Tasatsuke arched a single eyebrow as Aikiko so readily revealed her trump card, that she had manifested the Sharingan already. Tasatsuke understood why she had revealed her Kekkei Genkai so early, she viewed his quick display as a threat to the denizens of her home and reacted accordingly. That being said, Tasatsuke wouldn't reveal his Ranton affinity, he hadn't gained a deep enough understanding of the element to utilize it in an effective manner yet.

Tasatsuke allowed the edges lips curl upwards ever so slightly, it gave his placid face an odd hint of emotion. Slowly the grey haired boy lowered his two fingers back into his lap and leaned forward slightly to study Aikiko's Sharingan closer. It held a single tomoe, while Tasatsuke didn't know much of the Uchiha's clan Kekkei Genkai, he had been taught that the Sharingan in it's infantile phase only held a single tomoe. That being said, he wouldn't underestimate the power it lent it's wielder.

When Aikiko spoke Tasatsuke leaned back to his original position and listened in silence. Aikiko believed him to be Hastur's biological son, it was an unintended half-truth but one that would be dispelled when they arrived at Kumogakure. Before Tasatsuke could reply to Aikiko's questions, the waitress arrived and silently placed his ramen and tea on the table before him. His yellow eyes instantly turned to the woman, he smiled as he looked upwards at her.

"Thank you!" Tasatsuke stated, a false cheery tone entered his voice.

Tasatsuke watched as the woman bowed her head in a slight nod before she turned and walked away. Tasatsuke's smile and cheery disposition faded instantly, like a snake that had shed it's skin. His cold eyes fell back to Aikiko and then down to the table as he bowed his head slightly.

"Thank you Lord Jashin for this meal and may my hands be guided to serve your purposes. May your will be brought manifest through me." He thought, his lips moved wordlessly with each syllable as he thought them.

Finally, Tasatsuke rose his head again after his brief prayer to his dark god. He blew gently on his ramen as he stirred the noodles to allow them to cool a bit faster. He was purposefully silent as he did this, the priests had taught him to never be too eager to give out information and to choose each of his words carefully in situations like these.

"I am a genin." He replied to Aikiko's questioning of his lack of knowledge about Mizuki. "Father needn't inform me of his political intrigues, that is not what his will is in my life." He explained. "I am to be a weapon of his infinite power, an extension of his will in places he cannot reach." He continued. "I am to be the sword, he is to be the arm that guides me, that is my purpose."

It was a simple yet effective explanation. Tasatsuke remained silent and began to eat his ramen as Aikiko explained her disdain for the country of Iwagakure and the lack of ambition within the Shinobi here. While the smirk never broke his deadened face, internally Tasatsuke smirked at this, she had shown another piece of her hand. It was the questions about the Raikage that forced Tasatsuke to stop eating and lightly dab his lips with a white cloth that had been in his lap previously.

"The Raikage is a powerful man, one who is destined for great things but he is no god..." Tasatsuke explained. "...at least not yet he isn't." He continued. "As a man? Hastur is defined by his limitless ambition, he will bring the world beneath the banner of a single united empire and control it through his unlimited power." Tasatsuke stated. "Traits that are common place within the Shinobi of Kumogakure as well, laziness and stagnation is not accepted within our ranks. The only limiting factor in your life is yourself." He continued.

Tasatsuke watched the interest in Aikiko's grey eyes turn from interest in the topic to that of pure glee as Tasatsuke gave his opinion of the man. This was furthered by the smile that formed on her lips as he explained how Kumogakure's shinobi viewed their duties and pushed themselves to achieve more. It was, from what he understood, a stark contrast to Iwagakure if what Aikiko had said was true.

“I'm tired of hearing so many versions of this man. I'd like to meet him for myself. C-could you help with that?”

The question caught Tasatsuke off guard for merely a second. Could he get her an audience with the Raikage? Probably, an Uchiha defector would be valuable as an asset and as a weapon to be honed against Hastur's enemies. The real question was why should he? He didn't truly know this outsider nor her goals with getting that close to his kage. Not that he believed Aikiko was capable of even getting close to harming Hastur but more the idea that she could attempt that action and sully his standing within Kumogakure.

