Chapter 35
Sasuke sat on his rooftop looking at the sky calming himself. His revenge plan was ready. But there was a problem and that was war. The fact that Naruto was Minato Namikaze and Kushina's son had ignited the deeper scrutiny from the other villages. But now that Naruto Uzumaki got so strong so fast that a lot of people were worried about the future fearing another Yellow Flash. A lot of people wanted Naruto Uzumaki dead.
Tsuchikage was like a mad bull wanting to go to war but at the same time worry of getting the fire for starting the war. In other word was busy trying to find a reason. It wouldn't have been an issue if not for the fact Naruto's parentage had been public knowledge for some times. Most Iwa shinobi's were brainwashed to the pont that asking the Tsusikage on his action is seen as treason. At the same time the Tsuchikage had put all the loses on Minato's head, even if it was his own fault. So, to keep his words he was now trying to start a war. Sasuke was pretty sure that if Iwa starts the war Kumo would follow. His summons were already busy but now they were even hiring the Rat clan to help them gain more information.
He didn't care if the rats were the cats enemy or not he was more worried about the fact that Kumo had started to increase it's manpower on creating the giant chakra canon. He knew full well that the current him would not be able to stop the canon from destroying the village and his Susano was not someone strong enough to stop an attack with the potential to destroy the moon.
'Now that I think about it are they really thinking about destroying other villages with their chakra canon?... Their own village will not survive if that is the case.' Sasuke knew full well there a lot of hidden cards in each villages hand. And if Kumo were to destroy any village or try to they would get attacked from all front and there would be no time for peace untill the village itself becomes another pile of ash.
The current Sasuke was thinking on how he would make sure the information he would be posting doesn't come back to bite him in his ass. He did wanted to know the Akatsuki's reaction from all the informations he would be throwing around. His shadow clones were busy making sure most of the problems would be on the head of Hiruzen and Danzo.
At the same time he would have to make sure the people and the root think that Danzo was in running and alive. He did put into account that killing Danzo would make sure the curse mark from the root anbu would vanish, and so for now Danzo was going to live till he lost all of his value. He also didn't forget that Danzo had a curse seal that would kill the killer with him.
'It will be killing two bird with one stone.' Sauske smiled a little thinking about his new plan. It felt the current plan for him to take. It would make sure one of his biggest enemy would come to light and he would not be the suspect for all the information he would be throwing in peoples head. Not to mention the fact the Naruto's and other information he had throw would no longer be connected with him and no one would suspect him.
Sasuke's eyes turned crimson as he looked at the sky. The stars were in the same order as earth. From the corner of his eyes he could see rain clouds with chakra hiding the sky slowly. He could guess it was for the next day funerals. He wanted to try and stop it but the simple fact that he could do it remotely he stopped himself.
*
Hyuga Hiashi the clan head of the hyuga clan sat in the main seat of the clan meeting hall. In front of him the clan elders and the jonins from the main branch house sat. All of them were stone face looking at him to start the meeting.
He sat there thinking about all the things happend one after another. Things they never thought possible, not to mentions none of them had any idea before things happend.
"From the meeting it was decided that the next Hokage will be selected in a week." He said while looking at them. None of them showed any reaction. "But our main worry is the theft happend, and we still have no idea of who did it..." This time most of them showed displeased faces.
"We can't let this matter out. If the fact that someone stole under our nose and we were not able to find any traces of who or what did it, we will become laughing stock among the people and the clans.... just like the Hokage." His following words made few of the Hyuga twitch corner of their mouth not daring to laugh out loud. It was still fresh in their mind. But at the same time it showed how lax their security had become now that there was no Uchiha clan to take care of it.
"Jiraya sama has declined the proposal to become the fifth Hokage." None of them said anything. All of them would only start to discuss after the clan head had given them enough information. But at the same time in the back of their mind they couldn't help but to feel jealous at the fact how strong you would have to be that you can easily give up the position of the Hokage. None of them thought Jiraya as a fool knowing full well even if the least talented Jiraya had become Third Hokage's favourite student and the only living Sage.
