Hi everyone, here's our next chapter! Thank you all for the anniversary messages. I am so happy for each and every one of you who has been there for me up to this point. I'm excited to hear what you think about this next chapter! Enjoy!

"Ugh, what did I do this time?" Beki leaned back and groaned, making the poor genin who had delivered the summons uncomfortable. Beki sensed her distress and patted her on the head. "On your way then, pumpkin."

"They're shinobi too, you know," Neji folded his arms. "It would do you well not to play that down."

Beki gestured after the girl as she skipped away. "Look at her though, they're so cute at that age! All they've done is fish garbage out of the river. That would make them girl scouts anywhere else, not trained killers!"

"Just don't call them 'pumpkins'," Neji grumbled. "It's disrespectful, especially coming from a foreign diplomat."

"You know, most days I don't feel like a diplomat," Beki folded up the summons and tucked it in the back waistband of her pants, which drew Neji's disapproving gaze. Beki started him down defiantly before continuing. "I wipe finger paint off their little brother's and sister's faces at the preschool. Anyone younger than me is fair game to be a 'pumpkin'."

Neji sighed and folded his arms as they walked. "So I'll tell the rest of the team you'll be late for training, then?"

Beki nodded. "Yeah, tell Lee I'm really sorry he'll have to settle for bench pressing Tenten."

"That was on the table?" Neji scoffed.

"What?" Beki elbowed him playfully. "Were you hoping to get a chance?"

"No, of course not." A small flush came into Neji's cheeks and he averted his gaze. "It seems unsafe to bench press a person."

Beki shrugged. "I think you have trouble thinking out the box."

"The Hokage is going to think you have trouble being on time," Neji gave her a gentle shove in the direction of the mansion. "Get a move on."

"Alright, Dad," Beki called over her shoulder. Neji winced at the insult and Beki chuckled to herself. Neji was just being himself but Beki couldn't help but give him a hard time. The man needed to ease up occasionally, otherwise he'd have a heart attack at 30.

Beki wound her way through the familiar back streets of the village, bobbing and weaving between the people headed to market. It was still early but Konoha as a whole seemed to rise with the dawn. Fortunately, she cleared the worst of the foot traffic before the businesses began to open. Beki took the steps to the Hokage's mansion two at a time, almost bowling over the guard stationed outside. She mentally steeled herself against his usual insults, her tongue at the ready with one she thought to shoot at him a few days ago. Instead of his typical smirk, the guard looked pale and sullen, his expression grim.

"What's up?" Beki's face twisted with concern. "Are you feeling well?"

The guard shook his head. "You had better get in there, kid."

Beki watched him with confusion as she opened the door and stepped inside. "Hey, what's the big idea-" Her voice trailed off as she saw who was assembled in the Hokage's office. Tsunade and Shizune were accompanied by a handful of high ranking Leaf shinobi, and standing in their center as bleak as a tombstone, was her uncle.

"Yasahiro?" Beki stepped towards him cautiously. "What are you doing in Konoha."

Yasahiro shook his head. "Kid, I am so sorry."

Those words set Beki's entire body on overdrive. Adrenaline coursed through her system as her mind rushed with thousands of possibilities, most of them involving death, dismemberment, or imprisonment. "What happened?" Her voice was quiet as the words slipped out, fearful of what they might draw out.

"It's your dad," Yasahiro explained. "He never made it back to Getsugakure."

Beki shook her head, laughing nervously. "He probably just took a detour somewhere. Every once in a while, the old man likes to hit a hot spring. It's only been what, three weeks? If the weather's bad anywhere, it can take as long as five weeks- "

"We found his kanabo," Yasahiro took ahold of her shoulders. "We started looking for him a week ago. He had chartered passage on a ferry to Getsugakure but never arrived. We retraced his route and found the kanabo in an old mill on the border of the Land of Tea."

Beki looked at her uncle and then at Tsunade. Before she could open her mouth to speak, Tsunade shook her head. "We just found out, Tsukimori, or we would have told you sooner."

"We didn't want you to panic," Yasahiro clenched her shoulders tighter, his nails digging into her skin, but Beki was numb to the pain. "I'm sorry. I should have let you know the second I was approached."

Beki stared blankly at her uncle's chest. "This just has to be some kind of mistake. You make it sound like my dad was kidnapped or something, I mean," Beki laughed, her face contorted with worry. "You've seen him! It would take a small army, or like, actual oni to beat him up and carry him off."

