Scarlet Justice - ep. 126
"Perception"
[Days of Thunder: Chapter of Spiral Fox, Part 4]

The days are winding down towards my so called play date with Naruto. We've spoken a limited number of times compared to our usual schedule, since he wants to focus on getting ready for the upcoming event. I also imagine that Jiraiya is influencing him just a little. That much is fine. They can scheme all they want, the result will be the same.

And so, today is when I will meet with Erika to discuss recent events. We've gone over to the cafe run by Mai, one of Ibiki's contacts that I had the pleasure of meeting months ago. Traffic is subtly diverted from our place on the patio, and we've been served a tray of light and scrumptious sandwiches, paired with a flavourful tea.

"Before we begin, I must make a comment," I say. My sunglasses come off and are set on the side of the table, while I press a paper seal into the underside of it with my free hand.

"As you would."

"Hoh, we've certainly become spirited these past months. I quite enjoy it. But yes, you do look quite lovely today, Erika. A beauty in every sense of the word." Her outfit today is a violet shirt that bares her shoulders, and has long, billowing sleeves that come up to her fingertips. A slightly faded pair of shorts is paired with it, along with her favourite choker. And I am a bit jealous of how her dark skin looks in the sunlight. So pretty...

"Even as I expect them, your compliments are always wonderful to hear. Thank you, Lili," she says with a smile. "If I might return the sentiments, you always manage to look elegant and captivating, no matter what you wear."

"Much appreciated. After all, it does take some work to look this good all the time." Today's outfit on my side is simple enough. A sky blue silk shirt to ward off the heat a bit, and a pink skirt with artificial fur going along the bottom edge. It was from my early days in the village, and fit surprisingly well today. So it was an easy choice.

"Yes, that much is true."

"Thank you for helping me with these tasks, as I always must say to you. If there is anything that I can do to make it up to you, please do not hesitate."

"Moments like this are their own reward," she says. Sometimes this girl is entirely too precious. "Thank you in any case, Lili. Shall we eat first, or do you prefer we get our reports out of the way?"

"Eat, eat. I want you to have a taste of these sandwiches while they're still warm."

"Understood." Erika picks up one of the sandwiches and inspects it, then takes a good bite out of it. She looks pleased and nods. "This is very good."

"Enough to rival your favoured hamburgers?"

"Definitely. In fact, this seems like a perfect alternative. I have never had a sandwich this good before."

"I fell in love after my first time here," I say before taking a bite. "Mm, yes. Absolutely scrumptious. Of course, I can't stay away from my indulgences for too long. It helps that girls like us can burn it away on missions and during training."

"You shouldn't deliberately incite jealousy among the masses, you know."

"Aw. But it's a lot of fun!" I pout playfully. "Watching the other girls cower beneath my shadow is so entertaining..."

Erika smiles and shakes her head.

"Let's have another sandwich each and then get to business. They're still great after they've cooled off, but the warm and freshly toasted experience should not be missed." We do so and take a moment to drink some of our tea. At last, we settle in to begin.

"Do we have a preference as to where we should start?" Erika asks.

"Not at all. You have the floor, my love."

"Understood. Then I will start with the recorded movements of the mercenary group. They have been experiencing growth in several regions, most notably in Earth Country and the Hidden Rock Village, where profits have risen by over three hundred and fifty percent in the last two months alone. Contracts are popular, but sub-contracts are even more so, with rates that are generally much lower than that of the shinobi villages. It creates a strange scenario, where their monetary gains are notable, but a significant amount of funding is being left behind once we consider the costs of the services they provide. I can only imagine that the decentralized nature of the group is one of their boons. If they are an independent operation with the sole mission of making money, it seems they are succeeding. But with the details you gave me months earlier, and those gathered from our mutual contact, we know that this is not the case. Something else is coming."

It is lining up with Itachi's information, yes. If I want to know more, I will have to talk to him in person again. He wasn't exactly sparse with details the first time around, especially considering his position, but Erika is right. Something bigger is coming.

"Have you spoken to him recently?" I ask.

"Eighteen days ago was our last face to face meeting. Set up by Lord Hokage, and abbreviated as always. Though he has always seemed an amicable type of person. Was this your experience as well, Lili?"

I close my eyes. "It was a bit more...intimate than that. He placed the same faith in me that you have, and after hearing his story from the source for the first time...I admit that my heart started to melt quite a bit."

"I see."

"I really do like him, for a lot of reasons. He was dealt a terrible hand...even if he made those choices himself, and it's hard for most people to see reason in them."

