Chapter 55 – A Farmer's Problem

Nouka – the boy's name, and even that he gave begrudgingly. He prodded at the dressing and tried to bend his knee, surprised because it still hurt. Yasu made a herbal remedy to ease the pain only for him to refuse it. His face was all smiles but it was merely a mask for the strangers. The way he sat with arms behind his head didn't fool anybody, given the chance he would be off, springing away like a jack rabbit.

"Do you know where the villagers are?" Kakashi towered over the boy. The lad was cocky, disrespectful and slightly nuts. The look Nouka returned was loaded with attitude. 'Who does this guy think he is?' it said.

He tore off a strip of jerky. It was amusing to watch the two adults puzzling over what to do next. The woman played good cop and the man played bad. Regardless they wanted to pump him for information. Well they can go jump! He latched onto the meat chewing loudly.

"We're looking for our friend," Good Cop was walking up and down to stretch her legs. "Maybe you remember the name, Umino Iruka? He had a team of three students with him, not much older than you. They were sent here to help with a problem you've been having."

Nouka licked his lips. "We don't need no 'elp, farm problem so farmers sort it."

"Well, not all the farmers seem to agree with that," Bad Cop told him. "This request was made by Bokeh, so whether you like it or not the Leaf is getting involved." He squatted down so they were the same height. "The sooner you tell us what's going on the sooner we'll be gone. Isn't that what you want?"

The boy squirmed away in no mood to disclose anything to the pair.

In that instant something flew out the bushes and stuck to the wooden column above them. There was a fizz and a crackle. "Paper bomb!" Yasu warned but the taper was already burnt out. The resulting bang was deafening. She jumped away shielding her face from the blast, feeling the force of the explosion. Survival mode kicked in and she quickly sought refuge behind the trees. Nouka! Kakashi!

There was billowing smoke surrounding the shrine, and the straw remnants of Kuebiko the scarecrow were scattered everywhere. She strained to listen but the after effects of the bomb left a shrill ringing in her ears. Further explosions came from the left and right however Yasu stayed put. The kunoichi crawled on her belly and made hand signs.

"Farmerboy," a light mocking voice spoke. "Still here causing trouble? Thought you'd get more ninja to take us down?"

"Go crawl back under the stone yer came from!" Nouka yelled. He wanted to say more but Kakashi smothered his mouth with a large hand. His muffled grumblings continued until he suddenly went rigid in the ninja's arms.

Another voice, older called from the stream. "Nouka, this is dangerous. I've given my word of honour to the others that I'll bring you back. The farm isn't worth all our lives!"

They watched as the dwarf (barely four foot tall) was shoved towards the village bell. He wore a straw hat with a curious collection of grasses sticking out at odd angles. A brown tunic and faded pair of mud stained blue leather boots.

His jailer was dressed sharply in a slim black suit complete with trilby hat, shirt and tie. "Farmerboy, if you don't come out here I'll slit this man's throat. You don't want him to die do you? I tell you what - I'll give you three minutes to decide."

"Bokeh, yer donkey!" Nouka groaned with frustration. "Flippin 'eck, what am I suppose to do now?"

"You have two minutes left!"

Kakashi spotted Yasu hidden in the leaves. She was pointing to two different areas. So, one waiting behind the wood shed and a second underneath the bridge that makes things a little more interesting! He turned back to the boy who had frozen with the increasing pressure. "Guess I'll leave you to it then," he whispered preparing to shuffle away. "After all you don't need our help, do you?"

A vice like grip took hold of his arm. "Sir, I'm begging yer. I can't 'andle them by myself. They're gonna kill Bokeh!"

"One minute!"

"I thought this was a 'farm problem' to be sorted by farmers?"

There was remorse in his eyes. "I'm sorry I was rude before. I take it back." Nouka was pleading. He looked at the dwarf and then at Kakashi. "Please, we need yer 'elp!" Then he added quickly, "I need yer 'elp!"

"Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, and three, two-"The mercenary stopped counting when he saw a child holding up their hands. They came stumbling down the hill. "So, you decided to take up the offer? That was a smart decision!"

