A Mission Received (Kagura)

Akari sat within her office, awaiting Kagura Ezume. She had sent a bird out to the girl not long prior in her capacity as Hokage, with a mission that she had for the young woman. Upon her desk sat two scrolls, one of which was wrapped in black thread. This mission was of vital importance to Akari and while she could potentially send Masuyo or Kanna for this she didn’t want any of the village’s potential leaders away during a time where things could change rapidly. Menza’s actions had made it clear that everyone had to be prepared for a worst-case scenario in general. Not to mention the fact that Haku had released every nation Konoha had under its control in one single act that had nearly crippled their economy if Akari hadn’t taken charge.

Akari trusted Kagura with her life despite her rank, whether that was born of her love for her, or of her faith in her abilities, it didn’t matter. She trusted her beyond any shadow of a doubt. So she knew she could handle the mission and return home quickly. Now it was simply time for her to assign it and send her off to see it done. Part of her worried, as any lover, might. However Akari was the Hokage first, and she couldn’t ignore her duties to the village, nor let her relationship with Kagura get in the way of things that needed to be done.  

[1]

Kagura had arrived as quickly as she could after making a few preparations. She was being sent on a mission outside the village, after all, and while part of her was nervous, she was also very excited. She hadn’t been outside the Village before, and this mission required it, and it was a great way to prove she was valuable for her Hokage. Knocking on the door, she waited a moment to be summoned before entering, revealing that she was in what had steadily become the normal uniform she wore as the Hokage’s apprentice. She moved to the center of the room and gave a gentle bow of the head, showing the woman she loved the due respect of a Genin addressing the leader of the village first and foremost. “Kagura Ezume, reporting as ordered Ma’am.”

She wasn’t sure if anyone else was watching or anything, so for the moment, she wanted to remain absolutely professional, all the soldier that she was meant to be. Despite her feelings for their military dictator, the brunette was not at the level yet where she could honestly stand beside the woman and no longer be considered a student. The truth of the matter was that she also was excited to prove herself useful to the village and her Hokage in any way she could, and there was little to nothing that would stand in the way of showing she was every bit as capable as any Ninja the woman before her, had under her leadership. She remained quiet as her head rose again, locking her golden eyes onto the cyan ones that she loved so much, showing her the highest form of respect she could.

[1]

The arrival of her student, and lover, despite all but one person besides them who knew about that second part, would prompt her to speak. “Enter.” She would say, as she customarily did. This wasn’t a social call, or a diplomatic meeting, or a report after a hard mission so she forewent the offer of a drink. It was her usual manner, with how she treated every shinobi in the village and as her sapphire eyes locked onto those golden irises she loved so much she had to suppress her skipping heart. She had guards nearby, as was the custom for a Kage, so anything not strictly professional was off the table for the moment. “And promptly too, thank you for responding so quickly Kagura, please have a seat.” She would say, offering a chair for the woman as she reached for the first scroll. The one not bound in black thread. Unraveling it would show a map of the elemental nations, more specifically, the eastern part of their continent. The land of Fire and Land of Lightning featured prominently with minor nations around them both.

One minor nation in particular had a location within it specifically marked. The Land of Waterfalls was the country in question and the location was that of the Hidden Waterfall Village. No other countries had information filled in on the map. Despite two other minor nations having been successfully scouted. Separate maps had been made for those to ensure that if anyone got their hands on the map it wouldn’t reveal more than the mission specified. No locations within the Land of Fire were marked either, as a precaution in case the map was lost or misplaced. “This, as you can see, is a map showing the location of the Hidden Waterfall Village. Your mission is to travel there at once and buy them out. The Land of Fire has done well monetarily in recent months and I fully intend to expand the country via diplomatic means and by purchasing everything I can. This should increase the economy of all countries involved drastically.” She would say, making sure Kagura got a good look at the map before rolling it back up before placing a hand upon the other scroll. “Within this scroll are the funds you’ll use to do so. For the purpose of informing the ruling body or leader within the village how much you’ll pay for oversight control for the Land of Fire, it holds 4,844,500 Ryo. This scroll is obviously extremely valuable and should be protected. Your task, therefore, is to travel to the Hidden Waterfall Village immediately, engage in negotiations with their leadership, and broker a deal to annex the country under the Land of Fire’s direct rule. You are to make it clear then should they accept ‘I’ will run things in their country from then on with no say from them any longer. They can effectively retire happily. This will go down on your record as an A-Rank mission. Is this understood?” She would ask, finishing the mission brief in a crisp, and to the point tone.

