Minor surprise had come as a result of Ryozan’s bow; respecting your superiors was proper etiquette but there wasn’t much need for him to hang his head low and do such a thing for him. He might’ve told him that ahead of time, but it seemed rude to interrupt him. The boy had admitted he was at fault for how he had handled things thus far, seeking Takeo’s own forgiveness as it was Takeo himself that denied him the right to represent his own home until a time like this had come. Shifting weight between his left and right foot, discomfort from how he was being addressed was starting to become visible. All this bowing and kneeling seemed akin to the respect one showed to a much more important figure like a daimyo, a lord, or even a Kage. Through his years of dedicated service Takeo had more than earned this level of respect amongst peers and the generation Ryozan had grown in, but there was just no pleasure in the gesture. 

A much more shocking reveal came in the form of making certain his position in this conflict was no longer in question. Eliminating the man who offered him the scroll was an aggressive way to go about it, desperate men often did things unlike them. To go from protecting the lives of people you didn’t know to taking away the life of someone you didn’t understand was drastic, but war had left many men and women unable to shift guilt. You took arms for a cause, you were therefore able to endure the hardship that came with it. In the case of Takeo, his service will come to an end soon enough, but Ryozan had his entire life ahead of him and the hardship he felt now would only grow in time. Now came the question of accepting Ryozan so willingly, or denying him a right he was practically begging for at this point.

[b]“Well, if you want to get back into my good graces then you can start by lifting your head up. Making people bow their heads to me isn’t really my style, all I asked from you was to decide where you stood.”[/b] As a Jounin Commander he exercised his right to strip Ryozan of his rank, and the cause for doing so was not unjust. None of that meant that he had some sort of power trip, it would be preferred if Ryozan walked away from him without ever believing such a thing. Approaching the young man casually, Takeo pat Ryozan on his right shoulder and nodded his head towards the village before proceeding to walk. The night was still fairly young and the village was bustling with life, those establishments that specialized in selling good drink and pleasurable company looked to be getting some quality customers. Things were much different than they were a few hours ago, with the best part of it being no armored men roaming the streets. Because of Kenji’s strategy he had spared the village from sustaining any long term damage, which meant that nothing had changed other than who watched over this village. [b]“I didn’t hate you for feeling how you did. There would be a time where you would need to make a choice, to stand by the village …or stand aside from it. Keeping you out of that battle was to prevent confusion that might’ve gotten you or others harmed. All that being said, you didn’t need to kill that man to express your decision, but you’ve made it regardless and that’s what I asked of you.”[/b] The tone was easygoing, much like it was just a few hours ago. Takeo was a leader and of course he held strong qualities that might intimidate some, but to those who knew him he was a man who could separate business and pleasure. The business of disciplining Ryozan for an evening was already done, and the pleasure of reinstating his status was now. As he walked the streets and took in the atmosphere of a hard-earned victory, the Jounin Commander looked to Ryozan directly. 

[b]“Ryozan Tanzo, I revoke my earlier punishment and you are now allowed to represent the Hidden Leaf’s interests once again …as a Chuunin.” [/b]Takeo smirked at this. It was likely some part of Ryozan might’ve felt cheated from his demotion, but he hoped that the major part of him was thankful for the opportunity to serve with pride. Besides, the opportunity to earn Jounin once again was possible just as long as he worked hard at it. [b]“Don’t fret about me …at the end of the day I only want what’s best for everyone, even if I may come across as scary sometimes. I don’t hold a grudge against you, you’ve done what I asked you to do and I’m looking forward to seeing you excel, as I do all of your generation.”[/b]

With this matter settled, there were just a couple matters more to see to before he could settle down for the night and get some rest. Although celebration was not prohibited, alcohol consumption by shinobi were to be heavily monitored in case the worst would come. Then there was the matter of Natsumi, and worst of all the Hyuga Clan’s displeasure with Kaede’s handling which Kenji informed him he would handle personally. His granddaughter had caused a stir he hadn’t seen since the Nine-Tailed Fox was sealed within her, and from what both he and her father had managed to witness it was threatening to bring fear once again. Luckily only some of her fellows would have seen it, but word might travel as well. It was a lot to think about, and all he wanted to do was sit down with his family and have a celebratory drink. War was certainly work.

[b]“Where are your friends anyway? You should be out celebrating with them.”[/b]

Takeo was guiding them to the Uchiha compound, obviously to meet with his family. Ryozan’s answer may just prompt an invitation to spend some time with them, which was of course if he didn’t have a family of his own to return to. 

-

The poison had been fought, and the severe burns across his forearms and dangerously close to his face were taken care of. The armor was scorched and thankfully didn’t fuse with his body itself. Burning hot metal attached to one’s skin was not pleasurable in the least. It was here in the Akimichi compound that Kaede bore witness to the large gathering, no pun intended, of Akimichi surrounding Kenta. The Hokage’s pardon until further notice due to the Akimichi’s own request had prompted a beautiful reunion; Kenta had always been a respected member of the community, and it had clearly broken the hearts of many to have had to call him an enemy. There were tears down his face, exposing how much he suffered the scorn and hatred of the people he loved, and was so thankful that it could be broken for at least a short time. The Hokage, as fierce as his reputation, knew mercy. 

Offering a quiet announcement that she’d be leaving, Kaede hadn’t gone without several large hugs, even one from Kenta himself that almost had her choked up. Thankfully she didn’t lose her composure, and had even managed to leave the compound with a small basket of bite-sized chocolate goods. Stepping out into the open streets she had taken to the Uchiha compound, aware that tending to Natsumi’s arms was now her next priority. After having the chance to calm down now, she could hopefully face Natsumi. 

The real one this time.