A Piece of the Puzzle

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Chapter Cover: Tsumujikage is on the front this time, with his blue scarf waving around the frame of the cover. He is holding a hand seal with a grin on his face.

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Otomaya stood at attention as the four visitors filed their way into the Hokage's office. The Godaime proped her elbows on the table with her hands in crossed in front of her face, and her eyes focused on the four Wind shinobi. She sensed a high chakra concentration within one of them, but didn't show it on her face.

"It's nice to see you've come. I understand the Wind Country is split after the election," she said. The eldest visitor stepped forward.

"Yes. It's a long story - "

"I have time," she said, not moving an inch. He gave a nod, then told his three genin to take a seat.

"The Rain Country's governor's daughter was almost murdered by a group within the Wind Country. We learned that it was a rebel faction, but that didn't matter. All the Rain Country saw was that the Wind Country had attempted to murder a future participant in the chuunin exam - "

"So, the Rain Country is on the way as well," Tsunade said, not exactly to the elder Wind shinobi.

"Well, before they could retaliate, we decided to form a peace treaty by exchanging shinobi who could police the country, and recognize foreigners from their towns or cities. Another part of the peace treaty involved negotiations and the signing of a document, which would be in the Rain Country. Well, before the ramifications were agreed upon, another official was elected," he said. Tsunade wrote something down, then continued listening.

"He was a former shinobi who was well known for his aggressive and savage attacks on the enemy. His philosophy was to strike first before the other side has a chance. The first mandate he made after election was to murder the Rain Country's shinobi that had been distributed to us, then send their broken bodies back to the Rain Country. A small group of Wind Country citizens wouldn't stand for it, and left, forming the Traveling Village of the Wind. There are only twenty or so of us, but we believe we've escaped a possible war."

"Where are the rest of your companions?" Tsunade asked.

"They were actually inhabiting the area surrounding Kono - "

"Tell them to come within the village borders. I'll have some of my jounin keep an eye on them. At the first sign of misbehavior, your team will be disqualified, and your citizens removed from the village. Do you understand?" she asked.

"Yes. Thank you Hokage," he bowed, and took his genin out of the office. Otomaya opened the door for the visitors, and looked at the genin on more time. Tsumujikaze winked at her before he left. She snorted a bit as she shut the door behind them. As she turned to the Hokage, she froze in place.

Tsunade had actually stood up, with her hand under her chin in thought.

"There have been talks of a Bijuu," Tsunade said. "The story this man has just told us may have a lot more to do with that."

Otomaya looked around the room at Shumiro, then Murisi. From the expressions on their faces, they didn't know what Tsunade was talking about as well.

"When the Rain Country's genin come, we will be on high alert. And as a matter of fact," Tsunade said. "Muzu, you will be responsible for accompanying them."

"Yes," Muzu said. "Will I have the same group?"

"No. this time, your genin will be with you. This is a B-rank mission, so be careful."

"But, Godai - "

"Sending four jounin right now would mean less to keep an eyes on the new visitors. That's why your team will be sent to accompany the Rain genin. I will have a team of jounin to meet you as you come back to Konoha."

Muzu took a deep breath, feeling her heart rate heighten.

"Yes. Thank you, Godaime..."