章 24: Chapter 4: Splintering & New Alliances
Summary: The remnants of the Rookie Nine get a slap in the face. An alliance is born. Konoha gets bad news. All of these events are taking place simultaneously. In the following weeks and months Konoha gets even more bad news.
AN: This takes place about 6 years after the last chapter, 10 years after Naruto has left Konoha.
AN: A reminder, this is AR, I most definitely will be writing Kumo and Iwa out of character with canon-Narutoverse.
AN: Disclaimer in chapter 1
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...ooO Splintering & New Alliances Ooo...
Shikamaru frowned as he stared down at the remnants of his cold dinner. The sauce was coagulating on the grilled meat.
"Eat up Shikamaru! Or I'll give your food to Chouji!" Ino threatened shaking a fist.
Shikamaru just pushed his plate to his Akimichi friend. "You can have it Chouji. I don't feel that hungry anyway."
Sakura looked at the strategic genius with some concern. The Nara had lost weight in recent months.
"What is wrong Shikamaru? You haven't been going out on missions but you've lost so much weight!"
The Konoha jounins looked at the Nara. They tried to get together for dinner at least once a month. This time Kiba, Neji and Lee were away on a tracking mission. Sasuke was never invited after the scene he made the first and only time Ino cajoled him into joining them.
Tenten eyed the Nara with critical eyes. "Sakura is right. Next time you have to go out in the field you'll pass out after just a few hours running. Haven't you been training?"
Shikamaru shook his head. "Haven't had the time. I've been spending all my time analyzing the intel reports from months back." A frown creased his nose. "Konoha is in trouble."
"What do you mean?" Shino usually did not speak but when he did he meant it.
Shikamaru tapped the wooden surface beneath his hands and organized his thoughts.
"Have you heard of Aka Arashi? Or Hanashin?"
Sakura shuddered automatically. "Red Storm and Death Flower? Who hasn't!? Every single Konoha shinobi who encountered them has died! And we still don't have a clue what they look like or anything else including their affiliation!"
Shikamaru shook his head. "Now we do. They are Kumo elite. BOLT."
Eyes widened. BOLT was the Kumo equivalent of ANBU. Usually any missions they undertook never created any ripples.
"Aka Arashi is BOLT?" Ino was incredulous. "I thought no one survived any encounter with the pair. How do you know?"
"A scouting team doing recon had a Branch House Hyuuga with them." Shikamaru replied bluntly. "He saw the attack used. It literally created a hurricane of cutting winds and red energy that over loaded or sliced everyone within several hundred yards. Only those in the Eye of the Storm were safe. While He attacked long-range She attacked close-range. Hanashin is a clearly a kenjutsu and ninjutsu specialist, a scalpel compared to Aka Arashis hammer. Once the field was clear they joined a BOLT team who followed their lead.
"I've been going over past reports where the enemy wasn't very clear. A lot of the shinobis who died opponents unknown were most likely killed by this pair. It is only recently, after that large scale lethal massacre where those Kira-Arashi attacks where used, that the names were discovered by intel operatives."
Ino shook her head. "I don't get it. If they have two really good nins why isn't Kumo publicizing it to get missions?"
Shikamarus eyes were solemn. "They have Ino. Mainly in Iwa and countries without shinobi villages. I don't know if your dad has been complaining but Konoha has been losing some large regular merchant contracts. The factors said they found another more reliable village. From the reports it is most likely Iwa or Kumo."
Chouji nodded slowly. "A lot of merchants have been saying that. It's because Nami and Spring automatically increase the cost of any goods heading for Fire Country or Konoha. They have been giving merchants who hire shinobis from other hidden villages a discount."
Ino stared confused. She knew prices had been increasing recently but she never figured out why. "But why?"
Sakura looked away her mouth trembling. It was Hinata who answered her eyes moist.
"It is because Naruto left Konoha. He has accepted citizenship in both those countries and they do not like Konoha any more." She looked down at her clenched fist. "I heard father speak of it. The Daimyo and Godaime are very angry with Konoha. Naruto asked Tsunade-sama to banish him so he could leave without being marked as a nukenin."
Everyone recoiled. They knew Naruto had left but they figured it was just a long training trip. None had figured it was a permanent thing. But Naruto hadn't sent any letters.
Ino turned to Sakura. "That is just a joke, isn't it forehead-girl? Naruto always said he wanted to be Hokage! He wouldn't just up and leave!"
Sakura straightened her head and spoke, her voice thick with unshed tears. "Hinata is right. He left. He didn't say anything to anyone but Tsunade-sama or Jiraiya-sama. Even Iruka-sensei and Teuchi-san and Ayame-san from Ichirakus didn't know!"
"But why?" Tenten voiced the question on all their minds. "Why would he leave?"
