Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Final Fantasy VII

Co-Author and Beta: Godospartan the Kitsune

Chapter 12: Decision

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Mayor and Deputy Mayor dryly deadpan at the dumbfounded gaze of the blond Sage's response. "Are you that shocked, lad? Colonel Sofiya had dedicated her entire life to all the people of Midgar and Gaia." Domino explained.

Hart continued, "Even when she served Shinra, her heart never belonged to them."

The blond shook out of his stupor, "I-I mean, I figured her being the type who fights for the people. Just wasn't expecting it to be her leading a freaking Avalanche cell dattebayo!"

"..."

"..."

"Dattebayo?" Domino and Hart inquire with bewildered expressions.

"Verbal tick, don't mind that. How long has Sofiya been a damn member of Avalanche?"

"Long enough to be made the head of her Cell group," Hart answered plainly.

"Head of a cell, head of the Watch, and in contact with a faction in Shinra that are heads of state. Thinking Avalanche is everywhere?" The beast in his head commented

'Can't tell. I'm almost ready to believe Barret's part of the group, but that makes me wonder about Wedge, hell, and even Tifa. Is everyone in the Watch a member? Or just some of Sofiya's most trusted?' The questions of who and where were piling up, but the blue-eyed Sage ignored them. "How come she hasn't taken the fight to Shinra in the same way you are asking me to do? If they pulled this off, you could run a public campaign to stop the populace from judging them as they have been."

Domino looked at the younger man evenly, "Like I said before. Her Cell is working on the long-term goal of what to do after Shinra is finally brought down. And despite what you think of my position, I hold no real power in the company. In case you have not noticed, my office is in the Archives and not up with the executives. I'm a goddamn librarian with the token title of mayor."

...The more the blond thought about it, those words rang true.

But something also nagged him, "If Shinra falls, what about you two?"

"We have already endeavored the means to take care of ourselves if such a scenario happens," the Deputy Mayor addressed evenly, now standing beside his old friend's desk.

Neither of them seemed pompous about that kind of statement. It seemed more like they were prepared for it without shame or pride. "You two have an out. Claiming to want better for the citizens of the entire city, above and below, you'll vanish?"

The Deputy Mayor nodded. "Our token titles may hold no power in Shinra, but we are still seen similarly. We cannot lead, even if we mean well. Others who hold more respect would be needed. And whatever fortunes we claim would be needed to build on that respect and trust so the people may flourish in a better community."

"The long-term goal, as I continue to mention." Domino started to see this conversation coming to a halt. "As much as I'd enjoy sitting here all day telling you the finer details of a goal that could be a decade from ever coming into fruition, I doubt we have that kind of time. Convincing you that our morals and goals are good may take longer if you ask how we will live after the takedown of the President."

A deadpan bloomed on the blond's face before sighing, "All right, I'll speak with Sofiya and go from there."

Domino nodded in approval, "You won't regret it."

"But now that begs the question," Hart began to speak, "How exactly will you get out of here and back to the Undercity?"

"Well... I had planned on just henging and getting out of here with no issues." Naruto slowly grinned, "But after seeing all that crap in the Archives and Hojo's experiments on Aerith and her mom. I want to liven this place up a little."

That drew the mayor's attention; leaning forward in his chair, "How so?"

"Got any audio and video on all the executives? Not Reeve, though, actually like him."

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Being Shinra HQ, every floor was pristine, beautifully crafted, functional, and aesthetically pleasing, from the business, lounges, and recreational/exercising floors. The latter floors are well-used by office and military workers to blow off steam on their breaks. Either having a quick bite to eat or doing some casual training to relieve the stiffness of sitting at a desk for hours.

Those floors have a very routine atmosphere which is usually quite relaxed. Today, however, was a rather odd occurrence with one of the top executives working on one of the many treadmills. Not it is not uncommon seeing Mr. Tuesti once in a while. Or even the head of public security, Heidegger. But who is never seen in the exercise rooms is the short, plump elderly visage of thinning gray hair and gray-blue eyes, white shirt, double-breasted, tan-colored suit, and matching bow tie attire that belongs to Executive Palmer.

At its highest speed, who was currently on one of the treadmills, outrunning everyone else, including Shinra military staff members! After falling off their treadmills, several exhausted employees lie on the ground, with a cluster of people just witnessing everything in degrees of stupefaction. "Ah! Come on, people!" Palmer declared loudly, "My heart rate isn't even spiking yet! Get those feet moving, you pussies!"

