Tension hung in the air between the three wizards, and the shinobi. Neither side willing to break it and potentially cause an incident. The older ninja stood tall, his white robes swirling in the wind, as he stared down the three in front of him. He knew why they were here, of course. His ANBU had given him the run down, before he had sent them for the best team to deal with these unwelcome visitors. Hiruzen Sarutobi, as known as the Sandaime Hokage, suppressed a smirk; he was looking forward to that confrontation. He knew who the three were; their looks and scents gave it away. The younger was Severus Snape. Yoshino had updated their information on the wizarding world, and its' war, when she came back from her sabbatical. She had praised his ability as a spy, though what side he was on was unknown. He had been close with her cousin as a child before they drifted apart. The two older were Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall, the latter he respected as a Mistress of her craft and a good teacher, despite her blind loyalty to the former. Now Dumbledore was considered a leader of the wizarding world, all the Sandaime knew was that Dumbledore a chess player. He manipulated his people for the "Greater Good"; whilst pretending he didn't. A flash of distaste crossed the Sandaime eyes, he detested manipulating his people whilst pretending he wasn't. As the head of the village, and the top of the military dictatorship, his word was law. However, as the head of his people, he cared for them, and wanted them to trust him; to do that he made sure he gave them as much transparency around his orders as possible. He was also aware that he made mistakes, his mind flickered to a certain blonde-haired little boy, but at least he could admit it unlike his wizarding counterpart.
"Ah, you must be the current Hokage. I would like to talk to you about one of your people, my boy. It's urgent that we speak." Albus called out, his eyes twinkling at the Hokage, his manner slightly condescending. "I also wish to hire two teams as teachers and as defenders, I'm sure we can come to a good trade."
As Albus spoke, the temperature dropped as the ninja present started to leak killing intent at the disrespect towards the Sandaime. Severus and Minerva shifted uncomfortable, their grips on their wands tightened, cursing their boss as they prepared for a losing fight.
"I am not your boy, Dumbledore-san. I would appreciate if you addressed me correctly. As for hiring my shinobi, it will cost you the same as every other client. As for one of my people..." Here Hiruzen smirked, and gestured to his right, as three ninjas dropped their genjutsu and stepped forward, their faces blank and cold as steel. A snicker rolled around the gathered ninja; they wouldn't want to be in the wizards' place facing the InoShikaCho trio. "Well, you can talk with her father, and uncles, if they wish to talk with you." Feral grins crossed the trio next to him; he would need to make sure he was there for that conversation.
"My apologies Lord Hokage. Of course, we are willing to pay. I meant no offense. Allow me to introduce my companions. To my right is Minerva McGonagall, a transfiguration mistress, my deputy mistress, head of house and transfiguration professor." Here he paused for Minerva to step forward and bow lowly, her manners as ever on point. "To my left is Severus Snape, potions master, head of house and professor of potions." Again, he paused for Severus to step forward and bow, his spy greeted the Hokage in the native language, before also inclining his head towards the trio next to the Sandaime.
"Nara-sama, it is nice to see you again. I hope I find you well. I apologise for any offense the Headmaster causes in his conversation with you later. We have tried to persuade him against this path, but he is determined." Severus was swift in his words, the Japanese falling from his mouth as though he was a native. He really didn't want to piss off Lord Nara. Severus stayed in his bow until the Nara inclined his head in acknowledgment. Rising he stepped back into the shadows.
"Let us go to my office, Dumbledore-san, and put together a mission brief for those teams. After that, we will find you lodging for your stay." Hiruzen spun on his heel and set out at a relaxed pace towards the tower. He deliberately took a route through the main street, letting the visitors see the lively marketplace; showing them how their shinobi mingled and laughed with his civilians. He wanted them to see the children running free and safe through his streets. As they walked, Hiruzen gave his visitors a running commentary, between interacting with his people.
