4 Corners

Dawn was coming soon. Kyoji had just finished up his swordplay. Important for his craft to become polished after all the hard work he had put in for the village. He was without his flak jacket for once . Now he was sporting the all black and grey armor of the ANBU black ops. His valiant effort in stopping the Kid Cloud was heard around the village. Possibly the world now, his renown had grown significantly. He had helped saved the Mizukage, but he was distant with him. The ANBU had recognized him for his efforts instead of the former. Which was part of the reason he called for a meet up with Tsubaki.

A comrade of the high Kaguya clan. He hoped to establish a district for his people here someday. His efforts for the village were also for his people. They were pretty much scorned everywhere. This area suited them well. He waited on top of four story building, the rooftop was a good place to get away for ninja. Also as ANBU he couldn't be seen just by anyone anymore, especially with a face like his. She knew where to meet him, he had things to discuss.

The skies were dark with the hint of daylight making its way over the horizon. It was a unique time of day where even the early birds were just waking up. Activity was at an all time low that one would mistaken a city as large as Kirigakure as being a ghost town. At least for an hour when the sun broke the horizon and activity resumed its routine in the busy city. From her feet Tsubaki wore a pair of thick rubber and leather combat boots. Embedded in the soles of the boots were iron plates to protect the feet from caltrops and the toes protected by a shell of iron as well doubling as a means to increase kicking power. She wore a pair of black pants which were modified like her boots by having bands of steel woven into them along her shin providing greater protection. These pants also provided a thick plastic-rubber compound at the knees and parts of the thigh and hips granting maximum comfort when crawling and moving about difficult terrain. White bandage wrap secured a navy blue holster against her right thigh containing a single kunai for quick draw purposes. Around her waist she wore a heavy utility belt holding the bulk of her gear. Two navy blue holsters were together on her right side together containing shuriken.

Around her back side she carried her hip pouch which was suspended above her right buttock containing the rest of her ninja gear. The left of that in a slightly canted fashion was a full length Chokuto in a navy blue scabbard. It was not lacquered or polished being bought from the local smith being a functional tool rather than a pretty one. Over her body she wore a light mesh shirt which was covered by a heavy, thick long sleeve top which served as the Kirigakure specialist combat armor. It was an insulated jacket which compound material which served as electricity insulated much like the rest of the advertised gear. Rings of steel where sown into the fabric from the lower rib cage up to the chest and to her upper arm. This provided additional support while still being lightweight to the most vital areas of her body. Of course this aided the main portion of her body armor which was a standard, slate gray flak jacket over her torso provided heavy support from blunt impact and cuts. This model was the common kind with elongated shoulder pads and extensions from either side protecting her lower abdomen and back even more. Across her chest was a brown leather baldric which carried two folded fuuma shuriken held by their rings store mid back.

On both hands she wore a set of black gloves which had a pair of steel plates on the backs of them for maximum protection. Topping off the design Tsubaki wore a heavy black cloak over everything concealing more of what was described fastened securely around her neck by a knot. The hood was down to show off her elegant features and provide maximum visibility. Tsubaki stood 5'9 and weighed approximately one-hundred and forty pounds being at her peak performance. Her skin was very fair to the point of being almost pale. This was coupled by her long, silky white hair extending to her lower back and sapphire blue eyes which anybody within Kirigakure that had knowledge of her clan would know she was certainly Kaguya, and the leader nonetheless. She wore no makeup, yet her natural complexion made her remarkably beautiful.

She scaled the side of the building Kyoji told her to meet on. After seeing Calin in the hospital she went straight to this meeting location; an unnamed business building that was inactive at the current time of day. She had little idea what Kyoji wanted to talk about, but she knew it was something he wanted to keep out of the public. It was the only explanation she could think of as to why he specified so early in the morning. They were far from friends as Tsubaki would find it difficult to befriend such a creature. But acquainted? Tsubaki would have had little luck completing her mission at the docks if it weren't for him. She at least owed him a small favor. Lunging forwards she'd clear the edge of the rooftop making a safe landing at its edge. Kyoji waited at the center several meters from Tsubaki's position. She'd begin making a steady pace towards the man while speaking out. "You requested my appearance, so here I am. What did you need me for?"

