Chapter 31: Chapter 11: Calling Down The Storm
Summary: Certain factions within Konoha take some dangerous steps. Sasuke learns more buried truths about the Uchiha clan.
Review Responses:
- Everyone looking for a Sasuke with a brain, someone who has genuinely reformed, you are in for a treat.
- Konoha bashings galore for the rest of the fic.
- Everyone confused about why Tsunade understand from the start Ryuuchi was Narutos son... Have you ever seen kids at formal functions running around yelling for an adult or for their mother (because they did a boo-boo, like pulling on the buffet table cloth and making a mess?) Usually the closest adult intercepts in case it is a real emergency. Tsunade assumed Naruto was a family friend in this case. Remember, she just found out he was married, she doesn't know for how long or that he has a son.
- Everyone looking for a little more I decided to expand and extend the storyline, mainly to provide some better closure and for some Uchiha-Namikaze clan interaction. Some reconciliation, but none for Konoha.
AN: Disclaimer in chapter 1
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
...ooO Calling Down the Storm Ooo...
Tsunade sighed as she diligently worked through her paperwork. In the weeks since their return to Konoha things had been dangerously quiet. The Council had said nothing after listening to each and every shinobis perspective and all the facts.
Tsunade had set Sasuke, Shikamaru and Neji to going through the Uchiha District and ANBU archives looking for the evidence Naruto alluded to. So far absolute proof eluded them but there were references made to Itachi throughout his career as a shinobi, records maintained by medic-nins known to take orders from Danzou, records that could not have been kept without the complicity of several parties.
"Tsunade-sama?"
The Godaime lifted her head from her paperwork and eyed Iruka. He had taken Narutos absence very badly, blaming himself for not noticing how much the teen had been hurting. In reaction he cut himself off from the Academy where there were too many painful memories. In recent years Iruka had become nearly as indispensable to her as Shizune when it came to paperwork and bureaucrats.
"What is it Iruka?"
Iruka scowled. "There was an addendum to the Council meeting agenda. Hobako Setsuna wishes to consider the possibility of invading Kumo."
Tsunade snorted. "Ignore the little pissant. The Daimyo himself specifically forbade Konoha from declaring war on Kumo. In his exact words: "If you are fool enough to go up against Namikaze Naruto I will stand back and watch him slaughter you and I will not send a single ryou for the rebuilding even if eighty percent of Konoha starves and dies from exposure." And frankly I agree with him. In fact as far as I'm concerned the first to not get rations will be the families of the idiots who instigates the mess." She grinned with savage satisfaction. "They tormented a boy for what his father did to save them so I feel completely justified in starving their own flesh and blood for their own foolishness."
Iruka opened his mouth to protest and then shut it. He too had become jaded with Konoha. He had seen too much, heard too much. His idealism had cracked. He could very easily understand why Tsunade had left Konoha had been so reluctant to become Hokage, why Jiraiya left and refused to return despite the Councils threats. So far he had not been marked as a nukenin but from the looks of things it would only be a matter of time. And when that happened Kumo would welcome into their ranks the Gama Sannin, sensei of their Rokudaime, instructor of his son and heir. A faint smile curved his lips. If Ryuuchi was anything like his father Iruka wondered if the Gama Sannin would survive teaching the third generation of Namikaze nins.
"Tsunade-sama!" Both nins looked up at Raidou, the Godaimes liaison with ANBU intel operations. "Ibiki has noticed something."
"What?"
Raidou bit his lip and decided it would be best to just blurt it out. "Several Konoha shinobi have requested downtime. It is understandable given the reduced number of missions and the tensions with Kumo. Ibiki has found evidence that the shinobis have formed an unauthorized assault mission on Kumo. For what target exactly Ibiki is unsure of."
The heavy dense wood splintered under the Godaimes clenching fingers. "I want an investigation and any hypothesis. Get Uchiha Sasuke, Nara Shikamaru, and Hyuuga Neji on this immediately! They have my permission to break every single law as long as they produce results! I will declare martial law if I have to!"
The two chuunins stared at the Godaime and nodded before running off, to get the jounins in question, to get out of range when she really blew.
