It's Time [Nyguyen]

This poor girl didn't seem to know much of anything about Yui's current situation or about Yui herself. This gave Nyg the impression that she was not very high up in the chain of command. That and her obvious skittishness. She even flinched when he got up to walk around his desk. Nyguyen's pity for the girl was magnified exponentially. The sympathy pangs could not be ignored this time. She was as gentle as a doe and it made him wonder how desperate Iwa must have been to have sent her. He didn't have the reputation of being the toughest Kage in history but he was surrounded by the likes of Akihiro, Satomi, and Kimiko. Surely, Iwa's government would want to send someone with a bit more grit. Unless they knew of his soft and chewy heart and were hoping to exploit it.

Even if that is the case....Mitsukira of Iwagakure here is but a pawn in their machinations. It is not her fault and her words are true even if they were written by another.


Nyguyen noticed her looking at the bookshelf with his history tomes. The Hokage's smile grew wider. If she was playing him then the least he could do was enjoy it.

"Do you like? That row is the latest addition to my collection. I'm a student of history...as any shinobi leader ought to be." Mitsukira would be able to hear the pride in his voice. Before he was a warrior, Nyguyen had been a scholar. He was stern about his books in a way he was not with arms. They were tools to understand and deconstruct the past. With these tools, a better future could be forged. The Hokage gestured to to one group of books in particular.

"The Chronicles of Jinichi Uchiha Volumes I, II, III, IV, and V" the man's voice boomed. "The father of the First Hokage Kazuya Uchiha and a legend in his own right. It is a biography of the man who is said to be the ideological forefather of the Hidden Leaf. I'd loan you my copy of the first volume if you'd like." Nyguyen wasn't sure if Mitsu was really interested but it couldn't hurt to ask. There were so few of this generation that appreciated the legends of old. When Mitsukira accepted his terms of Rin's visitation, he nodded. Of course it was only reasonable that she have the right to inspect his letters. It was all routine and it was proof that she wasn't a complete pushover. It would make him feel a lot less guilty when he sprang the trap he had been concocting over the past few minutes.

Nyguyen now turned to Rin and spoke:

"Regarding the....foe....you mentioned earlier" Nyguyen was not refusing to name the Nine-Tails because of Mitsu. He assumed that Mitsu knew Rin was a jinchuu even if she didn't know what he looked like. Even if she didn't, she could presumably find out by speaking to Yui who was there when the bijuu was sealed inside her lover. Nyguyen did not mention Kurama by name because although he was not superstitious, there was something unclean about saying the Beast's name aloud. "I'm afraid I'm not in a position to help you and I doubt ou-, MY clan folk would be similarly inclined. There is a major war going on and losing even one key piece could unravel the front" the irony of the sentence was lost on Nyg for Rin had just lost a game of chess against Kurama.

"However.....there is one thing that I think can change my mind. You see right now its all hands on deck for Konoha because we've had an ugly history of security breaches both internal and external. The Military Command Council has to be very careful with the operations we choose to take part in because unlike the other villages we have been the victim of several attacks...one of which robbed us of our precious exclusive techniques"

Nyguyen was going into his habit of giving long-winded speeches before getting to the actual point.

"Exclusives are the lifeblood of any village and since ours are so compromised there is less room for error than there might ordinarily be. In fact, your lover Yui Kotoshura is a foreign Kage who possesses all of our exclusives although given the past relationship between our countries, that fact is mutual. If we were to say....."

Nyguyen now turned his attention to Mitsukira. He doubted she had any negotiating power but perhaps she could send a message for him and maybe even sway Yui to his side.

"Reset our relations concerning this matter then maybe I'd be more free to assist with your destructive friend, Rin. I think an appropriate remedy would be the mutual termination of each other's hostile possessions. Simply stated, I'd like Iwa to destroy any and all written copies of Konoha's Exclusive Techniques, additionally I'd like for Iwa to assist in the apprehension of any rogue copies floating around the world. Any persons with knowledge of those jutsu will keep them to themselves and make themselves known by way of formal registration. They will not train others, they will not write them down. Once they pass, the knowledge of those jutsu shall pass with them. Of course Konoha is willing to do the same with respect to Iwa's Exclusives on our end. Think of it as an addendum to the Farfour Accords. If either side breaches then the prescribed penalties will kick in. Finally, we'd need payment for taking such a risk so if Yui did experiment with any exclusives or rare abilities that she happened to come into possession of after returning to Iwa...we'd need copies of those as well or the original if you have it."

Nyguyen had a soft heart but he also had a sharp mind. He saw an opportunity to wring more concessions from Iwa and he took it. He was beginning to suspect that Iwa was a good-faith actor which meant that if they agreed to this deal, they'd keep their word. Of course that required them to actually agree to it. He was leveraging Rin's safety and desire for power against Iwa. Nyg knew that Rin and Mitsu might be able to get Yui to agree and if Yui was in no mental state to agree, then it'd be even easier to force the hands of those in charge. It was a dirty play but it was one that Nyguyen needed to make. When Rin mentioned Yui playing fast and loose with powerful abilities, he couldn't help but wonder if Konoha's Exclusives would be subject to similar reckless experimentation. Iwa was desperate and there was no telling what they'd give up in exchange for more stability. Nyg had to nip that in the bud or at least give Konoha an excuse to hold the Earth Country responsible should a leak trace back to them. He wasn't keen on fighting a Bijuu but he had been growing stronger and he might be able to convince his family to help.  

Nyguyen looked Mitsukira of Iwagakure in the eye. He gave the same friendly vibe as before but his words had greater gravity to them than idle talk of history and beverages.

