My Path That Loops 12
Hey guys, I just wanted to talk to you about Toki. I posted an earlier version of this chapter to ascertain whether or not Toki is a Gary stue. I got some great feed back and would like to thank:
M.L, Datarus Finnigun, , mikatann, Rythulian124, Cyannel, coldblue, TheGreatHazelnut, Neleothesze, and Blackbird0 for responding to me. They'll be immortalized in this chapter.
Now the rest of the Author note is me explaining my thoughts on Toki.
I have received a lot of complaints on Toki's personality. Some of them is him being a hypocrite. Honestly, I am glad he is being called one because at the end of Chapter 2, I specifically write the line:
You damn Hypocrite.
That line is the underlining reason why he destroyed a man's life. I believe as a human you are a hypocrite. Say one thing, do another. Try to something, can't follow through. Events in life makes one a hypocrite. No matter how small or large, we've all been one at some point. That's just my belief. So, It is Hypocritical of Toki to 'hate' Shinobi, and do something 'drastic' as well.
That was the point.
In Chapter 8. Toki goes on a monologue on why he hates Shinobi. And calls it an Irrational hate. Toki is very well aware of hypocrisy.
Now, let me get to Characterization. The scene with the merchant was supposed to show two things: Toki's Hypocrisy and Toki's Darker Nature. As explained in Chapter 8, Toki has 'seen some shit'. And is scarred by it. There is no doubt in my mind Toki would be vindictive against a person who 'threatened' those he cared about, and wouldn't hesitate to use extreme force. Granted, in chapter 2, i made him show some regret, because it was his first time doing something of that nature. Later on his character would GROW to be more decisive and dish out 'punishment' easily.
Now, let me talk about Toki's vindictiveness. His angers. His issues. And overall why he does 'evil' or 'asshole' type things. In my opinion, I don't think he's being evil. Probably being an asshole, but not for the sake of being one. A lot of fanfics go with the 'cutesy' or the 'mother Theresa' type protagonist. I wanted to make Toki a bit different. It comes down to this statement: Toki is not a goodie two shoes who bends over backwards to make sure everyone is happy and he understands everyone because he is human.
A bit too much? Ok, let me simplify it even more to show what I'm really trying to get at.
Toki is Human. he will have moments of irrational anger, of revenge, of just being pissed off. he will make irrational decisions, make bad choices, make choices that makes him look like an asshole. No one Is evil or Wrong or Idiotic, or selfish or anything else because they Think they are ' of that quality'. They do it because they think it is the right thing to do, for them, for others, for anything else. That is what i have tried to show in Toki. I may not have the skill but, I am certainly trying to show it.
So. On the Subject of Toki being a "Gary Stue" or indecisive. I find it kind of ironic that I received both these complaints. Nevertheless, I would like to say that I do not believe Toki is a Gary Stue or a trope of that kind. When I create a character, no matter who it is, I like for them to have flaws. Strengths are the flashy stuff you show to people. Flaws, and how one deals with those flaws, shows character.
Toki cannot use chakra. I had him deal with it by making him go into seals. Toki has referenced having lived a very fulfilling life previously. Which means, he has intellect and knowledge of complex things like say: engineering or complex ideas. It would not be 'out of place' for him to take to sealing like fish to water. He learned everything at a rapid pace, and from the best (in my world Monasteries are the universities for Sealing.) So, I gave him a very powerful tool. However, If you look carefully, he doesn't abuse nor Magyar solutions with sealing. He deals with things politically, economically, and uses his skills to supplement it. I believe a "sue" would abuse their ability to solve problems instantly, or to that nature.
Now in terms of personality. Toki is indecisive, humble, and full of self doubts. He is indecisive because he has a dual lives complex, as well as trauma from witnessing the aftermath of massacres. He is humble because he grew up in a monastery. He is full of self doubts because honestly, he's playing in a field that he is new in. Anyone would doubt themselves. Maybe I'm trying too hard to make Toki seem human, but I'm going to keep trying nonetheless.
And that ends my rant. If you guys have any qualms or objections to what I said above or about Toki in general, just drop a review and I'll happily respond.
Here we go!
"So, This is your spot, huh?" Yugito said, as she sat down against the ledge. I sat down next to her, putting a bag of pastries between us. We were high up the Hokage mountain. Not all the way on the top, but near enough to the top so that you could see all of Konoha. Nothing would beat the view from Tobikumba's palace, but this was damn close. Naruto had gone off to meet his teammates; Sai and Shin went with him. I didn't know where Anko went. So, after taking Yugito to go eat some Ichiruka, I stopped by a pastry store and bought some sweets.
