30. Last update here till December. First NaNoWriMo chapter to be written after this, but both should come on the same time, head over to my profile if you're interested, I'll do my best to maintain a steady update stream in November :)


As it turns out, she decides their dinner shall be casual affair, the Mizukage doesn't intrude on their guests' time.

She's not overly interested in what her Ice-Style user has to say about his younger cousin.

Besides, she trusts that Zabuza will keep their village safe.

Overlooking the restaurant from her office window, arranging and rearranging the expenditure files for the various sectors.

Ao is off somewhere, doing his usual, trying to be important.

Chojuro is standing at the door, her faithful guard.

Then there's her, lazily eyeing her village.

The Mist is as misty as ever, but at least now the mist is not heavy with blood.

Maybe she wonders if she can call the village hers, it's not much to look at, not much she's done.

She feels, she hasn't done enough.

Not enough to deserve the trust of her own people.

And yet, they so implicitly trust him.

Mei stamps a few more forms, passing anti-discrimination legislature and a form to review the prisoners.

She came into power, not like a sweeping tide, Kiri is not so unstable, their former Mizukage had systems in place to handling day to day ruling.

All she changed so far was the face of Kiri, replacing a mentally unwell Jinchuuriki with herself.

Maybe it's not enough. But she's all Kiri has for now.

Speaking to the standing ninja force, beating down the more violent ingrates, observing classes in the Academy and she realises.

Perhaps, Yagura hasn't done irreparable damage.

Just perhaps.

She hasn't seen the full list of bloodline deaths after all. Mei allows herself a bitter smile.

'Damage'

What's done is done. What more now?

Encouraging bloodline users to re-join their forces, with Zabuza's apprentice at the head and her backing.

Their shift in policy wasn't a major upheaval, the people of the Mist still go about their usual – it's startling, how resilient, how dead the population is.

The lack of reaction should alarm her, but Mei knows full well that this lack of reaction was what allowed Yagura to rule so long.

All that takes for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.

Doing nothing is cowardice.

At the same time, for the weak, doing nothing is surviving.

She stamps another paper, burning a hole right through it and the table.

Watching the rest of the document smoulder away, making a small note for herself.

"Ask who suggested the bloodline protection act."

With a gentle blow, the ash floats off her table so she pretends not to have noticed its disappearance.

Compulsory DNA sampling of bloodline users.

She blows the smoke off her fingers, holding back a frown.

Like I would let people use other bloodline users as if they were less than human.

Mei is not an idealist by any stretch, she sees its potential for abuse yet cannot deny the possible benefits.

Would Ao dare to push such a law with her?

For the sake of Kiri?

'But is the act of dying or surviving braver?'

Mei doesn't presume to judge things like that.


The investiture is an informal affair.

Given that the village was low on funds and in the midst of rebuilding, Mei-san makes the right call in going for a simple ceremony.

From the ease by which her people greet her, Sakura can tell that the lady has already cultivated a fresh image of Kiri's leaders.

By being down-to-earth, by not spending lavishly, she has successfully sent the message that 'Terumi Mei' is a leader of the people, not by raw power but by devotion.

Loyalty that is a two-way street, and her promise to raise the Mist back to glory.

"I am your Godaime Mizukage, Terumi Mei. I am a Mist native, dual-bloodline user, proud defender of our shores, our home, and I swear on my honour that I will work with all of you to rebuild the Mist. We will become stronger because that is the way of our people, we will not fall!"

A quiet cry sweeping through the crowd as her impromptu speech ends.

She doesn't waste time with empty words, just enough to energise the crowd – Mei-san is off to rebuild houses with lava.

Shibi-san has described to the rest of them the magnificence of the Mizukage's powers.

"She controls the shape and form, directs the beast to become a tower and it cools like that. Occasionally the Byakugan-wielder will use Water Jutsu to aid in the cooling process. Like that they have created temporary housing that may well serve as permanent shelters. The constructs hum with the Mizukage's chakra. I have reason to believe that if it came to, she could remotely protect the inhabitants."

