A messenger bird had come with a note and a seal-paper. When he'd unfolded the seal and set it down per the instructions, he'd had a number of his jonin present. Just because there was a truce didn't mean taking unnecessary chances.
Naruto Uzumaki, possessor of the Teleport kekkei genkai. Because he was limited in how many he could transport, and it took five minutes with a very visible teleport effect - it was not as concerning as it might have been.
Useful yes. Potentially VERY useful. The seal itself was now tacked to the floor of a small booth out in the open where a guard post was normally stationed anyway. At the first hint of silver fire the word would be passed.
The Kazekage had noted the amount of space the dome had taken up and figured that five people could fit in there if they crammed together tightly. He'd also made note that Uzumaki had been tired and had chugged a good half of a water bottle on arrival. The teleporter had recovered quickly, but would be at a combat disadvantage upon first arrival.
One didn't get to be Kazekage by being unobservant.
He drew the blade, partially, from the scabbard and admired it again. Lygrist was its name, or as Uzumaki had explained, Snake Cleaver. There was much about it he didn't know. A straight-bladed longsword of silvery metal with dark blue lines in the metal itself. The edge was sharp enough, the Kazekage thought in a brief touch of whimsy, to cut the wind itself.
Yet a ninja had to look beyond surfaces for hidden meanings. The Kazekage handed the blade over to a retainer who would put it away in an appropriate location.
A sword of power, a gift from a far-off nation to the Hokage who regifted it to the Kazekage. Officially it was because Sarutobi was NOT as good with a sword as with some other weapons, and because he valued the peace that now existed between the Shinobi Nations.
Unofficially, the Kazekage saw the message as well. A request to stand WITH Konohagakure and mutually profit.
"I told that boy that I'd send a decision as to what to do with... is there something wrong?" The Kazekage turned his attention to the servitor that had been walking away with the sword and who now stood there looking puzzled.
"Pardon, sir," said the servitor, "but the sword just... moved."
"Eh?" asked the Kazekage, who got up and took the sword back. He frowned as he felt it when he grasped the grip of the weapon. It was stirring, giving off the feeling of being alert. Then, in a single motion, drew it.
The feeling of alertness exploded as soon as the tip cleared the scabbard.
One of his servants hissed and drew back, a ghostly snake whispering in his ear becoming visible to the Kazekage as the sword pulsed in his hand.
"How interesting. I think," said the Kazekage, pointing with the sword tip. "That a little talk may be in order."
"AIIEEEEEEE!" The servant dropped the tray and began to run, which was considered a confession of guilt by just about everyone present.
It took over an hour for the interrogation to wring the details out, which left the Kazekage idly tapping the sword he now had secured to a belt. "Why would an S-Class criminal like Orochimaru be interested in MY whereabouts?"
"You ARE the Kazekage, sir," pointed out Baki, one of the most trusted of Jonin.
"I have a feeling there is more to it than that," said the Kazekage. "Just for him to send a spy in amongst my staff represents a drain in resources that most people hiding from authorities would not be inclined to do."
"Orochimaru, sir, is NOT a typical S-Class," said Baki.
"Sunagakure may be in danger of more than being undercut on prices by Konohagakure," said the Kazekage. "I will take three of my jonin to investigate personally the rendevous point our spy was going to meet his contact at."
"Are you sure that's wise?" asked Baki. "Going yourself?"
"It is a month from now," said the Kazekage. "In the meantime, take this sword and put it up over the door there. Have someone keep an eye on it at all times. If someone enters and the blade shifts even a finger's width - we'll know who the replacement spy is."
Baki felt several objections come to mind immediately, but saw the cold gaze of his Kazekage and held his tongue. "Yes, sir."
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(Posted Wed, 27 May 2009 21:00)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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