Reborn in the Mist

After days of freely ransacking their own territory, the Samurai finally declared their incompetence in finding Baron Tetsuya especially in the aftermath of the battle that took place at his stronghold.

Fang Squad had spared no pillars in their ‘rescuing’ of Baron Tetsuya and about half of the extravagant building had collapsed onto itself by the time they were done. But it was worth it all, I now had several Kumo shinobi in my custody along with the only other person besides Baron Watanabe that could have hired them.

Going after Kumogakure for reparations will be easy this way, the proof was insurmountable and punishable. But first, all they knew of Kiri and Kumo needed to be extracted from their brains and so Fang Squad herded them back to Kirigakure so they can spend some quality time with Eiko.

I sat at the bow of the ship with a small table hosting mine and Princess Hanako’s tea. She was without her imposing Samurai guard this time and as she sipped and watched the waves trash I felt her waiting for an opportune moment to ask about Baron Tetsuya.

For once, my mind was more or less empty of thoughts. The battles were done and though the Swordsmen’s progress report on Tsurugashima and Baron Watanabe hadn’t made its way to me yet, I trusted their ability enough to write off their mission as a success.

In the moment I let myself relax, enjoy my tea and crackers and the sea breeze unstained by the scent of blood. It’d been too long since I had a quiet, thoughtless moment like this, I needed to seek out peace more.

Princess Hanako seemed to observe my rare zen and hesitated longer than I thought she would to speak and so I finished my tea, ate my last cracker and set my cup down to dust my fingers as I leaned back.

There, her breath hitched, I looked over at her and raised a brow, forcing her to speak. She straightened, still yet to body her impromptu role of Daimyo’s Envoy, “Mizukage, I noticed we’ve sailed past the defecting isles, it was my believe we were headed to convince them of the Daimyo’s magnanimity.”

I shook my head, “There is no need for that. We have shown anyone close enough to observe this war of the extent of our…intent. The Tea Country is all that is left now. A sheep may stray into another shepherd’s herd on its own but it is the responsibility of the shepherd to know which sheep is his and which isn’t. The Land of Tea has been irresponsible.”

Princess Hanako was taken aback at my response, “Surely you don’t intend to extend this war into the Land of Tea, I know they’ve been…irresponsible as you say but bringing in another-”

I waved her words before she could assume more, “No, no, I have no time for such, that’s why you’re here. An envoy of the Water Daimyo himself, his power speaks through you as much as it does through me. Together, visiting the Tea Daimyo to give a stern warning would be more than enough, unless you want your brothers stepped toes to go unanswered?”

She bit her lip at that and fell silent. Of course not. She might not be experienced enough to see the need by herself but once it’s pointed out, there’s no arguing with me.

“Fine, I understand but let’s not…threaten the Tea Daimyo in any way that may be perceived as an act of hostility.” She said causing me to roll my eyes.

“You arriving with the Mizukage is a hostile enough message I fear, Hanako-hime, some things are unavoidable.”

Her narrowed eyes lingered on me for a moment, deciding whether she should offer the retort at the tip of her tongue or not, in the end she couldn’t help it, “Unavoidable is having my Samurai search for a man that had long been whisked off the island by Shinobi, you could have just told me you had Baron Tetsuya and we would have been making our way to the Tea Daimyo by now.”

I turned my face away and yawned, “I have no idea what you’re talking about, Princess.”

“Mizukage…”

“The Samurai confessed themselves, they were too late to intercept Tetsuya before he escaped.”

“No, no, they didn’t see him escape, they assume he was taken. His villa is a wreck and I’m told it’s soaked in chakra. Shinobi were present.”

I shrugged but didn’t say anything at first. It was a thin line to walk between keeping Baron Tetsuya to myself, I needed him in my custody for a while longer at least.

“Rogue-nin often take advantage of the chaos of wars, I wouldn’t be surprised if-”

“You don’t need to lie to me, Mizukage, I know another Hidden Village was involved.” She smirked at the surprised reaction I failed to hide, “I’m not sure which Hidden Village but it’s making an educated guess wouldn’t be difficult. Besides, I think I’ll have two tries at least before making a fool of myself.”

Kumo or Konoha. I gritted my teeth behind a veil of calm and breathed softly, “And then what? It’s your word against mine, yours against theirs. Do you really think the culprits, if it is a Hidden Village, will so easily admit to their involvement?”

She shook her head, still wearing that smirk that twinkled with a brilliant look in her eye, “No, but it’s not them I need on the hook now is it?”

I snorted, partly amused and annoyed. I might have overlooked her cunning entirely, “The same goes for me, dear Princess, what evidence do you have that I knew of another villages involvement? No, the better question is, what would you want out of this hook should it turn tangible?”

Her eyes widened as did her smile, “Now we’re talking. For starters, I’ll do the talking when we arrive at Tea Country, relations between Daimyo are more delicate than perhaps even Kage, and no Daimyo, small or large wants to be spoken down to.”

“And then?”

She snapped open her fan and covered her giggling face, “I’m thinking.”

This was unexpected but not unacceptable. A deal might be better than the stress of secrecy, she had better be even wiser than I think now.