Naruto's POV (Mizukage Manor - Hidden Mist Village)
Formalities had never been Naruto's strong suit. So the idea of a formal dinner setting had been intimidating for him. Even more so when Aoi led the group to some servants who immediately set about appropriately dressing the group and warning them of the rules in place for dinner. Apparently, dinner with the Mizukage was always quite the affair. With the decision made to try to keep the Mist in the dark, Haku and Jiraiya had stayed behind to avoid accidents.
So when they were dragged from their respective dress rooms, though, Naruto had commented on the ridiculousness of having entire rooms dedicated to getting ready. Appropriately dressed and now informed in Mist customs and manners, they were ready to dine. Each of them had been dressed in the traditional high-end garb. However, Hinata had pointed out that the particular outfits were reserved for weddings, with the woman dressed in pure white with a litany of ribbons and shining trinkets of the Mist emblem, the men in dark kimonos with lighter bottoms.
Aoi, himself appropriately dressed, led them to the dining room to join the others. As they trekked through a hallway adorned with various paintings and sculptures created by Mist artists, he offered some last warnings. "Dinner in the Hidden Mist is considered a critical affair, under this roof, especially so. Lady Mei loves a traditional dinner party, and as part of the custom, we are to be polite and amicable to all party members, and in turn, conduct ourselves properly. Finally, remember that you are only a guest here so long as Mei wills it, that can and in my opinion should change… one more thing to the males in particular…" The man trailed off.
"I'm over these stuffy dinners, I had to do this enough at home," Shikamaru complained. "Would she be offended if I just went to bed?"
"Maybe just the blonde…" Aoi changed his mind at that request, ignoring the Nara who sighed tiredly in response. "Lady Mei is… can be… well, if she makes a strange request, please just consider it, and maybe don't let it change the way you see the Mist or her…"
"Does that sound ominous to anyone else?" Naruto asked the others, looking back. Shikamaru shrugged unhelpfully, and Hinata and Shion nodded, but had been notably against the woman from the start, so also unhelpful. "Right… let's do this!"
Aoi nodded at his declaration and opened a large set of steel double doors. As they did, they entered an ample open space. At the back wall of the room, a mighty fireplace roared within a chimney. At the fire, several chefs cooked for the occupants, spearing and roasting meat with perfect timing, hanging pots to cook over the flames, and drawing and plating the food right there in front of the crowd. In the center of the room sat a massive dining table seating roughly a dozen men and women. Servers flitted along the table refilling drinks, offering small peckings of food while they waited, and occasionally stopping to check on the head of the table. The head of the table was Mei, who sat speaking to an older man quietly. All around the table were some of the highest-ranking shinobi and richest civilians. All sipping on wine, conversing, and appearing to be enjoying themselves. At the left of the table was a full band on a miniature stage slightly raised above the rest of the room. They played a series of string and metal percussion instruments, playing a song that even Naruto could tell was romantic. On the right side of the table was another smaller table, entirely staffed by Anbu, who appeared to keep a sharp eye on the party's goings-on.
"The lady has requested you all sit near her," Aoi replied stiffly. "Be on your best behavior…"
"We always try to be," Naruto complained as the group walked along with Aoi. As they drew close, Mei burst out into a smile once she saw them, waving away the two closest to her to make space for them, much to her other guests' chagrin. She gestured for Naruto to sit at her left as Aoi took her right. Naruto took the spot offered, as Shikamaru went across to sit with Aoi with a knowing smile. A moment later, the problem became apparent as Naruto turned his head to see Hinata and Shion having a very quiet shouting match. The two noticed their attention and stiffened, before both women began a game of rock, paper, scissors. Shion won and sat next to Naruto while Hinata glared daggers as she sat next to her rival. Mei chittered at the show before she addressed them.
"Ah, I see my men have already taken care of you all. I am terribly sorry to have you present for this, but I insist that all guests be present for dinner. Assuming everything goes well, you can get some rest after." Mei offered as she snapped her fingers. Within seconds, servants came bringing them dining ware, filled glasses of wine, and polite goodbyes.
"Your men are impeccably trained." Shion complimented. "My own servants can lag slightly behind."
"Ours are too, but for different reasons," Hinata added glumly.
