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

[h2][b][color=orange]Shin Maru, Topaz[/color][/b][/h2][/center]
[hr]

To his surprise, Reijo seemed rather inviting once Shin arrived. Though he knew better than to believe that Reijo was being honest and friendly, but the fact that he wasn't scolding Shin when he was well within his right to do so meant that the man was personally invested in what Shin was here to talk about. [b][color=orange]"Nah, doing this kind of work is actually a bit fun, though I don't doubt I'd make more money working for ya,"[/color][/b] Shin spoke after Reijo when he entered, stopping halfway through the room to give a polite bow. [b][color=orange]"Sorry about the informal entrance, sir. I was running behind schedule and had to rush."[/color][/b] It felt odd apologizing to Reijo when he hadn't even demanded an apology, but Shin knew it was best to be cordial with Mr. Minamoru.

When he stood back upright he continued across the office until he could sit down in one of the guest chairs. [b][color=orange]"You probably have the room tapped, yeah? I don't think you'd let anyone else wire this office, but it wouldn't surprise me if you had it wired yourself,"[/color][/b] Shin began musing, though it was mostly to himself rather than directly to Reijo. After finishing the thinking-out-loud, he directed his full attention to the important man before him. [b][color=orange]"As you already know, my father has been put on indefinite suspension. This binds not only him, but Konoha as well,"[/color][/b] Shin began explaining. [b][color=orange]"As one of the key figureheads of the police and shinobi forces, fa-... Kaito has become an important man for Konoha's peace and safety. But presently he cannot work, not even in the shadows as the reformed 11th Corps have spies on him around the clock. Er... the 11th Corps is a spy network, in case Yamato never told you or anything."

"Kaito has always been against Konoha's open immigration policy."[/color][/b] A subtle shift in tone and a notable shift in Shin's body language indicated he was now getting down to business. [b][color=orange]"Zeno Hakaresu, being of an immigrant family but native-born shinobi, disagreed with him and disregarded the idea. Recent events have brought to light the [i]exact[/i] results of the decisions made twenty years ago. So, in the best interests of Konohagakure, Kaito believes that much stricter control needs to be taken of village affairs, especially the presence of foreign shinobi on our soil. He is unable to meet with you in person, for fear that doing so would implicate you and drag the both of you down. I am here as a middle-man of sorts to relay communication from Kaito to you, though relaying what you say to him will be more difficult... Long story cut short..."

"We need your help."[/color][/b] Shin took a moment to pause, mainly to catch his own breath. He wasn't used to talking this much. Not even bragging about himself or flirting with attractive women required so many words. [b][color=orange]"With your prestige and your power, you are an important factor in whatever fate Konoha has. The businesses and the money under your control is nothing to shake a stick at. You can make things... [i]happen[/i]..."[/color][/b] Shin let out a sigh now. [b][color=orange]"I am aware, as is my father, that you have had problems in the past with him. But I can assure you that he has always acted in the best interests of Konoha and its people. Though he is no longer in an active position in society, he is not without connections or power of his own. And he is willing to make a deal with you."[/color][/b]

Shin leaned forward slightly as he removed a piece of folded paper. Unfolding it proved it was a map of Konoha, with the Downtown area circled in a black marker and another smaller circle resided over a small part of Naruto City. The young man placed the map on Reijo's desk, to allow him to see it or inspect it how he wished. [b][color=orange]"What would it cost to turn the immigrant neighborhoods into a living hell?"[/color][/b] Shin asked, sounding as if he was reciting a line given to him word-for-word. After giving a moment for Reijo to examine the marked locations, Shin explained further. [b][color=orange]"The goal is to apply pressure from within on the communities, to eventually force Ayame to take some kind of action against the immigrants and their families. To... make the foreigners and especially the foreign shinobi seem less and less desirable until the new Hokage is forced to either remove them... or... eliminate them."[/color][/b] In the back of his mind, Shin wondered if Reijo would even actually consider this. It sounded extreme, and extreme ideas were always inherently dangerous.

