Love, Truth, Freedom (KHR)

An Explanation

=-=Emi POV=-=

"Ruri gave you the map?" Lady Tsunade asked as she came closer.

"Yeah. A few years ago. He is no harm. I can explain-" Squalo cut Ruri off.

"I'm sorry if I came at a bad time but I didn't mean to get her in trouble or anything like that. I just came to get my student and friend back. I didn't know she had left, especially to come around here. Ruri said she'd never bring her here so this was a shock." Squalo looked to my mom with a small glare.

"Your student? What kind of student?" Kakashi was interested and budded in.

"She asked me to teach her how to use a sword. I've been giving her a few lessons and tricks here and there. I'm one of the best swordsmen around. I have only been beaten by one other. That baseball kid over there is the only one to ever beat me." Squalo nodded over to Takeshi.

"Hmm? Are you part of the seven mist swordsmen? Oh my. What sword do you use?" Shizune asked.

"Not part of the seven mist swordsmen. I'll be honest. He's not from the great nations but he could go toe to toe with them. Really. Now, will he win. Ahhhh, not sure. Really. I don't think so. Heh. Sorry Squalo-san but most are pretty ruthless, coldhearted, and really strong. To be honest, ninja techniques are a bit mysterious. The swordsmen of the mist, I'm telling you this, they are not someone you want to challenge for fun or clout. Take my word." I said and he looked at me wide eyed. He looked slightly hurt but mostly confused.

He doesn't know I know about ninja. I thought to myself.

"Someone with a sword and is better than Sharky? Heh. I gotta meet this guy." Bel chuckled.

"Nah. Let's let them be. I'd rather not meet them. Heh." I backed out of that.

"So you wanted to learn the sword?" Kakashi asked.

"This was a bit after you guys left. Even with the small ninja training, I was beaten by someone; someone I care about. Maybe it's a bit naive like Naruto, but I want to find my friend. He hasn't done anything wrong except leave himself and everything he loves and knows behind. I don't know what happened but I want to know. I want him to know that we are there for him, all of us, especially me. And I need to be stronger for that. So I asked Squalo to train me. A long time friend who really does know his way around a sword." I explained.

"But he wouldn't be able to take on these seven mist swordsmen? You have only been here for a day and a half. How would you know?" Mammon questioned.

That peaked Lady Tsunade's interest as well.

"That is a great question. You seem to have a handle on ninjutsu, but that could be expected with Kakashi, Sakura, and Shikamaru teaching you. Did they tell you other details." She asked.

"The same way I know about you guys. I watched and read." I spoke to Mammon then looked to Lady Tsunade. "I know a bit about the ninja world. Honestly, not just a little bit. A pretty good bit. Heh. My mom doesn't even know how much I know. Kakashi sensei knows, as does Sakura sensei and Shikamaru sensei. I told them before, when they taught me. They didn't have to tell me much. You want to know what I know right? We should go someplace quiet, private, comfortable. It's going to be a good explanation." I said bashful and quickly, getting a bit uncomfortable about where this was going.

Lady Tsunade thought and nodded. "My office at-"

"Someplace else. You never know what could be hiding there and at this time, it could be dangerous about what information is overheard." I stated.

Shizune was taken aback by my statement. She didn't know what to say or what Lady Tsunade was going to say. But her expression read 'How does she know this is a crucial time?"