Gaara pushed the doors to his office wide open with a grunt, marching resolutely around the desk. Baki, who had once again, assumed stewardship of Suna in the Kazekage's absence stood off to the side, watching as several others followed Gaara into the office, including the man Baki recognized as the Kazekage, Anbu captain Daisuke, a woman with soft brown hair he did not recognize, and...
"Kankuro!" The pupeteer's former sensei almost shouted, marching forward, completely breaking office etiquette and protocol, proceeding to hug the younger male in the wheelchair."
"Hey Sensei-gettin some gray hairs in my absence I see."
Smiling he pulled away before quickly shooting back his reply. "More like getting some peace. Glad you're alive kid."
"Ahem." Came Gaara's stiff interruption, making Baki remember just where he was.
With a somewhat embarrassed face the jounin turned back to face the Jinchurikki. "Ahh- forgive me Kazekage-sama. I forget myself."
"That you do." Gaara stated stiffly before turning his eyes to the Anbu commander. "Daisuke, gather every available Anbu member and Jounin fit for combat, I don't care if they're ours or from Kumo. You are to gather at least two dozen squads and will keep heavy watch over our northern border. Kankuro Gather our Puppeteer squads I want these men ready in ambush positions around every watering location and Oasis in the desert, if they somehow slip past Daisuke they'll rot in the desert from thirst. Baki, gather Chuunin and Gennin, and direct the medical aid for the caravans of refugees that have just arrived with us, commandeer one of the residential buildings for a hospital if you have to."
At the last order Zhuge Liang looked to Yue-Ying. "Go and help in the process Ying."
The Kumo Kunoichi gave a brief, short nod before she turned away and began following the others out of the office leaving Gaara and Zhuge Liang alone.
"My my." The sleeping dragon began slowly with a lazy drawl, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You take charge rather quickly don't you Kazekage-dono."
Gaara blinked, curiosity showing in his eyes. "You disagree with the orders?"
"Not at all." Zhuge Liang responded with a slow nod, the smirk still tugging the corner of his mouth. "I am merely admiring how quickly you took charge and adapted to the situation, you obviously thought very hard over what you would do once you arrived. Your village elders chose well when they elected you their Kage. One question though Kazekage-dono."
Zhuge Liang allowed a brief lull in the conversation, allowing his previous words to sink in before continuing. "The truth is...that this is the last place where any who may seek to escape Konoha's reach may come. If they do come, what will you do? Turn them away, or welcome them."
"The borderlands between Konoha and Suna will be no-mans-land" Gaara responded without hesitation. "Those people, if we turn them away, will be killed for their defection. I will not condone the slaughter of innocents by my forces, even indirectly. They will be allowed passage into Suna."
"That is dangerous." Zhuge Liang stated, a warning, dangerous edge to his voice as he made his way to the balcony at the offices side. "Very dangerous indeed. Konoha could slip spies or forces within the caravans, even with screening teams checking for chakra levels, weapons, or anything even remotely suspicious. Some will get through."
"Just the same as I did not let your people be slaughtered within your village walls. I wont let those people be killed if they seek refuge from Konoha."
"Then you endanger us all. Even with ten detection squads screening the-"
"Then use twenty" Gaara interrupted the Raikage allowing a thick, tense silence to descend on them before Gaara broke it, speaking in a firm, sure, however placating tone. "I know this decision doesn't particularly thrill you Zhuge Liang. If you wish you may personally assign the screening squads and execute the punishments against any we may find that try to infiltrate. And if you wish to take it even further, you may also assign the village guard over our key security areas. Either way, these people will be offered sanctuary within my country."
Zhuge Liang stood a little straighter, gaze fixed upon the Kazekage, with an intensity most would have cringed back from as if burnt. It seemed as though he was searching for something within the younger redhead.
Finally the silence was broken before Liang bowed once. "As you wish...Kazekage-dono." Before he turned around and made his way out of the office, the movement hiding the small, satisfied smile that spread over his features as he left the younger male to his paperwork the cogs in his mind turning...slowly but surely...his heart and body may be failing him...But...his mind remained.
After all...he was still Kumo's sleeping dragon.
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"On one of Kiri's islands?"
"Yes Jiraiya-sama." The chuunin messenger answered amidst his heavy breathing. "It was one of his snake summons that delivered the message to lady Suzume in Konoha. She sent me here to tell you."
Jiraiya nodded. "You did well kid, I'll handle it. Tomorrow you can start making your way back to Konoha."
The man bowed his head in thanks as he focused on calming his breathing. He'd run as fast as he could to get here the normally three day run between Konoha and wave had been a slow and arduous one, delayed by heavy rains that had turned the soft earth into a quagmire and the high trees into a slip and slide death game.
And so on the last day, when the sky was relatively clear, to say he'd made a mad dash to the finish line was a massive understatement.