Immediately the boy found Bokeh hugging him around his middle. "You left me sweating there a bit! Still have a flair for the dramatic and getting into scrapes too!" He tapped his knee. "That looks fresh! Where is that one from?"

"Gods be good, barmpot! Thought yer was dead!" He was half laughing and half sobbing.

"Always trying to act so tough!" Bokeh tut – tutted, but with genuine affection.

Nouka nodded and then whispered in his ear, "Stay down."

The Suit wasn't sure what happened as his feet snapped together on their own. They were bound by green vines that continued to curl and twist upwards around the body.

"It's a trap!" he screamed, hacking violently with the knife which was usually more than proficient. This of course depended on its ability to damage actual flesh. However when a vine was cut another would grow in its place and it didn't take long for him to be swallowed up.

In the distance further cries were heard. Kakashi returned dragging two unconscious men along the ground. These were also dressed in matching black suits. "In the end they were nothing more than a bunch of thugs!" he said, bored.

"These henchmen are yes." Bokeh waddled over to greet their rescuers. "They used to be hired hands we brought in, decent folk I thought."

"What happened?"

"Ever since Sato turned up they changed, started wearing those suits and threatening the village!" He picked up the discarded knife. "Best make tracks I think, if those three don't return no doubt they'll send others."

Bokeh explained as they walked. It turned out Sato was a businessman interested in the agricultural sector. He called for a meeting and placed down an offer to buy the farm. It was a pitiful amount of money for the land, crops, labour force and farmhouses. Bokeh made it clear their livelihoods and community were beyond price. A week passed and then cattle started to go missing, fires were started in the fields at the dead of night. The farmers found themselves under siege.

Kakashi listened carefully and didn't seem surprised by the tale. He remembered how the same tactics were employed by a shipping magnate called Gato, the founder of the infamous Gato Company. He took control of the Land of Waves shipping routes and isolated the entire country from the outside world. If memory served he turned out to be a drug dealer, smuggler and a murderer. Did Gato have a brother I wonder?

It wasn't safe in the woods so Bokeh took them back towards the river. There was a hut built there which he used on occasion for peace and quiet. 'Being a leader can be tiresome' he'd said as a way of explanation. Here they had a brief rest, whilst Bokeh talked for a while giving further information about the villagers. They had been taken to a cave further north which was hidden by a waterfall.

"And what about Iruka and his team?"

His lips curled into a sad smile. "He's a brave man and those kids too, they really gave their all. They took out at least twenty men before..." He stopped and played with the hat in his hands. "Sato has hired ninja too and they were overcome. They were taken as hostages, added to the workforce so to speak."

"At least they're alive," she said trying to be optimistic.

As Nouka took a rod out to fish, Kakashi decided to send a message to Yamato and Guy. The jonin was left alone with the captives (who were fast asleep in their vine cocoons.) Yasu was hunting for any marks, seals, lumps or bumps. Beginning at the feet and steadily working towards the head, there didn't seem to be anything out of place.

The dwarf watched silently as she worked. "Have we met before?"

She glanced up and smiled. "You might have, that is, if you used to be a travelling photographer!"

"Travelling photographer, yes I did that once. Do you know how long it's been since I picked up my camera?" He nibbled on a piece of cheese. "I thought a pleasant stop this will be on the way to the Land of Iron. I took pictures of the farmers at work, talked to them a little. I offered to read over some paperwork in return for my lodgings. Next thing I know I'm drafted in to pick potatoes!"

"So you liked it that much you never left?"

"Well, it's hard not to become attached to these people! Take little Nouka out there, he's closer to me than my own family. When the old geezer died I could hardly just up and leave!"

Yasu smirked. "Of course not."

"I didn't expect to be saddled in the leadership role though! I know next to nothing about farming. Have you ever watched a dwarf try to control a plough? Those cows have got minds of their own, won't listen to a single word I say!" She laughed at this. "So, are you going to solve the mystery or keep me in suspense?"

