Super special awesome recap: Tomo is a wannabe ninja in training along with her friends and pervy teacher Kimura. Following an invasion on the village their examinations were cancelled and they were forced to defend the village! Now they find themselves recovering from injury, and despite winning the battle, the war may be ongoing…
In silence, and with her head kept down the young nurse marched quietly along the narrow hallway. She paused for a moment, shivering. She could feel his presence, he must be around. She knew he must be very close. What would he ask of her today?
"So how are our little heroes?" asked the man from the shadows. She had never seen his face, didn't know the voice, it could even be a woman utilizing a jutsu.
"Some bumps and cuts. One of the girls seems to have some poison from the Gaiotak in her bloodstream, but apart from a few bad dreams seems to be recovering. Something suddenly flew out from the shadows, the nurse just about catching it in surprise. She glanced down at a small glass vial containing a colourless liquid.
"Administer that serum" commanded the voice.
She looked down. "B-but this will worsen her condition! Who knows what impact it could have on her!"
"Have you forgotten that you are not a real nurse? That you are a spy just like me? Administer the serum or something far worse will be administered to you."
"I understand" said the 'nurse' turning back in the direction she had come from.
Chapter 40
Two weeks later…
It was a wet, horrible town was still during the night, no one wanting to go outside. In a small building in the centre of the town, four people sat in a cramped room around a table, a meeting in progress.
"Mr Iroto your contribution to this town has been very great, but we have some concerns" stated a frail looking man.
"Concerns you say?" asked Iroto, dressed in an expensive dark black suit not produced on this continent. "And what concerns would those be?"
"We believe that you have too much power, that you have your hand in too many of our businesses. And to be frank I personally believe you are not operating completely within the law. Of course that final part is my opinion, not the opinion of the council" said a middle aged man. The only female present, the final member of the three person council was silent.
Iroto pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. The small room was silent as Iroto sat in contemplation. The frail man wiped sweat off of his forehead using a white cloth.
"Gentlemen I am a businessman" said Iroto. "What could I possibly get from acting unlawfully in this town?" he asked. "I tell you what, why don't you speak to my new representative?"
"If that is what you want."
Iroto pushed his chair out slightly and looked to the door.
"Munro, you can come in now" he called out.
The door opened and a pale man stepped in. His smooth blond hair was gelled back and his face was clean shaven. He closed the door and stood waiting by it. One of the council members coughed as Munro simply stood there. The man said nothing, his face unmoving.
"You'll have to forgive him, he is a foreigner to these lands" said Iroto smiling. "Come over here. May I introduce my company's representative Dieter Munro."
"Good afternoon" said Munro. "It is a pleasure to meet all of you."
"Dieter, our council friends have some concerns about my supposed level of power in the town" said Iroto.
"That is a shame" said Munro, watching as Iroto nodded his head. "Mr Iroto is a kind and generous business man" he continued, approaching the council members.
"Then why is it we have had reports of businesses not owned by Iroto being ransacked by masked people?" asked the middle aged man.
"I didn't say for you to talk" said Munro. A knife that had been hidden up his long sleeve emerged and he sliced into the man's neck. He continued to speak as the man sat back in his chair, blood spilling from his neck. "Iroto will guarantee stability" he said, as the frail man looked on in shock.
"W-what-ahhhh!" he yelled as Munro dug the knife into his back. He fell forwards onto the table and looked up at Iroto as the man stood. Iroto adjusted his jacket before leaning down, close to the frail man's face.
"I own this town" said Iroto calmly. "I am the town."
As the two men perished Iroto shook hands with the woman who held up a piece of paper. Iroto quickly read it and pulled out a pen.
"Congratulations Dieter" said Iroto, "You've just become a member of the council along with me."
As they stood celebrating, neither was aware of the messenger who had left the town earlier that day. Through the rain filled night the person trekked onwards, desperate to reach their destination.
---
Two days later…
"So where are we going?" asked Tomo as the small group walked through the village. She was back to full health and along with Sakaki and Osaka was in good condition.
"I've been told my father has a mission for us" stated Kimura.
"For us?" asked Tomo as they passed scaffolding. Piles of wood rested in the middle of the pathway. "Why us?"
"Many of the older ninja have been given tasks due to the attack on the village. However we still wish to help those who seek our help, so it has been decided to use the younger ninja."
"Wonder what type of mission it'll be…" said Tomo.
"What? Nervous?" asked Kimura. "Don't forget you managed to live after facing Zabuza."
