sunshineverse | [closed; private meeting with the Hokage]

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zz old game: naruto

[closed; private meeting with the Hokage]

Who: Rock Lee and Uchiha Obito
When: February 24th, morning
Where: The Hokage's Office
What: Lee meets with the Hokage to discuss what he found out while in the Land of Demons.

Lee made sure he was the first in line to meet with the Hokage as soon as his office was open. That is, Lee woke up early, had time to make himself breakfast, train, get cleaned up, and still had time to be waiting for the Hokage to make his appearance. Some things never changed, even when one had worked themselves into exhaustion the day before.

Now sporting some fresh bandages and a clean, unscathed body suit on, Lee hardly looked like he had any difficulties on his mission but that was hardly the case. Still, he had made it out alive and without any vital injuries to his person. A good result for the most part. If only he had been more secretive when he had attempted to make his escape...

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The fact that he had any injuries that warranted any change on the boy's person was enough to draw his eye, and he took a moment to examine him more closely as he examined him, gesturing for him to close the door behind him. "I'm guessing you have more than a report for me, so lay it on me."

Lee stood at attention under the Hokage's gaze. He had great respect for the man's title, but also as someone his sensei held in high regard. Very, very high regard. That meant he was worth that regard to Lee as well, whether it was biased or not.

"Yes, sir," Lee said, then cleared his throat. "I am afraid it is quite disturbing news I bear. It seems the priestesses of the Land of Demons are in on some sort of plot. There have been talks between Demons and several other smaller nations here on the continent, talks about some form of uprising or... or an alliance."

He stared at him for a moment... then grimaced, his chin dipping slightly as he took in the words. "I see. I was unaware the situation was stread beyond the continent."

Lee's thick eyebrows raised but he didn't comment on that. He just found it curious to know this was not a new development. Clearly he had been too wrapped up in his own training before now to see some of the grander picture when it came to politics.

Clearing his throat, Lee spoke again. "If I may say, it seems the priestesses there have quite a bit to bargain with. I was up against several fighters but they were not like normal shinobi."

"The shinobi of that country once used to be able to transform permanently to another shape... I can only guess they've started using those abilities again." He nodded to him. "Do you have all your observations written?"

"Perhaps. They were human in form, mostly. Just..." Off. It was just so very, very off. Disturbing, now that Lee thought too much about it. At the time he didn't have the luxury of contemplating things too deeply.

"I do, but I confess, I am not very articulate on paper." At least all the necessary details were there. Lee handed over his report, short and concise as it was.

He glanced it over quickly, taking in the words and then setting it down, looking back to him. "Is there more you wish to add that you didn't note down?"

Lee hummed, his lips forming their typical pout as he thought back. Of course, there was one thing that was bothering him that he hadn't written. The report contained only facts and this was just conjecture but...

"If I may be frank, Hokage-sama..." Lee's voice was soft and contemplative, but he didn't look the man in the eyes, fearing he would only find judgement there for his speculations. "I felt that there was a sort of desperation during the skirmish at the border. It could have been because the information I had gotten was valuable, but I feel that wasn't the case. It would have come to light sooner or later so... I feel they were very intent on stopping me there, though I am not sure why."

Then Lee lapsed into silence, feeling a little embarrassed that he had been so vague, though it was true he had no other leads to go on. It was just a hunch, a feeling, that they had pursued him farther and further than had really been necessary.

He looked thoughtful at this. "None of your injuries were intended to be fatal, were they?"

He didn't face out-right condemnation for his reflective thoughts so Lee nodded, albeit slowly. "That is true. They seemed more intent on slowing me or grappling, but none came after me with the force to kill."

For a brief moment Lee regretted being so vicious the night before, but that feeling quickly faded. If not, he would be their prisoner. But to what end?

"They wanted to keep you... That's new." He frowned, examining him carefully again, then nodded once. "I'll have to have someone check into the reasons for that, one of the deeper agents in that part of the world. Thank you for doing the preliminary of this."