...ooOoo...
Tsunade stared at the group of young nins before her. It had expanded from just three to a sizable taskforce. Uchiha Sasuke. Nara Shikamaru. Hyuuga Neji. Hibashi Tenten. Yamanaka Ino. Akimichi Chouji. Sarutobi Konohamaru. Miyugi Udon. Kimachi Moegi. Morino Ibiki. Hatake Kakashi. Haruno Sakura. Hyuuga Hinata. The last three had insisted on joining when they caught wind of what was going down and surprisingly had shown positive initiative.
"Give me your report." She ordered. "Details can wait but I need to know if Kumo is going to be attacking Konoha."
Shikamaru snorted. "Expect the attack in forty-eight hours to seven days Tsunade-sama. That is how long it took Kumo to wipe out Ne. This time they will be going up against all of Konoha but they have even better reason to be enraged."
Nejis eyes were frozen orbs. "The task force was a two part mission. Namikaze Hibara just gave birth to twins, a son and daughter two weeks ago. Three days later she was attacked by rogue Konoha ANBU and jounins. The ones off-duty. It is clear they were there to kill her and kidnap the newborns. Hibara-san was weak but she held off her attackers long enough for help to get to her. One of the babies was nearly killed by a Konoha nin who felt it was best to eliminate the Sharingan than let it stay in Kumos hands. Another group attempted to kidnap Namikaze Ryuuchi from the Academy library. The boy killed one with a Raiton jutsu and disabled another before the kidnappers were stopped by the Instructors.
"Not a single of the rogue Konoha nins escaped to reach Kumos walls. Kumos elites including BOLT and the Rokudaime Raikage slaughtered all the attackers before conducting a house-to-house search to locate and take out every single Konoha infiltrator leaving a few alive for interrogation. According to reports he was in a six-tailed state, in complete control and absolutely furious. I believe we felt the effects of his displeasure just a few days ago."
Everyone stilled and remembered the violent wave of malicious chakra that washed across the Elemental Countries originating from Kumo. The days that followed were filled with destructive gale-force thunderstorms that uprooted several ancient trees, caused several thousands of ryou worth of damage to homes and businesses. Many of the farmers were still out assessing the damage to the crops.
"Konoha is thoroughly fucked." Ino surmised everyones opinion of the situation. "Naruto will never forgive this, never ever. Konoha nins tried to kill his Family! He will want Blood!"
"We were clearly warned of this. By both Raikages, the Kazekage. Control the Council or face the consequences. Guess we're facing the consequences."
"Who authorized this?" The Godaime wanted to know. "Something on this scale… Someone high up must have pulled strings!"
Shikamaru scanned his notes. "We are still gathering names. So far over half the Council is implicated by not reporting what they knew."
Tsunade nodded slowly. "Treason. What they have done has brought danger to Konohas doorsteps." She picked up a pencil and sheet of foolscap. "Give me the names. Every single one of them will be arrested. Their personal wealth shall be used to rebuild Konoha. If they have any relatives or dependents they can find jobs or do what peasants do when the main income earner dies; become whores or laborers. None of them shall be Konoha shinobi unless they can thoroughly prove their innocence in this mess."
...ooOoo...
Three days later the Godaime and several Konoha shinobi stood on the walls waiting. Advance Hyuuga scouts reported the presence of a group of about three hundred Suna, Iwa and Kumo shinobis just inside the border. The new Raikage and his wife were among them. They were moving slowly but steadily towards Konoha. All attempts at delaying them failed miserably. They would be at the wall within the hour.
Tsunade was torn between two conflicting desires. One said to just step aside and watch as Naruto destroyed Konoha, the cause of so much pain. The other insisted she was the Hokage no matter how much she hated it and she owed it to her lineage to defend her village.
Neji was the first to spot the war party. "They are here." He was proud of how steady his voice was. Neji knew he was one of the best Konoha nins. And he also knew he was thoroughly outclassed besides Namikaze Naruto. This was the one who managed to defeat him as an ill-trained loudmouth genin.
