Kitsune no Ken GAIDEN Chronicles

by Neon Majestic

During the periods of time skipped over by official records, people did not sit in a vacuum. They lived their lives, being who they were, doing what they were able to do. These chronicles tell tales of people who lived at the same time as the Kyuushingai. SUPPLEMENT to "Kitsune no Ken: Fist of the Fox." GAIDEN 70, "Reckoning, Part 8," now up!

69. Reckoning, Part 7

Kitsune no Ken GAIDEN Chronicles

Written by Neon Majestic

(DISCLAIMER: The Naruto franchise and the characters therein belong to and were originally created by Masashi Kishimoto.)

OoOoO

GAIDEN 69 – Reckoning, Part 7

(N.B. This Gaiden takes place immediately after the events of Gaiden 68.)

Entering the meeting area, Ibara and Kisuke took note of who was present at the round table in the center of the room: Prime Minister Kazahana Sousetsu, National Security Minister Byakuren, and the Commissioner of Police, Kaisen Agari, sporting slicked-back hair and a pencil-thin mustache. All three men stood and gave short bows to acknowledge the new arrivals. "Welcome, Enomoto-san, Maboroshi-san," Commissioner Kaisen greeted the respective two. "Thank you for joining us for this meeting."

"Yes, sir," Ibara and Kisuke said simultaneously as they took their places at the table.

All five parties sat down. "Now, let's not delay, shall we?" Sousetsu spoke up, his voice calm but still brimming with authority. "This strike action by the police. Where are we in relation to that?"

Byakuren nodded grimly. "A circulation was sent out from the National Security Ministry instructing all rank-and-file members of the police force to resume duties right away…but up to now, there has been no change," he said. "Not all police officers have called in sick, but the operation force of several of our police departments has been significantly impacted."

"Based on the reports from our commanders on the ground, the overall grouse is clear: the dissenting officers want the suspension of Whirl City's Chief Kaiza revoked and an apology given to him," said Agari.

"Maboroshi-san, have you spoken to your federation delegates?" Sousetsu directed the question to Kisuke.

"Yes, sir," said Kisuke. "Opinions are split roughly down the middle. Some agree with the strike action, but others say the situation with Kaiza should stay as Whirl City's own in-house disciplinary proceedings." He gave Ibara a glance as he said this. "It troubles me that the federation isn't 100 percent on the same page as to how this matter should be dealt with."

"Hmm, yes…about that…" Sousetsu cocked an eyebrow as he shifted his focus to Ibara. "Enomoto-san, I heard your comment on the news this morning. Don't you think you were hasty in making that remark?"

Ibara was stone-faced. "No, sir, I do not agree."

"Enomoto-san…" Byakuren said warningly.

"With all due respect, sirs, I believe Kaiza-kun is being persecuted for something that was beyond his control, on top of the lingering aftereffects of the 365 days' violence on Whirl City and on Kaiza-kun personally. Haven't he and his city been put through enough already?" Ibara demanded.

"That is not for you to decide, Enomoto-san," Agari said sternly. "I spoke to the members of Whirl City's Internal Affairs about this matter. They informed me of the circumstances leading to Kaiza-kun's suspension, and I am of the belief that they handled the matter appropriately. Every precinct must be able to handle its own disciplinary sanctions except in extreme cases where higher authority is warranted, and the Whirl City department did well enough in that regard."

"If I may," Byakuren spoke up. "I believe Enomoto-san may be speaking from a personal place in all of this. I am aware that she and Kaiza-kun graduated from the police academy together, so naturally she would feel the need to stand by an old colleague."

"And again, Byakuren-sama, I disagree. My past history with Kaiza-kun has nothing to do with my stance now. I would feel the same way if he were a total stranger to me." Ibara's tone was still cool, but her eyes were noticeably narrowed.

"And what if that hypothetical stranger was an open supporter of the Kyuushingai—would you feel as you do now?" Sousetsu asked abruptly.

Ibara snapped her head toward the Prime Minister. "Pardon?"