Sakura shook her head. "I don't know. But even before that Tsunade-sama stopped teaching me." Her long bangs hid her eyes. "Shizune-san refused to tell me anything. I'm still a medic-nin but I learn through the hospital. I don't get any specialized training anymore. Haven't for a few years now."
Shino nodded thoughtfully. "That explains it." Everyone looked at him. "Tsunade-sama blames you, and all of Konoha. In her eyes we are responsible for making Naruto leave."
"But we didn't do anything!" Ino erupted furious.
"That is exactly it. We didn't do anything." Shikamarus cool voice cut through the histrionics of the Yamanaka kunoichi. "We didn't stay in touch with him. We didn't ask about him. We didn't talk to him. We didn't know he was unhappy in Konoha. Hell! We didn't suspect anything was wrong! Only Hinata and Sakura…" Sharp eyes pinned the two kunoichis. "Tell me, why didn't you two say anything? You two were supposed to know him best. Sakura, you were his genin teammate. Hinata, you were his girlfriend."
They looked away. Hinata spoke first. "I broke up with him. Father did not like me dating him. He said he was unworthy, a nobody." She silently begged for understanding, their support. "He was beginning to respect me as a kunoichi… I didn't want to lose…"
"So you threw Naruto away." Shikamaru concluded in patent disgust. He turned to Sakura. "What about you? What did you do or not do?" Then he shook his head. "No, I don't have to be told. All you cared about was getting the Uchiha. You made Naruto promise. You ignored him except when the rumors about Sasuke reached you then you guilted Naruto into chasing after the traitor. Whenever he returned empty-handed you berated him and put him down for 'failing'." Sakura pushed her chair back and ran away crying. Shikamaru glared at Ino cutting off her words of defense. "Don't say a fucking thing Ino! You know I'm right. Sakura ignored Naruto except when it was time to chase Sasuke! And when Sasuke was back in Konoha she dropped Naruto like a used tissue!" He pushed his own chair back and stood up abruptly throwing his chopsticks down with a clatter. "Forget it. I understand perfectly why Naruto left Konoha. No one around here gave a damn about him. Us included!"
In the Hokage Tower the Konoha Council was holding another more formal meeting.
"Godaime-sama, what measures are being taken to eliminate Aka Arashi and Hanashin?"
Tsunade eyed Hyuuga Hiashi and smiled maliciously. "None." She waited for the uproar of protest to die before continuing. "All ANBU sent against the pair have been eliminated. Not one has survived to return, make contact, send a message, anything! We would have to send at least fifteen full squadrons to have a less than even chance of taking them out. Such a step would be an act of war; it would give Kumo the right to retaliate openly. If they send the pair against Konoha… we would be facing lesser version of the Yondaime Hokage. But we would be the Iwa-nins.
"Their techniques and teamwork is destructive on a Massive scale. They can literally bring down the walls and storage silos from half a mile away! I will not risk dragging Konoha into a war we are not prepared for!"
That harsh reminder was enough to still most of the protest.
"Then what course of action remains?" Aburame Shibi voiced the practical question.
"Avoidance." Tsunade replied bluntly. "Nara Shikamaru has been analyzing past reports where the opponents were not so clear cut. A clear pattern has emerged. Thirty five percent of jounins killed in the past year, opponent unknown, has been closed opponent known; Aka Arashi or Hanashin. Eighty percent of our shinobis encounters with Kumo have ended in at least one death, forty percent with only one survivor making the report.
"Kumo has been upping their shinobi training regimes; even their Chuunin teams are becoming lethal to an experienced Konoha jounin. They are using more and more new or never seen jutsus; fuuton, raiton, katon all blended to have effects our shinobis are not familiar with. Unfortunately few survive to return and make a report so we can develop counters. The standard doton mud wall is ripped to shreds by their attacks."
Inochi shook his head. "I don't understand how these two elites snuck up on us! Kumo has not produced any promising shinobis in years! None of their Chuunins have made a good show at any of the exams."
Tsunade leaned back in her chair. "Jiraiya has a theory. They are not sending their real elites to the public Chuunin Exams. They are training them in private, in Kumo, sending them for quiet missions and wiping out all witnesses. Aka Arashi and Hanashin are simply the first making a big splash for Kumos debut." She rubbed her forehead. "Most of the guard contracts we've lost have definitely gone to Kumo." She snorted and shook her head. "Certain unnamed Konohan individuals tried to change the merchants minds by hiring shinobis to impersonate bandits. The Kumo chuunin and genin guards slaughtered them. It is fortunate they had the brains not to take their Konoha hitaes with them."
The whole Council looked at each other. They had come to this meeting expecting to sign off on a S-class mission to assassinate Aka Arashi and Hanashin. Now they find out things were a lot more complicated than just killing two nins!
Shikaku sighed. "So avoidance it is."
"Until we can get better intel." Tsunade agreed readily. "We need something we can use to track the targets… pictures, profiles, names, associates, teachers, students… Anything! We can't just declare war on Kumo to take out just two nins when we don't have any means of locating or identifying them."
None of them could argue with that. It was hard to plan an assassination mission when you didn't even know what the target looked like under the porcelain mask.
...ooOoo...
Omada Hiroshi smirked as he downed his own sake. He could feel it in his bones. This alliance would last. The last Tsukikage had been a war-mongering barbarian. This young man was more calm, thoughtful, and practical. It helped that he held no personal grudge against Konoha and the Yondaime Hokage. He was more interested in rebuilding.
Nobunaga Dakuen couldn't help smiling as he sipped his warm sake. He had only been Tsuchikage for ten years and he had never expected to be negotiating a full scale alliance and trade treaty given the general state of unrest with the recent Oto mess and the Akatsuki-bijuu situation. He certainly didn't expect to be signing one with Kumo after the disaster with Konoha!
"How did you do it Hiroshi-san? Kumo hasn't made any good standing in recent Chuunin exams. And now you produce two S-class elites!" His voice held nothing but admiration. "And your shinobis have grown so much stronger. Usually Doton jutsus easily counter raiton or fuuton jutsus but what your nins use… it is different."
Hiroshi poured more sake for himself and Dakuen. "Good fortune mainly. I held true to my principles throughout my life. The Kamis choose to bless me by sending me two elites in my old age."
Dakuens eyes widened. "Two nukenins?" He whispered incredulously.
Hiroshi shook his head. "Nope. One who was Banished since he could not bear to remain in his birth village. His partner who has no record in any village."
Dakuen sat straight. "And you trust them? Two strangers? What if this was a high-level infiltration attempt?"
Hiroshi chortled. "That is exactly it my dear Dakuen! This one would never be sent for an infiltration. His partner maybe, but he… He is too open!"
"Who is this gem? This prodigy?"
Hiroshi shook a bony finger. "This one is no prodigy. He is a hard worker and has enough balls for ten squadrons but he is not a genius, not the way we classify genius." Hiroshi frowned slightly. "He thinks outside the box." He smiled more slyly. "His father did too."
A growing suspicion bloomed. "What is his name?"
Hiroshi batted his eyes. "Hmm? Aka Arashi. His partner is called Hanashin." The Raikage added unhelpfully.
Dakuen growled. "His real name Hiroshi-san."
The foolish banter and tipsiness faded. The Yondaime Raikage spoke. "Dakuen-san, I have chosen this man as my successor. My shinobis and people support him. But if you choose to end the alliance over him I will understand."
"His name."
"Namikaze Naruto. His father was Namikaze Minato." Dakuen sagged back as though struck. Deciding to drive the point in Hiroshi continued. "Minato sealed the Kyuubi no Yoko within his only son. The boy named Uzumaki Naruto. He was ignored, beaten and abused by Konoha and still he wished to serve the Leaf. He bled to kill two S-class nins when he was just a Chuunin, he nearly died to retrieve Uchiha Sasuke to save the Sharingan kekkai genkai for Konoha, and still they denied him the rank of jounin, his fathers name, his heritage!
"The boy tried so very hard but all humans have a limit so he left. The one good thing the Godaime Hokage did was Banish him so the Council could not mark him as a nukenin. He left Fire Country and settled in Wave and Spring Country where he has contacts."
The Tsukikage connected the dots. "The merchant contracts."
The Raikage smirked. "Hai. Both countries owe nothing to Konoha; they have more affection for the boy because he Fought for them not just ryou."
Dakuen was torn, the boys father slaughtered Iwa nin, but it was during war. And he had clearly cut his allegiances with Konoha. But still…
"He is a jinchuuriki and badly treated." Dakuen pointed out neutrally. "How can you be certain of his mental stability?"
"Pish tosh! Minato was a Seals Master and if the boy hadn't snapped after all those years in Konoha I don't see why he will now. Besides he is happy, content. He has a wife, a child, friends and comrades who trust and respect him. Things he had been looking for all his life. Things he never had."
The Tsukikage nodded slowly. "I can see that point of view. All our intel reports indicated the boy thirsted for respect and acknowledgement, things he never got in Konoha."
"Exactly."
Dakuen smiled and shook his head. "You are a lucky son of a bitch. Getting ready made elites, a potential successor, all in one blow."
Hiroshi nodded solemnly. "I burn incense twice a week. The Gods can be cruel but occasionally they can be generous."
Dakuen sighed. "What about the new jutsus? They seem to be combos but I don't see how you found and trained so many dual affinities."