"I will release Rin into your custody as I said before....but if he wants our help then you should let your Kage or whoever is in charge know what our demands are. That is of course.....unless you happen to have the authority to agree to such a deal yourself. I imagine it would mean an awful lot to Yui. If Rin has to fight this enemy alone...I fear he might not make it"

Nyg was attempting to manipulate Mitsukira. He was using her obvious concern for Yui and her guilt regarding her own incompetence to turn her into an agent of his own. It was downright Machiavellian and it hurt him internally. That wasn't who he was. He felt for this girl and he wanted to continue making light chat about the historical glory of Jinichi. He wanted to sip tea, sit by the fire, and get to the root of Mitsu's insecurities. He wanted to help her not exploit her. But Nyguyen the father, scholar, and mentor had become divorced from Nyguyen the Hokage. The change had been gradual but its effects were real. He had ordered the execution of his own student, waged a war of annihilation against a rebellious province, and was now presiding over one of the most consequential wars in Fire Country history. Nyg's men were dying in the trenches, his borders were shrinking due to Suna's encroachments, the Hyuuga Clan were outraged over Chika's death. The problems and woes of the world threatened to crush him. He couldn't afford to be the kind man that he had always been. He had no choice but to take his sternness and turn it into something more cruel. Perhaps not as cruel as the Kage of Kiri but something just mean enough to secure the safety of his own people.

The shinobi world was kill or be killed.

As Nyguyen commented on the books she was looking at, Mitsu would nod excitedly and curl her feet up under her in the chair. She was fascinated by his explanation of the history of the Uchiha, and found herself leaning forward the longer he spoke. When he offered to loan her his copy of the first volume her face lit up in a sparkling smile. “I would like that very much, thank you. I had actually wanted to learn more about Konoha and its history. I thought that maybe if I understood it better then it might be easy to avoid conflict in the future.” She was genuinely happy to listen to Nyguyen, and could have sat there listening to him speak for hours.

There was not time for that though. The Hokage’s attention turned back to Rin and continued to address the man’s concern about the mysterious battle Rin had planned. She noted the slight correction in Nyguyen’s naming of the clan - from ‘our’ to ‘my’. It seemed that the bookshelves  were not the only place where history was held in this office. She didn’t know what had transpired between the two men, and apparently their families, but there was some underlying tension in that tiny correction. She would continue sipping her water as she listened to Nyguyen offer what could be a potential solution to Rin’s request for assistance against this ‘foe’.

A less honest person, or one less inclined to feel that their purpose was to be transparent at all times, would have kept their mouth shut. They would have realized that the current concern that Nyguyen held, the Konoha exclusives being spread far and wide, had little if anything to do with them. That there was not any way that the Hokage could know of her obtaining of said exclusives, legitimately or not. But Mitsukira was honest to a fault. Even before her interactions with Chen in the throne room in Iwagakure she would have been hard pressed to not feel guilty when Nyguyen spoke of how those exclusives were the ‘lifeblood of any village’ and how Konoha had ‘been the victim of several attacks’. It tore at her heart; the sense of guilt over the knowledge she possessed.

She had received the Konohagakure Village Exclusives from her Kazekage as a reward for securing an alliance between Suna and Iwa. Up until that very moment it had not occurred to Mitsu that she had been party to any wrongdoing in that regard. But as he spoke Mitsukira felt a pain in her stomach which she would grasp at; her scar from a chakra rod a permanent reminder of her failure to do the right thing. She felt a lump of grief and fear rise into her throat as tears formed in her eyes. It wasn’t professional, not queenly or the behaviour suitable for her military rank. But she was beholden to the Universe itself, and it demanded that everything be accomplished as it was meant to. This meant without malice or thievery or lying or any other human condition that impeded the grand design.

With her left hand still grasping at her midsection she would place the mostly empty glass of water carefully on the floor beside her chair and rise gracefully to her feet. Her pink eyes sparkled as her tears continued to fall silently down her paper white cheeks. Taking a deep breath she would speak her plea for mercy before sinking to her knees again. “Hokage-sama I beg your forgiveness. I am one such person that has taken from the lifeblood of Konoha. I did not know, but ignorance does not excuse my actions. It was never my intention to hurt anyone, and certainly not to steal from the Hidden Leaf. I have knowledge of all of Konoha’s exclusive techniques, which I received as a reward for a diplomatic mission given to me by my Kage. I beg for your mercy as I offer myself up for punishment as you see fit for my crimes against Konoha. My only request, if I may be allowed to make one, is that Rin still be sent to Iwagakure. I could not bear that my actions would once again bring about the downfall of the Land of Earth.” Her voice shook slightly as she spoke, caused by the deep emotion she felt. She had failed to negotiate for the safety of Iwa at the beginning of the war and while she understood what she might be offering, she could not imagine a world where she did that again. If putting her in prison or even executing her would ensure that her conscience was clear and that Iwa would not be forced into another war, then she would accept it.

The Universe had a design, and she wove herself into it.

Knowledge of a village exclusively was the essence of what the village as it was. The exclusive techniques appeared to have spread quite far after Raijin plundered the Uchiha of their artifacts and exclusives. Mitsu claimed that she knew all of them, and while Yui herself had known the exclusives as well since she was a shinobi in Konohagakure before her capture. That wasn’t surprising to say the least. Nyg however wished to make a deal of destroying any copies of their exclusives outside of the Konohagakure walls, and immediately Rin’s mind thought of Nozomi. The thought of Nyg barking for Nozomi to get rid of her copies was almost laughable, but Rin decided to let the man dream.

