War on Revenge [Private/Mayu]

[Naoko Ebisawa]

Konohagakure, Kusagakure, and Iwagakure. All blinded from revenge. It's been decades since the death of her father had passed and it's been only been months since Naoko had become the second Tsuchikage to rule over the village after her father. To think that her father would appointment her as the next Tsuchikage only felt like a love bite compared to all of the things he did to her before. She never would've imagined to see herself rule over people that have looked down upon her and even her father.

But this wasn't all about Naoko. At least, not entirely. Iwagakure was at war with Konohagakure and Kusagakure. One of Kusa's killers managed to take away the life of her father and Iwa placed the blame on Konoha. It was expected for Iwa to place their blame on their major enemy, Konoha, but for what? Konoha had the same ambitions as Iwa when it came to the land of Kusa. Was it all worth it? Naoko would think otherwise. She wanted to call everything off. She didn't want to go into war for her father's lust for power. She wasn't like her father, and had no intentions of being in his steps and carrying out a legacy that was practically despicable.

But if Konoha and Kusa refuse such a proposal, then Naoko would need a backup plan.

That's why she called over the Nidaime Raikage, Mayu Hosazu, for a meeting. She was going up against two other villages and she needed an alliance if plan A crumbles to the ground. Why the Raikage specifically? No real reason, but she felt as if the woman have some experience in such politics and was willing to compromise with Naoko's position. She had never met the woman before, but she had heard stories here and there. She sounded like someone who has complete authority with the village kissing the dirty beneath her shoes. She was someone that Naoko needed to talk to.

Naoko patiently sat in her chair as she awaited for the Raikage to arrive. Both arms laid on top of each other on her desk as she calmly stared at the door, waiting for that knock to ring.

[Mayu Hosazu]

Mayu was flattered to be invited from another kage from a meeting. The only downside to this was the specifics as to why she was invited. All she gotten was an invitation from the Tsuchikage and to talk about plans that dealt with Kumogakure and Iwagakure. The actual plans and their components were unknown. Still, Mayu wasn't going to turn down such a potential alliance. However, that depended on what these so called "plans" were which has some control to the outcome for both villages.

Mayu was already guided into the palace with the help of Iwagakure bodyguards. Her own bodyguards went back to Kumogakure when she arrived to the gates. After a few minutes of walking the group arrived in front of a closed door. One of the bodyguards first knocked on the door then proceeded to open it. "Lady Raikage has arrived, Lady Tsuchikage." One of the guards announced as he made room for Mayu to enter.

This was where Mayu had gotten a better look of what the Tsuchikage looked like. The young woman was full of youth and beauty, Mayu would admit. A soft smile would creep onto her lips as she walked into the office with her vibrant eyes searching all over the area. "My, what an organized and cozy office you have here, Lady Tsuchikage." She cooed as she gave her compliment. Mayu's office was a little bit of a mess compared to the Tsuchikage's own, hence the compliment.

Mayu went onto approaching the Tsuchikage's desk where she would then extend a hand at Naoko, offering a handshake. "Hosazu Mayu. The pleasure of meeting you is mine." She introduced herself with a friendly smile. "Just a little bit of advice: specify what 'plans' we would have to discuss between our two villages. I'm not exactly a woman for surprises. I wouldn't of came here, otherwise." She teased, half serious and half joking.

As Mayu would release Naoko's hand, she would then motion herself over to the two couches, sitting in one on them. She'd assume that was where they would talk about their plans. "I'm assuming that this 'plan' would have something to do with the strained relations between you, Konohagakure and Kusagakure."

Naoko Ebisawa

[Naoko Ebisawa]

A knock was made that, honestly, took Naoko by surprise for a minute even though she was expecting it. One of her bodyguards then opened the door, announcing the Raikage's arrival. There, the bodyguards stepped aside, revealing the Raikage. Naoko's expression stayed blank, but she was surprised to see how unnaturally white she was. It did, however, made her icy blue eyes stand out more. From top to bottom she was all white, from her hair, to her skin, and to her outfit. Still, this didn't shadow over the beauty the Raikage exposed.

"Thank you, it took a while to clean up the mess my father left. I'm glad someone noticed the effort." Naoko joked as she returned the friendly smile.

