Reborn in the Mist

I tapped the bottom of my pen on the highlighted name, it was but one of a few dozen ANBU and I&C had compiled for my sake. Yet I still felt overwhelmed with choice.

“Just pick a few from these, that’s why they’re here no?” Junko groaned, waving broadly at the set of five ANBU kneeling in the centre of my office. The Hoshigaki Matriarch sat by my mini lounge, her legs spread wider than I’d consider comfortable as she poured herself fresh squeezed peach juice, mixing it with what sake we had left after hours of paperwork.

I shook my head and said. “These I’ve already approved. Take off your masks, you won’t be needing them anymore.”

All five of them visibly tensed and it took that to remind me of what my words just now would mean to any hardworking ANBU. I smiled as after a split second of hesitation they began taking off their masks, for their sakes I added, “Don’t worry, the Court of Unity is just a new department, at most you will serve six months before being free to rejoin the ANBU or any other department.”

That relieved a few of them, the long haired woman and the deeply scarred man in particular. The man looked up at me, one of his eyes had a scar running through it but as far as I knew it still functioned. “Lord Fourth, we’re ready to give our lives and everything else, what must we do?”

I looked at Junko across the room, her head was whipped back as she gulped down another cup. “Primarily…follow Lady Junko’s orders.”

“Huh?” She coughed and sat upright as all of a sudden, five pairs of eyes set their sights on her. She shook her head at me. “You said we’d be doing this together.”

I nodded, keeping my self-pleased smile contained as I shrugged. “Yes, and we are, aren't we? You’ll just be overseeing the day to day and other…mundaneities.”

“Mu-mundaneities?” She stuttered, blinking at the team of five now former ANBU operatives as they lined themselves in front of her. “And just what do you think you’re doing?”

I watched, amused, as she snarled at the kneeling operatives. The scarred man spoke for the lot once more. “Awaiting your orders, Lady Junko.”

Junko’s head snapped to me instantly, she glared. “Don’t do this.”

“It’s already done. I can’t manage the village, its secondary bases and handle international relations while juggling training for the Court of Unity.” She sustained her glare though a slight twitch of her eye told me my complaints hit home. “Don’t make your Kage beg for your help now, Junko.”

If we had a consistently cordial relationship I may have taken advantage of my baby-like features to sweeten her to the deal, fortunately there was no need. She gave up a sigh like the decision was killing her. “Fine, fine. I’ll do it but don’t expect not to get your share of work now and then.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything less.” I grinned.

Junko rolled her eyes at me but quickly fell into a relaxed, crossed legged position on the couch she claimed. Eying her five new subordinates she swirled her glass of juiced-sake and asked. “What are your ranks?”

I listened idly, letting my fingers and brain take a break from the paper work. Leaned in my chair I watched as the five shared looks with each other and instantly decided how they’d answer— right to left.

Two Chuunin, one Tokubetsu Jounin and two full fledged Jounin, said two being the long haired and scarred man. Junko hummed at the information and asked a follow up question. “The Court of Unity isn’t a household name yet, but from how Lord Fourth and I have spoken about it, what do you believe your responsibilities will be or should be according to your skill specifications?”

It was a simple, almost generic interview question on the surface. Yet, just as Junko had said, with the Court of Unity still little more than a fledgling idea, their answers would reveal far more than competence. They would expose what each of them believed the branch was meant to be— and, more tellingly, the role they envisioned for themselves within it.

Not for the first time this week my heart felt settled. I leaned even further into my seat and entrusted Junko to her good work. It didn’t take long before their voices became mumbles in the background of my deepening slumber. Junko continued to interview them this way for the better part of half an hour until the harsh clack of her heels on the floor tiles as she stood stirred me fully.

When I looked up the former ANBU operatives were filing out of my office and Junko was walking up to my desk with a glare narrowed at me. “Enjoy your nap?”

I stretched, popping some aches loose as I yawned in her face. “Yes, I did.”

Junko took a seat in front of my desk but didn’t disparage me any further. There was a quiet in the moment she sat, the way her head tilted at me and the subtle way her eyes darted between paperwork and the ground.

“What is it?” I asked, shaking away the lethargy from my eyes as I sat up straight.

“The Akatsuki.”

I felt all the stress I just slept off return as my brows furrowed deep. “Who gave you that name?”

Junko didn’t answer, her eyes held a depth of placated sorrows and a rage that begged to be set free. But she wouldn’t. She sighed deep and carried herself lazily on the chair. Nothing about her body language had me worried, not so much as that name.