"We cannot attack." Shikamaru spoke out loud. "There might be less than two hundred Kumo nins out there but their abilities and tactics are nearly unknown to us. All we know is they tend to be massively destructive. And worse, they probably have shared techniques with their allies, Iwa and Suna."
"And Naruto will not let this go." Iruka murmured. He had no real abilities to match one of the new Kumo-elites in the upcoming fight. "He always fought best to protect those he cares about. Right now Konoha is a threat to his precious ones."
"That is exactly why I am going to hand over every single one of those treasonous bastards that have been enjoying Ibikis hospitality." Tsunade announced grimly.
There were a few grim smiles of support and winces from those torn. None of them noticed a young chuunin wall-walk up to join the jounins.
"Tsunade-sama, there is something else I just discovered in the private records of one of the Council members in Ibikis custody." Moegi announced softly. She was one of the many trusted chuunins and kunoichis put in charge of going through the reams of scrolls and files confiscated. She snuck a peek at Sasuke who was using his Sharingan to track the Kumo group. "It has to do with Uchiha Itachi."
Sasuke stiffened and turned to the young chuunin. "What?"
Moegi forced her spine to stiffen. "It is very personal."
Sasuke closed his eyes briefly. His younger self would have demanded to know everything. His older and wiser self was more wary. "Does it have any impact on the current situation?"
Moegi nodded. "Hai. You might want some emotional support. It is… Ugly."
Sasuke glanced at Shikamaru. The Nara had become a friend. He was more flexible in his views and didn't judge blindly. He could also be trusted to hold his tongue.
"I want Shikamaru to know."
The Godaime, Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Moegi retreated to one of the guard station barracks where Sasuke set up a privacy barrier using a sound-block barrier jutsu he learnt in Otokagure.
Moegi waited until all four of them were sitting around the small card table before pulling out some scrolls from her satchel.
"These are copies, summaries of what I discovered. The originals are still in safe keeping. I'll summarize things for you." She took a deep breath before looking Sasuke in the eye. "Uchiha Itachi never existed."
Sasuke frowned. "What the hell do you mean Moegi?! Of course he existed!"
Moegi glanced at the Godaime for courage before explaining. "Uchiha Mikoto and Uchiha Fugate were expecting a child about thirty-two years ago. She gave birth to a daughter, not the expected Uchiha heir."
Sasuke froze. "Then where did Itachi come from? Where did my sister go?" A sick feeling knotted his belly as understanding dawned. "She is Hibara isn't she." It was a statement, not a question.
Moegi nodded. "Yes. Namikaze Hibara is the firstborn child of your parents, your elder sister."
Sasuke frowned. "Okay, my father didn't like having a daughter so he got rid of her. Then where did Itachi come from? Was he from one of the cadet branches?"
Moegi reached out to touch Sasukes hand. He wasn't the sort of person that invited touch but right now he needed the comfort of another human. "Sasuke… Hibara was Itachi." Sharingan flared into life. Every muscle in the Uchihas face froze. "I can't understand the full details of the procedure but your father gave permission to Ne to mold her into the perfect shinobi since she was just a female and not the desired male heir. Since most females tend to find more humane alternatives to killing they wiped out her female identity using a mixture of fuuin jutsus, hormones treatments, and genjutsu. She Became Itachi.
"When it became clear Itachi was progressing rapidly the Asshole decided having an Uchiha prodigy would be useful in promoting the clan image so he enrolled Itachi in the Academy where things progressed more or less as we know it. However once the Sharingan manifested the mental conditioning started to breakdown. They experimented with different drugs to maintain control over their perfect weapon but eventually failed. Itachi snapped and slaughtered the entire Clan."
Tsunades visage resembled storm clouds at that moment. "Fools. Bastards. I want the names of every single one involved in this travesty." She grinned maliciously. "They will pay. I will deliver their heads or broken bodies to Hibara."
Shikamaru inhaled deeply and began asking the questions that no one else thought to. "Did Itachi join Akatsuki aware of his true identity as a female?"
Moegi shook her head. "I'm not sure. The techniques used to force the change is something the Sharingan and Byakugan never penetrated. Itachi might have broken free of the genjutsu and mental conditioning but I don't think Itachi knew he was born a female."