"Hey" Yugito smiled. "not bad." She bit into some of the warm pastries. Her legs swung off the edge lazily. She had pulled her hair into a tight braid behind her. Her Kumo headband proudly on her forehead. She wore her jounin jacket loosely. She was a Jounin now. It was strange to think how she started off, how we started off. First, we explored the city, scouring the different parts, the nooks and crannies. Then, when she had seen what a Shinobi could do, she wanted to become one. And, that's when it was declared, as a gesture faith from the Raikage, Yugito would become the next Nibi Jinchuuriki.
And I hated it.
I didn't want my only friend, at the time, to go out and fight, kill. But, it was her choice. It also didn't help that I was dealing with some things, at the time.
"So, those kids." Yugito licked her fingers. "The two pale ones. They Shinobi?"
"Yeah." I sighed. Explaining them would be complicated. "they're a … gift from a business partner. They're supposed to be something else, but I got to keep them."
"What they're your pets?" Yugito raised an eye brow.
I smiled. "More like vicious, guard dogs, who I feed, clean after, and entertain."
Yugito snorted and shook her head. "Wow, never knew you for having Shinobi around. Plus that other girl" Yugito let out a small huff. "was a shinobi too."
"Just a friend." I shrugged. "Worked with her on a previous job." Anko was a friend. A good one. Always had my back. Was great to talk to.
Yugito flopped backwards, onto her back. "You know." She took another bite out of her pastry. "I wondered why you didn't recommend me to come over."
I rolled my eyes, as I laid back as well. I snatched the pastry she was eating and took some for myself. I didn't want her to eat all of the pastries. "Come on. You're you. Do you know how many strings are attached to you? Your dad must have pulled all the strings."
"Bah." Yugito waved her hand. "A, is going to be next up for Raikage. He's sooo much more chill than Sandaime."
'A?' I remembered a large man with huge muscles. He as important. He stuck in my mind just like Mei, someone to look out for. "Hmm. That's good" I finished off the pastry, licking the sugars off my fingers. A small breeze brushed over us. It was slightly warm, it was Konoha after all.
I heard Yugito let out a sigh of content, as we stared a the stars. "Never changes, huh."
"Nah," I said. "never does. Doesn't matter where you are."
We laid there in silence. I didn't bother rushing to get details, trying to hear every little bit of information. I could take my time. I had sent Sai and Shin to go hang out with Naruto. Jiraiya was out of town and I had no meetings tomorrow. So, I could spend the night catching up with her.
"Toki." There was a stuffiness in her voice.
I turned and looked. "Sup?"
There was a small frown on her face and a small glimmer in her eyes. Nervous.
"Do you." She paused, taking a breath. "Do you still have your visions."
Ah, my visions. They were more like memories. When I was a kid, I would have sudden breakdowns. It was quick, overwhelming, and terrifying. I would be meditating in the temple, talking to Yugito, eating at a table or something mundane. And then, I felt a small crack. It was hard to describe, like someone had suddenly hit the back of my head, splitting it open. I couldn't breathe, couldn't move. Then the rush came. The flood of images, sight, smell, taste, pain, joy, laughter, and worst of all, knowledge. I would clamp up, refuse to move, my body unresponsive. At least, that was what the monks told happened to me. When these visions happened, I would wake up days, maybe a week, later. At first, I spoke gibberish, half Japanese, half English, none of it understandable. I would cry, scream, and close my eyes, wishing for it to go all away.
The monks tried to help. Tried to make sense of the crazy boy. They said, sometimes, that a spirit had merged with my soul, and that was what I was experiencing. I didn't care. Every vision, I had made me slip further and further down towards insanity. I knew, because I started welcoming the visions. I started wanting to never wake up and just live in these visions.
And that's where Yugito came in. During a long stretch without my visions, I had met and befriended her. At first, I was nervous that I would have a session in front of her, scared that she would be … scared. It didn't happen for a long time. But, the time that it did.
I was sitting at the table, eating with the Daimyo and his family. It was a common occurrence now, all of us laughing. And, then I felt the crack. The pain. The familiar and dreaded hole being opened up in my head. I tried to excuse myself, tried to run. I didn't even make it out of my seat. I woke up three days later, in a very comfy bed. Yugito had been at my side the entire time.
And she never left.
She tethered me. Kept me sane between the visions. And years later, when I finally realized how I had died, I realized that they would stop coming. The memories were still there, like a hazy picture, but I could never grasp them completely. I thought about them, tried to remember as much as I could, but some of them were truly forgotten.
"No" I said. I sat up slightly, leaning on my forearm, turning to look at her. "you still have your addiction to fish?"
She rolled her eyes. "Of course" She bit into her bread. "That kid"
"Hmm?"
"The blonde one, Naruto. He seems special" Yugito held out the bread for me.
I took a bite and chewed on it. We shared food often. We had gotten used to biting off each others food, though she would steal more food than I did.
"He's gonna be great." I said. "Probably one of the strongest shinobi ever."