Jiraiya turned to one of the few jounin that had remained with him in wave, overseeing the final exodus back to their village now that the last of their wounded and their supplies had left.
"Find a ship and a crew that'll set sail by tomorrow morning, I don't care what you have to do to get it."
The Jounin nodded before he vanished in a cloud of smoke, leaving Jiraiya with the chuunin messenger.
Turning back to the younger male the toad sannin spoke up again. "Anyway, other than that I wanna know, What news of Kakashi's assault on Kumo?"
Though the question was offered in something of a simple, conversationalist tone, even Jiraiya couldn't really hide his anticipation over the answer.
If Konoha had lost that fight...he wasn't sure if they could hold the empire together after such a defeat, let alone recover and win the war.
The chuunin paused for a moment, taking a second or so to think of his answer. "Well...Kakashi and the regiment he lad hadn't arrived in Konoha yet so details are sketchy sir but from what I heard just before I left Kumo has fallen to us sir."
Jiraiya released a breath he hadn't even really known he'd been holding as he absently nodded. "Good." Looking to the chuunin again the toad sannin spoke. "Thanks kid, you can go now."
The toad sannin turned to leave when he heard a slight intake of breath, as though the younger man was going to say something before he reconsidered.
Pausing mid step the white haired legend looked at the chuunin over his shoulder. "You got somethin' to say kid?"
"Ahh." The chuunin began, hesitating as he averted his eyes. "Ahh...well...I...uh..."
"Come on kid, out with it." Jiraiya stated quickly loosing his patience as the young man stammered out his hesitance.
Opening his mouth the man hesitated for a moment before he blurted out his question. "Whats he like?"
The incredulity on Jiraiya's face was absolutely priceless. "Whats he like? What the hell are you talkin about kid I don't swing like that."
If Jiraiya's expression was priceless the young chuunin's expression was downright comical. "What? Wait no you got it wrong I mean...Hokage-sama. What is he like?"
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, eyes narrowing minutely. "How old are you kid?"
"Seventeen, I'll be 18 in seven months." The chuunin answered.
Seventeen...that was five years too young to have been a ninja when Naruto took control of Konoha, and three years too young to have ever met him in a mission briefing. Unlike Sarutobi, Naruto did not attend or brief personally any missions below B rank. As his territory expanded so too did the administrative staff. Allowing Naruto to handle only the highest priority assignments and delegations. Most likely, this kid had never even glimpsed at the man he now served.
After a few moments of silence the chuunin grew somewhat nervous, shuffling from foot to foot. "I mean...I've heard stories and such...hell who hasn't, but...you know. I mean...you've spoken with him personally, you're probably one of the people that can tell me something that isn't an overly exaggerated rumor or something."
Jiraiya let out a small huff, a bitter sweet smirk crossing his lips. "Kid... believe me...those rumors. Probably understatements." He stated before turning on his heel leaving the rather small room he had adopted as his temporary office while in wave, heading off to complete his preparations to leave in search for Konoha's currently stranded commander.
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Akina stuffed what little provisions and weapons she'd manage to pilfer from the local marketplace during her somewhat regular visits to the location under her advanced henge, including small bags of rice, kitchen and common hunting knives and finally a change of clothing.
The rice she could make easily with the small pot she had, though since it provided no protein her energy would begin to suffer, a dangerous fact considering that she had to make it into the desert. So hunting some animals or getting her hands on some fish was a must while she traveled.
The knives she had were crude, blunt things, not nearly as durable, sharp or as aerodynamic as kunai knives. She'd probably be able to use em to kill some animal but if she was discovered by a hunter nin or even chuunin that may recognize her. It wont be a very good melee outcome. She'd have to rely on Jutsu and Taijutsu.
But the clothes were the worst thing. In Kumo, and especially later in Suna her clothes were interwoven with very light chain mail, allowing her to resist slashes of kunai and or swords, the spider weave silk it was made from, breathed easily and allowed her to move with great flexibility, unobstructed. The civilian clothing she wore now however, was thick, cumbersome, and was generally made for...civilians.
Unless you were a ninja you really wouldn't notice the difference, but to someone of her rank, it felt like she was wearing an iron suit.
Wave had no ninja stores either. She had gathered from asking around a bit, that apparently, all ninja equipment sold was primarily in the three largest villages under Konoha's custody. Kiri, Konoha itself, and Iwa, and was monitored heavily, requiring special permits and security pass codes to access greater quality equipment.
It was one of the things Naruto guarded heavily. Possibly to deter deserters. Gone were the days where every town had rudimentary ninja equipment, gone was the time that anyone could buy a kunai or a weapon with chakra channeling capability. He wanted you in his army, or to join his enemies so he could kill you then.
Speaking of enemies, vague whispers had begun dotting the market of wave.
Kumo fell.
She wasn't sure if it was true, or just hopeful dreams of a people sick of the war. But...if it was true. Then that meant Suna was next, making her need to get to her new home, all the more imperative.
