Verdandi was thoroughly excited. She'd have a visitor today. At her very own residence in Kiri. While she would have preferred to invite the man to Yuki no Kuni and into Heidel. To show him her castle and the whole of royalty at her disposal, the land of snow was a bit far away for their purposes. She had to make due with what was available to her here in Kiri. Being a rich and spoiled princess, showing off was one of Verdandi's specialities. However, she had that wonderful ability to keep it within modest borders and to not get annoying about it. She knew the right combination. The right mix of modesty and prude levels of arrogance. Verdandi would slip into her more practical clothes however. A casual outfit of simple grey fabrics and bandages. Her guest had offered the young lady to train with him. Considering that she had seen him already bend the Senjutsu chakra to a complete mastery, Verdandi was very excited to learn more about it from him. Having a teacher as skilled as Nayoko would be an utter bliss. That he was in addition, a mysterious and handsome guy was something that Verd considered as a 'bonus' to the whole thing. She didn't have impure feelings about it. Her loyalty was tied in fate with her cute Chigetsu. But one could still appreciate a good-looking training partner. Like a piece of art yes? Verdandi chuckled and blushed to herself as she hurried through her room and tried to fix her hair properly.

While the household was busy. The butler, Walter, had already set up the tea house in the garden. A little building where Verdandi concluded most of her interactions as she enjoyed the freedom of being outside and yet sheltered in case of rain. The weather was marvellous however, even the mist was moving aside to let plenty of sunlight shine onto Verdandi's home. Before the training would begin. She had promised Nayoko to have a little face to face chat with him about political matters. Verdandi had a new position. She was now Captain and Commander of the ANBU. A position unique to each village that she now shared with Nayoko. Leaving them both in a certain level of influence and power over the fate of their very own villages. Something that Verdandi wanted to talk about. Something she wanted to discuss with a person she deeply trusts. Not for his political views or allegations. But for the simple fact that she could very well determine a good person from a bad person and having spent many weeks if not months in battle with Nayoko, Verdandi was certain that he was not a man that'd dare to betray her even if political powers above them would start to have difficulties with each other. It was time for a pact. For a promise that would bring an unruly safety to Verdandi's mind once the pact would be outspoken. Something Nayoko wasn't aware of yet. She could only hope he was still as open minded as she had met him.

Once Nayoko would arrive at the premises. He'd find that the butlers and servants were still busy setting up the garden and the teahouse. Leaving him but with the greetings of the two guards at the entrance of the Shinto-gate that marked the door towards Verdandi's residence. The princess was still somewhere inside her own rooms trying to fix a pretty hairdo up that'd seem practical as well as somewhat pretty. To impress on her handsome friend was something enjoyable to do. He was a bit early however, so no one expected him as he already walked past the two guards. No one but one specific creature. Avalanche. The bear had sniffed the man's scent from seemingly miles away. As Nayoko entered the premises. Avalanche was already slowly trotting his huge form towards the gate. With a soft growl the bear would welcome his old friend and quickly move in to brush his head against the ANBU Captains palm. Licking it softly with his tongue and gently patting one of his furry legs against the shinobi as if to welcome him into the property. Avalanche too was excited. Cause whenever there were guests there would be food. Avalanche loved food. And he enjoyed the company of good-willed men that exhaled a calm and gentle aura such as Nayoko did. The bear and the men were friends after all. Since Avalanche was the only one that had noticed him. The bear would move slowly towards the mansion. Suggesting for the visitor to enter on his own risk into the luxurious building of the princess. The bear would find a box of fish at the entrance to the house and would intently begin to sniff and nibble at it.


820

OOC:

Normally when Nayoko found himself walking through the Village Hidden in the Mist it would be with an air of sadness, depression, anxiety, or any one and a number of negative emotions. The village where Nayoko had spent much of his shinobi life had become like a second home to him, but the trials that he had faced within the boarders of the Land of Water had added him to a point. He was not always a sad ball of repressed emotions, but his darker side would tend to emerge in the land that was shrouded in a veil of judgement. But today was an exception of the norm that the Hattori had come to expect. Today, Nayoko was visiting a friend from his time in the Land of wind. He and this friend, Verdandi, had fought side by side through a great del during the incursion of the ruins of Sunagakure no Sato. What had started as a recon and rescue mission had ended up being a full-scale war against growing nukenin forces that had fought back the remaining great nations of the ninja world with a surprising ferocity. Their leader, a man that Nayoko had clashed with himself, had openly fought against the Mizukage and had led a veritable army to the encampment of Kirigakure no Sato. Verdandi and Nayoko had helped to push back the resistance that was being created by some of these criminals. It had led them to dangerous places, but they had done eventually. Now, upon returned to the Land of Water before eventually heading home, Nayoko found himself headed to Verdandi’s own estate dressed in his usual attire, but with his hood down and a smile on his face. It was rare to find a friend on the battlefield that would last, so the jounin was happy for this one.

