Sitting behind his desk, Takeru was reading the book he had been reading before again. The paperwork for today was finished, he had given some missions to his ANBU and was using this brief pause to continue reading the book of "How a shinobi should die''. The two rather big Tasmanian devils, each at the side of the desk, were quiet and seemed to be napping as their master read the book. Closing the book, Takeru placed it on the desk. Pushing his chair a bit back, he rose up and turned around. Walking towards the broad window that provided a good view over Kumogakure, Takeru was slowly losing himself in some thoughts.
Chizuko sighed again for the third time that minute. It was not out of a sadness of any kind, but more of a frustration that she was feeling and wanted to get out. Lightly her foot tapped against the ground where she stood, concealed in the shadow cast by the building that held the office of her Raikage. Though she had been given her orders directly from him, her unease wasn't relieved by her speaking to him like it usually was. This time, when they spoke last, she left feeling more uneasy than when she had entered. She still had questions... so many unanswered questions that it was beginning to drive her mad. Finally, with a small growl of frustration, she made her way inside, making sure to be silent and unseen.
It took her only moments to reach the modest door of the Raikage's office. For a moment, she stood staring at the knob, until she reached out to knock once upon the door.
The knock made Takeru glance over his shoulder to the door. He hadn't summoned for anybody and even gave permission to the usual ANBU that guarded the doors to take a break. Wondering on who it was, Takeru turned around as he cleared his throat before speaking. ''Come in.'' Still curious on who had decided to pay him a visit, he placed his hands behind his back, standing behind his desk as he kept his gaze at the doors.
Taking a small breath before entering the room, Chizuko made her way inside, closing the door behind her. Taking three steps then lowering to one knee, she parted her lips to speak. "Forgive my uninvited visit Lord Raikage... but I was hoping to discuss a few things with you. Perhaps it is not my place, but if it were not of an urgent matter, I would not bother you like this." She kept her head lowered but removed her mask slowly, placing it on the floor next to her as she waited for his response.
So his visitor was Chizuko? Takeru had expected a messenger. Most likely from the Fire Union, as he feared that they would soon hear about the mission of Namine. But for now it was only Chizuko that seemed to wanted to discuss a few things with him. ''Seems like you have something on your mind then.'' Takeru said, walking towards his chair. Taking his place, he nodded towards the kneeled woman. ''You may raise and speak, Chizuko.'' He spoke calmly, but was wondering what she wanted to discuss with him.
Chizuko stood, leaving her mask to rest upon the floor, and looked around the room for a moment. Anything was better than at his imposing mask. "Am I allowed to speak freely?" she asked him first. Getting permission to speak as she wanted would be easier than trying to work around things that sounded disrespectful. ''You're allowed to speak freely.'' He simply reacted, but he was still wondering what it was that she wanted to discuss. There were several hunches coming up, but he didn't want to start to think he already could fully predict what she wished to discuss with him. A glance at her mask gave her the courage to ask her first question. "Do you see me as some sort of incompetent ANBU? Or do you simply have nothing more productive for me to do than to wait around? Doing nothing but looking after others and wondering what our enemy's plan is?" she looked at him then and crossed her arms across her chest.
It took some moments before some answer was being replied back. The tone of Takeru was still friendly, like before, but there was a certain undertone to it. ''It is highly unusual that a shinobi questions their leader straight in their face. In the days of the Second and Third Raikage, the people who comitted this often paid this with their own lives.'' He paused. ''As for how I view you as an ANBU, you have your worth and have shown that you're capable. However,'' Takeru's tone lost the friendly touch as it became very serious and almost threatening. ''Sometimes it is better to not question it when you're being told to be on a standby. You have managed to uncover something that has shown that the kidnapping of the Three Tails host wasn't a quick rush action. Information that will be used to prevent another kidnapping like that from happening.''
Chizuko heard the change in the tone of his voice as he spoke and it caused her head to lower until he had finished speaking. She was quiet for a long moment until she spoke again. "So.. it is not me. I am relieved.... but, why would you put me on standby when I can be out gathering more information, or something along those lines. Whoever took the host of the Three Tails is bound to return. Just like you said.. it was no quick action. It was planned. Yet I see no one doing anything urgent to find out what the next action will be. I could maybe do something... anything."
''That is because there is already information known on who it likely are that caused this. That and their plan failed.'' Takeru answered. He sighed as he briefly looked to the right. ''Though it seems that there hasn't been any urgent action to counter the faction who has tried to cause some ruckus and chaos within Kumogakure, it has been on my orders to keep things quiet. I think it would be a bit unnerving to hear that there are still some loyalist active, that wish to ursurp my current rule and bring back a second Genmyou.'' Takeru explained to Chizuko.
