your question, why shouldn't I picked you?" Naruto asks a little worried. "Do you have something else you had to do for your clan or your insect colonies?"
"Helping the rest of my clan to rebuild is important, but logic follows that this trip weighs more in importance." Shino adjusts his shades and continues, "Naruto-sam... er... Naruto, what I'm unable to reconcile is why take me, a tracking and espionage type, when logic declares you need at least a combative type to protect you or to fight with you, in case the Summit turns hostile."
"Heh, I didn't think of that!" The teen Kage smiles sheepishly while rubbing the back of his head, which causes his friends/attendants to sweatdrop.
Naruto continues, "I picked you two because if Sasuke and the Akatsuki show up, Shino, you'll be my tracker and Shika will be my strategist."
Shikamaru shakes his head in disbelief. "What?" - he knows Naruto long enough to know Naruto doesn't care about not showing respect to the superiors - "You still want to save him? Don't you know that this will lead to another war?"
"I know that Shika..." Naruto starts but is interrupted.
"... then the greater good of the village comes first!" Shikamaru presses on. "Village first. Everything else second. That's the sacrifice of the Hokage."
"Naruto, I'm afraid Shikamaru is correct. You should have brought someone else. Someone like Gai, Kakashi, or Yamato, and if those Akatsuki do show up, you'll have fighters on your side that you'll need," Shino concludes.
Naruto shakes his head and sighs. "What kind of Hokage would I be if I can't even save my friend? For that matter, what kind of village will be Konoha?"
"So, you'll sacrifice the lives of you ninja and go to war just to save him?" Shikamaru asks with exasperation.
"No! I will never do that! If anything, it'll be my life on the line, and no one else's," Naruto proclaims emphatically. "Also, you should get the whole story first... What I'm about to share is top secret ... It's about what really happened during the Uchiha Massacre...."
Naruto then explains how Itachi followed councils order to prevent a Uchiha coup d'etat, how Danzou changed the orders to kill off everyone, civilians and children included, and how Itachi spared Sasuke. He then tells them the history of Madara and his contention with the Senju clan, his summoning of Kyuubi in fight against the Shodai and defeat, and how Madara had a role manipulating this whole mess and is probably doing the same twisting Sasuke's revenge-driven nature to serve his purposes yet again.
"So, this Madara who fought against the Shodai and was strong enough to summon the most powerful bijuu is still alive?" Shino finally asks.
"Yeah. Remember the search for Sasuke where we met that weird orange-masked ninja who I couldn't land a hit on?"
Shino nods.
"Well, that's the guy," informs Naruto.
"Sounds to me like he was using some kind of Time-Space jutsu," analyzes Shikamaru correctly, even though he wasn't there with them.
"That's what Kakashi-sensei said," Naruto confirms, then sighs and continues, "I know what you guys think about Sasuke and all, but he used to be part of Team 7, and we have a bond of friendship that I can't let someone like Orochimaru or Madara destroy."
"But evidence shows he went to Orochimaru out of his own volition," Shino comments, "and is probably working with Madara now because he wants to."
"I don't believe that!" Naruto shouts. "The Sasuke before Orochimaru gave him the cursed seal and the Sasuke after are two different persons. And if Madara could twist a Konoha loyalist like Itachi to do his will, then manipulating Sasuke is child's play by comparison."
Shikamaru sighs. "I'm not sure if I should be happy as your friend that you value friendship highly or that I should be sad as your friend seeing the tragic outcome this course leads to. Remember, if the council and the Daimyou can appoint a Hokage, they can remove him from office as well."
"I don't care about that! There are things more important in life than fame, prestige and power. I used to dream about becoming Hokage because I wanted everyone to acknowledge me, but then after the Wave mission, I realized that it's about protecting people who are precious to me, my friends. I don't go back on my word, that's my nindo. And I don't turn back on friendship."
"Looks like the Daimyou made the right call after all," Shikamaru smiles. He then cautions, "I'll go along as long as you don't put Konoha in danger, and I'll do everything in my power to stop you, if you do."
Naruto nods and promises, "Thanks, Shika. Don't worry, I won't."
"I'll go along too," Shino says. "I just hope for your sake that you're right about Sasuke."
"Thanks, Shino." Naruto smiles. 'So do I.'
Afterward, Naruto picks up his travel pack and motions them to continue. Out of the blue he says, "Shika, do you think we'll get to see Gaara's sister at the Summit?"
The Nara's eyes twitch, but he tries not to sound like he's bothered by it. ".... Why?"
