Naruto's Journal
April 26th, 1932
Well, Sakura's angry with me. Still. Nothing different from usual, mind you. She's often irritated with me. Personally I think she's kind of cute when she's mad. But I'd prefer she be angry with me on my own terms, rather than it being a result of somebody else. I can't take the credit and I can't make up for what I done wrong if it ain't my fault, you know?
Tsunami's nice though. Very beautiful in a classic motherly-type way. She admits she took the whole arranged marriage thing seriously at first, but after I got a chance to explain things (and she got to beat Tazuna over the head with a frying pan), she's more understanding.
She did seem a mite melancholy after she got to know me though. Ain't too sure why. Maybe she really wanted to marry me? I guess I can see how she might. I am a nice catch if I do say so myself... And I do. But I'm betting Tsunami's motives would've been more along the lines of getting herself and her son out of Wave. Which I can't blame her for.
The depression has been a big blow to everybody. I've seen plenty of broke farms and dying towns in Fire, since ninjas started getting a lot of government contracts. But even the worst off town in Fire ain't as bad off as Wave. Just this afternoon we had to stop a couple of Wave troops from making off with a fisherman's harvest, simply because they had guns.
So yeah, I don't begrudge Tsunami from wanting to get out of this hellhole. I do begrudge her son, Inari, for thinking we're all gonna die and there ain't gonna be no point to life anymore. Che. Little brat. Losing hope when your mother and your grandfather are doin' everything in their power to keep you safe?
See, I think now I see why Tazuna was so goddamned desperate to pull some ninjas into things. He wanted somebody, anybody to get a look at his country and the conditions, and do something about it. He'd even risk his life, risk us turning on him, to just make sure somebody saw.
I can respect that kind of courage.
Enough so that I've made as many clones as I can to head off to the bridge to help with construction. So many workers have run off due to intimidation, due to Tazuna unable to pay them what they need. Kakashi says that Zabuza ain't dead-The hunter nin should've burned his body on the spot, or cut off his head. It seems likely he'll be back.
The situation's getting tense in Wave. The Fire Base was blockaded because Tazuna managed to get into Fire through it. Now the President of Wave is getting pushed into a showdown with Fire. Gato killing off Tazuna would destroy a fair amount of resistance to his rule. Or just make him a martyr. And Fire's already gearing up.
The next few days, we might see all out war break out, and we'll be in the center of it. All because of one man. One man's petty ambitions. One man's lust for power.
Well... I ain't letting him get it.
Konoha Post
The Self-Governing Zone's most popular newspaper 5 yen
April 26th, 1932
Missing Anti-Gato Resistance Leader possible source of Wave Crisis
By Sho Saito
HI-KYO: This intrepid reporter's secret sources have painted an interesting picture of the origins of the crisis developing in Wave, as well as the possible source of the unrest. According to this source, one week ago an unknown individual known only as "Hashi" was seen entering the Oshima Naval Base as a visitor. A mere 24 hours later, the base was blockaded and sealed off by Wave Country's own forces. That a man would be brave (or stupid) enough to sign himself in as "Hashi" is nothing short of remarkable, but explains much. As this same reporter said in a previous article, of particular concern to President Koshinuke's government has been the independent newspaper and writings of a man known only as "Hashi". He has blasted Gato and Koshinuke for their tyrannical economic policies and their abuse of the people of Wave.
For more on the history of Hashi, please turn to page 5A
It cannot be coincidence that such action resulted in a total lockdown of the country, as Hashi has been declared an "intellectual terrorist" whose writings stir up "unrest" and "rebellion" against "the proper and legal government of Wave". That such harsh measures were enacted indicates that this Hashi may be more of a threat to the establishment of Koshinuke and Gato's government than previously thought. Rumors of protests, peaceful and non-violent, being met with deadly force have abounded. Political prisoners being held without trial or bail. Indeed, this total lockdown by Wave's military demonstrates the desperation of the regime in keeping itself alive.
As Wave continues to push itself towards a confrontation towards Fire, it becomes clear that this Hashi is responsible for the unrest. But a more pertinent question is: Where is he?