"Allow me to break it down for you, Enomoto-san." Sousetsu tented his fingers directly under his chin. "Whirl City is known for being explicitly anti-Kyuushingai, which, as you have stated, is due to the events of the 365 days; and Kaiza-kun is known to have voiced numerous comments to that effect over the years since that time. But tell me—what if he had never voiced condemnation of the Terrors? Would you still say he should be reinstated in his post?"

"I wish to add to that, Kazahana-sama, that Enomoto-san's response to your question should bear in mind the fact that Kaiza-kun was sanctioned for allying himself with the Star-Boys gang to kill Uzumaki Naruto, a self-admitted Kyuushingai," Agari put in.

"Or else they would have killed his daughter!" Ibara protested.

"Enomoto-san. Have you ever heard the saying, 'Two wrongs do not make a right'?" Byakuren asked. "Yes, Kaiza-kun's daughter was in peril, but deliberately joining forces with a known gang to commit murder, even with the aim of rescuing her, would still have resulted in him being charged with colluding with a criminal organization, conspiracy to commit murder, and outright murder if that plot had succeeded. Right now he's lucky not to be seeing the inside of a jail cell for his actions—and as a serving member of the force, you know this too. How many times have you had to see fellow officers get disciplinary action for breaking the rules in some way?"

"Which brings me back to my question of a moment ago," said Sousetsu. "If Kaiza-kun had never voiced any anti-Kyuushingai rhetoric, and yet he wound up in these exact same circumstances leading to his suspension…would you still be saying he should be reinstated into his office?"

Ibara's brow furrowed deeply. "I would say he should be treated fairly."

"And how has he not been treated fairly in this case?" Agari wondered aloud.

"That whole situation with the Star-Boys gang only happened because of a Kyuushingai, Uzumaki Naruto—the same Kyuushingai who gave Whirl City's local high school extensive property damage! The whole reason those gangsters took Kaiza-kun's daughter hostage was because of Uzumaki Naruto! If it wasn't for him, Kaiza-kun wouldn't have been caught in such an untenable situation!" Ibara argued.

Byakuren's jaw tightened. "I find it interesting that you don't say that Kaiza-kun wouldn't have gotten into trouble if it hadn't been for Sumaru's actions. Is there a reason for that?"

"What difference does it make? They're criminals alike!" Ibara snapped.

"Then wouldn't Kaiza-kun also be considered a criminal for allying with one or the other of them, considering he allied with Sumaru and then with Uzumaki to save his daughter?" Sousetsu rejoined.

"…!" Ibara clenched her teeth in outrage.

"If I may, sirs, shall we cut right to the heart of the whole matter?" said Kisuke. "Enomoto-san, as much as you haven't said it in so many words, your only real reason for your stance is because Uzumaki was one of the Kyuushingai. And as someone who's on the ground as a member of the police rank-and-file, I get it. We in Kumo City lost good men and women during the 365 days. I myself lost close friends among my precinct's top cops during that time."

"Then how the hell can you sit there and not support Kaiza-kun and other good cops who've been sidelined for honors and rewards in favor of those nine bastards who escaped due justice?" Ibara exploded at him.

"Enomoto-san."

Everyone present looked at Byakuren as he spoke, and his glacier-level tone actually made Ibara halt where she was. "There is no way I can say this politely, but it must be said," the minister went on. "You speak out of utter ignorance, willful or otherwise. In which case, let me as the Minister of National Security enlighten your darkness: of the Nine Terrors, two have been properly sanctioned and have been enlisted under the government's direct command to compensate for their actions, including Uzumaki-kun; plus, another three are now in the custody of the authorities for crimes they have committed, we are currently deciding the fate of another, and we have been given reports indicating that the remaining three are dead. Does that sound like the Kyuushingai have 'escaped due justice,' as you so ineloquently put it?"