As the sage approached the location hat he had been given by his friend, Nayoko could tell that he was a little earlier than the staff had prepared for. All throughout the ground Nayoko could see men and women preparing for his arrival. Guards were discussing the times that they would change their positions, people who appeared to be butlers and maids were preparing a small area for tea to be served later after Nayoko’s arrival. It was all well and good, and Nayoko was flattered hat so much was being prepared for him in advance; but Nayoko had never been one for spectacle, at least when it came to visiting his friends. And so, he waited for a moment, listening for the guards to move on as they went over just how they would greet the Hattori as he arrived at the gate of the estate before moving on to see where there next post would be. As they turned their backs, Nayoko quickly hopped up the wall beside the gate and slid down the other side, entering the grounds without making more than the slightest of noises as his feet hit the ground. With a smile to himself, Nayoko moved through the garden toward the familiar sound of another friend that he would find on these grounds.

It did not take him long to find the large polar bear that he had also fought alongside during is battles in the desert. The soft growl of the great beast brought a warmth to Nayoko’s heart, and the man could not resist speeding toward the creature with his arms outstretched. He ran his hands through the fur of Avalanche with a grin plastered onto his face. “It’s so good to see you buddy.” The Hattori sat there for a moment with Verdandi’s companion and let it nuzzle his palm for a moment before the great bear turned back toward the house. It seemed like Avalanche was leading him as well, and so Nayoko dutifully followed as he walked across the grounds of the estate and moved toward the house that was bigger than anything Nayoko had ever spent a night in. It was beautiful on the outside, and he knew that it would be equally as grand on the inside. Excited by what Verd would have in store for the rest of the visit, Nayoko quietly moved toward the door, his hand always resting on the back of the great bear that he had fought with. Eventually they reached the door, and Avalanche’s attention turned away from the Hattori.

Outside of the mansion’s front door, a small box of fish sat waiting for the polar bear. Without hesitation, Avalanche moved from Nayoko’s side to the box and began to sniff at it and nibble on the contents. Nayoko smiled and pet the bear once more before turning his attention toward the door in front of him. He knew he could knock, but then he would have to explain himself to the butlers and maids and guards that he had bypassed at the front gate anyway. So instead of going through all of that trouble, the jounin simply reached out and opened the door ever so slightly, slipping into the building before waving goodbye to Avalanche and shutting it behind him. As the door clicked shut, Nayoko took a moment to take in his surroundings. The foyer that he found himself in was huge; the ceiling was high above his head and from it hung a chandelier that shimmered with light that danced through it from the various sources around him. Before him were hallways and doors leading to more rooms than Nayoko had ever seen in a home in his life, and not too far a way was a tall, curving staircase that led up to a second floor. For a moment, the sage just stood there and took in the view on the room before realizing that it was probably creepy for him to simply stand there silently. And so, Nayoko began to move into he house, quietly stepping onto the stairs and making his way up to the second floor while calling out to his friend softly.

“Verdandi? I hope you don’t mind princess, but I’ve arrived a little bit early.”

WC:1031

Verdandi's eyes widened at the sudden call of her friend's voice. She had to admit that she was taken by surprise and her heart fluttered a moment by the sudden advancement in her plans. She quickly fixed her top into position and left the various accessories that she rarely could choose from simply laying behind. Her chakra enhanced necklace and earrings the only shiny things adorning her face for now, it'd suffice. Nayoko would soon her the light footsteps of the princess moving through the rooms of the second floor. Passing by various places of vanity that her house held plenty of before she arrived at the top of the staircase he seemed to have already climbed on his own. Verd could tell that neither of her servants nor her guards were with him. She couldn't help but chuckle at the way he must have entered on his own. Eventually their eyes would meet and Dandi would blush with a bright smile on her lips. Stepping forward just to bow once slowly. Being not all too formal, knowing well that etiquette wasn't as important to the Hattori as it might be for some of the stuck-up Yuki clansmen that she met throughout the casual days in Kiri.

