Chapter 142: 141. Diplomacy

MrProper

"COME ON!"

"Fūton: Shinkūha1Wind Style: Vacuum Wave!"

ZWIP!

"Oh! Not bad execution! However..." {Jiton: Jakuhō no Sōjin2Magnet Style: Conserving Bee Twin Blades!}

BOOSH!

What the-?!

"Phew! That was close, and sharp Suzu"

Tsk! A shield of giant shuriken, Toroi-sama's Jiton is a real pain to deal with. Fortunately, I'm not fighting him alone

WEAVE!

"Hm?!" (Toroi)

Right on cue

"Suiton: Hatō3Water Style: Wave Surge!"

SPLOOSH!

"O-Ooof! Okay, that's a bit tougher...!" (Toroi)

Even with that defense, Toroi-sama can't handle the sheer force of his water. I have to say, Tai's progress with Suiton has really impressed me lately. He doesn't just rely on that poisonous mist anymore

Guess I can't fall behind either!

DASH!

"Charging at me from opposite sides...trying to box me in?" (Toroi)

"Ready Tai?!" (Suzu)

"Yeah, let's go!" (Tai)

"Bring it!" {I thought it'd be Rei who'd team up with Suzu. But she's charging at me with the medic? What are they up to...?} (Toroi)

Just a little closer!

"Heh!" (Toroi)

BOOM!

"Huh?!" (Tai)

The bursting from below...he left a giant shuriken underground?! He can fly?! No, he's standing on it. Though I'd say supporting his weight must require a hefty amount of chakra and control...

"Flying on magnetized shuriken?! Not fair!" (Tai)

"Hahaha! So close, yet so far! It's nice trick I don't use very often" (Toroi)

"Rgh!" (Tai)

"It's okay Tai" (Suzu)

"...Yeah, I know" (Tai)

"?" (Toroi)

The plan hasn't changed

"It's not over yet" (Suzu)

"What do you-? Eh?!" {Behind!} (Toroi)

ZWISH!

"Yōton: Enringu4Lava Style: Flame Ring!"

"Whoa! That's dangerous Rei!" (Toroi)

SIZZLE!

{He destroyed my foothold--hm? Tai's awfully far away but...where did Suzu go?!} (Toroi)

Rei's new power remains a spectacle no matter how many times I see it. That "Liquid Flame" he copied from Etoro forced Toroi-sama to abandon his foothold. And now that his magnetized shuriken have been melted away...

WEAVE!

"Above?!" {She must've used Fūton to jump so high!} (Toroi)

He's just an easy target in the air!

"Fūton: Atsugai5Wind Style: Pressure Damage!" (Suzu)

BOOSH!

{Uh-oh} "Hmph!" (Toroi)

BLAM!

"Holy-!" (Rei)

"Gah! Um...Suzu?! Wasn't that a bit much?!" (Tai)

Was it?

"Slamming him into the ground with sheer wind pressure...he's not-?" (Rei)

"Oh crap! Toroi-sama! Are you okay?!" (Tai)

He's an elite Jonin, there's no way that could've killed him...right?

"COUGH! COUGH! I'm fine! Despite Suzu using my head to make a crater" (Toroi)

"Phew...thank god!" (Tai)

See, I knew he was alright. Still, to not have a scratch on him...how'd he manage that?

"You sure you're okay?" (Rei)

"Pssh! Who do you think you're talking to? Granted, you kids are skilled, but you've got a long way to go before I worry about training with you" (Toroi)

"How'd we do?" (Rei)

"Very good. But distancing yourselves to avoid getting struck by lava could give the enemy a chance to retaliate. And Rei, about your Yōton..." (Toroi)

"I know. It hasn't..." (Rei)

"?" (Tai)

Something's been going on with Rei recently. Particularly, with his Yōton and its quality. Now that I think about it, said power has been kind of lack luster lately. Especially if you compare it to Etoro Konjiki's 

He's been pretty tightlipped, and whenever I ask if he's alright, he'll just tell me not to worry about it

"Dodai-ossan said the same thing" (Rei)

"Haaah, he doesn't like being called ossan--hm? You find something interesting Tai?" (Toroi)

"Y-Yeah. Is this black stuff how you managed to-?" (Tai)

"Yup, I got the idea from Kajūra" (Toroi)

"Oh!" (Suzu)

Now I get it, magnetized iron sand. He must've shielded himself at the last second...