The real Palmer watching the entire thing at the cafe, beamed, "My goodness, I'm in better shape than I thought!"

If that was not shocking enough, and many would conclude that was shockingly enough of an image burned in their memories, Heidegger was in one of the cafes performing on a table... stripping like he was some male escort for a bachelorette party. And all who witnessed it wish they did not have eyes anymore after wanting to forget ever seeing him in a thong and the fact he had a tramp stamp of all things!

As he was yelling out like some deranged lunatic during his 'performance,' the other floors were not safe from the cringe levels of President Shinra with a megaphone hollering like an opera singer, a set of lungs that seemed to be impossible to have as several floors were hearing the off-key and blackboard scratching awfulness that was distracting enough as is.

What made it even wilder to those who could see the man, their ears nearly wanting to bleed from the sound thanks to how close they were, were his dancers. In front of him were a couple of Turks, Reno, and Rude, to be clear, and they were off-beat, dancing to the guttural opera in booty shorts and leather jackets open to neon pink tank tops doing the can-can. The chaos was like every bad thing that could go wrong and more.

"...Can we all say these people are not the president and executive board?" A Shinra staffer mumbled. And he was largely ignored because most people had gotten out their phones and started recording the madness they saw before their eyes.

Said madness was not just within this lounge floor. OH, HELL NO. Because on another floor, several male and female employees gapped in absolute horror at the sight of Professor Hojo cossack-dancing with several of his staff. But that wasn't even the worst of it! Hojo and the science team were all dressed in odd costumes that were an assortment of monsters!

On the opposite side of that floor, instead of shock and terror. Was the sound of catcalls, whistles, and cheering at the sight of Executive Scarlet dancing provocatively on top of the food bar, minus her dress being draped over one person grinning like a loon? She smiled seductively, twirling her lace bra in one hand while covering her endowed breasts in the crowd.

"THIS IS WHAT I SIGNED UP FOR!" A female Shinra guard screams, enjoying the view jumping up and down.

As the entire building was awash of wild executive fever dreams, the entirety of personnel being too engrossed in either passing out from the shock or partying like there was no tomorrow, with a few of the guards and office workers even joining in on the festivities, much to many an eye's satisfaction, no one was even paying attention to the nonchalantly whistling guard that was walking away like nothing was happening. 'I wonder just how angry each of those people will be now that they must rebuild their public persona from scratch after this. The whole city will see this above and below the plate.'

Kurama chortles.

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Tseng rubbed his eyes at his desk, holding his phone to his ear. "Your certain you have kept an eye on Uzumaki?"

"Y-yes, sir, he hasn't left Undercity Sector Seven for hours." A young man's voice spoke back from the receiver. "Either being at 7th Heaven or the Watch's headquarters."

"...I see. Your fire." He turned off his phone, put it down, groaning back against his chair.

"He ditched his tail, didn't he," Cissnei dryly droned in front of their leader's desk.

The raven-haired man rubbed his eyes, "That was my fault for not using one of our own."

"To be fair, even our own barely could stay out of Naruto's spatial awareness. Only me, you, or Legend could pull it off."

Those words did ring true enough before deadpanning as he turned his chair to the video playing of the 'Executives' having lost their minds a few hours ago on the wall monitor. Cissnei sighed, slumping forward, "Are we certain this was Uzumaki?" The full ten seconds of silence between the two was answer enough, "Why the hell would he do this?" The petite woman muttered in confusion.

Was this a message?

Both faintly blush, turning away from a naked Scarlet lap dancing on several people.

What the hell kind of a message is this!? Was it to enrage the higher-ups? Well, he damn sure got that done perfectly.

"HE'S MAKING IT VERY FUCKING EASY!"

"I didn't know you knew the can-can. And you look sexy in booty shorts," Cissnei teased, smirking.

"BOSS-LADY!"

A sigh escaped Tseng while looking back at the monitor. He blinked before leaning in. Among the crowd, he spots a dark-skinned woman in odd-looking clothes, a wide-brimmed hat, and a cane in one hand. The other hand held a sign he swore was right at the camera. 'Her body is a hundred, but her heart and soul are a negative five hundred thousand points and two hundred eighty-five to the second power!'