I think most servers would be." Naruto responded, taking a sip of wine. Honestly, he couldn't say he was a big fan so far. A drink that made you thirstier seemed silly. "I mean, that was literally like five seconds."
"Oh, I know my own would have taken seven!" Shion declared shamefully, missing the odd look from Naruto, Shikamaru, and even Hinata. Though Mei nodded gravely as if understanding her complaint personally.
"I find it is important to use both carrot and stick for those under your employ. They are too soft and lazy, or too hard and resistant, leading to overwork. It is only when treating those under you just right that things go well. And Naruto, I treat those under me very well." Mei replied in a tone that took a darker and sultrier tone at the end.
"Ah, that's good. When I become Hokage, I'll do the same." Naruto replied that it was always a good idea to learn from someone who had achieved his goal. Though he raised a brow when Shikamaru cackled, Hinata and Shion spit out their drinks in response, before both froze and stiffened.
"Lady," Aoi said as if speaking to a child. "At the very least?"
"Oh yes," Mei said with a light but unapologetic laugh. "It would be wise to handle business first. I almost forgot due to your lovely eyes and smile, Naruto, but I do need you all to explain yourselves. Three of the four of you are from a foreign shinobi village, one of the big five at that. The other one of you is from a less militaristic but just as interesting village, the Head Priestess herself. In any normal circumstance, this would be a major deal, and we are well past those. Considering the Hidden Mist Village is in a state of emergency, your arrival is downright troublesome. So, as the Mizukage of the Mist, I demand to know your reason for coming here. Depending on your answer, this may very well be your last meal…"
Suddenly, the light atmosphere of the room was shattered in an instant. A crushing atmosphere filled the room as Naruto and the rest of the occupants saw images of them being burnt alive, drowning, and melting under flowing magma, they saw their flesh being melted off their own bones as acidic Mist melted them alive. The music stopped, and every single person in the room froze. In an instant, Naruto remembered this kind lady was still a Kage. Quite possibly one of the strongest shinobi in the world, someone who had ascended the ladder of rank and survived the chaos of the profession, to be chosen as the leader for an entire village full of talented people. He became aware of not just how powerful the woman before him was, but also of the sharpness of her mind as her intense gaze landed on his own. Naruto became painfully aware of just how much danger they were in.
Shikamaru, Hinata, and Shion had realized what Naruto had, not only that they needed the perfect answer, but that he was the worst of the three to provide it. Naruto couldn't blame them; he really wasn't sure what the hell to say! Lying wasn't his thing! But several Anbu appeared behind each of them silently bearing their weapons, their message clear.
"I'm sure that is universally understood, but these Anbu here will remind you through if any but Naruto Uzumaki speaks." Aoi chimed in, dooming them. "A Nara or Hyuga would be smart enough to plot, a leader of another land as well. Meanwhile, this blonde fool here comes across as the dangerously honest type; he will speak for you all. My Lady is also fond of you, so it shall be easier for you to do it. Explain your reasoning for being here, and pray it does not lead to your end."
Naruto would've gulped, but was stuck in place. He wasn't sure what the hell to say! The entire plan for this part had been to let Shikamaru or Shion lead the conversation. The two of them had the intelligence and experience to attempt to fool a Kage and her men to their faces. Deception wasn't how Naruto functioned; hell, most shinobi were talented at detecting them! Naruto felt a surge of panic within him, and his body reacted instinctively; he let out a shout, but his mouth remained closed, and no sound escaped. Naruto felt a sudden surge of confusion and tiredness. It had almost been like he had yelled for Jiraiya and Haku, but thankfully, he hadn't. Though an instant later, the curious and confused heads of Jiraiya and Haku appeared through the wall behind Mei with raised brows.
'Did you summon us, Naruto?' Haku asked politely.
'Huh, must be one of the abilities the Sage was speaking of.' Jiraiya replied. 'Wait, we're not talking, somehow you're talking to us in our minds… like the Yamanaka.'
'Can the two of you hear me?' Naruto offered in panic.
While he inwardly pleaded for help and freaked out, outwardly, the blonde began to stall the waiting Kage. "Well, we were sailing the waters of the Elemental Nations, but during our travel, we experienced a rough storm, drawing us incredibly off course. Which is how we ended up over by your neck of the woods. Our bad?"