Pollen Season [Open to Kage and up]

When Bar got the bird with the news that he was confirmed to be Hokage, he immediately took out the prepared scroll that was his reply. It was slightly thick, so to summarize:

First, humble thanks that he was chosen to be Hokage. Following this, he feinted into a small discussion of modern diplomacy, but his true aim was a barrage of requests for information: requesting the dossiers on the other Kage candidates, how the various Daimyo voted, as well as any other information that the Daimyos felt would be helpful. He ended the scroll with the proper kanji for formal thank yous and sufficient respect due to someone of Daimyo rank. The overall tone was that perhaps they had underestimated this ninja...

Perhaps the new Hokage, Bar Gameron, was underestimated a little previously. The Water Daimyo opened up his mailbox to see the bird back with a reply already. The Water Daimyo, seeing little harm in mentioning some of the processes, quickly dashed off a reply, giving it to the rather quick bird in his service. The poor guy got little rest.

The reply contained the following note:

"Unfortunately, we, the Daimyo, have no information considering the backgrounds of any of the new Kage, that would prove useful in any meaningful way. However, we did receive applications which may enlighten you as to their natures.... As for the Daimyo, all 3 Daimyo present were in agreement as to the leaders for all but the Uchugakure. The Fire Daimyo and myself, the Water Daimyo, were in favor of a certain Mitsui due to his ambitions, while the Lightning Daimyo was in favor of a Io Shizinko. It seemed some were rather passionate about their choice for the new Uchukage....

Included are copies of the applications that were accepted, your own aside."

Several other pieces of paper were attached to the back of the note.

The New Uchukage:

The New Mizukage:

The new Kazekage:

Bar took this all in, analyzing possibilities, weighing choices, and considering risks. While he was no Shikamaru, he did his honest best. And then, he acted. The first thing he did was send a letter to the new Kazekage, Niccolo Ferrari. Invoking the spirit of Gaara, he offered an alliance of mutual protection, open borders, and trade of both goods, raw materials, young and teachable ninja, and jutsu. He attached his own Kage application to the first page. On the SECOND page, he warned about possible aggression from the Mizukage, while attaching said Kage application. On the very short third page, he called the new Uchukage a testosterone-poisoned idiot not worth bothering with, as the Mizukage would probably go after him, first.

The second thing he did was send his best spies to Kirigakure, and got to work preparing his village for war against them: Since it was the Land of Water, the obvious thing to do was to start encouraging anti-Water jutsu: All ninja were instructed to find ways to remain effective while blind and deaf: Aburame and Inuzuka Clan, for example. Ninjutsu specialists were told to focus on Lightning and Earth Release jutsu, as well as developing their Advanced Elements against the possibility of Ice, Boil, and Lava Release. Anti-Weaponry jutsu, techniques, and strategy was also prudent, if he should face the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist reborn. Research and development of chakra-absorbing water filters and breathing masks that were impenetrable to water was also funded.

And finally, he trained.

Niccolo, newly instated Kazekage, read the new Hokage's letter. It sounded good. He had to surpress a big grin as he read about the Uchukage, as he was reading it out loud to his subordinates.

Folding up the letter, Niccolo pocketed it. He would try to meet up with the Hokage in person just so that details could be smoothed out, overall it sounded good though. He sent a messenger bird with a short reply saying such, as well as asking the new Hokage to meet him in the village of Sand, as there were some things he needed to take care of that would impede his travel. How weird, he had walked into this village as a stranger, and was suddenly in control of it.