...

Shaking his head, turned to the others, "Where is Rude?"

Reno blinked a bit at that and looked around. "Could have sworn he was with me... Then again, as soon as I got past the wild mobs of people asking about this incident and my involvement, I just stormed here."

Picking up the phone and dialing for Rude, the group leader pinched his nose's bridge in a death grip. When the man picked up, he sighed silently at the sounds in the background. "Rude. Where are you?"

"Pictures in the lobby... Reno stormed away before he got caught by one of the executives. They wanted me to start crowd control." A pause was left for a second before he continued. "Guess I've gotten more popular than Reno with the ladies if they haven't tried getting him for some dinner invites."

Tseng was rather glad he did not put his phone on speaker. Hearing Reno going into another tirade would not help the headache already forming from this mess.

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Sofiya just stared at the blond Uzumaki, who showed up as the Watch office opened for the day. Beside them sat Dutch, who lit a cigarette, "Have to say, kid. I had never seen anyone pull a stunt like you did yesterday."

Sitting in a chair, the Sage shrugs, "Needed to vent. And killing all the executives was not on the cards. So went another route."

"That was one hell of a route," Sofiya quipped dryly.

"What would you have preferred?" He was looking at her with neutrality, not letting on. He was leading to the big question.

Being one who has heard every tell of a question regarding her character, she did not take the bait. "Preferring something, and knowing what route is best for your ideals, are not always the same. What would I have liked? Maybe a few more days of dirt digging, getting deeper into their organization, and ripping their feet from under them by making the entire upper plate see their detestable desires on display. But I suspect that was no longer an option?"

The man beside her huffed out the smoke from his lungs. "Give the kid some slack. It would take getting in pretty deep to get the type of reactions the higher-ups are showing right now. Deeper than anyone else has gotten, anyway."

Sofiya relented, leaning against her chair, "Find what you were looking for?"

"A little more than I bargained for. I had a lovely chat with these two old gents in the Archives. Gave me quite a sales pitch for a certain group working against Shinra." The Sage pulled out a small case taking out a brown cigarillo upon opening it. Putting the case back, he took out a lighter with an engraved leaf symbol.

"You smoke, kid?"

Naruto glanced at Dutch, "Thank my grandparents." Putting his lighter away, he focused on the older blond. He blew out smoke, "The mayor and deputy-mayor were nothing like I thought they were." He leaned forward, "Convinced me enough to say Avalanche isn't all that Shinra describes."

He had to admit the older woman and Dutch were hard to read like Jiji and Tsukiko-Baachan. Neither gave away their emotions as they stared back evenly.

"Now, why would a pair of Shrina yes-men talk about Avalanche in a positive light?"

"She's deflecting," Kurama spoke up.

'Like I figured.' Naruto leaned back on his chair, "So what is your Cell in Avalanche called anyways?"

Of course, Dutch was the one to break, not suspecting that kind of question, nearly choking on the inhale of his cigarette. Even as he quickly recovered, the whiskered Sage noticed little difference in the woman. The only betrayal of her emotions was the glint in her eyes, the grip of her hand on the chair, and the slight movement of her leg that so wanted to plant itself and be ready for anything to happen.

The coughing fit done, Dutch stomped his own out after seeing it fall to the floor. "What the hell- KUH!- Hell do you think you're asking? Man, the balls you must have..."

Her glaring eyes now were intimidating, but he's had worse. "Need another light, there? I got an extra... If you stop the bullshit." Offering a cigar from the case like it was a simple matter to discuss.

There was silence for a full minute before a sigh escaped Sofiya's lip, "How much did Domino tell you?"

"Enough to say your group is one of the Cells 'not' openly killing everyone while taking down Shinra." the blond spoke neutrally, "Otherwise, we wouldn't be civil right now."

Dutch glanced at his former commander and old friend, who looked back. Grunting, the bald vest-wearing man reached over to grab one of Naruto's cigarillos. "We make damn certain our unit never spills the blood of people who have nothing involved in this." The younger blond lit the smoke for the older man, "One of the many reasons we both left Shinra."

"Okay," The blond put away his lighter, "And the Cells who don't follow your code of ethics?"