Mitsu however caved in under the pressure and the conversation went from zero to one hundred as she threw herself to be jailed. Yet she was still persistent that Rin would go to Iwagakure, even at the cost of her own freedom. That honestly didn’t sit well with him for Rin wasn’t going to trade his imprisonment so that another could be shackled in his place. The dark haired shinobi shook his head after Mitsu was finished explaining. As he began to speak, blood red lines of sinister energy began to painfully crawl from his bandaged right hand along his forearm. Yet Rin ignored the pain as he hid his right hand away from them by placing it behind himself, but Maiori was able to see it as her eyes grew wide. Even so Rin kept his friendly tone as it was.

”Now just hold on, our Lord Hokage merely said to destroy any copies of their exclusive techniques outside of these walls while also prohibiting training or writing any of the techniques down in the future.” Rin stopped as his right eye slightly twitched due to the fact that a small piece of his skin around the forearm started to peel away to reveal some dark red energy. It was for a moment, but Rin sent chakra through his right arm that pushed back the sinister chakra back into his sealed hand. However, burns of second degree could be clearly seen from his wrist to his forearm. Granted Nyguyen speaking of getting a copy of any exclusive or special power might have been asking too much.

”Well I understand it is a major risk taking on a bijuu, so I won’t press onto the matter any further. Having skilled individuals aiding in the attempt would be greatly appreciated, but of course Kurama isn’t an opponent to take lightly.” Even so, Rin already had his mind set on fighting the nine tails alone. Perhaps not as soon as they leave, or even when they arrive in Iwagakure. But it will be soon.

Nyguyen's Sharingan noticed Mitsu's every movement. The way she leaned forward, the curling of her feet, the excited nodding. Even without the doujutsu he could tell she was genuinely interested in the subject, but with it, he knew that this was more than a passing fancy. This was a hunger for knowledge rooted in practical concerns. It was similar to the very reason he himself had taken up the discipline. In another world and at another time, he'd have offered her a seat in his lecture series at the Grand Konoha Facility. She'd be able to hear him expound on the glory of Konoha's past and how learning from it could chart an even better future. Unfortunately, he no longer had the time to give such wonderful speeches and even if he did, he doubted the Ambassador would be able to attend them freely. The idle daydream was squashed and he returned himself to the present reality. The reality where he sought to manipulate this impressionable teen.

As Nyguyen spoke, he noticed Mitsukira's reaction. The discussion of Konoha's exclusives was making her uncomfortable. She twisted and turned like a child caught in the act of thievery. Nyguyen was no experienced intelligence officer, but raising two pre-teens had given him a basic sense of adolescent psychology. When you saw hints of guilt, you pressed. Even if you didn't know the truth, prodding the sore spot would yield information. After Nyguyen had finished speaking, he remained silent and the stern expression that he had shown earlier returned. He was now looking at Mitsukira as though he knew what she had done and was now angered by her deception. The Hokage didn't know jackshit but hopefully, as far as Mitsu was concerned, he knew everything.

Either as a result of his intense glare or her own incorruptible conscience, Mitsukira rose to her feet and tearfully confessed to taking possession of Konoha's Exclusives. She sank to the ground and began to weep in shame which actually surprised Nyg. He knew this girl was meek but this was beyond acceptable even for the most light-hearted of shinobi. Either the girl herself was a masterful manipulator or Iwa truly was in dire straits. Given the fact that it had just lost a major war, was without its most competent leaders, and was  also paying an incredible sum to Konoha every fiscal quarter, he opted to believe the latter. Nyguyen stared down at the crying hippie as he quickly considered his next move.

The man's sense of mercy demanded that he reassure her that everything was going to be alright. But the Machiavellian Kage he was becoming pushed him to exploit this obvious weakness.

She's contrite...I l know that much...but that doesn't help Konoha's situation. If Iwa is giving Exclusives to someone so effete then just about every Iwa-Nin must have it. Either that or......It occurred to Nyguyen that Mitsukira's last name was Tatsudashi. That surname was identical to that of the indisposed Tsuchikage. Perhaps her high ranking position was less a factor of competence and more of nepotism. Although,hHe couldn't blame Masaru for taking that route, after all, he had stacked the Military Command Council with his own kin.

None of my family are this weak though. Iwa is not ready for independence....but what becomes of them is not my concern so long as they stick to the terms of the Accords. Its not her fault that Yui taught her our jutsu. I expected as much....I can at least limit the damage though.


Rin was apparently moved by Mitsu's display of honesty. She was willing to throw herself in prison even if it meant allowing Rin to visit Iwa. He clarified Nyg's demands but Nyg's Sharingan picked up a disturbance in his actions. He was agitated and it was clear that his little friend was picking up on it. If Rin succumbed to the Bijuu, then it would be a serious problem for Konoha to contend with. The Bijuu would have to be brought to heel either with or without Rin.

Nyguyen decided to go for a middle of the road strategy. The Hokage's expression softened again and he knelt down to Mitsu's side. He gently took her arm and lifted her back to her feet. A good leader does not force his guests to grovel before him like an animal. No matter how much wrong they may have done, even a captive ought die with dignity. It was said even Tatsu-sama was afforded that courtesy before she died at Akihiro's hand. Once Mitsukira was on her feet, Nyg would assist her in sitting down in the chair. He then knelt down so that she could look him in his tomoe filled eye.

"Mitsukira of Iwagakure....its okay... please don't cry" he said with genuine concern in his voice. This part was easy. He really did feel bad for her. In a fair world, she wouldn't even be here. She'd be in school learning and growing before taking on missions of such importance. She needed to mature, educate herself, and eventually join the ranks of the diplomatic corps. She simply wasn't cut out for the ninja life and something she had said earlier clued the Kage into this fact. He grabbed a box of tissues from his desk and handed it to her.