"I'm not nervous!" said Tomo in a sulky tone. "I was just wondering!"
"This is going to be the first time we ever meet the new Hokage" said Osaka. "I hope he is kind."
"Hey he's cool" said Kimura. "Just like me."
"How long do you think it will take to rebuild this place?" asked Sakaki.
"I don't know" replied Kimura. "But we do have some hard workers here. We have a lot more Sakaki's then Tomo's" said Kimura, narrowly avoiding a jab from Tomo.
They continued to walk, soon leaving the street and entering a large building. Kimura led the way until they stopped by a large room. It was a few rooms down from where the Old Hokage held meetings- the smell of blood still hung in the air there.
"So what now?" whispered Osaka.
"Come in, come in!" called out a voice.
Kimura stepped into the room, followed by Tomo. The girl stopped in shock- the man sitting in the chair at the end of the room looked exactly like an older version of Kimura. He had some wrinkles, and slightly longer hair, but he looked like what Tomo imagined Kimura would be at sixty years old. The only major difference was a lack of glasses.
"Ah son it's great to see you are well again!" said Kimura senior. "My only regret is that I was out of the village at the time of the attack, so I couldn't let these old hands free."
"Wow…" said Osaka. "You look just like Kimura."
"He is his father" whispered Sakaki. Osaka looked dreamily at the wall.
"You have a mission for us?" asked Tomo.
"Yes I do Miss Takino" said the older man. "And may I say you seem to be as spunky and cute as my son said you were" he added, winking at Kimura who nodded. Tomo shivered slightly.
"I have spoken with a messenger who wishes to remain anonymous" stated the man. "He has informed me of fears at a large nearby town. A former bandit now turned businessman has been getting increasingly powerful in the town. Though he appears to have reformed, some believe he is still a criminal. They wish for you to investigate."
"Wouldn't a town that large have its own ninja?" asked Kimura.
"Yes, but they fear these ninja may have been corrupted by a certain Mr Iroto. They came to this village so they could guarantee to find someone not in Iroto's pocket. They want you to investigate, and help protect a small collection of properties for a small period of time."
"Do they have any good food stores there?" asked Tomo. "I like to have a full stomach when I'm protecting things."
Kimura senior laughed. "Yes, this is a large town, with many different shops, and food stalls. I'm sure all of you can find something to your tastes. And son, you'll be glad to know some places believe in using maid uniforms." One of Kimura's eyebrows raised slightly.
"Gross" muttered Tomo to herself, Sakaki blushing. Osaka failed to realize what they were talking about as she pondered about butler outfits.
"And I must tell all of you to be careful. The messenger seemed to fear for his life."
"I'm always careful" said Kimura, "And believe in protection."
"Good. However you must be careful- many of the townspeople do not know of any wrong doing by Iroto- and neither do we. For all we know a rival businessman could be trying to discredit him."
"We've had something like that happen before" Kimura told the girls. "That was an annoying mission."
"Indeed. You will be looking for a Mr Muyo. He will be your contact, and I have been informed he will offer a place to stay."
"Cool! No more sleeping outside" said Tomo. "Do we get our own rooms?" she asked. "I'd like to be separated from questionable individuals" she added, pointing discreetly to Kimura beside her.
His father laughed. He suddenly fell quiet, adopting a serious expression.
"Before I let you go, I want a truthful answer. Are all of you ready to go on this mission? Are you ready both psychically and mentally after the recent attack?"
"I'm always ready to have my own room" said Osaka.
"She's always like that" stated Tomo. "That's normal."
"I-I'm ready" said Sakaki quietly. She felt nervous in front of the leader of the village.
"Every now and then I get a bit sore but I'll be fine" replied Kimura.
"And what about you Tomo?"
"Me? Well…yeah I feel fine" said Tomo. "Why wouldn't I?" she added boastfully. "I'm always ready."
"Great" said Kimura. "Let's go and get some supplies for the mission. See you later Dad."
"Please call me the Hokage when I'm in this room!" said his father as the small group left.
"So you're going off on another mission?" asked Chiyo, Osaka walking slightly behind the other group.
"Yeah" replied Osaka.
"Well be careful" said Chiyo, "We got lucky in the forest" she said quietly.
"Oh that…I protected us" said Osaka.
"Huh?" asked Chiyo.
"They knew not to mess around with me" she said in a suddenly joking manner. "They were afraid of me even when asleep" she said.
"You sound just like Tomo."
"Whoops" said Osaka, her tone changing again.
"Well good luck" said Chiyo as the small group passed through the entrance gate.