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Dez's POV (Outside of Uzumaki Residence - Hidden Leaf Village)
"Precisely why am I here Dez?" Shizune asked with a sigh as they watched various members of the police remove the hateful message from the board. The owner of the store seemed oddly okay with it being there but the men insisted they remove anything that openly insulted loyal shinobi. Truthfully this usually would be left to grunts but Dez knew this was likely not a one-off situation. Tsunade had informed him via letter of the events of the second exam. Warning that there would likely be a substantial amount of unrest and tension. Which as former mafia members they knew would mean an uprising of crime. After all, there would surely be more than a few who felt slighted by not only the lie of the Third but also the knowledge that the "Kyuubi" was among them. With this in mind, Dez intended to get to the bottom of this and see if there was any cause for concern.
"Sorry dame-" Dez started.
"I'll poison you." Shizune promised darkly.
"Mam," Dez smoothly corrected as he seemed to fidget. While Shizune wasn't the force of nature that was his boss he knew she was a deadly woman in her own right. He would act wisely for now. He was itching for a smoke but knew Lady Shizune would not approve of such. "But with the unfortunate events… dammit." Dez growled to himself. "I need someone to help me with investigating and maybe muscle if shit goes flying." Dez said noticeable was the pause he took upon thinking of the death of Nekomaru. But Shizune kindly did not acknowledge it. They both knew how hard it could be to get over the death of the fallen.
"I… see. Of course, just tell me how I can help." Shizune said softly.
"May needs youse help soon." Dez said before he signaled to one of the men who was brushing the billboard with a glowing brush. The man dropped down with a bow towards Dez. "Go ahead, bastard." Dez barked.
"Sir, it seems whoever did this wasn't shinobi, Or at least… not very good ones. We found a ladder disposed of nearby. We did get a sample of the paint and are attempting to identify it. As well as look into where the ladder was purchased but it will likely take time sir." The man explained.
"Damn, it takes a couple of days for the boys in evidence to look into this." Dez complained. "It may escalate in the time that'll take."
"No need for such a long wait, I can tell you the chemical breakdown of the paint." Shizune offered with a small smile. "It's not too dissimilar from doing it with poison after all. Should allow us to narrow down the amount of stores as well as the amount of customers who had purchased it."
"That would narrow down the list of potential suspects surely. Thanks, Lady Shizune, you are amazing." Dez said excitedly as he pulled out a smoke to celebrate frowning when Shizune slapped it out of his hand.
"That will get you to an early grave." Shizune admonished just as her master would've. Lady Tsunade said she rather liked Naruto and I can see you truly could use some aid. Of course, I'll help you, I'm technically a member of the Leaf Police Force as well I suppose." Shizune offered.
Dez merely nodded as he grabbed a sample of the paint used for them to examine at the lab at the station. He sent two men to look into where the ladder was sent as he nodded for another man he had told to interview the neighbors. He likely had some information for him now.
"Sir, unfortunately, none of the neighbors claimed to see anything of note. Furthermore, a solid number of them refused to even speak to us. We believe it's due to not wanting to assist the victims in question." The man explained nervously as his partner feigned a sigh.
"Personally I don't see why we are so concerned with a demon brat. If he gets hurt or leaves all the better for the rest of us." He stated plainly. Shizune gasped at this while Dez merely frowned.
"Go home." Dez stated clearly infuriated that one of his men was involved in this thinking.
"Sir?" The hateful one spoke as his partner seemed to step back to suggest he was not supporting him.
"I said go home. I need reasonable people for this assignment. Not biased bastards." Dez said firmly. His team around him froze as they watched the angry man stomp off. Silence reigned for a bit before three more men left. Leaving Dez's Police Force active units cut in half.
"Dammit." Dez responded honestly. He had a feeling the Boss had given him a hell of a task.
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Naruto's / ???'s POV (Mainstreets - Hidden Leaf Village)
Naruto did his best to walk calmly and strongly on his way to the meeting place Kakashi had set for him. Apparently, because the three of them could end up battling each other he had formed a special month-long training package for the three. Each would be separate for them and Kakashi assured them they would receive equal attention. Naruto didn't mind and even wanted to be excited about it. But the stares were making that seem impossible.