"We've committed shinobi to the investigation and so has Getsugakure," Tsunade gestured to the two teams she had assembled. "Locating and securing your father is a priority for us both. We'll find him, Beki."

Beki's knees began to buckle. Yasahiro quickly steered her over to the couch in the corner. When she collapsed, Shizune rushed over and took her hand. "It's going to be okay," Shizune gave her hand a squeeze. "Your father is strong. For all we know, he's fought his way out of wherever and we'll just have to go pick him up."

"I'm afraid this isn't where the bad news ends," Yasahiro reached into his bag and pulled out a small pouch. Beki eyed the black velvet drawstring bag suspiciously. "While your father is missing, you'll have to take his post. Temporarily."

He held out the bag and Beki smacked it to the floor. "What the hell are you talking about?! My father is coming back. Everyone is going to go out and find him. I'm not going to take his job!"

An uneasy silence fell over the room. Calmly, Yasahiro bent over, picked up the bag, and fished out the seal of office. "Beki," He squatted in front of her, holding the silver seal of office in front of her. "The King sent this especially for you. This is an immense responsibility, I know, and the circumstances don't make it any better," He took her hand and pressed the medallion into her palm. "But you have a responsibility, both as a shinobi of Getsugakure and as your father's daughter to protect his post until he returns. He could be hurt, Beki. He may not be able to come right back to work. You will be helping him by doing this."

Beki's gaze stayed fixed on the floor with the medal lying haphazardly in her hand. Shizune gave her a reassuring squeeze but Beki ignored her. My father is missing. What if it was Orochimaru? Is he going to completely orphan me?

"Send for the Hyugas," Tsunade's voice was soft but it still carried in the quiet room. There was a slight shuffle as one of the shinobi departed to execute the Hokage's order.

"Don't worry, ambassador," Yasahiro smiled at Beki gently. "We've got it all under control."

Beki cringed at the sound of the word. She knew her uncle meant well but the title wasn't hers, it was her father's. Now every time she heard ambassador she would be reminded that her father was god knows where. It didn't help how it was so easy for everyone else to be certain her father would be recovered. That was because no one would take his loss as hard as Beki would, nor would they have to weather the consequences of his passing.

Soon all the talking bled together until it was shapeless noise. Beki could occasionally feel Shizune's hand through the fog of Beki's numbness. If something happens to dad, I don't know what I'll do. He was the only thing that had ever been certain in her life. Sometimes they would have to go without food, sleep, or a roof over their head. When they arrived at a village, it wasn't guaranteed that they would be greeted warmly. Even when they were apart, Beki knew her father was there. Her father was as formidable as he was wise which meant regardless of what situation she found herself in, Beki always had a wall to put her back against. If Seiichiro was gone, her sword and shield shelved forever, Beki would be completely alone in the world.

"Beki!" Hinata burst into the room without knocking. She ran to her friend's side, completely ignoring the cadre of important figures in the room. Hinata took Beki's chin in her hand and looked her in the eye. In those eyes Hinata saw the pure unbridled fear of a child. It was clear Beki was fighting back tears from her quivering lip to the water welling up at the corners of her eyes. "Let's get you home." Hinata looked up at the Hokage for confirmation. "Do you need her any longer?"

Tsunade shook her head. "Well keep you posted on any updates."

"I'll come by and check on you later," Yasahiro called after them.

Hinata stole another glance at Beki as they descended the steps. Her demeanor hadn't improved, so Hinata reached over and wrapped an arm protectively around her friend. She said nothing, knowing it was important to help Beki feel safe before talking was an option. A few moments into their speed-walk home, Neji came bounding up beside them.

"What happened?" He was out of breath and he looked back and forth between the two with worry. "They wouldn't tell me what's going on. They just told me I needed to get here fast."

"We'll talk when we get home," Hinata gave Beki a squeeze. "I'm afraid Beki's had some bad news."

Neji's gaze zeroed in on Beki and he opened his mouth to speak but thought better of it. Silently, he fell in step on the other side of Beki. After a moment, Neji wrapped his arm around Beki's waist, completing the protective Hyuga sandwich. When they arrived at the house Hinata immediately led Beki to the couch. Beki sat compliantly on the cushions as Hinata wrapped her in a blanket.

