Chapter Four

The Parents Talk

As Koori showed them to the door with the promise of dinner the next evening where they would discuss the apprenticeship in greater detail Sarutobi turned and offered to watch the children so that they could get to know each other better while the parents went off to discuss on their own. The three Jonin ranked parents gladly accepted and fled to a nearby teahouse before their leader could realize what a large mistake he had made in agreeing to watch four chibi ninjas to be.

Once they had arrived at their table and placed their order Tsume and Shibi turned the full power of their combined glare on the Nara. Tsume decided to be the spokesperson, "Alright Shikaku, fess up. We both know that you know far more then what you mentioned when it comes to Koori-san. I bet that yajin knew it too."

"Now now Tsume, there is no reason to insult our student's new teacher, but I do agree with you that he was aware. After all it would not do for one of Konoha's most accomplished ninja to not be able to detect when someone withholds information, especially if that ninja specializes in infiltration."

Shikaku sighed knowing that his chance of escape against the pair of trackers was below zero. "Fine, what do you want to know."

Tsume began the questions "What do we not know about his heritage?"

"I would assume a great deal, but that is not what you want to know. Beyond what he has already told us their was very little that is on public or village record. Here is a report on him, read it for yourselves, it's too troublesome to explain." With that he pulled a thin scroll out from behind his back tossing it to Shibi. The information was short and to the point as was appropriate for what was essentially a military dossier.

Name: Hyouden Koori

Age: 21

Rank: Jonin

Specialty: Genjutsu, Tessenjutsu, Hidenjutsu, Bojutsu, Fuinjutsu, Iryojutsu, Dokujutsu, Kenjutsu

Missions: D-Rank = 0, C-Rank = 0, B-Rank = 72, A-Rank = 54, S-Rank = 27

"Well he certainly is well rounded." Tsume deadpanned while Shibi simply hummed in contemplation.

"Yes he is, and moreover his skill set does not incorporate any Konoha specific skills what so ever. He is the perfect assassin in that he cannot be traced back to us and his usual method is strange. He somehow has a true title, and is an ambassador from the distant north; he will enter a daimyou's fortress conduct his business then after all the paperwork has been signed he leaves. In the near future they are found dead." Shikaku explained, "When he uses infiltration he essentially enters as an entertainer, kisses his targets and they die within a week. The ANBU forces still have no clue as to how he does it but he does."

Shibi was the next to speak, "Do you have any clue as to what he meant by tribe? He referred to it many times but I am unable to determine just what he meant."

"A tribe is similar to a village I suppose, although that isn't a perfect example. Koori-san is from the Hyouden clan, which was banded together with two other clans. This was their tribe, I believe the name was Chuushin. They were located far to the north of Tsuchi No Kuni where our system of government has still not taken root. These tribes control the territory and there are few permanent settlements. The Chuushin was considered to be one of the strongest of the tribes, mainly due to the sheer diversity of skill, when in came to their warriors, and political connections with many far-flung lands."

"I take it then that Koori-san has inherited these political connections?" Shibi asked searching for clarification.

"Yes, as well as the source of his tribe's diversity. Many of the other tribes regarded them as oddly religious for some reason, and accredited their abilities to spiritual power."

Tsume narrowed her eyes at the lazy nin as though trying to figure out what was going on inside his head. "Koori-san mentioned a Kekkei Genkei of sorts. Do you suspect that it might have been the cause for the belief in those so called spiritual powers?"

"I honestly have no idea, you must remember that he does live in what was once a temple, and he mentioned an initiation right. It is possible that there is a spiritual element. Perhaps it is just another method of manipulating chakra that those of us in the elemental nations never discovered. I do know that the Hyūga clan refuse to look at them with their Byakugan activated, according to the reports it gives them a headache like their trying constantly seeing something out of the corner of their eye."

"What do you mean 'corner of their eye' they only have a single blind spot out of 360° vision, how can they have a corner!?" Tsume burst in out of shock.

"I believe it is more a case where they chose an existing expression to describe a situation that was similar. Perhaps it is the case that they can see hints of something yet no matter how hard they may concentrate on it, they are unable to find it." Shibi provided as a means of clarification for the confused woman. Shikaku nodded his agreement as Shibi continued "In any matter it is not of extreme importance. However, do we believe that having him teach our children would be to their advantage?"