Yugito whistled. "Should I be afraid? You want to create one of the strongest shinobi ever? I thought you hated Shinobi?"
I shrugged. "Things change. And like you said, he's special"
Yugito leaned upwards, popping the rest of the bread in her mouth. "What, am I not special?"
I smirked at her, our breaths mingling slightly. "Of course, you're special. Who else do I let steal all of my food and money... for food?"
Yugito snorted and pressed her forehead against mine. I closed my eyes and focused on her.
It was a habit. One of the things that we developed for the aftermaths of my visions. When I had woken up, after Yugito had witnessed my metal breakdown for first time, I had panicked. I started spilling out excuses, mumbling words, and curling up. She moved past my flailing arms, my wails and just hugged me. She hugged me and said to just focus on her. I calmed down, instantly my mind became blank. I don't know why. Probably from shock. Probably from relief. I simply hugged her back and closed my eyes, focusing on her.
And that's what I did every time.
I leaned back. We shared a smile. "So, where's your hotel?" I asked.
"What you're not going to allow me to bunk at your place."
"As if" I said. "I'll charge you rent."
We laughed the night away.
Alright, here we go. Just breathe. I twisted the knob I had been holding for about five seconds and pushed forward. Left foot. Right foot. Stop. Bow head.
"Hokage-sama."
"Toki-kun" A puff of the pipe. "Come in. You are ready to give your report on Mizu?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama." I entered the room, closing the door behind me. I walked towards the wooden seat, which was in front of the desk and sat down. I noted that Sarutobi's desk was clear. That meant this was the big meeting for the day. I had his full attention.
"The situation in Mizu is complicated." To say the least. "I have been working with Jiraiya, his spies, and Danzo's spies. We have been working through the data collected and connected some dots." I said. "There are a total of four powers in Mizu." I pressed my hand against my forearm, activating the storage seal on it. I pulled a large manilla folder out and laid it on the Hokage's desk.
The leader of Konoha opened it slowly, noting the four pictures in front.
"These four powers are Yagura, the current Mizukage. Terumi Mei, the leader of the rebellion. Naomi, the speaker of the Lord of Water. And finally, Yuudai, leader of the Sanada braves." I paused as Sarutobi held up a hand. I clasped my hands together and waited.
"You said this … Naomi, has more power than the Daimyo?"
I nodded. It had been a bit surprising to find out. But, one of the spies for Jiraiya had told us that all decisions went to Naomi. The Daimyo was not part of the circulation at all. Naomi even had a sizable mercenary force to back her up. She wasn't from any noble family, nor any rich standing. But, she had, apparently, fought and clawed her way to the top, ruthlessly. From political backstabbing to actual stabbings, she had done it all. The daimyo had made her his speaker, that was a mistake. She swallowed up the power and became the unofficial daimyo of the Land of Water. Both Mei and Yagura had sent her letters to lobby for power. From reports in Mei's camp, Naomi held most of the supply chains to Kirikagure.
"Interesting" Sarutobi muttered. "And Yuudai? The Sanada braves are supposed to be the Kirikagure's elite force."
I nodded. They were equivalent to Konoha's Twelve Guardians or Kumo's Golden horns. However, the Sanada braves, from Danzo's spy, were based in Iwakuni, not Kirikagure. "They operate under Yuudai's will. And take action only against his enemies." The reported massacres had proven it. Yuudai was the leader of Mizu's underworld. While most of his men were not shinobi, they were nothing to scoff at. They were the samurai of Mizu. And, he had more than just manpower, he had transportation over the water. When I was tracking the port cities lining Konoha, going to wards Mizu, I had noticed a few of them going to one spot. Normally, this is not unusual. However, a lot of the cargo was unlisted, that meant illegal. And it wasn't a coincidence that all of them went to Iwakuni.
The Hokage leaned back and sighed. "Naomi seems sway-able. Having an unstable country is bad for business. If you lobbied her to Mei's side, you could appoint her to the official Daimyo. Then the Daimyo seat and Kage seat would be filled in well fell swoop."
I nodded. Jiraiya and I had predicted this.
"What of Yuudai, is there any leverage?"
I shook my head. "I searched and it seems he is content with the status quo. What is troubling is that, he has taken favors from Yagura. It seems that their interest aligned in some cases." Or rather, villages were killed when Yagura asked for it.
Sarutobi rubbed his chin. "Do not eliminate a possible ally, even if he has shown different interest. Even people with different goals can see a beneficial or a harmful situation."
I nodded, filing the advice away. "I would like to proceed with backing Mei."
"How would you do so?"
"Money, goods. And better shipping lines." I said. "I have control of most of Konoha's naval companies, as well as a shipping company in Wave. This gives me two options to transporting to Mizu with secrecy."
"Good," he nodded. "not enough though."