"I will not be imprisoning you today Mitsukira. I appreciate your honesty and as I have said many times...truth and honesty are the bedrock for trust between our nations. You seem to know how important exclusives are to this nation's security which is why I know you'll do the right thing. You cannot tell anyone about these jutsu...you shouldn't teach them to anyone...you shouldn't write down copies. Convince your Kage to set a nationwide policy and I swear on my honor as a Kage and father that I will do the same for Konoha. I will not ask this knowledge to be wiped from your mind, just that you refrain from using it if it at all possible and that if you are ever forced to do so in a life or death situation, you do not allow it to fall into another's hands. Konoha's Exclusives are our legacy and heritage, as are Iwa's. They aren't just tools for power. That's why I need you to do this for me. I need you to convince Yui to shut down any dissemination of our exclusives. I cannot stop other actors from using our heritage as they see fit...but I hope I can depend on honest kunoichi such as you and Lady Kotoshura to do the right thing."

Nyg wasn't done yet though. Now came the hard part. The manipulation. He knew he couldn't do this with Rin present. The jinchurikki was reckless but he was not naive. He'd see right through Nyg's words and though he and his mother might not risk outright insubordination, he couldn't take the risk that he'd partially interfere with a delicate psychological operation. If he knew what was good for his own interests and his long term goal of defeating the Society, he'd let Nyg do what he had to do. He turned to the young man and his mother.

"Rin...Maoiri....do you mind giving us a minute? I need to speak to Mitsu privately"

Mitsu was beyond contrite, she fully expected to be thrown in prison only to await her inevitable execution for her horrendous crimes. That was fallacious thinking of course, but in her current guilt ridden mindset she couldn’t see past her own failures, and they were colouring everything she attempted to do. She had not done anything wrong, and there was no reason for her to admit to wrongdoing - real or imagined. But for many long months her existence had been one of solitude and defeat. At every turn her once indomitable spirit had been crushed by those she interacted with, to the point that she now thought it acceptable to kneel at the feet of the Hokage as tears of loss poured down her face.

Hearing Rin speak this time did little to encourage her, lost as she was in the depths of her shame. She was not a simpleton, despite every effort on her part to appear so, she had heard and even understood what Nyguyen had asked; but her sense of self worth was so shattered that she could not internalize the repetition of the Hokage’s request. When Nyguyen knelt and tried to take her arm she would flinch unconsciously. It took her a second to realize that the man was not trying to hurt her, and she would force herself to allow him to aid her back into her chair. It was frustrating as usual, the last few weeks had been nothing but frustration when she reacted in a way that was beyond her conscious choice. She quickly mumbled an apology at her reaction to him, not wanting him to take offense at her actions.

Once safely back in her seat she would pull into herself, her muscles tightening slightly as she tried to make herself smaller while still sitting properly in the chair. Taking an offered tissue, she would delicately wipe at her tear streaked cheeks, her pink eyes maintaining her gaze on Nyguyen’s red ones. When she heard that she would not be imprisoned she felt her shoulders relax a bit, the relief of being able to go home was almost enough to cause her to cry once more. She didn’t thankfully, but she found that she could barely speak and so she would shake her head as the kneeling man spoke to her, finally squeaking out a few words as he mentioned Yui. “I can speak to her, she’s very kind and understanding when she’s not. . . dark. From the brief interaction I had with her anyway.”

Just when Mitsu thought the hard part was over, she agreed to speak to Yui about Konoha’s exclusives, Nyguyen stepped it up a notch. Her mouth went dry as he asked the other two to leave the room and she knew she couldn’t speak in that moment if her life depended on it. Which it might. In another life and in another world Mitsukira would never have known what it was to have her life threatened. She would never have been taught to fear. But in this life, fear ruled her now, and everything she did was in an attempt to soothe the things she feared so that they didn’t hurt her. Had her skin been anything other than the paper white of her condition, the blood leaving her cheeks might have been noticeable, but it wasn’t. She sat with her hands in her lap clutching the crumpled tissue and staring with horror at Nyguyen, trying to fight the newly arisen panic that threatened to move her legs to flee the room. She did not know why he needed to speak to her alone, and what she had learned was that private conversations were the most frightening. Out of habit she would activate her sensory, just as she had done in every other situation where she thought she was in danger. It was foolish perhaps, but it was all she had, the hope of a warning before an incoming attack.

Used Sensory

CP 259.5/260

The poor thing was an emotionally fragile state. Worse than what he had seen Ashitaka in although the boy's gender and background might explain his feistiness. Mitsu appeared to have endured some kind of trauma and her upbringing did not seem to give her the tools to deal with it. It was a shame that he had to prey on those sensitivities. He did not wish to be a ruthless leader but the job had forced him to become one. He ignored her squirming and flinching. He gently led her back into her seat and smiled when she accepted the tissues.  

Rin didn't respond to his request to leave the room. He just stood there and stared blankly. In awe? Disapproval? Uncertainty? Whatever the reason, Nyg could not let his indecision jeopardize such a sensitive psychological warfare operation. Nyguyen stood up and calmly ushered Rin and Maiori out of the room. "It will only be a minute...." He then shut the door firmly. He turned to Mitsukira and could tell she was frightened. It broke his heart. He gave a reassuring smile and walked over to his desk. There was a portrait there of his two daughters: Mercedes and Innocence. He picked it up and turned to Mitsukira.

