Chrono sighed as he drank the orange juice he'd poured for himself. "Amy, I would be appreciative if you would stop doing this," he said as soon as he noticed the glass he was trying to drink from had been switched, and he was now drinking water.
"It's just too funny, you never pay attention," Amy said, sitting on the couch that dominated one of the walls of Chrono's quarters. "But anyway… you know why I'm here. I was observing that battle, and I heard everything you and that Jiraiya person were talking about."
"I know," Chrono said. "I kept the communications channel open on purpose. That man is very important in the leadership of his village. He's the kind of in we need to solve this as peacefully as possible."
"I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about the last few words you guys exchanged. I was… too concentrated on your chat, that's why I couldn't detect the Wolkenritter's escape plan earlier. But, what he said… they have their own sealing arts. They might know things that we don't. The way they use their natural magic, it's at times bizarre to us, and that's accounting for all the rare talents, skills and abilities that the TSAB has documented. There was nothing in the ship's databanks about an ability that allows for one to draw in the natural energy of the world," Amy explained. "They might hold the answer."
"It's possible," Chrono admitted. "I'm a bit leery of trusting an undeveloped and primitive magical culture, but it wouldn't be the first time we discover magic being used in ways we never would have thought of ourselves."
"Admiral Lindy seemed a bit more enthused, however. It appears as if she really, really doesn't want to go with Admiral Graham's plan," Amy noted, shrugging. "Neither do I, to be honest."
"Not even Admiral Graham wants to go with Admiral Graham's plans," Chrono noted. "This isn't a choice we made, this is the only choice we could have made, given the circumstances… Even he is hoping that there is something that changes our circumstances."
"How are your ears? Our medics found nothing out of the ordinary, but…" Amy commented.
"Cleaner than ever," Chrono noted, absent mindedly. "It will take a slight amount of time for the natural level of earwax to return, until then, the amplified sound is a little discomforting."
Amy laughed at his predicament. "Wait… if your hearing is better than ever…"
"Yes, I did hear you and the Admiral discussing how cute a bandage bow looked on me. I chose not to comment, and I chose not to react to it," Chrono said. "I am an Enforcer, I can look badass even wearing a pink ribbon."
"…Are you willing to test that?" Amy asked, grinning eagerly.
"…Moving on… You heard about Bardiche and Raising Heart. Do we have the appropriate facilities to service them?" Chrono asked.
"Yes, actually. We've been outfitted with the appropriate facilities to function as a mobile base, if need be. This operation was high priority, so the Asura got all sorts of nifty upgrades. We never did go over all of them, did we? I gave a briefing to the Admiral, but…"
"Speaking about the Admiral, where IS she exactly?" Chrono asked.
"Well, about that, it seems she's actually landside discussing something with our newest guest," Amy noted. "She left as soon as your debriefing was over."
***
Nobody even looked twice. Given how out of place Lindy's military uniform was in Otafuku Gai, it was… disconcerting. Still, the man was exactly where he said he'd be when he told them he wanted to talk with them.
Admiral Lindy sipped her tea. "So… Mister Jiraiya, correct?" she asked.
"The one and only," Jiraiya said, offering her a bow. "May I have the pleasure of your name, oh beautiful one?"
Lindy giggled a bit. "You may. My name is Lindy Harlaown, and I am the Admiral in charge of this operation," she explained.
"Oh ho, I do like a powerful woman who can keep me on my toes," Jiraiya said, wagging his eyebrows.
"I'm sorry to say, however, that I am not interested in you that way," Lindy said, pointedly.
"It was worth a shot," Jiraiya said, shrugging. "Can't blame a man for trying to score a beauty like yourself," he added.
"I suppose," Lindy said, diplomatically. "But I admit it's refreshing to see someone as forward as yourself. Usually, people are afraid of my ranking, too afraid to approach me," Lindy admitted.
Jiraiya grinned and downed the saucer of sake that he'd ordered. "Heh. I know the feeling. I'm pretty high up in my home country's military, myself. When they're not looking at me like I'm some sort of god, they often crap their pants if I just as much as show up," Jiraiya admitted, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Well, Admiral-chan, this is a right down mess, and it's up to us adults to pick it up, eh?"
"At least, I'd like to do as much as I can," Lindy said, nodding. "And I know that you might hold the key to a bloodless solution."
"I very well might," Jiraiya said. "If what your… son, is it?"
"Yes, Chrono-kun is my son," Lindy said, nodding.
"Cute kid," Jiraiya noted.
"He takes after his father," Lindy replied. "Short enough to pass for a much younger boy."
Jiraiya chuckled. "Late bloomer, then?" he asked, getting a nod and allowing himself another chuckle. "Anyway, if what he said is true, then I've got just as much of an interest as you do to help fix this situation. But I can't tell you whether or not I can help unless I get a little more information about it. If you're leading this operation, then I'm sure you're the one who has all the pertinent information," Jiraiya said.
"Not all of it. There is simply too much. However, I've already requested that the scholar in charge of uncovering as much information as possible be transferred to this location. When he arrives, you will receive all of the information we ourselves have," Lindy explained.
"That's a lot of trust," Jiraiya noted.
"You've put yourself at our mercy," Lindy noted.
"I'm a ninja. I could be waiting to strike from the inside, you know?" Jiraiya noted, taking another drink.
"You could, yes," Lindy admitted. "But you're not. Because you know that we're telling the truth, and we have nothing to hide, so we don't fear allowing you aboard."
"Ah, I like it when people are open. It makes it so much easier to deal with them," Jiraiya said, grinning.
"Yes, I do prefer transparency in my dealings, as well," Lindy agreed. "This entire affair has been rather stressful, to be honest."
"I see. So, are you sure you're not open to a single night of fun? I promise you will not be disappointed," Jiraiya said, grinning lecherously.
Lindy blinked. "What do you have in mind?"
"Well, the night is young, and we're in a town full of casinos. I'm sure a little recon isn't going to hurt anyone, right?" Jiraiya asked.
"I was almost afraid you'd suggest that we visit a low class hotel," Lindy said, dryly.
"Oh, no, I'd never do such a thing, Admiral-chan, I've got class!" Jiraiya protested. "Well, sometimes I do," he amended. "Point is, I would take you to a high class, expensive hotel!"
Lindy laughed and shook her head. "Well, it could be fun, I guess. I suppose I can always give everyone a day off tomorrow, and we'll visit the town in group," she noted.
Jiraiya seemed to slump. "Rejected!" he whined.
Lindy actually patted his shoulder. "Don't worry, I'm sure you'll find someone…"
It seemed that her comfort had its intended effect, as he bounced back immediately. "That's right! There's plenty of fish in the sea, Admiral-chan!" Jiraiya declared.
The bartender looked at the oddly dressed strangers, shook his head and left to serve someone else.
Crazies were normal. Otafuku Gai was the place where Konoha Shinobi went to piss away their paychecks. Including Maito Gai. Once you've seen Maito Gai, everything else is just sort of vanilla by comparison.