?'s POV
The Leader growled as his two friends slowly crawled to their feet. He turned and viciously punched the Akimichi and woman cruelly in their stomachs. Both dropped to the ground and sputtered pathetically.
"Damn, you two! This was supposed to establish to that Demon who the boss is, and you let him casually beat you?!"
"I didn't see you jumping in." The Akamichi complained that the large Akamichi was Genin, who had served ten years. The man was much too lazy to go much further in his career. As such, he simply did simple and easy missions. Preferred to live life without risk. "Besides, that monster was faster than you-'' the Akimichi couldn't finish with The Leader kicking him in the face cruelly.
"Never praise the beast!" The Chunin admonished, laying into the large man. The surrounding civilians bristled as several called for help. He witnessed the other Genin he had gained attempt to help the injured man. He growled before allowing her to escape as the Anbu arrived with a body flicker.
They arrived in a large building where several civilians were loudly arguing. He growled as he allowed the woman to drag off the Akimichi. He would likely need to be convinced not to talk. But they had enough sway to get this done. Besides, there were plenty who did not like the beast. He could be easily replaced.
The building rang with activity. Several teens worked diligently, removing destroyed evidence from their little art left for the home of demons to wake up to. A group of shinobi sat at a table laughing at a picture of the graffiti. More civilians argued, seemingly about how to deal with the beast's return and its apparent support by the Hokage.
He stalked past them all up into an office. He bowed to the leaders of their recently formed group. Organizing them into a force to repel the beast without the Hokage's consent.
Three members of the civilian council.
There were plenty who hated the beast, after all.
Ino's POV (Akimichi Compound - Hidden Leaf Village)
Ino marched forward toward the home of the Akimichi with a grim frown. She had been the heiress of her clan by default. But truthfully, she never thought much of it; she would one day have to run the clan, but she didn't care much for it at the moment. She had been ecstatic upon her idea of appealing to her clan. Finally, the role she had never wanted could be helpful. But she had been denied outright by her father. Luckily, the man offered her an out. If she managed to convince the heads of their brother clans. The combined support of Akimichi and Nara would allow the Yamanaka to support Naruto without fear of political ramifications.
It had been an easy choice from there. Choza was a kind and thoughtful man, one who had always seemed to like her. She figured he would be much easier to convince than the enigmatic and intelligent Shikaku. As such, she marched forward toward their clan. Inoichi had warned them ahead of time of her arrival. While he had not told them why she was coming, they knew she was here to ask a favor.
The Akimichi district was different from the others. Meanwhile, the Yamanaka and Nara districts were a series of homes. Or the Uchiha and Hyuga, who owned a plot of land where they built their homes separately from most of them. The Akimichi lived within an extensive series of houses and restaurants. Some of the best cooks in the Leaf Village lived and worked here. Sponsored by the Akimichi, who offered protection and patronage galore in exchange for them eating at a heavily discounted price. This led to it being a destination spot for civilians and shinobi alike. The compound was in a large semi-circle with a large building in the center. The bottom serves as a BBQ restaurant named the Lovely Yakiniku, run by both Choza and his wife Nemul. Nemul was a woman outside the clan who was famous for her cooking skills and love of feeding people. Inoichi had described the meeting of the two as… enjoyable. According to Choza, he fell in love with her due to her fiery beauty and sublime cooking. Nemul said she fell in love with the man for his warm heart and lively deposition. Ino didn't understand it, but she enjoyed them both, so she never questioned it.
She walked into the restaurant and was allowed in by two large Akimichis guarding the door. Choza, the big softy he was, never allowed his wife to work without a few shinobi watching over things. So they worked as bouncers at the restaurant. It definitely clashed with the otherwise friendly atmosphere, but Ino supposed that was the way of the Akimichi. She gazed upon the various booths filled with various happy patrons. Each table had a grill and multiple plates filled with food to be grilled and their famous Sweet Dipping sauce. She walked past these to the customer service desk located in the back. Nemul worked diligently, talking on a phone, and she scribbled into a notebook. The woman almost single-handedly ran this place. Something Ino could respect, considering her odd shift at the flower shop.
Ino approached her, seeing the woman's gaze locked onto her. Nemul had intense gray eyes. Her bronze skin seemed almost faultless even as she worked. Her hair was a shade of gray deeper than her eyes, pulled into a bun secured by a chopstick. She nodded at Ino to let her know she had seen her and quickly ended the phone call with a shout to the other caller. Finished her note and slammed it shut before she marched forward towards Ino. She faced her directly face to face, seeming to scan Ino with an eerie focus.
"Ino! You look even better than last time!" Nemul cooed. She suddenly picked Ino up and spun her through the air with ease. Nemul may have been a civilian, but she had always been an oddly bold, strong, and beautiful woman. Ino almost looked up to her, she supposed.
"I'm not as good as you. I'm sorry, Nemul, but I'm here for something important." Ino said patiently, then hugged the woman back. Nemul's smile shrank for a second before she seemed to shriek with joy.