"And no one would. Not unless they saw Itachi molding chakra without any clothing over the area of the seals." Tsunade deduced grimly. "Akatsuki might have had Fuuin jutsu specialists but Itachi would have never have risked being completely vulnerable around them."
Sasuke was unaware of the tears dripping down his face. His beloved aniki was a façade, a lie created by his own clan. Then something else hit him. Ryuuchi was his nephew! Konoha had tried to kill his niece and nephews!
"Naruto is a Seal Master. So is Jiraiya. One of them might have damaged enough of Itachis clothing in battle to suspect something was off." Shikamaru pointed out. "Or Itachi might have learnt enough of seals to get an unknown Seals Master to break the façade."
Tsunade patted her palm against the tabletop. "It does not matter who broke the fuuin jutsu. At some point in time probably after Akatsuki was wiped out Uchiha Itachi vanished and was presumed dead. Then Hibara appeared."
"She said she felt safe." Sasuke murmured looking up. "In Kumo she said she was happy Itachi slaughtered the Clan, because it made her feel safe."
Tsunade softened. "She might have formed a split personality to handle the madness, the stress of the situation, to hide the truth, the shame and the rage."
Shikamaru hummed softly. "She hunted. I assumed she was a Kumo oinin but these facts clearly indicate she was probably an independent bounty hunter. She probably met Naruto at this point in time and hooked up."
Sasuke stiffened. "Do you think he knew? That Hibara was Itachi?"
Shikamaru shrugged. "Naruto is the only one who can answer that. She probably told him the facts before they married." He shook his head. "Naruto was always one to roll with the punches. He probably accepted her story without a second thought."
Tsunade snorted. "You are right! As long as she didn't try to kill him Naruto wouldn't have any problems with her background. Hell! Jiraiya told me he tried to make friends with several nukenins during his training trips. Quite a few of them gave into his nagging persistence and actually taught him a few jutsus."
Moegi smiled tearily. "Oyabun is like that. Even if you were mean to him in the past he is always willing to forgive and move on." Then she scowled. "But he shouldn't! Not this time! They tried to kill his children!"
Tsunade nodded. "And he won't. Naruto will take a deathblow for himself but he will never risk those he cares for. And he knows the only way he can eliminate this threat is to kill all those responsible."
Moegi huffed. "So hand the bastards over to him! They are going to be executed anyways for all they've done!"
Shikamaru tapped the tabletop with a short fingernail to get their attention before redirecting the discussion. "They probably decided to sign up with a village once they committed to each other. It is hard to raise a family bounty hunting or doing mercenary work."
Tsunade snorted. "Hiroshi must be burning incense every day for his good fortune. He gets two S-class nins, a Seal Master and jinchuuriki, and a dojutsu kekkai genkai all in one go."
In Kumo one retired Raikage sneezed.
"Naruto probably used his contacts to revitalize trade and contracts. Hibara probably worked on improving their shinobis." Shikamaru deduced. "Once they had the confidence of the Yondaime Raikage they moved to BOLT and took the identities of Aka Arashi and Hanashi and started fucking with Konoha."
Tsunade smiled ruefully. "Can't blame them. Not after all this shit. Only thing I care about is surviving this upcoming storm." She eyed Shikamaru. "Ideas?"
"Hunker down and don't make a single move." Shikamaru snorted. "Moegi has the right idea. Let Naruto and Hibara have all the fuckers." He glanced at Sasuke who had been very silent. "What do you think Sasuke?"
The Uchiha smiled, more of a grimace really. "Moegi is right. Let Naruto have all those we've found so far. I'll take my pleasure hunting down the remaining rats."
As one the four stood up. Sasuke dispelled the barrier and Moegi hurried off to continue on her records investigation. It would be suicide to send any chuunin against the elites Kumo would be sending.
Tsunade moved up to the wall. There were several doton barriers around each gate entry point and at strategic points.
"Report!"