Agari cleared his throat. "If I may add, regarding your accusation that the police have not been honored or rewarded for their efforts—as the commissioner of police, I will categorically say that such a claim is without merit or standing. Those who gave meritorious service during the 365 days were duly recognized, or in the case of those who died in the line of duty, posthumous awards for them were given to their families. And the existence of the Kyuushingai post-365 days has not prevented officers due for promotions or other honors from getting same in due course. Those are the facts, and if you have any reason to doubt those facts, you can always do your own due diligence and back-check what we have said here. But you will rein in your emotions and personal biases and focus on doing what needs to be done for the good of the wider public, and right now you are not doing that."

"Please understand, Enomoto-san, we did not convene this meeting to be adversarial toward you or any of your fellow officers who hold hard feelings toward the Nine Terrors," Sousetsu put in. "What happened in the 365 days was a travesty, yes. As leader of this government, I will be first in line to admit that we could have and should have handled the whole thing better than we did, better than we have in the years since then. And I will never discount or dismiss the difficulties that have been faced by our various sectors, including the security forces, because of what happened. But right now is not the time for personal grudges; right now we have to take the wider populace into consideration, particularly with the impact that the police strike is likely to have if the criminal elements decide to take advantage of this situation. Honestly, I'm just surprised they haven't already—although it wouldn't surprise me if the news should soon broadcast reports of at least some acts of crime and violence that occurred because crooks started feeling braver due to this sick-out by the police."

"Thank the police who haven't taken part in this sick-out for that, sir," said Kisuke. "Those who've still reported to work have been pulling double duty to make up for the reduced numbers…but my personal concern is that those officers who're still working may soon experience burnout if this isn't dealt with quickly, and worse so if the criminals decide to put the pressure on us."

"Is there a breakdown of how many of our police officers are currently out across Oinari?" asked Sousetsu.

"Yes, sir, updated as at this morning," said Agari, and here he reached into his coat, pulled out a folded-up set of papers stapled together, and opened them out while smoothing out the creases as best he could. "Let's have a look-see here…Konoha Town's precinct still has all available officers on duty, none unaccounted for…likewise for the Mist City Police Department…Suna City's department is operating at 90 percent capacity…Taki Town, 85 percent…Tani City, 80 percent…Yu City, 75 percent…Kusa Town, 75 percent…Sound City, 70 percent…Ishi Town, 65 percent…Iwa City, 55 percent…and…"

"And?" Sousetsu eyed him.

"The four remaining precincts are the ones with the most troubling figures," Agari continued. "Shimo City and Kumo City both have their precincts operating at 50 percent capacity…and Ame Town and Whirl City are both operating at 25 percent, though I suppose it should have been expected."

Byakuren frowned. "Whirl City is no surprise, considering that's where this whole issue started from. But why does Ame Town have such a low turnout of officers as well?"

"Because of what happened to one of their finest during the 365 days." Agari's look turned grim. "He was known in their department as the 'Crusader,' because of his dedication to fighting for justice. But then…he lost his family in a stampede caused by panic during that year…he's the same one who wound up becoming the leader of the terrorist group Akatsuki."

Sousetsu pinched his nose-bridge with his thumb and forefinger. "Yes…I saw that report. The Ame Town department did not take it kindly when that revelation was made. Apparently, that man…Yahiko…made a point of ensuring that his identity was never connected to Akatsuki."

"And when it came out that he led the group to get revenge on the Kyuushingai for the loss of his family…no wonder they've reacted the way they have." Byakuren looked at Kisuke and Ibara. "We didn't do much damage control in that jurisdiction, did we?"

"The police federation has members there…and they despise the Kyuushingai specifically because of what happened to Yahiko. They're second only to Whirl City in that regard." Ibara shook her head. "But I have to say, I'm honestly surprised that Mist City doesn't have any of its cops out on strike. Considering they've had a direct Kyuushingai problem of their own for so long…"

"Yes…Yagura, the Mist City Butcher. Though I suspect that his gang's activities are exactly why they haven't gone on strike—any slacking of police activity there will give the criminals ample excuse to run amok." Agari's jaw tightened. "Which is likely to be the same result we'll get elsewhere if the police don't get it together…which is why we need to come to a consensus about what the police are going to do."