"Oh, I was hoping to ask if she wants to go out on a date," Naruto nonchalantly replies completely oblivious to Shino and Shikamaru glaring daggers at him - Shino, because he's Hinata's teammate and hates it if Naruto breaks her heart, and Shika, because of his possible feelings for Temari, though he's been in self-denial.
Sensing that both of his friends stop following him, Naruto turns around and asks with sincere innocence, "What? What did I say?"
"How dare you to betray Hinata's feelings like that?! She loves you and was even willing to die for you!"
Audible shouting and ostentatious emotions from Shino? Needless to say, his outburst shocks Naruto and Shikamaru.
Naruto quickly puts up his hands in protest and confusion. "No, no, why would you say something awful like that?"
Shino looks at Shikamaru, who finally says, "Then why would you ask Temari for a date?"
"I'm going to ask her for you, you dummy, since it's too troublesome for you to ask her out yourself," Naruto replies as if it is the most obvious answer in the world. "I don't care how you denied it that day when I came back from my three-year trip with Ero-Sennin, you guys definitely looked like a couple...."
Thinking the misunderstanding is cleared, and that there shouldn't have been one in the first place, Naruto resumes journeying toward Iron Country. "... You guys coming?"
Shino looks at Naruto, then Shikamaru. He pauses for a moment, as if staring. Then, he turns to continue the journey, following Naruto.
Shikamaru's eyes twitch again. This time because he believes Shino has just a smirk hid behind his raised collars when staring at him.
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They travel the rest of the journey on foot and soon entered the Wood Country, which is a small wooded country that they have to go through before reaching Iron.
"Naruto..." the insect expert whispers as he uses his hand to adjust his shades and conceal his moving lips. Two of his bugs can be seen returning into his sleave from their surveillance.
"I know, Shino," Naruto whispers back but continues to travel as if nothing is happening.
Shikamaru puts on his game face as he heightens his awareness for his surroundings. Even though he is the only one who hasn't detected the enemies yet, he is already plotting out how to counter the possible scenarios.
Then, without any prelude, those in hiding come out attacking. Shikamaru starts his hand seals while his mind tabulates, 'Ten? Fifteen?' Shikamaru plugs in the variables into his mind and then shakes his head. 'No, at least 20. So, I'll use 25 to be safe.' And, as soon as he finishes his hand seals for Kage Nui, his mind has already finished its calculations, and he is ready to pierce through the attackers with his shadow tentacles.
Shino, too, is prepared to fend off the attackers. He has his arms stretched, deploying a cloud mass of swarming insects.
"STOP!" Naruto shouts, and surprisingly everyone including the Wood-nins stop to hear what Naruto has to say. Naruto isn't worried at all about their odds against the larger numbered opponents, but rather, he's more worried about the attackers dying unnecessarily. Naruto implores, "We come in peace. We are on our way to Iron Country and don't want any trouble. If you let us pass, we will be on our way and out of Wood Country in no time."
Peace is short lived, as one of the older ninja and evident leader yells, "You Konoha scum and your talks of peace! We won't fall for that again. But you three are all too young to be caught up in the bloodbath of old, so just give up Danzou and no harm will come to you."
"Danzou? I'm afraid that's not possible," Shino who is the closest to the captain of the Wood-nins tries to explain to them Danzou's fate, "you see..."
But all of the Wood-nins stop listening when they hear the words "not possible," and one of them cries out, "Enough, Dokutsu! Let's fight first, talk later!"
That was all the reason they need to ignite the bloodlust they have for the Konoha-nins ... never mind that their leader hasn't given the order yet. Wood Country isn't one of the Five Elemental powers and their lacklusterly-trained attackers make the point obvious.
"Noooo!!!" Naruto has a look of horror on his face as he sees kunais thrown from both sides and images of death flash before his mind. Shino and Shikamaru are as skilled Naruto has read in the mission logs. Blood sprays everywhere Shikamaru's Kage Nui tentacles pierce, mostly done with a merciful end directly to the heart. Shino's victims are less fortunate as they suffer seizures from insect paralysis. Two Wood-nins, four, then seven ... all down before Naruto finishes his shout.
Naruto does the only thing he knows to do: making a bunch of Kage Bunshins and doing a mass-scale Kawarimi.
Fifteen Wood-nins are teleported to the safety of the tree branches, each has Naruto Bunshin pressing a kunai on his neck. Instead, the Naruto Bunshins that replaced them become victims of Shino and Shikamaru's attacks. Poof after poof the clones dissipate, and all within mere seconds.