Sofiya rubbed her brow, "We deal with them on our own. You are not going to hunt for them." She leaned forward, glaring, seeing a cocked brow from Naruto, "I mean it. You are not going after them. Yes, they are making poor decisions. But they are good people, and I will not let anyone kill them."

"And if Shinra does ever fall. I won't hand the reigns over to scumbags even worse than they are now."

"Since when did you think yourself the guardian of Gaia suddenly?" Sofiya rose from her seat, glaring hard.

Naruto shrugged, "Never said I was."

"Then don't presume shit with me, Uzumaki. It will be a cold day in hell that I'll allow anyone thinking they can take over once Shinra is dead and buried. No one, 'OWNS' Gaia. No one."

Dutch chose to lessen the tension after that, coming between them. "Let's calm down... No more gouding talk. Boss lady here is just as passionate about the future as you seem to be." Looking at her, he saw the look he gave and nodded. She sat down. "Alright... Now the cat's out of the bag, and we can work on the real problems... What did you find out, kid?"

With Dutch lighting up, the blue eyes of the Sage were kept on the woman, as he explained. "Less than I wanted to know, but that's irrelevant. But the real question is what you all know. Those two were pretty clear you were the group to talk to about information regarding Hojo, seeing as you were to be protecting a subject of interest."

"Huh? The subject of interest? That's news to me." Turning to Sofiya, Dutch saw her not even flinch. That was a tell he knew. "Something I don't know about?"

Sofiya's expression remained unreadable, eyeing Uzumaki and Dutch. Gazing back at her fellow blond, "What is spoken doesn't leave this room and between us."

"She already told me about her heritage. I just found out about the rest from Domino and Hart." Naruto explained, crossing his arms and blowing out smoke from his lips.

"Then just have to explain to Dutch then." Inclining her head to the older man and comrade, "You know I left Shinra fifteen years ago." Dutch cocked a brow, "I never fully explained why."

"I figured that was your business."

Her eyes hardened, staring at her desk, "Fifteen years ago, I stumbled on one of Hojo's projects... That involved the possible last Cetra of Gaia and her daughter." That garnered the former Shinra Trooper's attention, "Shinra had kidnapped a mother and her infant child years prior. Ifalna and her daughter Aerith. Both were experimented on in hopes of finding the Promised Land. Aerith was seven when I encountered them. Ifalna begged me to help her daughter get out of there. Instead, I tried getting both. A SOLDIER nearly killed me, and Aerith's mother was shot. At best, They were free and escaped to the Undercity. After escaping and being treated by a doctor in the Undercity, I learned someone in Sector Five adopted Aerith. For her late mother, I swore to look after Aerith."

"That explains how they got out of that hellhole in the first place. Hojo wouldn't willingly let potential test subjects go, not from what I've read and experienced. He sent a monster after me that got modified to hell and back. And that's to capture a new subject, not just keeping a current one." Naruto hummed aloud in thought, connecting a few dots. "The mayor and his deputy know it was you? Is that why they would give you the documents if given the need?"

"Can't say for certain. But I still wonder how those two got to talking with you. The mayor and deputy mayor wouldn't have announced their agenda to undermine Shinra, and Dutch and I know that distinguishing your illusion from reality by looks alone is impossible." Sofiya inquired, taking a drag off her cigarillo.

Scratching his head, it was clear the Sage was a little embarrassed about this. "I may have picked the wrong person to imitate at the wrong time... They found me out and pulled me in for a talk."

Although Dutch was surprised they could figure it out when he never thought it was possible to the naked eye, the boss lady was less impressed. "They are underestimated by so many, seen as without any real authority or with any real redeemable qualities. Anyone who doesn't know them might impress on you that much. Your disguising technique is impressive, but those two are the rare individuals with perceptive natures even you couldn't fool. If anyone could find you out in that building, they could. And did."

Everyone assumes neither one has any clout in Shinra. Something they use to their full advantage, sly old bastards...

"So..." Naruto spoke slowly

"...So," Sofiya quipped back.

The Uzumaki sage leaned back against his chair, "What is the long-term goal of Avalanche?"

"Setting up a working government that isn't corrupt and killing the planet. It sounds easy just saying it, but building something from the ground up takes time and effort from everyone pitching and wanting to make a real change. Our group's leaders and I understand we face an uphill battle given our enemy."