"Told you expanding your arsenal was a good idea!"

"?!" (Team Tango)

Well I'll be, Osoi-sensei. I haven't seen him in a while

"Aren't you glad I gave such helpful advice Toroi-san????" (Osoi)

"Cheh, quit braggin Osoi" (Toroi)

"Kekeke! Tai-kun, Suzu-san, Rei-kun...good to see you! You've all gotten bigger!" (Osoi)

"Heh! It's been a while" (Tai)

"How have you been?" (Suzu)

"Busy. SOOOO busy. Grooming up the next generation of Genin has been quite the handful. The number of applicants for Cloud Academy this year are at least four times more than your generation" (Osoi)

Four times? If that's true, there's at least over a hundred students attempting to become shinobi this year. The village could never really brag about its population, so how...?

"Did the Raikage issue some compulsory order or something?" (Rei)

"Talk about dark humor Rei. There's no way he'd force kids to do that!" (Tai)

"You'd be surprised what people are capable of, especially when desperate" (Rei)

"..." (Tai)

It's usually subtle, but there are times when I think Rei isn't a kid at all. In fact, it's almost as if he's...

"Now more than ever, Kumogakure needs shinobi" (Rei)

"As always, you're sharp as nail. You haven't changed a bit Rei-kun" (Osoi)

"Is our situation really that bad?" (Suzu)

"No, not that bad, every applicant was willing to apply. Though Raikage-sama did publicly ask for more to step up. What Rei-kun is getting at is our move towards the new status quo" (Osoi)

Status quo...of the village? Or everywhere?

"For the last few years, shinobi nations have been more in a state of recovery than active duty" (Toroi)

"Right, the lack of missions. Even we're starting to feel the impact of it" (Suzu)

Less missions means less pay, for all of us

"The need for ninja has risen significantly" (Tai)

"Correct. Hence, the upcoming Chunin Exams. People require shinobi service for a reason, we maintain the order of our lands, and everyone's been too busy focusing on their own recovery than the protection of citizens...and wealthy benefactors" (Osoi)

"But we can only rely on self-support for so long, right?" (Rei)

The exams are a means of appealing to contributors and powerful people in need of shinobi. But they can't do business in a land overrun by criminals taking advantage of our post-war fatigued states, they need the exams just as much as the shinobi villages do

"So...we're moving towards a new status quo?" (Tai)

"Yes. As I taught you in school, Kumogakure prides itself on having the best economy of the Five Great Nations, largely in part to our small population" (Osoi)

"If that's true, why the sudden need for more military strength? Our economy's good right?" (Tai)

"You're missing the point. When it comes to the subject at hand, what's lost in seconds can take years to get back" (Rei)

"In this case, a head start from the exams" (Osoi)

"Whoever performs the best will reap the most rewards. More clients for us, means more profit for the village. In other words..." (Toroi)

Hm?

"The villages that perform the best in the exams...will get ahead of others in the years to come!" (Toroi & Osoi)

"!" (Tai & Suzu)

So that's what he meant by "head start". To be a leader, one must always look not only at the present, but the future

"Times are changing again, and once again, we must change along with it. Or risk getting left behind" (Osoi)

"Uwah...this is why diplomacy and politics are not for me" {And why I don't wanna be the next damn head of the Yotsuki clan!} (Tai)

"Hahaha! It's not a subject most enjoy. Hell, Toroi-san and I are getting ready to head out for a mission of similar make" (Osoi)

Wait, what?

"Huh?" (Rei)

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"Hold on, aren't you training us today Toroi-sama?" (Suzu)

"When did I say that?" (Toroi)

"Eh?! But...that whole sparring session was-?!" (Tai)

"I was interested in your growth, and you three were more than eager" (Toroi)

"Then we did all of that for nothing?!" (Tai)

"It wasn't for nothing, just think about how much you guys entertained me. It's your fault for preemptively assuming I was your trainer for today" (Toroi)

"Sigh, figures" (Rei)

"Read between the lines"...that's one lesson I'm not sure we'll master anytime soon

"Good grief" (Suzu)

"Argh! Dang it!" (Tai)

"Haha! You kiddies chill out, I think Tango is coming to see you today!" (Osoi)

We're training with Tango-sensei again?

