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Darui's POV (Jounin Command Center - Hidden Cloud Village)
Evening
There was a massive commotion within the Cloud Village. Chunin and Genin raced to and from new defensive outposts that were stationed not only throughout the village but throughout the lightning country. Such drastic measures and movements were usually saved for dire times. A defensive perimeter so dense and extensive was as costly as it was disruptive to civilian life. As such it was reserved for only the tensest of times. Anbu and Intelligence members also prowled throughout the village; occasionally, they would stop and detain civilians or shinobi alike. Anyone suspected of disloyalty was imprisoned for a term undetermined yet alleged to be life by many. Various artillery was being placed and supplied in the high evaluation points throughout their home. Capable of not only deterring invaders but launching raining death throughout the Lightning Country. Their village had always been one of the most militant of the Five Great Villages but now literal martial law had been established. Darui was sure other villages would suffer from the population decrying such thoughtless treatment. But loyalty toward the military was treated as sacredly as religion here.
These all weren't necessarily new developments. A and the Cloud had always been partial to preventive measures. Peace could only last so long, after all. Something Darui supposed he hesitantly agreed with. War was anything but dull after all, but he would admit to feeling deeply disturbed those times may come so soon yet again. Though it was not his job to question orders nor did he think he could do much better. A was many things, but an effective leader had always been one. All the same, the rapid acceleration of what A had been doing slowly for years now alarmed Darui. Whatever A had going on, he was making a move soon. One that seemed ultimately unnecessary and cruel. Darui had intended to question him about such a thing. As his Personal Advisor and Jounin Commander, he was within his right to ask to be briefed. Though demanding such would be a fool's errand, it was better to tread softly with the temperamental Raikage. Luckily, Darui had no need to find time and a tactful reason to talk to A; for A had demanded Darui and his other advisor C's presence. C was one of the few A never seemed to mind feedback from, so his presence would be a boon.
It wasn't as if Darui was opposed to A's actions. While Darui certainly wasn't as blood or war-hungry as his peers, he felt pride in the strength in his home. And would happily serve to improve for those after him. While he would be content to be entertained alone, but he recognized his home demanded more and that he was duty-bound to provide it. But A was moving so suddenly it was concerning. The Leaf and Sand were in an alliance, the only true alliance between the five. If this was an aggressive move like Darui suspected, it could go pear-shaped. The Stone were no friends currently, and the Mist was a nonfactor. It is not exactly a position of strength, yet Darui had faith this wasn't a compulsive move by A.
Darui sighed tiredly as he crept past his receptionist in the dull front office. Paperwork was his constant annoyance, and as both an Advisor and Jounin Commander, he received plenty, enough to have his own office staff cover it for him. Seeing his boss have even more paperwork gave him a headache. Past this was a shower room and break room for Jounin, further inside the quarters for Anbu, and finally Darui's own office. Marching past the former, Darui opened the latter's door and inwardly sighed at what he saw. C was slightly in front of him, face in his palm, in the scene before him. It was just like A to hold a meeting of his own at someone else's property. But Darui cared too little to risk being annoyed about it.
A group of Anbu and Intelligence members were present. Particularly those good at infiltrating and returning from hostile territory. "You all are to deliver this directly to an upper member of the four villages. You are to assume you will need to escape a hostile space in the process and should commit suicide if necessary to avoid capture. You recognize you may perish on this mission but also recognize such is an honor you're scarcely worthy of." A monologue to the men. His eyes flicked over to the two of them, a smirk breaking out as they did. "Move out, remember the Cloud does not forgive failure; should you create such, do not return." A's tone was grave and a bit more animated than usual. A clear sign his infamous temper had been flaring as of late. To question his orders at that moment would be a death sentence. Luckily the Cloud knew their glorious leader well and the men dutifully appeared ready to venture forth on their dangerous mission. The threat of banishment upon failure of a mission wasn't necessarily unheard of. There was examples throughout the history of all Five Great Villages. But it was most common in the Cloud. To fail a mission given directly by the Raikage was a grave offense. To be frank Darui was surprised they weren't threatened with Execution instead.
As such, it was no surprise to Darui when the group started to body flicker away. The three of them watched silently until they were alone in the room.
"Excellent." A chuckled merrily as he chucked a bottle of wine and three flutes to Darui to C. "I was hoping you'd arrive soon. I wanted to brief you on our next moves, give you your next orders, and celebrate a plan coming together."
"A plan?" C asked.
"Aye. Pour me one, fools, yourselves as well." A ordered. Even among his trusted few the pecking order was always made clear with A. C and Darui worked flawlessly in tandem, pouring the three flutes of wine and settling around Darui's desk. A settled into it and his office chair with a relaxed sigh. Darui and C were sitting at the chair he left for the guest; the irony of being a guest in his own office wasn't lost on him. The three sipped and settled in.
Darui and C knew better than to rush their leader. A would explain himself when he was good and ready. Luckily, their patience here was rewarded soon enough. Upon draining half his flute with several large gulps, he began. "Since I heard of the supposed disappearance of several key Leaf Genin and Chunin, including their Jinchuriki, I have had a realization. The time for peace is bound to end soon, and we need to be the ones prepared, even the ones who start the flames of war."
"I don't mean to be disrespectful, sir," C offered apologetically. "But the Sand and Leaf alliance has been why we have remained stuck. Even the Cloud would struggle in a two-on-one war. The Stone is not an ally of ours and the Mist would not be a factor either. The war while necessary brings us at risk of suffering the repercussions primarily.
"I know, of course." A answered smugly. "However, the Leaf and Sand no longer monopolize a true alliance. In my true wisdom, I reached out to the Stone. Offering to wipe the slate clean and form something of an alliance. Our Daimyo's meet as we speak to hash out potential terms and tweak any turbulence."
"So you do intend to wage war, sir?" Darui asked with wide eyes. "So soon?"
"While that is the goal, it is not the current stage of the plan. I need to stir the pot if I wish to allow war to blossom and end these peaceful times. The next stage will ensure that such will happen as I wish." A explained.
"Not dull but certainly risky," Darui added. "Then I would assume that our new orders and plans would be in regards to such?"
"Aye, I am putting in work the motions to force another Five Kage Summit. I'll need the two of you to serve as my guards." A explained.
"There, you'll announce the alliance publicly between Cloud and Stone, locking them into it even if they had intended to betray it." C mused.
"You intend us to be your guards for such, reasonable considering how likely this is to go ugly." Darui added.
A laughed with his gut. "Nailed it in one, my guards! Once we get words from the others, and work out the fine details it'll be time!"
"We will of course follow your orders sir." Darui assured. "Though I must ask once again if war so soon is truly the best idea?"
"Of course not, I intend to wait for the end of the Mist Civil War. Regardless of who wins or loses, they'll be in no state to be much of a threat; at this point, we'll march into the land and claim it for ourselves; the boon of resources will aid us greatly. Add momentum to our power and with the might of ourselves and our allies crush our foes. If all works out in our favor, we'll be in the perfect position to crush the stone after and raise our village to the position it's always yearned for …" A explained. "Soon, we will serve our true purposes."
"I suppose it won't be dull…" Darui agreed. He maintained his normal, unbothered demeanor, but in truth, A's bloodthirsty nature struck fear in him. It was unnerving seeing a man so excitedly plot to throw the world into utter chaos…