Of Spies And Their Masters [Private]

[Hameru Ren]

Natsu strode through the Village with long, determined paces. It had been a few days since he'd snuck out of the Hospital and visited Saeko. After that nightly escapade the Jonin had twisted a hand or two and secured his release from the Hospital. He had returned to his apartment and restored it to it's former 'glory'. It had felt odd in the beginning, to be sure. So many memories from all those years earlier. He'd even found some unfinished reports on his desk, no longer relevant. Once he'd felt confident enough, the ex-Spymaster had checked upon two of his old sources, ones he knew for certain could be relied on. Only one of them had remained in Kumogakure. Yet the man had stepped down from his function as director of the clothing store chain, and thus had little access to relevant information. That had been a dead end. And discouraged him from seeking his other contacts in the Village just quite yet.

It had left him with plenty of time for two other goals however. The first had been to make contact with Akira Saito. The new Raikage. A formal notice of his return had been delivered to his secretary, as well as a request to schedule a meeting. The second goal had been to re-acclimatize himself to the rigorous demands of a Shinobi life. The Jonin had been visiting the Academy daily to get back into his old shape. So far, Natsu had only felt disgusted with his current level. At this rate, it would take a while longer before he could be sent on a combat mission again, that much was certain. And the lack of progress had driven him to research some.. alternative and more extreme options. Not that the man had acted upon this just yet, but it certainly played in his mind.

Today, however, was the day of his meeting with the Raikage. Somewhere in his busy agenda, either the man himself or his secretary had found an opening. Natsu supposed he could feel offended by the time it had taken them. He had been a Sennin for a while after all. Surely that was some matter of importance! Yet he wouldn't complain. Preferably this approach rather than being swarmed at his hospital bed. Perhaps he had to give his doctors a bit more recognition for keeping everything on the hush. Natsu entered the Torre, a familiar sight despite the long time. Reporting at the secretary's desk, he was somewhat disappointed that Hitomi no longer occupied it, the blonde was instructed to take place in the lobby. He'd been a few minutes early, after all.

 

[Junan]

After a few minutes he was escorted into the Raikage's office.

If Natsu would of course know what to expect when meeting Akira, for they had met once before, in another time, when he was but an understudy on a mission with the ANBU Sennin to sort out a disturbance in the lands of Lightning Country. A blacksmith was suspected to be a shinobi, and the townspeople had requested Cloud shinobi remove him, with force if need be.

What they hadn't anticipated was that Santaru Rin would take on the mission personally upon seeing the description of the man in question.

Nearly seven feet tall, broad shoulders, massive arms. He hadn't shrunk. A gaunt face, scarred with only a single eye remaining, a man who had seen many battles. It would seem to Natsu that perhaps he had seen even more since that day.

Akira stood in his office, not in the dirty offcuts that he had been wearing in the village, but now clean clothes befitting a man of his rank and station. Befitting the Raikage. He had grown a moustache however, and white hairs showed among the black.

I heard you grew up to be a fine shinobi. It would be the same voice, deep, strong, showing the wisdom of experience which some may forget when confronted with such a monstrous man.

I'm glad to hear it. And he was... even if he had heard it through the words of a now dead friend. But then... that was how he could describe nearly all of his friends by this point.

 

[Hameru Ren]

The massive man who stood before him launched Natsu right back into the past. It had been one of the first missions Natsu had undertaken after his long spell of undercover work. Truth be told, it had not gone very well for the blonde. All of his actions had backfired terribly. Almost as if someone had been manipulating all those villagers behind the scenes, just to counter his honest intentions. The only thing which could've made it worse if he'd bursted into a silly dance. Thankfully, neither of things were a likely phenomena, and the back then Chunin had learned a few lessons on the missions. And it was where the Shinobi had met the Blacksmith and his understudies. What an odd twist of fate it was they met again, and in such different circumstances.

Sure, the man had grown a bit older, betrayed by the white hairs here and there. And were that a few extra pounds of muscle Natsu spotted? Overall, the blacksmith had retained his hulking appearance. Making a small bow, Natsu was caught off-guard by the words of his superior. "I heard you grew up to be a fine shinobi. I'm glad to hear it." For a moment, the ex-Spymaster was at a loss for words. He had never known the older man had kept any sort of tabs on him. "I-.. I thank you, my Lord Raikage." Natsu offered in return. "Unfortunately, I have not been able to live up to that for the past four years." It was painful to admit.

"As you no doubt are aware, I was hospitalized for quite some time." Natsu began. "I promise you, I will work hard to regain my former capabilities as quickly as possible. I will pay back the Village for it's care hundredfold by returning to your service as soon as I can." The words were spoken truthful and with passion. Natsu was a Kumo-nin first and foremost, and the loyalty had been drilled into him since his days at the Academy. He was proud of what he'd been able to accomplish during his tenure as Spymaster. Only if he could prove himself once more to the people of Kumogakure would the Jonin be satisfied. And Akira Saito was a man he could follow, though his response to this and some other questions the blonde had would determine the quality of their relationship.