"It is very likely that Tsunade sama will be nominated to become the next Hokage. But the problem comes here Hatake Kakashi has equal chance to become Hokage now that it's a matter of time before the bingo book comes with new ranking for him." At the fact that Hatake Kakashi had the chance to become Hokage none of them were happy. The simple fact that Hatake Kakashi's new rise was of a more shock to all than anything, not to mention the current Hatake Kakashi was the wild card who changed too fast. And not only he changed he even made his students into strong monster that could become future pillars of the village. He couldn't tell about the girl but without any doubt he was sure that both Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha would be like the next Sanins. As for beyond it Hiashi couldn't imagine it even if he wanted to with his narrow view.
[ Give Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke bingo book nickname idea ]
"But at the same time Tsunade sama or Hatake is a far better choice than the elder." At the mention of the elder everyone could tell that it was none other than Danzo Shimura. After all the scandals it would be a miracle if he was able to get the chance to be a Hokage candidate. But the simple fact was that underestimating him would be foolish, and he knew that very well, just like he knew most of the fire nation nobles were in Shimura's pocket.
"I have to say, we will have to improve the seals guarding the secret chamber." One of the elders mentioned seeing that Hiashi look at them. And the elder was right. All the seals were unlocked and then things were stolen and given the fact that it was their best work they had no choice but to ask for outside help.
Hiashi nodded, he himself knew full were their bastardised versions of the Uzumaki seal was far from what that could be called great sealing. After all they didn't believed in the Uzumaki clan seals and tried to recreate them in the past...in the process making it worse.
"I will ask Jiraya sama for a favour and ask him to use stronger sealing techniques." And yes favours, asking for high level sealings wasn't something that could be bought with money as their knowledge there were no seal master other than Jiraya alive.
"What will we do about the Hokage candidate choosing?" One of the elders asked wanting to know their next action.
"As things are going.... nothing. We will wait and support the candidate who gets the most support." Hiashi replied after a small pause. At the same time he wanted anyone but Danzo to become Hokage.
After that they started to talk about other things like the fact that how they would taking the second part of the rebuilding for the village.
"As things are going we have nothing to worry, the Daimayo has decided to fully help the village... given his request." Hiashi knew full well what was the request and he would have to decline it. If it was only Hinata to be a fire nation guardian twelve he would have agreed but he already found the fire Daimayo had been trying to get a shinobi concubine for his forth son. Even if Hinata had been a faliure he wouldn't have agreed to it. At the same time he could tell it was just a fake proposal so after he rejects it the main proposal would come. And even if he were agree to none of his clan members would agree to it, they simple couldn't let the Bayakugan out of their grasp.
"And given that we will be rejecting the offer and only sent her to become one of the twelve guardian after she becomes a jonin." Everyone agreed at that.
"Hinata's strength has shocked us all. He shocking growth is something we have to control now that she is growing so fast." He would have shouted or went to kill the fool if not for the fact that the fool was none other than his father. The same father that killed his younger brother in the name of clan when clearly the Hokage faction had been trying to put them down a peg or two.
He also knew Hinata using ninjutsu put most of the elders off. But at the same time none of them voiced it because none of them were sure that they could defeat Sasuke Uchiha in combat using only gentle fist.
"Hinata has been doing great. And on the request of Kurenai Yuhi she will be under her sensei's care for as long as she wants." He would also have to make more time so Hinata wouldn't have to get the curse mark. And he could suppress his father now that he had been trying to gather more power after his brother's death.
'Naruto Uzumaki will be the key for Hinata caged future.' With that thought in his mind Hyuga Hiashi again started to reply to his father. It would be long three hours after the meeting ends leaving an annoyed former clan head and a happy current clan head. As for the Hyuga jonins they simple looked at the Hyuga elders and clan heads trying to calmly bicker with each other.
*
She heard there is a huge difference between hearing and experiencing. And she found that more true than she thought possible. She looked the the two figure sleeping next to her. Both Hinata and Sakura were sleeping like there was no problem, like the fact that none of them were not able to sleep without the dreamless genjutsu. The nightmares were more than proof enough that their life were no longer the same.
The invasion was a shock for her same as her two best friends. Even if they had worked together the real thing was far more shocking than what she had ever imagined.
War.
Even if it was for few hours at best she would never be able to forget the day. Both her and Sakura using genjutsu and Hinata's Byakygan they would have died if not for the timely intervention of Anko sensei. The irony. In the past she had fallen asleep cursing the crazy women not that the women was sane.