"This is the main shopping and eating districts, here our people spend a lot of time mingling, regardless of status or job. I often find that the children also congregate around here, as they are now. School is out, and we believe it takes more than parents to raise kids. It takes the village to raise them, so we encourage them to stay in this area, to learn from their elders. Ah here we are." Hiruzen stopped in front of the central administration building, affectionally known as Hokage Tower. Much higher than the rest of the buildings, here he could watch over his village and draw strength from the previous hokages carved into the mountain. Turning to the wizards, Hiruzen smirked at the shocked look on the elder two. Apparently, a vibrant village filled with laughter was not what they had expected. A ringing bell dragged the groups attention to the building to the left of the tower. The shinobi softened as kids poured out of the building, laughing, and running towards their parents and friends.
"Excuse me, Lord Hokage." Minerva politely addressed the robed leader. After the headmaster had upset them in his first sentence, she was making sure to stay as respectful as she could. "I thought school was out for your children?" Minerva tensed as her words faded into the silence, she cursed herself internally, her question sounded more like an accusation. Holding her breath in anticipation, she jumped at the rumbling chuckle from the shinobi in question.
"Allow me to clarify, the civilian school has ended for the day. The ninja academy finishes later on Wednesdays and Fridays; due to specialist classes being held." Hiruzen graced the witch with a gentle smile. From what he knew, she was a good teacher and was always looking for ways to enrich the school. For that reason alone, he would answer the question he could see her bite back from asking. "Specialist classes are compulsory, but the students chose which classes they take and when. They must do all of them over the course of their time at the academy, but the order they do them in is up to them. These classes include cryptography; languages; advanced intelligence gathering; rituals and etiquette; poison identification and antidotes; advanced infiltration; and weapon maintenance. I'm sure, whilst you are here, we can get in one of the instructors from the academy to give you a tour and answer any questions you have, Professor McGonagall."
With that, Hiruzen lead the group into the tower, winding his way up the stairs to his office, dismissing the advisers hovering outside his office with a wave. A quick nod at his secretary had him up and searching for more chairs to bring in. Hiruzen made a brief mental note to send the guy a fruit basket as a gift; honestly one of the best secretaries over the years. Azua Yamanaka was one cool personality, able to go head to head with even the most difficult of people. It was a guilty pleasure of Hiruzen to listen through his door as Azua put his advisory team back into their place. No, scrap the fruit basket. He would give him an extra couple of days off with a pass to that nice little hot springs. Yes, that sounds like a wonderful idea! The soft voice of his secretary pulled him from his thoughts, as Azua shuffled everyone into seats and poured them tea, before checking if he would be needed for anything else. Hiruzen waved him off with thanks before opening the negotiations.
"You wish for two teams, some as teachers, some as guards. We need to know the situation in your country and the ranking of this missions. Also, any more requirements for my shinobi to follow." Hiruzen, puffed on his pipe as he spoke, indicating for one of the outsiders to continue the negotiations.
"Yes, maybe some of your younger ninjas can be transfer students, with a teacher working on the physical defence aspect of my students. Wizards aren't very physical despite the obvious advantages of being fit and healthy. I would also like a team of your more experienced ninja as guards for the school in general, and one boy in particular. You see, our world has been plunged back into the war that ended 11 years ago. I'm sure you are aware; the war ravaged our people for many years until Voldemort..." Here Albus paused, both for dramatic effect and to let his companions flinch at the name. He was hoping to spin the tale enough to gain sympathy for his cause. Making eye contact with the Nara patriarch, he continued. "was destroyed by a baby boy. Lily and James Potter's two-year-old son. Unfortunately for the world, he didn't stay dead. He is back, and just as strong as he was. I'm hoping have a team of shinobi will persuade him to leave the school, and Harry, alone."
Hiruzen hummed thoughtfully, and exchanged glances with his jounin commander, head of intelligence, and commander of training. To the outsiders, the room was silent, but thanks to the Yamanaka ability they were having conversations about ranking and possible teams. A thought struck Hiruzen, and he turned to the rather manipulative wizard, with the outrageous fashion sense. "These transfer students, how will they be able to pull it off without any training? The Japanese magical world starts earlier than the western world."
