Chapter 7.
Elsewhere in the Hidden Rain Village, six days ago.
Within the massive, dark room stood 8 shadowy figures on top of the Gedo statue's fingertips. Each a phantom of the owner's physical form. The only beings who were solid are Pein and Konan for their location was within the Hidden Rain Village at the time being. Konan had just returned after greeting the Weaponsmith Muteki at the gate. Pein had sent Kakuzu, Hidan, Sasori, and Deidara to search for her just yesterday so when Konan happened to spot her it was certainly a surprise. The detour did cause her to be late for today's meeting, but she knew the update will be worth it. Pein figured something must have happened and waited for his partner to explain.
"The weaponsmith sought us out on her own accord. She was at the gate and the guardsmen on duty were refusing to grant her travel partner access. She was adamant about bringing him into the village, even threatened to leave. I ordered them to enter and seek out the hospital for aid." Pein responded.
"Then that was her chakra I sensed… I must say, this is quite a convenient turn of events. Very well, Kakuzu, Hidan, Sasori, and Deidara. As you heard we have no need for you to search. The mission has been dismissed." Hidan barked back at their leader.
"I HAD TO HANG AROUND THOSE TWO FREAKS FOR NOTHING!? Talk about a waste of my time!"
"Hey!? Who are you calling a freak!?" Deidara retorted
"You and you're freaky partner! That's who, got a problem with it!?" Deidara scoffed and was about to fire back again but Sasori beat him to it.
"Both of you knock it off. I will not sit here and listen to you squander." Kakuzu also chimed in, guessing that Hidan wouldn't drop the argument so easily.
"I will tear your legs off again if you say one more word Hidan. Pipe down." The threat made Hidan hesitate. It is a pain to have your legs chopped off, sure. But Kakuzu will make him crawl for miles before he'd even consider reattaching them. He debated if the fight was worth it before inevitably deciding to save himself the trouble. This time at least.
"Ah whatever, damn heathen ain't worth it anyways." Deidara huffed at him before returning his attention back towards their leader and Konan- who had been patiently waiting for the four of them to stop bickering. Leader took a moment to make sure they had finished before continuing with the meeting.
"As you all already understand once our contract has been made the weaponsmith will build her shop within the Hidden Rain. I am aware that many of you will need her services but until she proves her loyalty you will have to avoid her and her shop. Konan, you will act as mediator for the time being. Should the rest of you need to restock or have your weapons repaired, you will seek out Konan until further notice." Pein paused to see if anyone wanted to speak yet no one did. Many were just relieved that they wouldn't have to turn to the blacksmiths for assistance any longer. The blacksmiths had managed to keep the village armed for quite some time, but their work is more than just lackluster compared to a specialist. Several of the Akatsuki even took the risk of seeking out foreign smiths in order to avoid them. So as one can imagine, when it was announced that they were going to hunt a weaponsmith down Hidan and Sasori volunteered their services for they were the ones that stood to benefit the most. Hidan's scythe had to be kept in pristine condition for it to cut while Sasori required so many different types of weapons at such ridiculously high amounts that a personal weaponsmith at his beck and call is too much to ignore. The two of them were already planning on speaking to Konan the moment they returned to the Hidden Rain. The shop should be in business by then.
"That is all we had to discuss. Akatsuki- this meeting is adjourned."
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Present time.
Muteki lounged around the hospital while Hansuke is interrogated. Nearly a week and she still hasn't heard from the village's leader. She isn't worried about being turned away. She merely wanted to hurry up and get on with hashing out their terms. It is sure to be tense and life sucking, seeing how uptight the leader's 'Angel' conducted herself. She wondered just what the leader of the Hidden Rain looked like. Is this person some big scary beast of a human being? Or maybe the more cunning and conniving type? Maybe she's wrong and they're actually friendly? Muteki's mind went through several possibilities as she tried to burn time. Not like there was much else for her to do. After hours of imagining the door to Hansuke's room opened but it wasn't Hansuke who greeted her. It is the one and only blue haired woman from before. Coming to retrieve Muteki for their meeting.
"Good afternoon, I heard that your comrade has been behaving for our intelligence division. He is sure to be cleared soon enough." Muteki did everything she could not to make a face.