Suna, if Gaara chose to fight, would need every man woman and child able to even use a rudimentary knowledge of the ninja arts.
The door to her room opened with a click, bringing her attention to Tsunami as the older woman's eyes found the bag.
"Oh you're leaving?"
Akina nodded. "Yes. I've...ummm found my..."
"A way to sneak past the bridge patrols." The dark haired woman finished for her.
At Akina's silence Tsunami entered the room a little more stepping up close to the blond. "I wasn't sure when you first arrived but it became clearer and clearer as time went on. You're a ninja. And...you're a ninja...that is an enemy of Konoha."
Akina paused taking a moment to think before her lips pursed. "Well...you wouldn't have come here if you were gonna turn me in. So...if you've known...why have you been helping me all this time? If I was discovered here..."
"We would be tried as traitors or conspirators." Tsunami finished sitting down on the bed. "But...while Konoha's Kage may have helped us be rid of Gatou, the truth of the matter is..." She paused taking a breath. "That we have merely traded one dictator for another. While not as oppressive as Gatou, he's taken control of the bridge, and the docks, we are merely a giant port and nearly 35% of our money goes to his tax, while our trade is cut off from any territories Konoha may deem hostile. The pirates he hired and brought here to make port...three murders...and seven other individuals in the hospitals with injuries. Yet not one of those pirates were arrested or even questioned. We're expendable to him."
Pausing for a moment the older woman turned her gaze to look at the blond, giving her, her full attention. "Unlike you dear, we do not have the strength to fight him. And we get no political points for being the only port in the eastern shore he controls. Because we do not have the ability to fight him for it."
"So...the reason you helped me..."
"Is because this is the only way we know how to fight back."
Akina didn't know what to say to that pausing before she finished stuffing everything into the bag. Hefting it over her shoulder before she bowed to the woman who remained sitting on the bed. "Thank you...for everything." Before she turned on her heel and left, closing the door behind her. Leaving the life long wave civilian alone in her home.
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Temari's eyes trailed across the darkened cave, the biting chill of the night making her shiver despite herself. Since the night that she had seen the "Rain" moment as she'd taken to calling it the Sabaku's mind had refused to let the cogs stop turning in her own mind. Sleep was a difficult, fitful thing that she barely reached on the best of nights, and downright impossible on the worst.
You see...the problem with this rain episode changed virtually everything about him. Because if he had some kind of...humanity...some kind of emotion. Then he wasn't just some mindless killing machine bent on world conquest anymore. Some inhuman monstrosity that knew only battle and the ability to take a life and other doubts began to surface in her mind.
But one particularly stood out to her. One above all the others, and it had happened so long ago she had nearly forgotten about it.
The attack on Konoha during the chuunin exam a decade ago.
He had spared them. Both Gaara and herself.
He'd let them go. He'd let both of them go. When they were clearly the enemy, when his village was still under attack, when killing them, at that point, more than any other was at its most justified.
The fact that he didn't do it showed one of two things...either he was foolish...or he'd shown them mercy.
Either one meant...that he wasn't always the omnipotent monster he was today.
That...meant that he was human at one point.
A part of her tried to once again reassure her hostility. Saying that what he was before doesn't change or affect who he is now but this part of her was hollow, the words having lost their conviction that had spoken them once before so strongly to the dying Hyuuga who lay now in the cave.
She had felt...that they were simply Hinata's way of deluding herself. To convince herself that serving a man this uncaring, this inhuman was "justified". Lies she and others like her fed themselves in order to avoid facing the ugly truth that they were simply cowards who were under the boot heel of a monster and were too weak to pull themselves out of it.
Now she wasn't so sure.
The Sabaku sighed tiredly, rubbing her eyes and face before she rested her cheek against her open palm. Why does everything seem so complicated?
A sound to her right brought her attention to Naruto, laying asleep within the niche of rocky stalagmites he'd taken for himself. The space between the rock formations making it seem like a cage of some sort. Had he chosen that to further alienate himself from others, even if the act was an unconscious one it was still...disturbing in a way
Either way, she could still see his face, at least, the part that wasn't covered by his mask, through the gaps in the stalagmites, his eyes were scrunched up as if in pain, a cold sweat glistening his forehead as his head thrashed left and right
He was dreaming or having some nightmare.
A growl, lower than his normal ones still tore itself from his throat and she had to wonder if the man couldn't escape battle even in his dreams.
"Why?" The Kage growled through his mask, his voice, altered as it was only barely reached her at the distance between herself and him but she could still hear it. Channeling a little more chakra to her ears the Sabaku hoped to catch more of what was going on in his dream. Apparently even he couldn't control his subconscious.
After several more seconds of his insistent thrashing the Sabaku was just about ready to go and wake him up, under the belief that no more information was forthcoming. But before she stood up or even moved to do so his voice again reached her ears, and this time, it rose many more questions.
"Tell me why...Yoshino."