She watched the Raikage walk forward to her desk, where she then introduced herself with her hand out in front of her. After she introduced herself, Naoko took her hand and shook it. "Ebisawa Naoko. Likewise." She said. Naoko was still at shock at how pale this woman was. It was as if she had no pigmentation, even if that is the case.

Mayu mentioned that next time Naoko should specify what their conversation was going to be aout, much on Naoko's fault. "My apologies, Ms. Hosazu. I didn't want to be too explicit with some of the plans I'd like to go over. I'll be more mindful as to add a synopsis of what we'll be discussing about." She explained. As Mayu released her hand, she then went to the couch and sat herself there. Of course there was no chair in front of the desk, and Naoko wasn't going to let the Raikage stand as they talk which was probably why she went to the couch. Well, it was only the beginning of their little talk so there was some time to somehow redeem herself.

As Naoko got up, Mayu crept on the fact that her plans dealt with regards to the feud between Konoha, Iwa, and Kusa. "Well you're not wrong, but you're not entirely right, either." She pointed out while walking to the couch opposite of where Mayu sat. Sitting down, Naoko would then continue. "Let's just say I need some advice. I'd ask my adviser, but of course I need someone who has the same position as me to tell me their point of view and what they'd do if they were in my shoes." She said. Now, to be a little straightforward without giving too much away.

"Would you officially declare war or would you want to back down from the feud?"

[Mayu Hosazu]

Mayu's eyes were glued to the silver haired woman the entire time ever since she sat down on this couch, wondering if she would ever join her. It was preferred, but not really necessary. Unless Naoko didn't want to look unprofessional. It also looked like her guess to why Mayu was summoned here was on the right track. Not wrong but not entirely right? That was at least a start. Why else would Mayu be called here for? Why Mayu was specifically called here to Iwagakure was another mystery to figure out later.

Naoko wanted advice, but it wasn't advice she wanted to acquire from her adviser. No, she needed a kage's opinion. It made sense to Mayu. Sometimes an adviser doesn't have the solution to everything and it'd take someone who has more power from another village to get the job done. Mayu was happily willing to give advice. To her, it gives her authority over even those who have the same position as her. "Interesting." She smiled as she crossed her arms.

What was more interesting was her question. Would she make a move for an attack or back down from the roaring flames. The question was why would she ask about backing down. "Back down?" She asked with such a curious tone with a hint of confusion hidden in her face. It managed to even pique some interest.

"Forgive me if I'm being rude, but Kusagakure, a very small, puny even, village managed to kill your father. Konohagakure of course is involved because they've wanted Kusagakure's land, alongside your village as well. What reason is there to back down?" She questioned. It looked like this conversation was about to get a little more interesting than expected.


Naoko Ebisawa

[Naoko Ebisawa]

Naoko knew that this would poke some interest into the Raikage ask her question was told. Of course, she had to remind Naoko of the assassination of her father from Kusagakure and Konohagakure getting involved. "Mm." She hummed, acknowledging what already had happened. What Mayu didn't know was that she showed no emotions about her father's murder. She only had to pretend to show that she cared. After all, that was her father that lost his life.

"My father was killed, yes. That doesn't necessarily mean I want to carry out his legacy either, whether he likes it or not." Naoko explained. She may be related to the man, but to continue his doings was completely unrelated to the woman's own motives. "Him wanting Kusa's land was his motive, not mine. I want nothing to do with it, nor would my village would want to either." She said.

"You see, Lady Raikage, my father wasn't exactly 'likeable' in this village. Some saw him as either a hero or a hero who was trying too hard to become heroic and eventually ends up as the villain. If I were to tell you all the things he did to me, you'd understand why I have such hatred held within me. I was ashamed to share the same name as him." She paused for a moment to heave out a sigh before continuing. Naoko was to go as far as to be damned that Raidon Ebisawa managed to become the Shodai Tsuchikage.

"Was I upset that he died? Yes; upset that I wasn't the one who took his life." Naoko muttered. She averted her eyes for a moment before returning them back into the Raikage's own. "Just joking. Although a joke like that is a little dark, that's just my sense of humor." She chuckled. "But on a more serious note, I no longer want Kusa's land, nor plan to extract revenge. My father dug his own grave when he tried to get ahold of the land. I'm only trying to get Iwagakure out of the grave he tried to bring into." Naoko said.

