Welcome back to the Smoke and Mirrors AU.

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As soon as the Yanmaru Clan entered the Yakiniku’s Diner in Bukai, Hattori noticed something was off. The entire staff was being extremely formal, with a single dinner table filled with people in Shinobi clan gear. Two of them wore Samurai armour, though the steel plating was tinged a light blue rather than white. It indicated they were a Clan, or Samurai, from The Land of Water. Hattori wasn’t sure.

“Eleven seats for the Yanmaru Clan, please.” He called out to the hostess, the only one not involved in the event for the other clan.

“Yanmaru Clan..?” He heard her question, absentmindedly, before she shook her head. “Right. Yes, of course. Please, sit at the right. The left is currently hosting the Shinja Clan.” Hattori nodded.

Hattori and the others followed the hostess, before they sat at their designated spot. The hostess bowed, and apologized. “Your food may take longer than usual. We apologize in advance if that happens.” She scurried off shortly after.

Hattori was silent while the Yanmaru children chatted excitedly as they waited for food. This would be their first real meal, not just raw meat poorly seared over a fire. Hattori, who’s mind wasn’t on the food or the conversation of children, listened to the Shinja Clan as they talked. His ears were strained, trying to catch what they were saying.

“..Tako bringing the Senju..”

“..the Nara Clan must..”

“..the Uchiha sent a branch family..”

Hattori’s eyes narrowed, his eavesdropping disrupted by the loud clink of plates at his table. The hostess had come back at some point with a cart filled with food. It took her around a minute before everyone was plated, drinks coming shortly after the food.

The Uchiha sent a branch family? Hattori could only guess that the Shinja were talking about something nearby. While Hattori hadn’t had much time to review the map given to him by Tako, what he did know was that the Uchiha were not present on it.

They came recently. The Uchiha were a complicated topic for the eldest Yanmaru. His father constantly belittled them, and downplayed their abilities. His mother, on the other hand, always warned him to be wary of the Uchiha. Their eyes, she said, are more dangerous than any blade.

He sighed, before starting to eat his food. It was a basic omelette with sauce; though the recipe itself wasn’t much, the taste reminded him of his happier days. He smiled wryly as he ate, watching the children devour their food, before turning his ears back to the Shinja table.

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“..the war in the Central province is..”

“..n’t speak of it here. The walls have ears.”

“..apologies. The Uchiha, though, coming this far south..”

“A bad omen indeed. We’ll have to secure our borders now more than ever. Teams of three, no less than that. Their eyes..”

“We all know of their eyes. Those Sharingan of theirs, it’s an evil power.”

Their conversation died out after that last comment, and Hattori couldn’t help but let his frown deepen. An evil power? He shook his head, and several minutes passed before the Yanmaru clan had finished eating. After a quick thank you to the hostess, and several dozen Ryo being left as payment, their Clan exited the diner.

No later than they did, the Shinja Clan followed suit – having finished their own meal. Hattori stood on the road, his back to them, paused. The children of his Clan looked back, confused. “Wait a minute. I want to talk to the leader of the Shinja group.” The kids looked at eachother, before shrugging.

Hattori walked over to the group who were discussing minor topics. They stopped, turning to look at him as he walked up to them. “How can we help you, mister..” One of the Shinobi in armour spoke, letting the sentence trail off.

“Yanmaru. Hattori Yanmaru. Are you the Clan Head of the Shinja?”

“No,” the man gestured to the other Shinobi in armour. “Satoru is.” Hattori nodded to the man respectfully, before giving a light bow.

“As you heard, I am Hattori Yanmaru, of the Yanmaru Clan. I am the current Clan Head.”

The man nodded respectfully, not looking surprised at all that someone of his age was a Clan Head. “I am Sasuke Shinja, Clan Head of the Shinja. The Yanmaru Clan. I have not heard of it before. Why have you come to speak to us?”

“We are small. Only eleven members in all, the rest of my Clan is behind me.” Hattori turned his head to look at the ten children. “It’s no surprise you haven’t heard of us. However, I overheard you speak of the Uchiha Clan. You said something about them having sent a branch family here.”

Sasuke affirmed that, so Hattori continued. “My Clan is small, and we know they are bloodthirsty.” he paused here, waiting to see their response. The Shinja group just nodded “I’m speaking to you now, Clan Head to Clan Head, to ask for an alliance. If we are attacked, I wish to know if there is someone out there who will aide us.”

The Shinja group turned to look at eachother, Sasuke speaking quietly to the other man in armour behind him. They spoke quietly to each other for several minutes, before Sasuke coughed and quieted them. “This is not a matter so easily decided. We, the Shinja, are already at odds with the Uchiha – so to aide you if they are to attack is something we will likely do anyway.”

Hattori bowed lightly, but waited for him to continue.

“However, to ally with a Clan with so few members as yours, is… Well, for reference, our Shinja family numbers over a hundred. The Branch Uchiha family we received information on is around our equal in number, as well.”

Hattori frowned. “Our Clan is small, but our bloodline and talent runs strong, and deep.” The Shinja Clan head nodded respectfully.

“That may be true. However, quantity is a quality all of its own. With that said,” Sasuke reached out his hand to shake Hattori’s. “If the Uchiha are to attack your family, and you are to survive, come to us. We will not rest until they are driven from our province.”

Hattori smiled at the man, before grasping his hand and shaking. “You are kind. Thank you.” The man simply gave a small grin, before letting go of the handshake.

“It is what Clans must do in this Era. Your territory, I suppose west of here?” Hattori nodded. “Did Tako pass you by?”

“Tako encountered me, yes. A kind boy, who gifted me a map of the region. I did not possess one prior.” Sasuke laughed politely.

“A kind boy indeed. Take care, Yanmaru. May we see each other again, and may your Clan grow.”

“Take care, Sasuke Shinja. May we see each other again.”

With the goodbyes handled, the Shinja clan departed, with the Yanmaru clan following their example. Both groups walked opposite ways, and departed into the forest surrounding the village of Bukai.