The disgruntled groan of Danzo followed Homura's shout. Eidolon raised a brow at that. Hiruzen was much on the same page as his old friend. "Quiet down, will you? I didn't bring you two here to cause a ruckus. It's to inform you of the possible threat we'll be facing." Danzo snarled, not even bothering to share them a glance.
His cane tapped and echoed like they were in a cavern. "The sake of the village is stressed, so time is of the essence, please." He stalked his way towards the other two men in the room. He passed Hiruzen, sparing him a glance all the while going out of his way to get in the proximity of Eidolon.
The man towered over Danzo—Much like he did to everyone else in the village, really. But Eidolon didn't bother with a greeting, even when Danzo nodded in his direction. What is that guy even doing here? Isn't he supposed to be off the council after the whole Uchiha fiasco? Alarms began to ring in Eidolons' head, but he kept silent. Watching as the other two elders uttered curses and complaints under their breath as they descended in tune.
Danzo sucked his teeth at being ignored, retreating to the far end of the room. Hiruzen and his advisors were sorely stuck near each other. The tension was palpable. Okay then… The show must go on, what can I say? Clearing his throat, Eidolon stepped forth. "Okay, well–Nice to meet you all, Koharu-chan, Homura-chan." Eidolon bowed lackadaisically. Crossing his arms, he nodded to the two elders.
The two shared a look, then looked over to Danzo. Who, in turn, simply shrugged, turning them away. Koharu huffed. "I suspect you use that with everyone you've met in this room? Is that how you churned them over?" Her gaze narrowed dangerously. Homura's sticking with her the whole way.
"What do you mean?" Eidolon tilted his head, mocking confusion. Hiruzen sighed, but ultimately stayed to himself. Danzo watched curiously. Making every note of Eidolons' character and how he conducts conversations.
Koharu stepped forth, practically shaking with rage, fear–No one knew but her. She faced the giant before her with unshattered pride. "I will not allow it! You will not run things how you wish simply because you fell from the stars!" She barked. "You are not some prophesied savior! And we are not under divine influence!" Homura nodded strictly, agreeing with his lifelong partner.
"These two old fools may have gotten themselves wrapped around your finger! But we–" Eidolon sighed dramatically. His face fell into his palm as he shook his head helplessly. "Seriously, Danzo? If you were going to intrude on important business, did you have to bring your toddlers with you?" His void-like eyes darkened, and any pretenses of insecurity the old duo thought they could trample upon vanished in an instant.
The room was filled with a heavy pressure–Naked to the eyes but felt by all. Hiruzen stumbled, but his chakra flared, instantly combatting the amplified gravity with all he had. Danzo much the same–Though he struggled, a visibly more so compared to his Hokage.
The ones who felt it the most were Homura and his nagging partner, Koharu. Intense, primordial bloodlust washed over everyone within the room. Hiruzen and Danzo weren't spared this time; their senses forced their instincts to kick in, both instantly dashing as far as they could away from Eidolon, while the two advisors weren't so lucky.
"G-GAH!"
"ARRCK!"
In tune, they barfed up all the air and spit they had in their lungs and mouths, respectively. Their faces falling straight into the cold, hard stone below as Eidolon rounded the table to their side, his every step echoing like a cold cord in a silent arena.
"I don't care what you guys managed before. I'm here now, and I have an agreement with your leader." His tone cut through the thick atmosphere like a hot knife to butter. The intense force of gravity he manipulated strengthened as he got closer. By the time he stood over them, their ears were bleeding and their eyes were bloodshot.
Homura gasped, guttural cries of agreement and understanding mixed with the pleas from Koharu. Eidolon hummed. Then, retracted the gravity acting upon them and sat on the table. His eyes shifted across the room to the other two.
"What? Do y'all need convincing, too?" Danzo gritted his teeth, his lips parting to reveal his seething rage, but Hiruzen spoke first, his anger more palpable than Danzo's. "This is not what we agreed upon! Do you intend to betray me this early on?!" His words reigned supreme over the grunts and silent sniffling of his harmed assistants.
"Hiruzen–! Let it go!" Danzo suddenly shouted. Eidolon watched interestingly as Hiruzen turned on his friend. "Danzo–!" But before he could even continue, a sharp glare from Danzo was all he needed to shut up and listen. "He's right! Homura and Koharu had that coming–They don't know the scale of this threat, and no one knows more than him! Even if it is a massive risk with countless horrible variables." Danzo's words were steadier. The two limping elderly had pulled up chairs, each taking a seat while the other three conversed among themselves.