So he had been able to provide some new insight. That was good enough for Lee. A job well-done! Something to be proud of.

Lee nodded, the nod becoming more of a half-bow after he received the Hokage's thanks. "Thank you for the opportunity, Hokage-sama! Just let me know if there is anything else you would request of me!"

He considered for a moment, then waved a hand. "Of course! Did the mission agree with you aside from the end?"

Lee smiled, feeling himself fall more at ease. The Hokage seemed fairly pleased with his report despite the small issues Lee had stumbled onto.

"Ah! Yes! Other than the poisoning I would say the end fighting did not go bad at all, either!" Though Lee would rather not have killed, that was mostly a by-product of the poison, too. Once those darts had hit him he was forced to work on a deadline; if that hadn't been the case he may have been given the luxury of just knocking them out rather than taking it to the extreme as he had.

"Since you haven't keeled over I can only assume you've gotten checked over since you got back?" He quirked an eyebrow. "I more meant the type of mission. What did you think?"

"Yes. I wanted to be certain I was not incoherent when I was to speak to you so I visited the clinic last night after I arrived back." Perhaps he should have made his report a priority. At least he managed to beat all other hopeful shinobi to the office door this morning.

"Oh. That. Yes, yes I did find myself rather enjoying this kind of mission. Typically I am used for scouting or guards work, but something more invasive like this... I felt challenged!" And Lee grinned, enjoying that idea. A challenge.

He tilted his head, taking in his demeanor. "Was it the stealth or the information gathering itself that really grabbed you?"

"The information gathering," Lee said immediately. Then he paused, wondering if somehow this questionnaire was some sort of test. But best not to think of it that way, whether it was true or not. He always choked during tests about things outside shinobi arts.

"I have done some stealth missions before, not quite as intense as this one... But usually, in those instances, I am there for backup. Being sent do gather information made me feel as if I were really contributing to our village with my efforts!"

He looked at him thoughtfully, taking in his answer and feeling his lips quirk up. "You like being used for more than just your phsyical strength, basically."

Those words gave Lee pause. Ever so slightly his brows edged closer together.

"Well... yes. I mean, I know I am strong and I am proud of my strength! It is my best asset and one that I have endeavored to train up more than anything!" Mostly because training other things was nearly impossible with him, save for a few very specific chakra skills. But he didn't want to say all that.

"I am a shinobi so I would like to be as well-rounded as possible when it comes to skills I possess. Strength is my trump card but I am not limited to just that despite my..." Disability.

"Exceedingly amazing talents. Yes I know." He finished the sentence with his own flourish, then settled back in his chair, honestly contemplative. "Have you looked into any of the other shinobi arts?"

He paused, rethinking that phrasing. "I mean, have any of them ever caught your interest, even in passing? And I don't mean jutsu, but the other skills."

That kind of praise was unexpected and Lee glanced away, his face heating. Maybe Gai-sensei was rubbing off on their Hokage. Or else... but no, Lee didn't think Gai would ask Obito to treat him differently. He hoped he wouldn't, anyway. Lee didn't want preferential treatment.

But considering the Hokage's question seriously Lee had to stop and think. Really think. For as long as he could remember he had only done strength training and taijutsu. ".... I guess I never really thought of it, Hokage-sama. I would like to learn new things, but I am not sure where I would start. I have focused for so long on taijutsu and bodyguard work and being back-up."

He hadn't really gotten the chance to consider anything new.

He watched him, looking him over and seemed... thoughtful. "There are a lot of other things out there. I doubt the torture squad is your idea of fun, and while teaching would be something you'd probably excel at... not yet." He drummed his fingers on the table a little. "That really leaves the myriad of intelligence training. You're you, I wouldn't change that, however... hm. Do you enjoy beautiful things Lee?"

Teaching? Him? But he was still just a chunin, so that couldn't be right. But Obito did say not yet...

It was true that torture was out and intelligence was fairly new to Lee. But the latest question threw him for a loop. Lee blinked, then reached up and scratched at the nape of his neck.

"Well... certainly. Who does not like beautiful things?" Then Lee flushed and hurriedly added. "Ah, please do not think my own way of dressing indicates how I would think everyone should dress, that would be..."

Well, it would be fun if everyone dressed in spandex and legwarmers, but where would the fun of introducing spandex be if that ever happened?

"No, no, just be honest with me. Don't fluster, no need for that. How much do you enjoy beautiful things, music, dance, flowers." He put his chin in his hand, observing him thoughtfully.

Being told not to get flustered just made Lee all the more high-strung. He didn't want to leave a bad impression on their Hokage! But he really, really, really tried to calm himself so he could answer honestly.

"Flowers are lovely, and music can be very soothing as well as energizing. Dance... I do not know if I have ever done any dancing outside of folk dances at festivals. Other than that, well, I have a great appreciation for good form in fighting, and such movements are similar to dancing..." Lee raised a hand, his bandaged knuckles just barely grazing his cheek as he thought. Was he making any sense at all? If anything, it probably only showed his own inexperience in most beautiful arts.

The answer obviously pleased him. Lack of experience with handling them meant a lack of bad habits someone would have to fix. That was really good.

"I would like to ask a more personal question or two, if that would be alright? I don't want you to think you have to answer these."

At the very least Lee could tell Obito hadn't found his answer to be a bad one. Still, he remained wary as he watched the Uchiha.

"... Certainly, Hokage-sama. If something cannot be answered I will let you know."

"Have you ever been in a relationship of physical nature?" He was watching him intently, though his tone was... careful. He clearly wasn't sure how Lee felt about the topic and wanted to guage that.

Lee's rapidly darkening blush was probably answer enough, but he managed to sputter through a reply. "I-I...! Hokage-sama, if you are asking if I have any diseases, then no I assure you, that is not... not an issue!"

He blinked a few times, then broke into laughter, covering his mouth as he leaned back. "No, no, I was attempting to lead into your thoughts about how you viewed sex Lee, and if you've done it before in and of itself, not if you were sick."

"O-oh..." Lee stood there, mortified at his own idiocy. He should have known the Hokage was just trying to get a straight answer, but it was hard to think straight when he felt himself pressured so greatly.

Now that Lee thought about it, this was perhaps the very firs time he had ever talked one-on-one with the Hokage before...

Taking a deep breath and letting it out, Lee slumped a bit, his gaze moving to the side. "Ah, I... Honestly, Hokage-sama, I have never been in a relationship before. I am not opposed to trying th-things, but I am not..."

His face felt like it was on fire.

He nodded once, holding up his hand as he calmed himself. "Calm yourself lee, the point of the question wasn't to embarrass you. Is a romantic relationship the only way you would consider such a thing with someone?"

"I understand, Hokage-sama..." If anything, Lee was the only one who had embarrassed himself. He couldn't lay the blame at Obito's feet.

But as for that question, it gave him pause. For a short moment he recalled making chocolate-dipped treats with Tenten and he hummed, overcoming some of his prior awkwardness.

"I... suppose not. If I just let myself follow my natural instincts romance would not be a factor..." They were teammates, friends, not romantic whatsoever.

He examined his expression thoughtfully, then leaned forward, elbow on his desk as he got back to his earlier mood, though far more relaxed now. "And what do you believe seduction is?"

"Seduction is attempting to draw someone's interests with your body and charisma," Lee replied, knowing well enough the definition of the word.

He looked absolutely thrilled with the answer. "Good. Too many people assume that it means to get someone to sleep with you. Good. Better than good."

He nodded, then straightened up. "So, Back to the earlier topic. There are multiple branches of Intelligence, some which are all about hiding who you are, others which rely on extensive networks of gossip, and others still which count on just that, the body and charisma. I think you might have potential for the last, if seduction is not something that offends you. There is a lot of training in beautiful things for that, however, if you decide to take that road."

