I was not expecting to wake up a little hung over and spooning Naruto. I also wasn't expecting for him to be face down in Sakura's lap. Was not expecting for her to be passed out over the arm of the couch with a hand buried in his hair, but I think the thing I was expecting the least was for Kakashi-Sensei to be curled up in my mothers rocking chair in the far corner of the room like a cat as he giggles at that book of his.
His lazy half lidded eye meets mine and gives me a crooked eye-smile as he gently closes the book and stands up. Waving hello and pointing at the kitchen where I can smell coffee being made. I didn't have the energy to be upset over his intrusion and instead decided to try and exfiltrate myself from the pile we were in on the couch only to instantly regret it as a wave of nausea came in making me regret drinking nearly half a bottle of wine by myself. I can see the second bottle rolled halfway under the couch suspiciously empty. I don't remember us finishing it last night, then again I also don't remember us falling asleep on the couch. Not too sure how much I can trust myself there.
My sleep-addled state causes me to roll over Naruto before landing on the floor. A vague pain stretching out behind my eyes, as though the desert of the West itself has replaced the inside of my skin. Naruto doesn't seem to be bothered in the slightest, his crimson eyes half lidded as he sleeps with them open. A rather creepy but honestly standard practice for him. Sakura is leaning over the side of the couch like a melted candle, Naruto's head buried in her lap.
After I work my way to my feet I take a moment to sit her up properly on the couch. My feet find their place underneath me as I step into the kitchen. The coffee pot is boiling on the stove top, Kakashi-Sensei tossing something in one of the cast iron pans. He looks almost comically oversized compared to the kitchen he's in. I had the entire kitchen remodeled for Naruto over a year ago at this point. It was a bit pricey, but I could never bring myself to complain considering the quality of food.
"This kitchen is designed a bit low for comfort, you know." He doesn't bother to glance back at me while talking, using his other hand to grab an egg from the open carton beside him and cracking it into the pan. My only real response is a shrug as I grab the pot and my preferred mug before I begin to pour it.
I can feel my mouth twisting around to a sneer as the thin liquid trickled out. It was soon being dumped down the sink, as I stormed back into the living room. A hand to his shoulder as I shake him, bleary red eyes blinking as he puts a clumsy hand underneath himself as he pushes off the fabric couch.
"Sensei makes shit coffee." He gives a small groan, putting out a hand as he silently asks for a bit of help. As I'm helping him stand I can't help but flinch as a set of teal eyes glare at me.
"Why are we up?" I can feel myself shrinking back. The dry, tight, skin seems to stretch beyond infinity. I didn't realize it at first, the way the world seems to slow around us. How her face seems to come into a crystal clear focus. An annoyed look carved into her eyes and brow, the kind I saw from my mother when I interrupted dinner or a nap. My mouth works wordlessly before the world starts up at a normal pace once more.
"Apparently I make horrid coffee. I do hope my breakfast is better." I rub my eyes, and would've been sent stumbling if I wasn't still holding hands with the immovable rock that is my teammate. Kakashi-Sensei's hand removed itself from the side of my head. I have just a second to get a good look at him, trying to register the dark purple flames licking his fingers. Everything is blurry, my vision not seeming to work as it should. Naruto moves fast and hard, his leg lashing out like a spear as it aim's for Sensei's knee. A simple grab and push before my teammate is no longer an immovable rock, but instead an unstoppable force as both of us are sent tumbling into the wall.
"What did you do to him?" Her voice is like iron, despite the fact that she's still on the couch. My eyes open and dripping with tears as I try to see what's happening through the streaks of colors surrounding me. Sakura's eyes are glaring, but her skin has taken on a green palor as she's still firmly on the couch. Kakashi-Sensei is standing over the three of us. His hand alight with the purple flame of a Sealing-Jutsu
"Simple seven circle seal jutsu, kind of an emergency off switch for the Sharingan." He's off and moving as Naruto begins to clamber off of me. Her eyes flick down to me before meeting his singular eye once more.
"I know the jutsu, it's a clan technique." She gives a hum, finally relaxing back into the couch as she places a hand over her face.