'Why is it every-last thing that comes out of this woman's mouth sound so… so uncaring? That should have been exciting news but she a walking downer-'
"-Good, that guy owes me. Would suck if he couldn't pay back his debt. I suppose it's time?" The kunoichi shut the door behind her as she entered the room.
"Yes, let us summarize our demands for the contract. I will have an authentic one drawn and delivered to you to sign later today. Shall we begin?" Muteki raised a single brow.
"Ummm, here? And with you? Nothing personal but shouldn't I meet with the village leader?"
"Our leader is far too busy to be troubled by such dealings-"
"Ooouch." Konan didn't miss a beat.
"-I am more than capable, and he has entrusted me to do so. Is this an issue?" The weaponsmith knew better than to say it was.
"Guess not… Where do you want to start then?" The kunoichi took a pad of paper from the hospital room to take notes for the official contract.
"Your pricing is a good place to start. What are your usual fees?"
"For standard weapons such as kunai and shuriken I base my prices off income. Genins pay less than Chuunins, Chuunins pay less than Jounins. These are my starting prices- "Muteki motioned to borrow the notepad so she could scribble the amounts down for the contract.
"-Academy students get a starter pack for free but after that they are to pay a small fee. Specialized weapons will be case by case and rank is completely disregarded. Is this fair to you?"
"Yes, but quite strange… Why do you use such a system when you could charge genin more? Also, to give out weapons for free is unheard of? Doesn't this affect your margins?" Muteki leaned against Hansuke's bed and crossed her arms.
"I'm sure the system sounds noble, but it really isn't. If genin die because they couldn't afford enough kunai- well, there goes my future earnings. Jounin make more than enough to cover the loss in funds so in the end I make more than if I charge Genin full price. As for the starter packs, I give those out to draw in business. If this village is anything like the Hidden Leaf- then I know the blacksmiths will be coming for my customers. If the academy students experience the real deal they won't be as tempted to downgrade. You get me?" Konan had already heard of her history with the Leaf, so she didn't address it.
"I see, well then. The Hidden Rain agrees to the pricing. Although we ask for one exception to be made."
"Oh ho, what's that?"
"The Hidden Rain happens to have a special task force that serves our leader directly. They are to be well kept and constantly armed. Thus, we wish for them to be charged only material cost." Muteki scrunched up her face. That request did not sit well with her AT ALL.
"You're joking, right? Only material cost? I won't get compensated for labor costs?" The cloaked woman stood firm as ever.
"Yes, I understand you will want something in return."
"Uh yea, labor costs?" Muteki couldn't fathom the request. It's outrageous at best. Konan figured there would be some push back. Still, this isn't up for debate.
"This is a demand from our Leader- I will not budge on the matter. Pick something you wish to exchange." Muteki bounced off the bed and threw up her hands.
"There is already something we can exchange- labor costs! Are you kidding me!?" The woman stood silent as well as unyielding. It's a dealbreaker for the kunoichi and her leader. If Muteki wants a shop, she must agree or get the boot. The weaponsmith read the woman's face and saw as much.
"-Ugh, FINE! You're lucky I'm desperate!" Muteki thought long and hard over what could remotely make up for what may possibly be a massive dent in her earnings. There isn't much that could, but she thought of something that might.
"I want free labor from the village. I don't care if they are genins or what have you- I want cashiers, stockers, janitors, guards… whatever I desire really. I also want permission to take foreign commissions. Is this fair?"
'If they won't pay me cash, they'll pay me with work. That should help negate the difference.' Konan took a moment to ponder the request. She also made sure to consider what Nagato's opinion would be.
"…This is fine. We can send shinobi to work for you in exchange. As for the foreign commissions they must be pre-approved by the village. Otherwise this is an acceptable request." Muteki leaned back once again.
"That works then. Next is amenities, I wish to be provided a suitable shop. But I also want to be provided an apartment."
"Is a one bedroom acceptable? And can they be in the same building?"
"No problem. That would be preferred actually."
"Then it will be done."
"Cool. I have some rules I want to add to our contract. Some protection for myself is all…" Konan gave a gentle wave for her to proceed.