At last they and other genin team members worked together to take civilians to the safe bunker. Both Shikamaru and Shino worked to control and stop the enemy, in case of Shino his bugs poisoning the enemy to death. Kiba and Choji Taking the injured with them while Hinata showing the path. At the same time both her and Sakura put one after another invisibility and distraction genjutsu for the enemy to not notice them or look for other things.
Then there were the butterflies. The blue butterflies that created far stronger genjutsu than both Sakura and her making her feel jealous. At the same time she wanted a summon like that. It was the perfect summon for her to work as her support or help her cast genjustu. And she knew she was not the only one that wanted to have a summon like that, after all even jonins were easily getting caught under its genjutsu.
'But without all that I have to get stronger.' Yes, she would have to get stronger if she didn't want to die. She knew all three Shinobi war happend only between a dozen years of break or less. And there was a very high chance the current invasion would lead to another Great Shinobi war, which she could do nothing to stop.
She looked at her friends faces. She didn't want any of them to die just like she didn't want to see anyone close to her die. She would have to grow stronger to not be a burden and be help to people around her.
She then thought of the Shadow clones of both Naruto and Sasuke. How both of them were like force of nature one with quantity and other with quality helped repealing the enemy. She hadn't seen their masked and handsome teacher fight but she heard that he had killed the highest amount of enemy.
She sighed. She felt tired just thinking about the situation she was in. She wanted to get stronger but at the same time she didn't wanted to remember all the death she saw that day.
'The only thing I can do is to move forward and get stronger so I will not be so helpless.' With that though in her mind she started to make hand seals.
"Dreamless sleep." with that she fell asleep next to Sakura who was deep in sleep.
*
Jiraya sat on the head of the first Hokage looking at the village below. There were places that looked like it would take some more time to repair but at the same time the destroyed places were also cleaned. But his mind was in some other places. It had been years since he used genjutsu on people of the village to get information. But he did it.
Naruto situation was something surprising...but at the same time not shocking. He knew how his sensei worked but at same time he was disappointed. If he really wanted loyalty he could have taken care of Naruto like his own grandson and not only in name only. Jiraya would have been happy if Naruto had been hidden from public eyes after his situation had been leaked. He wouldn't have even cared if Naruto lived a normal orphan life while hiding his whiskers.
But not all things go as you plan. Not that he was any less guilty. But deep down he knew even now looking at Naruto's face was like looking at his dead surrogate son. Who was dead. And it felt like a knife twisting in his stomach. Deep in his mind a voice asking him why he was not present at that time.
Jiraya knew he was a coward, he always ran away from responsibilities just like the current him who wanted nothing to do with becoming the Hokage.
When he had met Naruto he had expected to see him angry at him. But what he saw shocked him. Naruto acted like nothing happend, like Naruto never knew who he was or even if he knew he simple acted happy to meet him. It took him days to find that all the bad memories Naruto had been suppressing them all and act like nothing happen. And he didn't know what to do about it. Like the fake mask Naruto always uses to not break down or accept the fact what was happening around him.
It would break Naruto...
And he knew he would have to do something about it. Otherwise he would lose Naruto. And the only thing he could think of was to be next to Naruto and help him.
He came out of his thoughts as he looked at the silver hair ninja walking at him. A small smile appeared on his face but he felt a little dissatisfied at himself from not noticing Kakashi's arrival before.
"So Kakashi the copy ninja soon to be an S rank shinobi. How's things going?" He asked in his usual jovial nature.
"Well I can ask you the same. What are you doing sitting here with such deep thought." Kakashi said with a small chuckle. "Have you decided to become the next Hokage? I will definitely support you." He said sitting on top of second Hokage's rock face.
"Nahh, nahh, you know me very well lad, I am to free spirited to sit in the office all day long." He looked at Kakashi. "You know you could now become Hokage with your strength. Why don't you think about it?" He asked looking at Kakashi's thoughtful figure.
"I don't want to become the Hokage now that the senior is here. Besides You are stronger than me and know how to manage the village far better than me." Kakashi said looking at Jiraya laughing at his answer.
"How about it I will take the empty Anbu commander's position if you become the Hokage." Hearing Kakashi wanting to take the Anbu commander's position he just smiled. The position was empty since Sakumo died and no S rank shinobi took the post. There were people who wanted to take the post but some S ranks like Shisui were not able to take the post because of the politics or not enough experience.