Here the darker wizard leaned forward, his expression as blank as most of the elite ninja in the village and offered his services as a tutor for the genin. He proposed a 6-week course covering the basics for each subject, as well as further training in the core subjects. Hiruzen leant back, a thoughtful expression on his face, he would need a bright team. A team that could pick up and execute the role of transfer student. That eliminated a lot of teams. Hmmm, it appeared that his stare was making the dour looking wizard uncomfortable. So uncomfortable, in fact, that he opened his mouth and offered to do all the tutoring for free and provide them with all the equipment needed for the year at Hogwarts (really what person names a school after warts on a pig?).
"Agreed. I believe the mission, with its inherent danger, classes as an S-rank mission. Since, I expect, you will want the genin team to also protect your students if they need too; both teams will be on an S-rank. The price will be put on the contracts delivered to you this evening. In the meantime, Azua will organise lodgings and food for you." Hiruzen turned to Shikaku, and the other two thirds of the legendary team. "Would you like to use my office for this conversation, whilst Azua does his job?"
Shikaku inclined his head respectfully to his Hokage, before turning to the old goat who wanted his daughter. Ignoring Hiruzen retreating to his desk and ruffling through papers, Shikaku raised his killing intent to cool the room; releasing his iron control over the shadows to darken the area. He appreciated the paling of their faces, and the way Severus and Minerva shuffled back in their seats. He wasn't mad at them; they had already proven that they weren't out to remove his child from him by force. The goat however, Shikaku's eyes darkened and flicked as the shadows danced in them. He would skin him alive if he touched a hair on his daughter's head. "Now, I believe you wished to talk to me about my daughter."
Albus laughed, ignoring the darkening of Shikaku's eyes as he did so. Really, he was the great Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore; Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock, and Headmaster of Hogwarts. What on earth could this young upstart of a ninja do to him? Well, he would put the brat in his place. "I do believe you mean Lily and James Potter's daughter, my dear boy. Afterall, she is of their blood. She must return to the wizarding world; it is her rightful home."
Shikaku's world shrunk down until all he could see in his building rage was the vital points on the old goat. Absently, he noted that Severus and Minerva both had their heads cradled in their hands in despair. Sharp points of pain in his shoulder burst through his tunnel vision dragging him back to the conversation being had by Inoichi and Albus. Inoichi's voice was pleasant but firm. The same tone he used when one of his intelligence ninjas was being particularly dense.
"I'm afraid you are mistaken, Mr Dumbledore. There is no Potter blood in my niece, there never was. James agreed to use medical methods to artificially impregnate Lily with Shikaku's DNA. To make lines of succession in your world clearer. Once the baby was born, Yoshino blood adopted her. You have no significant claim on the child." Inoichi's teal eyes gleamed in triumph. He didn't like the wizard in front of him. His aura dripped in manipulation, despite the carefully created persona of the eccentric caring grandfather. A sharp stab at his mental defences, had Inoichi frowning lightly and reinforcing his barriers. The stab was clumsy and graceless, nothing like how his clan travel the mind. At the next stab, Inoichi mentally gripped the probe and twisted it; smirking sadistically as the old man cried out and gripped his head. Within his mindscape, Inoichi let the other go, lacing a warning to him. Next time he wouldn't survive his attempt to infiltrate a Yamanaka's mind.
Albus seethed internally as he retreated from the tall blonde's mind. This was not going as he had planned! He had had no idea that James hadn't fathered the brat. Still, the wizarding world didn't need to know that when he trotted her out as the actual saviour. From the colourings of the Nara in front of him, it wouldn't be difficult to pass the child off as a Potter. Hell, he could use that vial of blood in his vault of James' blood to blood adopt her if needed. Yes, that would work. His plan could still work, and he can disinherit the useless boy and use the girl as a puppet. Now he just had to get her into his grip, and he had just the idea.
"Be that as it may, my boy, the child still has magical blood in her from the familial bond between Lily and Yoshino. She should be able to explore that side of her life." Albus made sure to keep his voice gentle, trying to appeal to the family men side in the trio sat across from him. He was certain that these murderers didn't really love their families. No-one can be raised to kill, and still form attachments of the loving variety. No, these monsters wearing faces of men have no positive contribution to society and would need to be removed from the brat's life as soon as possible. "In fact, why doesn't she come on the team of transfer students? That way she can learn about the wizarding world, and still have some friends of her own around."