With a small nod, Chizuko thought about what he had said. Of course he would be on top of things... it was disrespectful of her to doubt his judgment on situations like this. "Forgive me Lord Raikage, I acted childishly upon a feeling I could not shake. I was thinking we were not doing all that we could..." she paused and knelt down to pick up her mask and noticed that her hands trembled slightly. Saying nothing, she stood there and dabated wether to leave or continue a different... more personal discussion.
''You're forgiven, Chizuko. Though like I said that a shinobi shouldn't question their leader, it is normal that one thinks for themselves.'' Judging by what he saw, the trembling hands and how she spoke back, Takeru wasn't so sure if this would end their conversation. ''If I gave you the idea that you weren't valuable to add to the progress of securing or protecting the Cloud against this faction, then I am sorry. I think it is better that you are on the standby, in case I need somebody capable to react swiftly to a situation or event.''
"Of course... You need not apologize to me. However... you believe that if something were to happen here, that I could be trusted with carrying out your orders? That in the most critical of situations, me and my fellow ANBU here can protect you and this village? It is... a big responsibility. I know I speak for all of us when I say we are flattered that you trust us so." Taking a step forward, she paused and looked past him out the window that overlooked the village. "You trust us that much.... but... you cannot burden us with the truth of knowing your face?"
The masked face of the Raikage kept looking in her direction, but he said nothing in return. The devil at the right side of the desk started to produce a low and menacing growl. Flashing the canines, it seemed like the creature was ready to jump at Chizuko as the small eyes kept staring at the woman that asked the question. But the animal stopped his threatening sound when Takeru started to reply back. ''You're better with your words than most ANBU I have discussed with so far.'' Takeru started, his tone being polite. ''But I wonder if you ask this merely out of being curious or due your experience of the last masked Raikage. Would the look on my face make a difference on how I would lead the village? Would add it anything valuable, other than just a face that is being recognized as the leader of this village?''
Resisting the urge to shoot a glare at the Raikage's snarling pet, Chizuko instead looked at her leader as he spoke. When his question a rose at the end, she was caught off guard by it only a little. "Dare I say that I am merely curious at this point. It matters not who you are, but that your actions continue to give me a reason to feel proud of serving you." She held out her mask towards him. "When I wear this mask, I find that it does two things. For one, it keeps my identity hidden... but it also keeps me from seeing all that I would if my eyes had nothing blocking the sides." she lowered her hand and gestured to the window behind him with her chin. "You can see the entire village from there, yes? But... do you ever find you have to turn your head a bit farther... to see it all?"
''To see it all.. hmm.'' Takeru repeated the words, mumbling them. A moment passed before he was replying back to Chizuko. ''Sometimes I indeed need to turn my gaze in order to see it all. Though that is just the point. If you look at this village, what do you see? A gathering of people, don't you? A safe haven, but for whom?'' Takeru started to sum up several questions, but he shook his head as he would give the answers. ''What most see is a city that brings forth the security and protection that this nation needs. A place where young ones are being trained in the art of becoming a shinobi, enlisting to serve the Raikage. A haven safe for those who wish to serve the country, in order to gain protection and peace in return. But does that make the Cloud different from any other village? What makes the Cloud different from the other villages?'' Takeru asked, leaning back in his seat.
What makes the Cloud different? For a moment, Chizuko wondered if he was avoiding the subject, but even so, she thought about his question. "It seems obvious to say that the people who live here set the Cloud apart from the other villages. Maybe the leaders act the same, maybe the systems are all the same, but what is different are the people... the regular villiagers that give us... or you a reason for doing what you do. To protect the way of life that the people want to have. If the villages had the same people, with the same values and the same way of life, there would be no need to separate into different villages. That is how I see it." she tilted her head once she finished speaking.
He chuckled. ''That is one way to see it. Everybody is entitled to see and form an opinion on what they see and believe.'' Takeru responded. ''However, I do have to disappoint you a little. I doubt that there is much difference between the regular villager of Kumogakure and that of Kirigakure. Both would like to live in peace, protect their family and other goals that are called simple and common. Maybe there are some cultural differences, but does that mean one place should stand above another? I believe not. And judging by what you said, I think you can agree with me on that it is a sad fact that to this day that every village rather strives to improve their own situation, at the cost of another?'' He asked her, his tone becoming friendlier.