"Nayoko! I see you snuck your way in without giving my guards the pleasure of welcoming you as they were hoping for. How naughty. You should be aware that sneaking in a royal lady's private rooms is usually seen as an act of villainy."

Verd chuckled, a little bit of teasing was allowed at some point. She figured, that her way of welcoming guests might have not been the most suitable way to welcome her rather modest friend. At the ground floor one could hear a growl. Apparently, the guards had gotten aware of the visitors appearance. But Avalanche seemed to disagree with them intending to come in and disturb the two shinobi in their meeting. The bear, probably by now with a plenty amount of fish between his teeth, was continuously growling and gently pawing at the soldiers and sat powerfully insistent in front of the door to make sure the little humans would know their place when trying to deal with him. Avalanche had grown into a very strong creature on his own. It'd be an easy task to smack the guards around like toys. But it wouldn't fit his rather gentle soul to do something like that.

"Seems like you already met Ava, considering that he seems to be bossing the guards about to stay the out. Poor guards. I guess I should have warned them better. Anyhow, preparations aside. I have some tea ready in the gardens. Mind to follow me fellow captain?"

Verdandi grinned. When she was appointed by her aunt, the Mizukage as the new head captain and commander of the Kiri ANBU forces. There were little people that would even be informed about that fact. Considering that Kirigakure treats their special forces with the highest levels of security and secrecy. Aside from the Hunter Commander Nozomi and the Special Commander Sero, which both held now a similar rank than the princess, the kage alone knew of Verdandi's new level of influence within the ANBU forces. For anyone else, Verd was but a renowned Jonin of Kiri.

In official matters and regard to give reason as to why Verdandi would now spend majorly more time in the kage office. Ayakashi had officially appointed her as her personal secretary. A rank of simple honours that mostly included taking care of paper work on behalf of the kage. A job not many people willingly volunteered for. Most of them had little time left for anything else in their lives after accepting such a high prestige errand-girl position. But it was the perfect disguise for Verdandi to continuously discuss actual ANBU matters with her aunt and leave the higher ups with no actual questions as to what she might be doing in Aya's office all the time. Verdandi was however allowed, to pick a few selected people that she trusts and inform them about her position. For now, that would be but her squad and best friends. Chigetsu and Haka. Maigo, her squad leader, already knew about it because he too was considering to take the position. But apparently left it to the princess once he heard of her ambitions to become the next commander. Now the fourth person was about to be involved. Verdandi was looking forward to have this talk.

Verd would give her old friend a tight hug and a subtle kiss to the cheek before she grabbed his palm and gently lead on downstairs and through the backyard door into the gardens. The butler and maids had taken the hint from Avalanche that the two wanted to remain undisturbed. Henceforth, Walter alone made his presence notable but then moved into the house once he could give Nayoko a deep, respectful bow. Verd could hear the hearty rumble of heavy footsteps moving around the house. Avalanche must have sniffed out her presence and had no particular interest to leave the two friends of his all on their own. He had his own special permissions in situations like this and he knew it. Verd just generally couldn't say no to the buddy. She giggled as she could see him jumping towards the two and catched him not unlike Nayoko did earlier to give the huge bear a ruffle.

"You opened the fishbox didn't you? Bad boy. You were supposed to wait and eat with us together! Oh well. I guess the whole celebration will be cut a bit more modest now anyhow. Yeees. Its ok. Don't look at me like that. You're a good boy."

Verdandi giggled as Ava's cuteness simply couldn't leave her angry for long. Eventually the bear would wait for the two shinobi to have a seat in the teahouse and then crawl in carefully, as to not damage any of the furniture, near the tea table and lay down. His belly currently processing half a box of fish so he was a bit lazy and sleepy. His proximity to the table allowing both Verd and Nayo to caress him, which added greatly to the bears happy comfort.

"I think my messenger already informed you that I have a few political matters to discuss, aside from our intended training. As for the first matter I want to get that quickly out of the way. You once trusted me with this information about yourself during our travels, now I can return the favour. Ayakashi has given me complete control of the ANBU forces. An addition to my official promotion to an actual Jonin. While I'm uncertain if I'm actually ready for such a job as of yet. I'm trying my best to train and catch up with my shortcomings to live up to the expectations. However, beneath all the worries I have over rather disturbing reports between our borders, I have one thing that will probably be more worth to me than anything else Nayoko. I have you. And while our higher ups deeply enjoy it to just clash their heads together and yell at each other. I can avoid a lot of that considering that we two can talk on more… level headed approach."