Shikaku narrowed his eyes at the flamboyantly dressed man. His words had a strand of truth to them. Lily's blood does flow through his daughter's veins, as well as Yoshino's. The blood adoption didn't remove Lily, just added Yoshino to the mix. It was a birth right from Yoshino and Lily. At least if she went as one of the undercover team, they'd send Ino, Chouji, and Asuma as well. The three males on her team were well know as being protective of their teammate. Shikaku also had to weigh the pros for the village and the trinity clans if they learnt another way to channel chakra. Damn he needed a drink or two, maybe after this meeting he could drag the boys down to their favourite hole in the wall. So assuming team ten are the undercover team, with Asuma as the teacher, who would the other team be? Maybe an ANBU team, or some of the elite jounins. Kakashi could do with getting away for a bit. His genin team don't seem to be doing to well, as they wont work together in the way that Kakashi wants them to so that he can teach them. There are plenty of jounin that want a genin cell. Hmm Genma, and Raido, might be good too. The three of them had worked together as ANBU previously. They also worked well with Asuma. As much as Gai would be amusing as an instructor, he'd push the wizarding world to tears. Yes, he would put that mission team together for the Hokage tomorrow morning.
"We will review the mission statement, and available shinobi tomorrow morning. Please come back to my office at midday. Azua, would you be so kind as to escort our clients to their lodgings and arrange with Iruka Umino to do a tour of the academy tomorrow morning please?" Hiruzen intervenes before his jounin commander starts a war with the wizarding world by killing three of their people. Again, he is thankful for his secretary, as with a gentle smile, Azua just gathers up their clients and had them up and out the room without any complaints in a blink of an eye.
As the door snicks close, Hiruzen pulls out four cups and a bottle of his emergency sake. Pouring a serving for each of them, Hiruzen motioned them to move their chairs closer, sighing heavily at the headache this mission was going to give him in the long run. Still, a year long S-rank for two teams would bring a lot of revenue for his village, that's not even including the boost in fire power for them if they can learn how to channel external chakra from their surroundings. There had been rumblings from Iwa recently, and Jiraiya had sent information back about an outlaw group of strong missing-nins interested in capturing the jinchuriki. The potential outcomes of this mission were too good to pass by and, unfortunately for Shikaku, a Nara would be one of the best genin to send to learn. Toasting with three of his most trusted shinobi, and he might even say friends, Hiruzen downed his sake before sighing and thinks on how to approach the teams.
"Sir, I think team ten with Asuma would be best for the undercover team. All three genin are trained in infiltration and information gathering through the clans. All three are intelligent enough to learn as much as possible, if lacking in motivation on my daughter's part. Asuma is a good teacher. He is patient and knows how to work with kids who avoid physical activity." Here, Shikaku pauses to smirk wryly. His daughter being the one who avoided any and all physical activity if possible. "As for the second team, can I recommend Kakashi, Genma, and Raido? We can assign a different jounin-sensei to team seven. Kakashi is a good ninja but has yet to teach his team anything. I believe it would do him some good to get away from the village for a bit. Let him deal with his own trauma. All three shinobi are ex-ANBU and have worked together in high stakes missions before."
Hiruzen smiles wearily, looks like Shikaku had already sorted the logistics out for him. At this rate, he would need to buy gift baskets for all his ninja. At least he wouldn't have to convince Shikaku to send his child to the wizarding world. With an agreeing nod, Hiruzen tops up their cups and moves the discussion on to the nitty gritty details of the contract. The fee, what their client would provide, and what rules both sides would have to follow. Then they moved on to the mission scrolls; whilst they had their general outcome, they also needed to update their information on the wizarding world.
The four men sat deep in thought and pondered the possible outcomes of reaching back out to the wizarding world. Maybe the new generation, with less paranoia and suspicion, could build the bridges that failed throughout history.