Her guards rushing along with her, ninja from her Rebellion already organised well and the village rebuilding is prompt.

Kiri has nothing to offer Konoha other than its friendship, friendship worth considerably little given its tattered reputation.

At the same time, Kiri will become Konoha's main source of information on 'Akatsuki', Jiraiya-sama has no intention to waste a diplomatic pass.

Sensei warns her that this is dangerous, but she can't risk that someone's lack of action become Konoha's downfall.

"Or Kiri's. That would be a waste of money, Sensei."

Kakashi raises a brow, "I thought you said this was a transaction."

Sakura smiles.

Sensei thinks for the good of the village above all things. Sensei wonders if Sannin Jiraiya-sama is being led into a den of sharks.

Sakura doesn't care about the village as long as it remains standing for Naruto-chan to take over and rebuild it in his image.

"Jiraiya-sama is strong enough to handle himself, don't you think, Sensei? Naruto-kun has such great faith in him."

A smile playing on her lips, just barely mocking Sensei.

Why, I wonder? Because Jiraiya-sama will tell him the name of his parents?

Just barely, eyes wondering curiously.

Why won't you say a word in your defence, Sensei?

Sasuke observes them from the corner of his eye but asks no questions, Kakashi-sensei gives in gracefully, Sakura does not poke at his wounds.

She doesn't enjoy it, but she knows she's very good at such things.

She may not know, but she can guess, and Kakashi knows very well that she can reveal her guesses to ample effect.

Truth isn't important – what people think is.

Sensei, be careful with the words you use, the people whom you play, because Shibi-san isn't falling for any of this.

Somewhere along the way, their deception becomes their truth and they know not if they even trust the other anymore.

Such is a nature of their charade, multifaced with ongoing, unrelated conversations.

It's exhausting, so Sakura engages Aburame-sama instead.


Kikaichu landing on her skin and the Clan Head murmurs lowly that he would like to sample the bugs once they return.

"Then I will be able to give you the correct antidote. The Rinkaichu have a tendency to mutate every so often, so the most recent antidote may be incorrect."

They pass it off as medical interest, their path home is uneventful.

Shibi doesn't ask where any of them disappeared to in the middle of the post-speech celebration, Sakura creates something along the lines of mingling with people.

Her trade list certainly gives off the impression that she has forged great ties, but Sasuke's the one convincing the merchants that she is to be taken seriously.

They're only a cover for Sensei to get to Yagura-san.

In exchange, Sakura coughs to hide the landing of a bug in the store beside the merchant.

Hours later, Shibi reveals that the civilians of the Mist are armed to the teeth with weapons and explosives.

"Enough for a last suicide attack as needed. Deadly indeed."

Sensei wonders if Mei-san knew, Sasuke offers that Ao-san could probably see.

She misses a branch and hits the next at an angle, chains helpfully snapping out to slow her descent.

Pausing to catch her breath, the other ninja stop at the higher level where they had all been jumping on.

"Is your leg okay, Sakura-chan?"

Sakura had only just thought of something, but the question eludes her.

A hand glowing green to heal her not-sprained ankle, enough of a cover as she smiles tiredly, "Just a little sprain, Sasuke-chan. Nothing to worry."

Sensei sets a slower gait, Aburame-sama's kikaichu buzz a touch louder.

Something about village relations.

Which village was it that allied Sand and Sound?

There wasn't another, was there?

"Hatake-sama, have you heard anything on when Jiraiya-sama and Naruto-kun will return?"

"Nothing much. Just that they will return when they have found Tsunade-sama, and that Jiraiya-sama will leave again soon to maintain his network. Possibly a trip to Mist, to boost our ties?"

He brings both Sasuke and his fellow clan head up to speed – most of the things they imply tend to come true.