"Good, I can stop glaring… light makes me feel like throwing up." He gives a soft chuckle, the flames fading away as he offers me a hand. I take it and get hauled up to my feet, my sense of balance feeling a little off at the moment so I have to wait as he steadies me. The seven circle seal, a jutsu made for Uchiha by Uchiha with help from the Senju clan. Originally created to help young kids who had activated their Sharingan too young, it served its purpose well here as I had activated it out of reflex. The mental feedback loop from it is still a new experience, and the hangover is kicking my ass.
As I'm sat down in the dining room waiting for breakfast and coffee the only downside to the jutsu rings around in my head. I can't use my Sharingan for another few hours at least. The time limit on it all depends on the victims mastery over their Sharingan. Sakura takes her normal seat at the head of the table, and a few moments later Naruto sets down a cup in front of me. Coffee of the perfect color, a little bit of ground cinnamon floating on top.
Plates of eggs, onions, peppers, and fresh cracked salt and black pepper. The edges of the plates are crispy and burnt, the eggs scrambled just how I hate it. Sakura's nose wrinkles even as she licks up her chopsticks. Naruto twirls one of his on a finger as he waits wordlessly.
Kakashi-Sensei seems to look over the table layout for a second before seeming to shrug and taking a seat beside Naruto.
"I hope you all like it, I didn't have to make breakfast you know."
"We know, next time let me handle it." He's already picking away at the parts he wants to eat. Face marred by both a grimace and the fresh whisker marks. They're bigger than before, by an extensive amount. What were once three thin lines per cheek have opened up into almost fuzzy black mesh marks. The lowest ones dipping down onto his chin, and the top ones nearly coming up to his eyes. Kakashi-Sensei gives a low and calm hum as he seems to look over all three of us. I can see a small bandage poking up and over his mask on the bridge of his nose, likely from where I broke it the other day. Sakura has a hand covering her eyes and forehead as she picks at the food in front of her.
"You three have a meeting today in 20 minutes, you do know that right?" She glances up at him, her eyes narrowing just the smallest bit before nodding. I have to rack my mind for a second before I remember it as well, our meeting with the Hokage was scheduled for this morning. I abandon the poor excuse for food where it lies and head to my bedroom. The two of them seem to follow similar mindsets as I can hear chairs being abandoned.
I manage to get to the bathroom first, and do a quick scrub down more to remove the scent of alcohol than anything else. Sakura practically shoves me to the side as she bolts in after I get out. Never did get around to installing the second bathroom, Naruto is in his combat jacket waiting by the front door. It's in horrible condition at the moment, the fabric fraying and visibly stretched in spots as it tries to accommodate the weight of the metal plates. Zabuza's associate, Naruto said a name for them I know he did, put him through the wringer that's for certain. His latest katana is placed on his right hip as always, being left handed is rare. Only about 7% of the population of the Elemental Nations is left-handed. Oftentimes its entire minor clans, appearing to be tied directly to lineage. Makes me wonder what that number was before Uzu-Village was decimated.
I flick the collar of my shirt up a bit higher, my hair naturally settling into the standard spiked pattern that Uchiha tend to favor. Kakashi-Sensei is leaning against the door frame, holding his book with a single hand as he flicks pages with his thumb. He occasionally giggles as he reads lines, but I can't help but notice the way his eye flicks over to a disturbed branch. The tenseness in his body at the movement of Sakura as she comes up and through the house. She's wearing her usual outfit of boots, leggings, fishnet armor, and a tank top. Her hair still drips a bit of water even as she tugs on her flat cap.
He tucks his book away and silently motions us closer, gathering us in a small clump he suddenly claps his hands together before his hands become a blur. The world seems to dissolve in a mess of colors around as everything seems to spin faster than physically possible. A rubber band feeling like it snaps inside my stomach as everything makes a serious effort to leave my body, including my internal organs. Suddenly we're in front of the Kage Tower square, as neat and impeccable as ever, not a single thing stands within 50 meters of the building except for people. ANBU, Ansatsu Senjutsu Tokushu Butai as their official name, but better known as the Special Assastion and Tactical Squad. The last title they wield is the most unnerving to me though, Hands of the Kage.