"I'm going to make some tea," Hinata stroked her hair. "I'll be right back."

Neji was left standing in the living room with Beki, uncertain of the bad news she had received. He watched her face to try to gauge the gravity of the situation. There was a vacancy to her gaze that was accompanied with worry. I can assume that no one has died. The worry means there's a chance they're okay. Is someone ill? Neji was unsure of how to proceed. Beki was clearly in distress but he didn't know why, so he couldn't offer her verbal comfort without it sounding hollow. He sat down on the couch beside her and took ahold of Beki's hand. She accepted his contact limply, almost making the gesture feel meaningless. Even if it didn't help Beki in the moment Neji at least felt better for having done something.

Hinata returned with the tea tray in hand. She set it down on the coffee table and began to pour the fragrant hot liquid into the ceramic cups.

"What happened?" Neji asked at last, feeling that the timing was finally right.

"My father is missing," Beki's voice was devoid of emotion. Hinata put the cup in Beki's hand and she held it absently. "He was supposed to take a ferry but never showed. They think he was taken on the border of the Land of Tea."

"Do they know who was responsible?" Hinata shook her head at Neji as soon as the words left his mouth.

"No," Beki sighed. "They have no idea. Konoha and Getsu are both looking. If something happened to him, I…I don't know what I'll do."

"Beki," Hinata reached over and put a hand on her arm. "I want you to know that I speak not just for myself but for my whole family. Regardless of what happens, we are here to support you."

"Thank you," The words came automatically out of Beki's mouth. "I think I'm going to go lie down." She set the cup on the table and rose from the couch. The Hyugas were forced to watch helplessly as Beki trudged up the stairs.

"Poor thing," Hinata sighed. "To lose her mother and now have to face the fear of losing her father would be a lot for any person to bear."

Neji shook his head. "We'll have to make a point of keeping her busy."

"I think she'll be busy enough," Hinata took her tea cup and then caught sight of Neji's confused face. "Oh, Beki didn't mention that they're making her act as ambassador until her father turns up."

Neji scrunched his face even further. "Isn't that a bit much? Can't they just postpone things until her father is found?"

Hinata shrugged. "I don't know. Let's give her some time and maybe we can help Beki come up with a way out of this."

…

Beki lie in her bed, staring up at the medallion of office between her fingers. It was heavy, like the burden of the office it represented. It could take them months to find my dad. There are all kinds of meetings and deals he was working on that probably can't wait that long. She closed her eyes and wrapped her fingers around the medallion, closing it in her palm. I'm in trouble and I'm hurt. Dad would tell me I need to take care of myself from the bottom up. What do I need?

Clearing her mind, Beki listened to her body for a moment. Her heartbeat was regular, her breathing steady. Everything sounded like it was doing what it needed to do until her stomach let out a growl. "There's our answer," Beki sighed. "Let's get something to eat."

Beki looked in the mirror at her puffy tear streaked face. "I look as pathetic as I feel," Beki grumbled. She stepped in the bathroom and ran the tap until the water was hot. Beki worked up her face soap into a lather on a scrubby pad and cleansed her face of all evidence of her earlier weakness. She splashed her face with the hot water, turned off the tap, and dried her face on the fluffy hand towels that smelled faintly of lilac. That's better, Beki examined herself again. Now her face was clean but her hair was a rat's nest. She sighed, pulled out the tie that kept her braid in place, and unraveled her hair. She picked up her brush and ran it through her locks until her hair was as shiny and smooth as silk. For a moment, Beki considered leaving it that way, walking around like Hinata did with her hair wild and free. I'm upset, though. If I get any more bad news I'll go Maiden and have to deal with 8 pounds of wet sticky hair. Beki re-braided and secured her hair and walked out into the hall.

The murmur of conversation died out as soon as Beki closed the door behind her. She didn't have to have a Byakugan to know that the Hyugas were watching her through the floor as Beki made her way to the stairs. As she descended, Beki immediately checked their expressions. Both Neji and Hinata were doing their best to appear neutral but Beki knew they were trying to figure out what kind of a mood she was in.

Beki took a deep breath and put her hands on her hips. "Okay, so this is my game plan: I have to be ambassador until my dad shows up, right?"

The Hyugas nodded politely.