"Oh My God! You're like a little politician; I can't stand it!" Nemul said, letting Ino go with glee. She was an intense woman in every sense. She never was half-measured in anything. Ino supposed it took a strong woman to be with a shinobi. "Follow me, Cutie. I'll lead you to my Hubby for your talk."
Nemul said as she opened a door leading to a staircase to her right. The two women climbed the stairs and emerged at the rest of the Head Akimichi Home entrance. They traversed the homely place, going down a hallway that led to a set of double doors. "Hot stuff! Cutie is here!"
"Thanks, dear! Let her in! I'm expecting her. Also, do you need any help? We got a team of academy students for a D-rank." Choza's merry voice called through the doors. Nemul sighed as she opened the large doors with ease. She and Ino entered to see Choza sipping a beer and signing several documents. He sat behind a large oak desk covered in paperwork.
Ino supposed one day, she would be in a similar position.
My chefs could use some help. Send them my way, and I'll put them to work. Just don't send me slackers," Nemul complained.
"Sorry to say it, dear, but please be more gentle with the students. The academy sent a complaint last time saying the students were intimidated." Choza said in a slightly hesitant voice.
"Why do they always say that? Who could be scared by someone as beautiful as I?" Nemul growled.
"I have no idea, dear. I'll talk to them," Choza said in a resigned tone that showed who was truly the boss.
Now that Ino thought about it, their wives whipped all three Ino-Shika-Cho heads. Weird.
Nemul offered a peck for Choza and a warm nod towards Ino before marching back down the steps. An oppressive aura followed the woman, showing she was in business mode.
"I'm Sorry about my wife," Choza chuckled happily. "She's a bit of a firecracker, I guess."
"No worries, sir," Ino replied warmly.
"It is business, then," Choza replied, becoming more focused. Well, I must warn you, Ino, I can't be as kind in business even with our relationship with our clan. I may be your best uncle, but I can't compromise on anything that may be negative for my clan." He explained grimly.
"I'm here to ask your thoughts regarding my teammate, Naruto Uzumaki. There was recently an event that exposed a secret of his," Ino explained. Normally, she was not one for this. While personable, she was never one for formal settings. Nor was she used to dealing with politics. Ino merely focused and thought about every word. While she wasn't sure exactly how she felt about the blonde, he was unquestionably someone important to her. She wouldn't stand idly by while he suffered.
"I see…" Choza said reluctantly. It was clear to Ino that he had heard the news. And while he didn't show any aggressive body language, he was uncomfortable with the subject. Ino would have to tread lightly if she was to convince the man. It was clear he had intended to stay out of things. "I have heard that he is actually a jinchuriki. Honestly, I respect it; the boy carries a burden I wouldn't wish on many. Plus, my Choji speaks well of him… Why do you ask?"
"If you've heard the news, I'm sure you know the state of things with this new information. They tried to assault him as soon as he arrived. Another tried to hurt him. Even in the Land of Iron, he was discriminated against." Ino informed.
"Heartbreaking," Choza commented earnestly. "I have to say, though, what is the point of this topic? Why are you attempting to make me empathize with him?" Ino flinched at him so quickly, detecting and calling to light her attempt at persuasion. "No worries, your father does it by accident as well. Shikaku occasionally, too. I'm not offended."
"Sorry. I was hoping you would support the Yamanaka if we offered aid to my teammate," Ino said bluntly, knowing any more subtle attempts of convincing would be useful.
"I see…" Choza said quietly as he took a large sip of beer. "Let me start by saying I feel for Naruto Uzumaki. He saved my Choji, who carried quite a burden, and even Shikaku seemed to like him. That being said, siding with him won't be seen as standing up for those who are being discriminated against."
"It' 'll be seen as us collecting power. But that is why I intend to convince Shikaku as well." Ino explained.
"It would help if there were any benefits," Choza added. "As it is, you're asking us to risk a lot for little."
"I'm asking you to do the right thing and help someone you said just a moment ago helped you," Ino said sharply. She managed to hold in her temper, but she was tired of everyone seeming to think so cynically.
"You are right, mam," Choza said patiently, not flinching at her show of emotions. "But we have more to consider than that. I have to make a decision that serves my family. I cannot risk them for this. Though…" Choza rose from his desk and marched away, turning his back to Ino. This allowed her to see the clan symbol of the Akimichi proudly posted on his back. "I do owe him a favor for helping my son, however. So… if you can convince Shikaku, the Akimichi will stand with you."
Ino nearly gasped at the decision. While it was doubtlessly kinder than she deserved, it was also a big ask. Shikaku was one she was saving for last because she couldn't imagine her getting through to him, even with Shikaku liking the blonde.
"Advice before you attempt such Ino," Choza said, facing her. "If you want even a shot to convince Shikaku, you must make it a deal instead of asking. Hell, even a favor may work if your argument is solid."
Ino rose and also bowed to the man, both as thanks and a show of respect. Truthfully, she was despondent. She had expected Choza to be easier to convince. How the hell could she help Naruto? "Thank you, sir."
She silently walked out. A little more stressed than before she left. For now, she had to focus on training. Kakashi had set a meeting spot for her training. It could help her blow off steam.