Every hidden village has their own version of the special forces found here within the village. The only consistent facts between them all is they're all unwaveringly loyal, and the best of the best. Usually preferring to keep themselves out of sight and striking from the shadows. Konoha makes a fine show of force here though, ANBU sitting just within view all around the Hokage's Tower clearly waiting for any form of threat to our leader. One of them slips down the side of a building, silently sliding down a vertical surface and approaching our Sensei.
The whispered conversation is beyond my hearing, and a glance at Naruto reveals a small snarl of annoyance. They must be doing something to make it so he can't hear. Soon enough though we have to abandon that thought as the ANBU leads us directly through the square, lobby, and up three flights of stairs to the outside of the Hokage's office.
His secretary is sweating bullets as she's going through a dozen different papers, and the Chunin that are usually guarding the doors are nowhere to be seen. Instead having been replaced with a pair of ANBU with completely blank masks. I could recognize them at a hundred paces, the perfectly measured movements and emotionless tones. The same ANBU that my brother worked with day in, day out.
They ignore my glare with what has to be practiced ease, instead one of them raps three times on the door. I can only assume whatever conversation inside ceases as the door opens a moment later and Kakashi-Sensei is ushering us inside.
The Hokage sits behind his desk, his pipe being a source of constant smoke as it pools in a small divot in the ceiling. His two chief advisors Mitokado-San, nicknamed Homura the impassive, and Utatane-San, better known as Falcon eyed Koharu, stand beside him. Behind all of them and a bit to the right of the Hokage sitting on a stool is the War-Hawk of Konoha Danzo Shimura, as well as three more of the blank ANBU.
"Sit, we have much to talk about." The Hokage's voice is not kind, but it isn't scolding either. He merely seems annoyed over the entire situation. As I took my seat a flicker of movement out of the corner of my eye caught my attention, Jiraiya the Sannin was climbing in through an open window. He moves in an almost comical manner, making large exaggerated steps even as the geta sandals he wears don't make a sound on the tile floor.
"Do they know why they're here?" Mitokado-San wasn't one to let silence sit over the room, pulling out and checking a pocket watch as he spoke. I lean forward in my chair, my elbows resting on my knees as my hands come together. Sakura doesn't speak, her leg jittering in her chair as she gently chews on a calloused knuckle. She's not used to speaking in this kind of environment, politics is a messy business. Naruto is handling it exactly how I thought, practically lounging in his chair, the palm of his off hand resting against the hilt of his katana as he yawns.
"I believe we're here to talk about what exactly Naruto being a Jinchūriki means, right?" Both of the advisors give me dirty looks, Utatane-San actually turning a bit red in anger. They clearly didn't expect for me to be as up front as this. Danzo seems amused in the back of the room, and Jiraiya has a stupid grin on his face. The Hokage nods a bit, making a small waving motion to ward off the impending emotional explosion.
"In true Uchiha fashion you cut straight to the heart of the problem." Now it was Naruto's turn to frown, his hand twisting ever so slightly on the katana hilt. I don't miss the visible fear on the advisor's faces, the small half step back they take. He takes a moment, placing the pipe on the small stand on his desk, and takes his hat off and places it off to the side. Unlike before he doesn't seem to age before my very eyes, he does nothing other than sit there and stare at us for what feels like minutes. An overwhelming silence seems to sit in the room, a suffocating feeling seeming to come from within my own chest. Sakura gives a small gasp, nearly collapsing out of her chair as she presses a hand against her chest, desperately trying to heave in breath. Sound itself seems to bleed out for me as it's being replaced by static trying to work itself into my head.
Before suddenly it's all gone. No, not gone. I can still feel the force, Killing Intent is the name most call it by. A glance around the room reveals that Naruto has stood up, his hand crossed over his chest as it grabs the hilt of the katana. I can feel the energy radiating off of him like heat off a fire. Yet the energy he gives off doesn't touch me. It doesn't seek to crush or maim me like the Hokage's did. Instead seeming to caress me as it passes by, choosing instead to shield me from outside Killing Intent.