"What do you think about Tsunade?" Jiraya asked after a small amount of silence. Kakashi looked thoughtful for a moment.
"To be honest, I don't know." Jiraya looked at him to continue. "I have only seen Tsunade sama from distance. Her medical skills are legendary... or so I heard. Besides that I read about all about you three's battle and her gambling addiction." Jiraya sweat droped hearing the last part.
"At the same time she is a S rank shinobi and from the Senju clan the grandson of Lord first." Kakashi paused for a moment. "At the same time she had been non active shinobi for more than two decades... How much combat capability she has now?" Kakashi had a valid question after so long any shinobi would be rusty not to mention did she even know the curren situation of the village.
Jiraya knew full well Kakashi help himself back from asking too much of a roude questions. But at the same time he knew that Tsunade was in no position for fighting.
At the same time he didn't wanted to be the Hokage. And he wanted to see a Kage who is known for the ability to save lives instead of taking them. He had already started to make plans to go and get her after the elder disrupted his pee-reserch time. He thought for a moment and decided that he would take Naruto with him now that Kakashi clearly declined to become the Hokage.
"I am thinking of taking Naruto with me to take her back to the village." Jiraya said looking at the village.
"If Naruto agrees then there's no problem." Then Kakashi looked at him and continued. "But Naruto's safety would be on your hand." Jiraya could tell Kakashi was asking him to take care of Naruto's safety seriously.
Both of them stayed silent there for few more minutes. Jiraya's face turned serious as he looked at Kakashi. "From the evidence we found the Kazekage was dead even before coming to our village. At the same time Orochimaru died with sensei." He let the words hang in for few moments. But Kakashi felt fantom pain in his hip thinking about happy Anko. The only reason he was out because they were at it for a day and he would have to go back.
"When I was out I followed Orochimaru's trail. I found he had joined an organization. At that time he had already left the organization but the older Uchiha is one of the a member of that organization." Jiraya said as Kakashi listened to him carefully. "I found there are ten members in it and all of them are S rank missing nin. The thing that worries me more is the leader who was able to convince all the S rank missing nins to join him. And their goal is the tailed beasts." Jiraya said dead serious looking at Kakashi right in his one visible eye.
"I am telling you so you could see the need for getting stronger. You have the talent and the potential, and now that you are serious about getting stronger don't slack with enemies like that in the horizon..... Then there's the chance of a war starting." Both of them fell into heavy mood thinking about the dark future in front of them.
"You focus on your other students more I am taking care of Naruto as my apprentice." Hearing that Kakashi looked at him for few seconds.
"Even if Naruto is your disciple now I will still help him learn if he asks me." Jiraya just smiled but at the same time the mood was no longer as heavy as before. Jiraya tossed something at Kakashi who easily caught it.
"It's the new Icha Icha series super deluxe edition with my autograph." Jiraya laughed looking at Kakashi's starry eyes. It was a brib- gift for Kakashi for letting him take Naruto as his disciple as well as meeting after few years. Both of them chatted for few more minutes and left without anyone knowing that they were there.
Both not forgetting that the darkness coming towards the villages future.
*
The next day.
"The grand prise! Again! How is she winning every one of the grand prises?" A man shouted looking at what was happening in front of him.
"Is she cheating or what? Why is she winning so much?" Another person asked looking at the gambling machine in shock.
"No boss it's just the algorithm is giving her the prise. It's pure luck." The words of the guards shocked him even more.
With all the commotion none of them cared to think why the winner would be so displeased. The blonde hair busty legendary Sanin Tsunade was not happy winning all the money she was getting. The bad feeling inside of her started to grow even more. She started to play one after another gambling game winning them all.
"Tsunade sama it is truly our lucky day! we have enough money to fill all the debt!" While her apprentice was filled with joy picking up all the winnings. A pig looked at all that honking in agreement.
"Pack all the luggage we are leaving the town, tell Karin her training for day is over and pack her things fast." Tsunade said to Shizune her bad feeling making her temper flare.
it would be days before she found out why she felt such a bad feeling. But at the same time she would have finished winning and running away from five more town with her winning so much that both of her companions eyes showing Ryo sign.
[ Re reading my story felt like cringe at so many places. Not to mention the things I had forgotten while writing the fic. I don't know how many people will be interested to read but hope you like it.
It's 4000 words
Thanks for reading.]