In fact, if Reijo actually had recording device hidden in the room, he could use this as evidence to publicly destroy Kaito and possibly earn him some legal repercussions. If the new Choko regime got wind of this and didn't like it they could easily put his head on the chopping block for such a plan. Hell, even Shin might catch flak for being the messenger. There was no way for Shin to know how this could turn out, how spiteful Reijo may be over past events, or how well the plan would even work out if the man did strike a deal. [b][color=orange]"I was told..."[/color][/b] Shin added, lifting a finger as a gesture that he had almost forgotten to mention this part, [b][color=orange]"That the only options that are off the table are the ones that would cost our family's well-being or the general welfare of Konoha. Personally I'm not sure what that means, but I guess my father would know. If you don't want to make a deal, that is also fine. My father says he understands. Otherwise... you set the price."[/color][/b]

[hr]

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

[h2][b][color=moccasin]Tsukiko Umene, Honeybadger[/color][/b][/h2][/center]
[hr]

The older woman was immediately suspicious of Ayame's wording. Tsukiko had always considered Ayame a friend, a weird one but a friend nonetheless, but it seemed strange that she would emphasize the friendliness of the meeting. Even Fujitora was behaving strangely, and he was already a strange person. It became clear to her that these two had business to take care of regarding her. [b][color=moccasin]"Pfft, we're all [i]bad[/i] guys,"[/color][/b] Tsukiko snarked in reference to Fujitora's comments, taking a seat and grabbing one of the bottles of beer that Ayame provided. She looked at it for a moment before popping the cap off with her thumb. [b][color=moccasin]"The hunt went fine. Bagged a Giant Tiger. Sold most of the pelt and the meat, but kept some. The Tendou girl got the meat and I made a new fur coat. Didn't feel like it needed any rain, so it stayed home."[/color][/b]

Tsukiko brought the bottle up to her mouth, but stopped before she could drink any of it. Specifically she stopped when Fujitora asked if she wanted to kill him. The wild woman lowered her hand as she glared at him, her eyes practically piercing through him. [b][color=moccasin]"If I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't have woken up this morning,"[/color][/b] Tsukiko answered, before tossing the open beer to Fujitora for him to catch. [b][color=moccasin]"You get the first gulp. That way we can die together."[/color][/b] One might think she was joking about poison, but her expression was far too real to just be a deadpan joke. [b][color=moccasin]"You two have already killed one fool that trusted you. I don't want to become the second, if you catch my drift."[/color][/b]

Then she turned her attention back to Ayame. [b][color=moccasin]"What you did was kinda fucked up. Even by my standards. And I often autopsy the people I kill right there in the field. I've seen some shit."[/color][/b] Tsukiko leaned forward, placing her elbows on her knees and propping her head up with her hands. Her gaze was always terrifying to children and the weak-willed, but Ayame was neither. The glare was aimed at her nonetheless. [b][color=moccasin]"It's not how you killed, it was who you killed. The Hokage, your boss, a political figure, a commander of war... but most importantly: a man that trusted you."[/color][/b] Tsukiko continued facing Ayame but turned her eyes to Fujitora, to give him a piece of her gaze. [b][color=moccasin]"That kinda bugs me, especially. Trust was a big issue for me growing up here. Nobody ever trusted me. Few ever came to trust me, you two included. But so was Zeno. It makes me wonder about [i]my[/i] trust in you."[/color][/b]

And now back to Ayame. [b][color=moccasin]"I might not know if I were to one day cease to be useful. Or if I were to somehow go against you or cross you. There is no certainty that I wouldn't suffer the same fate as Zeno. If he was a fool then I am an even bigger fool."[/color][/b] Tsukiko now began to show visible signs of rising anger. Her infamous primal rage was beginning to surface. [b][color=moccasin]"So am I destined to slavery? Will I have to bust my ass to stay in your favor until the day I die? No mistakes to ever come from Tsuki-chan from here on out!? I need some fucking answers!"[/color][/b] Almost subconsciously Tsukiko had jumped to her feet, as her aggression couldn't possibly be contained sitting. Her gaze rapidly alternated between Ayame and Fujitora now. [b][color=moccasin]"I may be indebted to Konoha but you can bet your asses that I will [i]die[/i] before I grovel at anyone's feet! So here's my fucking question for you guys!"[/color][/b] Tsukiko turned and faced Fujitora, quickly approaching him and invading his personal space. The two were similar enough in height for Tsukiko to put her face in his, intentionally and aggressively trying to make him uncomfortable from the proximity. When she spoke her voice was no longer raised but instead low and ominous.

[b][color=moccasin]"Do I [i]need[/i] to kill you?"[/color][/b]