"I want to show you something. Something I'd never show to a foreign dignitary under normal circumstances. But my Sharingan sees all Mitsukira...and it tells me that you are a good person. A person I can trust with this."

Nyguyen's words were chosen very carefully. There were hints of flattery, vulnerability, and gravity. He approached Mitsukira and showed her the portrait of his daughters. It was a typical picture with the elder standing behind the younger and her hands protectively placed on her shoulder. Mercedes' expression appeared bored and practically screamed "I'd rather be anywhere else but here right now, can you please take the goddamned picture?" and Innocence had a wide eyed and near manical grin that said: "This is the 15th take of this picture because I keep aggravating the photographer!" He placed the portrait in her hands and stood behind her in an authoritative way as he spoke.

"Those are my daughters, Mercedes and Innocence. Mercedes is turning 18 soon and Innocence just turned 13. I love them with all my heart Mitsukira and I will do anything to protect them...just as I would any child in this village."

Nyguyen knelt once more to her side and spoke in a low tone but one filled with emotion.

"They are my life. My reason for beign Kage...and my village has been so deeply compromised that my ability to do my job and protect them is severely hampered. I don't want to lose them Mitsukira....I'm not angry that you know Konoha's Exclusives. I'm sure there are people back in Iwa that you would do anything to protect. I'm happy you agreed to stop the trafficking of our exclusives and to ask your Kage to do the same, but I'm afraid that's only half the equation. Because other evil actors have our exclusives and will probably trade them, I have to dig deeper and find new ways to protect the ones I care about. Mitsukira. Look at me. Please."

If Mitsukira was looking at the portrait, Nyguyen would command the young woman's attention. She would see the raw emotion on the man's face. He wasn't faking this part. He knew things that she did not. There was a revivalist Sage cult that wanted to resurrect the Disciples and unleash them on the world. They had been so busy infighting that they were losing sight of the true enemy. However this war ended, Nyguyen would need to remain vigilant in case they made their move.

"If there is anything you can give me. Anything at all that would even the odds between myself and those who want to destroy all that I love. I need you to help me. Its the only real way to make amends for what you have done. If Iwa has any exclusives or secret abilities they have uncovered that are not their own....I would like you to tell me."

As Nyguyen ushered Rin and the woman out of the room, Mitsukira sat trembling in her chair. She was trying to be brave, to accept the fate that was handed to her, but she had no righteous fury to draw on this time. Not like with Chen. Not ever since Chen. Every part of her was expecting the pain of betrayal from the moment she heard the soft ‘click’ of the door latching shut. Vivid images of a wicked smile and a sharpened tool went through her mind and she would squeeze her eyes shut as fresh tears formed in the corner of her eyes and without thinking she blurted out a request in a quiet but panic stricken voice. “Please, make it quick.” She meant ‘make the death quick’. She didn’t want to die, but if she had to, she didn’t want to suffer again.

When she wasn’t stabbed, her eyes would open as she looked around warily. Nyguyen had moved and placed a photograph in her hands. She would blink and look at the picture of the two girls, using the finger of her left hand to lightly trace their features. The shock of expecting to be murdered and then having that not happen was doing wonders for her panic. She sat quietly and focused on the photograph, a mild confusion setting in as her rational mind tried to listen while her primal one fought her. “They’re beautiful. Your daughters. Beautiful names, I had hop-” Her slow sentiment was cut off as he commanded her to look at him. And obediently she did, stopping mid sentence and trying to focus on the Hokage.

She could see how deeply this was affecting him, the pain of fearing for their safety clearly written on his face. Nodding as he spoke she would grip the photograph, finding that holding onto something physical helped to keep her grounded. She felt for him, she really did. But as she watched him something in her twisted just a bit. Hearing him say ‘those who want to destroy all that I love’ struck a chord. She remembered sitting in a garden in the Heavenly Emporium, wishing she had the power to sway the mind and heart of Argent. She remembered standing in a field of rubble and hearing the wails of the broken and dying. She remembered the shock of watching Masaru’s unconscious body be carried into his chambers after it was deemed that nothing could wake him. She remembered loss. And she remembered who was said to be at the heart of those losses. She knew exactly what it felt like to want to protect people and be unable to do it. She had felt that herself not so very long ago, during the war. Those memories gave her a tiny bit of the righteous fury that she had thought was lost forever.

“You must really love them. I know that fear, that pain. That feeling that comes with wanting to change the world, to make it safe for those you love and care for. I wanted the same thing. I have no children, but I do have a husband and by extension all of the people of the Land of Earth are my children. I would have given anything to protect them all. I very nearly did. My husband did. There is only one thing that I hate in all the world Nyguyen Uchiha, and that is war. The war that you brought to my doorstep took so much from me, from my people.” She would shake her head and sigh as she looked down at the picture in her hands once more. “I’m not angry that you brought the war, and I would never want your children to suffer. They are children. I had originally thought I could come here to understand the war, and why it even happened. But I realize now that it doesn’t matter why. That is the design of the Universe, life, change, death and on and again into infinity. The why is unimportant in the Grand Design. What is important is what choices we make and how we treat those around us. Iwagakure is no longer under my control, I manage its finances and administration, a glorified secretary. I do not have the authority to aid you from within Iwa. However, I am still a Jounin of Sunagakure and while the sand nation is not known for its power, I would be willing to offer you the same proposition - minus the marriage - that I did when I first arrived in Iwagakure. Ally with Sunagakure, and then I may be able to offer you the power you seek.” There was no anger in Mitsukira’s voice, but the trembling had ceased, and her usual melody had returned. She was not content, she was still most definitely terrified and expected that her counter request would be bluntly denied, but it was not unreasonable in her mind. As far as anyone in Iwagakure was concerned, Nyguyen Uchiha was solely responsible for the war, and while she might be forgiving or even understanding of that fact, she knew full well that her people would not. They barely tolerated the Accords, handing out power for nothing would net her. . . another war. And she couldn’t have that. So she did the only thing she had ever done even remotely well; offered the chance at an alliance.

