章 15: Chapter 14
Chapter 14
Kaen looked around the office of Hokage-sama. It was plain in everything. Nothing stood out. Even though the residence was situated near the Hokage mountain and academy and was one of the most significant buildings in the village, the office was relatively small. Kaen guessed it was big enough for this and the previous Hokage, even though he would like a nicer office if he was a Hokage.
"Kaen-kun," Hokage tried to get attention from Kaen. "Firstly, I would like to say that I am glad you are well."
"The view is nice," Kaen walked to the window, ignoring Hokage's words. "Even if it is dark, the village still feels alive. I guess you always look at this beautiful sight, Hokage-sama."
"Not as much as I would like," Hogake joined Kaen looking at the village beneath them. "I would like to hear of what happened that day."
"Have you not heard it from Itachi?" Kaen asked.
"You know the truth?" Hokage was surprised.
"I know many things," Kaen replied. "It was an inevitable course of action. Someone was too keen on killing the Uchiha, for he feared their power. Isn't that right, Danzo-dono?"
"You could sense me. With each moment, I have to reevaluate you, Kaen Uchiha," Danzo stepped out of the shadows.
"Sense you, no, I didn't. I just guessed that you would be listening to us. After all, you want to know everything, especially if something happens outside your predictions."
"Then there is one more reason to kill you," Even though Danzo said so, he didn't move.
"Can you, however? Itachi couldn't kill me. Why do you think you can?" Kaen asked, opening his three tomoe sharingan.
"Nobody is going to be killed," Hokage's words were final.
Kaen only smiled and closed his eyes. He suspected Danzo didn't move despite his words because Hokage was there. Even if he looked like an old man, Kaen knew that Hokage had forgotten more jutsu than Kaen ever had learned. Kaen believed that even if he couldn't defeat Danzo, he could fight him off, but he didn't see how he could win against the Third Hokage.
"We can't let him go as he wishes when he knows so much," Danzo said.
"You don't want to know the truth about everything?" Kaen asked. "How were you manipulated, and your actions might have brought the village to its lowest point in history?"
"Don't be impudent, brat," This time, Danzo moved.
Kaen didn't need to activate his sharingan to dodge Danzo's hand and put a kunai to his neck. Kaen didn't doubt that Danzo could have avoided it even if Hokage didn't hold his hand. But it didn't take his smile away, as, in this situation, it looked like Hokage saved Danzo and not him.
"What are you talking about, Kaen-kun?" Hokage asked.
"Itachi has not told you about him, did he?" Kaen smiled.
"Speak, who did Itachi not tell us about?" Danzo demanded.
"He has not told you about Madara Uchiha."
"Madara Uchiha? The masked man claimed to be Madara Uchiha?" It seems Danzo knew more than Kaen expected. "You faced him. Tell me what you know about the man."
"He isn't Madara Uchiha, just someone claiming to be him. Maybe the masked man is a student of Madara or admires him too much. From what his voice sounded, the masked man was in his early thirties. He has mangekyou sharingan, but only one."
"Only one?" Danzo interrupted Kaen.
"Yes, its ability was related to space-time ninjutsu. I suspect he was the one who unleashed the Kyubi. You conveniently blamed the Uchiha for that one, didn't you, Danzo-dono?" Kaen said with a wicked smile. "Blaming and distrusting the Uchiha might have been the masked man's plan, and you fell to it so readily."
"Continue, Kaen-kun. How strong is he?" Hokage asked.
"It is hard to say. He is strong. He almost broke my arms with one kick. He is fast, especially while using his mangekyou sharingan ability. I don't know how proficient he is in ninjutsu as I didn't see him use any."
"So, you don't know much after all," Danzo concluded.
"You know I don't like how you are talking to me," Kaen walked up to Danzo, blazing his eyes into sharingan. "Because of your fear and shortsightedness, my whole clan was murdered. I was almost killed too, and why? What did I ever do against the village? What did dozens of children and civilians of the Uchiha clan do?"
"You conspired to overthrow the village's leadership," Danzo didn't back off.
"Because you refused to trust the clan and give them any power within the village. Fugaku was a war hero, yet after the Fouth's death, was he even considered for the Hokage's position? The clan felt like they were used and thrown away. You led them to this path."
"The Uchiha clan was destined for this path. Their hatred could not be controlled."
"Really, what about Shisui? Itachi? In the end, they sacrificed themselves for the village. Your argument is void. Even if the older generation were too prideful, Itachi and Shisui proved that not everyone wanted this. The clan felt they needed to prove their strength for the leadership to trust them. It was your fear that cost the village many powerful shinobi."
"Enough, Kaen-kun," The Third Hokage interrupted, probably feeling guilty. "I am to be blamed as anyone else. No, if you want to blame someone, blame me for what has happened."
"You too kind, Hokage-sama," Kaen didn't continue, as he only wanted to corner Danzo.
"He is," Danzo agreed. "The question still stands, you are too dangerous to be left alone."
"Danzo," Hokage tried to stop his friend.