Eidolon scoffed with appreciation. Surprised it would be him. That fits his character, though—anything for the village. Back to his stoic framework, Danzo retreated to silence, Hiruzen finding that to be his only path, as nothing but stunned, frustrated, and confused sputters and gasps came out of his mouth.
"...Thank you, Danzo Shimura! Anyway," Eidolon chided playfully, clasping his hands together, "As I was saying–Ah, actually, you guys might know this." He looks dramatically at Koharu and Homura, and the two flinch.
"Do we know if the Akatsuki's home base is somewhere in Amegakure?" His question was instantly met with puckered faces and heads reeling backwards with confusion. Homura opened his mouth, "Why would they be–" Eidolon raised his hand, showcasing the golden cross embedded within his palm. "Nuh uh."
Homura sternly shut his mouth. Hiruzen could do nothing but pity his old friend. Seeing the clenching of his jaw, they all knew he was stressed. Koharu took the lead, "Actually, there have been word–Well, rumors really." She stressed, "Some of our merchants recall running into… gravesites, so to speak." Her face dropped, expression beginning to become horrid.
"They say that within the forest near Tanzaku Quarters, there are such monuments–An example of what they do to their pursuers." Koharu shook her head disdainfully. Homura patted her back. Hiruzen and Danzo shared a look, Eidolon hummed, amused.
"Do tell." He encouraged. His locs swaying as he adjusted himself. Homura narrowed his eyes, "Are you familiar with the–", "No, I'm not related to nor from the same place as the Raikage. Move on." Eidolon intercepted before the man even finished his sentence.
Homura sat back meekly, "...how was I supposed to know that…" He muttered just loud enough for the quiet room to pick up on it. Danzo snickered and Eidolon scoffed, shaking his head. Koharu cleared her throat while Hiruzen swayed in his stance.
"Who were pursuing them, Koharu? Regular bounty hunters, or was this from a nation?" She answered almost immediately, her hands emphasizing her stress, "It was supposedly one of the Mists' hidden ninja–A demon of a man named Zabuza." Silence permeated the room, Eidolon falling into thought.
Shit. Canon is thrown off way more than I expected–Did the signs of his invasion change? There weren't any impending clouds of doom yesterday… His influence couldn't have advanced that fast. He frowned, generally growing irritated with the lack of answers for his multiplying questions.
Hiruzen grumbled to himself, noting Eidolons' apparent confusion, even through his stoicism. Danzo was much in the same boat–Hearing that a legendary assassin like Zabuza went down like that, and no one even knew? How did she know, though? That was a question he would have to confront her about on his own time.
Eidolon stood up, his fitted shirt and comfortably loose-fitting pants rumpling all the while. Fuck it. I need to power up. He sighed, "Alright, Hiruzen, Danzo, I need you to gather two squads. One needs to be small, comprised of two to three competent individuals you trust can handle themselves if they were left on their own." He paused,
"The next needs to be of at least six, two medical ninjas, two scouts, and two offensive players. This squad is to protect a traveling merchant encroaching upon those lands–Top secret mission, so they will be hired on as simple mercenaries." His plan stuck in their brains instantly.
Hiruzen nodded, though reluctantly. "I can do that… I am hesitant to send my men on this apparent death wish." Eidolon rolled his eyes. "You can always sign up yourself, old man. You're old enough to retire, it would do some justice for you to get out of the seat." The Hokage's jaw tightened, but he shook his head.
"Losing the head of any team just leaves the rest of the bunch to die. I will step in only when necessary." He nodded sagely. Danzo scoffed, "...What a way to save your ass." He muttered, to which Koharu and Homura nodded helplessly in agreement, too.
Hiruzen shot sharp, offended glares towards his companion but otherwise kept his rebuttal to himself, knowing all too well that a verbal confrontation against the lot of them would be useless. Eidolon simply tracked his way back up the stairs. Excusing himself.
"Now, while you guys handle that, I'm going to be heading for my destination. If we're going to be handling these guys, I need to be at full strength." And then some. He shook his head, waving off their comments as he opened the door.
Danzo and the others began to track their way out of the roo,m too. Hiruzen stood at the base of the stairs, stuck in thought. "Danzo, send someone to tail him. I trust you won't do anything stupid…" He sighs, frowning as he remains in the room.
"...Sure thing. It will be done swiftly."
Hiruzen enjoyed the silence that followed after the shuttling of the mechanical door to the room closed. His thoughts seemed to make just a little more sense, and the weight of opinions and choices no longer seemed to affect him.
He sighed once more, I'm getting too old for this. He rubbed his face, a breathless scoff exiting his mouth as he began to tap the stone table with his finger, rhythmically.
Now, who to send…