Active: Sensory CP 258/260

When Nyguyen saw how Mitsukira was reduced to tears just by the act of being sequestered in his office, he knew he had her. The girl was literally crying and he had done nothing to her. When he laid on the emotional ordinance in the form of his children, he expected her to fold like a house of cards and give him what he sought. Power. Iwa's power. Any hidden knowledge or secrets that he could use to turn the tide of the war or maintain Konoha's status as the predominant power of Kishin. What he got was a true surprise.

The Hokage listened as Mitsukira empathized with his position. The words were flattering but his Sharingan detected a sudden change in demeanor. She was no longer as uncertain and vulnerable as she had been before. He braced himself for disappointment but what he got almost made him set his jaw in rage.  

“There is only one thing that I hate in all the world Nyguyen Uchiha, and that is war. The war that you brought to my doorstep took so much from me, from my people."
"......."

The Hokage maintained his composure but just barely. She had either seen through his ploy or somehow mustered the courage to defy him. He knew if he lashed out, he'd only annihilate what little progress he had made before so he was self-conscious enough not to react adversely. She would not give into his demands. She cited some cosmic principle of Grand Design and her own limitations as a mere secretary in Iwa. It appeared her real power lay in the land of Suna and that's when the puzzle began to fit together. The husband she was referring to was no doubt Masaru and her marriage to him was political in nature. Nyguyen found this quite surprising as Sunagakure had not involved itself in the Mountain Wars albeit that could be explained by their shoddy situation. They lacked the unifying presence of a leader like Masaru and thus were probably little more than his vassal state. That is until Ei had taken over.

It appeared that Mitsukira was in possession of Suna's Exclusive Techniques and she'd be willing to part with them if an alliance could be brokered. Little did the child know, Nyguyen had already made progress in that direction. He had corresponded with Ei Kanegawa and warned her that she had intruded into Konoha's sphere of influence with her Rivers incursion. The Kazekage had respectfully agreed to cede the land in exchange for his help acquiring new territories. Fortunately, he could think of a slate of mountainous nations that were ripe for conquest. The fortuitous nature of this moment made him wonder whether this girl's spiritual mumbo jumbo had some weight to it.

The Hokage looked down at the girl and smiled. He was angry at himself for trying to manipulate her but he was angrier at her for thwarting his attempts. The only thing worse than robbing an orphanage was getting caught. The Hokage spoke slowly but with the same level of meaning in his voice.

"Mitsukira of Iwagakure.....I'd be lying if I told you that the war in your lands was something that I am proud of." It was a brutally honest statement. One that Nyg was surprised that he admitted. "However, one thing you will soon learn about the shinobi world....is that protecting the ones you love sometimes means more than just the corporeal...it involves legacies just as well. Its a complicated affair and not one you'll understand until you occupy my or your husband's position. Should you, Kami-willing, live long enough to bear such a burden"

Nyguyen now gripped Mitsukira's shoulder with all his strength. The loving and reassuring touch had suddenly transformed into a death grip. Given the girl's size and constitution, it might even prove painful. It served as a warning. Nyguyen was moved by her newfound courage, but it would not keep him from his destiny. The man's children were important but so was what he sought to give them. An Uchiha led superpower that was invulnerable to the whims of its neighbors. Permanent peace was their inheritance and he'd break every bone in her body to achieve it. Just as quickly as the squeeze had started, it would stop. He gently took the portrait out of her hands and placed it on his desk. He would then turn around and lean on it with his arms folded.

"I understand your position Mitsukira of Iwagakure and I respect it. It sounds like Iwa and Suna have a close relationship with you being the tether that links them. If that is the case, then I'm sure you will find us just as hospitable....minus of course the nuptials. There are things I fear more than death."

The Hokage grinned and pointed to another picture. This one occupied a place high above the bookshelf. It depicted the Hokage and his wife in a beautiful wedding gown. The woman in the picture was dark-skinned and gorgeous but it was clear from her eyes that she brook no bullshit.

"I am currently in sensitive talks with Sunagakure regarding a matter of mutual benefit" Nyguyen was coy on this point. He saw no point in revealing his hand to a mere secretary. "Should it prove fruitful then I'm sure in time we can learn to trust one another with our secrets. Iwa, Kiri, Suna, and Konoha all share a common foe and I think you are more right than you realize when you say that the choices that we make are going to be very very important. I trust you will carry my message to the Tsuchikage and that you personally will respect my wishes regarding our Exclusives. As for the situation with Suna, whatever happens will happen. Konoha remains committed to the terms of the Accords and looks forward to welcoming Iwa back into the status of Major Nation"

It was a short and simple speech. Nyguyen for once did not feel the urge to pontificate. For one, he had begun to realize his tendency to talk a lot was a sign of nervousness and a desire to over-explain the situation. it was a trait shared by many bookworms and professional academics. He had made a concerted effort to stop doing it unless absolutely necessary. Secondly,  he had little else to say as it appeared that the ambassador's mind was made up. The resolute melody in her voice told him he'd get nowhere with further manipulation and outright threatening her would be a violation of the treaty.

My word is my bond....