"How'd you know he's coming to see us?" (Tai)

"I'm one of the few that's been tasked with organizing the rotations for the Genin. Being a teacher for your generation made me an obvious pick" (Osoi)

"Oh? So that means you keep track of the others. Tell us, how do we compare?" (Rei)

"Hehe, so eager. Looking at it bluntly, there aren't many that compare to you. Your old classmate Nemui-kun is a top contender..." (Osoi)

Him? I knew he was talented but, his timid nature prevented me from finding out how skilled he really was. To think he compares to us...

"Oh yeah, I can believe that" (Toroi)

{Nemui, the kid Tai told us to avoid during our graduation exam. Didn't Notitia talk about him too?} (Rei)

"There are a still more. Rei, your old buddies on Team F have improved immensely in the recent months. In terms of skill in teamwork, they're above even you three!" (Osoi)

"Team F, that's Kayui, Nurui, and...Yurui right? Didn't they have to take another year because of us? When did you become friends with them Rei?" (Tai)

"On a mission with Motoi. You know, the one I was on about two years ago" (Rei)

Oh right, we were still working on my new house back then. Gosh, time flies so quickly

"There's a slew others like Tetsu Mikawa, Ashi Saiki, even the boys with Sekiei have garnered some attention" (Osoi)

Geh! Sekiei...that's the last name I wanted to hear

"Wow, I'm surprised Sekiei is still a ninja after what happened" (Tai)

"What do you mean?" (Rei)

"Eh?" (Suzu)

"You don't remember what you and Suzu did to his team?" (Tai)

"Should I?" (Rei)

"You two completely destroyed them at graduation! I'd never seen someone so pitiful, the guy had peed his pants and cried! And don't even get me started on the broken jaw!" (Tai)

"Hmm...oh! Pssh! Tai, if remembered every idiot I beat up, there'd be no room in my head for studying" (Rei)

"..." (Everyone)

"Besides, Suzu did most of the work" (Rei)

Maybe I overdid it a bit but...you certainly contributed your fair share Rei. Besides...

"It's not like they weren't asking for it" (Suzu)

"Bingo" (Rei)

"Sigh! Like two peas in a pod. They're never gonna change!" (Tai)

"H-Haha...come on Toroi-san, the others are waiting for us" (Osoi)

"Right. Thanks for the work-out guys!" (Toroi)

"That was pretty mean Toroi-sama!" (Tai)

"If you're still feeling raw about it, I'll treat you to lunch later!" (Toroi)

"I'll even join you. The three of you may have graduated, but there's always something new to learn" (Osoi)

"I'm always eager to learn something new" (Rei)

"What he said" (Suzu)

"Ditto! And that better be a good lunch!" (Tai)

"Haha, my wallet isn't THAT full! Later guys!" (Toroi)

And there they go. Despite everything, it was nice of him to take it easy on us. We haven't had much of a chance to test our skills with the lack of missions

Guess Osoi-sensei was right...though it's not visible, even our village is starting to decline. We have to work harder if we're gonna contribute!

"Phew. Good warm-up?" (Suzu)

"Yeah, glad to see my Yōton is working properly. Even so, I still have much to learn" (Rei)

"One step at a time--hm?" (Suzu)

"..." (Tai)

"What's wrong?" (Suzu)

"Just...even considering the war's aftereffects, we should still have more finances right? Did the upper brass lose a bunch of money or something?" (Tai)

"..." (Rei)

Now there's a good question, how did our wealth drop so significantly in the last couple of years?

{If I had to guess, it's probably due to the "Network". I need to get it working soon so A doesn't end up bankrupting Kumo. If not, Mori Sp. will suffer, meaning my private work will as well} (Rei)

♦♦♦

Two hours ago

Within the Raikage's office, Toroi and Osoi had just entered the room. What stopped them from asking why they were summoned was the palpable tension in the air. Not only A, but even the Daimyō was present, both of whom didn't look happy in the slightest

Osoi even felt like one of his students being called to the office for doing something wrong

"S-Sir?" (Osoi)

"Thank you for coming on such short notice. I've obviously called you for a mission, but as for the details and requester, he can elaborate further" (A)

"If I may..." (Daimyō)

{What?!} (Toroi)

{The Daimyō-sama is requesting our services?!} (Osoi)

"Approximately nine hours ago, my office intercepted leaked correspondence indicating Kusagakure6Hidden Grass Villageintends to no longer provide their services for countries on the eastern side of the continent" (Daimyō)