"I could." He replied. "But why should I allow someone I barely know to gain that level of access to my Kage?" He asked. "What would you do in my shoes? Would you allow a stranger that proximity to a man you respect as deeply as I do him?" He continued rhetorically. "No. Prove your loyalty to Kumogakure and the Raikage, earn your audience with him." He stated coldly. "If I allowed myself to do this for you, I wouldn't be helping your growth, I'd be hindering it. Become a kunoichi of the cloud worthy of Hastur's time and respect." He explained keeping his voice in a hushed tone throughout his responses.

While he hoped his reply didn't offend Aikiko, his goal wasn't to push her away but to give her a glimpse of how Kumogakure shinobi were molded beneath Hastur. They succeeded through their own talents and build impactful connections on their own or not at all.

"However, when we return I will mention your name and that Sharingan of yours to him in my report. If he chooses to see you, then that is at his discretion." Tasatsuke stated with a half smirk which starkly contrasted his emotionless eyes.

As soon as the words had left his mouth Tasatsuke lifted his cup of tea, sipped it silently, and gazed over the edge of the cup at his new acquaintance. He would give her a moment to process everything he had told her before speaking once more. He was about to give her an offer that he knew she wouldn't refuse.

"What do you say?" He whispered after he placed the cup back down. "Would you like to escape this country that wastes your talent? Would you care to travel back with me to Kumogakure?" He asked, extending his left hand as a physical sign of his offer.

Tasatsuke watched as the waitress brought a single check to their table. A tinge of anxiety mixed with embarrassment was birthed within him as he watched Aikiko pay not only for her meal but his as well. That being said, Tasatsuke made no move to correct or stop her. Instead, he took it as a sign of her good will and remained silent.

Once his offer had been presented, Aikiko took a moment to mull over his offer but Tasatsuke could almost feel the tension in the air lift, he knew her answer before it ever came. That being said, once Aikiko opened her eyes Tasatsuke felt her hand grasp his own, the decision had been made. Tasatsuke allowed a pleasant smile to form on his lips and a small glimmer of joy to spark to life in his eyes for a moment. He was truly happy to have a traveling companion on his journey back to Kumogakure.

Aikiko explained that they had to leave immediately due to the changing of the gate guards quickly approaching. She also informed him of her need to gather some things at her family's estate. To all of which Tasatsuke simply nodded in agreement. However, it was when she asked for his name that Tasatsuke froze for a moment, he was unsure if he should be honest or simply lie.

"My name?" He asked rhetorically before giving a sigh. "My name is Tasatsuke." He replied. "So, perhaps it would be better if you came up with something else."

The boy knew full well what the core of his name meant, to murder or slaughter it was not a pleasant name in the slightest. This being said, it was something that the Church of Jashin had given him and wasn't something he was ashamed of. However, before he could say more Aikiko was dragging him out of the restaurant and into the street.

"Hey, hey hey!" Tasatsuke shouted barely being able to keep up with his companion. "We should probably stop somewhere so I can purchase a change of clothes." He continued. "I don't know how many people in that restaurant took interest in our conversation and would rather have a smooth trip home." Tasatsuke explained.

Tasatsuke was dragged quickly through the streets that were largely unfamiliar to him. He remained silent when she spoke with the gate guards who allowed them both to pass without hesitation or mistrust in her words. And after a few more minutes of feeling like his arm was going to be ripped off by the excited Uchiha girl, they arrived at her family's estate.

"So when are we goi-" Tasatsuke had started to ask about the change of clothes for him but his companion had already disappeared from view. "Well then..." He mumbled to himself "Forget about me I suppose." He continued under his breath.

Tasatsuke would slowly follow where he had assumed she had disappeared to. He had never been inside of an Uchiha manor and this one had spared no expense, he could tell that Aikiko had sat in the lap of luxury for quite some time. But, to the world he lived in, that was no uncommon especially for clans such as the Uchiha. Potent Kekkei Genkai often led to a more prestigious lifestyle with luxuries that more common shinobi could even dream of possessing.

Tasatsuke's feet would lead him to the front entrance but not into the manor itself, for some reason he couldn't bring himself to cross that thresh-hold. Instead, the young man would simply wait for his companion to emerge once more. Hopefully ready to continue on their travels back to his and soon enough Aikiko's new home as well.