Shino and Shikamaru have puzzled looks on their faces. The Wood-nins, equally as well.
"That's enough guys," the real Naruto orders his subordinates as memories of death from his dissipating clones return to him. "From now on, please follow my lead. If there's going to be a fight, I'll be the one to start it."
"Hai." Shino and Shikamaru submit.
"Who are you, young one?" Dokutsu asks the clone holding him hostage.
"My name is Naruto, and I'm the Rokudaime Hokage," the real Naruto explains. "As my friend Shino was trying to explain earlier before he was interrupted"--Naruto stares at the Wood-nin that charged first without his leader's approval--"Danzou is no longer alive, and that's why it's 'not possible' for you to see him."
"What! How's that possible?" another Wood-nin asks.
"Naruto-sama," Shino returns to addressing Naruto with honorifics in the presence of these foreign ninja, "it seems that they are seeking revenge against Danzou."
"Who are you guys, and what had he done to you?" Naruto asks Dokutsu.
"We are the remaining members of the Hannya clan in this Hayashi no Kuni. We are skilled in assassination techniques. A little over a decade ago, that bastard promised us a peace treaty with Konoha, that as long as we pay our tariff, Konoha would offer country her protection and our young training to be ninja. He promised that after three years of service to Konoha, our children would be returned to us to serve and help build our own hidden village," Dokutsu explains. "Instead, he brainwashed our children and stripped them of their emotions. Many died, and he turned the few who survived into his own zombie army."
"I see," Naruto nods sadly. "There is no official record of this, at least nothing in the Hokage archives. But after Danzou's death, we were able to get all of his former foot soldiers to recount their old missions from Danzou, and maybe someone remembered what happened to the children from this country."
"Ha-umm, Hokage-sama," Shikamaru interrupts. "That's putting a lot of faith in people's memories and assuming that those involved are still alive."
"Oh, yeah. You're right, Shika." Naruto smiles while rubbing the back of his head. He then turns to the Wood-nin leader, "So, no promises, but you're certainly welcome to see me in Konoha, say in two weeks, and if there's anything pertinent to the people of the Wood, I won't withhold that information from you."
The Wood-nins seem satisfied with Naruto's offer. A few are quite surprised by how genuine and open the young Hokage is. Most however believes upholding such ideals will eventually lead Konoha to her demise.
Before the matter is concluded, the Nara genius asks Naruto's permission to address some legalities with the Wood-nins.
"First, the Hokage-sama's offer to help is by no means an admission of guilt on his part or on behalf of Konoha," Shikamaru begins.
"Fine," Dokutsu replies.
"Good." Shikamaru then continues, "Since Danzou was acting on his own without the Hokage's knowledge or permission, you are not to hold his sins against Konoha. And, in turn, Konoha will act in good faith to rectify the mistakes made by one of its wayward citizens."
"Agreed."
What Konoha is offering them is more than what they can expect. The light at the end of the tunnel of heartbreak, anger, disappointment, and hatred is finally visible.
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As Team Hawk travels on, following Zetsu's lead, Karin identifies something in the distance.
"Sasuke-kun, I'm sensing a ton of strong chakra levels from that direction," Kain says while pointing her finger there. "Looks like Zetsu is not playing tricks so far."
"How are you able to discern that he's not playing tricks merely from a large gathering of strong chakras? I bet you just want to show off to Sasuke." Suigetsu argues, which causes Karin to feel like she is losing face in front of Sasuke.
"Suigetsu, you bastard!"
"Shut up you two," Sasuke orders after seeing the Zetsu in front of them coming to a sudden stop. Then, Team Hawk waits while Suigetsu melts into water and spies on the group of sumari ahead of them.
"It looks like tight defense, as it would be expected of a gathering of this magnitude," Suigetsu reports.
"Juugo," Sasuke turns to the last team member, "use the animals to probe the security for a weakness."
Juugo nods and raises his hands into the sky. A few minutes later, a gliding owl gracefully landed on Juugo's shoulder.
"So?" Sasuke asks.
Juugo closes his eyes and mentally links to the owl. He then replies, "There's a route from the west that's not well guarded."
"We're going in now," Sasuke commands. "Karin, keep an eye on the guards and their chakra."
"Zetsu," Sasuke addresses the white-half of the plant variant that led them there, "I need you to tell me which one's Danzou."
"I'll lead you to where the Kages gather together to meet, and then I have my own duties I must perform here."
"That's not good enough," Sasuke states indignantly. "I don't want to mistaken someone else for him."