"I plan on lobbying Naomi, as you suggested." I leaned back. "But, to do anything else I would have to go there and talk to Mei. I have planned a meeting with her, to test the waters and so on."
Sarutobi nodded and puffed his pipe. "I approve. You may proceed. Jiraiya will continue to work with him." Smoke trailed in the air, making a small swirl. The Hokage reached into his robes and took out a small scroll. There was a leaf symbol on it, pressed on golden wax. He pushed it towards me.
I took the scrolling, rolling it between my palms. The wax was still drying. He made it recently. "And this?" I looked up.
Sarutobi clasped his hands. "This will allow you to ask for shinobi assets under my name. It is given to all advisers. With your current endeavor in Mizu, it was time you got this."
This was... this was something else. I turned the scroll in my hands. It was more than just a piece of paper, it was actual physical command over people. Sai and Shin were my guards, but I would never send them into areas that were too dangerous. That limited my options. This... this expanded it quite a bit. But, there were a couple things bothering me about the situation.
"Allow me to ask?"
"Yes. The scroll does not give you the right to order. It gives you the right to ask. The shinobi has the choice to either accept, deny, or come to me for further information. You are restricted to only asking Jounins and special jounins as well." Sarutobi blew out some smoke. "It is so that the power still remains under me."
At least he was talking plainly. And, now that I think about it, this was why Danzo had his personal force. Not for a coupe or anything like that, it was to circumvent the power and have shinobi that obeyed him solely. It was, eerily, sort of similar to Sai and Shin.
"Are there any other limits?" I asked
He nodded. "Yes. But, you can ask Jiraiya for them. He has this scroll as well."
I blinked. That was new. It made sense though, Jiraiya was a spy master he worked primarily outside of Konoha. It also meant he dealt with sleeper agents, spies and so on. He needed some official capacity to order them around. "Thank you, Hokage-sama" I bowed my head. I pressed the scroll against my skin and sealed it into the storage seal.
Sarutobi nodded. "Oh, your friend. The Kumo Jounin, Yugito."
"yes?" I blinked. What did she have to do with this?
"She is doing well. I will be sending her on non-priority missions."
Oh. securing safety and no funny business. "Thank you for your generosity, Hokage-sama." Though, I think she's gonna complain to me about being bored.
"You are dismissed, Adviser Toki."
I stood up and bowed. I stiffly walked out the door and closed it quietly behind me.
Oh, Kami that was stressful. My shoulders sagged and my legs shook. I rapidly pulled on the hem of my shirt, fanning air onto my sweaty skin. Damn Jiraiya, I wanted him to do the report. But nooo. He was too busy researching. That Prick.
I sighed and walked down the stairs, skipping every other step to get down faster. I walked quietly down the road, towards the Shinobi training grounds. I had promised Naruto that I would come visit eventually, and I had sent Sai and Shin ahead.
I yawned as I walked. I had been staying up late. Half the time I was working, the other half I was spending with Yugito. We visited a couple restaurants and some 'tourist' sights. Yugito really enjoyed it. Her status as a Jinchuuriki lead her to be somewhat confined in Kumo. Eventually, it would have to stop. I needed to focus on Mizu. The situation was more volatile than I had told the Hokage. Naomi and Yuudai could never work together. They both had interest in the same thing, trade lines to Kirikagure. While Naomi had the official ones, Yuudai provided a variety of services. They butted head quite often. I had only found out about their forces by looking at the aftermaths, which were reported by the spies or the shutting down of a trade route. Most of the time, they acted in their own self interest. Which made it even more frustrating to figure out what side they were on. Was the shipment of medical supplies for the rebellion? Was the cache of weapons for Yagura's Shinobi? Was the village destroyed from orders or because of a slight? All of these questions added up slowly, enshrouding Mizu in confusion and, ironically, a dense mist.
"Nii-san!"
The thoughts were whisked away. I looked up and smiled. "Heya brat."
Naruto was standing there, in a loose semi circle, with Sai, Shin, Sakura and Sasuke. Kakashi was lounging around next to a tree. Both Sai and Shin had amused grins on their faces. I walked over, taking a closer look at Kakashi. He really filled into his image, a lazy shinobi, who had a sense of aloofness to him. On the other hand, I looked over to Sasuke, who had a wide grin and a cheery face. Some people had changed quite a bit, but that was to be expected.
"How are you guys?" I asked.
"We're fine, Toki-san" Sasuke nodded. "We just finished up training. Naruto" He snickered. "Was trying out a new technique, but he utterly failed at it."
Naruto flushed. "I-It's just a slip up that's all. I wasn't focusing, Sai and Shin distracted me."
Sai rolled his eyes. "We helped you start the technique in the first place. You practiced it with us."
"Shut up!" Naruto growled.
Shin held in a small chuckle.