"Rin!" he shouted so that the jinchurikki could hear him on the other side of the wall. "Feel free to come back in. Mitsukira and I have reached an understanding. You may leave Konoha at any time of your choosing and give Yui my best." The last part was semi-sarcastic. He doubted the Tsuchikage would want his condolences just the same as Mitsu would probably not want to hear them with respect to Masaru. "As for fighting your personal demon, if you want me and mine's help I suggest you get Iwa to commit to keeping our exclusives....exclusive"

As soon as the words left her mouth, Mitsu regretted them. There was merit in strength she had heard, but this wasn’t strength, this was defiance. And being defiant had nearly killed her before. She was alone in a strange place, almost no one knew that she was here and she doubted anyone would come looking for her if she didn’t return. Her position was laughably precarious and she had just accused the kindly man of being a warmonger that she hated. Her expression changed noticeably, fear welling up in her eyes once more as he spoke and gripped her shoulder. Hard. She winced and yelped quietly, immediately biting back the noise so as not to cause any further disruption that may result in her inevitably justified punishment. He was much stronger than he appeared, and her shoulder stung where he had gripped it, likely she would end up with a bruise later. If she had been afraid when she first entered the room, now she was petrified.

She truly did wish to live long enough to bear any burden required of her by the Universe. Death was not something she was prepared for, and as her shoulder throbbed and she considered the casual strength displayed she. . . panicked. As soon as Nyguyen released his grip and gently removed the picture she would interrupt him. Her voice cracked as she spoke breathlessly, her pink eyes searching Nyguyen’s face for forgiveness as she stammered out an apology. “Please. . . I-I I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it to come out like that. P-please don’t be angry with me, I spoke hastily and I didn’t mean to be rude. I don’t hate you, and I d-didn’t mean to make it sound like I did. I keep saying that. ‘I didn’t mean to’. I know it sounds false, it sounds more false every time I say it.” Her frail form shook like a leaf as she tried to control her breathing. “Let me make it up to you. Please. I want your daughters to be safe, I want you and your village to be safe. I don’t want to cause any more trouble. I’m supposed to be fixing things, not making them worse.” As much as she genuinely wanted to make up for her misspeaking, she was too scared to move any closer to the Uchiha and instead would clutch onto the seat of the chair she sat on in fright.

The yelp that Mitsu uttered cut into Nyg's soul. This wasn't the man he had ever wanted to be and it disgusted him to know that that was who he was becoming. However, any discomfort that was caused by her reaction was smothered by his unrelenting sense of duty. There was nothing he wouldn't be willing to do to ensure Konoha's safety. He needed to make sure Mitsukira understood that should she ever be tempted with the prospect of betraying her promise to him.

It appeared his intimidation attempt had been successful. He would have hated for it to have been in vain. If he was going to sacrifice pieces of himself for the greater good, then he wanted to see results. Mitsukira apologized profusely for her insolence and begged for his forgiveness. Nyguyen said nothing. The middle-aged shinobi's eyes seemed kind but his expression was neutral. It was as if he was silently judging her and deciding what to do with this girl. Any respect he had developed for her began to evaporate. He thought he had underestimated her resolve, but all it took was some physical correction for her to be reduced to a whimpering mess.

If she is Yui's right hand then Iwagakure is doomed...

Nyguyen didn't want to force the issue but now that she was lowering her defenses, he saw no harm in pressing his advantage. Given the severity of her response, he opted not to say what he planned before. The man's speech would halt at "live long enough to bear such a burden." Rather than concede his position, he'd reply to her slavish words with greater aggression.

"Well then...you've insulted me in my own office, soaked my furniture with your tears, and threatened my daughters' safety by refusing to give me the means to protect them...even though you now possess my own secrets to protect the ones you care about"

Nyguyen gave her a stern expression. The kindness and warmth were now gone.

"If you truly wish to fix things...then you will re-consider my request and grant it!" the last words were spoken loudly. Loud enough for perhaps even Rin to hear.

Now she’d really done it. Not only had she unintentionally caused a problem, her apologizing for it seemed to have made it worse. There was no more kindness or warmth in Nyguyen’s eyes as he stared down at her. She was a creature of abject misery in that moment; she had somehow managed to mess up yet again during an important meeting. It was the sort of scenario that most would say was the result of some cosmic force despising or punishing them. For her though, she knew it was the Universe. She understood that the Universe did not despise her though, or think about her at all most likely. She was simply playing her part in the Grand Design and even though she thought she couldn’t bear the anguish of it all, she knew there was purpose behind whatever she suffered. That purpose was as yet unknown to her, but just knowing that there was one. . . that was enough to allow her to carry on.

As soon as Nyguyen barked the command, Mitsu jumped up from her seat. Partly from fear at the tone of his voice and the implications therein, but more so to reach for the pen and paper she saw sitting on his desk. Without thinking, as was how she did most things, she leaned over the desk and began to write furiously unless he stopped her. She knew that she had the right to hand out Sunagakure’s exclusives to anyone she saw fit, and if this was what would keep Mercedes and Innocence alive then it was a worthy price. She would write down the entirety of Sunagakure’s exclusives, having easily committed them to memory before her travels here. Once completed she would hand the papers over to Nyguyen with a remorseful look on her face and trying her hardest to keep her extended hand from shaking. “Here. These are all of Suna’s exclusive techniques. I hope that they help you and your family. And I pray, Universe willing,  that the rift I have caused between us may be sealed.”  

[Created a copy of Suna’s exclusives]

Nyguyen's facade of meanness did not crack even as Mitsukira jumped. It appeared with each passing second, the guilt lessened. Was this what it was like to become a truly hard man? She got out of her seat and complied with his request. As she wrote, he analyzed. The Hokage took stock of her body language and her graphology using his Sharingan. It told him that she was being sincere. That she really was giving into his impossible demands. Thank Kami.