Kakashi glanced at the Hokage. "The invading forces have several Iwa nins with them. They are using high-class Doton jutsus in tandem to create those barriers. The shinobis might be able to get over them but the civilians will be trapped. They've even covered the unofficial side gates. Even the ones ANBU use."
Tsunades face was grim. "Jiraiya probably told them everything."
Kakashi nodded. As Konohas unofficial espionage master the Gama Sannin knew a great deal about Konohas secrets and procedures.
"Have they made any demands?" Tsunade wanted to know.
"Not yet. They have been separating in groups of ten creating a stretched line that is barely in line of sight of each other. I'm not sure of their plan of attack."
A few hundred yards away from the walls Naruto watched his shinobis deploy in the predetermined pattern. A cold sense of savage satisfaction burned in his belly and he was very sure that most of it had nothing to do with the Kyuubi.
In the years since leaving Konoha Naruto had accepted the Kyuubi no Yoko as part of him, for better or worse. To his surprise the bijuu had relaxed a tad once Naruto had cut all ties with Konoha though the Yoko was still grumpy and insulting regarding 'hairless pink simians'. Naruto had a sneaky suspicion some Konoha faction had done Something that enraged the bijuu into attacking the village. Frankly it was none of his concern. All he cared about was getting his price in flesh and blood, Konohan flesh and blood.
He glanced down at his wife, his mate, his love. Despite having given birth less than three weeks ago she insisted on joining the Kumo war party. A full team of medics healed her up the best they could while Kyuubis chakra did the rest.
"Why are you here Bara-koi? You should be in Kumo, with the children."
Hibara looked up at her husband with cool calm eyes. "It is very possible you will loose control. Some idiot Konohan, your rage at their audacity, even the Kyuubi could stir you into venting full out. I must be here to make sure you return. Your village needs you. And so do I and our children." Naruto relaxed under her soothing strokes. "Besides, I want this over and done with quickly." Her eyes were shards of jagged obsidian.
Naruto nodded and cast the sound amplifying jutsu and began to speak.
"Konoha. Your shinobis have attacked my wife and children. They tried to kill them just like You tried to kill me. I forgave you when you attacked me. I will never forgive you for this attack on my family!"
Tsunade closed her eyes and prayed and hoped this worked. "Raikage-sama, this action was not officially sanctioned by me or the Council."
"But it was carried out by your shinobi!" Naruto retorted. "If you cannot control your shinobi and populace I shall do it for you!"
"Wait! I have the ones responsible for this crime! And others! You can have them."
Naruto tilted his head and glanced down at his wife who whispered to him. "Send them out."
Tsunade glared at the protesting jounin before giving the orders.
In the space of fifteen minutes several Clan Heads, Clan Elders, Councilors, and shinobi department leaders were deposited outside Konohas walls, bound hand and foot with chakra-sealing manacles, and the gates were closed behind them. Among them were several Hyuuga including Hyuuga Hiashi.
Hyuuga Hinata watched with stone cold eyes as Namikaze Hibara used a ninjutsu only Uchiha Itachi had ever used in living memory.
"Amaterasu!"
The black fires were amplified by the futon jutsu cast by her husband. Within seconds the screams stopped and there was nothing but flesh and charred bone remaining on the glassy ground. The intense heat had melted and fused the dirt.
Sasuke watched the execution without flinching. They had committed great crimes against Naruto and they more than likely had done the same to Ita—no Hibara. Uchiha Itachi was gone. Only Namikaze Hibara lived.
Shikamaru watched edgily. Was Narutos bloodlust sated? Would he leave now that the guilty were dead?
"As much as I appreciate the gesture I feel it is too late at this stage of the game." Naruto spoke in cold icy tones. "Since Konoha has so much money and shinobis they waste it trying to kill me Kumo feels steps should be taken to remedy that." He glanced at the teams closest to him. "NOW!"
And then the earth shook and the air burned.
...ooOoo...
TBC…
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
AN: At this point they don't know Hibara had discovered the truth and been mind-wiped each time. They don't know the true reason why she snapped and killed the entire clan. Just speculation. Very good speculation mind you. A shinobi used as a lab rat would feel perfectly justified in going berserk on his/her tormentors.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone