Shuusei Touma - ANBU Captain
NPC
The Cloud ANBU were led into the village. While some of them would obviously be interested to look around, they had been requested to come and meet with the Hokage. The one which none of them had expected. Last anybody from Cloud had heard, the Hokage was still Umashi. The very same man who had established their good relations with Konoha. This surprise revelation was a little bit concerning and Touma was going to find out what he could. The student was asked to stay outside, though the rest were invited to head into the Hokage's office.
Not wanting the room to be too crowded, Touma instructed the other ANBU to remain outside with the student, taking advantage of the couches to take a welcome rest after their journey. They kept to themselves and simply enjoyed the break. Touma followed behind Yomi with Tatsuo and took a seat as it was offered, preparing to hear whatever story was to come. While he was expecting to hear about a simple changing of the head that wore the hat, it seemed that it was more complicated that. Umashi was missing.
Touma took a breath and let it go. The kage was missing? It made sense why the village was not looking to advertise that at ever opportunity. The story went on as the new Hokage explained that Umashi was believed to be alive and protecting... the world.
"That certainly sounds ominous," Touma responded, not sure what else to say, simply allowing the Hokage to continue. She explained further that she had been the Hokage since Umashi had disappeared nearly 10 months ago. She apologized for the delay in letting Cloud know, but Touma shook his head.
"I understand," he said, realizing the chaos they would likely be facing with the kage not dead, but missing. He wondered if the ANBU who had intercepted them were following a lead on Umashi which led them out so far from the village. Should the Raikage go missing, Kumogakure would likely be facing similar troubles and sending out messages to alert others to his absence would likely not be high on the list of priorities. Touma watched quietly as Yomi wrote a quick letter and then accepted it as it was slid across her desk to him, nodding.
"Of course," he acknowledged, assuming this letter would contain more details than had been provided today. This reminded him. He had almost forgotten, given the startling revelations, that he had a couple of messages to relay. They had been intended for Umashi, but truly they were meant for the Hokage, whom now was seated before him.
"I have some messages to relay as well, while I am here. The first is regarding the shinobi we returned to you. What you do with him is your concern; however, should he be permitted by you to live, given the deception he attempted to use to enter our village for motives still unknown, I have been instructed to relay these restrictions regarding him, which have also been relayed to him: We must ask that he not be allowed to return to Lightning Country for a period of ten years. After such time, he should only return on official business, and only with two weeks notice and a chaperone," Touma relayed. This directive was from the Main Branch Sennin, Kagetsu Yuii. She was in charge of the gates of Kumogakure which had prevented Baba from entering the village. That message relayed, Touma leaned forward and produced a letter in an envelope with the Raikage's seal which he placed on the Hokage's desk.
"The second message is a request from the Raikage, Kogami Ayumu. This is in regards to the student sitting outside right now. Your Chuunin here, Tatsuo, has requested that he be allowed to bring the boy, Saito, to your village. He wishes to instruct him here, for a time. The Raikage liked the idea, thinking that it would help strengthen our alliance in the future should these young ones foster bonds with one another," Touma explained. If Yomi opened the letter on the spot it would, of course, say the same, though the message was, unfortunately, written under the assumption that Umashi remained the Hokage. [See Below]
"Given your situation here, I'm sure the Raikage would understand if you had to decline," Touma continued, giving the Hokage the out if she felt she needed it. He hoped, for the boys' sake, that she would comply. He knew that they were both very excited about the prospect of spending some time together in Konoha.
[spoilername="Letter to the Hokage"]Dear Umashi,
How's it going, fellow kage? Haven't had to wear those robes too much I hope. I'm sorry that I didn't send this letter ahead of the group who is delivering it to you now, but your Chuunin, Tatsuo, is very eager. He came to me with a request: to take our student, Samsara Saito, with him to Konoha and teach him. Normally, we don't allow our students to travel outside of the village, but I see this as an opportunity to help encourage our future generations to continue this alliance we have formed. Both of these boys could one day replace you and I, and having this shared experience could only help them bring our villages together whether they wind up donning the robes or not.
If you cannot permit this, for whatever reason, I understand. The escort I sent with them will bring Saito home with them. However, if this sounds like a good idea to you as well I would ask that you allow Saito to stay for a year under Tatsuo's tutelage. After that time, we will send someone to retrieve him. My hope is that at that time perhaps a student from your village may have the same opportunity to study in Kumogakure for a year so that we can continue encouraging these friendships.
At any rate, whatever you decide, I hope you are doing well. You never write! Take care, Umashi.
Sincerely,
Kogami Ayumu[/spoilername]