She was writing on his papers without permission which irritated him but he wasn't about to interrupt her. If he pressed to hard she might crack and then he'd never get what he wanted. When she was done writing and had told him whose exclusives they were, he raised an eyebrow.

Sunagakure?

If this cub was from the Sand then he supposed it made sense. Nyguyen was unsure of how someone so timid and weak could possess the exclusives of not one but two hidden villages. Nyguyen began to wonder if he was being played for a fool. If he was then he'd have no way of knowing for the time being. Either Mitsukira had simply been born and wed into power or she was the greatest spy on Earth. Given Iwa and Suna's perpetual state of instability, he opted to believe the former. Nyguyen accepted the papers and set them aside. Then he turned to Mitsukira and once more his expression softened. He gave off the vibe of someone who was grateful that his family had been saved.

Nyguyen slowly but gently both of his hands on Mitsukira's shoulders. The anger was now replaced by a warm smile.

"With these gifts, I will protect those that mean the most to me. Thank you Mitsukira of Iwagkure. You have done a good thing today and it should not go unrewarded. Inspired by your efforts to maintain peace between our villages, I am reducing Iwa's debt to Konoha by one million."

Nyguyen's smile faded a touch as though he had just remembered something sad.

"But....you can never tell anyone in Iwa that you gave me these exclusive techniques. It must be our secret. If anyone asks why I lowered Iwa's debt by half, tell them that it was a show of good-faith and an encouragement for them to accept our mutual respect for each other's exclusives. That should be enough to get Yui to agree to my terms."

The Hokage was of course referring to his prior deal with respect to Rin. Iwa must keep Konoha's exclusives close to heart and in turn Konoha shall do the same. It would be an addendum to the Farfour Accords and something that would prove that the two nations could work together.

"I'm sorry I yelled earlier....I'm very passionate about protecting my people but I can see that you are as well. That's why I am willing to bring your nation one step closer to independence. This godforsaken war will come to an end at some point and when it does I imagine world leaders will have a lot of talking to do. Earth Country deserves a seat at the table. But they can only do so if they are a sovereign and independent nation."

Nyguyen was not so subtly lighting a fire under Mitsu's butt. He wanted his money. The interest payments were juicy but if he bled Earth Country dry then they'd be susceptible to take over and the next administration may not be one that he could so easily control.

Nyguyen took the papers and set them aside, and as his hands came towards her shoulders she steeled herself, unable to stop herself from tensing her muscles as his hands made contact. Her shoulder still hurt from where he had grabbed it before, and the gentle weight of his palm caused her to hold her breath as it reminded her of what she might have to endure once more. His face was kind again though, and his voice soothing, and Mitsukira felt confused. She was happy to be comforted, to hear that she had done a good thing, but she still felt the roiling of anxiety in her stomach. ‘C’mon Mitsu, you messed up, said you were sorry and now he’s not mad. It’s okay.’ She tried to convince herself that everything was fine now, and she would try to smile back. It wasn’t the most convincing smile ever, but she was sincerely trying to accept the new reality of calm and peace between them.

“Never tell anyone in Iwa? I. . . um. Alright. I don’t want to cause any more problems. I will speak with Y. . . the Tsuchikage when I return. And hopefully she will be amenable to your suggestion.” Mitsu was stunned. No one had ever asked her to keep a secret before, or if they had it had not been so blatant that she understood that was what was being asked of her. She also didn’t understand why. She would have stood there stewing the idea in her mind indefinitely had Nyguyen not apologized for yelling. “No, no. The yelling didn’t bother me, it was loud, but that’s it.” It was mostly, at least consciously, true. The yelling had not bothered her as far as she was consciously aware. It was the fear and the pain that had bothered her. The subtle threat on her life. All she wanted now was to get back to her home, back to Iwagakure. Away from wars and, hopefully, away from those that wished her harm. Chen always wanted to be away from her anyway, so avoiding him wouldn’t be that difficult she thought.

Taking a polite step back Mitsu would remove herself from Nyg’s grasp and bow to the Hokage. “Thank you, Hokage-sama, for your time and your generosity. Iwa will soon repay her debt to you, and when it is appropriate we will also return Rin Uchiha to you as well. Take care and may the Universe guide you to your place in the Grand Design.” With that said she would turn and leave the office, a parting smile on her delicate features as she closed the door quietly. She would collect Rin and Maiori, taking them with her to the gates and exiting the hidden village with haste. She didn’t know how quickly Iwa would be able to pay off Konoha, even with the reduced debt. She took care of the paperwork and she knew better than anyone that it would be difficult. At least she had Rin, and with him a possible solution to the new potential catastrophe that lay in wait back home.

[Exit Thread with Rin and Maiori]

Nyguyen could tell that Mitsukira was still very much uncomfortable with what had transpired in the office. At this point though, the guilt was null. He had done what he had to do and had been rewarded for it. He would try to make it up to this girl someday. He decided that the best thing he could do was gently guide her away from the shinobi life. She simply wasn't cut out for it. Nyguyen returned her bow and said:

"And the same to you Mitsukira of Iwagakure, I would invite you to stay longer but I understand your sense of urgency. Please give the Tsuchikage my best"

Nyguyen would then allow the girl to leave. He went back to his desk, stored the Suna Exclusives alongside the Konoha ones, and continued filling out the village's paperwork. It appeared every day brought a new challenge and with it, a sense of mercilessness and ruthlessness that Nyguyen didn't even know he possessed.

[Exit/End Thread]