Goes without saying a global-spanning company that controls everything save one nation is dangerous enough. And seeing the upper plate with Aerith, he knows Shinra isn't Authoritarian. A despotic oligarchy might fit it best. Money and power are the center of what the Executives want, outside Reeve being a genuinely good person and whatever Hojo wants. As long as Shinra has both, they let people do as they will while maintaining they are what all the citizens of Gaia need.

An illusion of freedom.

'Empress Maiyuri would fight these bastards.'

"Shinra goes against all she and you stand for. Being Heirs of Rama and all that." Kurama remarked, "But you don't have her, her empire, or your comrades, family, and friends to help you outside myself. While Blondie there believes in what she says, this Avalanche is a divided group. Those who want to help and those who want to hurt. Pick wisely who you choose to help."

It was a tough choice, and no matter which way he turned, there were risks of things turning sour later on. 'Can't stay neutral when I'm directly in the middle of everyone's attention, and waiting isn't ideal when the next monster is waiting around the corner. The best I can do... is this,' A calming inhale was taken before speaking as firmly as he could. "Don't consider me committed to the group, but if your intentions are as you say... You have an honorary member and ally sitting right here."

"And what does that tell us? You'll consider missions and Avalanche support but still have an out?" She was smart enough to see the tip-toe around the subject.

But as Sofiya and Dutch were curious about his meaning, he clarified it. "You've given me mission after mission as a part of the Watch. I'm not quite a committed member. I am just helping out and making a small living to survive. Same thing here. If it is for the good of others, if you need my help, then you know how to find me."

Well, supposed that answered her question for better or worse. Asking for more would likely drive Naruto away from the cause instead of being devoted to it. "Then I best introduce you to the others properly. Outside of Dutch, of course." Sofiya rose from her seat, "Let's go."

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The three came to a stop at Seventh Heaven. For Naruto, he felt his eyes twitching, 'Oh, you are fucking kidding me...'

"You have been closer to the truth than you thought, brat."

Walking up the wooden steps, following Sofiya and Dutch, they enter, seeing Tifa's head shot up from behind the bar. Also inside were Barret, Biggs, Wedge, Jessie, Nayo, Billy Bob, Zhijie, and Polk. All bore owlish expressions at the sight of Naruto coming in. Exhaling smoking, the scarred blond dryly deadpanned at the growing silence.

On his part, the Sage walked passed everyone, Leapt behind Tifa's bar to retrieve a bottle of alcohol and a glass. All eyes were on him as the blonde poured enough for a shot. Putting the bottle back, he downed his drink in a hard wince, shaking his head. Putting the glass in the sink, he leaped back to the other side and onto one of the stools with a deadpan, "Okay! So does Avalanche have a secret handshake?"

The quiet was still permeating, all with Sofiya's eyebrows twitching in her best attempt not to order them all to stand at attention as her old military training would consider appropriate. Being as close to his sort of brashness as she thought she was, Jessie tried to defuse the bewilderment. "No, but we always talked about it. Have any ideas? I think something with elbows and bumping hips... maybe you can demonstrate that idea to me?"

"Friday sound good?" Biggs hacked and coughed while drinking from Naruto's quip.

Jessie's face went flush on her part, not expecting that as a comeback to her teasing, mainly because neither she nor the others could tell if he was serious. Clearing her throat loudly, Sofiya got everyone back on track, "Naruto has agreed to be an associate of Avalanche."

"Like how you're an associate of the Watch kid," Barret questioned with a cocked brow.

"Something like that, yeah," the Uzumaki Sage leaned against the bar, eyeing everyone. Taking notice of Tifa coming around the bar to sit by him.

Her ruby orbs bore into him, "What brought this on?"

"My trip to Shinra HQ was enlightening."

"Outside of making a spectacle of humiliating the Executive Board," Zhijie abolished with a slight glare.

A chuckle came from Billy Bob, "That shit was funny, though."

Zhijie did not share in the humor, "That was reckless."

"Better than trying to assassinate the executive board," Naruto shrugged, unfazed by the blond Wutian's gaze. "I'm no cold-blooded killer, regardless of how deserving a person needs to die. If you don't think of the consequences of that action, it will blow up in your face."

"Where are you thinking about the consequences of pulling that stunt?" A few people were glancing at Zhijie for being more abrasive than usual. While he could be an ass, he seemed to be more incensed when it came to Naruto's actions.