"Enough" as suddenly as it started, everything was done. People are sitting in their chairs or standing in their places as though nothing happened in the first place. Part of me wonders if it was all a GenJutsu, but that doesn't feel quite right. For one Sakura's eyes are wide as dinner plates, her fingers twitching as though they itch for a kunai. Naruto's teeth aren't quite bared, but I can see the sharpened points grinding themselves in his mouth.
"It has good control so far, perhaps it isn't a lost cause afterall." Danzo spoke up for the first time in the meeting so far. Seated a simple three legged stool, his cane held loosely in a hand as his single eye roamed the occupants of the room drinking in information. The Hokage nods slowly, a hand rubbing at his chin as he yawns.
"W-what was that?" Utatane-San's voice is nearly hysterical, yet she makes no rapid steps forward as I expected. No jerky movement of her arms to accentuate it. No, she stayed right where she was supposed to as I realized something very important to this meeting. They aren't his advisors, the two of them are all around unremarkable Shinobi. Nothing incredible in their entire careers other than being part of the Hokage's own team. No, the only advisor in the room is Danzo. Despite the public unrest about his backing of Itachi, he's the only person in the room aside from the Hokage who can move more than just his head.
"That was Naruto properly channeling his Killing Intent to try and combat my own. A useful trick if enemies aren't expecting it." He picks up his pipe once more, but doesn't smoke it. Instead choosing to wave it around a bit as he speaks. "But the amount doesn't matter a bit, only matters how well you can focus it on your opponents."
Naruto's eyes look as though they're about to pop out of his head, darting around in an almost animalistic manner. I test my muscles, finding them locked up as though I were paralyzed. A bit of localized chakra to my shoulders, neck, and mouth and I find myself able to twitch, a moment later I can speak.
"Naruto, things are fine. Relax." I can see the Hokage raise an eyebrow, he shares an amused smile with Danzo who seems impressed. I can visibly see Naruto stop straining against himself, his off hand still having a death grip on his katana.
This has bought me important time, my shoulders rolling ever so slightly as I glance between my two teammates. Our Sensei is practically out of my field of sight completely as he's in a kneeling position behind my chair. He won't be of any help in this meeting even if he wants to.
I have to balance three very important things in this meeting, maybe four. The Hokages favor, Naruto's temper, my own political power, and whatever the War-Hawk wants. Another shared look with Sakura and she does her best to nod, showing her support for the ideas I have bouncing around inside of my head.
A bit more chakra moving down my arms to grip the chair as I slowly force myself up to a standing position, my breathing not quite labored from the effort. I began to draw from every second of the etiquette classes I had to take.
"I am Lord Uchiha. Lord of one of the founding clans of this village, a member of your Shinobi council, and direct descendant of Madara Uchiha himself!" my doesn't voice doesn't waver, my figure firm as a whole. The Hokages leans back in his chair a bit, his eyebrows raising up nearly past his hairline. Danzo nearly fell off of his stool and needed support from his bodyguards. "And I do not appreciate this treatment of me and my teammates''
"Danzo, is what he speaks of true?" I'm trying to keep my shaking at bay. This was a, not quite, desperate bid of a power play in this situation. Danzo is up and leaning on his cane as he walks forward, nearly shoving Mitokado-San out of his way as he stands properly at the Hokages right shoulder.
"I have… had suspicions, the Uchiha are ones to keep track of such things." I nod slowly, my charcoal eyes staring directly into the Hokages eyes. He slowly nods, waving Danzo off. I watch as the ancient man hobbles back to his stool.
"I apologize then, Lord Uchiha." And just like that the odd presence that seemed to hang over this meeting evaporated like the mist over my personal pond as the sun rose. Naruto once more begins to lounge in his seat with that stupid grin of his. Sakura is able to take proper deep breaths as she sits properly, rather than half on the floor.
