Removing Doubt (Jiro)

The young Raikage would find himself wandering the village, his new status still unusual to him. He wanted to improve the lives of his people and ready them for the impending attack from the monster known as Kenshin Uzumaki, so there was a great many things to do and only a small window of time to do them.
 
One thing that surprised him though was the strange man that spoke out against him, thinking that his claims were some sort of joke. Max didn’t recognize him, and so while he was out he went to the home listed as belonging to the man and lightly knocked on the door. It was very possible that the man wasn’t home, as it was nearly midday and the life of a shinobi is a busy one.
 
Max would ponder about what he knows in regards to the strange man. The file he read stated that this man was from Sunagakure, likely a newer recruit. The young leader was impressed with the man’s rank, that of a Chuunin. While it was - like Kyson and Maku before him said – just a title, it signified that he was more capable and entrusted with greater responsibility. The question on the boys mind was whether or not this man made his rank here in Kumogakure, or if he was of that rank when brought over. The files have large gaps in this man’s records, almost like he just popped out of nowhere. Still, the boy wanted to inquire about this capable recruit. Jiro doubted the boy’s capability to claim his status as leader of this village, but Max would not hold such against him. In fact, having someone who has thoughts differing from your own can lead to seeing issues that otherwise might be missed.
 
The boy would wait, hoping to see the one known as Jiro. Of course, should this method fail he could always summon him directly later, but that didn’t feel as personal as a house call.

Max would hear the question about cookies, a smile nearly forming in the corners of his mouth. He didn’t really know why, but the words were surprisingly funny. Max would mentally note “comedian?” and return to the task at hand. The man would gear up and head out, donning his full uniform. It was refreshing to see, as staying prepared in these trying times was key to not being caught off guard by the enemy.
 
“Sure, I will gladly join you for a meal. We have a great deal to talk about.” Max would state, accepting the man’s offer and walking with him to the restaurant. It seemed to be fairly close, and various citizens all waved and whispered things to themselves. It was honestly the whispering was not all that odd. He heard it all before, when the village mocked him for his arts. But now, instead of pointing and slinking away, the people were far more pleasant and friendly. Despite his speaking that he was not like the old tyrants of the past, perhaps they thought they needed to be in his good graces. Or maybe they were honestly happy to see the boy, considering him a force of good and change in Kumo.
 
Despite his funny remarks, Jiro remained surprisingly stoic, showing no emotion as he walked down the road. In fact, the man would activate his Sharingan, something Max was all too familiar with. “So, I see you have those red de- sharingan eyes. It makes a great deal more sense as to why you are a Chuunin. Everyone I’ve ever known with those eyes was almost terrifyingly strong. I am grateful to have you on our side.” The boy would say with a smile, noting that the man seemed to be protecting him even though he had his doubts about the boy. Even if he didn’t fully agree, he was loyal. Another thing to make a mental note of. He nearly insulted the man, but those red eyes typically have always been carried by monsters of great evil. It was a hard thing to forget...
 
Once they were at the establishment, the waitress would drop a tray, food wasted as the plates crash to the ground making a terrible mess. “I am honored to eat in your establishment,” Max would say with a light bow before following a server to the back to a private table. “While I am certain you need no charity, please allow me to pay for your meal, Jiro.” As he said this he would sit down, ordering simply a water for refreshment and a large plate of waffles as suggested by the Uchiha before him.
 
“Your file states that you come from Suna, though it doesn’t have all of the details about you. I would like to confirm some things if you don’t mind answering some questions. I of course will also answer any questions you have as well. I am sure that you have at least a few.” Max would say, placing his hands together in front of him on the table.
 
“First, where did you become the rank of Chuunin? Was that your rank in Suna, or did you advance when you came here?” It was a simply question, but one the boy needed for his files. It had little impact on much, though it would help the child Raikage see a clear picture of the man’s history. “And how are you getting along in the village? I know that those shinobi from Suna had to do a lot of adjusting to Kumo.” Max considered the two Suna shinobi that immediately came to mind, “Did you know Kyson and Nobunaga well before coming here?”

After sitting, finishing their orders, and getting comfortable they would begin their discussion on various matters. It was mostly to get to know his shinobi, but also for them to get to know him as well. Jiro would answer the boys questions with nearly no hesitation, something he didn’t expect.
 
“I truly am sorry that you feel like this is a prison. I assure you that I intend to remove those ‘body parts’ you speak of, clearing this place of the legacy of a deranged man.” Max would add, though it probably wouldn’t help entirely. Suna was taken by Kumo, and most of their forces were forced to serve the very people that claimed their homeland. Max understood how that felt. “I take it you cared a great deal about Suna. If you could go back there, would you?” The boy would ask, testing the waters to see what the man would say. The young Raikage had already sent word to Konoha that he hopes to bridge their relations, and returning Suna was definitely on the table along with any shinobi that wished to go. Of course, Max didn’t disclose this information to Jiro just yet. He preferred to hear what the man’s thoughts were before revealing such. Just then the server would bring them their beverages.
 
It also would seem as though he didn’t know either Nobunaga or Kyson back in Suna, and the young Raikage would address the concerns of Jiro to the best of his ability. “From my understanding, Kyson was a high ranking shinobi from Suna. Then he was hand selected to be the bodyguard of Warlord Maku, a man who was as strong as they come. Many powerful people before me had regarded him with respect enough to grant such grand titles. I hold a great deal of respect for the man as well, both as a shinobi and as a person.” Max would scratch his head, unsure exactly how to phrase his next questions. “Why is it that you concern yourself with his title?” The boy would ask, sipping on his cold tea, “Do you feel as though he is undeserving of it? Or did this seed of doubt sprout after I claimed leadership? Again, I ask only that you remain honest with me. If you have words to speak you may do so without fear. Do you feel as though there is someone more deserving?”
 
