Having planned to train with Sazuto that Thursday morning, Arisa had woken up earlier than usual. Ever since the Spring Daimyo hired the services of Team Akagi 2 years before, Arisa felt as if her best friend was slipping away from her, as he'd be away for long stretches of time, the shortest being 6 months. Thankfully once she had graduated from the academy she had more time to spend with him, to train with him. Especially now since Team Akagi was on a break from missions.

Securing her relatively new shinobi headband onto her forehead, Arisa took one last glance at her reflection. She would've preferred to tie it around her neck or her waist like Ren but her clan seal would've been exposed, something she had always been insecure of. It frightened her sometimes, she had seen the effects of the seal being activated by her uncle, the clan head Hyuuga Boruto, on a branch member who had planned to runaway with a secret lover. Images of the victim squirming in agony, clutching his throbbing head, still felt raw in Arisa's memories.

Running away with a lover. That'll be nice. Just me and Sazuto-kun.

Arisa imagined a life married to the love of her life, living in a private cottage on a calm farmland, raising their children away from the chaos and violence of shinobi life, unbound by clan seals.

Living freely.

A beautiful illusion. One that she knew was impossible, as illusions never change into something real.

In another life perhaps.

Arisa smiled sadly at her reflection, before leaving her room.

XX

Chapter 7: The Death Squad

Fastening his sandals firmly onto his feet, Sazuto got up to leave the Uchiha household. Looking up to the view of the beautiful sky, filled with fluffy passing clouds,brought a smile to his face. He had rarely been home for the past two years, accompanying Nyoko on her tours. And when he did return to Konoha, he spent most of his time training, either with his team, Arisa or Shinichi. His elder brother however was away on a mission that day, as he had been for the past week.

A yell from behind Sazuto stopped him in his tracks. "Sazuto! Can you help pass this to your Aunt Sarada on your way out for me please," Shizukesa walked towards her son, holding up a pack wrapped in brown cloth. "I cooked a little something to help cheer her up a bit," she smiled gently.

"Yeah sure. I might be back home late mom, depending on the mission. Don't wait for me," Sazuto seized the parcel, clutching it to his chest and continued on his way out.

"Take care! Good luck training!" Shizukesa shouted after him. "And go easy on Arisa-chan!"

Sazuto waved an arm back, annoyed. He made his way to the neighboring house, knocking on its wooden door. After no answer came for a minute, Sazuto tried again. This time however, a spiky black haired man with average build opened the door. The man, Uchiha Juushiro, was the son of Nara Yamamoto and Uchiha Sarada, the latter being Uchiha Kobueshi's elder sister, making Juushiro Sazuto's first cousin. Had Sarada been born a male, she would've been the Uchiha clan head instead of Sazuto's father. Due to the Uchiha's superior clan prestige, and because he possessed the Sharingan, Juushiro was forced to adopt the Uchiha; an identical case to Arisa's parents.

"Hey Sazuto." Juushiro hadn't expected to have any guests. "Sorry man was busy packing for my mission."

"Heh no problem Juu. Is Aunt Sarada in?" Sazuto brought up the pack to the older Uchiha. "My mom asked me to pass this to her. How is she by the way?"

Juushiro accepted the parcel, shaking his head. "Not good man. She's still grieving over the miscarriage. We all are."

Sazuto nodded his head, eyes downcast. "Sorry to hear that. You know we're here for you, right? That's what family is for."

Juushiro placed a palm of his cousin's shoulder, who looked up to his reassuring smile. "Yeah I know. Thanks man, and tell Aunt Shizukesa I said thanks."

Sazuto returned the smile. "Hey good luck for your mission. I hope we can spar when you get back," Sazuto turned to move off.

"Good luck to you too cuz, you'll need it if you plan on beating me in a spar," Juushiro jokingly warned his cousin, receiving a wave as a reply. Smiling, he went back inside.

XX

Under the shade of a nearby tree, the two Genins took a short break from training. Sazuto set his bottle down and reached into his butt pouch. "Close your eyes, I have something for you."

Arisa obeyed, shutting her eyes tight, placing her palms on her lap. She felt a flat square item land gently on them, opening her eyes to see a CD case with Nyoko's photo as its cover.

"It's her new album. She gave it to me but it's not really to my liking, so I thought I'd give it to her number one fan! It's not even released in stores yet!" Sazuto proudly exclaimed.