Verdandi admitted that she had exhaled a lot of words in a short time. But it was obviously weighing on her chest. She would but for now grab hold of her tea pot in one palm to take a sip and calm down, while her other hand gently ran into Avalanche's fur whom didn't seem to care much about humans and their political disputes. Despite the fact, that this bear could very well understand every single word spoken by our common tongue.


1320

Nayoko paused about half way up the staircase as the presence of his friend became known to him. The Even present perception that was granted to him by his perfected Senjutsu chakra control allowed him to feel movements from quite a distance away. As Dandi stepped into the range of that perception, the Hattori decided to simply wait for her instead of continuing. The light patter of her footsteps echoed throughout the second floor as Nayoko continued to wait silently until finally she stepped into view at the top of the staircase. She was dressed casually, and for a brief moment Nayoko regretted wearing his more standard shinobi attire. Part of him wished that he had showed up in jean and a sweater to just hang out with his friend. But he quickly remembered that he was, in fact, a guest in the home of a princess. If anything, he should have been dressed a little more formally. But regardless, Nayoko was simply happy to see his friend. The light chuckle she let out as she saw that he had circumvented her security made the grin on his face grow a little bit more, and he could not help but shake his head when he saw the young woman blush.

He returned her slight bow and moved closer to her a she greeted him properly. “I hope you don’t mind,” he replied with a smile. “I am all too aware of the fact that if I was actually breaking in, you would be able to defend yourself thoroughly. To be honest, I think the guards are more for aesthetics then anything.” He winked and let out a short chuckle as Avalanche made his way between the two friends and caught the attention of Dandi for a moment. Nayoko simply watched their brief exchange with the smile ever-present on his face. Eventually, Verdandi invited him into the garden for tea, making a brief comment about him being a “fellow captain” before a grin overcame her visage as well. Nayoko tilted his head to the left and raised an eyebrow to express his confusion but did not press for any answers. He assumed that Dandi would explain herself in due time. He had not seen her as mysterious and jovial as she was being currently except for a few fleeting moments in their camps back in the Land of Wind. She was a happy young woman, despite all that she had been through. Nayoko could appreciate the sentiment of staying positive in the face of adversity; it was something he tried to do every day. Even so, the jounin was certain that his young friend was probably at least a little bit jaded.

The Hattori man happily returned the tight hug from the princess and offered his own peck on the check as a sign of familiarity. They had fought and bled together on the sands of the Land of Wind, and a bond like that becomes a close one very quickly. He allowed his hand to be taken and followed the young woman through the back door and into the garden proper. It seemed that the servents form earlier had moved on from their previous posts; save for the butler, who offered a deep boy to which Nayoko responded with a smile and a nod. After that, the man walked into the house and was replaced very quickly by Avalanche. Verdandi released Nayoko’s hand and bounded toward the polar bear, chastising him softly but lovingly for opening up the box of fish from earlier without her permission. She did not seem to truly mind though. Once again, Nayoko found himself simply watching the princess as she went about her cheerful, almost care-free lifestyle while inside her estate. It was so contrary to the incredible warrior he had seen before that part of him wondered if it was even the same woman. Of course, he knew it was; but an identical twin did not seem so unlikely with the contrast that he was witnessing.

Before too long, Nayoko and Verdandi settled down in the teahouse that had been prepared specifically for his visit. The ANBU captain took a moment to survey the space before slipping into the seat opposite his friend. Avalanche also joined them within arms’ reach, and Nayoko did not hesitate to oblige the great beast as he reached out his hand and began slowly petting Avalanche. Once again, it was a side of the beast that Nayoko was not used to. He had seen this very creature tear the limbs from a dozen men and women with ease. But now he was laying at the jounin’s feet, nearly begging to be pet. It was almost comedic. But it became quickly apparent to the Hattori that pleasure would not be everything that was discussed at this table. As Verdandi took her seat, she began speaking to official business very quickly. It caught Nayoko off guard for a moment, but he was able to recover quickly enough to gather the gist of what she was saying.