[Mayu Hosazu]

Mayu paid close attention as Naoko addressed the concerns the Raikage brought up. What she brought up was very... interesting. She wanted to end what her father started, which was understandable as she continued to back up her reason to do so. She was somewhat taken back from the crude joke she made about her wanting to kill her father, but Mayu could tell that what Naoko said was no joke at all. Mayu would know, anyway. She's been in a similar situation.

Mayu crossed her head as her head was still tilted as a smile of fascination took over. "Well, it's very common for a child to start their own legacy and leave behind the unspeakable done by their parent." She started off. "But that doesn't mean that the damage your father committed can also be undone." Mayu pointed out. With the state the three feuding villages are in, she doesn't see Iwagakure attempting to back down any time soon. Or at least, the majority of Iwagakure.

"Forgive me if I sound brash on what I'm about to say, and I understand the reasons behind your motive, but why not look from a perspective of how the village would benefit from taking Kusagakure's land?" Mayu suggested. "He may not be a good man as you described him, but his reasons for taking Kusagakure's land seems far from the opposite of terrible. War can erupt, but it's for a good reason. You can continue to build your village with Kusa's land; homes, businesses, bases for your army. Just think of all of the power you can take and conquer." Mayu reminded Naoko. If Mayu really were in Naoko's shoes, she would take the opportunity of ruling over Kusagakure's land by a long shot.

"Like I said, forget what your father was trying to start. Think more of the benefits and opportunities you'll get from this and think of how you're going to end on what you're going to start."

[Naoko Ebisawa]

Naoko didn't realize it, but a frown became visible on her face. She wasn't expecting Mayu to be on board with Naoko's initial idea, but she also wasn't expecting her to give the opposite of what she wanted to hear. To say that Mayu was in the wrong, however, would be ridiculous. She had points that Naoko hasn't really considered since she focused more on the big picture. Expanding Iwa's land with homes, businesses, and the likes. That sounded very beneficial to the village.

"I can't lie to say that you've made a lot of good points with regards to the benefits and opportunities this will bring to the village if we were to go to war," Naoko started off, admitting some defeat. "However, this also brings some burdens to this village if we were to go out alone against the other two villages." She said, still standing with her original point. "Konoha is our enemy and Kusagakure has killed my father. I don't want to take chances of getting teamed up and possibly get ruled over by either village." She explained. "Kusagakure may be a minor village, but for the fact that an assassin from that village managed to take my father's life says a lot about the potential they have in this war." She continued. Mayu may have focused on the benefits, but she didn't consider the process and what ifs within the possible war.

"Until I have an ally or two for this battle, I'm still standing with my original motive, Lady Raikage." Naoko mentioned.

[Mayu Hosazu]

Mayu noticed the frown the Tsuchikage was making as Mayu proposed her suggestions. Of course, Mayu focused more on what good this war would bring to the village than the actual process, which she understands. Mayu's voice went softer as she uncrossed her arms and placed both palms of her hand onto the couch, repositioning herself. It wasn't too long ago since the death of her father, so it was expected of her to be a little... "new" to the kage responsibility. 

The Raikage couldn't help but chuckle as she stared into the Tsuchikage's jet black eyes. "See? That's your problem. You lack confidence in your position when it comes to war. I understand of going through the constant struggle of a decision between going to war or backing down. Don't think I'm not entirely agreeing with what you're trying to get at here, honey." Mayu reassured the woman. "But if a minor village like Kusa managed to kill off a major village's kage, that would say a lot." She said. Weak, spineless, Mayu would say. As a matter of fact, "Weak. Spineless. You'll be seen as a joke if you back down now, Lady Tsuchikage." She went on. "Not just you, but you wouldn't want that on you AND your village now, would you?"

Allies, Naoko said. That was the only true point that Mayu was willing to actually agree on. "Of course, allies are an important resource for a war. But let's just say that not all villages are willing to side with you for free." Mayu said as she'd wink at the silver haired woman.

[Naoko Ebisawa]

Naoko also couldn't help but chuckle as Mayu gave her brutal honesty, her frown turning into a smirk of challenge. "Looks like I'll be taking that with a pound of salt." She gently hissed at the Raikage. She already caught on into the intimidation Mayu was trying to display. "Do you really think you can get into my head so easily by insulting my village and I? If anything, it's a little alluring, but cute." She said, attempting to sink herself onto Mayu's level. If it's a battle of the wits Mayu wants, then that's what she'll receive.