The blond Uzumaki did not rise from the abrasiveness sent his way. "Not much consequences when they have zero idea who did it."

"Enough," Sofiya raised her voice as Zhijie was about to talk again, "What's done is done. Drop it." That was more an order than a suggestion as the Wutai man huffed, closing his mouth. "Now, this isn't everyone. But the rest are busy doing their work. You will meet them sooner or later."

Biggs was quick to wonder what the purpose of the meeting was before, but if it was just a formal introduction to Avalanche, he was okay. "Welcome to the group, even if it's only a foot in the door. You already got a drink, but I suppose this causes some celebration?"

"I wouldn't count on the foot being in the door for long. Non-commital volunteers can be tricky."

"Zhijie..." The warning from the boss lady was enough to shut him up again, though her eyes were piercingly cold to that attitude. "Moving on. We can all agree that the skillset Naruto brings a variety of talents that will be useful to any situation we can think of. But he should also know what makes some of our members useful in the field."

Turning to the big weapon-armed man nearby, Naruto could guess. "Anything to do with combat?"

"Har-har, ninja." The big man stood and faced the blonde Sage. "You've seen me change arms before. Every situation calls for suitable equipment..." He was stuck after that because he was trying to act like he wasn't just some brainless soldier. And he knew whatever he said would be used against him, as usual arguments went with them.

Wedge helped as best he could, though not by much. "He's the muscle most of the time, intimidation and such too. The image of the big bad brute is mostly for show, though."

"He's also one of our tactical leaders. And combat can be defensive as well. Defending a group being mauled by monsters is common for him." Dutch explained to help.

With a hefty sigh, Barret just made it simple. "Yeah, combat-related... But that doesn't mean I'm not capable of infiltration or construction. Smart-mouthed blonde ninja..." He grumbled a little about it as he sat back down.

Naruto could see he and Barret were a lot alike in regards. Both wore their hearts on their sleeve to do the right things. Both were extremely passionate about their beliefs and fiery in holding them. His anger was tempered by several wars, countless conflicts, and losing a few friends. Whatever drove Barret only kept his fire burning hot.

The blond respected him but prayed Barret's actions didn't come back to bite him.

"Tifa is also one of our best fighters. But also works on our finances," Sofiya gestured to the buxom barkeep.

"Finances?"

Tifa shrugged, "I'm good with money. How I could pay off this place once Monty passed away, with help from Barret and Marle." The big man gave a grin and thumbs up.

"The skills this woman has after what happened to her town, it's impressive," Kurama admired.

'Maybe she had to, or maybe she was driven for something. Either way, she has more potential than she may see herself.' The two tore their attention from Tifa as Jessie explained her skills.

Though she also went and blabbed a bit of her best friends too. "Lively personality aside, I'm the demolitions expert. You know, setting up bombs for blasting rock for mining or defusing explosive presents from criminal scum. Most of my toys are for creating entrances and exits so we can move around, though I'd be less successful without Biggs here, seeing as he's the direction finder."

"That's tactical intelligence. Maps, communications, movement. I run some finer details of whatever plans the ones in charge come up with." He crossed his arms to think. "And if it weren't for some of my finer details, Jessie would have blown open a den of huge man-eating bugs once, so yes, I make sure she doesn't open unnecessary pathways sometimes."

Though their rounder friend hummed aloud a bit at the demolitions thing. "Well, Jessie's also been known to tinker with machines."

"She provides a technical service to the team, not just explosives." The scarred leader corrected. "And to round the trio, Wedge has fewer skills directly. He is more our... friendly face of the group. If we need to keep things civil, he's been a successful volunteer."

A loyal friend goes a long way. Despite what even Wedge speaks about himself at times, He fights hard to protect his friends and the people of the Undercity. He also went out of his way to get people happy when they were down in the dumps. Wedge is the heart of this bunch.

Still, 'Can at least help him with his confidence.' Naruto questioned his Bijuu partner.

"He is a gentle soul much like yourself. No need to harden him. Merely show him he matters and can make a difference."

The Sage turns his attention to the youngest person in the bar, who is busy with his board game. "So what the hell do you do exactly, kid?"

Polk did not even look up. "strategies."

"...For real?"

Sofiya nods, "Polk is quite intelligent. With the information that Nayo and Billy Bob gathered, he can put together plans within a day or two. Which work near flawlessly."