"Easy enough," Zetsu answers. "All you have to do is look for the one wearing the hat with the 'fire' kanji, and surely your sharingan will be able to detect a genjutsu apart from the real one, right?"
"You better not lie to us," Karin warns. "I'm a chakra sensing type, and I can tell when people lie."
"Heh heh, can you really?" Zetsu mocks. "That's good to know."
He's not exactly "people," now, is he?
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Upon entering the Iron Country, the Konoha trio are greeted by snow. Shino and Shikamaru flip on the hoods attached to their weatherproof cloaks, while Naruto puts on his Hokage hat that compliments his regal Yondaime-lookalike white Kage robe with vibrant flame fringes.
"Hi, can you direct me to a bed and breakfast around here?" Naruto asks the first local they meet in the Iron Country.
"Are you here for the Summit?" the middle-aged man asks.
The Summit isn't classified here. It actually provides boom to the local business that open shop to the visitors.
Naruto confirms, and the villager directs him to the road ahead.
"Follow the path to town. It'll lead you to Blacksmith Inn, which is a block away from the Fortress of Mifune, the place where you'll have that meeting. You can't miss it."
"Thank you!"
Naruto and company follow the path as they have been directed.
The villager calls out after them, adding, "There was already a group ahead of you." Of course, it's not a race, but he doesn't know any different. The first bunch got there merely five minutes ago and, coincidentally, asked him the same question.
"Oh, really?" Naruto and his attendants halt their steps. "Who?!" - too excited to remember that the chances a common villager identifying these foreign dignitaries is rare - "Er... I mean, what did they look like?"
"Their leader was a young man ... your age, I think ... red hair ... a gourd strapped to his back."
"Oh, that's Gaara!" Naruto calls out, glad that he'll get a chance to see his friend again.
The Iron commoner sees that the group has been identified and reasons that his services are no longer needed. He is just about to walk away ....
"Excuse me, sir, can you tell me about his two companions?" Shikamaru asks a little too eagerly. He then quickly schools his features back to indifference once he realizes his slip.
Too bad Shino has already noticed it and almost let out an audible snicker.
"One was a makeup-wearing young man ... I'm guessing this Gaara guy's older brother. The other one ... [whistling] ... a gorgeous sandy blonde that carried a fan, maybe two, behind her." The villager then stares blankly into the distance and adds, "If she wasn't carrying stuff on her back, I could have gotten a clear view of her ...."
Shikamaru doesn't like where the conversation is going and emits a brunt killing intent that makes the villager stop his rambling and wet his pants.
"Shika, that's enough," Naruto says as he places a hand on his friend's shoulder. "He didn't know."
"What's there to know, Hokage?" Shino feigns ignorance.
"All right, I'll admit that bothered me a bit," Shikamaru declares in defeat. "Now, can we get going, please?"
The villager breathes a sigh of relief seeing this "Shika" character leaving his sight. Just when he is about to leave the area, another group shows up.
"Excuse me," asks a shy young man with a sword strapped to his back, "c-can you show us a place to rest up ... if it's not much trouble ... please?"
"Are you here for the Summit too?" the man asks, slightly annoyed. This makes his third time acting as guide.
A woman with red lengthy hair steps up and confirms, "That's right."
Seeing a beauty like her improves his mood a bit. 'This one is even more beautiful than that fan-carrying blonde, and she's just my age too.' By "just his age," the villager means someone fifteen years his junior.
"Well?" the female repeats after enduring few minutes of his silent, absent stares.
"I'm sorry for being in a daze just now. The Inn you seek is that way," the man finally voices while absent-mindedly pointing toward the town.
He then clears his throat and straightens his attire a bit. "It's just that I didn't think I would ever meet someone of your beauty while I'm still an eligible bachelor. Would do me the honors, if you don't have any prior engagements this evening?"
'Eligible? Engagements?' A dark cloud gathers above Mizukage's head.
Needless to say, the villager involuntarily empties his bladder again.
After leaving the pervert to soak in his filth and embarrassment, the Mist-nins arrive at the Blacksmith Inn in time to catch Konoha and Suna representatives interacting with each other.
Mizukage whispers to Ao, "That Suna redhead is Gaara the Godaime Kazekage, former Jinchuuriki of the One-tail, and those two, his siblings, right?"
Ao nods to confirm.
"But, who's that blond from Konoha?" the Godaime Mizukage asks as she eyes the young man appreciatively. "He's definitely not Danzou. Do you think the old warhawk would have sent someone else to represent Konoha? The Summit invitation specifically says, 'Kage attendance is mandatory.'"
