The boy had agreed, and from the sounds that blade at his side wasn’t just a ‘spare’ weapon like most of the ANBU happened to carry, but he actually took the time to learn how to wield it. Through him the weapon would be an extension of his will, not only a ‘backup’ option for him. Takeo acknowledged that maybe this was more than just an overeager, dumb kid. The scroll he carried aside, he appeared genuinely innocent in his demeanor, and Takeo was old enough to recognize the fine line between true and false when it came to ones words and expressions. While the commander nodded in respect to his answer, Matsuka appeared a little bitter about his bringing her health into the mix. Perhaps it was only her mental health he need be concerned about.

[b]“Hey, hey, hey …” [/b]Takeo held the bowl of ramen in his left hand, moving his right to her shoulder and squeezing it firmly in a comforting gesture. [b]“I’m only making sure you’re considering all your options here. You don’t want your lungs turning blacker than ash by the time you’re my age. Trust me, whatever you get from it now, it won’t be worth it later.”[/b] She seemed to be putting some kind of distance between them now, leaving him to suspect Matsuka was either acting childishly about the fact he refused to talk private business with her, or was just plain bipolar. He knew her by name, even her title, but never really got to ‘know’ her. This wasn’t really doing wonders for her reputation, and attitude problems didn’t help anyone, much less a full-scale rebellion about to take place. Releasing her shoulder, Takeo returned to eating his bowl of ramen noodles quickly, able to finish the bowl in several short seconds. Placing the bowl on the counter, Teuchi had taken it almost immediately. Business had been so slow that there was very little for him and Ayame to do together.

[b]“How much, Teuchi?”[/b]

[b]“No charge.”[/b]

[b]“Again? Teuchi, you can’t keep doing that, you’ve got a business.”[/b]

[b]“I’ve got a good friend, and someone who’s always helped me when I needed it most. No charge, Takeo.”[/b]

Though there was still protest, Takeo nodded his head. This had to have been the third meal Teuchi had allowed him to not pay for. In his defense he had never stuffed his face here, only eating modestly and expressing genuine enjoyment for what Teuchi does. It seemed that their friendship over the years came with its own benefits in time. His eyes wandered to Ryozan, and then the money he had left on the counter for Teuchi to pay for his meal. 

[b]“Mind letting the boy keep his money too, then?”[/b]

[b]“Hm?”[/b] Teuchi was surprised at Takeo’s question; he was a good man of course, but he had normally done that for those who supported the rebellion. Knowing that whatever his intentions they were pure, Teuchi nodded in agreement and took Ryozan’s bowl. [b]“No charge then! I hope you’ll come back sometime!”[/b] 

Teuchi had moved to wash the dishes personally, leaving Takeo and Ryozan alone for the time being. At first his instinct was to say farewell to him and go see his granddaughter, but Matsuka had already heavily implied tonight’s events would affect the entire village. If he left things as they were, there was a chance the boy might’ve kept his head down and out of the way of what the entire village was prepared for. This was a sensitive matter without much risk on the rebellion’s part anymore; he had no allegiance, and Takeo wasn’t the type to convince anyone to pick a side, but with the way the world was about to change neutrality was proving less and less realistic for anyone old or young.

[b]“Matsuka isn’t exactly the most tactical woman around. I apologize on her behalf for her needless panic but when you’re a rebel I guess all you can do is jump or be jumped.”[/b] There it was. Takeo had openly said what both of them had known, the secret stopped being a secret since he had arrived here. At least Matsuka could make up for her critical mistake during the battle ahead, but she was no longer going to be one to go to for much else. Takeo looked away from Ryo and out towards the street ahead. Empty as they might be, perhaps direct eye contact could be established after the young man was confident that Takeo didn’t intend to kill him for what he knew.

[b]“Takeo Watanabe: Jounin Commander of Konoha, and ‘Rebel’ Commander on top of that. Who might you be, young man?” [/b]

-

Kirigakure, much like Konohagakure, had become still with uneasiness. There wasn’t much certainty with the other village’s current occupation, but with Takeo Watanabe’s trip to Kiri it proved that both villages hadn’t become kind to Imperial control, which meant that their faith in the Kage that led them hadn’t shaken in spite of their loss six months ago. Overlooking Kirigakure was a young man of a lean stature, seventeen years of age and soft features much like his father. In his right hand was a mask common among hunter-nin, and in his left was absolutely nothing. His fist was balled, not out of aggression, but out of anxiety. Preparations were completed and all of the men and women who were prepared to free Kiri had known the jobs they were assigned.

[b]“Sir,”[/b] A masked shinobi, a hunter-nin, came beside the young man in question, [b]“Fifteen minutes and we’ll begin.”[/b]

[b]“You know you don’t have to call me that anymore, none of you do. I gave up my command to another.”[/b]

[b]“True, but …you remind us a lot of the Fifth.”[/b]

[b]“Because I’m his son?”[/b]

[b]“…Because it’s like he never left us, and because you demonstrate all the qualities he had. Sangetsu isn’t a bad leader, but-“[/b]

[b]“He isn’t my father. I understand.”[/b] Takeshi Yuki, son of the Fifth Mizukage and ex-leader of the Kirigakure rebellion turned to look at his comrade. Much life his father his features were soft and delicate; brown eyes, neat dark hair with bangs framing his face all the way down to his chin, and pale skin. In spite of how his answers were framed, he was happy that both Kiri and Konoha could at last perform what they’ve been forced to hold in all this time. The Fifth had left behind two children, Takeshi’s sister Kotomi was elsewhere within the village. She was strong and eager, but her leadership qualities were unfortunately lacking. Overzealous was one word to describe her, but she would rejoin him soon. They had agreed on taking one objective together, as brother and sister. Father always intended for their bond to remain strong, and Takeshi had never betrayed his hopes. 

[b]“When the mist rolls in, we’ll move. Remember: The Barracks are to be my sister and I's target alone…push them towards it, that’s where they’ll run. It’s the only place safe for them here and they know it.”[/b]

[b]“Yes sir, good luck!”[/b] The hunter-nin had vanished, leaving Takeshi to his thoughts. Returning to the fortress of the Empress would’ve taken longer from here than Konoha, so Kirigakure was to start early. The era of the ‘Bloody Mist’ was gone, but with how this attack was going to go it would be as if it had never left.