Arisa couldn't contain her joy, enveloping Sazuto in a sudden embrace. Satisfied with her hug, she let Sazuto go to examine her latest collection. Turning the case around, she read the song list at the back.

Sazuto eyed Arisa as she was deep in concentration, smirking proudly. "How's your team?"

The petite girl stored the CD in her own butt pouch, turning to answer her longtime crush. "They're alright I guess. Fujino-sensei is really helping me gain confidence, while Killua and Gon are always pushing me to train harder."

"Those boys," Sazuto sat upright, his tone serious, "have they made any moves on you?"

"What no Sazuto-kun of course not!" Arisa jokingly giggled. "They don't see me that way."

"Well they better not," Sazuto eased, "any ways when is your next mission?"

"Oh actually I have one this afternoon. To guide a construction engineer to a town called Dendo, on the outskirts of Mizu no Kuni(Land of Water), where he is going to lead a team to build a dam, or something like that. This mission should take a while," Arisa didn't miss the look of concern on Sazuto's face.

"This doesn't sound like an easy mission. Didn't your team recently graduate from the academy? It's too soon for you to be going out on such a mission. Konoha and Kiri have not been in good terms of late. Last I heard Kiri officials have put a bounty on Konoha shinobis, rewarding each head they bring back with money! What the hell is the Hokage thinking!" Sazuto couldn't contain his anger, his fists were clenched, his Sharingan had been subconsciously activated.

"Sazuto-kun I know that Kirigakure(1) is the shinobi village of the Land of Water, but I did tell you that our destination is on the outskirts of the land. We'll probably not encounter any Kiri shinobi, and even if we do, at least trust me enough to defend my team," Arisa pleaded.

"It's not them I'm worried about Arisa," Sazuto gripped her hands firmly, maintaining a strict eye contact. "It's you."

Arisa face softened, happy at how much Sazuto cared for her. "Then trust yourself that you have trained me well enough. I promise I'll come back, okay?"

Sazuto's face relaxed as well, acknowledging the sincerity in her words. "Alright," he released her hands. "What time do you leave?"

XX

"Alright team, the construction engineer should be waiting for us at the village gates," Sarutobi Fujino informed her team, "Killua I want you and Guremaru on point, using your noses to sniff out any threats. I'll be in second, Gon you'll be by the engineer's side, and Arisa you'll be tailing the group, watching our backs with your byakugan. Everyone clear?" It was a formation her husband had shared with her.

Her Genin team nodded collectively. Fujino was a kind sensei, but when she was serious she definitely meant business. Her straight purple hair reached her waist, her brown eyes squinted as she smiled back at her team. She donned the standard Konoha Jounin attire, complete with the vest. A blood red shade of lipstick complimented her facial features, though it wasn't just her beauty that captivated the attention and affection of Sarutobi Akagi, her husband. She was a formidable warrior herself, as she was once in ANBU(2).

Right behind her was Inuzuka Killua, heir to the head of the Inuzuka clan. The Inuzukas are known for their canine partners, greatly enhanced senses(especially smell) and the distinctive red fang markings on their cheeks. Killua was of average height, sporting dark grayish pants reaching to his calves and a grey, hooded fur-lined coat, over a mesh armor shirt. A small gray puppy, Guremaru, Killua's best friend and companion, laid atop his head.

Behind the Inuzuka was Gon, whose outfit consisted of a green onesie jumpsuit, orange striped leg warmers, bandages wrapped around his hands and a red maroon scarf tied around his neck. Taller than his teammates and well-built, his cheek-bones high, eyebrows thick and his black hair was bowl cut. Unlike the other two, his headband was tied around the waist. An orphan growing up on the streets of Konoha, Gon was saved by a patrolling Fujino. Under her strict tutelage in Taijutsu, Gon entered and graduated from the academy even with the inability to utilize ninjutsu or genjutsu. Amongst the three Genin, Gon was the only one whom Fujino requested be assigned to her. Despite his hostile childhood, Gon remains kindhearted and honest, though he can be very energetic and hot-blooded at times.

Upon arrival at the gates, team Fujino spotted the construction engineer sitting on a bench, gulping down cold water from a bamboo bottle. Recognizing his escort, he stood up to greet them. He wore a loose shirt and Bermudas, a straw hat to protect him from the heat. "You're it? A bunch of kids?"