I turned to the last member of Team 7. "How are you, Sakura-chan."
The pink haired girl jolted at being addressed. Was she surprised I addressed her? Her hands fluttered nervously. No, it wasn't just being addressed, she was nervous from something else, why?
"I-I am fine. Just fine, Toki-sa-" She paused. "-sam-"
I held up my hand. "Toki is just fine." Interesting. She has some knowledge of my background. How? Her parents couldn't possibly know. Was it Sasuke? Or Naruto? No, Naruto knew better than to babble. Sai and Shin didn't hang around often, so that leaves Sasuke. Probably, mentioned something about the embassy. I reasoned that the information Sasuke told her was, shocking to her, but not unreasonable. And, none of team 7 knew of my more recent exploits, so it was fine.
I gave a gentle smile and approached carefully. "So, What were you working on?" I questioned Sakura.
"Um well" She looked to Sasuke and Naruto for help. Naruto opened his mouth to respond, but a subtly waved my left hand to stop him. I wanted Sakura to answer. Naruto's mouth closed with a small click. I continued to look at Sakura.
"Well, we were working on tree climbing." Her voice grew stronger as she continued to talk. "And we sparred a bit. Sai-kun and Shin-kun came and helped us with team tactics."
They did? I looked up to Kakashi, who nodded slightly. "That's good" I smiled and I turned slowly. "Let's head to Ichiruka, It's on me."
"Yeah!" Naruto cheered as jumped forward. Sasuke laughed and followed him. Sakura followed at a more sedate paced. I nodded to Sai and Shin, letting them know it was ok to relax. They let full smiles come on their faces and chased after Naruto. Kakashi waved a silent goodbye, and sped away. I turned around and started walking next to Sakura.
"So, Sakura-chan." I said. "how is training with these knuckle heads?"
Sakura smiled. "It's good. I like it. Sasuke is helpful and is willing to train with me. Naruto is-" She paused, becoming silent.
"Naruto is?" I prodded. It was interesting to hear people's opinion of Naruto outside Sai, Anko and Shin. Jiraiya avoided the subject most of the times, but I primarily talked business with Jiraiya.
Sakura looked up at me, her eyes held a strange light to them. They were confused, and yet held a tiny confidence to them. "He's strong. Stronger than anyone I know. Maybe, except Kakashi-sensei. But, I-" She stopped herself, looking down at her feet.
I chuckled. Now, I knew why she was so nervous around Naruto and me. "Naruto told you not to tell anyone about his abilites?"
"Yeah." She said.
"and he told you, I had something to do with it?"
"What?" Sakura blinked in surprise. "No. He just said he liked to keep his abilities a secret. To surprise people." She took a breath. "Did you tell him?"
I shook my head. "not really. Just gave him advice."
"But, why?" Sakura asked. "he's good. Doesn't he want people to know."
I felt my gut wrench. I knew the reason why. And, it wasn't just because he followed my advice. I scanned our surroundings and found an easy example. I whispered quietly. "Do you see that shop keeper over there. One who sells clothes."
I pointed to an old shop on the corner. It was a well respected business, good prices, good quality and so on. But, I had a problem with it. The owner, who was tending the outside of the shop, glared at Naruto. It wasn't an open glare, not blatantly obvious, but one could see the dislike, the distrust.
Sakura stared. Her steps slowed down. Her mouth was slightly ajar, eyes zoning in on the shop keeper. The civilian noticed the attention and turned away quickly, back to cleaning his shop.
"Why did he?" Sakura moved towards the shop. I shook my head as a grasped her shoulder and guided her away.
"Don't worry about it." I said. "That stuff doesn't happen as much." I made sure of it.
"But" She read in between the lines. "It used to."
I nodded. "A lot of people gave Naruto glares. Did some worse stuff too. I tried to change that. And along the way." I smiled as Naruto laughed with Sasuke at Sai's joke. Shin trailing behind them, softly chuckling.
"And, he developed a defense mechanism."
"But, it's wrong." Sakura said. A simple answer. To a very complex issue. They were scared. Hated what they did not understand. Fearful for their lives.
I understood that. And I condemned them for it.
When I first met Naruto, only spending a few moments with him, I could see an honest, earnest boy. And, if they couldn't see that, then they were damned to their ignorance.
"It is" I said. I turned to Sakura, bending down slightly. "But, you know, I think you helped him through those glares."
Sakura blinked. She looked at me curiously.
"He showed you what he can do right? Trusted you with his secret?"
She nodded.
I gave a smile. "It means your his friend. He doesn't care about the people who hate him, for whatever reason, he cares about his friends. So, thank you for being his friend." I knew, in some faded idea, that Naruto's and Sakura's relationship wasn't like this. But, like the civilians who hated Naruto, I didn't care.
Sakura gave me a bright smile and nodded.