"-Ok, so… The Hidden Rain Village will NEVER try to use me to gain info on the Hidden Leaf. I am a civilian and have no other business in shinobi dealings outside of weaponry. What happens between you two is NONE of my concern. I also cannot be recruited to fight. If I do anything to protect this village than it will be on my own accord, no one else's. Lastly, I wish for visitation rights to be extended towards my family. We're tight knit and I want to be able to see them from time to time. Is this alright with you?"
"Only if you allow a guard to watch over your family as they visit. We must make sure none of you are gathering info."
"I figured as much and it's alright with me."
"Then yes, you will stay a civilian and be allowed visitation. But this brings me to our own clause we wish to be added to the contract. You are to never share info concerning the Hidden Rain Village. If you should do so, you will be punished as seen fit." The room went dead silent. The sound of rain is much louder than before. Muteki knew this would come up, but it is still a petrifying remark for the kunoichi to make.
'-And with that poker face still cemented into place… This girl has seen some shit no doubt about it.' The weaponsmith isn't a huge fan of her nonchalance. This clause could possibly kill her if she makes just one mistake. Yet the kunoichi showed no remorse and that pissed Muteki off.
"We're talking about my mortality here, you know?"
"I'm aware… What say you, do you agree to the village's condition?" Muteki snorted but there wasn't any laughter to be had.
"Okay, okay. Sure, I won't tell a soul. I've got nothing else. You?" The woman shook her head.
"That was all. As I mentioned before, I'll have the formal contract notarized and sent to you. Farewell." She vanished in thin air with paper flying everywhere and littering the entire room.
"Yea the 'pleasure' was all mine. I bet this stuff gets annoying to clean up after a while. She really shouldn't litter-" The door opened again and Muteki was met with the sight of a newly released Hansuke being strolled in on a wheelchair by a medic. Near instantaneously the two men both noticed the mess.
"-You missed her again," Muteki remarked.
"God's Angel?" Hansuke asked.
"Yep, the one and only." Muteki responded. The medic tending to Hansuke went ballistic after hearing Konan's alternate title.
"YOU!? WHAT!? GOD'S ANGEL MET WITH YOU PERSONALLY!? WHY!?"
"I happen to be an amazing conversationalist." The injured shinobi scoffed while the medic choked on air.
"H-h-hHuh? You're f-friends!?" Muteki facepalmed.
"It's a joke, I- just…just forget it. Hansuke, you cleared to leave the hospital?"
"Yes. Although I am to report to the intelligence division immediately for further questioning. They have another jounin outside waiting for me as we speak. I suppose this is goodbye for now, but don't you worry. I haven't forgotten our deal. When your shop opens, I will come to pay my debt."
"You better, I'll hunt you down if I have to." Hansuke's smile is endearing. Something totally out of place for the brunette man.
"There will be no need…. Thanks, Muteki."
"I don't need your thanks! You just better keep my coffee barrel full." Hansuke's face crashed.
'Did I hear that bitch right?'
"Coffee…. barrel?" Muteki grinned.
"Oh yea- "She pulled out one of her storage scrolls and summoned a massive barrel that stood at about 5 feet tall. There is a long piece of tubing connected to the top that she stuck directly into her mouth.
"This is my coffee barrel. I drink out of this all throughout the day while I work. I go through at least one a day but on rough weeks I drink upwards of three barrels a day." Hansuke's eyes kept getting wider and wider. His lower jaw nearly sat in his lap.
"-for the next year you're going to keep this bad boy filled. It really was such a nice offer Hansuke! Thanks aggaaiinn~" The medic patted the man's shoulder in solidarity. He couldn't help but pity him.
"There is a soup kitchen here if you can't afford food. I'm sorry for your lost…" The medic took his leave, but the pair overheard him whispering to himself.
"-That poor bastard, how is she not dead?" Hansuke went white and speechless as Muteki cackled away.
"And you thought you pulled one over on me! GOT YOU DUMBASS! Glad you made it in one piece! AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
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Arispuffer- Gosh fanfiction bugs out constantly it seems! Thank you for reading and commenting!
I want to build up to some ridiculously grand scene exposing the 'curse' ;) I'm hoping it'll be the shit show we all are dreaming of! Lol