Kisuke grimaced. "It's still going to be tricky to navigate, sirs. Even among the police personnel who've turned out to work, there's still a substantial number of them who sympathize with those that have taken strike action."

"Any resignations?" Byakuren wanted to know.

"Well…" Kisuke cast his look down at the table's surface, not looking happy. "One of my detectives quit this morning in relation to this issue, yes."

Ibara—knowing what she knew about that particular fact—pointedly did not look at Kisuke. "No resignations from my precinct…but there's been enough break-room talk today suggesting that a few might go that route if Kaiza-kun isn't given his job back soon."

Agari affixed her with a steely look. "And you would let them." It wasn't a question.

"I wouldn't try to force them to stay if they didn't want to." Ibara returned the look.

"All right, enough." Sousetsu, foreseeing the impending argument, held up his hand to quell it. "Here's the crux of the situation: we've had one day so far of the police taking part in this sick-out, and there's a risk of more police officers joining in or outright resigning if the matter with Kaiza-kun isn't quickly and satisfactorily dealt with. So how do we resolve the dispute?"

"We cannot afford to give the impression that our police—or any other sector, for that matter—can get their way by protesting every single time something happens that they don't agree with," said Agari. "We need to have the country's morale maintained and not allow the criminal element to get any ideas that they can suddenly come and do whatever they want."

"But we also need to have the police force's morale boosted, especially for those who support and sympathize with Kaiza-kun," Ibara argued.

"And yet, if we simply reinstate Kaiza-kun as the dissenting officers want to see happen, it will undermine the effectiveness of not only Whirl City's local disciplinary body for their police, but that of all police departments' disciplinary bodies as well," Byakuren put in.

"However, if the top brass tries to give the cops an ultimatum—like, say, return to work now or be dismissed—it'll run the risk of alienating those officers who haven't joined the strike but are sympathetic to those who have," Kisuke remarked. "And it's already a delicate balancing act for those members of the force as it is."

"People, we can't afford to have a deadlock on this—not now," Sousetsu said sternly. "We need to remember and consider who must benefit from our next step going forward—the people of Oinari. Can we at least try to focus our efforts on making the general public's well-being our top priority here?"

Byakuren fingered his chin thoughtfully. "Kaisen-san," he addressed Agari, "perhaps you could hold a top-level meeting with Whirl City's top brass along with their Internal Affairs department, and this time have Kaiza-kun included. This whole dispute revolves around him, after all; it's only fair that he be given an opportunity to speak for himself."

"Agreed, sir," Agari nodded. "I'll arrange that meeting for tomorrow, then."

"And in the meantime, could I suggest that you two," here Byakuren turned to Ibara and Kisuke, "convince the police officers via your federation to postpone any further protests in the interim—at least until the outcome of tomorrow's meeting is made public? Let's not have our police departments go without the necessary manpower any longer than we have to, please. Further discussions can be had as necessary to ensure that everything turns out okay for all involved."

Kisuke nodded. "Yes, Minister. I'll send out that correspondence right away, as the federation's president."

Ibara nodded too, albeit more reluctantly. "As you say, Minister."

"Good!" Sousetsu clapped his hands together once. "Then it's agreed."

OoOoO

5:00 p.m.

"Good afternoon, and welcome to the 5:00 newscast for today, Thursday, August 3," the radio broadcaster's voice blared over the radio. "Coming up in the news today: Police commissioner to meet with Whirl City Police Department heads, along with suspended chief of police, tomorrow morning. Oinari Police Federation urges members currently on strike to return to work ahead of tomorrow's planned meeting with Whirl City police leadership. Leader of Hawk Gang given multiple life sentences for March 22 assault on Konoha Town Police Department that resulted in twelve officers' deaths. In business news, Kira Enterprises stocks continue to decline. The news is brought to you today by Sky High Chicken Grill—our flavor brings you beyond the sky! We'll be back in a moment…"

Tsubaki, in the process of sorting her living room bookshelf, rolled her eyes as she listened to the ensuing radio commercial. "The police commissioner better be coming to say they're to give Kaiza-sama his job back," she muttered under her breath.