Looking to the 'Tactical intelligence' he called himself, the Sage hummed. "So you two work together on that? He's the plan maker. You're the one who gets the details done, you said?"

"And sometimes what some of his plans call for gets on my nerves." Biggs quips with a stare at Polk. It was clear there was some, hopefully playful, rivalry on strategy.

Not taking the bait, the plan maker just shrugged. "If the plans work, and we make it back in one piece to stiff it to Shinra, isn't it worth it?"

Sofiya groaned aloud in a bit of frustration. Her military command attitude was wearing its patience, even though she knew this wasn't a military operation or a militant group. Not for her cell, anyway. "Moving on... Billy Bob is our spymaster. The Intel comes from his useful skills getting others to talk or exchanging information like currency."

'She struggles with the order, doesn't she?' The twitching fingers on her coat were enough of a sign to his trained eye but still subtle for others to miss.

"Different command style, you know how it goes from your experiences. Go from the wars you were in, and move to a rough group of people just wanting to change the status quo. Not easy to do." Kurama reminded his friend.

Billy Bob half saluted, "The best thing about my job is nobody even figures out who I am. They just assume I'm just some random drunk."

He plays on those strengths well due to his attire and laid-back demeanor. Naruto glances at Nayo, "You also work intelligence?"

The bifocal teen nodded, "I know Midgar's extensive background and history and all the upper plate sectors, the Undercity, Wall Market." So the archivist at best.

"That includes maps," The Sage questioned.

"Yes. Zhijie and usually work together." She glanced at the Wutaian, who did not let up his even glare at Uzumaki.

Seeing how the mood of the man in question was, Sofiya skipped him so as not to start a fight. "This is mostly everyone. As I said, you will meet the others eventually."

"Is Wymer with you guys?"

Dutch shook his head, "He's Watch. His only concern is the safety of the Undercity."

Huh, well, this was an interesting meet and greet nonetheless. "So what happens now?"

"For now, it is business as usual. Outside Watch assignments, I'll send you Avalanche missions that fit your skills." Sofiya tapped her cigar ashes into a cigarette tray. "Until then, relax and get to know the people working to save Gaia."

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Zhijie had quickly left Seventh Heaven once the important Avalanche stuff was out of the way. Moreover, he didn't want to make a scene like he did. But that damn Uzumaki's stunt was so insane he couldn't think straight. His foot took him through the narrow paths of Sector Seven. Right to Old Snapper as he was finishing a sale with a customer.

The older man waved goodbye to his patron before noticing his fellow Wutain. "Oh dear me, you've seen better days."

The young Wutain rubbed his eyes, "You hear about Uzumaki's stunt?"

"So that was our unknown shinobi who pulled that, eh?"

"Shinobi is pushing it..." A groan of disapproval was enough to give the older man a sparkle to the state of mind of his young friend. "He goes in for information like any good infiltrator and comes out like a barreling Malboro. Sure, he was secret enough not to be noticed if they even knew he was there, to begin with, but that wasn't very ninja-like of him!"

"Maybe his people have a different way of things. He is not a suspect, is he? So his stealth is not in question. He sabotaged them quite well, maybe not in the way we would, but their public image is badly damaged. A spectacle is not our first choice, but do we not also consider a distraction to cover our advance and retreat?"

The older man was defending the actions of this blonde ninja, which gave the faded goatee-wearing ninja a frown. "Not to that extent. That was enough obvious spectacle that there HAD to be someone sneaking in."

Snapper wasn't about to argue for or against that since they still needed help to read what the company was trying to uncover with an investigation. "Possibly, but we may never know if it was enough, too much, or too little. Shinra has been a tough opponent for years; we've been unable to get as far as he has. In so little time, too."

As much as Zhijie wanted to protest, it was true. The number of spies they have around Midgar was a handful at best. It was agreed to take their activities slowly to avoid drawing attention. Some have gotten within Shinra's workforce, but their progress is minor. Communication with those operatives could be less extensive for their safety.

But still...

"I need to send a message back home about this guy. We need to keep a closer eye on him."

Old Snapper hummed at the younger man's words, "It is better to air on the side of caution. Uzumaki's village is unknown to us. We don't want to an enemy out of a potential ally."