"Yes, I can agree with you on that. Do you wish to see that change? If it is working, I assume that makes it hard to break such old habits passed down to us." she stated simply. Again noticing the change in his tone, Chizuko chose to let herself relax as she adjusted her weight onto one leg. Her arms crossed again in a relaxed position across her chest.
''Though it would be maybe nice, I doubt that I can change it. Like you pretty much said yourself, it would be hard to break old habits that have been passed down on us.'' Takeru paused. He was thinking about something. ''Though, would you like to see this changed?'' He asked back, thinking about what he would then request of her after hearing what she would tell him as answer.
"My wish would be that everyone would get along and never have to worry about the safety of their families. That there will never be another war where innocent people have to die, or that I could finally relax and settle down, worry about romance and all that stupid stuff women think about. ...But even I know that time is far from now. So instead of thinking about change, I think about making sure what is working for now stays working." she shook her head and smiled when she was done, embarassed that she had said such things out loud.
Behind his mask, Takeru was smiling as he heard her answer. ''I think that is fair enough.'' Was what Takeru at first replied. He was considering something, but going right off the bat with what was being formed in his head wouldn't be that ideal. There was always that risk that his suggestion would backfire. It would be something of later. ''May I ask something personal?'' Takeru requested. Though he wouldn't suggest what he had been thinking off, Takeru was starting to consider a way to later suggest what he had in mind.
Her left brow raised when he inquired about something personal he wanted to ask. "Of course. After how I have questioned you, it would rude of me not to return the curtesy." Chizuko said. She wondered why he would be interested in such a topic as this. Nodding, Takeru fired his question at her. ''If I remember your file correctly, you served for quite some time as a chuunin ranked in Genmyou's service. While your record kind of showed that you were already by the time jounin rank worthy. I am not sure what your opinion is on the Third Raikage and his shady doings, but I am mildly interested why you didn't take the same path as some others did. Deserting a masked leader. I heard you were quite close with one deserter.'' Pausing, Takeru had spoken with a friendly, yet polite manner. But it was clear he was out for something with his question. ''I believe it was Chase Irozaki. May I ask your reason why you stayed under the command of somebody who kept his face and acts hidden away and not following a former superior?''
Blinking when he brought up the question so suddenly, Chizuko looked away from him when he said the name of a member of her family. "I... why did I chose to stay?" she repeated under her breath. In truth, that question was hard to answer because it was something that she never wanted to discuss with anyone. "Chase... was someone I trusted entirely. There were times when I felt that the Third Raikage was not acting in accordance with what was best for the village. I believed that Chase was someone who did. However.... when he left, I did not follow him because I had a duty to this village. I believe left for good reasons... I wish I would have known. I cannot guarantee that things would be the same if he had said something to me."
Chizuko looked down at her mask and traced a few lines with her nail. "The mask is not such a big deal for me. The Third was not as approachable as you are. I suppose you remind me more of Chase, even with the mask. I am still able to trust you because of your actions as a leader. When I asked about your mask, I was only suggesting you trust myself as much as I do you." she knelt onto one knee then as she suddenly felt out of line and said nothing more.
Takeru sighed after she had answered his question. He shook his head. ''You were always too clever, even sometimes without yourself noticing it.'' His tone was suddenly different. It seemed off with the serious and polite manner on how he spoke before. His voice seemed to be more casual now. ''You know how annoying it is to keep this up? I do it for a reason, but it is even more annoying to hear you speak like I am a saint or a hero.'' Takeru said, placing his right hand over the mask to remove it. A grin was seen on the lips of the man as he winked at Chizuko. ''Though, please go on. I barely get enough of hearing I am a trusted leader.''
Chizuko had kept her head down until she heard the change in his voice once again. When she raised her eyes and they landed on the now exposed face of her Raikage, her mouth dropped open. "No... It can't be..." she said standing again. Though years had passed since she saw the face of her old commander, she was able to recognize him in an instant. Her face turned slightly red as she realized she had been idolizing him all this time.
"Ch...Chase? What the hell are you...? Is this...? Your the Raikage?" her eyes narrowed as she said it. Suddenly, the only thing holding her back from punching him then giving him a hug, was the fact that 30 seconds ago, he was someone completely different. A thought went through her mind that maybe this was some kind of trick.
