In the rear of the "strongest" village, back towards the foot of the mountain that bordered one side of the village, the tall tower that served as the office for the Hokage threw a slowly growing shadow onto the natural wall due to the setting sun. On its top level, peering out from a large window was the old leader himself. Sarutobi glanced in open thought across the expanse of his village—his duty.
Kami, how he hated the sound of that.
He was far too old to still be doing this overly hyped job. Having led his village for the better part of fifty years and through two world wars, having watched as thousands of shinobi, some old while most young, be mourned by weeping families of lovers, parents, siblings and children. They died under his leadership. Acknowledging that fact was simply part of the job that came with his title.
He'd been so thankful to finally hand it over to his successor, a man both young and optimistic, filled with the contagious "Will of Fire" and destined for greatness, only for it to be brutally cut short thanks to the surprise attack by the Kyuubi. Now Sarutobi was leader again and as he noticed, for the first time in a bit, the village was peaceful. The dead that could be found were laid to rest, their grieving families still in the process of mourning and recovering, and the shinobi training schools were being boosted due to the severe depletion of veteran forces.
The wreckage caused by the Bijuu was almost cleaned up and many of the defenses and homes of the village/villagers were rebuilt. Another week and the traces of the attack would be all but gone, save for the huge population decrease and the gargantuan miniature canyon made out in the forest whose creation succeeded in drawing the Kyuubi away before it could do more damage.
Sarutobi had decided that, once all field investigations of the area had been completed, it would be more reasonable to fill it with water from the main river by making irrigation canals. It'd take weeks for it to be filled since it would be the size of a lake. However, some of the tacticians decided that they'd take advantage of new hole to first build new facilities to act as a hidden forward deployment base. Once it would be made, they could cover it with water, hiding it from view. Such a deep base would both hide it from all but the fish or water-based summon contracts and be the perfect spot for garrisoning fast-response troops and storing supplies. Due to its position under the lake, it would need to be well engineered, making it a high-risk/high-reward endeavor.
With the borders still on high alert and the country on lock down, their security was still strong and many were always trying to actively come up with experiments that would hopefully succeed where their predecessors had obviously failed; case in point, the Kyuubi attack.
However, there was a light in this dark time. Their planet's rescue by an alien and friendly kingdom… empire… he honestly didn't know and the first chance he got, he was going to find out. There is a distinct difference after all.
Anyway, with their issued non-military trade agreement for the most part accepted by the five major hidden villages, it was with high hopes that Sarutobi had for the resource-centered issues for each village being eliminated would drastically reduce war-inducing conflicts. Jiraiya's spy network has reported that Iwa has four new lakes that they dug in strategic positions and subsequently filled with pure, drinkable water melted from comets gathered by one of the "cruisers" as he'd heard that classification of ship be called. They were to start several new irrigated farms in a few weeks.
The access to much needed water allowed Iwa to focus more on their new resource and drastically let up on aggressive encroachments towards several smaller minor countries. Suna was similarly supplied.
A second cruiser had mined an asteroid of considerable size by "eating" it, destroying the rock and leaving the metal ores behind. This load of ore was then purified and traded to both Kumo and Kiri in slabs in large quantities while Konoha was surprisingly doing the least bit of trading. The village had forests, fertile land, plenty of water resources, etc. but with their recovery efforts as of late, their infrastructure simply couldn't afford the extra weight of another trading partner as of now. What they needed most of manpower to strengthen their forces. Sarutobi did think about bartering for some of the Valkyrians' mechanical laborers but they were so advanced that his ninja experience told him of too many possibilities of ill intent. While he was certainly thankful for their help, he wasn't going to have complete trust in them.
That same paranoia is also giving him some doubts about the most important of his personal matters. His student, Orochimaru, was scheduled to be picked up by the shuttle and apprenticed under some of the scientists of the Valkyrians on the newly rebuilt Uzushiogakure. While the student was quite excited and anxious, Sarutobi couldn't help but have high hopes and deep concerns—another "high risk/high reward"gamble he was taking.
Orochimaru had been delving into some quite insidious and morally non-existent hobbies in his pursuit for immortality, or atleast a form of it. While Tsunade had developed an ingenious Yin-chakra storage seal to give a person massive strength and rapid regeneration ability from mortal wounds, it wasn't something just anyone could pick up and those who would suffer through her special medical training were even fewer. Due to the brutality of the Third World War and the losses everyone suffered, Sarutobi gave Orochimaru leeway.