 

[Junan]

I'm glad to hear it. We need more capable shinobi in your area of expertise. He said, lowering his head slightly, but his eye remaining on the other.

Turning towards the chairs he moved, the action inviting Natsu to come closer and take a chair of his own, gently taking one to sit in he relaxed and looked at the other.

I was aware of your situation. Funnily enough I am a couple of years into my own training to be a mednin. He smiled at the idea of the Raikage being a trainee, especially this one, he was officially the oldest Raikage on record I felt they were under represented by the previous kage's, most having either come from powerful clans and the main branch, or ANBU, and figured this showed in the way the branches received their funding. I'm hoping that by having a better understanding of what takes place in the hospital I might be able to better distribute funds to the areas which need it most.

A finger tapped on the end of his armrest.

So, enough about me and my current musings. What have you come here for?

 

[Hameru Ren]

Natsu returned the nod, as the Raikage acknowledged his past skills. Accepting the invitation to sit, Natsu slid back one of the chairs and sat himself across of Saito. Even seated the man held an imposing stature. It couldn't be easy for him when he walked through most doors. "You don't say?" Natsu responded at Saito's remark of having entered the Medical Trainee Program. The man carried on, explaining his reasoning. Natsu had to admit the reasoning was sound, if a bit farfetched. He himself had never been quite aware of the Hospital's inner workings and what would need funding. But that's what the Village hired the accountants for, no? Or were they so confined in their knowledge that they'd never bothered to arrange those books? Regardless, it was not his reason for visiting the Village's leader, as the man had correctly concluded.

"I understand you are a busy man, my Lord Raikage. I'll keep this short, and hence pray you forgive my bluntness. Could you inform me on what exactly happened to Shima Haruka? As we were.. involved, I guess is the correct word, before my accident, the information I've heard so far on the subject has been.. difficult to digest. I'd like to hear the full story, from you directly. Please?" Natsu requested. Ever since he'd heard the story from Saeko, it had been a burning issue for Natsu. He'd kept sane and composed by coolly categorizing what he knew and did not know. By defining what he could and could not do about any of it. However, even that exercise was pushing his limits. A Shinobi he may be, but unlike most weapons available to a Raikage, this kind did have feelings.

 

[Junan]

Akira's mood slipped to something a bit more solemn as the conversation continued. He clenched his jaw slightly at the mention of Haruka's name. But still, the man deserved an honest answer, one based in fact and not in opinion or emotion.

Taking a couple of breaths before he would give his answer he gave Natsu a look Fair enough.

Looking down he gathered his thoughts, how to begin...

I do not know the Haruka you knew, all I know is that she seemed to change. The Haruka on paper, based on her service to the village, her success in her missions, was not the Haruka who pulled me from retirement.

My retirement ended the day that Shin died, and the council asked me to take on my position as ANBU Sennin. What I found out in my investigation was that the method of Shin's death was a cover-up, a poor one at that, which as my investigation continued seems to have been deliberate.

What I can gather is this.

Haruka decided that Shin was not good for the village. This opinion was probably valid at the time. The village wasn't doing so well, the closed gates policy he had implemented months earlier had meant that the economy was suffering. However he was a man who had shown nothing but forgiveness, done nothing but give his time for one and all, and so he deserved more than utter betrayal. Damn it, he was letting his emotion get the better of him. It was hard not to when on this subject.

Sorry. He tried to apologise for his letting himself get caught up. Shin had been his friend for longer than most shinobi had lived. Years later it was still fresh in his mind.

She arranged his death. She worked with a shinobi from Kirigakure as well as a potential future leader of her own clan to do so. Indeed the majority of the damage done seems to have been by her relation, however little doubt remains of her being the person who arranged it all. After having him killed she then arranged for the next Raikage to be picked by vote, relying on her popularity to take the position. She was Raikage for a short time, but didn't do anything to sort out any of the issues that she seemed to blame Shin for. Nothing really changed, I'm not sure why not, she ended up disappearing after having a letter delivered to the council retiring from the position.

It was the truth, she'd done everything to get the title, and then fled once reality had hit her.

Gate records show her being allowed out of the village only hours before I took over the title of Raikage and got rid of the existing council. She was eventually run down by the ANBU Sennin I picked to replace me.

He took a breath.

I guess that's all there is to say really. After that the investigation held decided that my version of events was the truth and deemed that Haruka should be sentenced to death for her crimes.

He shrugged in his chair.

Perhaps there are more specific questions I can answer?