Getting praised for knowing the true meaning of a word seemed silly but Lee felt at ease knowing he seemed to have done something right.

And all that ease promptly jumped out the window after Obito proposed that Lee actually consider taking on such a role. It was just absurd! "Now I know you are making fun of me, Hokage-sama! You actually believe that I could be... well, that someone who looks like me would be considered for seduction training?"

Sure, he had a nice body but he had to work exceptionally hard to keep up, and sure, he had a nice enough personality in Lee's own humble opinion but it would be an outright lie if he said he never heard what people had to say about his face or his enthusiasm.

"You're distinctive, but you're not ugly by any means. You have a good face, and you have a good outlook. People respond to more than just pretty things you know. Some people like scars." He gestured to his face with a small wave. "Some people like the innocent or the harsh, regardless of appearance. Some people are just satisfied if the object of their affections is in a dress, regardless of gender. People are not all the same Lee. You work hard, and I doubt you would take to something like this with any less focus than anything else, and you would do it right."

He tilted his head, watching him very intently. "Am I wrong?"

A good face? Him? Even Gai-sensei never really said that to him so Lee felt a little uncomfortable with such praise. He couldn't believe it to be true, though he knew now that what Obito was proposing wasn't meant as a joke. This was serious.

And everything he said about beauty being in the eye of the beholder was certainly true enough. But no one had ever considered his style something of beauty, even if he was Konoha's beautiful green beast. It wasn't the same type of beauty.

"... No, you are not wrong there, Hokage-sama. I am very, very dedicated to always doing my absolute best no matter what challenge is presented to me." But was he really cut out for this? It seemed he still lacked some self-confidence and that made such a task overwhelming.

"If it pleases you, Hokage-sama, may I... consider it for a while? I am not sure if I could say I would make the correct decision as I am right now."

Obito was quiet for a moment, inclining his head to him. "Even if you do take the training, and it is entirely up to you to decide if you will accept, know that you can still change your mind on taking the missions themselves. It's happened before, and I don't doubt it will happen again in the future. I have no desire to break my shinobi."

"So it will all be on my terms?" That was... different. Most of the time if you were assigned a mission you just went with it, because that meant you were chosen specifically for your skill set. But to be able to turn things down, without some medical excuse, that seemed wrong.

"Not exactly. However, if you take a mission of a certain kind within this set after completing training, and find yourself in a state that means you don't think you would be comfortable doing it again, then you won't be forced to. The thing with Seduction Intelligence is that ease in your own skin is vital. Those who are willing happens to often be a short list, and giving them missions that are not within tolerance would break them quickly. Some places may be willing to use and throw away their people in that manner, but I will not allow Konoha to be one of them."

Lee nodded, feeling he understood the logic behind it. It was kind of Obito to consider his shinobi's wellbeing like that. Lee knew quite well that not all Kage cared that deeply about foot soldiers.

"Alright. Thank you again for your patience, Hokage-sama. I will do my best to not keep you waiting too long on my answer." For now, Lee wasn't sure what to think about extra training. He was usually all about it, but he knew it would certainly not be the kind of training he was used to.

"Of course. Take your time. I don't want a rushed answer you'll regret." He nodded toward the door. "But if you wish to talk to me before then, my door is open to you."

Despite his sensei and the Hokage being close Lee had never sought to take advantage of that relationship for his own gains. And it seemed like that had never needed to be the case if Obito had such hopes for him.

Still conflicted on his decision, but happy to have been approached with the idea, Lee bowed politely and smiled. "I appreciate your consideration, Hokage-sama. I will keep in touch."

And with that, Lee moved to take his leave.

Satisfied, he just smiled and turned back to his work, certain he'd hear back with an answer eventually. Time would tell which way that answer would fall.

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[closed; private meeting with the Hokage]

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