Part 4: The line between friend and stranger
"Given that elemental specialists make up about ninety-eight percent of the hunters here, the remaining two percent are…" Shizune pauses to think for the right word. She knows which word she would like to use, but the connotations associated with it could have a negative effect.
Next to her, Tsunade snorts. "Demon users," the godaime supplies. She ignores Shizune's sputtering. "Remember how Demonic Chakara is only obtained by a select few? Well, they're our two percent." She moves to the last room of the tour, which reveals a list of charts and pictures hanging on the walls.
Shikamaru, in his tired state, manages to look puzzled. "You don't have any Holy users?"
Tsunade replies with a flippant wave of her hand. "Oh we do, but their less than one percent of the hunter population. That ability is passed through generations in select families, and sadly the tree is dying."
"Our demon users," Shizune cuts in, "are usually contracted with a powerful demon. They make deals that let them rely on a demon's power in battle."
Sasuke quirks a brow. "That seems rather dangerous," he chides.
Tsunade frowns at the vice president, unappreciative of his tone. "Exactly brat," she huffs, "which is why we don't like to have a lot of people doing it." The vice president looks shocked at the insult.
A panicked look breaks across Shizune's face. She steps forward and between the godaime and vice president. "R-right. Although, most contracts are pretty basic. The lesser the demon, the less binding the contracts. Some demons offer temporary support for fairly manageable prices. Each contract is short-term, and conditionally unique." Shizune forces a few laughs out of her mouth, although the situation is far from funny. "Actually, there are only nine people within our organization that have binding contracts with demons. These contracts are vital and last the entire lifespan of the hunter."
"They're called jinchūriki," Tsunade cuts in. Her voice is grave and her face is hard set. It's obvious that she is angered, but the source is unclear. "From the moment they are born, the baby is forced to bind its body and soul with the demon. The contract lasts as long as they live, and then the demon devours the host's dying soul and moves to a new host child." Her tone easily oppresses the mood of the room. Not that it was all that chipper to begin with.
"B-but," Shizune's chipper voice tries again. "It offers protection and power to the host as well. They're abilities are unrivaled. The nine jinchūriki are our most powerful and specialized hunters. They're spread out among our branches to help keep an eye on everything. Perhaps you know the two currently in this city?" She eyes the group with dying hope.
Shikamaru shrugs in disinterest, but Ino is bouncing on her feet. "The Orange Kyūbi and Red Shikaku, right?" She chirps.
"Yes," Shizune replies with a smile. She focuses on the most receptive member of the group. "There is a ranking among the jinchūriki, as each of the nine demons is more powerful than the last. The Demon Shikaku, also known as the One-Tailed Beast, is the lowest rank. His contract is with the Red Shikaku. However, he's still far more powerful than any demon we can summon normally. Demon Kyūbi is our most powerful tailed demon. He's ranked as the Nine-Tailed Beast. His power, of all the other Tailed-Beast, is the most prevailing and unpredictable. Orange Kyūbi has trained very hard to keep that demon in check."
Behind Shizune, the godaime snorts. Her arms are crossed at her chest. "Training my ass. He only trains when you sit down and make him. Otherwise, he's off picking fights or pulling pranks, that brat." Her tone is surprisingly affectionate, despite the harshness of her words.
Shizune turns from the group to face her boss. There is a smile on her lips and her tone is a bit teasing. "Yes, but I think that, given he is a fox, pranks do count as training, my godaime. After all, you still have no proof that was him. If he is doing those pranks, he gets away with them every time. That in itself is impressive."
"Impressive?" Cries Tsunade in mock outrage. She swivels to point accusingly at Shizune. "I know that brat did it! Who else could it have been? Only that fox brat would be able to manage painting my entire office orange in one afternoon!" She growls and turns to look at the photos on the wall. "Orange; the damn color!"
The photos on the wall are head shots of various hunters and demons. The hunters all wear different animal masks that seemed similar to the demons next to their picture. Tsunade strolls down the wall until she stops at the set depicting a familiar blond and the fox beast within him. His smile was not as broad as the usual grin across his face, but this calmer look seems more handsome and honest. Even with his eyes covered, the look on his face is obvious to anyone who knows him. Tsunade smiles in absentminded affection at the photo. "I hate that orange color," she murmurs to no one.
Meanwhile, Shizune turns to readdress the group. "On these walls are the current jinchūriki and their demons. Basic information about them can be found on the plaques. Please, feel free to look around a bit."
The group dissipates slowly. Neither Uchiha is all that interested in looking, but they do move to the walls. Itachi observes the Red Shikaku with a sense of familiarity. He eyes the basic information: location, ranking, and demon. None of it is that informative. The other photos are just as simple and vague. Really, the agency kept as much information sealed as possible, didn't they? He found the overall tour to be less useful and more frustrating.
Mirroring his brother's thoughts, Sasuke moved down the line of photos, not even really glancing at them. None of the details were of any real use to the company; he could easily find the location of any of these hunters if he wanted to. Sasuke stops though when he reaches the Orange Kyūbi. He eyes the man in the photo, that familiar sensation of déjà vu returning to the back of his mind. He isn't sure what it means. He chooses not to dwell on it though.
Ino jumps from photo to photo, her eyes observing each person as though she did not know who they were already. That ploy means little, however, as she easily spouts additional facts about each person to Shikamaru. The poor childhood friend, having grown used to her chatter, nods and hums along with her voice. She pays little attention to how little he pays attention. All that matters to Ino is the photos on the wall.
From the far end of the room, Kakashi is still staring at his book, seemingly uninterested. However, his eye watches both Uchiha brothers with mild worry. He refuses to let that show though. Instead, Kakashi makes casual way to Tsunade by the far wall, greeting her and Shizune in turn.
"What is it, brat?" Tsunade grunts at the familiar mass of silver hair.
"Why godaime, it's so good to see you too," comes Kakashi's cheeky reply. He grins behind the mask. "I just thought you might enjoy some nice chatter with me. Forgive me, I don't mean to disturb your brooding." His tone is overly polite.
"Shut up, you damn brat," Tsunade scowls and hisses. "You tell me right now: did you have anything to do with that prank?"
"Why, my godaime, whatever do you mean? I was at work all day yesterday."
The blonde woman growls. "How did you know it happened yesterday?"
Kakashi shrugs. "Iruka."
"And how did Umino know?"
"Ah," sighs Kakashi. "Is there anything he does not know?"
The elder woman swiftly closes her mouth, a disgruntled look upon her face. "Touché," Tsunade grumbles with crossed arms. "But, there is no way it could be anyone else; I won't be convinced. The room is orange Kakashi: orange! You and I both know it's that cheeky fox's favorite color. He wears it every day."
Kakashi hums. The mask hides his satisfied grin. "Perhaps he was framed."
Tsunade snorts. "He would be more defensive if that were the case. You know how damn noble that brat thinks he is. He can't stand having his good name soiled by anyone but himself."
This time, Kakashi really does laugh. It's light and dry, but the mirth is real.
From across the room, two dark, Uchiha eyes are watching the assistant to the president critically.