That has Ao puzzled as well. He too is busy looking at Naruto, but for an entirely different reason. "I'm not sure, Mizukage-sama."
Choujuurou suggests, "Perhaps ... maybe we should make our presence known."
"Grow some backbone, boy! You're a Swordsman of the Mist, for Kami sake," Ao chides.
"O-Ossu!"
"Hush, you two. Our presence is already known," Mizukage says, then she calls out, "They're just pretending not to notice, right Kazekage-dono?"
On that cue, Naruto and Gaara stop their chitchat and turn to smile at the Mist representatives.
"Hai, Mizukage-dono."
"If it's any consolation," Naruto offers his foxy smile, "I didn't know about you guys are from the Mist until just now."
"Haha," the beautiful redhead laughs very femininely with a hand covering her mouth. "What a considerate and a charming thing to say!" leaving Naruto weird out.
She then seductively walks to them, accenting her curves and assets while flirting at Naruto with her eyes. She extends her hand and greets, "I'm Mei. Terumi Mei."
"Mei-dono, I'm Namikaze Naruto the Rokudaime Hokage," the blond returns her handshake.
"Rokudaime? Isn't it Danzou?" Mei asks, wanting to find out more about this handsome young man, but someone else steals Naruto's attention from her.
"Namikaze!?" Gaara looks at Naruto puzzled.
"Oh, yeah," Naruto laughs sheepishly. "Sorry, I haven't told you yet. I'm the son of the Yondaime Hokage Namikaze Minato. Uzumaki is my mom's maiden name."
"Really, so your dad sealed a bijuu in you just like ours did to Gaara?" Kankurou asks in disgust.
"Hey, my dad was nothing like your dad!" Naruto counters indignantly. "He did it out of love and duty for the village."
"What love and duty, Naruto? You must be more messed up in the head than Gaara was to believe that nonsense!" Temari drags Shikamaru by the hand as she joins the conversation. She can almost swear to hearing some mumblings of "Troublesome."
"Kyuubi attacked Konoha, so if Dad didn't seal Kyuubi in me, everyone would have been wiped out, including ME, who was just a helpless infant!" Naruto can't believe something so simple that even he understands isn't the most obvious conclusion in the world. "So, yeah, I hated having the Furball in me, but I'd rather be alive than dead!"
"Er... I guess if you put it that way, it is different than what happened to Gaara," the puppet master concedes.
"Naruto-sama," Shino cautions, "is it wise to be talking about our village secret so openly in front of others?"
His comment causes both Suna and Konoha representatives to stop whatever they are saying and doing. Everyone then awkwardly and silently looks at the Mist representatives.
"Oh, my, don't mind me," the Mizukage waves it off, trying to sound unaffected. She then motions her attendants to the check-in counter.
"Guy, you've hurt her feelings!" says Naruto.
Temari smacks his head and asks, "How can you be so insightful when it comes to others, but completely clueless when it comes to Hinata and Sakura?"
"Hinata and Sakura?" Naruto echoes, confused.
"Wait, you guys know about Hinata and Sakura?" Shikamaru asks in disbelief.
"Doesn't everybody?" Kankurou replies with a shrug.
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The Mist representatives enter their room. The size of it actually qualifies it as a suite - three bedrooms, a sitting area, a living room, a kitchen, and a dining hall. Mizukage's mood is slightly depressed, but tries not to show it. Choujuurou is fascinated by the awesome rooming, and Ao views it as typical for Kage gathers.
Choujuurou let out a grunt as he loosens his heavy luggage from his back.
"Choujuurou, your sword Hiramekarei, must have been heavy," the Mizukage observes. "Are you all right?"
The youngest of the Seven Swordsmen reports, "Oh ... yeah ... I feel a little feverish, though it's probably no big ..."
With the speed of befitting of a Kage, the femme fatale invades his personal space, grabs him by the back of his neck and presses their foreheads together, while activating a diagnostic jutsu unique to her bloodline.
"Let me see ..." she says with a smile. It isn't her usual carefree smile, but beautiful nonetheless.
The young swordsman blushes while thinking how seductive his Kage sounds and how close her lips are ... her luscious, enticing lips ... the intoxicating scent of her heated breath. Then, his eyes can't help themselves as they trace the curves of her lips to the soft elegance of her chin ... her neck ... the sexy mesh borders of her blouse ... her heavenly....
