Jiraiya, on the other hand, interacted with civilians regularly and was not as dismissive of them as most ninja tended to be. They couldn't be as awesome as he was, nor could they manipulate their chakra for the most part and bend the forces of nature to their command. Yet, within their own fields of specialty, they could and did often manage to produce the very things that ninja needed on a daily basis.
"Of that twenty four," continued Jiraiya. "There are six adults, women of their species which is apparently longer lived than humans. Three correspond to young adulthood, one is elderly, and two are middle-aged. The young adults are all considered 'journeyman' level in their trades - brewing, cooking, and tailoring. The two middle-aged are considered junior-masters of their crafts. One stonemason, one weaponsmith. The elder is considered master-level, a brewmaster and is the master of the journeyman brewer."
"'Brewer'?" asked the Hokage.
"Alcoholic beverages," said Jiraiya. "From my understanding, it is considered a very important thing within their own culture though their brews are quite different from what is typical fare here."
"I see, continue," said the Hokage with a nod.
"The other eighteen are children, ages ranging from pre-Academy to just prior to puberty," said Jiraiya. "Again, allowing for a different lifespan. Apparently these Mithral Hall refugees live for close to two and a half centuries normally, so their childhoods are likewise extended in years."
"So the elder one is actually close to that mark?" asked the Hokage.
"Past it according to her," said Jiraiya. "She claims to be two hundred and sixty years old. Rather proud of it too."
"I'd say she has reason to be," said the Hokage. "Any particular skills other than their professional one?"
"All of them are familiar with weapons," said Jiraiya. "Hammer, crossbow, and axe mainly. They fight in a different manner than ninja, more along the lines of the samurai of the Land Of Iron. Heavy armor and mostly up-close and personal from what they were saying."
"I see. Danger to the village?" asked the Hokage.
"None. Naruto's friend-summoning jutsu works by agreement of the parties involved. They came here knowing that it was a very different lifestyle but that if they stayed - they'd have likely been slain or taken away as slaves." Jiraiya made a face. "Apparently some of their enemies made a great deal of fuss about how they were going to have to make stew of them because dwarven flesh is tough and dry otherwise."
"I see," said the Hokage. "Still, they may decide later to break with their rescuer."
"Unlikely," said Jiraiya. "The dwarves see Naruto as their savior."
"Any good news?" asked the Hokage, really not seeing anything these short humanoids could contribute. He'd already sent word to the Daimyo about refugees, that was a political thing and not specifically a ninja area of concern.
"Well, three of them have already found jobs within the village," said Jiraiya. "I've had 'beer' before - and they tell me that's a mainstay of dwarven culture. Should be interesting to see."
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(Posted Tue, 18 Mar 2014 16:02)
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