The number of unknowns was making Zhijie nervous. And it was only getting worse with how well this so-called retired ninja was doing in the brief time he was here with 'memory loss' than their entire history against Shinra. "If they are even potential allies..."

"Has this man given you any reason to believe he or his village would go to war against Wutai?" Snapper asked. "We've been at war with many outside influences, and we've always prepared for anyone to be our enemy. Where has that gotten us? Shinra is our true enemy, and what some people say rings true in my ears. 'The enemy of my enemy is my friend.'" He hoped his suggestions gave the younger man good ideas, but he knew the youth was brash and emotional that it was never a guarantee.

The young man rubbed his chin. Old Snapper was right, but too much was happening beyond their control. "We can be cautious, but we will still need to know about Uzumaki and his village. We'll see what the leaders back home say about this."

"Very well, it might take some time to get an answer."

Zhijie nodded, "I know. By Leviathan, may this not blow back in my face."

"All our faces."

XxX ~ Several days later ~ XxX

Sandals and boots crunch as Naruto and Aerith walk near Sector Five's train station. The blond was his usual attire, while the brunette wore her pink dress but not her red jean coat. "So you know everything then?" Aerith's voice was soft with her hands behind her back.

"Domino showed me enough." Her emerald eyes looked at the Sage, "An enough to know I will kill Hojo if given a chance."

"No." Naruto looked down at his friend, "You won't take vengeance for me."

His feet stopped so suddenly even his reflexes almost didn't catch him in time. "Want to run that one by me again?"

Aerith was in front of him and calm as could be. as she explained. "Whatever he's done, whatever you think he deserves, I won't put my horrible experiences as reasons for murder. He is monstrous and vile, but he's still a person. And I don't want or need vengeance. Either by my own hands or those who care about me."

"...Sounds like a young you there, blondie. How many assholes needed a dirt nap, and you didn't want to give them an easy out?" The fox in his head argued for the girl's ideals using his friend's past.

There was a difference. The Sage could say he was a naive boy, being overly compassionate back then. Some people deserve to die for all the evil they have done. And despite having justification, Aerith refused took seek vengeance. She despised Hojo intensely but didn't hate him, President Shinra, and the rest who ruined her life or what could have been with her parents.

While she buried sadness deep in her heart that Kurama could feel. No hatred existed within her.

The two stared at one another before Naruto sighed, "Fine."

"Promise me," She said steely, looking up at him. Never wavering her gaze from his.

A low growl came from the blond before grunting, "I promise I won't kill Hojo."

"Hehe, you never could say no to a woman," Kurama chuckled.

Aerith beamed before turning on her heels and walking ahead, "I'll hold you to that." Catching back up to the brunette's side, they went around the train station near the path towards the Church. Walking through the broken fence, they stopped at a large, sturdy steel fence that kept a large abandoned cement warehouse free from people and monsters. Aerith glanced up at the blond, "You don't need to leave Sector Five."

"I'm still a target for Hojo and Shinra. Whatever or whoever they send after me, I won't allow Five to be attacked."

"Beside whoever changed the last monster into that demonic siege engine we must look out for." Kurama quipped as his partner opened the metal gates.

Aerith looked around, "More spacious here."

"Will need the space." He had no idea what would happen or who would be involved going forward. 'Knowing my luck, I'll need lots of equipment, training to complete, and workstations for various reasons. And, of course, any friends and acquaintances will want to lay back, making themselves home, eating and drinking my fridge empty.'

Kurama listed off more. "Defenses, traps, the like. We're building a secret base alongside a home for now."

"Might need a little sprucing u-" Aerith squeaked, now founding herself protectively behind Naruto. And said the blond, having drawn his ebony katana from his belt.

His blue orbs glared with the tip of his black blade met with the tip of a red-bladed rapier. Holding said Rapier was a fairly tall man with an athletic lean build, wearing a Shinra uniform Naruto had seen in Shinra HQ with a long red coat with metal shoulder pads, long black buckled boots, and red gloves. His silver dagger earring is visible under his short red hair.

His glowing blue eyes were easy enough for Naruto to know who this man was.

"SOLDIER..."

Humor danced in the man's face, "Former SOLDIER, to be exact." He spoke with a smooth masculine tone.

Sharply leaning out from behind her blond friend, Aerith's eye rose considerably with shock. "You..." her voice nearly whispered, catching the man's attention. "...Genesis..."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX