Azumi had not been used to this, the utter lack of control the raw emotion surging from her being. Not since she had been a little girl in the days of Amegakure's recovery had she had such an uncontrolled outburst like this one. But once she had left it out Baiyan took a moment to think a response, a moment Azumi used to help catch her breath or at the very least make an honest effort to. Azumi had glanced away from Baiyan before the latter gave an answer, her gaze directed at the suddenly interesting floor below them...but she had not been deaf to her words as she listened to Baiyan offer her two cents.
Baiyan to her credit did seem to possess wisdom of her own, offering an analogy of a boat which had made Azumi pause to think, as indeed her path was not one that favored caution at every turn. Azumi wanted to uproot the power structure, to dismantle the foundation of the oppressive great nations and use it to build up greater strength to those nations "beneath" them. One cannot do that while playing safe, or allowing such a moral obstacle to hold her back. Her god trusted her to lead, not merely to offer prayer to him. She had to make the decision, she had to trust that the one called Pain trusted her to make that call one way or another.
But what had been the right choice? What was it she needed to decide on? Azumi had been less sure. But one thing was clear, it helped to put her plight in perspective and made her realize what she had to do as she worked to try and wipe the tears from her eyes as she used a spare rag to blow on before she turned to Baiyan.
"Is this wisdom something you've built off your own experience, or that of the Nadeshiko culture? Irregardless I thank you for the words. I do not know yet what decision I will make, but be certain that it will be made. I won't allow my indecision to bring ruin to this unit, that much is the truth." Azumi said, as she had made it clear that whatever answer was "right" to make she'd make it and offered her thanks for Baiyan's words. Azumi was not a people person by trade, so it likely had come off more awkward than her usual stone cold delivery but she hoped the conviction there would be picked up by Baiyan all the same.
----------
Aisha held her tongue as she merely nodded in agreement with Taji, as it seemed the right thing to do as to avoid an argument over this. Luna and Sky certainly seemed to enjoy Taji's touch and offered the warmth of their collective fur as they worked to help lift her spirits which caused Aisha to smile softly.
Seems they've taken to her...
And really, Taji's remarks caused spirits to raise all around as she accepted Kenji's offer which was a positive sign. Seemed she was willing to give the temporary arrangement a chance and more importantly seemed ready to put these struggles behind her if only for the immediate moment and try to move forward in
"No worries Taji, we can help move your things there today. If uh you are willing to postpone your little "trip" for another day?" Kenji asked AIsha as she glanced at the comical amount of bags Kenji had by his side as she shook her head with a sheepish grin.
"Alright, not like the exams are tomorrow. We'll set out once Taji has fully adjusted to your place." Aisha declared as Luna & Sky barked; as if they had given their approval to the arrangement as Kenji knew he had to work to get the place decent with company, but eh wouldn't be that bad he figured.
After all, how many of his Icha Icha collection could he have scattered around realistically?
----------
Tomiko had been spurred by Mori's passion as they left his home, and with a grin she marched with her troops towards the village gate. It really had been a sight to behold, or puzzle for those who saw the scene the first time. As Tomiko literally led a march as Hoshi, Jirou, Mio, Miu and Naomi followed in line behind Tomiko with Naomi having clutched Ren's hand as he was the last in this chain as the slum kids moved step for step beyond the village gate.
Was it a little much? Maybe, but this was the first time the group had left the village gate before now so why not add a bit of flair to it?
Tomiko glanced ahead to the open space and rocky terrain as she flashed a grin as she turned to Mori and company alike as she she pulled out a scroll from her pouch and jabbed a thumb behind her to the rock formations ahead of them.
"Alright, today I plan to take you to a place near and dear to my heart. And one that explores the true beauty of our rocky land, and Mori I'll say this much with you being almost on the mark. But rather than sled..." Tomiko said, as she produced a item from her scroll and a puff of smoke later their make-shift junk sled was formed....only with an addition made to it, a sail of some sort set up made of sitched together fabrics though not released yet as Tomiko's grin seemed to only grow.
"...for today, we sail on our path to the rocks!"
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When one normally went to visit the Hokage, it was expected that they'd make notice in advance, follow respectful if not usual procedure or at the bare minimum use the door if they wished to speak with the leader of the ninja of fire.
But, if Tsunade honestly expected that from Jiraiya after their history...well that would have just been a foolish expectation.
Instead just outside the window to her office, Jiraiya sat on the balcony with a pen and notepad in hand as he seemed to be jotting something down. One hoped that it had to do with whatever business he had with the Hokage, but given his "stature" as an "acclaimed" author and the fact the hot springs had not been too far away for the trained eye one could only place hope away from that. Though the first so see the Sannin had not been Tsunade but rather her apprentice as Shizune glanced out the window and seemed shocked as she held her companion Tonton the pig in hand.
"L-lord Jiraiya?" Shizune asked shocked, as Tonton seemed to scowl at the well known pervert as Jiraiya smiled as he closed his notebook.
"Aw Shizune, a pleasure. Would Tsunade happen to be in at the moment? I have something to speak to her about, something she may find of interest."
-----
Mebuki had a eyebrow raised through this convo, as Sakura sighed and walked over to Kou as she gently took his free hand and glanced his way.
"You know, lying doesn't help anything. Look regardless of what happened I am sure we can find a resolution, but for now it is best you stick close to me. Okay." Sakura smiled, and it seemed that had been the end of that debate as Sakura made sure to keep a gentle but firm grip on Kou's hand so she could keep close. She trusted Kou, but given this hectic situation and she for the moment was in all but name a "guardian" it seemed the right thing to do as she turned to her mother.
"I'll be with him to look for the watch, you don't need to worry." Sakura assured her less than convinced mother something her internal dialogue was quick to catch upon.
Yeah that was convincing...
Oh shut up nobody asked you!
-----
Aw yes, because the first thing I think of doing when I get my ass handed to me is "let's have a party!"
Zino grumbled, really he had avoided much in the way of injury and once Hina's jutsu had worn off he had been able to get up though he received assistance from Kaori and a few of the maids. He naturally and silently thanked them as his duel Kekkei Genkai switched off as he heard the commotion for some festive event a mere day after the village-wide party which made Zino shake his head.
"When did the Hyuga become the place where the fun never ends...." Zino mused aloud, though out of the corner of his pale eye noticed the returning Tayuya who had caught the tail end of the announcement which merely caused her to sigh.
"Of fucking course that is the plan..." Tayuya mused, as she prepared to head to her room to practice a tune and only passed a single glance at Kiro, Zino, Taiyo and the downed Furijia. This was enough to cause commentary from the Oto-prisoner. "So I see the exercise went as poorly as expected?"
"If anything, I call it a moral victory. Though Furijia will need time to recover." Zino said as he had adopted a more optimistic outlook, Tayuya scoffed as she walked past him to the compound rooms though Zino had a parting comment towards her.
"You know, it isn't weakness to admit you'll miss her." Zino said, as Tayuya paused for a moment as it had not been much mystery who he had meant with that comment.
"Oh and what you are a fucking psychol..." Tayuya said as she turned for a quick, casual curse but Zino already was gone by then; having said to Kiro he was off to get some fruit from the village. Tayuya decided it had not been worth much energy to pursue as she went to find her room.
-----
"Lady Mitarashi I believe we've seen enough. We've been on patrol and lapped this area countless times and have come with nothing..."
"I wasn't aware you had been put in charge of this patrol unit, my mistake I seemed to be on the assumption I was the one who called the shots. Am I correct in this mistake?"
"N-no ma'am but..."
"Then we will return when I say we are done! Is that clear!?"
"Y-yes ma'am!"
To say Anko had been a woman on edge would have undersold it criminally, ever since her former mentor paid Konoha a visit and caused havoc she had been on a mission to ensure the village was better prepared should that snake strike again. She personally led inspections to the evacuation tunnels and tried to scout security when she could, making a point to lead daily patrols just beyond the village gates while she used her snakes to scout even further out as she wanted to ensure that nothing and nobody would sneak on their home so easily again.
She had been near the end of a patrol run with a Chunin squad, as the three individuals seemed tired from the extended run but Anko was not one to leave anything to chance or "half ass" effort. A change in styles from one often seen as a lazy if not eccentric lover of dango; though as she rubbed a certain spot on her neck her almost crazed run with the unit had all the justification in the world to her as she and her team moved through the trees in their final check ups.