With Tsubakis quick speed she was on top of the roof without wasting any time. She was dressed immaculately, her ninja outfit suiting her well. Kyoji turned around and to greet her, removing his mask. The owl mask lowered to his side, as she walked towards him. She asked what this was all about. The secrecy was strange, but it was important she would come to find out. "Thank you for meeting me here. I've asked specifically for you because of your position and importance to the village." He hooked his mask on his sash.

"I will be making a bid to lead this village soon. Under me I want to bring much needed change. Yomi and Ken going missing on their mission to take the Land of Demons. Have left us without our most powerful shinobi, and the attack on the village was just the start. If I am successful, the Kaguya's are to be considered. A large part of Kirigakure, I know the importance you and your clan are to everyone here. With you backing me, there's a fair chance it can happen. However, no help is free, and we are not friends. What would the Kaguya's want in exchange for their vote?" Kyoji came straightforward. Her being the leader of the Kaguya's, one of two leaders of the clan districts. Her voice was law with her people.

Kyoji was quick to catch onto her presence. In the still of the night he spoke to her in a lower volume remaining audible without the need to whisper in her ear. He spoke of a bid for the Mizukage position. It was nothing she considered even if she were qualified enough for the position. She simply had little interest in providing for people she did not care for. Kyoji spoke about bringing a change to the village. That's what worried her. The Kaguya District was operating just fine under Takeo. They were provided with monthly income to sustain their village and keep their lifestyle. It was, however, just enough to get by. She was originally uninterested until Kyoji offered a payment.

What Tsubaki wanted did not require much thought. It was a luxury she dreamed of for a long time. If Kyoji was honest with his words it could come to fruition. "What I want is the best for my clan. And that is very simple: sovereignty. A way for the Kaguya to live in a totally homogeneous society away from conflicting cultures. That's all I ask for. To secure that would be simple. The Land of Water practically owns the islands surrounding it. If you want the Kaguya's support I would need land. The O'uzu Island south of the Land of Water would be a perfect territory for us to control. We will also need funds to start. Five-million ryo would be plenty to build infrastructure. But I don't intend to leave Kirigakure empty-handed for mere support. You would be doing me and my clan a huge favor. As we will control O'uzu Island we plan to keep close connections with Kirigakure. Give us time and we can secure a solid trade route between both countries. In this case we will both benefit from the Kaguya's sovereignty as my people will have what they need and Kirigakure's economy will grow exponentially."

She had spilled what she had bottled in her mind for a couple years now. Having an opportunity to execute it was now if only her and Kyoji could come to an agreement.

Kyoji mulled over that Kaguya's position on the manner. It was apparent that her clan was the utmost top priority. Even wanting a considerable piece of land and money with it. Kyoji did not even bat an eye. It was a small price to pay as they could always earn it back. After gaining the Land of the Demons, the Mist village was doing quite well. "O'uzu sounds fair. I will give you all time until a trade route can be established. The village was very expensive from what I heard, seeing as we didn't storm them. The money you ask for I will provide that. The Kaguya's will do well with the island." The island was definitely apart of Kiri's culture but if they remained with trade, it would be almost as if nothing happened. No one would riot, and no one would complain. "For your support. You got a deal." Kyoji replied.

Tsubaki was surprised how smoothly these negotiations went. If Kyoji stuck to his word and was successful in starting a new reign for Kirigakure she would have secured a country and village for her clan. It was news she wanted to share and was too eager to think about. She once she grinned in the shark man's presence expressing true gratitude to his commitment. "Very well. You have the Kaguya's support." Tsubaki would pass a quick glance at either side of her. The city was still asleep, but that didn't mean it was safe to stick around and exchange pleasantries. "Let's split up. I'll be back at the district." She said as her final word before turning the other way and springing off the building only to land to one nearby. She'd continue her path stay to the rooftops making her way back home.

[Exit]

Kyoji nodded as Tsubaki seemed pleased with their agreement. The Kaguya's would have their own land. Which could possibly leave notion that his clan could have their own. Which would come in time, Kiri was the first and foremost thing to worry about. Tsubaki turned around after giving the Kaguya's agreement of support. Then she turned around and disappeared. Kyoji unhooked his mask on his face and also departed to the ANBU Headquarters.

[Exit]