"The kind of person who would sacrifice so much...for that result..." Erika sips her tea and takes a thoughtful pause. "It only makes sense that it would resonate with you. I have not been able to express as much, but there are those vibrations within me as well."

"Is that so?" I ask.

"Adverse reactions to seeing sacrifice in action...feeling the bitterness from sitting on the end of those results. What happens to those who risk for a future they will never taste? I think of these things each day."

"Hmm..."

"But...I digress. At this time, I have no other significant data on the group. There are some hypotheses that I have built up. However, to map them in a coherent and relatable fashion will require much more research. Our mutual contact and I have been using encrypted messages by bird for the majority of our communications. Within the group, no changes have been observed. The hunt for the tails has not started at this time...they are on schedule to have the initial run between three and four years from the present time, from earliest to latest times respectively."

"Three years...that should be enough time," I say before taking a sip of tea.

"There is a lingering feeling that I could have done more, even if you might not think so." She leans her head downwards. "So, I apologize for that."

"There is no need to worry about such things. Raise your head, my love. You have done splendid work."

"Thank you. Shall we move to the next item?"

"Please do."

"Fionne Asagao, or Fio as she prefers to be called. The leader of Team Thirteen, and your other half."

"Yes, that is correct. She made contact with you, I take it?"

"She did, on the same day as your meeting with the other members of the team. I have made strides to observe and correct the oversights made with regards to their extra member, called Sai. My investigations reveal that Sai is a code name. His true name was lost long ago."

"Hm..."

"He is indeed a member of the organization, which pledges fealty to Lord Shimura even as they report to Lord Hokage. Lord Shimura's influence on the village cannot be understated, as despite his termination and removal from Lord Hokage's cabinet, he holds considerable sway in village politics and other affairs. He has been attempting to monitor my movements and decipher my conversations with that man, but has had no success thus far. That place...also called the Foundation. They are very much my adversary as well. I would like them eliminated, and it must be so if we are to deliver our revolution to the shinobi world."

"Yes. Though patience is a virtue, especially in these times."

"That is true. As far as activities go, I have not found much else on Lord Shimura aside from his intention to insert himself into candidacy for the position of Fifth Hokage. The search has already begun in secret, but the duration of said search is very much variable at this point in time. From what Miss Tamaki has said, it may not be openly declared until after Lord Hokage's passing. Ah, apologies. We have diverted from the initial topic once more."

"It's no trouble. What came of your meeting with Fio?" I ask.

"I have provided small pieces of counter-intelligence technology and set up special monitors for each member of the current team. I have also spoken to Lord Hokage about securing a regular training area and meeting point, much like our teams have, to better facilitate said monitoring. This should go into effect on the coming Sunday, with Special Training Area 25 designated for use. Miss Tamaki consulted further with us, and said that unfortunately Sai is part of a package deal on behalf of the village, allowing Karin and Suigetsu freedom in exchange for supervision in a team setting. But he is also secretly gathering information without their consent and reporting it to that person in the Foundation among others, which is unacceptable. He is also making attempts to investigate Fio, and by extension, you."

"That only makes sense," I say with a sigh. "Thankfully everyone who needs to know about Fio knows about her already. She has nothing to hide. As for myself, I have certain things that I want to keep close at hand...but that seems like a solved problem, then."

"It should be, yes. We now have members of ANBU loyal to the cause doing surveillance and investigation of Sai and his master, safely, of course. And I did make a persuasive pitch, of sorts."

"Ah, so you have some loyal minions of your own."

"I wouldn't go that far. That said...I didn't expect to have anyone who liked me that much. Aside from our circle, of course," she says while placing her hands together.

"As I've said many times in the past, you are a lovely person, Erika. Perhaps a bit cool on the outside, but I have no doubts that the people who interact with you have a healthy respect for you. Your skill and professionalism is a relief to have, and your kindness shines through in most everything you do."

"Is that so...I see. I have had a low estimation of myself at times. Mother talks about it on the phone, and provides as much encouragement as she can. But meeting you, and Ino...I believe that has helped quite a bit. Perhaps one day I can become the confident person you all see."

"It will happen," I say. "Continue to believe in yourself, and everything will be fine. We will make it so."

"Yes."

"Thank you for taking care of Fio so quickly as well. She'll definitely feel more comfortable with these measures taken. Now, we had gone into another tangent earlier...about Lord Hokage, I believe?"

"We were speaking of the unpredictable length of his reign."

"Yes, yes. Considering how he keeps himself, and his desire to bring the world towards a peaceful era with his velvet glove, there is no telling when he might step down. A shrewd strategy, to be sure. Keeping everyone on their toes..."

"Indeed. My monitoring of his new charge as part of our contingency plan has revealed that he is slowly stabilizing."