And Jiro would begin to ask about the defense, but would stop himself before doing so. It was a good thing, as the civilians didn’t need to panic. Only chaos would be left consuming the village if such word got out that a terrifying and powerful shinobi had set his sights on wiping Kumo’s empire from the map. Order would be key to keeping things running smoothly and efficiently. There was a lot to do in preparation for the attacks, and unless the shinobi intended to do all of that manual labor it would be best to avoid letting panic spread like wildfire.

Max would listen as Jiro spoke his peace about the Deputy Raikage, his words almost painting the man a coward. He speaks on his surrendering of both Suna and to the hands of young Max, both of which lead into his asking of whether or not the boy wanted Kyson to helm his defenses. “Hmm. Interesting to hear your take on it all. I take it that you were there during the attack? I can understand why a newly appointed Chuunin wouldn’t have known who Maku was, for I didn’t know who he was when I first met the man either.” Max would look down at his puppet arm, a daily reminder of the power Maku wielded.
 
“The first time I met the man he nearly killed my whole team. He burned my brothers face with black fire and cut my friend to ribbons. He removed me from limb and left me to bleed out and die.” Max would shift his gaze back up to Jiro, a look of sadness in his eyes. “Maku was one of the most terrifying and capable shinobi I’ve ever seen. My inexperience made me blind to this fact when I first met him. Perhaps it too is the reason you don’t realize how lucky you were.” The boy would sip his tea again, taking a large drink of the refreshing liquid.
 
“So, during the attack how many of your Suna shinobi were killed? How many were maimed or injured beyond repair to the point of no longer being able to serve as shinobi?” Max would ask, though they were truly rhetorical questions. He would continue, not giving moment for Jiro to interject as the man seemed to be sipping on his own beverage at the moment. “You speak as if Kyson merely surrendered Suna without fight, but would it have been better for anyone if battle ensued? There was no pointless fighting. No life lost. No unneeded bloodshed. You likely owe your life to the man you speak of as a coward.” His tone wasn’t angry, nor held any hostility though his eyes still held a sadness. This man sitting across from him didn’t seem to value human life in the same way Max had, a trait he emulated from him mother. After speaking this, the boy would look at the server bringing their food. It looked as good as the man made it out to be.
 
Max couldn’t lie, he was curious as to the Uchiha’s thoughts on what exactly happened in the fight between Kyson and himself, but he wouldn’t press those thoughts. Max would then take another sip of his tea, the ice cubes melting enough to water down the flavor ever so slightly. Max never realized just how much his senses had developed over these last few weeks. Would these waffles taste better now than they might have before? He would pick up his fork and skewer a waffle, making sure to dust off some of the extra powdered sugar before placing the sweet breakfast food into his mouth and chewing well. It really was good.
 
“It is interesting that you can detect my chakra. So the sharingan is much like the Byakugan in that regard?” Max would ask, casually making conversation about the few doujutsu he had encountered. “As for teaching you, I don’t know what you specialize in but I can give you some general combat training if you'd like. I can show you some standard jutsu, too, but unless you are a medical shinobi I’m afraid I can’t teach you anything too advanced. If you would like to extend your training though I can try and set you up with a mentor to teach you things.” Max would suggest, offering the man any help he could in order to properly prepare him for the upcoming battles.

“While it is true, who would you have to thank if you decided to fight back? Kumo offered the land of Suna mercy, the chance to keep their lives. Your past villages leader saw an unwinnable fight and spared you all from death at the hands of Kumo’s forces.” Max would say, hoping Jiro didn’t take offense to such a statement. “A soldier fights on orders from his superiors, but it is the task of those superiors to recognize a bad situation and make the best call they can. Your superiors valued your life more than their pride or their village,” Max would say, concerned at his elders viewpoints.
 
Jiro would make a snide remark about being able to decide to not fight someone who looks strong. Max would of course retort with, “No, when you are in a position of authority you can decide if a fight is one worth risking your life in. Otherwise you would, just as before, have to place trust in your leaders to make the right call.” When things hit the fan, would Jiro stand and fight? He seemed the gung-ho type that readily wanted to throw himself into danger, at least he seemed to feel that way about Suna. Would he feel the same way about his new ‘prison’?
 
Max would listen and nod, taking mental notes. After the explanation he would recall his previous encounters with the devil eyes. The two sets of eyes that were the most unique belonged to Mortarion and Maku. “What does it signify if it takes on a strange pattern, like this?” He would use the table’s salt shaker to pour out some salt and create the patterns that Mortarion and Maku’s eyes had. Hopefully someone of the Uchiha clan might have more information than young Max did.
 
Genjutsu and Space and time Ninjutsu? Sounds very familiar, much like the skillset of Warlord Maku. Such was potent in the right hands… Was Jiro going to be following in the footsteps of such a powerful, yet terrible man? Another thing to add to the mental notes.
 
“Suspicious people circling the area? Why would anyone wish me harm?” The boy would ask, curious as to what Jiro would say. This was as much an exercise in learning about Jiro as it was about the meal. “Do you think it is something to be concerned with? I would hate for you to have to delay your meal.” Max would say, truly concerned for Jiro’s meal. Ruining someone’s meal was a pretty big offense for the boy. “You are free to do as you see fit, Jiro.”