Teuchi had given Ryozan a short but thankful glance. Truth be told he had so many customers loyal to him that money was often not a huge problem for his daughter and himself, but he had gratefully taken what money the young man had left. He was worried about what Takeo was doing, announcing his greater position in the world now of all days to someone Teuchi considered not loyal to the Leaf anymore, but knew his friend well enough to know there was a purpose to all this. As things stood, he noted that Konoha’s sky was slowly turning a dull red, and it was a good enough time to close as any. 

Takeo listened to the boy closely, going by the name of Ryozan Tanzo and talking about a recent promotion that he suspected wasn’t exactly authorized by him. He had never been one to keep track of many things but the responsibility of promotions were his until recent, what with his constant deployment across the five lands. Faintly he recalled a rebel ambush that had unfortunately failed due to the intervention of one of their own, and ‘Ryozan’ was the name he had heard. The boy didn’t appear to regret saving Imperial lives nor did he exactly care to pretend he didn’t start considering that scroll he carried with him. Raising his left arm from resting on his scabbard, Takeo folded his arms and stared long and hard at Ryozan with tension so thick that the air cut probably be cut with a knife. What he said now may mean the difference between ally and enemy. Surely as they stood here the boy must have realized that his life was on the table right now by admitting his neutrality to it all, likely figuring that he was a ‘large grab’ as many mercenaries liked to brag when it came to Imperial-sealed scrolls. 

[b]“Tell me something before I get into the heart of things, Ryozan. Are you the very same Ryozan that happened to render a rebel ambush useless by saving the imperial group? Because it seemed that at that moment you had decided to take a side …and you turned your back on your own that day. I don’t know who promoted you, but you can consider it revoked as well as you affiliation to Konoha in danger if there’s not a good reason for why you did what you did.” [/b]

Takeo didn’t dole out threats lightly, many could trust that he’d follow through with them, especially when it came to ranks and positions within Konoha. As he saw things, Ryozan only ‘considered’ himself neutral because no one had gotten to him sooner. Maintaining neutrality after six months of Imperial occupation was utter ridiculousness to him, but he’d give the boy the opportunity to explain himself personally. 

[b]“Make this good… for your sake.”[/b]

-

Pressed forward a few inches due to Natsumi’s habit to not hold back on patting backs, much like her mother, Kaede smiled awkwardly and then normally once her own home was praised. The Hyuga were a very old and powerful clan that helped form the foundation that Konoha was built upon, and with their Gentle Fist that was renown and feared there also came a strong sense of pride in appearance both physical and interior. As a whole there was very little someone could claim negatively about the clan in terms of hygiene, appearance, or fighting style; everything about them was meant to be elegant and deadly …her father argued that Kaede fit that exact description. Regretfully Kaede couldn’t deny him, as very few knew what she could do when her back was against the wall. With the tea set, Kaede took it in hand and gently blew on the heated surface before taking a small sip and setting it back down. 

There appeared to be much on the mind of her companion, direct eye contact made and then broken almost immediately. Kaede could relate to nervousness and in spite of how calm she appeared, deep down she was nervous about all of this being started again. It had been a quiet half a year since the joint operations of Kirigakure and Konohagakure were active. Her family wasn’t kept out of the loop; Natsumi’s family were leaders in it, with her father being THE leader in Konoha. The pressure couldn’t have been easy on her for so many reasons, and as her best friend Kaede felt it fitting that she try to comfort her to the best of her abilities like patients in the past and present.

[b]“Natsumi …it’s sensitive. You’re more than a shinobi, you’re a symbol of goodness that people can rally behind.”[/b] Kaede stood up much slower than Natsumi, eyeing the determination on her face and knowing the dangers it might bring her. [b]“But more importantly you’re a mother and father’s most precious thing in this world, and a grandfather’s too. No matter how strong someone is …if they have something as important as you to lose, it means they’re vulnerable. No armor is impenetrable, there’s always something that’ll reach the depths of their heart.”[/b] The Hyuga lowered her head in remembrance of fathers and mothers who lost sons and daughters over the course of this war. Kenji Uchiha was a man of strength, but Natsumi was something that gave him strength and took it away too. Yuna Itami, wife of the 5th Mizukage, also lost a husband. There was an uncomfortable period where she wasn’t certain of her children’s survival, but put her faith in her husband’s final efforts knowing that he’d die before his children did. With as much luck as you can expect in a situation like that, both her son and daughter were still alive, so she had one thing to be thankful for. Shinji Yuki died, but for the rebellion and those who knew him, he died a hero for the ninja world.

Raising her head back up, Kaede came around the table to Natsumi and took hold of her hands. [b]“I share his concerns for you, but you won’t be a child forever. I was going to ask him about letting you stay with me tonight for what will transpire, but it may make a stronger case if you do it.” [/b]

[b]“Do what?”[/b]

Kaede looked over her shoulder at the sudden voice of a third party; it was none other than Natsumi’s father himself, arms behind his head in a surprisingly casual fashion. In spite of his growth as a powerful shinobi, Natsumi’s mother was never able to resist speaking on Kenji’s behalf. Gestures like that weren’t uncommon, and usually depicted he was taking something very casually. This might be the perfect opportunity for Natsumi to make her case, as time was growing shorter.

[b]“Lord Hokage! Natsumi has something she’d like to say.”[/b] Kaede turned back to Natsumi and nodded her head. She was never one to quit easily, and in spite of her nervousness she’d become stronger merely by asking for this. Kaede didn’t get involved with the rebellion by staying timid.