"I think my messenger already informed you that I have a few political matters to discuss, aside from our intended training. As for the first matter I want to get that quickly out of the way. You once trusted me with this information about yourself during our travels, now I can return the favour. Ayakashi has given me complete control of the ANBU forces. An addition to my official promotion to an actual Jonin. While I'm uncertain if I'm actually ready for such a job as of yet. I'm trying my best to train and catch up with my shortcomings to live up to the expectations. However, beneath all the worries I have over rather disturbing reports between our borders, I have one thing that will probably be more worth to me than anything else Nayoko. I have you. And while our higher ups deeply enjoy it to just clash their heads together and yell at each other. I can avoid a lot of that considering that we two can talk on more… level headed approach."

Nayoko blinked at the revelation, mulling over the importance of what Verdandi was telling him as his younger companion reached for the tea pot. He waited for a moment to take the tea pot himself and poured a cup silently as he further processed the information. It was true that he had revealed to Verdandi that he had been appointed Captain and Commander of the ANBU in Konohagakure upon his designation, though in truth it probably was not the smartest move he had ever made. He did not regret it though, since now it had led to this knowledge. Each of the words that Verdandi had said were true; the higher ups did enjoy their bickering and political rhetoric, but the strength of both ANBU forces working together with a coordinated effort was too fantastic an opportunity to even think about passing up. With this new partnership, the Land of Water and the Land of Fire would both be adequately protected from invasion easily. Nothing like what had happened to Sungakure no Sato could ever happen within heir borders with such a coordinated effort on their side. Nayoko finally allowed himself a smile as he set his tea cup down on the table.

“Well first and foremost Dandi, congratulations. After seeing your ability on the battlefield and the competence in commanding the forces on the sand, I can think of no better person to take the position. It seems my old teacher is still wise with her command, though I never doubted it. She’s a powerful woman who got to her position because of smart thinking like this.” The Hattori paused for a moment to briefly reminisce to the times when he was learning from the Mizukage. Her teachings had made him the man he was today for sure, even though he had turned his back on them eventually. “As far as any shortcomings you say you have, I’m sure you will iron them out in no time. Especially since I am here to help. Iron sharpens iron after all.” He smiled once again, before allowing himself to drop into a more serous tone. “But enough with the congratulations. If you say you’ve been receiving disturbing reports, then I would be happy to listen to them. If there is anyone form my nation that is conspiring against Kirigakure no Sato, then they will be dealt with accordingly. I am confident that Lord Hokage would not move against you without informing me, and if that were the case Verdandi, I would not hesitate to inform you. The Mist is as much of my home as the Leaf is.” The jounin leaned back in his chair, taking another sip of tea before posing his question. “So, dear princess; what have you heard?”

WC:1492+1031=2523

Verd chuckled. To have normal soldiers as guards for a Jōnin’s home might appear silly. However, as a rather famous entity within Kiri, there were many civilians that were looking for her. The guards mostly worked on keeping these people from simply strolling into Verdandi’s home and garden. They weren’t really there to deal with other shinobi. Usually, a high-profile persona alike Verdandi would be under surveillance of ANBU, but seeing as she was now but the very commander of this organization and also very much disliked it to be disturbed in her privacy, there was no one really looking out for her other than herself. If someone actually managed to bypass Verdandi’s perception, a sensory ninja of Kiri, then they deserved their shot at her. She’d rather live with that ideology then to remain paranoid and omni observed all her life long. But that was a different topic. Verd had just been momentarily distracted by his word. She’d shake it off and come along further, concentrating on the joyful fact that her friend was here. He seemed a bit unused to Verdandi’s rather casual and peaceful way of living. She couldn’t help but instantly wonder how her friend Nayoko was living back in Konoha. She could only guess it was a simple, modest and more practical lifestyle. Nayo seemed to be the type of over efficient persona, the perfect weapon living for his country. Selfless and modest. Verd had to plainly admit, she was far from such a lifestyle. Enjoying her many perks as a princess without regrets.

Time went by and Verd casually sipped her tea, caressing Avalanche on his heavy fur. She could see how the situation felt odd to him. Her bear was a predator and trained war beast. Herself a fierce commander of troops and an avatar of justice, even in its most fearsome form. To see her all casual and without the many layers of armor and uniform she usually wielded, Verd must have shown a rather bipolar contrast to what Nayoko remembers. But times of war and times of peace were two different states. While many people would most likely live and die for the military or shinobi forces at hand, Verdandi was much less of a pure warrior. She showed that here, in her own home she was vulnerable and didn’t mind being so at all. She exhaled a calm aura of comfort and happiness. She had thoughts and feelings of a normal teenager and her occasional blushes to Nayo’s behavior was less that of a companion showing respect and more the simple reaction of a young woman exhaling a certain level of admiration towards someone she’d see as a mentor. While one would think that keeping a normal life was hard, especially one of a supposedly highborn, in par with the duties that come along with rank and title of a busy shinobi, Verdandi seemed to somehow have found a way to walk a road between both paths and at least for now, it was working well.