Fujino stepped forward, "well excuse me mister, but we're all you could afford. So let's cut the chitchat and make our move."

XX

Killua took a deep breath, concentrating chakra into his nose, inhaling the scent that lingered in the air around him. The trail they were trekking was flanked by forests on either side.

Nothing.

As the group closed on to the Land of Water, the Konoha shinobis adopted a high alert mentality, ready for any assault. Gon, not a fan of seriousness, decided to break the ice to ease the tension. He turned to the engineer, who was busy ogling Fujino's derrière. Disgusted, Gon coughed loudly, attracting the older man's attention. "She's married."

"Hehe so what?" the older man grinned, "nothing wrong with just lookin' right?"

"It is unyouthful to stare at another man's wife, I for one will not taint my flames of youth by gawking a woman, married or not." The engineer seemed to be unperturbed by Gon's philosophy. "Can you at least try to be discreet," Gon sighed, "anyways Mr Construction Man why do you need to be escorted to the dam site?"

"My name is not Mr Construction Man doofus," the man glared, "it's Kensetsu."

"Just Kensetsu?" Killua asked, intrigued by the lack of family name.

"Just Kensetsu."

"And my name isn't Doofus. It's Gon," Gon introduced proudly, complete with a thumbs up. "Just Gon."

"Hehe I like you kid," Kensetsu grinned, "you're okay."

"Didn't I tell you to cut the chitchat," Fujino interjected.

Kensetsu felt the air around him thicken.

Geez talk about women.

"Hey, I'm sorry about what I said, you know, about you guys being kids," the engineer started, "you can't blame me for being paranoid. Kiri shinobis have been spotted patrolling the town where the dam will be built. And it is absolutely vital I complete building it."

"Really?" Arisa asked from behind them, "and why-"

She was cut off when Fujino tackled her onto the ground, pulling Kensetsu along, as they barely dodged a horizontal slice of water. Gon pushed Killua away, himself rolling sideways to evade the jutsu. A pair of cloaked bodies descended from the surrounding trees, one significantly taller than the other, and charged towards Killua and Gon, as the latter unsheathed two kunais while Guremaru leapt off the formers head, whom discharged a barrage of shuriken. Their assailants dodged out of the way, but another appeared from behind Arisa, having completed a sequence of hand seals.

Suiton: Suidanha! (Water style: Severing Wave!)

A high pressure stream spewed from his mouth, soaring towards the Konoha shinobi. Rapidly forming the required hand seals Fujino triggered a ninjutsu of her own.

Katon: Goukakyuu! (Fire style: Grand Fireball!)

The fireball struck the water stream head on, the two elements colliding, neutralizing one another. Terrified, Kensetsu hastily rose and sprinted away from the fray. The two cloaked shinobis, who had been in a taijutsu combat with Gon and Killua, gave chase, pursued closely by Arisa and Fujino. Gon and Killua would've gone too, had their feet not been swept by a stream of water. The remaining cloaked being removed her disguise, revealing a female Kiri shinobi, whose hands formed a bird seal. "Your fight is with me."

Suiton: Suidanha! (Water style: Severing Wave!)

XX

"Hey how's your mom T?" Ren asked her blond teammate, who was leaning against a wall.

"She's alright I guess," Takeshi lazily replied, "she's still can't walk much."

"Well what'd you expect usuratonkachi?" Sazuto added from beside Ren, sharing the bench with her, "she just gave birth. How's your baby sister by the way?"

"Cheh shut up Teme," Takeshi snickered. "Saki is troublesome. She's constantly crying and shitting," he groaned.

"Saki? Hyuuga Saki? That's such a pretty name!" Ren beamed, "I wanna carry her!"

"Maybe after this mission I'll bring you to her Ren!" the Hyuuga promised, grinning. He stared at the door to the Hokage's office. "Man they're really taking their own sweet time."

"Yeah they are," Sazuto agreed with the blond. "Wonder what mission we'd be assigned to. Since Nyoko enrolled into some prestigious school in the Land of Spring, she wouldn't need our protection for quite some time."

Akagi approached the trio in the corridor, and stood next to Takeshi. "Still no?"

Sazuto shook his head in reply.