"So, what I need to do is 1) go get some clothes that would be appropriate to wear to meetings with Tsunade as a diplomat," Beki ticked the items on her list off on her fingers. "2) I will need to send a letter off to my father's junior ambassador for a summary on what they were working on out here."

"Junior ambassador?" Neji cocked his head.

"So, in Getsu, there's a senior and junior ambassador combo," Beki hopped up on the counter. "The senior ambassador goes out to the country in question, makes the negotiations, and so on, then they send the information back to the junior ambassador. The junior ambassador presents it to court, does fact checking, and consults the history books, etc. It's a precautionary system so that there is always guaranteed to be at least one ambassador that's familiar with the political situation in every region."

"It sounds like you have traveled all over with your father," Hinata toyed with the ends of her hair. "Is there a rotation system?"

Beki nodded. "They don't like anyone being stationed in one place too long. Rotation reduces corruption, bribery, and extortion incidents."

"I'm proud of you," Neji couldn't bring himself to look at Beki as he spoke. "This situation would put anyone down and yet you're stepping up to the plate."

"I have to," Beki swung her legs. "I don't want my dad to have a mess to clean up when he gets back." She hopped off the counter and opened the fridge. "I'm starving. Do you guys want to eat with me?"

Hinata shook her head and gave Beki a soft smile. "You have a lot to do. Let me cook."

"You don't mind?" Beki sighed as Hinata nodded. "If you insist. Do you mind if I bring my stuff down here? I might need some help getting the wording right in this letter."

"Do you get along well with your father's junior ambassador?" Neji called after Beki as she ran up the steps.

The sound of Beki's bitter laughter drifted down the stairs. "As well as I get along with Ebisu."

Hinata and Neji cringed in unison. "That well, huh?" Neji said under his breath.

Beki came down the steps two at a time with her stationary set in hand. "Ishida is a real stickler, so we're going to have to go all out for this."

"Meaning?" Hinata had already begun to clean and chop the vegetables.

"Blue or black ink on my personal stationary set with a wax seal on the envelope," Beki held up a hefty looking ring. "Complete with my family's crest as the seal."

"To prove your identity?" Neji had picked up one of Beki's wax sticks. They looked as though they were bars of pure sparkling silver and had the phases of the moon embossed on every side.

"No, just because he's got a broom up his butt," Beki addressed her envelope with a fancy emerald fountain pen. "Regardless of what I put in here, the first thing he would say is that I didn't know how to properly correspond."

Neji rested his chin in his hand as he craned over to see what Beki was writing. She mumbled to herself as she wrote, testing out the sound of her wording before she committed it to ink. Hinata listened in, occasionally tossing in a suggestion. Beki had finished the letter just as Hinata set plates on the table.

Beki folded up the letter, put it in the envelope, and walked over to the stove. She held the wax stick over a burner, quickly turned off the stove, and dripped the wax on the paper. Lastly, she pressed the ring into the hot wax and set the completed letter on the counter. As she walked back to the table, Beki tucked her hair behind her ears. "Task completed." She checked the clock. "So, after I eat I have enough time to get into town and buy an outfit."

"Do you want me to tag along?" Hinata asked.

"An extra set of eyes would be good," Beki spooned up her curry.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Neji reached out and put a hand on her back. It was a greedy desire, but seeing Beki crying earlier had filled Neji with a physical need to touch her. What he really wanted to do was to run his fingers through her hair and hold her in his arms. Knowing that was impossible, he was willing to risk a hand on her back.

"If you could run that letter to the post for me I would love you forever," Beki took a bite of her food. "That would free up more time for clothes shopping. Shit, I need shoes, too. My good boots are still muddy from the rains earlier this week."

After they finished eating and cleared the table, the three headed back into town. Neji headed off towards the aviary as the girls made their way towards the fashion district.

"I'm going to need to talk to your dad," Beki sighed. "I'm going to be getting a lot more messages and probably have to keep odd hours until my father turns up."

"I can talk to my father about it," Hinata offered. "You already have so much on your plate-"

Beki shook her head. "No, this has to be me." She took a deep breath. "Like my uncle said, I have no idea when they're going to find my dad or what kind of shape he'll be in when they do. I need to start everything off on the right foot so he doesn't have to worry."

Hinata nodded. "I understand. Just remember, I'm here for you for whatever you need."