"He knows too much. We can't let him roam as he pleases," Danzo didn't back down. "Put him under me, Hiruzen, Root will have use of him, and I can watch him."
"Should I pluck my sharingan now, or do you want me to awaken mangekyou sharingan first?" Kaen asked with a snort. "There is no way I will work under you."
"You can't be left alone," Danzo stated.
"Kaen-kun will be under my watch," Hokage said. "More precisely, under my student Jiraiya's watch."
"Work under the pervert?" Kaen asked. "He is strong and can keep watch over me, so I won't be able to betray the village as this warmonger fears. I will agree but with only one condition."
"As long as it isn't too much."
"I never had a teacher," Kaen said. "I will work under Jiraiya if he accepts me as his student."
"It will be done."
Kaen nodded with a smile. Danzo grumbled something before leaving. It felt so relaxing, not hiding his strength anymore. Even if Danzo wanted to make a move on him, Kaen believed he could defend himself. It was too late for Danzo to do anything. Even the Third Hokage wouldn't let him do as he wished anymore.
…
When Kaen left the office of Hokage, it was already dark outside. Yugao was with Kaen, keeping a watch on him, so he didn't try anything. It didn't surprise him, as he would be suspicious of himself too. So, Kaen didn't mind the company. The village was still lively even when it was dark.
"I didn't have a meal in ages," Kaen stopped at an okonomiyaki shop. "Let's eat."
Yugao nodded, and they entered the shop. Kaen bought a couple of meals and devoured them in an instant. It was some time since he had eaten so deliciously. He drank some tea after he was done. Yugao looked annoyed that she had to pay for him, but it couldn't be helped as he didn't have any money.
"You look different," Yugao said.
"Different, how?" Kaen asked.
"More relaxed."
"I am more relaxed," Kaen agreed.
Kaen was finally free of worrying about his fate. The Uchiha incident happened, and even though he felt guilty for losing innocent lives, especially for Mikoto Uchiha, he felt like a boulder was lifted from his shoulders. He knew he didn't possess the influence or power to save his clan, but at least he could protect and guide the last member of the clan.
"How is Ash doing?" Kaen asked, missing his ashen grey cat.
"He is fine, lonely as I can't spend much time at home."
"I will take him back," Kaen said.
"You sure? Aren't you leaving soon?"
"I am, but I know someone who can take care of him."
Kaen smiled and motioned for Yugao to lead the way. She shook her head in perplexion but stood up and led the way. On the way, Kaen heard murmurs of the Uchiha massacre. People were talking about how only Sasuke was left alive. How pitiful Sasuke was, and so on. Kaen decided to visit Sasuke as soon as he could after hearing about him.
"Eye freak," As Kaen was walking with Yugao, he heard someone calling him from behind. "You are alive."
"Should I not?" Kaen asked, turning back and seeing Hana Inuzuka. "Did you want something, dog piss?"
"I was just sad, thinking I won't be able to beat your sorry ass. But now that I know you are alive, you better be prepared."
"I will be waiting," Kaen smiled. "Even if it takes forever, that is plausible with your skills."
"I will show, you damn eye freak."
Hana Inuzuka grumbled and walked away. Yugao looked between Hana and Kaen, not knowing what to say. Kaen was surprised to see Hana himself. It has been a long time since he was insulted. Kaen chuckled and continued to walk with Yugao to her apartment. Kaen was reminiscent of the good old days when he still attended the academy.
"We have arrived," Yugao said, stopping in front of a small house.
"Nice place," Kaen commented. It was still a bigger house he lived in.
"Come inside," Yugao opened the doors for Kaen.
"Wow, it is the first time a girl has invited me to her place," Kaen laughed at Yugao's slightly flushed face.
Yugao punched Kaen's shoulder slightly and walked inside. Just as Kaen walked in, an ashen grey cat approached him. He looked at Kaen before rubbing his face against Kaen's leg. Kaen bent down to pick up Ash. Ash purred as Kaen started to pet his back. It seems Ash missed Kaen as much as Kaen missed Ash.
"You sure you want to return to the Uchiha compound?" Yugao asked.
"It is fine. My house isn't near the center of the compound. There is little to no traces of massacre there."
Kaen thanked Yugao for taking care of Ash and left her apartment. When he returned to his house, it was already too dark for people around the village. It was quiet as he undressed and jumped on his bed. Ash walked up to the bed and onto Kaen's chest before curling up. Kaen smiled and scratched his cheek.
…
Kaen woke up to the sound of the wooden floor of his bedroom creaking. It was pitch black, but he saw one eye blazing in the darkness. Fear gripped Kaen's whole body. He couldn't move as a hand grasped his neck. The one blazing sharingan looked at Kaen as if it wasn't worth its time before snapping his neck.
…
Kaen woke up with a small scream. Cold sweat was running down his forehead. It wasn't the first time he dreamed of something similar. Nightmares of this kind of nature plagued him for years. Kaen thought they were over ever since he escaped his death, but it seemed that it wasn't over. Seeing his master in horrible shape, Ash rubbed his head against Kaen's forehead.
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