sunshineverse | [open] But the answer is in clear view

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[open] But the answer is in clear view

Where: around Konohagakure
When: Sept. 7th (afternoon closed to Obito), Sept. 8th to 17th (open)
Notes: Her (sort of) monthly visit was extended by a few days by a surprise early arrival. So while she arrived on the 7th, she kept her visits limited to two people and home. Beyond that and the night of the 15th (Kakashi's birthday party), any other day and time combo are fair game.

After a month of stress, coming home was something she needed. Granted, her early arrival had been the cause of more stress and worry, but having her husband and son not far away anymore had helped to alleviate it.

Soon after her arrival, she had plans. There was information she needed to pass on to Obito as soon as possible, and she couldn't forget about Kakashi's birthday since she was actually going to be in town for it. But how was she going to get him out for it... She'd figure something out eventually.

The rest of her visit was mostly unplanned. She could spend some time with her family, get some extra sleep, catch up with a few friends, fit in some training, and maybe get a progress report with her unofficial student too. That would fill up her week nicely.

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After her visit to check on Adela, she stopped off at home to drop off her stuff, quickly talk with whoever was there, and excuse herself to talk with Obito on an important matter. She also managed to shake off her escorts, telling them to go find someplace to stay. She'd be fine within the village limits and they really didn't need to be on her 24/7.

Once they were gone, she headed off for the administrative building. Middle of the day, he'd probably be in his office. It was worth checking, anyway. Once outside his office doors, she knocked a few times before calling out. At least she was calmer than her last visit.

"Obito? You in there?"

He glanced up, staring at his door for a moment before sighing. "Yep, sure am." He'd heard about the situation, of course, and hoped that she wasn't here specifically because of that.

Good, he was there. Whether her timing was any good was another matter. She let herself in and pulled up a chair in front of his desk. A sign she intended to get comfy enough for what could possibly be a long chat.

"I need to talk to you about something important."

He spread his hands in a gesture that clearly indicated that she should proceed. A moment later he rested them in front of him, watching her carefully. It looked like she was here about that.

"Then talk to me."

"The council's been suggesting I step down again for the good of Uzushio, but I was looking over the village's records and I've put it in a lot of debt with Konoha since the rebuilding started. I can't leave until I get most or all of it settled, it wouldn't be right." She took a deep breath before continuing to the main point she was trying to make. "I need to know if there's a way I can get the debt forgiven or paid off faster since the way things are now, it'll take years to do. I know I'll at least have to start sending back the shinobi and ANBU I've borrowed, and I've started doing that. But if there's anything that can be done to speed things along, I'd appreciate it."

Relief, pure relief was all he felt for a moment and he relaxed as he examined her, thoughtful. "Given the closeness of the village associations, I don't see why something in that direction can't be done. In many ways Konoha owed Uzushio a debt it could not repay while being gone so I can brush away anything associated with that without too much fuss from even the elder council."

That it was likely possible gave her a reason to look openly relieved. She nearly ran around the desk to hug him, but she had to maintain some level of propriety and dignity, and the look was short-lived. And she still had more information to pass on.

"If you could, I'd be really grateful. There's been so much going on lately and I don't want to leave a huge mess for whoever comes in after me. I'd been hoping I could hold out until Karin was older and more experienced to take over, but that won't be until years from now. But if it's for the good of the village, I'll step down sooner rather than later."

"They might just be looking for stability." It was a murmur, and he gave her a faint smile. "Your heart isn't in Uzushio alone, and they can probably tell more now that it's stable."

"Yeah, maybe. I mean, Konoha's been my home for most of my life, it still is, y'know. My family and friends are mostly here. But they don't need a leader who wants to be in two places at once. I love Uzushio, but I miss my family every day I'm away. When I go back after this trip, I'll let the council know I'll step down by the end of the year or whenever we can find a replacement for me and have them ready enough to do the job."

She bowed her head, smiling slightly at her own admission. At the very least, she'd be giving up the job on her own terms, not because she was being ousted or fired for doing a shitty job. The council had at least assured her she would always be welcome in the village whenever.

"You did a good job Kushina-nee. You made a wonderful leader for Uzushio." He leaned over the desk, tapping the side closer to her. "But some things aren't meant to be long term."

"Thanks, Obito. I knew I wouldn't hold the job for the rest of my life, but I didn't expect for it to take so little time before they really pushed for me to give up power. I guess I just wish there was more I could do besides make a deal to lower the debt. Though the elders will probably like having their lone jinchuuriki back in the village more often, especially with things starting to get hairy everywhere."

Her smile vanished as her eyes widened. Facts from a conversation several days ago coming back to the front of her mind.

"Ah! That's right! I also came by because I need to tell you some things I learned about Oto and some of the smaller countries. I didn't write out anything to you earlier, not even encoded and sealed in case anyone intercepted it."

He stilled a moment, then immediate threw up the privacy seals on the room, securing it. "Talk to me Kushina." He went all serious, because any mention of 'things getting hairy' meant that he needed to take it with all due consideration.

She didn't dare go into detail until the seals were up and he gave the go ahead.

Then she immediately launched into everything she learned from Peter, starting at the reason he'd asked to meet her and continuing to recount their conversation in order.

"And that's everything he told me before we went our separate ways. I dunno how much to believe, but if I brush off everything he says and something happens to Uzushio or even Konoha, I'd never forgive myself, y'know. But if he really cares about Karin as much as I think he does, I don't think he'd lie about something that could potentially hurt her. So I had to tell you and see if you've heard anything different or anything that backs up his story as soon as I could."

"That's... a strong lean to confirmation that Orochimaru is in Otogakure as more than a temporary visitor then." He let out a rough breath, shoulders dipping a little. "And coincides with the increased shinobi activity I've been getting on my reports lately from people."

"Wait, what?!" She stood up from her chair abruptly, nearly tipping it over. "You knew he was there? And you didn't think I should know that one of my nearest neighbors is harboring a dangerous missing-nin?"

Even if she looked a little mad, it was mostly out of concern that was strong in her tone.

"Hey! I mentioned to you before that he was around, but I couldn't confirm everything." He gave her a hard look. "You have to remember that while you lead another village I can't go giving you incomplete information that could backfire on you. I gave you what I could, and what I knew for sure. Don't get mad."

He heaved a sigh. "Oto is in Rice from what we understand."

This wasn't the time time for snarky remarks of "of course he's around somewhere, news would spread pretty fast if he was dead". Now was the time to calm down and stop her temper from flaring up before she did or said something really stupid. She did sit back down after going quiet for a couple minutes.

"It's not like I'd have gone to invade Oto to try and capture him, I'm not looking to start a war and that seems like a damn good way to do it. But I understand your reasoning. And I know it's in Rice, he told me that the very first time I met him and you confirmed it when I wrote you after."

What a birthday that was.

"I have to keep the line between the leader of Uzushio and the person I consider my big sister. It's hard some times, you know? Official spy related stuff? Definitely leader to leader territory."

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[open] But the answer is in clear view

Sept. 7th, closed

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