Ren's face contorted in disgust at stench that accompanied Akagi's words. "Sensei what does Fujino-sensei think about your excessive smoking?" she glared at the bearded man.

"Excessive? 2 packs a day isn't excessive Ren," Akagi joked. "Besides whatever my wife doesn't know can't hurt her."

The door to the Hokage's office opened, a team of shinobis exiting the room. Sazuto scowled at the sight of another Senju.

"Akagi-sempai," the Jounin sensei of Kanzaki's team greeted, bowing his head.

"Shuuhei," Akagi bowed back.

"Hi cousin!" Ren cheered.

"Still not dead yet Senju?" Sazuto instigated, earning an elbow to his side from Ren.

"Nope, not until I make you my bitch Uchiha," Kanzaki spat back. Sazuto rose from his seat, equalling Kanzaki's stare. Killing intent radiated from the two Genins. Not wanting to cause a scene, the girls stepped in.

"That's enough Kanzaki," Eria stood between the two, intercepting their glares.

"Come on Sazuto don't do this," Ren pulled Sazuto back.

Takeshi made his way to the masked Genin's side. "Geez those two need a leash eh?"

Aizen simply nodded.

"Alright let's not keep the Hokage waiting," Akagi knocked on the door before politely entering the office, followed by his students.

"We should make our move as well, we have a mission to complete," Hisagi Shuuhei turned and led his team towards Konoha's gates.

XX

"Team Akagi," the Hokage looked up from his scroll. "Did you enjoy your short break from missions?"

"Hell no! I almost died of boredom!" Takeshi proclaimed a little too loudly.

Annoyed, Sazuto bobbed the top of the blond's head. "Aren't Hyuugas supposed to be prim and proper? Usuratonkachi."

Inosagi chuckled, "well your next mission ought to-"

BAM!

The office door swung open, a man, dressed in black sleeveless clothing, a grey flak jacket, metal arm guards and gloves, barged in. He was equipped with a sword strapped to his back. What caught Sazuto's attention was the signature spiral tattoo on the man's shoulder and the animal-styled porcelain mask on his face.

ANBU. Just like Shin-nii.

"Apologies for intruding Hokage-sama, but I have urgent news pertaining to Kirigakure," the ANBU explained, respectfully bowing. Wounds littered his body, blood soaking the floor where he stood.

The Hokage eyes narrowed in concern, knowing that any news from Kiri would not be good. "Continue, Crow."

Crow straightened as much as he could, limping in between the Hokage and Team Akagi. "A band of Kiri shinobis have defected from their village, as the Mizukage has once again denied their formal request of invading Konoha."

"So? Why should a few measly Kiri shinobi bother me?"

"Well that's because they're not just a measly band of shinobi, Hokage-sama," Crow's tone hardened. "They are Kiri's Death Squad."

XX

Gon and Killua were busy holding their own against their female foe. Both Genins were efficient only in Taijutsu, requiring them to exert constant pressure on the assailant, to prevent her from utilizing her ninjutsus.

Ducking under Gon's thrust, she kneed Killua in the gut, and elbowed his face in one swift motion. The Inuzuka crumpled onto the ground, unconcious. Smirking, she backflipped, barely dodging Gon's roundhouse kick.

"One down, one to go," she snickered, as she landed.

Guremaru sprinted at full speed and leapt, and biting onto the woman's palm, drawing blood.

Howling in pain, she slapped her hand backwards, throwing Guremaru into a tree, incapacitating the pup. "Stupid mutt!" she turned back to the remaining Konoha Genin. "Don't you know who I am? I am Nana of Kiri's Death Squad!"

Unfazed, Gon retook his stance.

"Your ass is mine boy!" Nana blitzed forward.

XX

The Death squad?

"I think I've heard of them before," Sazuto recalled. "Yeah, brother once fought a member of the Death Squad on a mission. He specifically told me to avoid them, saying that he barely made it out of the fight alive." The room remained silent. "My father is strong, so anyone who can beat him shouldn't be taken lightly." The rest of Team Akagi nodded their heads collectively, having heard rumors of the Squad's cruel activities.

"It's true," Crow agreed, "I was patrolling the area around a bridge at the border between the Land of Fire and Water. A group of Konoha merchants were crossing the bridge, to trade in a nearby town, when they were stopped by a trio of cloaked beings. The beings demanded to know where the merchants came from, and when they got their reply, they mercilessly beheaded the merchants. I tried to stop them, but the odds were against me."