"Festival of Change in Sunagakure, does that ring any bells?" She unbuttoned the shirt of the man in front of her examining his chest, again it seemed clear. "You met a girl and a boy by the yagura. He was teaching her to dance and you asked to take a photograph."

Bokeh blinked. "That was you and the Kazekage? Ha! Fancy meeting you of all people, it really is a small world! What did you think of the photograph?"

"Oh, it was lovely!"

"And how is the young Kage fairing?"

Yasu gave a deep sigh. "He's...fine."

Two brown puppy dog eyes shone back with sympathy. "Oh dear, did you have a fight?"

"Not exactly!" Her face twisted up despite her best efforts.

Hmm, what do we have going on here? Seeing how flustered the young woman had become Bokeh found his interest piqued. "Not exactly?" he fished, reading more and more into Yasu's expression which she tried in vain to conceal.

"I'd rather talk about something else."

"Clearly that is the answer of someone who has given up."

She glared at him before turning the body over. "The world doesn't work like that," she muttered lifting up the shirt to reveal a slim toned back. There were no bruises here either - seemed her instincts were off. Although when Bokeh mentioned the sudden change in the workers it had got her thinking.

"Doesn't work like what?"

"Sorry?" She shook her head the sudden question disturbing her trail of thought.

"You said the world doesn't work like that, doesn't work like what?"

Agitated she pulled down the shirt. "Kage do not marry jonin, Bokeh."

"And dwarves don't usually become farm elders, Yasu. Tell me, if the Kage strolled up to you and asked you to be his woman what would you say?"

The directness made her cheeks flush red. "I would say what a nice dream that was, after I'd woken up!"

"Yasu-"

"No," she snapped. "You've had your fun, now stop!"

He put his hands up in mock surrender. "Forgive me, I did not mean to upset you."

A low growl escaped her throat. She ignored the little man and pressed lightly over the shoulders. Here there was a slight bump and on further inspection there was discolouration too. Yasu saw something like a thick black hair jutting out and immediately reached for the tweezers. With a steady hand she clamped the strand and tugged. It wriggled in the tight grip before sliding out.

Placing the 'hair' aside in a dish the ex-nurse examined the damaged area again. There was a pin hole that resembled a puncture wound. So it was actually a stinger. She got up and checked the other two men they'd captured. Sure enough they had similar marks on their necks, she made sure to remove those as well.

"Have you had any problems with bugs recently?"

The door smacked open and Nouka returned with a single fish. "Bugs? Yeah, we 'ad a whole bunch of 'ornets come swarming the sunflowers!"

"On occasion we do suffer from giant hornets," Bokeh clarified. "They like to nest in the trees surrounding the village, although we've never took umbrage with them before. Insects are needed for pollination so it makes sense to work alongside them."

"By any chance were these men working near the sunflowers when the hornets came?" Yasu referred to the captives on the floor.

The dwarf frowned. "Ah, I see where you're going with this."

She stood up. How long has Kakashi been gone? The nagging feeling gnawing at her gut wasn't going away. "You said Sato hired ninja as protection, I think one of them might be an insect user."

"Is that a problem?"

"It could be. How far away is this waterfall?"

Bokeh cocked his head to one side. "I'll take you. Nouka, stay here and ensure these gentlemen do not escape."

"Fine, not like I can go far with 'aving this leg anyway." Moodily the boy slumped into the chair.


Under the direction of her guide Yasu made fast tracks towards the Reigandō or Spirit Rock Cave. According to Bokeh it used to be the home of a ronin who had died many years ago. It was said he had written a book containing strategies of warfare which was much coveted by the feudal lords of the time.

"The book was never recovered; some say it was taken, others say it was burnt by those who feared its knowledge!" he shouted above the roar of the waterfall.

They watched the flowing white curtain tumble over the rock face, both power and beauty demanding to be noticed. Rainbows spread in large arcs across the surface. The water vapor turned to steam as it hit the cold pool of midnight blue.

Yasu marveled at the sight. "You should head back. Let me take things from here."

"And leave fair lady to face danger alone? Not likely!"

"This isn't a game."