But as much as she enjoyed the tea and as delightful it was to caress her pet bear or glare at a handsome man at her table, Verdandi’s unequally colored eyes would show a serious glare, her lips might often form a gentle and genuine smile but they were steady and calm now. She had asked her question for a fellow high-ranking member of the leaf’s own security forces to form this very pact with her, right here and now. Verdandi nodded softly as he implied to be ready for working on their shortcomings, training was a primary objective of this meeting after all. She accepted his congratulations in a calm and humble manner. Returning a faint smile and a bow of her head in thanks. Aya supposedly knowing what she got herself into when she hired Verdandi in such manner? Verd sighed a bit, Aya was a cold-hearted old witch at times. She could be a mean boss and she was working Verdandi to the bone every time they would share the kage office together. But Verdandi knew, that her aunt did all of this because she was grinding her kin for greatness. Knowing well that success and survival did not come without price. She would be able to appreciate the little things. Like a pat on the shoulder. An expression of pride from her aunt, or a simple thank you. Knowing well that Aya herself was working like a maniac herself too. All for the good of their country. For the safety of her home she had sworn to protect.

Verd felt great joy cursing through her body as Nayoko seemed more than eager to help with her own desires of peace and friendship. He remarked that with their combined forces they would be untouchable. Verd snickered. It was a sweet thought for a moment. But she could enjoy it alas. One could still dream of such a peaceful world. Moments like this were important. To have hope that such harmony can actually be achieved and not remain an endless dream. Maybe with their combined efforts, maybe they could actually do something. She knew that Aya, despite certain critics, was a peace keeper as well. Even if she had a rather crude and brutal way of executing her orders. But she had been kage much longer than any of the other current regents. So, one could critic her as much as they wanted. Kiri was prospering under her care and no one could deny that. They would find a way around their issues with Suna, keep their truce with Iwa, retain the respect they received from Kumo and hopefully, they would be able to keep the peace with Konoha. Simple goals, yet seemingly difficult in execution. Little things could always tarnish a relationship. Between people and even between nations. Only true determination would be able to keep the chess board in balance, without either of the kings and queens dying unreasonably.

“We have various reports that seem troubling. Kumo seems to be under pressure from renegade forces with an allegiance yet to be revealed. If we however can trust the intel Aya has gathered during her battle with Mitsuhide, we have to assume that his associates are connected to the attacks. The masked sealer himself proclaimed to be aiming for Hastur’s head. While I wouldn’t mind that this self-proclaimed god vanishes, a growing advance from the sealer’s forces are troubling at least. The Tsuchikage has gone missing. Rumors of him fleeing into exile or an untimely death are concerning. While Iwa seems to remain remarkably stable without leadership, it is yet a major political concern. Further rumors persist, that a group of high ranked individuals with allegiance to Suna is trying to rebuild what is now left of their broken nation. Mitsuhide misused the sunaan as pawns in his ploy. While it pains me to accept it, I must also admit that the more I analyze the outcome of our charge into the land of wind, the more I’m sure we only added oil to the flames. The seemingly only positive outcome seems to be the rescue of many millions of refugees that would have most likely died without help. But the economy and infrastructure suffered during the Reclamation project. I can only hope to try and support whomever is trying to fix what is now left of their former country. And as a last but most concerning topic. Rippa has almost completely vanished from the political surface. He is the major reason this alliance works. If he keeps himself in seclusion his bickering advocates will saw away on the foundation of our alliance. Border disputes used to be solved in simple chats between Hokage and Mizukage. Now politicians just point fingers at each other while no solution is provided. We need to figure out what’s going on and find ways to secure the alliance without politicians screaming for war and conflict. We need worst case scenarios. For either of the currently potential border conflicts and we need them better now than later.”

Verdandi stopped, she had exhaled a lot of concerns in one blow. But the only few people she was able to talk about this with, were either apathetic to the future of peace or actually looking forward to conflict. Aya alone was there to discuss these matters with her. But now, maybe she could get some feedback from her friend here at least. She valued his opinion after all.


1440 / 3580

[EXIT]