 

[Hameru Ren]

Natsu rubbed the bridge of his nose. He'd gotten exactly what he had asked for. The story, facts laid bare. There was little reason to doubt the Raikage's words. The investigation would have been documented and available for consultation. And if that had been falsified, there'd be no one who could prove otherwise. At least, none who Natsu would attach any value greater than his Kage to. Haruka would have been one. And perhaps Hoshikata. Yet both were dead. And so Natsu would follow his Kage. Saeko had protested. She had warned him of Saito. But the loyalty which had been branded into the Jonin since his days at the Academy prevailed. He'd still do his best to his best to clean Haruka's name but hearing this.. He almost was afraid of what ugly truth he'd uncover if he dug too deep.

"Perhaps there are more specific questions I can answer?" The ex-spymaster hesitated. There were so many questions, but where could he start? And which truly mattered? He didn't know. For all his preparation leading up to this meeting, he felt awfully uncertain. Despite the four-year of not having seen the woman, it had not felt as such to him. And his feelings had to catch up to the many changes which had happened in between. Yet it was not only Haruka which left him doubting. "Tanaka Hikari. She was Chief Ambassador, and my successor for the short while I held the Sennin position." He started. "What happened to her?"

Awaiting the Kage's response, the blonde would continue after. "I'd like to formally apologize for the damage I have caused to the Branch and to the Village. Not only abandoning them so shortly after the loss of Masao. Also for Haruka. She'd transferred to the Main Branch under my supervision. If I had covered all possible scenarios back then.." Natsu realized it was almost crazy. No one would have anticipated his coma, least of all him. But regardless he felt guilty about it. "As I indicated before, I will make up for this." He paused a moment, and then stated. "If it's not too much too presume, what are your immediate plans for Cloud? And in what capacity may I assist?"

[Word Count: 350]
[Marked for Training]

 

[Junan]

Natsu raised a question about Hikari, Ayumu's predecessor, Akira nodded and answered the best he could, which wasn't great.

I'll be honest, my knowledge on her is very limited. She took the position while I was retired and hiding in the caves of the ANBU working on weapons, and had seemed to have disappeared by the time I arrived again. By the time I was watching the village again it seemed like we had no Main Branch Sennin, and her second in command was relying on her popularity to get the title of Raikage.

A voice called in telling Akira that a prior meeting had arrived. He nodded and looked apologetically to Natsu.

Please continue, we have a minute before they arrive.

Natsu continued apologising first for the damage he caused, which Akira would disagree with, but would wait for him to as his question.

Firstly, you made a decision based on the information you had at hand, sometimes the risky moves pay off the most, and had you been around perhaps you would have been the difference between the damage happening and not, but you aren't to blame for the actions of someone else. Especially when you're incapacitated. He added, hoping that his expression would show his seriousness, Akira didn't hold Natsu to blame for any of it.

As for my plans, I plan on returning us to our former glory, to be feared and yet respected by the other shinobi villages as well as those who do not have a village. I'm going to be taking a trip to Stone soon to repair any damage done between us from the end of Shin's reign. It's been some time, and I feel that the trouble has been swept under the carpet, but I need to know what their village is like, whether it was a murder or an assassination. At this time all I ask of you is to get better and help Ayumu as best you can.

The door opened and the receptionist looked at him, Akira nodded in her direction.

When I get back we'll have another sit down and we'll see how your progressing. If you're strong enough we'll find something to suit your skill set.

Escorting Natsu to the door he offered his hand.

Till I return?

After Natsu left the next appointment would be shown in and Akira would go through the motions of his role, working will officials both inside and outside the village to continue to work towards a strong Kumogakure. No single clan or family would have as much power as several of the current clans did, he would water down their grip on Cloud's economy.

[topic left]

 

[Hameru Ren]

His sentiment of guilt was waved away by the Raikage. For all of it's irrationality, those words, that form of forgiveness, relieved Natsu's mind. He'd still carry it around, of that there was no doubt in his mind. But at least he'd confide in the fact that his Kage would not hold it against him personally. It made the ex-Sennin wonder how his fellow Main Branch Shinobi regarded him. Would they share the view of Akira Saito? Or would there perhaps be some of the veteran members who remembered him and who would hold him accountable for his lack of leadership? Who now cried that Masao had been their last real Sennin, and Ayumu his only true successor?

Those were worries for later however, as Saito divulged his plan of action. They were bold, to be sure. Restore Kumogakure to it's former glory.. Repair the damage done by Shin's lockdown and Haruka's betrayal then? Natsu wondered. The follow-up provided no further clarification on that topic, though it did provide some concrete actions. A man of deeds, and not just words then. Good. The Jonin thought, as he listened to the Raikage's words. "I understand. I will assist Ayumu as best I can." He promised, rising to his feet as well.

"I look forward to our next meeting then. May Raiden keep you safe, my Lord."

[Topic Left]