"No, but you obviously like playing the odds with your life!" he countered. "My request to Lady Hokage was for assistance, but these are my people. As Farm Elder they're my responsibility."

She had to give the dwarf some credit. He'd been threatened, taken hostage and nearly had his throat cut yet he still wanted to save the village. "You're a good man, Bokeh." The blond turned her attention back to the cave. "Alright, I have an idea."

Slowly the companions climbed their way towards the cave. There was a path, but it was narrow and slippery due to the water. Yasu fared well due to chakra control. For Bokeh however with no ninja skills the journey back up was just as miserable as it had been the first time around. The under soles of his worn leather boots may well have been ice skates for all the good they were.

Just as they touched the waterfall the path curled away. Yasu followed the rock face and steadily the sunlight dimmed into shadow. Upon reaching the cave entrance she was greeted by another Suit who was stood beside a gate.

"You were supposed to come back with the boy!" they snarled.

"Boy's dead," Lady Leaf replied bluntly. "What do yer expect me to do? Wouldn't do as he was told, would he midget?" She gave a tug on the wrist bindings making him stumble.

Bokeh sniffed. "You're a monster!"

"Sato won't be happy."

"Still got the head farmer - shouldn't make a difference." She shrugged.

The Suit scratched his beard and paused. He appeared to be scrutinizing Yasu, not that this was any surprise. The jacket was far too big, with the sleeves needing to be turned up and pinned in place. The trousers rode up her backside something wicked and the hat kept slipping down. She spat on the floor trying to divert his attention. Come on just let me through!

Bokeh found it necessary to press the conversation forward. "If you're quite finished having a chit-chat I'd like to lie down!"

"Keep yer mouth shut!" Yasu smacked him over the top of the head.

This made the Suit chuckle. "Hurry up and get in." Finally the gate creaked open. She tipped her hat and proceeded to shuffle past.

Inside the cave it was dark. Torches were lit providing some light, and from their flickering flames she could see huddles of farmers trapped in wooden cages. There was a group of Suits playing a card game in the far corner. Yasu pulled her prisoner along trying to keep up the pretense for as long as possible.

"That rather hurt!" Bokeh said rubbing the back of his head.

"Sorry, I got carried away!"

"Yes, well, perhaps we should start by freeing your friends."

He wasn't wrong, but the kunoichi was steadily learning that the situation required caution. One wrong move and she could be captured too.

At the back of the cave there was a wooden structure resembling a throne. Here a plump man sat. Without a hat it was easy to see his shaggy mousy hair which was balding near the top. This was teamed with a goatee moustache that bopped up and down as he spoke. He was barking orders at the Suits who surrounded him. That would be Sato then...

Yasu stilled having recognized Might Guy as one of the guards posted by the gang leader. He looked comical in a suit but the sinking feeling in her stomach increased tenfold. Guy was silent and watchful, not bouncing around like he usually did. She wondered how the hornet venom had affected him. It was best to assume that he was a serious threat. She'd fought the tai jutsu specialist in the stadium once before and it was not an experience she'd care to repeat. Besides in this closed environment Lady Leaf was more likely to get her arse kicked!

Behind Sato were three teenagers with Leaf headbands. These she identified as the genin group that had accompanied Iruka on the mission. They were bound and gagged, trapped in a similar wooden cage looking very sorry for themselves. A brief glance revealed that their usually diligent instructor was nowhere to be seen. She reflected how horrible it must have been, watching as their fellow Leaf ninja joined the enemy.

But before Yasu could head over she was stopped.

"So you've returned?"

She gulped and turned around slowly only to look straight into the eyes of Umino Iruka.


Author's note -

Nouka is using terms linked to cockney rhyming slang. It certainly makes him stand out, doesn't it? :)

For anyone wondering where Yasu met Bokeh it happened in a story called 'Lady Leaf' which comes before Underneath It All. If you'd like to have a read there's a link to it on my profile page.

I've finished writing the final chapter of the story, and now need to go back and complete chapter 56! I don't know how long that will take me, (you know how much I love to write fighting scenes..)

Hope you're enjoying the summer. All the best

Allybee