"Much much worse," agreed Azuma, who despite all his experience as a ninja - was looking on with horror at the picture-book that was one of several on the table.
"What do we know about this 'Akatsuki Press'?" asked Yuhi. Not that 'dawn' or 'daybreak' was a particularly unusual name of itself.
"Minor printing operation in Amegakure and Kirigakure," said Jiraiya. "They've gotten quite a lot of money since going into these picture-books, but the indications are that the profits are not being reinvested in the company but instead going to a parent company. That parent company is hidden for now, it may actually be the council of Amegakure or some other group."
"I am a little concerned about the use of photographs of our ninja," said the Hokage, "but this is a subject to be explored later. Right now, we're dealing with the Legion."
"Right," said Hayate Gekko, who frowned at the ANBU reading a book next to him. "They've gotten worse as time has gone on. Little incidents to start, like their original cooperation to sneak photos of Sasuke Uchiha. From a little acorn, to a particularly twisted tree. They have since made annoyances of themselves on several occasions. It was the Legion that replaced the statues of Konohagakure's founders with ones of Sasuke Uchiha a few months ago."
The Third Hokage nodded, remembering that.
"Terrible," said Anko Mitarashi.
"True," said Yugao Uzuki.
"So you're going to stop reading those?" said Hayate, apparently addressing Yugao.
"I just read them for the articles," said Yugao.
"Ahem," said the Third Hokage. "Are we in agreement then? To shut down the Legion?"
"They're all ninja," said Kakashi. "I expect they'll just continue on in secret. But fine, I'll go along with it."
"That settled," said the Third Hokage. "By your report, it certainly isn't fair to Uchiha that his team members have sent him back to the Academy with themselves."
"He's expressed a desire to pursue personal training in the Land Of Hot Springs," said Kakashi. "I tend to agree. Some time away from the village might do him and the Legion some good."
"Hmmm," hmmmed the Third. "I've heard many things, some conflicting, about that area. Perhaps a few ninja could accompany Uchiha on a fact-gathering mission while he trains. There's a trade delegation moving through the Land Of Fire that Yuhi Kurenai's team is to guard. Accompanying them on the return journey might be a suitable mission and test."
"Now we just need to gather firewood," said Yuhi, "this campsite is one used by patrols in the area regularly."
Naruto went to a dead tree, examined it carefully, extended one finger, then struck.
BLAM!
"I'd prefer things a bit quieter," stated Yuhi as soon as she got her heartrate back under control.
Naruto frowned but nodded, acknowledging the request.
"Not too shabby," said Kiba, acknowledging that Naruto was not being dead weight after all. If he contributed to the pack, all well and good. "Hunting some food up is more my specialty. Besides, I train in mountains all the time."
"It's away from your mother's usual area," noted Yuhi.
"Damn straight," said Kiba, not picking a fight on that issue.
"Hinata, later on, with your permission, I want to use a pressure point technique on you that might help you in case we're attacked," said Naruto as Hinata helped him place wood together for the fire.
"Oh?" asked Hinata.
When they got to it, the technique (Stiff Upper Lip pressure point strike) gave Hinata more confidence. Unfortunately it also:
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(Posted Wed, 27 May 2009 17:51)
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