Takeru shook his head. ''You even doubt me now?'' He asked in a complaining manner. ''Though it is a bit more complicated than it looks. In theory, I am a dead person.'' He told her with still a grin present. ''Chase Irozaki is dead. Takeru Destrushia is however the Fifth Raikage. Not a name that I picked out.'' He briefly seemed to ponder about something. ''Though it is such a surprise to see me as the Raikage? I thought that I was such a trusted leader, seeing you kind of kept praising me.'' Chuckling again at the end of his sentence, Takeru placed his mask on the desk. Sighing through her embarassment, Chizuko crossed her arms and bit back an unkind remark. This man was still her Raikage, she had to remember that. "I should have known you weren't yet done making your mark on the world. But... now I can see why you keep the mask on." she smiled then and shook her head.
"In any case, I really did admire the way you led us when you were commander. I always strived to lead like you. Events turned out to make you a leader again I see." Taking the last few steps over to his desk, she held out her fist towards him. "Nice to see you again."
Stretching out his hand, Takeru offered a hand instead of a fist. ''I think that it is maybe more fitting to give you a hand instead of a fist bump.'' He replied. ''And I kind of doubt you would really see why I keep the mask on. Though I have several reasons for that.'' He said the last sentence again in a more complaining manner. But with noticing that Chizuko had little trouble with him being the Raikage, he was glad that it had turned out like this. He wanted to reveal himself much earlier, cause he thought she could handle the truth.
Again she had to bite back a sarcastic remark as she shook the hand of her old friend. "This is a big secret to keep on your own. I'm grateful for you for trusting me with it. Does anyone else know what you look like, or who you really are... were?" she asked casually as she stepped away from his desk to the more center of the room.
''Those who are required to know it. Of course only highly trusted agents and people that are often in my presence.'' Takeru replied back. He was mildly amused that asked him the question like that. ''Though I hope you realize that you're now one of those people, it means that I will task you with heavier burdens from now on.'' His tone started to shift to a more serious one. ''I also have something that I would like to suggest, but that is for later. Now I think you could use a mission and some new position. Being a regular ANBU won't fit you anymore, now that you know this secret.''
Chizuko felt oddly at ease with the news of a new mission and position. "Thank you, Lord Raikage. I had begun to think I could not be trusted to follow through with heavier tasks. What new mission do you require of me?" she asked curiously. For once during this conversation, Chizuko felt that her acting on impulse and coming to see him was actually a good idea. She did want the small talk to be over for now so that she could focus on something more serious. She had a feeling that there would be time to catch up later.
Picking up his mask again, Takeru shifted his tone again to a more serious one. ''I need you to travel towards the Leaf. There has been some incident that needs to be taken care of. This will be a mission you will need to do alone. I will need you to bring over a letter personally to the Hokage.'' Takeru said. He was already looking for a scroll and a pencil. Having found a small empty scroll, he mumbled something. Only a minute later he managed to find a pencil. Writing down something, Takeru continued. ''It is simply delivering the message and then head back. Nothing else for now.'' With a nod, Chizuko placed her mask back upon her face and stepped forward to receive the scroll. "I shall deliver it at once. Am I to wait and expect a reply from the Hokage?" she asked as she placed the scroll in her hip pouch.
''Rather not. I assume the situation will be anything by friendly. Lets say that somebody made the grim mistake of killing a double agent, forgetting that capturing would be less of a dramatic consquence for Kumogakure.'' Takeru mumbled. With the invitation to the Hokage to discuss the matter, Takeru wasn't sure about the whole matter. Time would show what the answer and reaction of the Fire Union would be.
All that Chizuko gave to show her understanding of the situation was a nod. Not turning to leave yet, she wondered if there was anything left for either one of them to say. Though she hesitated a long moment, she decided to ask one more question and then leave. "Is there any reason why you decided to return to the Cloud?"
Wanting to pick up a book that he had been reading, Takeru looked up when she asked her question. ''Several ones.'' He simply answered, opening the book as the doors were opened. Likely meaning that the guard ANBU were back at their post or that it was time that Chizuko should head on her mission. In either way, Takeru started to read the book again. ''Safe travels, Chizuko.''
Another nod and Chizuko turned around, leaving the office. She glanced at the guard ANBU as she passed them by and wondered if by some slim chance that they knew the truth. It took her only moments to reach the outside of the building, and once her feet met the ground, she was off. She moved quickly, spurred on by the feeling of finally being a little more important than many of her fellow ANBU. Only once did she turn her head to look back upon the office of her old friend. A smile formed on her lips when she thought back to when he had said Chase was dead. Chizuko wasn't so sure about that.
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