Yuko took a deep breath, pressing her fingers to her temples as she read through another lesson in her office, in the same complex as, but unattached to, the estate of Hisao. Her desk was covered in scrolls and tomes, and all the other usual clutter of her station. At the front of it, a scroll played through the numbers, a shinobi on one side, a flag of truce on the other, tallying the predicted votes for the meeting. The illustration depiction of those scales seemed almost perfectly balanced.
Yuko knew that the vote would be close, with the Council almost evenly divided over whether the Uzumaki should create a formal army. It didn't shock her so much, that so many of their colleagues would be voting based on personal gain-everything from potential contracts to supply the army for their compound to direct payoffs from some of the merchant guilds-rather than on what was best for the Uzumaki.
In her heart, Yuko remained steadfast that she had to work defeat the creation of another such army.
The Elemental Nations were built on give and take, with just enough tolerance.
It was a vast network of tens of thousands of provinces, providences, countries and even more villages, each with a distinct perspective. The only element they shared was give and take. Tolerance-tolerance of one another. The creation of an army, or in this case shinobi villages, might prove unsettling for most, even threatening, to so many of those provinces, providences, countries, and villages far removed from the great countries that adapt this system.
A commotion outside drew Yuko to the window, and she looked down upon the complex courtyard to see a group of men jostling and fighting with sake in their hands, as some Uzumaki rushed in to control the situation. There came a sharp knock on the door to her office, and as she turned back that way, the door slid open and Dai-In strode in.
"Just checking in on you, Yuko-san," Said the man who had served as Hisao's personal bodyguard when he was leader.
Tall and fair skinned-skinned, he had a steely gaze and an athletic physique only accentuated by the cut of his gi top, blue under shirt, and black pants, and the mere sight of Dai-In filled Yuko with comfort.
He was in his forties now, but still looked as if he could outfight any man on the Uzumaki Islands.
"Shouldn't you be seeing to the security of Hisao-dono?" Yuko asked.
Dai-In nodded knowingly. "He is well protected, I assure you."
"From that?" Yuko prompted, nodding toward the window and the continuing disturbance beyond.
"Teenagers." Dai-In explained. "Mission issues. Nothing to concern you, Yuko-san. Actually, I was on my way here to speak with you about security for your return trip to the mainland."
"That is three weeks away."
dai-In looked out the window. "Which gives us more time to properly prepare. I've been hearing disturbing tales of bloodshed and worse on the mainland coastlines. They're calling your side of things an amalgamation. They've been fighting against the Water damiyo's armada and those bloodthirsty clans of the Water country day and night. Everyone has been."
Yuko knew better than to argue with the stubborn man. Since she would be sailing an official sailboat of the Uzumaki fleet Dai-In had the rightful responsibility to get involved.
And in truth, his concern pleased her, although she'd never admit it to him.
A shout outside and renewed fighting drew her attention briefly, making her wince. Another problem. There was always a problem, somewhere. Even here on the Uzumaki Islands. Yuko had to wonder if that was just the nature of some people, to create some excitement when all seemed well and good.
Given that unsettling thought, Chisao's words came back to her.
"Yuko-san." Dai-In said, drawing her out of her private thoughts.
"What is it?"
"We should discuss the security procedures."
It pained Yuko, but she nodded and forced herself back into her responsible mode.
Just after her lesson Dai-In had said that they had to discuss security, and so Yuko had to discuss security.
Once everyone seen them on that sailboat, there'd be backlash.
But, then again that's why Hisao was betting on cooperation
They were being serenaded through yet another night by the calls of crickets. Neither Yuko or Dai-In had any doubt that shinobi were out there, not far from them, perhaps even then watching their lantern lights. "They're like wild beasts. We should have gotten the Amalgamation to exterminate them like the vermin they are. Them and the stinking clans!"
Yuko smiled and smoothed out a wrinkle in her kimono. "Some of the clans have helped us."
"Only four."
"It still counts."She reminded him gently.
"Then not the ones that are reasonable. They're bloodthirsty vermin." Dai-In snapped, and Yuko jumped. Taking note of Yuko's worried expression, Dai-In took a deep breath to calm himself.
"Understand. Not the ones willing to cooperate. But the Kaguya. They kill and steal whenever and wherever they can. No good comes of them. They've ravaged the coastlines horribly."
"If they try to come in here, there'll be less of them to chase back out into their blood drenched island country. We'll get them before they get started." Yuko offered, and Dai-In gave her an appreciative nod.
They tried to finish their dinner, but every time the crickets sounded, they all tensed, hands shifting from utensils to their sword-less hips.
"Listen carefully." Yuko said suddenly, and they all went perfectly quiet, straining their ears.
All was quiet outside.
Then they sounded again, thrice as loud.
"Perhaps they were just sounding off..." Dai-In offered.
"Spring is here, Dai-In-san. We need more patrols." Yuko said to Dai-In.
"We've tripled our patrols recently."
"We'll get all those who are ready organized, and maybe get a call in to Hisao-dono, as well."
Dai-In looked to Yuko and nodded.
"Just to be sure. We want you guys to relocate for a reason. Things are brewing bad."
"In the morning." Dai-In agreed.
Souji and Hisao were conferring in the Estate when Yuko and Dai-In walked into the room. Hisao, who had been listening to Souji, turned in anticipation at their approach.
"Hisao-dono." Dai-In called.
Grimly attentive, Souji was fishing through scrolls and tomes on the table.
Suddenly he saw a fuinjutsu that had not been there a moment before.
"What is it?"
"I think we have a visitor." Hisao said.
Yuko, Dai-In, and Souji gathered around the older man and looked at the tomes and scrolls.
"When?" Souji asked.
"I got the report a few minutes ago. We've picked up something outside the perimeters of our islands. It's moving west." Hisao said.
"Whatever it is, it's moving fast." Souji observed.
Yuko's eyes widened in surprise. "Then it can't be one of those sea monsters that's been provoked."
"Could it be ours?" Souji asked."A sailboat?"
Dai-In shook his head. "No, they're not Uzumaki moving that fast."
Then came a pulse of murderous intent that began to beam.
"Wait, something very weak is on the edge." Walking as rapidly as his old joints allowed, Hisao approached the window. His sensory perception tuned in the murderous signals.
Just then another pulse cut in.
"Unidentified object is in our scope. It's just over the perimeter." Without warning the voice filled with fear.
Souji frowned. "Whoever it is...They aren't friendly."
"Should we go, Souji?" Yuko asked, remaining ready and steadfast.
Souji and Hisao exchanged nods. "We were supposed to leave in three weeks. We'll have to hasten our departure. Before that, let's have a look."
"Right."