"And now the news," the broadcaster's voice came back on. "Police Commissioner Kaisen Agari is scheduled to meet with the leadership of the Whirl City Police Department, the heads of that department's Internal Affairs Bureau, and their suspended chief of police Kaiza, tomorrow morning as part of efforts to resolve the events leading up to today's strike action by members of the Oinari Police Force. That's the word following a meeting which was held an hour ago between Commissioner Kaisen, Prime Minister Kazahana Sousetsu, National Security Minister Byakuren, and the leadership of the Oinari Police Federation, at the Office of the Prime Minister. More in this report…"

A different reporter's voice came on a moment later. "The upcoming meeting is aimed at seeking a resolution with Chief Kaiza, who was suspended from his post by Whirl City's Internal Affairs on Tuesday for disciplinary reasons. Speaking with our news center following this afternoon's meeting with the Prime Minister, National Security Minister Byakuren, and the Oinari Police Federation, Commissioner Kaisen said that he hopes tomorrow's meeting will result in a mutually agreeable consensus for all parties."

Then a voice clipping with Commissioner Kaisen was played. "It is my expectation that, following tomorrow's meeting in Whirl City, it will be understood that the police strike which began today will only hurt the people that our police force's men and women are supposed to protect and serve. This hullaballoo over one man's disciplinary procedure is not helping the situation at all, and the sooner we all realize it, the sooner we can get things back to normal."

Tsubaki scowled at that. "And there it is. You'd rather throw Whirl City's champion against the Kyuushingai to the wolves than admit you did the wrong thing."

Taking her cell-phone out of her pocket, she speed-dialed a number and then held it up to her ear while it rang. Then a moment later, a voice came over the line: "Hello?"

"Hi, it's Tsubaki-san. Are you listening to the radio news just now?"

"I am. I just heard the police commissioner's declaration. He's full of it."

"My sentiments exactly, which is why I'm calling you now to follow up on that request I made yesterday."

"You mean about getting the Oinari Teachers' Association to respond to the police's strike action?"

"Exactly. Is there any word from the association president on that?"

"Yeah, well…"

OoOoO

"…and the Oinari Police Federation is calling all of its members who have taken strike action in response to Chief Kaiza's suspension to return to work and await the outcome of tomorrow's meeting in Whirl City. The federation's president, Maboroshi Kisuke, said that the police must keep their oath to protect and serve the public ahead of themselves at the forefront in what they do hereafter."

Okura Ittan, driving along the roadway, narrowed his gaze as he listened to the ongoing radio news. "They should've been doing that from the start," he grumbled.

Turning on his right-hand indicator, he waited while a few oncoming cars going in the opposite direction passed him; then he turned onto the side-road he'd been eyeing and proceeded along the slightly dusty track, his eyes beholding a farmhouse and a neighboring barn several hundred meters ahead. "Hmm…"

The sight in his rearview mirror of another vehicle turning from off the main road and coming onto the track just behind him caught his eye. Frowning, he nevertheless kept driving until he was close to the property's main gate, at which point he pulled off the road slightly…and the other vehicle did likewise, pulling up just behind him. Ittan didn't get out of his car, though, nor did he kill the engine; he kept both hands on the steering wheel, tensing a bit as he saw the other car's driver emerge and walk toward his vehicle.

"Evening," the other person said casually upon reaching his door.

"Evening," Ittan replied. "You live here?"

"I was going to ask you that question," said the other driver, bending down slightly to get a better look inside Ittan's car.

Ittan scrutinized the individual—a youngish fellow, with dark hair and piercing eyes. "What's it to you?" he asked, his grip on the steering wheel tightening.

"I'm here from the Ministry of Justice, to ask some questions of the homeowners here," the younger man replied.

"How about some ID to back up that statement?" Ittan's suspicion wasn't abating.

The other man immediately pulled out an identification card and held it up for Ittan to see. "Uchiha Itachi's the name," he said.

"Uchiha…of that Uchiha family, I assume," Ittan commented.

"Very much so," said Itachi. "And you are?"

"Okura Ittan, Whirl City Police Department Internal Affairs," and Ittan took out his own badge and held it up so Itachi could see it. "And it seems we're on a similar mission."

"Excuse me…"

Both of them looked up to see an older man approaching them from the direction of the farmhouse, carrying a rifle in hand. "Can I help you?" the newcomer queried, one of his eyebrows cocked upward.

Now Ittan turned off his car and alighted, holding up his badge. "I'm here from the Whirl City police, sir," he announced.

"And I'm from the Ministry of Justice," and Itachi likewise held up his badge. "You're the property owner?"

"That I am. I'm Maruboshi Kosuke," the man introduced himself. "What's this about?"

Itachi and Ittan glanced at each other. "I'm assuming we're both here for the same reason," Itachi said cautiously.

"Maybe." Ittan turned back to Kosuke. "I have reason to suspect that your son-in-law, Oishi Taiseki, may be involved in the current nationwide strike surrounding Whirl City's recently-suspended police chief. I did a little digging around, and I was told his family's out of Yu City for the time being…and that his wife had relatives here. So I was hoping to see what details I could get from you folks before approaching Oishi Taiseki himself directly."

"More or less the same for me—except my boss tried to speak to Oishi directly, but he'd gotten a lawyer," Itachi put in. "I was instructed to…try and convince his family to talk to him and get him to stop using his lawyer as a shield."

Kosuke's expression throughout the exchange was without a hint of emotion. Now he lowered the rifle and sighed heavily. "That damn idiot Taiseki…I always knew his black-and-white rigidity was going to land him into trouble one day."

Ittan cocked an eyebrow. "Explain, please."

"Young men…I served with the Iwa City police precinct for forty-five years before I retired five years ago," Kosuke told them. "In all that time, I saw enough to let me know that, compared to what the academy's curriculum tells you, the life of a cop isn't nearly as cut-and-dry as they'd have you think. If you keep looking at life as purely black and white, what're you going to do when you get hit with the gray?"

"I wasn't given the impression that Oishi-san would compromise his morals," said Itachi.

"That much I'll say about my son-in-law—he's honest. And that's the problem here…he's too honest. Too straight-laced. Not willing to see the nuances of the real world." Kosuke shook his head. "Honestly, I wonder if my daughter hasn't picked up too much of her rigidity from him…"

"Ahem!"

All three looked up to see a brown-haired woman with shoulder-length hair-bangs and a ponytail coming toward them, a severe look on her face. "Dad, who're these people that you're badmouthing Taiseki to? I keep telling you to stop doing that!" she scolded her father.

"Well, they're here about him, so…" Kosuke shrugged.

"Mrs. Oishi, I presume?" Ittan queried.

"Yes, that's me. Oishi Yua," she introduced herself with a short nod. "What is this about my husband?"

Ittan and Itachi held up their respective IDs for the woman to see. "I'm from the Ministry of Justice, and he's from Whirl City's police internal affairs," Itachi supplied.

"Uchiha Itachi and Okura Ittan," Yua read the names on the cards. "Hmm. You're from the famous Uchiha family, I assume?" she asked Itachi.

"I am," Itachi nodded shortly.

"I see. And you're from Whirl City," Yua turned to Ittan, "although I don't see what that has to do with my husband or our family."

"Ma'am, we have reason to believe your husband may have facilitated our suspended police chief Kaiza in engaging this current police strike that's been ongoing since this morning," Ittan said calmly.

At that Yua scoffed. "Taiseki? Please. I know my husband. He would never do that."

"I have witness testimony that puts him at the scene when Kaiza issued a threat to a civilian yesterday," said Itachi. "Worst case scenario, Mr. Oishi could be charged with obstructing an official investigation if he refuses to tell us what he knows—and right now, he's lawyered up and won't speak on the situation at hand."

"Well, that simply means he's exercising his right to legal counsel. That's not a crime, is it?" asked Yua.

"He might need more than legal counsel for a matter as serious as this," said Ittan. "Mrs. Oishi, Mr. Kaiza is currently at the center of this police strike, plus he's been accused of threatening someone. And if your husband is found to have helped him in any way with that, he could be charged as an accessory. I doubt you or your relatives want to have to deal with the likely fallout from that. Even if he has a lawyer, the time he'll spend going to court for it will be a drain on judicial resources and your family's pockets, plus it'll pull the rest of you into a situation that I, personally, would prefer to avoid if at all possible."

"And what am I supposed to do about it that'll be more than what Taiseki's lawyer can do?" Yua protested.

"You're his wife. He'll listen to you if you persuade him to talk to us," Itachi answered.

Kosuke looked at his daughter. "Yua…think of the kids. They don't deserve to be drawn into this."

One corner of Yua's mouth curled into a grimace as she looked off to one side. "Hmm…"

OoOoO

Elsewhere, in the meantime…

"Kira Enterprises continues to be in damage control mode one week after news broke about the scandal regarding its chief executive officer's true identity, as well as his reported involvement with the criminal organization Akatsuki. As we hear in this report, the company's stocks have plummeted by 15 percent since then, and financial analysts are projecting that the losses could continue to grow…"

Naruto was sitting on the couch in his living room, listening to the newscast as it droned on. In the kitchen nearby, Kushina was busying herself at the stove, preparing dinner. "Kira Enterprises' stocks are losing value, huh?" Kushina remarked. "Boy, the whole country must hate them at this point now."

"Eh, they're rich enough to compete with Hyuga Corporation and the Uchiha Zaibatsu. They'll be fine." Naruto waved off his mother's concern with his good hand.

"What also concerns me is how that police meeting in Whirl City will go tomorrow," Kushina added.

"Just gotta wait and see, that's all we can do for that matter at this point," Naruto replied.

Knock-knock-knock-knock.

"I'll get that," and Naruto got up and headed for the door. "Who is it?"

"Pardon me, I'm looking for Nii Yugito. Is she in, please?"

Cocking an eyebrow, Naruto looked through the peephole at who was on the other side of the door. "Sorry, you've got the wrong address," he answered.

"Oh, I see. Well, I was made to understand that she frequents this address…I've been looking for her for some time now," the caller explained. "She and I graduated together from the police academy before being assigned to the Kumo City department, prior to the 365 days. This is the first time since then that I've been able to get any clues toward locating my former batch-mate."

"Hmm…" Naruto carefully opened the door. "And your name is…?"

Standing there was a green-haired woman with a single blond hair-bang hanging down the middle of her face. "My name's Takumi Kujaku," she introduced herself. "Pleasure to meet you."

OoOoO

END GAIDEN 69

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NEON MAJESTIC: Kaisen Agari was a filler character who was the head of the Kedoin clan and an old friend of Tsunade's. Also Maruboshi Kosuke, who in canon-filler was "the eternal genin" of Konoha, has no relation to Taiseki. As for Yua, in canon she was the lantern-bearer in episode 487 of Naruto Shippuden, who wasn't identified by any name and who has no connection to Taiseki or Kosuke.

Now, I'm going to be real here, folks. Writing politically charged scenes in fiction is not an easy task. You have to make the stakes realistic and yet be compelling enough to keep the audience engaged so they don't fall asleep on you. I think this is why the Star Wars prequel movies flopped as they did; who wants to watch boring Senate meetings when the characters aren't all that interesting, likeable, or sympathetic?

Speaking of which…next chapter, we get some more of Kaiza, the one around whom this arc has been revolving all along! And what's going to happen now that Kujaku has found Naruto's home? Stay tuned!