He'd watched the boy he once consoled in front of the graves of his parents slowly turn into a ruthless and efficient shinobi that both filled him with pride and sorrow. Had Orochimaru only crossed the line by experimenting on Konoha citizens then he would have made to put a stop to the man-turned-monster but after that meeting with Freya, he'd seen a change in atmosphere around Orochimaru and he couldn't really blame the man.
Orochimaru was being offered an apprenticeship among some of the scientists Freya would offer. He looked upon all of the miraculous, seemingly impossible feats of ingenuity the aliens created and felt a renewed surge of hope that if he could learn even a portion of what they knew then he'd find the answer to his illusive dream. While he would love to see his former pupil overcome his own personal war, he was afraid of what kind of influence the Valkyrians would have on him. If he did succeed in his goal, what would the cost be?
A knock on his door nudged him out of his thoughts.
"Enter."
The door opened and in walked the man of his consternation. "Orochimaru, what can I do for you?"
The man had felt lighter; easier to be around lately. Today was just another example. "I've just come to let you know I'll be heading out, Hokage-sama."
The Third Hokage (technically Fifth as well) sat in his chair, more as a means of controlling himself than comforting his body. His instincts and gut feeling were still telling him not to trust this planet's visitors. "I see."
The room was silent between them as it didn't take Orochimaru any effort to detect his former mentor's concern. "Are you absolutely sure of this, Orochimaru?"
"Yes, Sensei," Orochimaru said without a hint of doubt. Good. That would put some ease on Sarutobi's conscience.
"You're leaving now? Not enough time for a meal as my treat?" Goodness, he sounded like this would be the last they ever see of each other. It's not like he hasn't sent Orochimaru into clear and present danger before. However, during missions and wars, Sarutobi always knew there was danger as a guarantee. While this tutorship of Orochimaru's wasn't technically a mission more than it was an officiated leave of duty like Tsunade was on, he was concerned about the unknown dangers, whether they be the Valkyrians or his studies.
The Sannin gave his mentor a humorous chuckle. "You choose now to be overly sentimental, Sensei? It's not like I'm going away for several years without even giving you updates. You should trust your former student more often, old man."
The Hokage just gave his protege a chastising glare. "Despite their deeds and the rebuilding of Uzushiogakure, the Valkyrians are still a hugely unknown factor with technology that is so far beyond our comprehension that civilians mistake it as godly powers. The scary part is that I can't blame them. While some of it seems understandable, the rest… like moving an entire planet across space… is still unreal to me."
"So, you fear what you can't understand?" Orochimaru asked questioningly, wondering if he was understanding his mentor correctly.
Sarutobi sighed. "Partially, but I also fear the sacrifices it took to achieve that level of sophistication and as such, I fear what would happen to you."
"I'm well aware, Sensei, but this is a chance I most likely will never get again. There's not much in this world I haven't done yet. I've lived for 43 years, which is much longer than the average shinobi usually lives. Most of the kids who graduated with me are dead because of our way of life. I've seen Life both bloom and be reaped. For once, I can once again see the path to my goal of being able to keep what friends I have left still alive."
Sarutobi was about to interrupt but Orochimaru held his hand up to stop him. A defiant act that he let slide given the atmosphere and the informality of the meeting. "You're worried and I understand. I'm not without worry as well. I haven't survived this long blindly trusting strangers. This is my choice and with your permission, I would see this through, Hokage-sama. What else do I have to live for? Love? Retirement? Long enough for some ninja to finally kill me?"
Admittedly, by the end, Orochimaru's tone was getting colder but he could not emphasize his desperation enough to his leader. Hiruzen was silenced by the cynical outlook of his former student but he couldn't fault him for his logic. It's a logic only those very experienced shinobi build up over years of living the ninja life. Some wore masks of immaturity like Jiraiya, or drowned their bitter pasts away with alcohol like Tsunade. Looking at the reality of his students' lives, Sarutobi couldn't help it if a bit of his soul shattered at how his three students who have been like his own children have been tortured by their way of life.
Perhaps now, seeing the results of their way of life and seeing a shining example in the Valkyrians of what they could potentially be if they'd just get over their own mistrust and resentments, he would realize just how much Orochimaru needs this chance.