Izumo-san and Kotetsu-san welcome them back from their position at the gates, slouched over tables and shying from the sun that beats down on their little station house.

Sensei is off to his own lazing about and Sasuke offers a polite parting before heading off most anxiously to the Uchiha Compound.

When it's down to just the two of them, she chooses to relax, tension purposefully seeping out of her shoulders.

They walk casually but quickly, trying to make it natural and yet being clearly out of place wherever they are.

Something amplified by Aburame-sama walking beside her, Sakura wonders if this is what the whole clan must feel.

Not quite on the level of ostracism that Naruto faced, but the view that the Aburame are different, or weird.

As a pre-emptive, she places a chain on his forearm, waiting till the shifting beneath his coat settles.

Sakura places her hand physically on the same spot and gestures with her other.

"Shibi-sama, this is the store I mentioned the other day. The vegetable supplier complained about a lack of ladybugs on his farm."

A trivial enough problem for laymen, but a matter of life and death for a farmer whose sole livelihood is his crop.

It's a blessing and a curse, the Aburame monotone, because he sounds serious, like he values the civilian, yet also looks down on their weakness.

"We have been monitoring the assassin bug population due to a recent surge, it would be beneficial if we could gain information on the ground."

He doesn't react badly to the contact and it's humanising for the Aburame image.

The store holder bows formally offering them his greeting.

"We have been speaking with Katsuo-sama about the issue, but I'm afraid it's not much good."

Sakura inclines her head and Shibi-sama sounds deeply reflective.

Enough to make an impression as Sakura nods at the merchant, as if this would solve all problems.

Not just trying to show the people that the ninja are not detached from them, but to show Shibi-sama that the civilians trust him and his clan, enough that they can be so relieved.

"We are getting side-tracked, Lady Haruno… but I will follow up with Agricultural Head Katsuo soon."

The front like it was an add-on, the back with the emphasis.


Treatment is simple, he swabs her to kill foreign bacteria, sets a gel culture and implants a section of her infected skin.

She watches the wound bleed purple, and then he administers localised poison.

"Please heal with me, we can avoid scarring that way."

His kikaichu produce their own anaesthesia, a smart way to reduce prey from struggling.

There's a small depression left, right in the middle, just a pinprick that the eye cannot see but her chakra can feel.

"This was the point of entry, Haruno-sama. The wound is an assassin bug's stab, which killed the cells in the area first, allowing the entry of the Rinkaichu that were able to take over the area. It is likely that the Rinkaichu was left on you, and the assassin bug a mere coincidence."

"They can exist independently of a host, Aburame-sama?"

The Clan Head sets down his tools, sealing off the petri dish and moving for the microscope on the opposite table.

"The Rinkaichu can survive on any kind of living cell, making them hard to breed, hard to control, and even harder to use. We have only known two users in these recent generations, but neither are with us now."

His kikaichu slide open a drawer and pull out a glass slide holder.

The cool and dark room feels like the earth, as if she were lying down in a bed of dew covered grass.

Not what she'd fancy her home to feel like, but as a new experience is nice.

Interesting to observe how the walls are built to conduct a breeze through, with gaps here and there to allow the kikaichu to travel freely.

The passages are well developed. From her perspective, the clan home looks capable of turning into a literal hive, a trap to snare foolish invaders.

"I am most aggrieved to confess these are the bugs of a clan member whom we have near to no records. He has been missing since he was six. While I cannot offer him up to you since I do not know where he is, I can only ask to bear the punishment instead."

He slips the sample on the petri dish onto an empty glass slide, spraying it with some solution, before placing a cover slip on with some tweezers.

Sakura gets up from her chair, lifting it quietly to push it in.

"Can six-year-olds join ANBU, Shibi-sama?"

He drops his tweezers – her chains catch it.

She looks away as he looks intensely at her.

"I am not prying, Shibi-sama, but you have to open up to Konoha before you can claim to hold a grudge. The people who trust you, the clan heads who make an effort, they do not want to be brushed off. They, like you have pride in their clan, in themselves."