Flashback

Crow knelt on the wet ground panting, soaked by the pouring rain and sweat. "Why? They were civilians! They were innocent! Why did you kill them?" he demanded to know.

Why does his chakra signature feel familiar? We've definitely fought before. Damn it I can't see his face under that damned cloak.

"Why the fuck not?" The cloaked being in the centre stepped forward, kunais in hand. "You Konoha people are a disease, a plague that needs to be wiped out! We are the Death Squad!" he proclaimed proudly. "We will not rest till Kirigakure is ours! We will not sleep till Konoha burns to the ground!" The cloaked being shot forward, raising his kunai.

Crow hurled a smoke bomb to the ground, disappearing in the cloud it produced. He deserted the area, sprinting home to report his latest findings to the Hokage.

FLASHBACK END

"I came back as soon as I could," Crow adjusted his mask, "we need to stop them Hokage-sama. We need to inform the Mizukage about their defectors. The Death Squad are planning to kill Konoha citizens under the pretense of the Mizukage's orders to foment Konoha into waging war!"

"Hang on," Takeshi interrupted, "did you say a town at the border between the Land of Fire and Water?"

Crow nodded.

"What's the name of the town?" Ren asked.

"Dendo," was Crow's reply.

The Hokage's eyes widened, as Sazuto clenched his fists in anger. "Let's go guys! Arisa's team might be in danger! They have no idea what's coming for them." Sazuto commanded as he left for Konoha's gates, tailgated by the rest of Team Akagi.

"Sazuto wait!" Crow yelled after them, but his cries were ignored. Crow promptly collapsed to the ground, succumbing to his injuries.

The Hokage was immediately crouched at his side, examining his condition. "Get a medic!" he yelled out of his office, before removing Crow's mask, revealing Uchiha Shinichi's face. "Your brother will be okay, Shinichi. Have faith in Sazuto," Inosagi reassured the ANBU agent.

XX

Kensetsu reached the riverbank separating the Land of Fire and Water, collapsing to the floor, exhausted. The bridge was within reach. Panting, Kensetsu wasn't aware of the short Kiri Shinobi behind him. The Kiri dwarf thrusted his kunai forward, aiming to plunge the knife into Kensetsu's spine, but his arm was restrained Fujino, who barely made it in time. She swung her leg, striking the Kiri man's side, but he dissipated into a puddle of water.

Mizu Bunshin (Water Clone)?

"Sensei duck!" Arisa yelled from behind her, sprinting forward.

Fujino couldn't react in time. The force from the boot to her abdomen launched her backwards, plunging her into the river. Removing a pocket knife from his trousers, Kensetsu swung the blade upwards, but Midget easily evaded, punching him square in the face, effectively knocking the construction engineer out.

The taller Kiri shinobi seized the opportunity to stealthily ambush Arisa, but she sensed the danger with her Byakugan and countered accordingly, initiating a taijutsu brawl. Arisa used her smaller frame to weave through his heavy assaults, evoking attacks of her own, aiming to disable the towering man's limbs.

Fujino climbed out of the water, crouching on the river's surface with the help of her chakra. Scanning the area before her, she saw an unconcious Kensestu, while Arisa was occupied in combat. The Kiri midget was nowhere in sight.

"Looking for me?" a voice whispered from behind her.

Fujino doubled to see the midget finish a sequence of hand seals, who then raised a palm to her.

Suirō no Jutsu (Water Prison)

From the river, a virtually inescapable sphere of water surrounded Fujino, whom under its immense weight, could neither move nor breathe.

Shit!

"Enjoy the view of my brother slicing that pretty girl's face into pieces," Midget smirked menacingly, keeping his palm firmly on the water sphere.

If Arisa can get this midget to remove his hand from the sphere, the prison will be undone. But she can barely hold her own against that giant.

"Take Kensetsu and run Arisa! Get help!" Fujino barely made out her words.

Midget clenched his fist and poured more chakra into it, increasing the sphere's density, further crushing Fujino, whom grunted in response.

Run? I can't just leave you here sensei, you'll die! No. I need to save you.

Arisa's resolve steeled, as she dished out a flurry of strikes at Giant.