Thankfully for Orochimaru, Sarutobi did in fact see this and pulled out a form from the bottom of his desk. He blew a thin layer of dust off of the paper as it hasn't been used in a while, only twice before during the past fifteen years. He began filling out the needed information, writing his signature at the end and stamping the paper. He pulled the top half off and put it in his desk before handing the bottom portion to Orochimaru.
"This is a Sannin's Pass that I basically made for occasions similar to these. Jiraiya and Tsunade have one as well. It's a free travel permit and excuses you from everyday ninja obligations. This is me giving you as much time as you need to see your dream become reality, Orochimaru. Make good use of it."
Orochimaru had taken the slip and pocketed it, giving his father figure a thankful bow. "Then, with your permission, I'll head out now, Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen nodded but had one last thing to say. "Orochimaru, this is me having unflinching faith in your abilities and dream. If what you said to Queen Freya is even remotely true, then I expect you to complete it and return safely. Jiraiya and Tsunade may not be around often but you three share a bond with each other. Don't make me have to tell them they won't be seeing you again. This is my last order to you as your Hokage. Understood?"
The Sannin bowed one last bow before walking out the door, closing it behind him. Sarutobi's body felt like it suddenly didn't have any bones or strength in it as he sat back in his chair. He turned his gaze out the large window behind him, staring at the small clearing just a hundred meters from his tower where one of the ambassador's shuttle sat parked. It was several minutes before he saw the unmistakable figure of his student approaching.
The two figures talked for a moment before the taller female walked back up the ramp with him following. The two mechanical soldiers that stood vigilant against any possible threats to the shuttle and pilot entered the craft as well. Sarutobi watched the ramp rise and closed off any sight he might have had of the inside where his student was.
With a silent grace that always was a wonder to his old mind, the shuttle lifted off the ground without a beat of any kind of wings and zoomed off, becoming a short spectacle for those below who could only gaze in wonder and curiosity at the alien mode of transportation.
Back in Kirigakure, Yagura and Kisame and four restaurant workers could only stare in horror as the three females, all possessing voluptuous if not lithe but tall frames, had quite literally eaten every bit of seafood and salad condiments until the trays were spotless even though they'd repeated this act after the cooks and staff refilled the entire buffet bar ten times.
Just a single buffet for a single hungry shinobi was as expensive as a full D-rank mission payment!
Each buffet table, when full, could easily supply food for thirty shinobi!
These women should be in a food coma by now yet they all sat in their seats, each with a toothpick cleaning their teeth and not slumped over from a ruptured stomach or indigestion. Their attires were body molding and the only sign of their eaten meals was the small swelling of their bellies that was about a few centimeters out; an observation only a ninja could easily make out.
When the waitress gave him his ticket, he started involuntarily shaking. Kisame glanced over to see the cost and paled a dozen shades, turning from blue to baby blue.
Jiji's Crab Shack and Seafood Buffet
Adult buffets x 5
1 Adult buffet = 3.2 lbs = 10,554 yen (100 US Dollars) *Kisame*
1 Adult buffet = 1.2 lbs = 3,957 yen (37.50 US Dollars) *Yagura*
1 Adult buffet = 180.3 lbs = 594,652 yen (5,634.16 US Dollars) *Alicia*
1 Adult buffet = 182.1 lbs = 600,589 yen (5,690.41 US Dollars) *Beth*
1 Adult buffet = 213.0 lbs = 702,501 yen (6,656 US Dollars) *Megusa*
Yagura was beginning to hyperventilate and his bloodshot eyes shot over to Megusa as she let out a little burp. Her yellow eyes looked every bit the predator she pretended not to be. A beeping sound from her communication tool made her break eye contact as she read over the message. Her brow raise would indicate something interesting happening but Yagura was too busy trying not to have a seizure two feet away.
She stood up, getting a mocking movement from the twins, and gave him a small bow.
"That was a lovely mid-day snack, Yagura-kun. If I'd known you treated women this well, then if you want," he almost barfs at the fake shyness in her fake nervous posture, "I could empty my schedule and you could treat me to dinner this evening as well. This meal should just about hold me over until then. I've got some business to attend to so I must depart. I look forward to you buying me a full dinner, Darling-kun."
As she and the twins walked out, Yagura's mind was repeating specific words spoken to him over and over again.
Mid-day SNACK? JUST ABOUT HOLD her over? A FULL DINNER?!
Yagura didn't know when it happened, but he had fallen backwards with foam frothing from his mouth and a dying look in his eyes. Kisame had bolted as soon as he saw the prices, leaving a water-clone in his place after substituting with it.