Throughout my reign the only people that knew of the Akatsuki’s existence directly was Isobu and myself. I hadn’t even given the details of the organization to Owl-mask when I sent her off to hunt the Masked Uchiha. And yet, somehow Junko Hoshigaki manages to—

“You look shocked.” Junko said. All of a sudden I was painfully aware of the colours on her, the blue and green that represented her clan and might. Her nails scratched aimlessly at the edge of my desk, like she was picking at the wood. Her green painted lips pursed as she breathed in. “Don’t be…I know as much of them as you and your friends in Konoha do. Nothing.”

Konoha. Of course. They had their own spy network and in recent months, altercations with the Akatsuki had come to a boiling point. Perhaps I shouldn’t be so surprised their name was landing on lips here in Kirigakure, especially given lips as green as Junko’s. She blinked at me and said, “For once, Yagura, be honest about them…they killed Junichi.”

My throat tightened at the mention of my irreplaceable assistant. Even now, I hadn’t bothered to learn the name of the Chuunin who arranged my meetings or kept the privileged from my doors. His sacrifice had meant far more to me—and to Konoha—than Junko would ever realize. Looking up at her now, into those tired, unenthusiastic eyes of hers that contained a world of rage and sorrow yet spoke none of it…

“What do you want me to say?” I croaked.

“The truth.” She hissed the word slightly, leaning in as she spoke softly. “What are they? And why have you only been working with Konoha against them? Why are they even still on the map?”

I looked away but she kept on. “Amegakure right? That’s where their base of operations are? That’s where Konoha was routed. Why haven’t we declared war on them, Yagura, tell me!”

“Because we would lose much more than Junichi if I dared be so foolish!” I barked back, slamming my palm on my desk and sending stationary and paper flying. I breathed in deep as Junko’s open mouth expression began to shame me. “Listen…these guys…the Akatsuki, the Masked Uchiha…they wield powers equal to that of a Kage, each of them. Did you hear me, each of them.”

“Yeah?” Junko yelled, her mouth shut and close as she searched for a retort. “How many could they be?”

“At least ten.” I answered.

“Ten…ten Kage level shinobi against Kirigakure…I think we could still.”

“No, we couldn’t and even if we were to I’d be fighting them myself. The Swordsmen, no, Kisame alone and then Mei, they are the only ones I’d consider fighting beside. Everyone else would just…die.”

Junko stumbled back and swallowed thickly. “Even me?”

“Even you.” At last that seemed to reach her. She stumbled back into her seat and massaged her temple, her mouth hung open and eyes glazed over staring at nothing. I let out a partly relieved sigh and explained. “It’s not like I don’t want to bear down the weight of Kirigakure on them, or any of our enemies. But…there’s so much at risk, myself, the other Kages and Jinchuriki.”

Junko’s eyes snapped up at me. “The Jinchuriki? Why?”

I pursed my lips and shrugged. “Why do you think? Tailed Beasts are powers manifest, everyone wants one or two. Or nine…”

She narrowed her eyes at me. “Is that it? Is that what they want? All nine tailed beasts?”

I leaned back and answered diplomatically. “It’s the theory I’ve been working with and given then attack on myself and Konoha, both triggering Tailed Beast states of…varying intensities, I’d say I’m not too far off the mark.”

Junko nodded and sat back in silence for a moment, wide eyes narrowing with each passing second. I allowed her to mull while I judged myself for continually lying by omission and for being too weak to destroy the Akatsuki.

“Then, why are they hiding? If they’re as strong as you say, why haven’t they made another attempt to take you or Utakata? Where are they?” Junko groaned in frustration. By the distant look on her face I knew those questions were rhetoric but I answered the first anyway.

“They’re hiding because they can get stronger with time, hiding because they can’t afford another failed attempt.” I said slowly. “I might not be strong enough to destroy their organization but I sure as hell won’t be taken down by it.”

Junko offered a weak smile. “Ten Kage level…I suppose I should stop holding out hope that we’ll find the Masked Uchiha.”

I grimaced and shrugged. “He will make his move and we’ll be here.”

She began to stand and I felt compelled to stand with her. Her weak smile remained and the chill of anger in her eyes had lessened considerably. “Thank you, I’ll focus on building the Court of Unity, give you less to worry about.”

“Really?” I asked, genuinely surprised at how well she’s taking everything.

“Yes, if there’s nothing we can do but wait and train…I’ll wait and train.” There was an unmistakable edge in her voice as she said that. She bowed her head towards me and in an all too formal tone for Junko said. “Thank you for your time, Mizukage-sama, I hope to bother you again.”

“Of course, anytime Lady Junko.”