"So that training is progressing nicely?"

"Yes. Although, there have been recent flares of aggression, according to Miss Imari. It seems that Naruto Uzumaki has been made aware of his personal training schedule."

"As I found out a few days prior, yes."

"So you spoke to him. Good."

"We had quite the conversation. Hina, Kakashi, and Fio were all present. Hina was worried about Naruto's recent behaviour, and from what I can gather Yuno was unaware because their gaming days were interrupted by extra training on Naruto's end. Something was amiss, I could tell that much. After chatting, I found out that the influence of the beast increased, by way of chakra level. It was making him more restless and aggressive. As for how he discovered the details of Sasuke's training...it was no accident."

Erika blinks. "It was leaked. But that level of information..."

"This was Jiraiya's doing."

"Lord Jiraiya revealed it to him? Something like that..." It's slight, but she has a perturbed expression on her face for a few moments. It fades away and she goes back to neutral, drumming her fingers on the table in thought. "I see now. That is supremely irresponsible. I will increase my surveillance of Sasuke for his well-being and make a suggestion to Miss Imari. She is providing assistance in parts of Sasuke's training."

"Won't that be too much work? I don't think you have to go that far," I point out.

"The increase shouldn't be too dramatic. If I find myself in a bind, there are operatives I can delegate to. Please do not worry."

I nod, relieved. "If you say that much, then I can believe it. Thank you."

"There were rumblings of conflict between you both. So it was for that reason, then."

"I chewed him out in public, yes. He tried to get wise with me, so I did what came naturally and put that old dog in his place. And I'll fucking do it again."

"There is only so much that one can let go of. As much as he should be respected for his service, there is a limit. I will have to keep an eye on him when it comes to these matters from now on." Erika sighs. "If anything amiss happens with Team Seven from here on, I will do my best to inform you. You have sacrificed too much, Lili."

I nod with satisfaction. "Well said."

So, the situation with Fio has been taken care of. I know where Akatsuki stands, for now, at least. We have a proper bearing on Sasuke and ROOT - that Sai fellow is being sent around to sniff out details and possibly incite chaos. He will have to be watched closely. That should be it for now.

"Ah, yes. Naruto and I are having a match in a few days. I don't believe Jiraiya will be there, though he may very well change his mind and make a surprise appearance. I've arranged for Kakashi to supervise."

"Hm. May I attend as well? There are observations that I would like to make."

"Yes, of course. Here are the details thus far. We have to decide on a location, but Kakashi says that he is looking into it." I hand Erika a small card, and she reads it before putting it into her pocket.

"Understood. Thank you, Lili."

"Not a problem, my love. Seeing as business is done, I wanted to ask about your family. You mentioned talking to your mother recently, yes?"

"I did. She is doing well for herself. A recent development is that she has acquired a well-paying job. It would normally be an unreasonably long journey to and from work, but Mother makes clever use of her gifts, and so the daily commute is trivial when combined with proper shortcuts. Frei is going to the Shinobi Academy in the Cloud. She wants to learn the shinobi arts, but is undecided as to whether she wants to make a long term career out of it. In any case, this is a very good sign. Her constitution is greatly improved."

"Is she thinking about coming here?"

"We talked about it. She doesn't want to leave Mother alone, so she is giving it a lot of thought. But I will be happy no matter what she chooses. The most important thing is that she is healthy and happy."

"Yes. That is what every older sister wants."

"On that matter, I have heard that you welcomed a new human into this world."

"Hmhm. I was waiting for you to ask about that." I smile and produce several photos. "My incredibly adorable little sister, Rose. Behold her splendour."

Erika takes the photos from my hands and looks at them. "Oh. She's very cute."

"Right? I can't get enough of her. I wish she were by my side right at this moment...but alas, it is not meant to be," I say with a dramatic sigh. "Feisty thing, though. Takes after me and Mama."

"I can see the resemblance. Have your elder sisters met her yet?"

"Yes, they have. She took to them right away, you know. It was very sweet to see. And of course Mama is doing her best as a first time mother. Very composed, even being woken up and having to breastfeed before the sun comes up at times."

"Mother had stories like that as well, when it came to myself and Frei." Erika starts to hand back the photos.

"No, no. Keep those! I have a few hundred copies as it is..."

"Ah...whatever for?"

"Just to hand out, of course. I think that Rose's pure radiance is a gift that should be shared with the world."

"I see. The bond between you is greater than I can comprehend."

I feign annoyance. "Oi. Don't get so cheeky all of a sudden."

She laughs softly and I bite into one of my sandwiches in the meantime.