He keeps the slide of her tissue with his clansman's bugs.

"And how are you any different, Sakura-sama?"

He takes her up on her offer of informality and attempts to avoid confrontation.

Again, his monotone is a blessing and a curse.

"I don't claim to be different, Shibi-sama."

"And that is your difference, your different style of politicking."

A gentle laugh escapes her, not by choice, "Fully your words and not mine, Shibi-sama, as long as you understand my intentions."


"Torune. You will convey to Councilman Danzo that threats towards the Lady Haruno will not be carried out by members of our clan. We are pursuing a policy of partnership with the Hatake Clan, by extension, the Lady Haruno."

Shibi is unsure how much of his words Torune listens to, unsure if he sold his best friend's son into slavery in exchange for recognition for his massive talent.

"As you wish, Aburame-sama."

There's a pause as his adopted but not quite son waits to be dismissed.

"I do not think Shikuro would have approved of you joining Root, Torune."

The young male draws himself to his full height, back stiff, voice wavering, "I exist to serve Konoha."

Root consumes its members, sucking them in like ANBU does to its long-term staff.

But Root controls them to be devoted to the Leaf first and foremost, unlike ANBU that taints all it touches.

In a sense, Shibi still believes that Root is the purest form of what ANBU should be.

Highly skilled soldiers working only for the good of the village.

What that calls into question is, of course, the version of 'good' that Councilman Danzo subscribes to.

He has given Root more than Torune, he has given it his pride and his belief and ultimately his faith.

Being so far in, he does not know if he can pull back out.

"I know you do. And you bring honour onto our clan. However, Torune, our clan needs you more than the village. My question is if you can, if you will return."

A flash of uncertainty behind their trademark dark sunglasses – hesitance and desire all the same, longing and hopefulness masked by, "If that is what you wish."

A silent, please, if you can, I do.

There is a blessing to their lack of outward expression – even without it, they can understand each other.

There are many things Torune cannot say because of Shibi's decisions.

Many things locked behind bars, bars inked onto his tongue.

"Tell me about your life in Root, Torune. I would like to know more and see if I should offer another child who shows promise."

Torune nods jerkily as he receives reassurance through their eyes.

The seal must be warming at the thought of new recruits.

"I have many companions in Root. They are all highly trained. Among the most well trained is Painter. He draws well, he is skilled in Ninjutsu. He is able to bring his drawings to life. His weakness is fire that can damage his scrolls, but he can draw on almost any surface."

The sentient seal, thankfully simple enough that they can bypass guards with positive reinforcement.

Shibi doesn't mean it, but he says it.

"Do you think he has promise? We can eventually use him in the actual corps. The Sandaime will retire soon, in the mess of administration, we can create him a spot."

We can create you a spot.

"Painter has no family, so that could be possible. I will ask Danzo-sama if he would like to place plants in the main system."

"Pass this to Hatake-sama, and you can be dismissed for the day. I will receive your report again this weekend."

Snapping into a formal bow, something so ingrained to just obey authority, Torune retreats through a side passage.

Shibi thinks again.

Sakura-san is accurate.

Her lucidity is frightening.


It's 12 am now! I'm going to start writing my first chapter of The Art of Transparency :) Will be on my profile once I upload this, but if you don't know Bleach, don't feel pressured, I'm just having fun writing my first NaNoWriMo.

Hope this chapter was able to convey how scatter-brained Sakura is under duress and under the influence of sickness.

I know my approach to Root is drastically different from that of most other writers, I'm not contesting that Danzo is bad, I want to contest why Root is still allowed to exist.

It might not be the usual, but I hope you all will walk with me as I explain.

Next chapter will be in December, as I start looking through AoT again, will go back to Naruto, Tsunade and Jiraiya.

If you got the hints past few chapters, there's another twist headed our way hehe, I'm excited to write it!

Yours,

Kayo.