XX

Sazuto ran at full speed. Even with the weight of Apollo and Aries on his back, he was outpacing the rest of his team, stretching the distance between them. He kept Kratos sealed in his left arm bracer.

"Sazuto slow down!" Ren shouted after him. "There's no point in fighting if you're burnt out!"

"Ren's right Sazuto!" Takeshi added. "Besides you can't fight them alone! So don't leave us behind!"

Sazuto grunted.

Damn it! Even if they're right, I can't shake this bad feeling.

His pace slowed, matching his teammates', however he still ran point.

I'm coming Arisa. Hang on.

"Sazuto! I can see Gon and Killua fighting an unknown shinobi at the edge of my Byakugan's range! Killua is down, but Gon needs our help! He's not gonna last long!" Takeshi yelled.

Sazuto nodded, returning to maximum speed. "I'm going on ahead!"

XX

As the battle waged on, Nana seemed to be gaining more ground, as Gon was beginning to run on fumes. In all fairness to Gon, it wasn't a walk in the park for her, evident by her profuse sweating and swearing. As their kunais clashed again, Gon pushed Nana back. He crouched, swinging his leg across, targeting Nana's knee. She backflipped again, throwing her kunais at the Konoha Genin, who rolled out of the way. "You're pretty fucking good boy," Nana smirked. "Why not ditch that piece of shit village and join us? Boss would love to have you in the Squad."

Gon reverted to his combat pose, his usually joyous face remained austere. "I do hope you're joking," his voice stern, "because I would rather die a thousand deaths before I betray my home. Only a dishonorable person would seduce others to stab their homes in the back."

Nana stormed forward, her face flaring with absolute fury. "You wanna die for Konoha!? I'll fucking kill you right here, right now Hero-boy!"

Gon shifted his body, catching her incoming stab. "You may have no honor for others, but I shall honor you with a swift defeat." Gon aimed a jab at Nana's face, but she ducked, punching Gon in the gut. Coughing up blood, Gon was assaulted by a furious array of punches. He weaved and blocked as much as he could, however experience came into play, and the former Kiri Jounin landed a powerful strike to Gon's cheek, forcing him back onto the ground.

Fatigue overcame Gon, immobilizing him. Nana stalked to the Genin's side, stomping a foot onto his chest, drawing more blood from his mouth. "That's all you've got?" she cachinnated. "Big talk from a loser like you." Nanao reached into her knee holster, unsheathing a fresh kunai, and raised it high. "Time to die, Hero-boy," she grinned, bringing her kunai down.

XX

Arisa wasn't faring well either, as her knees were shaking from overexertion. She had successfully dodged most of the Giant's attack, knowing full well that a single blow from him was enough to take her out. She couldn't lose. Kensetsu's and Fujino's lives were in her hands. Arisa concentrated on the Giant's attacks, reading the patterns of his strikes, formulating a plan in her mind.

Howling, the Giant brought his fists down, but he missed, as Arisa rolled out of the way and to his back, drawing her palm back. Her jyuuken strike would've hit home, had Midget not struck her with a water jutsu.

"That's cheating!" Fujino yelled from inside the sphere.

"Fuck do I care? Hahaha!" Midget roared, clenching his fists again. Fujino writhed in anguish, the pain unbearable.

Arisa lay prone on the ground, propping her body up with her forearms, coughing the water out of her lungs. Sensing Giant behind her, she was greeted by tight slap to the cheek as she turned. Giant knelt down on her, gripping the collar of her jacket, bringing her face closed to his. Arisa turned her bruised cheek away, repulsed. "Hmm you smell nice," Giant smirked, taking a deep breath.

"Just so you know," Midget whispered, "my brother likes em young." He turned to his brother, roaring, "Hey Roku! Fuck her good! Hahahaha!"

Fujino eyes widened in disgust. She was about to witness her student, who was barely 10, be raped before her very eyes. And there was no way to stop it.

XX

Kirigakure : Hidden Mist Village, the hidden village of the Land of Water. Majority of its shinobi are very proficient with Suiton(Water style) jutsus.

ANBU: Special Assassination and Tactical Squad. They answer to the Kage alone, performing high-level missions, such as assassination and torture. ANBU shinobi are hand-picked by the Kage himself; Age, gender, background or previous rank bear no weight in this decision. They wear their masks even in their own village, for their identity as an ANBU agent is to known only by the Kage and village elders.