I slowly take my seat once more, watching as ANBU escorts the two non-advisors from the room. It seems that he doesn't want to play stupid games. The moment the door closes Jiraiya loses the goofy grin and exaggerated movements. Instead going back to the sour expression and crossed arms he had in our first meeting. I resist the urge to throw up, the hangover thankfully not bothering me as much now but the stress killing me.
"I take it that Shimura-San still wields much power behind the scenes." The Hokage gives a small laugh, placing the pipe in his mouth as it begins to billow smoke.
"Something for the two of us to speak of on another date. This meeting is not something that should be side tracked." He opens a drawer below the desk, taking a moment to rifle through before he comes out with three pieces of paper and handing them to each of us.
"Paper… so… informative" I roll my eyes, resisting the urge to kick at him as he stares blindly at the Non-Disclosure Forms. Different from the ones I stole from the shrink, those stated we couldn't talk about it at all under threat of death. This merely states we can only talk about it with the people in this room.
"This seems a lot better than the other ones you took from that lady." I nod in response, a hand coming up to cover my mouth as I mull over some of the wording on the paper. Yet despite seeking out loopholes or tricks it all seems deceptively simple.
"I agree, they seem fair. But you're team captain, signing them is your call." Naruto's agreement is as loud as it is unnecessary, and she begins to work once more on the callous on her knuckle. At this rate I'll have to find something for her to chew on before she seriously hurts herself. Her eyes meet mine, searching for a hidden message or concern before she nods. The motion gained confidence with every repetition.
"Help Naruto sign his, it'll let us talk about it and get help where needed." I pull a fountain pen from my pocket, signing the paper extravagantly before leaning over and placing Naruto's pen tip on the dotted line. His writing is chicken scratch, and calling it legible is an insult to the written language.
"Thank you, it may just be a piece of paper. But it does give two old men peace of mind." The Hokage takes the three pieces of paper and hands them off to an ANBU that drops from the ceiling before they're gone in a whirlwind of leaves. If I hadn't seen them I wouldn't have believed it had happened.
"Alright old man, we signed your papers. The fuck happened to me on that bridge?" I resist the urge to bury my face in my hands, Sakura doesn't bother resisting. Danzo gives a choked laugh, his off hand covering his mouth with a rag as a bit of blood is spit into it. The Hokage seems to be both annoyed and amused as he leans back into his chair, the chair actually reclining with him this time in a seamless glide without a single creak.
"Naruto!" I lean back a little bit to let her get a better glaring angle as he grows sheepish. His off hand still not removing itself from the hilt even as she continues to chew him out. I pay them no mind, instead taking the chance to watch the reactions to it.
Danzo seems to both ignore the room as a whole and his singular visible eye strips your flesh down to the bone to look at what makes you tick. The Hokage seems amused, a hand holding his pipe as he ignores Sakura. Focusing solely on Naruto, that odd relationship between the two never sat right with me.
Jiraiya is leaning against a window, cold as ice. His face is nearly as impassive as the blank masks on Danzo's ANBU. Our Sensei was still kneeling behind my chair, face pointed to the ground, and doing his best statue impression. If I didn't have such keen eyes I would think he wasn't breathing. A raised hand from our leader is all that's needed for silence in the room.
"You, Naruto, are a Jinchūriki." There's a pause, not a long one but a serious one. As though he wants that word to be seared into the very core of our beings. "There's a total of nine tailed beasts, and currently eight known Jinchūriki" I pulled a book from my inner pocket, popping it open as I half stood. Taking his head nod as permission to speak.
"Shukaku the one tailed sand beast, Matabi the two tailed hellcat, Isobu the three tailed turtle of the depths, unnamed four tailed monkey king, Kokuō the um… Dolphin horse?" I actually look up from my notes, having been confused at the description.
"The Uchiha brat has good intel so far, I doubt he knows much about the weapons though." The Hokage seems to resist the urge to roll his eyes, instead merely blowing a cloud of black smoke at the cripple.
"Don't interrupt him, he's on a roll."
"I uh… would like to point out that this guy ain't liking this conversation." Silence reigns in the room like storm clouds, Naruto gently pointing his thumb at his temple.