He could hear barely whispered insults as he walked past, the shuffling of those who seemingly didn't even want to be on the same side of the road as him, and he could feel them stare whenever he turned away. Some of them were so bold as to stare at him openly. Naruto had never been one to allow people to walk all over him but he didn't want to make things worse. He never wanted to experience such open hate again and if he had his way would never again.
So despite his rising anger from the treatment he soldiered on peacefully, determined to not rise to their hate. Perhaps this focused state of mind distracted him enough to where he was oblivious for he crashed into a shoulder and fell to the ground. He looked up to see a group of three shinobi facing him. One was an Akamichi, easy to tell due to him being in their standard armor. The large and seemingly sweaty bald man sneered at Naruto from the back of the group, and a skinny tall woman laughed as well. She looked incredibly fragile and sickly. Messyhair pulled into a ponytail, and her smile seemed more malicious than kind. The leader of the group seemed to be an exceptionally handsome man. He had long flowing dark hair and deep blue eyes. His looks slightly marred by an ugly deep red scar covering half his face. He must've been the one Naruto bumped.
"Hello there, demon. Remember me?" The apparent leader of the group said. "My name is unimportant, but you can call me master." He said with a cruel smile. As his two lackeys cackled behind him.
Naruto growled as he rose to his feet and attempted to stomp past the trio. But stopped as The Leader suddenly pulled a kunai and held it in the path of where Naruto aimed to walk. "Listen, I'm not in the mood. You hate me I get it, just give me time-"
"How about YOU give ME all your money." The Leader countered.
"No, screw off." Naruto replied simply pushing the kunai out of the way. And marching past the three.
"Seems we'll have to show the demon the pecking order now. HUMANS FIRST!" He screamed as his two lackeys raced forward. Naruto turned with a sigh as he ducked a slow punch from the Akamichi and tripped the woman as she drew close. The Akamichi threw another wild punch allowing the blonde to grab his arm. And slam him onto the woman. Both groaned in pain as Naruto stared at The Leader. "Y-you are a demon." The Leader said somewhat shocked. "You won't get away with this."
"You tried to rob me. I don't see what I'm getting away with." Naruto tried to explain calmly.
"You've killed too many to suddenly play innocent!" The Leader screamed.
Naruto growled but stomped off. Knowing for now he could not win the man over. Now he would likely have to avoid the man. He should've given the man the money. He hadn't had much on him anyway and now he had stoked the fire of their hate.
He had a feeling that he would be seeing that man again real soon.
???'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 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 even 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 helping her and escaping right 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 activities. 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 return of the beast 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.
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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 useful in some way. But she had been denied outright by her father. Luckily the man had offered her an out. If she managed to convince the heads of their brother clans. The Akimichi and Nara's combined support 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 on 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 one that was different from the others. While 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 separate from most. The Akimichi lived within a large series of homes 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 it to be a destination spot for civilians and shinobi alike. The compound was set up 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 of the clan famous for her cooking skills and her love of feeding people. Inoichi had described the meeting of the two as… interesting. 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. Honestly, Ino didn't understand it but she enjoyed them both so she never questioned it.
She walked into the restaurant being allowed in by two large Akimichi's 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 was suited with a grill as well as various 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. There was Nemul working diligently talking into a phone as 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 lock 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, her hair 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. 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.
"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 to her right leading to a staircase. The two women climbed the flight of stairs and emerged at the entrance of the rest of the Head Akimichi Home. 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 stepped in 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.
"I suppose my chefs could use some hands. Send my way. 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 said angrily.
"No idea dear. I'll talk to them." Choza said with a resigned tone of voice that showed who was truly the boss.
Now that Ino thought about it, all three of the Ino-Shika-Cho heads were whipped by their wives. 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.
"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 and our clan's relationship. 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. One, 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. I hold nothing but respect for it honestly, 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 easily, 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 were to offer 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, carries quite the burden, and even Shikaku seems 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 from the desk turning his back to Ino. Allowing her to see the clan symbol of the Akimichi posted proudly on his back. "I do owe him a favor for helping my son however. So… if you're able to 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, turning to face her. "If you want even a shot to convince Shikaku you need to make it a deal as opposed to a ask. Hell, even a favor may work if your argument is solid."
Ino rose as well bowing 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. Perhaps it would help her blow off steam.