There was nothing to be happy about as Kurohane, Eiko, Hisako and the new Lady Akane Kaguya met in my office. This was an act of necessity, this was a reaction to reality, to the truth I've long tried to deny for a fantasy only a version of me lived.
Unruly Ay, Kumogakure…they are never going to give up on their aggression and playing passive like a soft dog will only encourage the insults. It was time I hardened my heart and dashed my hopes for mutual understanding and longing for peace aside. It was time I treated Ay as what he was— an enemy Kage.
"You have a plan then?" I spoke up first, looking between the three I'd charged with arranging my soon to be violent response to the Raikage's brazenness. Hisako walked unchained but not without a leash— the scribbling of seals across her neck, chest and arms told me well enough that Eiko had taken to his new found freedom with her and enforced his will.
Kurohane stood silently, his eyes parsing both I and Akane behind his mask as he stepped up to speak to our waiting ears, "Yes sir, with the codes we've extracted from Hisako we've already made contact with the Handler, a simple message stating a need to discuss in greater lengths. From their swift response, a chain of bolt lightning across specific stars in the sky, we've surmised they're close and willing to assist in any way that brings them closer to their goal."
"Their goal of stealing Bloodlines…my Bloodline." Matriarch Akane spoke somberly at my side. She wasn't the same helper girl I met a few months ago. Back then I never imagined the soft spoken girl would grow so fittingly into the position their wizened Matriarch embodied, but I knew someone had to.
I'd seen her a number of times after our first meeting but we rarely ever spoke in detail, Reina Yuki oft handle the matters of the alternate clans but with her gone to investigate, track and with a great luck, kill Obito, I was returned to dealing with them personally. It was about time anyway, even at their clans presentation of skill wherein the talents of the Kaguya faced against those of the alternate Yuki clan, I was far too occupied with matters of greater importance than judging the worth of the young shinobi or the value both clans brought to the village.
Even so, now wasn't the time for such intimate politics. "Lady Akane—"
She flipped her white locs of hair over her shoulder and regarded me with an impassive but clearly displeased stare, "There's no need to explain, Yagura-sama, I understand the world both covets and fears that they cannot understand or control. I just hope little Joshiro will be safe."
I nodded and gestured for Kurohane to continue the brief. "With Hisako leading…under close supervision, we plan to lure the Handler through the third outer perimeter, of course, we'll need your permission to disperse the shinobi there and…"
"Assume you have my full support, Kurohane, speak."
The ANBU-nin straightened up, "Yes sir. We'll lure him through the dispersed third outer perimeter and meet him along the second. We've prepared excuses and reasons for why the secret passageways cannot be taken that don't compromise the truth."
The truth being they've been demolished with immediate effect. The Poison Mist clan still has a lot of suspicion circling around them but so does every caste clan at this point. The reactions to the sudden battle in the streets followed by the swift destruction of some of their clan properties as we sealed shut those secret tunnels and pathways leading well out of the village was taken with muted surprise.
My ears on the ground tell me there were long rumours of such 'paths to haven' rounded throughout some niche circles of the caste clans, especially those who believe themselves most oppressed— the Poison Mist included. Either way, it was clear my village needed a stronger, fiercer hand leading them.
My eyes stray no longer. All secrets, all lies, all will be revealed.
"And what if this Handler is already aware and rightly suspicious about these changes of plans? What if he goes to investigate these paths and finds them collapsed?" I asked.
Kurohane gladly answered, "That's where we'll really need your blessing, sir." I couldn't help raise a brow at that, "The village needs to be on the highest level of alert, we need to sell the lie of tension and tightened security so the fact that the third outer perimeter is unmanned goes unnoticed or is even excused by the Handler."
Though there truly wasn't anything amusing about recent events I couldn't help but laugh at the ANBU-nin's words and their implication, "Hahaaha, so this isn't enough by itself? I've already ordered several new security measures, a six PM curfew for everyone and ordered the Sensor Division to work without stop…they too will receive a visit from me and yet, this is not enough to convince a single Kumo spy?"
Unflinching, Kurohane responded. "We can't take any chances sir, this might be our only opportunity to catch this rat after…previous failures."
I leaned back against my chair and shut my eyes. He was right. If this too slipped between our fingers then…
All I'll have is a slapped cheek and rage.
At the thought, said rage boiled within me as I sat up, "Very well, if you want authenticity then I'll give you the very best. Myself."
""Sir?"" Both Kurohane and Eiko nearly exclaimed. Hisako's eyes went wide but quickly shifted away from meeting my gaze.
"You're right, Kurohane, there's too much at stake." I glanced up at Lady Akane who sat in front of my desk, she looked just as surprised yet perhaps more excited at the prospect— and for good reason. "Joshiro must return safe and we must capture this Handler, it's about time I take matters into my own hands too. Myself, Mangetsu and a handful of ANBU will pursue you three out of the village. All the bells will be rung where they hang and the Handler will not believe for a second he is alone in enemy territory. The last thing on his mind will be betrayal once he catches sight of me and even if for some reason he sees through you three, he's never leaving this island once he crosses that outer perimeter."
All three stood in silence, Kurohane visibly gulping and Eiko more or less stifling an eager cackle behind his demon mask. Hisako continued to tremble; whatever plans she may have formulated if she dared are dashed to dust with my involvement.
I should have done this sooner.
"Thank you, Yagura-sama, your personal touch would mean the world to me, to Joshiro's parents." Akane said, her smile wide and unrestrained.
"Of course, I understand what's at risk and I am sick of Kumogakure's subtle terrors. This ends and soon." I looked at Kurohane and nodded, "You only need to tell me when."