"The weapon can… hear it?" another angry blow of smoke that leaves Danzo coughing this time around.
"We do not refer to Naruto-Kun as a weapon, tool, or it." He adjusts the pipe around in his mouth, twirling it a little. "This is rather-"
"The seal allows a good deal of access between the fox and his host." All eyes, unseeing included, turned to look at the somber toad sage.
"Explain Chameleon." Jiraiya's mouth twitches a bit, but I can't quite tell whether it's a smile or frown.
"The seal M-... Fourth Hokage-San placed on the boy," his hand reaches into his red vest and I can see an inky black void appear before a battered notebook is drawn out and opened. A small pair of reading glasses perched on his nose, far too low to be of use in reading the pages. Yet he keeps glancing down through them as he speaks.. "Has been designed with a base in the eight trigram seal, supported by thirteen to the thirteenth power of cursed seal boosters. All wrapped up inside of a Reaper-Death seal barrier."
There's a small scratch of a pen as he moves it across the page, yet he didn't account for the fact that my eyesight is better than most. There's just enough of a glare off of the window to show there's nothing inside of it besides a scrawling picture of a naked woman.
There's a small moment, so small I feared I imagined it, that he locks eyes with me and winks.
Naruto draws his shirt up, a hand feeling along his stomach and chest as though trying to feel the currently invisible seal in question. Sakura's face is screwed up, a frown even as her brow is furrowed. Her fingers moving as she seems to be trying to count things out.
The seal sounds nonsensical, even numbers and odd number seals aren't meant to work together. Like trying to get oil and fire to sit nicely in a pan. It seems Danzo also knows these rules of seals, his single eye wide as he's leaning on the Hokage's desk for support.
"I-what? Jiraiya that can't be!" The toad sage merely shrugs a bit, putting the notebook back into its inky void.
"It's baffling, even to me. The best I can tell is that he's using the odd numbered seal boosters almost like two negatives to make a positive to reinforce the luck of the eight trigram." he waves a hand a bit, the glasses just kind of disappearing off of his face. I had to take a moment to blink before I realized that I never actually saw him put them on in the first place.
"Alright Chameleon, then what about the Reaper Seal? You called it a barrier?" Hokage-San has removed the pipe again, setting it in its stand. The smoke beginning to leave the divot in the ceiling. Not properly venting and instead just sitting against the ceiling like a poor mockery of a carpet.
"It seems to function like a kind of catch-all net, anything that escapes the main seal matrix." Danzo is still spluttering, holding his cane by the shaft as he waves it around a bit. One of the blank ANBU had to hold him by the shoulder lest he hurt himself. A chair scrapes back, my eyes flicking from the Toad-Sage over our fearless leader as she's now on her feet.
"That still doesn't explain what the fuck happened on the bridge!" Her chest is heaving, her fists clenched to a point that the skin on her hands are turning white.
No one has any time to scold her before the intercom sitting on his desk crackles to life.
"Hokage-Sama, an advisor to the Fire Daimyo has arrived. Shall I send him in?" The room reminds me of the time that my cousin and his friends had been found smoking in his room, or perhaps more akin to a group of children with their hands too deep in a cookie jar.
Jiraiya is out of the window so quickly a lesser man would think he was a figment of their imagination, the Hokage pressing down on a seemingly random part of his desk before a click is heard above me as the smoke cloaking the ceiling funnels out through the new hole in the divot. Danzo is shuffling back into a dark corner, the blank ANBU jumping up into the ceiling. Two normal, animal colored, ANBU drop down and stand beside the Hokage.
"Stay seated and silent," he waits until Sakura retakes her chair, getting a nod from each of us before he places a small key into the intercom. "Send them in."
The man that walks in doesn't mean much to me at first glance. Not much muscle on his figure, instead more heavyset. His facial hair is well trimmed, an expertise I doubt that could be found amongst his jewelry riddled fingers.
The thing I hate though is his eyes, reminding me far too much of a raccoon that's found an unsecured dumpster. His mouth which, from the frown lines on his cheeks, is usually set in a sneer turns into a crooked smile showing partially rotted teeth as his eyes find Sakura.