"You're too easy on Choujuurou!" Ao unknowingly interrupts the young pervert's eye feast. "Kids these days are so spoiled! How could you get a fever from a little walk like that? In my day..."
"Ao," Mizukage chides, somewhat peeved that she was interrupted like that, "we aren't under the reign of the Yondaime Mizukage anymore, when we were called the Bloody Mist Village. So, stop talking about the old days."
"Sorry, I just..." Ao tries to explain why he was so upset with the youngster, but he himself has a hard time understanding why either.
"Enough of this!" Terumi Mei, the Mizukage, states. "Let's get something to eat."
Ao then questions Choujuurou about the dining arrangements, which Mei misunderstands his mumbled accent for "engagements."
'Why does he always comment about my failure in romance?' Mei fumes.
Once Choujuurou leaves to buy food, she warns Ao, "Shut up, or I'll kill you!"
Again, just like before leaving the village, Ao is puzzled by why she targeted him. Then a realization dawns on him. He offers, "Perhaps we'll get to see that Naruto again!"
A dark cloud forms above Mizukage. "You really want to die today, don't you?"
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Elsewhere Tsuchikage and his attendants are resting in a bordering country. Tsuchikage is the type that doesn't like to socialize with other villages so he prefers not to accept Mifune's invitation to stay at the Inn prepared for the guests of the Summit.
"What is the Iron Country like, Gramps?" asks Akatsuchi, the big-boned juggernaut.
"It's a small country formed from three mountains called the three wolves," answers the aged arthritis sufferer. "It is a land without ninja. It isn't big enough to support a hidden village. However, the people are peace-loving and have little need for a militia. In the past three Ninja Wars, they've remained neutral throughout."
"But they must have some law-enforcing system in place, right?" the other attendant asks.
His Kage explains, "Yes, it has a strong military of samurai. They'll be providing the security during this Summit."
They'll meet everyone else at the Summit tomorrow.
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Raikage continues his journey and then stops to meet Samui's team. They are very near the border for Iron Country. One of the attendants, Shi, was hoping that they would have gotten here earlier, perhaps beating the other countries to the Summit. Sure, this isn't a contest, but people from their villages have their pride, after all.
In the Cloud-nins' case, crashing through walls and windows might have sounded faster to the attendants who chose to follow his path of destruction, but calming the protests of villagers and filling out paperwork took more than enough time to nullify the little gain traveling a direct path brought them.
"So how did the trip to Konoha go?" Raikage asks Samui.
"Raikage-sama," the female Jounin reports, "the Akatsuki got to them too, looking for their Jinchuuriki, the Nine-tails. In fact their whole village was leveled by this Pein character, someone who was in charge of the Akatsuki. And then their Kyuubi host, someone named Naruto, defeated Pein and became their next Hokage."
"I don't care about that!" Raikage is getting impatient as his hot temper flares. Of course he wants to hear about the latest update, but he was more concerned about his brother and whether they would help.
Samui isn't made Jounin yesterday, so she has worked under the Raikage long enough to know that other information about Konoha is secondary to the matter concerning his brother, the captured, and hopefully still alive, Jinchuuriki of the Eight-tails.
"This Naruto gave us everything they had on the Akatsuki, but he said that he would give you his decision in person at the Summit." Samui quickly adds, "You should know, Raikage-sama, he used to be a teammate of Sasuke and perhaps still consider the traitor his teammate."
"Hmm, I see. Sasuke's teammate, huh? That would mean he's just a young'un. How is he able to become the Hokage?"
Samui can tell that her Kage is finally ready to hear what they've gathered about Konoha, so she and her team relate everything they've learned while they find an Inn to rest up.
"A Konoha ridden with conspirary and a Jinchuuriki who gained the backing of his whole village? How interesting..." Raikage ponders out loud. "We better keep an eye on this one."
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A/N: Hi, I'm back. And ready to add a few cents about the Readers Corner from Chapter 2. Um, actually I'll just quote from two reviews:
MistressWinowyll: To put it simply, one can not be a gentlemen without being a little sexist. One can not be chivalrous without being sexist. Yes, to some may call it being courteous, but it is still appreciated. It's what make men and women different that draws one to the other. If that was not the case, who knows what we'd be like as a society where men and women are faceless beings that carry the task of being equal in everything.
KingKakashi: And to answer your question at the end, because as Shikamaru would say "It's much too troublesome to argue otherwise." Men have to pick their battles, usually the important ones and just let all the minor ones go by when it comes to girls/women.
I think them both sum it up pretty nicely.