"So, what did Naruto tell you about me?" I was curious.
"Umm" Sakura looked thoughtful, trying to remember. "Your is older brother, not related by blood. You taught him how to write and some other stuff, though he didn't say what." She tapped her lip. "Sasuke-kun told me you were an important person in the Kumo embassy."
"An important person?" I repeated. "Not really. I just made some suggestion, since I was from Kumo."
"Oh" She said. "Well. I know some things about Kumo, Mom trades with them all the time."
"Really?" I already knew that. The Haruno's company, the Kaika no Hana, acted as the middleman company between Suna and numerous places. Kumo was one of them.
Sakura nodded. "She says she's been having problems though. So, it's been a stressful time at home" She complained.
I nodded, making a note of that. I looked over and saw the ramen shop on the side, Teuchi waving at us. "Well, let's get some food, neh?" We all clambered onto the tables and ordered our food. I spent the rest of the day talking to them about various things, training, d-rank missions, and so on.
It was late when I had gotten back. Sai and Shin went to hang out with Anko and Naruto. They wanted to go out to the movies to see something called, Inside out. Didn't know what that was, but didn't really care. I had to work on a couple other things. I swung by the trading company and took a peek the routes. It seemed Kaika no Hana was losing some business in the Suna and Wave region. To be expected, because I had diverted most of the trade through my businesses. There were two things I could do to quickly solve the problem. Buy out Kaika no Hana and just run it or give it something new. I looked at the clock on the wall. The person I was meeting would come in about an hour, so I had time to think about the problem.
I had learned, after immersing myself in the market, that the merchants involved in trade were terrible at manipulating the market. Maybe it was because there were no anti-trust laws. Maybe it was because there were no anti-monopoly laws. Maybe it was because there were no laws or oversight on investments and property rights. Maybe it was because there was no restriction on the amount of companies that could collaborate. Maybe it was because the guilds, across all of the elemental countries, didn't require clear and adequate backgrounds. Maybe it was because no one had a brain to go across nation borders and create a franchise.
It was the reason why people like Mako were so successful. His company was one of the rare ones, the so called crazy ones, that decided to expand between hidden villages. Companies were usually based in one of the Hidden villages. It was logical. A hidden village provided protection, a hub for trade, and protected trade routes. But, few, very few, actually decided to create hubs in other lands. But, that was minor compared to the other things they didn't do.
It was probably because starting up in other Hidden villages was taboo or something. Either way, it made manipulating Konoha's market easy, especially when no one caught on. First came buying and investing into all of the parts of the market. I had simply made multiple investment companies with Jiraiya's help. I had plenty of money saved up in my travels. Jiraiya and I had pitched our money together to start a few inside and outside Konoha.
I bought small amounts of companies, each of them a different part of an industry. My idea, initially, was to start a vertical integration. I would cut down on costs by making the companies sufficient on each other. For example, in one of my earlier attempts I had bought a mining company, a lumber company, and a construction company. Then it was suggested by 'investors' to sell and buy product from each other, at lower prices. I made the materials cheap to buy and had companies eager to buy them. The companies thought it was a show of good faith and the start of a good relationship. It really was just a start of a trust.
When I had earned more money, I took to buying chunks of industries. To make it harder to spot my manipulation, I did a bid rotation. Simply going around and making one company do well, then the next and so on and so forth. It would seem like people would have good years and bad years, when it was me just switching which company I made profit from.
Either way, I took the money I earned and moved my way up and down the line. Simple really. And No one caught on, because there was no verification that the investors actually existed. It also helped that I had Sai 'correct' some files here and there. I stopped a couple investigations and reported them as completed or insufficient evidence. I also skimmed off the top to start funding some side projects, like Wave. Nothing too much, nor harmful, but enough to get the job done. Keeping up my growth was simple. All I needed to do was 'start' a couple companies around the elemental companies, have one of my agents run it, and then invest. My agents, when prompted, would send letters to "prove" their existence.
After a couple years of hard work and lots of money, I had settled into the entirety of all the markets. Now I would say I had complete control, but really it was more like a lot of pull. This pull was how I solved the Suna problem, and how I would solve the Haruno problem. When I wanted to do something, I would send letters to my agents, and they would all push for my demands.
The Fire Daimyo was right about one thing, Money did run things.
There was a small knock on my door. I put down my pen and shifted the papers together, stacking them neatly to the side. I walked over to the door, putting a smile on my face. I opened it slowly, looking at my visitor.
"Evening" I said.
"Hello, Toki-sama." He said. "you asked for me?"
"Yes, come in." I waved him towards the table, the clear side. "Would you like some tea?"
"Please" He replied.
I went back towards the kitchen and grabbed the steaming pot. I poured out two cups and walked out slowly. My visitor had situated himself neatly at the table, his hands clasped on the table. I set the cups down and took my seat. He nodded his thanks and wrapped his hands around the cup.