I have to keep myself calm, a hand silently reaching over and placing itself over the pommel of his sword as I see her flinch. The last thing I need is for Naruto to make a major incident over this. He walks forward, stepping up past the four of us, to stand before the Hokage's desk and gives a deep sweeping bow.
As he passes by a hand ghosts along the back of her chair, and the bow is angled as such that if she were wearing any kind of open clothing he'd see right up. Perhaps it wouldn't be quite so bad to let Naruto rip him to shreds.
"Hokage-Sama, the fire Daimyo is rather….. concerned." He's standing back up now, my focus torn between listening to him talk and keeping my eyes on my teammates. One of which looks like she wants to bolt, pressing herself into the far back of her chair. The other, who doesn't entirely understand the problem but can practically smell how upset she's becoming.
"Concerned over what Advisor-San? Is there something that we may help his highness with?" Danzo couldn't have done those honeyed words better, I have to do a double take to make sure it was really the Hokage that said that. I suppose he wasn't chosen for the position purely for battle tactics and jutsu knowledge.
"Strange news has been coming from the small island country of Wave," well that can't be good, "that Leaf Shinobi killed the Daimyo there. Of course his highness must know what to speak of… or not speak of." He gives a small laugh as though he just told a small joke, going as far as to pull out a small hand fan and beginning to cool himself.
The only visible blank ANBU seems to receive some kind of order from Danzo, and steps forward to pass the message along to the Hokage. He seems to nod, taking time to scratch his beard before he answers.
"We were unaware of any Daimyo being in Wave, as it was not public knowledge." The advisor nods a bit, going to open his mouth but seems to think better of it and closes it once more. "And as for any… other news you might have heard. The training of our Jinchūriki has come along more than fine." The advisor's eyes go wide suddenly as he follows the others gaze. Now not quite staring at Naruto, his fan having slowed to a point it wasn't even worth getting out.
"Well, his highness will be quite glad to hear such a thing… it is.. safe?" The Hokage nods without a bit of hesitation.
"I'll swear by the security of his highnesses' trade caravans. Neither outside nor internal threats shall lay a finger on his merchants." That seems to relieve a lot of tension amongst the advisors shoulders, the fan resuming its quick motion.
"That is quite wonderful to hear. Was the mission in Wave successful at the very least?" Eyes settle on me now, and I get out of the chair to kneel before speaking.
"Yes sir, me and my team handled things just fine. Though payment collections still need to be made." He gives a hum, closing the fan and tapping it against his chin before he pulls out a checkbook.
"How about I purchase that debt off of you Hokage-Sama?" the blank ANBU steps forward once more to whisper in the Hokages ear, his hand straying to his pipe but not smoking it.
"The mission was reclassified to S-Rank, while we would have no issue with you purchasing such a debt it will be a bit more expensive than standard." The advisor rocks back on his expensive clad heels for just a moment before he schools his expression. His eyes keep flickering over to Naruto, his nose wrinkling as though he's smelling rotten food each time.
"I believe my purse could afford to be tightened in such a way," he pulls out a checkbook and a fountain pen before beginning to draft the amount. "After all you may be looking at the new right hand of the Daimyo!" He gives a wide grin once more. Sakura's mute horror hidden from view thankfully as her nails dig grooves into the arm rests of her chair.
Naruto goes to move but I merely apply a bit of pressure to the hilt of his katana hoping he listens to me. For once he dies and leans back farther into his chair, a frown twisting the whisker marks even farther than before.
My mind is sprinting a meter a minute, it wasn't exactly unknown that the Daimyo's right hand had been killed merely a month ago. I had thought he had already been replaced though, clearly not. This advisor must be in his inner circle, or at the very least have enough blackmail and money to put his name into the running for the position. Either way it's a hell of a step up for anyone.
A tearing sound before the gilded piece of paper is offered, one of the ANBU taking it with a bow. The advisor gives another one to both the Hokage and his advisor, Danzo returning it from his chair even as the Hokage gets up and does a small bow.