Beki reached over and took ahold of Hinata's hand. "Just be here with me, okay? I can put on a pretty good front with everyone else because I'm a shinobi and that's my job. If I have one person I can be honest with about all this I think I can get by."

Hinata gave Beki's hand a squeeze. "Of course I'll be here. Now let's find you something decent to wear."

…

"The ambassador, Miss Tsukimori, has requested this be sent to Getsu as quickly as possible," Neji had to remember that the switchover had only just happened. Word may not have gotten out yet that Beki had taken her father's place. Instead of looking confused, the bird keeper just gave him a pained look and made a sympathetic noise.

"Poor kid, I heard about her dad. That's a tough break," The bird keeper called down one of the stronger looking birds, a sharp eyed black hawk, and rolled Beki's letter into the container on its leg. "How's she holding up?"

Neji knew it wasn't his place to share Beki's business so he gave a diplomatic response. "Beki is upset. She loves her father and is doing her best to keep things together until he comes back."

"Let her know when her father was in town we would keep a bird in reserve for him," The bird keeper explained. "We'll do the same for her."

"Thank you," Neji bowed politely. She'll need all the help she can get.

…

"That was relatively painless," Beki looked at the shopping bag in her hand. "Usually dress shopping is about as fun as a visit to the dentist."

"I like what you picked," Hinata opened the gate to the Hyuga compound. "It says 'I'm the ambassador but I'm not trying too hard to look like it'."

Beki looked up at the sky. "Is your dad usually in his office around this time?"

"Yes," Hinata handed Beki the bag she had been carrying. "I'll go run in and tell him you need to speak."

"Thanks," Beki watched as Hinata headed inside.

After a few moments, Hinata returned and took all the bags from Beki. "He'll be out in a moment. I'll run these up to the house for you so two can speak privately."

"Do you think I'm ready to talk to your dad by myself?" Beki felt her confidence wavering. Hiashi was right up there with Seiichiro on the intimidation factor, the exception being Hiashi wasn't Beki's father.

Hinata smiled. "I believe in you."

Beki tried not to watch Hinata run up towards her house. She kept her eyes trained on the door while doing her best to keep a confident posture. Hiashi opened the door and stepped outside and Beki's legs nearly turned to jelly. You've lived with his daughter for two years, it's not so bad.

"I'm glad you came to see me, Miss Tsukimori," Hiashi's gaze was so intense Beki could have sworn it was boring a hole through her. "My sympathies about your father's disappearance. I hope they find him alive and well."

"Thank you," Beki gave a polite bow. "They have asked me to stand in as ambassador until he returns. I wanted to inform you of the possibility that I may need to keep odd hours and more messengers may come by looking for me."

Hiashi shook his head. "That isn't a problem. I'll inform the gatekeepers so you won't experience any inconvenience coming and going. If there is anything else you need, please let me know."

"Thank you," Beki gave him a deep bow. "I appreciate your support during this difficult situation."

"Your father placed you in my care, Miss Tsukimori," Hiashi returned her bow. "I do not take that responsibility lightly."

"I'll let you return to your work, then," Beki stepped off onto the path towards Hinata's.

"Miss ambassador," Hiashi closed the door behind him and Beki flinched. It was still so strange to hear people calling her that. It's only temporary. Just till dad gets back.

…

"How did it go?" Hinata was washing the dishes from dinner.

"Surprisingly well," Beki took a deep breath and sat at the table. "Hopefully the rest of this all happens as smoothly."

"How long until you hear from Ishida?" Hinata asked.

Beki supported her cheek on her hand. "If there's no weather issues, the bird should arrive in three to four days. Ishida will take care of it as soon as he receives the letter, if I know him. That means that we could be looking at his response in as little as a week."

"Then what will you do?" Hinata laid out a cloth on the counter for the washed dishes. They clinked softly as she lined up the clean dishes for drying.

Beki tapped her nails on the table pensively. "I'll have to see what Ishida wants me to do. I'll probably have to meet with Tsunade about it."

"I would let her know tomorrow then," Hinata suggested. "so she can leave some leeway in her schedule around that time."

Beki nodded. "Good idea." She checked the clock and cursed. "I have to get to bed. I have so much to do tomorrow and not enough time to do it."

"Goodnight, Beki," Hinata called up the stairs after her. "Let me know if you need anything." Hinata turned her attention back to the dishes. Naruto is supposed to get home from his mission tomorrow. He might find a way to help brighten the situation, even if it's just being another person in Beki's corner.