I gathered myself as I looked at him. It was funny. The conversation with Sakura, it made me curious.
"What do you know about me, Itachi-kun?" I asked the Uchiha.
Onyx colored eyes stared back at me. "I know that you are an influential person. I know that you helped start and continue to maintain the embassy."
I nodded with a shrug. "Basic things, being an Uchiha. What else?"
"I know..." He paused. He looked thoughtful for a moment. "You've trained Naruto in the art of sealing. Jiraiya, Anko, Sai and Shin are training him. Sai and Shin are your guards."
"Still basic" I said. He knew about Sai and Shin from the meetings I had with Fugaku. It was common knowledge that Naruto was being trained by Anko. Jiraiya could be gleaned from my own relationship with the Naruto and Jiraiya. I leaned forward. "I didn't call you here for small talk. Tell me what you know, please."
He nodded slowly. "You work with Hokage on political matters. On a regular basis. If I had to guess, you're an adviser, of some capacity, to the Hokage. You were sent to negotiate with Kumo and Suna. And, you have heavy investment in the markets."
Good. Kumo was obvious. Suna required a bit of digging, and attentiveness. Knowing about the markets had actually surprised me. That wasn't commonly focused by shinobi. Then, there was the issue of working with the Hokage. I suppose Itachi could be making a leap of logic from the embassy, or maybe he had connected two and two together somehow.
"that's a start" I said. I placed my hand on my forearm and pressed against the seal. Pushing chakra into the seal on my palm, I made chakra lines for the seal 'release'. Pushing against the seal, it acted like a key to the storage room. A small pop and the scroll tumbled into my hand. I took the scroll and placed it in front of me. "What would you do for your village?"
Itachi stiffened. "I am a shinobi. I am called to-"
"No, don't give me the generic answer." I cut him off. "you're smarter than that, and I don't have time to play the cloak and dagger game." And I wanted him to trust me. I needed him to know that I would speak plainly with him.
The prodigy of the Uchiha's stared at me. Slowly, his facial features started morphing, changing. His body posture relaxed, face less reserved. A more blank, empty face stared at me. This was the true Uchiha Itachi, not some respectful, goodie two shoes, shinobi.
"I would do a lot of things for my village. But, my family comes first." He said. His voice sharp, strong. It resonated in me. Yes, this was what he truly felt.
I smiled. "Better." I leaned back with a sigh. "I would do anything for my village." I tapped the scroll idly. "but my village isn't Konoha. It's the people I care about. The people I've come to love. I would do anything." I looked back up at the boy, no... man before me. "you would do the same."
A nod.
"Good." I pushed the scroll forward. "Do you know what this is?"
He shook his head. I waved my hand forward and he opened the scroll. It only took a few moments before he put it back down.
"This is..." He paused. His brow was wrinkled in thought.
"I heard from Anko that you're spinning your wheels right now." I said. "After your team made it Chuunin, you don't know what to do. You don't want to get another team immediately, but you also don't want to go back to service because of your brother."
He nodded slowly, looking back down at the scroll. "So, you're giving me an option."
I nodded. "Work for me."
We sat in silence. Seconds passed into minutes. Itachi stared at the scroll. It wasn't just a roll of paper. It was a commitment. Finally, he looked at me, eyes set, firm.
"What would you have me do?"
A tingle on my neck let me know it was ready. Naruto was taking his first C-rank mission, escorting some supplies to Wave and help construct the bridge. I wasn't worried, though I wished I could see Naruto's reaction at the bridge's name. I had to focus. The wheel was rolling. Jiraiya had gone off to the Land of Hot Springs. He heard someone was gathering strong shinobi, and it wasn't us. I had an inkling of who it was, but I wanted to make sure.
"T-, I mean Boss" a voice called out to me.
I turned around and saw a white mask, with the symbol Red. He was wearing Anbu styled armor, a tanto on his back. He had several scrolls attached to his pants. I had given them to him. They were for emergency purposes. They ranged from explosive to chakra suppression, I could never be too careful.
"Your excuse for being away?" I asked.
"Training mission" He answered.
"Decent" I nodded. "We'll come up with a better one later." I stood up and walked a ways down, deeper into the forest.
"It's ready, Boss" Sai said, standing up. He stepped onto the oversized scroll, a huge seal on it. It had been gathering chakra for the last hour or so. Shin was leaning against a nearby tree. Both of them were in their work clothes. I stepped on the transportation seal and nodded. Shin bent down and touched the seal.
I felt the pull on my body, being spun around and around, whisked away. I blinked once and found myself inside. The smell had change, saltier, like the ocean. I looked around once. Zabuza and Haku stood before us, waiting patiently.