He stands slowly, bidding his farewell and heading for the door. Not before his eyes meet hers for just a moment, and the glee I see in them makes me wish I could set Naruto loose in all of his feral glory.
Instead I held him steady, the door closing with a resounding click, and our leader giving a heavy sigh.
"I apologize, but I think our meeting is done today." I can feel my eye twitch without my consent, none of our questions having ever gotten answered.
"With all due respect Hokage-Sama, we still don't know what happened on the bridge." He seems to quirk an eyebrow at me, even as he glances over the strip of paper in his hand.
"No, I suppose you don't… Danzo, take them on a small walk." The War-Hawk gives a grumble, but stands with the aid of his cane and walks slowly. The door opens as though by ghosts as we follow him.
Sakura is nearly catatonic, and I don't dare touch her at the moment. Instead having Naruto take her by the wrist and follow us. That conversation isn't going to be fun.
"Right this way, to the records room." Now that we're alone I can take my time to really look over one of the oldest men in the village. Coated in bandages that I can see have salves soaked into them at spots, especially over his missing eye must mean they never healed right. A risk every Shinobi runs in the field.
He wears simple flat dancers shoes, and a basic pair of wide cotton pants that have a deceptive amount of pockets I'm sure. His cane appears to be mostly wood, but it sounds hollow leading me to believe it's seal reinforced so who knows what it can do. The grip of it is in the shape of what I can only describe as a hawks head, the eyes if it seems just as sharp as his.
He wears a simple shirt tied at the waist with a cloth belt, leaving most of his chest open. Likely to make sure not to bother any wounds. His voice is not deep or gravely as I expected from one his age, instead almost carrying an oddly whispering tone. As though if he's speaking you have to strain to hear him.
It makes me wonder if it's from an injury or an intentional choice.
Soon enough we arrive at the records room, Danzo pushing the door open with ease. The seals on the door flashing a gold color as he does so, and makes a motion for us to enter. He opens his mouth to speak but is cut off.
"This door is designed to set off an alarm if anyone without permission so much as breathes on it, we know!" We, in fact, did not know. Apparently Naruto did though as he pulls Sakura inside. I join them a moment later as I shrug at his furrowed brow.
"And how exactly do you know that?" The door closes almost instantly and silently, functioning as though it were spring loaded. Naruto gives a shrug as his fingers along shelves of scrolls bigger than my head is wide.
"I know a lot about this tower, I've always been allowed to wander." Danzo doesn't make a single sound, but even his stony facade can't hide the look of disgust in his eyes at hearing that. We don't stay on the topic long though as he heads for the back of the room, a small hatch with another set of seals inscribed into it that opens as he approaches.
"This is what I'm meant to show you." Out comes a small scroll, likely only a few paragraphs written in it. It smells vaguely of mold, and I can see holes in it from either burn marks or moths getting at the fabric.
It's laid out on the table for us, an ancient language that I wouldn't be able to read if I hadn't been making sense of clan scrolls from that day.
"Jinchūriki, or Power of Human Sacrifice, are weapons to be wielded for their village. The bearers of these weights shall be showered in gold and lovers so they are not bitter." I raise an eyebrow as I look at him, the old man seeming to roll his eye as he takes a seat.
"This was written nearly a hundred years ago." I shake my head a bit and continue.
"Be aware though of a mask, for if the monster inside can gain enough sway over the host they will begin a rampage across the countryside." There's no more writing after that, merely stylized art of nine different masks that people could wear. I can only assume a single mask per Jinchūriki.
Of course at the very end, the art of it circled by the symbol of Konoha, is a black reflective crystalline mask. The same one he made on the bridge with the sacrifice of those bandits and Gato.
"I take it I had a mask of some kind?" I nod slowly, before thinking about face palming and deciding against it in front of Danzo.
"Yeah, you made it through some kind of ritual after turning Gato and his thugs to ash." A long slow whistle from him radiates in the room as he rocks on his heels a bit.
"Alright then." And nothing more is said. The scroll slowly went back into its place as it had done its job and answered our questions. Now the on-
CLAP-
"Right students, how about lunch and then training?"