[2]

Kagura did as she was instructed and took a seat, pulling out a small notepad and pulling the tiny pencil from the ring that held it together so she could take notes. This was her first mission after all, and details were important. She would also occasionally nod to the instructions being given, occasionally taking down a note or two, but her eyes went wide for a moment at hearing the total amount of Ryo that the scroll contained, but only for a moment. Buying a country was no small thing, but hearing that the Hokage was entrusting her, someone who was a Genin, with such an amount was what had given her a little surprise. Granted, she knew that the woman trusted her, but it would be interesting to hear how others would see this. Favoritism towards a student? Perhaps at first, but considering how quickly she could traverse the route, she would silence them when she arrived back the following day, even giving herself time to rest in between.

She wrote down the quote from Akari word for word to ensure she got that part right, and then quickly tucked away her notepad and pencil once again. Bringing herself to a stance of attention standing, she gave a bow. “I understand completely. Consider it done Ma’am.” Standing back upright, she gave the woman a wink that only she could see since the guards were to her back, and then took a step forward, pulling her pouch off her back completely. To ensure there was no chance at pick-pocketing if somehow someone could catch her while running, once the scrolls were placed inside she sealed the pouch completely with a pair of clasps to ensure that it wouldn’t be as simple as reaching in your hand. She didn’t want to take any chances… and part of her instructions had specified that she needed to depart immediately. “Anything else Ma’am?” The question made it crystal clear; if Akari didn’t have anything else for her, she would be leaving directly following their meeting.

[2]

Akari would pay close attention to Kagura’s reactions during her instructions. The attentive brunette would nod at appropriate moments but what almost caused Akari to grin uncontrollably was the widening of her lovers eyes as she informed her of just how much ryo she would be carrying. To be perfectly honest, there were a few reasons for Akari to choose Kagura for this mission. One was because the brunette needed to be able to establish a trust to the village itself, and not simply Akari. The other was that Akari very much wanted to promote her student but due to their personal relationship was hesitant to do so because of how their relationship might paint the promotion. However if Kagura was the reason for a country to become annexed and was able to be sent out with so much money and proven to be reliable in such dealings there would be little doubt toward her competence, or trustworthiness.

“No, that is all, you’re to leave immediately.” She would say her tone remaining neutral as she dismissed her student and lover to go expand their country borders. It wouldn’t be the first Konoha had done so, however it would be the first time it had done so peaceably, by buying out the countries instead. Their neighbors should find this a novel experience to be sure. Once her student left the room Akari would go back to her paperwork, continuing the day to day affairs of the village as she frowned when she considered that she’d be alone at the house tonight. She’d miss her lover while she was gone, but hopefully she wouldn’t be gone long.

Exit.

Giving Kagura 4,844,500 Ryo
[3]

Kagura nodded, and then bowed, as Akari told her she was to leave immediately. She knew what she could do, and stocking up for the trip was something she could do en-route to the gate thanks to there being a few vendors on the way there. Shadow Clones were infinitely useful, and she was glad to be discovering new ways in which to extend their abilities further. She needed to ensure she gave the clones real Ryo, though, considering the fact that it would be a form of theft if the clones used what they had, only for the money to vanish in a puff of smoke upon the clone’s dispelling. Then a negative light would be painted on Kagura, and she would have to deal with the fallout considering she was the Hokage’s Student. Nothing about that situation was acceptable.

Even if the thought was amusing.

Ensuring the scrolls were properly secured, she spun on her heel and moved towards the door, a look of determination and resolve upon her face. Nothing would stop her, and considering the rate of speed she was planning to use, catching her would be the trick more-so in order to have the opportunity to stop her in the first place. Fully transformed into ‘work mode’ she moved out of the building and towards the gate, but not before, mid-stride, taking one final peak towards the window she knew Akari was behind. She didn’t know if the woman was watching, but she flashed a wink and mouthed ‘See you tomorrow’ just in case before turning and proceeding with her plans and preparations.

[3]

[EXIT]