"Eastern side...us?!" (Toroi)

"As for their services, can we assume you're talking about incarceration?" (Osoi)

"What the hell else is that tiny village even known for?" (A)

"!" (Osoi)

{Oh Shit. He's mad, like REALLY mad} (Toroi)

It was blatantly obvious how infuriated A was after receiving this intel

"Well...do we know if this intel is even accurate? No offense Daimyō-sama, but how did your office manage to find out before we did?" (Osoi)

"You mean how non-shinobi acquired sensitive information on a shinobi village? Haaah, we didn't" (Daimyō)

"It's from a reliable source of ours who consistently works in tandem with office of the Daimyō" (A)

"I don't know why they've decided to do this. Maybe they're unsatisfied with how much the villages on our end pay them? Or perhaps they've received too many prisoners and reached full capacity" (Daimyō)

"Or maybe, they wish to take advantage of the few months before the exams to hinder potential competition. Kusagakure is one of the many villages attending the event" (A)

"A-dono...it's not just our village being singled out, you can't say that's the case"

"You can't prove it's not!" (A)

"Which is exactly why we need to discover what's really going on. If we make such accusations without proof, it'll come to back to bite us in the ass later!" (Daimyō)

"Right. Right. You've made it clear. We'll handle it with diplomacy...strong-armed diplomacy if need be" (A)

Osoi raised his hand as he inquired into their request

"It's fairly obvious this is going to require much negotiation, so why call us? Me specifically, I'm just an old Genin teacher" (Osoi)

"True, but there are few shinobi in the village that understand foreign policy more than you, or am I wrong?" (A)

"Well, maybe Rashii-san, but I see the point" (Osoi)

The Daimyō pointed to the map laying flat on A's desk

"Kusagakure's Hōzuki-jō7Demon Lantern Castleis located away from the main village. While Raikage-dono and I head to their village for talks with their leaders, you two, along with others will head to the prison" (Daimyō)

"Once there, you'll determine whether or not the warden plans to release prisoners our village delivered to them" (A)

"Release them?!" (Toroi)

Shock ran all over Toroi's face, and for good reason. Kusagakure made most of its income by taking in prisoners villages didn't want, for a fee. Criminals with inside knowledge of their village were obviously kept in their own prisons, but the majority went to Kusagakure

Being shinobi villages, they obviously didn't want to divert their own resources for criminals, sending them to Kusagkure was much cheaper and efficient

To hear the warden would release criminals, it went against everything that village stood for...and prided themselves on

"Officially, the warden works at the behest of the Kusagakure's shinobi leader and Daimyō" (A)

"Off the record, he acts with total impunity within the prison. As Hōzuki-jō is so important, and his record is impeccable, no one really has the balls to mess with him" (Daimyō)

"You mean he's willing to let criminals go if it means maintaining his perfect record of never letting a criminal escape?" (Toroi)

"I've heard rumors those who've attempted to escape are either tortured or killed" (Osoi)

"But Kusagakure has to protect their image as well. Everyone pays them to keep these criminals alive in jail. Word gets out they caused a massacre just to decrease capacity, the impact would be devastating" (Daimyō)

{Of course. If you're just gonna kill them all, why are we even paying you?} (Toroi)

"So...he makes a loophole by shortening their sentence, then releases them. Thus, nothing for other villages to complain about since no one pays them enough to have a say in exactly how they do their job" (Osoi)

"Precisely" (Daimyō)

"Ugh! What a headache!" (Toroi)

"Yeah, no shit!" (A)

The Daimyō put away the map and handed Toroi a letter

"While A-dono and I are negotiating, you need to make it clear the warden isn't releasing prisoners anytime soon. Buy us enough time to settle matters ourselves" (Daimyō)

"If the intel you received is accurate..." (Toroi)

"Regardless of whether or not it's accurate, we need to go there. Rumors of strange activity in the area have reached even my ears, ever since the Uchiha Clan left as temporary, stand-in security" (A)

{Uchiha...} (Osoi)

"You're the only ones we can rely on now, will you heed the call?" (Daimyō)

Both Osoi and Toroi nodded in affirmation. The pair clearly understanding how important this mission was not only to village, but to the country...to the Land of Lightning itself

"You ride out with the team we've selected for you in two hours. They'll be waiting at Western Gate 10, don't let us down" (A)

"Yes sir!" (Toroi & Osoi)

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