"I may be very new into the game, but don't underestimate how well I know how to play it, Lady Raikage. I've learned more from my father than you and I were to imagine. You're more lower than I would actually expect" Naoko pointed out. Her leadership can be questionable, but her power remains solid. She was the Tsuchikage, the strongest kunoichi within her village. She may be seen as weak for trying to step down, but to Naoko she was playing it smart. She had no plans on going down like her father any time soon.

Suddenly, a change of heart was shown to Naoko.

Mayu gave a devilish wink as she mentioned about alliances, hinting she could be a possible ally. An eyebrow raised in interest became visible as Naoko also leaned in. "Oh really? And how much am I willing to bet that you'll run off and Konoha and play 'double agent' if we were to become allies?" Naoko teased. She may have known the Raikage for only a few minutes, but where this conversation was going, it felt like she's been playing a game with her worse enemy for years.

And Naoko was enjoying it.

[Mayu Hosazu]

Looked like Naoko was amused with Mayu's intentions of causing some intimidation. It was about time the two women were amused with this conversation. She didn't mean to insult the woman and her leadership abilities, but that's how honest Mayu was willing to get. "You call it insulting, I call it honesty." She replied with a shrug. Though, the intention of insulting was hidden, she'll admit.

Mayu's eyes sparkled as the Tsuchikage called her low, as if she were happy about it. "Well would you look at that! The little cub is trying to growl to a lion but doesn't even know how to roar in the slightest bit!" She exclaimed with joy. "And I thought beauty was your only strength." She teased. "However, I've not yet mentioned once about your leadership abilities. I only attacked your confidence. It's not good for a kage to get defensive." Mayu pointed out.

That was when things really went south as Naoko accused her of being a double agent by siding with Konoha while she's with Iwa. "Already we're questioning my loyalty? Especially after I offered you my help to aid you in war? I'll say, while you're not entirely wrong, you're a smart woman. Smarter than I thought." Mayu purred.

"...But that depends. How much can you offer to keep my mouth shut?"

[Naoko Ebisawa]

Naoko scoffed as Mayu interpreted her insults as honesty. "Call it what you want, Lady Raikage, but that doesn't exclude your actual intentions. Nice attempt, though." She said. Naoko won't lie, Mayu did hold some good points if she were to back down, but that didn't mean she was going to take it so lightly despite visibly doing so. "And I'm no person to get defensive. You call it that, I call it being informative." She added with a wink.

Mayu continued to test Naoko as she said she thought beauty was the Tsuchikage's only strength, along with the lion and cub comparison. "Funny, and I thought beauty and being a smartass was the only two strengths you hold. I guess we both have one thing in common." She said, flicking her hair that was over her shoulder behind it. This was no longer about battle plans for the two villages, this was now a test of wits. Not that Naoko minded.

"Of course. I can't fully trust you just yet. Only because you seem like someone who's willing back stab anyone to give themselves an advantage. I thought that was obvious, but I may as well state it any way." Naoko smirked. And there it was. Mayu acknowledged the truth without hesitation nor any form of shame. She then questioned how much Naoko was willing to offer to keep her mouth shut.

"I think there's an offer that you'll really enjoy." Naoko reassured the woman. "That is, if you plan to stick around longer for the day." She added.

[Mayu Hosazu]

Denial. It was visible and the two kages know it, even if the Tsuchikage didn't want to believe it. "Not all the time do insults equal to belittling you... for the most part. They're just too brutally honest for you to handle." The woman pointed out with a shrug. "It's just the unfortunate, harsh reality of being a kage. You have to learn when to take criticism instead of fighting against it. It makes you look as if you're taking too much pride for yourself." She'd advise.

Mayu smiled as the Tsuchikage was more upfront with the Raikage being a smartass. "Well it's a requirement, after all. You can't be a kage without having a smart mouth." She explained with sarcasm. Obviously Naoko was still trying play on Mayu's level, and if Mayu had to say, she was mildly amused. "But let's not try to belittle each other any further. After all, you're the one that invited me over to discuss plans." She said.

"Can't be trusted?" Mayu repeated with a small playful pout. "That's a little insulting, but ironic. You have no trust in me, yet I continue to stay here. If you didn't trust me, you would've called this meeting to an end." Mayu pointed out. "It seems as though you've taken some interest in me during this meeting. I'm not surprised." She joked as she chuckled.

"And what exactly is it that you're willing to propose? I've already told you I dislike surprised."