sunshineverse | Diplomacy:

Who: Naoki and other people
When: second week of april
Where: Konohagakure
What: Naoki has some paperwork to talk about and fill out, and people to meet in Konoha.

Their timing coming into Konoha could have been a little better, but Naoki was relieved and grateful when his Konoha counterpart suggested they adjourn for lunch before tackling the paperwork necessary for a diplomatic visit. Kisame's eagerness to challenge everyone to a sparring match hadn't hindered their mission in Suna, and Naoki was fairly certain that trend would continue.

Once they were seated, Naoki had to resist bringing out scrolls and forms that needed to be filled out. He wanted to get the paperwork done and out of the way, but it was going to take a while. Waiting until they were done eating wouldn't make it take that much longer. "Have you had a chance to review the packet sent ahead of our visit?" If the other chuunin hadn't, they could at least discuss what needed to be done. Naoki had been added to this mission almost at the last minute.

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He was used to his Hokage's odd habits, he really was, but somehow he hadn't occurred to him that he'd run off and leave him with all the paperwork the visit entailed. Suffice to say, once he thought about it, he realized he might have been a bit hasty in that judgement given how excited the man had been for their arrival.

Iruka was now across the way from a younger man, examining him thoughtfully as he considered how to go about this meeting. "I have, though only the bare bones given I wasn't supposed to be the assistant on duty when you arrived. Something came up though and it got bumped to me, so here I am." His tone was a little wry.

"Maybe you can tell me about it after we order?"

He nodded and gave the older man a small smile. "Last minute changes are something, aren't they? I'd be happy to cover the basics." Being a Kashima had some benefits. He was much more familiar with international shinobi law and regulations than most of his peers even though his clan had decided he wasn't cut out for a career in law.

"What do you recommend for lunch?" Some of his favorite Konoha dishes were available year round but it was boring to get the same thing every time he visited.

He looked thoughtful for a moment, then flashed a smile. "This particular shop has a really nice chicken curry, if you're fond of spices?"

He gave the menu a once over to make sure there was nothing different for his own order.

"I'll try it," Naoki decided. Foods tended to be spicier in other countries than they were in the Land of Water, but he didn't mind. He glanced at the menu as well, more out of curiosity.

"I hope we don't miss all the excitement, but we should be done relatively soon," Naoki said, wondering who was first on Kisame's list of Konoha shinobi to challenge. Knowing him, he'd probably go right for the Hokage.

"I doubt it. I've seen the Hokage go at it before. Better we keep a wide berth or we might accidentally get swept up if the ANBU haven't already locked down the area around whatever spar is happening. Last time there was nearly a flood into one of the parks I hear."

When the waitress came around, he quickly placed his order and got tea, looking to the other questioningly to make sur ehe hadn't missed anything before she left.

Thinking of what he knew of Kisame's water release, Naoki would not be surprised if there was a flooded area when they were done. "Yeah. There will be enough to deal with without an unexpected ANBU encounter." But it was always educational to see Kisame fighting someone else, and compare it against their own sparring matches.

He nodded after Iruka placed the order, and placed his own. Hinata had him a little spoiled when it came to drinking tea in Konoha, but it was still good.

"Ah... no, I mean, the ANBU will lock down the area so nothing gets in or out, one way or another until the spar is done. It's pretty standard whenever he goes up against someone who does area attacks like Hoshigaki-san is known for."

Naoki nodded. "Good idea. Getting accidentally caught in one of their jutsu could be bad." At least he'd know where it happened after the fact. Whatever area was used was likely to be submerged for a while.

"Godaime-sama knows that it happens and tries to keep his sparring contained. He doesn't want anyone to get hurt." He smiled at him. "He loves his village very much." He picked up his cup as soon as the drinks arrived.

That was a very different philosophy from Kiri. Not that Naoki expected there would be spectators if a Mizukage was sparring, but for different reasons. He returned the smile. Konoha seemed generally more concerned about physical injuries than Kiri.

"It sounds like his village loves him, too." Not that Naoki expected to find obvious dissatisfaction with a leader, but there was an abundance of enthusiastic support and fondness for the Hokage.

"While he understands what it is to lead a village like ours, Godaime-sama goes out of his way to notice individuals and be available if any of his shinobi need him. He rarely gets taken up on it by people not close to him from what I've seen, but the option is there." He shook his head on a soft laugh. "I spend enough time assisting the man to see the dithering that happens in the tower sometimes."

"That's a very different way of running things." He expected a little good natured interrogating by his family when he returned home. Naoki didn't care to go digging into Konoha's political situation and climate, but bits of information like that would give the other Kashima something new to discuss.

"I understand why they wouldn't though. It would be a shame to add too much to a Kage's work."

He flashed a smile and nodded. "Our Godaime Hokage-sama works very hard. He lives up to his title."

Diplomacy:

First Day of the Visit

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