I nodded to them. "This is Aka, he will be joining our little crew from now on."
Zabuza nodded in greeting, while Haku bowed.
"Aka, this is Zabuza and Haku, I've worked with them for several years." I introduced Itachi to them. "Is she waiting?"
Zabuza nodded again. "This way, boss" Our guides turned and led us out the room through a narrow corridor. Zabuza had chosen an out of the way room, good. It wouldn't do for someone to catch a peak of the transportation seal. We walked at a sedate pace.
"Was your trip alright?" I asked.
Zabuza shrugged. "it was alright. I didn't have to hide in crate this time, so that's a plus."
Haku giggled slightly. "The trip was uneventful, Boss."
"We did pass through Yuudai's town though." Zabuza interjected. "Don't think anyone paid attention to us, but Akio said it was the best town to go to for the trade route."
That would be a problem. "I'll talk to him" I said.
Zabuza stopped in front of double doors and knocked. "We're here." Without announcement, he opened the door and stepped in. I walked in past Haku and Zabuza. There were only two guards in the room. One of them had short, tufty blue hair, and dark eyes. He wore square, black-rimmed glasses connected to ear protectors, a blue pin-striped shirt and camouflage pattern pants. The other guard was a middle aged man with blue hair which is styled in a moused-up manner. His left eye was blue and his right eye was covered with an eye-patch. My own guards followed me silently. Itachi stood right behind me, while Sai and Shin fanned out to my left and right. The room was spartan at best, and only had a table to liven the place up.
I focused my attention at the only person sitting at the lone table in the room. There she was. She had dazzling green eyes, long, auburn hair styled with a top-knot tied with a dark blue band. She had porcelain skin, but not without damage. I noted the callouses on her hands and the makeup covering some of the scars. She wore a long-sleeved, dark blue dress. She looked gorgeous. But, In my head, I usually equated beauty with danger.
I sat down, a smile on my face. "My, my, I am stunned. I may have trouble at this meeting, being distracted by your beauty" I lied through my teeth.
She smiled, resting her chin on her hand. She leaned forward, exposing her cleavage just a tiny bit. "Aren't you a silver tongue. I might just do away with the meeting and spend an evening with a handsome hunk like you."
I chuckled, but I felt Zabuza shift on his feet. Interesting. I let out a long sigh. To be courteous or be brash. Be pompous or be crass. Decisions, decisions.
But, luckily, it seemed I didn't need to. "Let's get introduction out of the way. My name is Mei Terumi, I am the leader of this rebellion. I want to know. Why are you backing me? There are plenty of reasons you could make up and justify it, but I want to hear your reason." Her voice was light, but serious.
No games then. "It's simple" I said. "Yagura does not benefit Konoha. I want someone who will."
"So, you would help further a rebellion. I thought Konoha was peace loving folk." She said.
"Well" I shrugged. "It's a good thing that I wasn't born in Konoha."
"ohh" She smiled.
I tapped the table. "Shall we have some privacy?" I asked.
She nodded slowly and waved her hand. The men slowly filtered out of the room. I waved my hand to my group. All of them exited the room, closing the door behind them. Leaving just the two of us in the room. I placed my hand on the table and focused, letting my chakra turn into ink. It spread across the table, across the floor, and on the walls. Mei didn't seem surprised, Zabuza must have told her.
"My name." I looked into her eyes. " is Toki Nakamaru. I am here to support you, because I believe you can become the Mizukage."
There we go. I hope you enjoyed. And I wonder what happened to Anko hmmmm.
Omake
"I messed up." A groan. She banged her head against the wall for the fiftieth time.
"You did" Her friend sighed.
"Man, I should've just said it." Anko groaned. "I mean I was right there. Followed your advice and everything. But, I couldn't" She proceeded to bang her head again.
"Anko" Kurenai tried to stop her friend before she incurred brain damage. "The poor wall didn't do anything to you. Leave it alone."
Anko flipped the bird and let out a frustrated sigh. "And now she shows up, out of nowhere." Anko flailed her arms in exasperation. "I mean 'old friend'. Why did I never hear about her?"
Kurenai rolled her eyes. "look. It's not over yet. You don't know their relationship. Maybe they are just friends."
Anko crossed her arms and huffed. "You didn't see the way they hugged each other. I barely ran away in time before a blew a fuse."
Kureani shook her head and patted her friend on the back. Love issues were harder than an A-rank mission.
And that's all the romance stuff I got. I'm not good at romance, so it won't be a focus in my story, at all. But, the reason why I have it in here is for 'logical' reasons. Think about Toki's presence in Anko's life and what he has done for her. And look at the 'male' presences in her life and how scarce it is.
But seriously, No romance. I will be keeping this as gen as possible. I focus on plot :)!
Hope you guys enjoyed, please drop a review if you liked it or want to provide feedback.
