[center][img]https://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lr7xsq9y3h1qcfp07o1_500.jpg[/img]

[h2][b][color=orange]Shin Maru, Topaz[/color][/b][/h2][/center]
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The two walked through the rain, both wearing jackets and wielding umbrellas to shield themselves from the water. Shin glanced over to his father a few times, but both men remained quiet as they walked to the teahouse for the meeting. It was only once they reached the door that Kaito spoke up. [b][color=maroon]"Remember what I told you at home,"[/color][/b] Kaito instructed, prompting a nod from Shin. The two stepped inside, closing their umbrellas and leaving them at the door. Kaito was quick to scan the room, not only the faces but also examining the walls and the ceiling. Shin, on the other hand, kept his gaze focused on the center table and its occupants. He recognized a few, such as Yamato and Daiki and their families, but for the most part he didn't know anyone there aside from name.

Kaito took a seat at the table, but rather than sit next to him Shin remained standing behind him. The young man had an imposing frame, and it served to make Kaito look more serious. The other important families may not think much of the small display, but it was to maintain an authoritative outlook over the other clans. The two waited quietly and patiently as Reijo and Anna spoke, but Kaito raised an eyebrow when Yamato voiced his opinion. He seemed surprised that the teen was given the time, but didn't interrupt him or otherwise bother about it regardless. Once Anna confessed her decision to stay neutral on the subject, a shady move as far as Kaito was concerned, the bespectacled man cleared his throat.

[b][color=maroon]"Speaking as the leader of the Maru clan and as the former Superintendent of Konoha's shinobi police, I do [i]not[/i] accept Ayame Choko as our new Hokage,"[/color][/b] Kaito said plainly, before turning his head to look directly at Saburo in the corner. After staring the boy down for a moment, he returned his gaze to the others gathered around the table. [b][color=maroon]"Over ten years ago, I had advocated against the admission of the Choko siblings into our armed forces, as I did for all immigrant shinobi. Had my warning been heeded, we would not be discussing this situation as it is. Foreign shinobi that integrate into Konoha are, and always will be, a danger to Konoha. Loyalty is harder to trace than heritage, but the two often correlate."[/color][/b]

Kaito looked over his shoulder at Shin for a moment, as if making sure that he was paying attention. Shin nodded, as he certainly was. Paying attention to both his father's words and everyone else's reactions. [b][color=maroon]"Their ideal that our nation will improve through strife is equally fantastical as Zeno's ideal that we will improve through camaraderie. However..."[/color][/b] Kaito placed his elbows on the table and leaned forward slightly, tapping his fingertips against each other in front of his face. [b][color=maroon]"Konoha needs an iron grip. We need a leader that can maintain control on all levels. The greatest threat to any nation is from within its own borders. Order, and consequently peace and growth, cannot be achieved if there is [i]any[/i] chaos. If anything is out of hand, not under control."[/color][/b]

[b][color=maroon]"That is why I will [i]not[/i] endorse the idea of forcing Ayame or Fujitora Choko out of power, for now."[/color][/b] Kaito's left hand motioned toward Yamato. [b][color=maroon]"Reijo's boy has the right idea. Right now we are in a state of disarray. Starting another revolt will only further compound our problems. Our population will remain divided and our forces will be weakened overall. Konoha's state of weakness would gather much attention in the international community. Knocking ourselves off our own pedestal, even temporarily, will surely be the catalyst to a great downfall in the future."[/color][/b] The older man lowered his hand now, taking a moment for everyone to let his words sink in. [b][color=maroon]"While I have no legal power over any of you, I still have my connections. I will not allow chaos to break out, even from where I stand now."[/color][/b]

Kaito leaned back and adjusted his glasses before resting his hands on the table before him. [b][color=maroon]"That is all I have to say on the subject."[/color][/b] He took a moment to look each and every person sitting at the table in the eyes before resigning himself with a deep breath. [b][color=maroon]"Anything else, Shin?"[/color][/b] Kaito asked his son quietly. The young man tensed up. While Kaito had always been a calm and collected person with an almost unmovable resolve, Shin was not used to politics, let alone being given so much attention to discuss them.

[b][color=orange]"Well..."[/color][/b] Shin began, bringing a hand up to rub the back of his head. It was clear that he was hesitating, but Kaito didn't turn around to face him. [b][color=orange]"I used to hold Ayame and Fujitora in pretty high esteem. They had always done well for Konoha, as far as I knew. I wouldn't know any better to be able to fault their motivation for doing what they did, but... how they went about it was completely unacceptable."[/color][/b] Kaito raised an eyebrow now, turning his head slightly to see Shin with his peripherals. While Shin still had his composure, it was clear that his words were growing more emotional. [b][color=orange]"Brutally murdering a man who only wished for the best, regardless of whether you agreed with his methods or not, is unacceptable behavior for anyone in power. I may not have much say for what goes on, anywhere, but as the heir of the Maru clan... I disagree with my father and say they should be punished immediately."[/color][/b]

Shin looked down at his father, only to find he was glaring at him. He knew that he had disobeyed Kaito. He was told to simply agree and to keep a level head for the duration of this meeting, and he had thrown that away now. With a sigh, Kaito put his elbows on the table and began rubbing his temples. Shin put his hands behind his back and stood up straight, showing no signs of repentance for his words.

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[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/ObRDT2r.png[/img]

[h2][b][color=moccasin]Tsukiko Umene, Honeybadger[/color][/b][/h2][/center]
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The wild woman tied her hair back, a look many would find unusual on her. But Tsukiko's choice in hair style was less for fashion but more for function, to keep her hair out of her face on the hunt. After handling her hair she picked up the map she had procured and took a glance at it. The map was of some territory in another country, specifically an area where one could find giant tigers in the wild. Tsukiko folded the paper and stuffed it in one of her pouches. She instinctively moved to adjust the sword and spear on her back, but alas the spear was not there. [b][color=moccasin]"Goddamn Fujitora..."[/color][/b] Tsukiko grumbled to herself as she looked out the window.

The rain technique that Ayame had used was still going on. Either it wasn't a very chakra-intensive technique or Ayame had a ton of chakra to work with. Regardless the rain was going to be annoying. Tsukiko didn't plan on bringing much equipment, but she still didn't want to risk catching a cold or something stupid. The woman put on an old-looking hooded parka, to protect most of her body from the rain. [i][color=moccasin]I look stupid in this,[/color][/i] Tsukiko thought, examining herself in the mirror on the back of her bedroom door. [i][color=moccasin]But after the rain I can use this for shelter. So I guess it isn't so bad. Anyways... where is that girl?[/color][/i] Tsukiko pulled out her phone and turned it on. She could see several notifications for missed calls and texts over the past few days, as her phone had been turned off. Rather than check any of them, Tsukiko sent out a quick text to Akio Tendou.

[quote=Tsukiko]you coming or not[/quote]