…

The next morning, Beki rose early and put on her new ambassador clothes. She had opted for a scoop neck slate gray dress made of thick cotton. The dress had long sleeves and the hemline was asymmetrical, knee length in the front and ankle length in the back. Beki had bought new shinobi boots to go along with it. When she looked at it all in the mirror, she looked pretty but not how she expected. Her father had always worn his armor everywhere he went looking imposing and solid. As she was now Beki was afraid she would come off too soft, so she rifled in her closet and put on her battle vest and her mother's gauntlets.

There, Beki smiled as she looked in the mirror. That looks more like a shinobi ambassador to me.

Beki slipped out of the compound without incident and made her way into town. This is my first day meeting Tsunade as an equal. Dad would have bought her lunch but it's too early. Coffee it is. Beki had been around Tsunade enough to have heard how she liked her coffee, black with two sugars. Shizune liked hers with a sugar and two creams and Beki asked the barista for a cup of whipped cream for Tonton. Everyone will be much more receptive to talk with a little caffeine in their system, Beki smiled to herself. Maybe I have learned something tagging along with dad all these years.

"Beki?" The familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Yasahiro?" Beki turned to face him. "What are you doing out so early?"

"I could ask you the same question," He eyed the travel tray full of coffee cups. "Are you going to a meeting or something?"

"I needed to talk to the Hokage about scheduling a briefing," Beki shrugged. "This is how dad would have done it."

"And those clothes?" Yasahiro shook his head and took his niece by the shoulders. "Beki, you need to take it easy here. I know you're in distress but throwing yourself into this work is not the answer. You need to deal with this emotionally or you're going to end up piling on stress till you blow up like a volcano."

"I don't want Dad to have a pile of work to come back to," Beki averted her gaze. "He'll probably be sick and hurt when they find him. If I do a good job, then he won't have to stress about it."

"He'll stress about you and the fact that you haven't been taking care of yourself," Yasahiro sighed. "Go on and have your meeting with the Hokage. Just please keep in mind you're a temporary ambassador and not the real thing. If this drags on too long, they'll just bring Ishida out here. Don't' try to take on the world all by yourself."

"Thanks uncle," Beki nodded. "I'll try to keep that in mind."

She mounted the stairs to the Hokage's office and the sleepy-eyed guard waved her in. It wasn't the one that always teased her, so Beki could skate by without so much as a dirty look.

"Lady Tsunade? Lady Shizune?" Beki knocked. "Its Tsukimori Haruka. I just need five minutes of your time."

Shizune opened the door, blinking in the early morning light. "Come on in," Her face lit up when she saw what was in Beki's hands. "You brought coffee?"

Beki smiled and nodded. Shizune opened the door and took the cup Beki held out to her. "A sugar and two creams," Beki walked over to Tonton. "Whipped cream," She said as she set the cup down. Tonton immediately knocked the cup over and went to town licking out the whip inside. "And for the Hokage, black with two sugars."

Tsunade took the cup and eyed her suspiciously. "Please tell me you don't have our coffee preferences memorized."

Beki shrugged. "Are you upset about it?"

"No," Tsunade took a sip on the cup. "Delighted, actually. So, what can I help you with, Miss Tsukimori?"

Here's our chance, do your best impression of Dad.

Beki put her hands behind her back and stood as tall as she could. "I have sent a letter requesting a summary of all the talks my father has been actively involved in. I expect a reply in about a week's time. I would like to request to arrange a meeting with you after that information arrives to proceed with my father's work."

"You're really stepping up to this, aren't you?" Tsunade looked at her calendar. "I usually keep a slot open after lunch. Try to give me 24 hours' notice and I can pencil you in there."

"Thank you," Beki bowed politely. "I appreciate it. I want everything to run as smoothly as possible so that my dad doesn't have a lot of work to catch up on when he gets back."

"So, you think we'll find him?" Tsunade kept her voice level, her eyes trained on Beki for her response.

Beki's confidence wavered. "Everyone else seems so sure we will. I…I don't want to think about what happens if we don't find him. So, yes. I'm sure he'll be found soon."

Tsunade nodded. "On your way then, ambassador."

Beki stepped out of the office feeling accomplished. And it's only 8 o'clock. Maybe I'll treat myself to breakfast as a reward.