Hiroshi laughed and shook his head. "It is not strictly duel affinities. Two shinobis with complimenting affinities work together to amplify their attacks. Nijutsus. Naruto and Hibara pioneered this technique during their bounty hunting time. As part of the alliance Kumo is willing to teach Iwa-nins the principles and some examples."
Dakuen smiled at the irony. The son of the Yondaime Hokage becoming the Raikage and teaching Iwa-nins jutsus that could possibly destroy Konoha.
"I cannot say for certain but I am almost sure the Council will go for it. The boy did nothing to Iwa; his father and Konoha were the ones responsible. Besides, he is no longer Konoha but of Kumo, our new allies."
Hiroshi raised his dish of sake and smiled.
...ooOoo...
"Hokage-sama, the Kazekage has sent a message to Konoha."
Tsunade stared up at the almost mask-like visage of Sabaku no Temari, Sunas ambassador to Konoha. The kunoichi had taken the position in order to be close to Nara Shikamaru. The relationship had withered but Temari had stayed.
Almost warily she accepted the scroll and bit her thumb to smear a bead of blood on the blood seal. Carefully she opened the document and read the contents. And paled. She stared up at Temari.
"Do you know what the scroll contains?"
The mask fractured a bit. "Hai. Suna is withdrawing from the alliance. We will only remain neutral with Konoha."
Tsunade shook her head. She did not have to ask why. The Kazekage had a very close relationship with Naruto, his first friend. When he found out Naruto had left Konoha, had asked to be Banished the relationship had cooled. The only question was why now?
"Is there a particular reason why Suna is withdrawing from the alliance now? Other than the obvious."
Temari hesitated then decided there was no harm in answering. Konohas spies would find out soon enough. "Iwa and Kumo have formed an alliance. They have invited Suna." The information hit the Hokage hard. "Gaa'ra assures me the Raikage and Tsukikage have no plans to attack Konoha, this is more of a trade and mutual defense deal." She tilted her head to one side. "This greatly benefits Suna. Part of the arrangement is exchanging shinobis and techniques. The Raikages successor is the one who pushed for sharing. He says that forming ties, sharing strength, it will ensure the alliance lasts."
Tsunade closed her eyes. She had fought with the Council, argued for cross training with Suna, going on joint missions, but the Council had refused. Then she opened her eyes. "The Raikages successor sounds like a very wise shinobi. Have you met him? Do you know his name?"
Temari shook her head. "I haven't met him. Only Gaa'ra has and he isn't telling." She frowned slightly. "Gaa'ra has never called him by name. Just Rokudaime."
Tsunade blinked away tears. Rokudaime. It was a title she had hoped someone she loved as a little brother would receive. Now he never would. "When are you leaving?"
"In two days." Temari replied honestly. "I've already packed most of my things. I've already made arrangements to have some big purchases to be delivered to Suna in a few weeks. I'm only staying to say goodbye to Shikamaru and the others."
Tsunade nodded slowly. "Very well." She smiled more openly. "I will miss seeing you Temari. I am certain Shikamaru and the others will as well."
...ooOoo...
A few months later found the Godaime Hokage nursing a never-ending headache as she sipped her tea waiting for the Council to settle down. Everyone of them were looking their age from all the recent stresses and she hoped everyone of those bastards would loose a lot more hair and get a dozen wrinkles!
She waited. And waited. Silence. Expectant eyes.
"I have the report from the jounin team sent to protect the fire Daimyos diplomatic envoy to Kumo. The news is not good."
Several Councilors and Clan Heads took a sip of the herbal tea designed to heal ulcers. Tsunade took a sip of her own tea before continuing.
"The Daimyo was not completely honest with us. The Envoy he sent to Kumo were witnesses as he said, but he was not specific about what they were to witness."
The tension built until one of the civilians burst out. "What?!"
"A marriage. The alliance between Iwa and Kumo has been further solidified by the Tsukikage marrying the Raikages grandniece, Nii Yugito."
Shikaku frowned. "Nii Yugito. Why does that name sound familiar?"
"She is jinchuuriki to Nibi no Nekomata and a very respected and honored kunoichi in Kumo. It was rumored that she was a candidate to be the next Raikage but clearly it is no longer the case." Tsunade answered bluntly.
"Is she reluctant?" Inuzuka Tsume wanted to know. "If so this marriage may not last and the alliance might fall."
Tsunade shook her head. "I was hoping for that too but no." She turned to the shadows. "Of the entire jounin escort team only Yuuhi Kurenai was allowed to accompany the daimyos envoy to Kumo where the marriage was held. The next day afternoon they were escorted back to the border where the rest of the jounin escorts were detained. Kurenai will be giving her first hand report. One question at a time After she has finished her debriefing."
Yuuhi Kurenai stiffened her spine as she stood. Calmly she collected her thoughts before making her report.
"We were intercepted at the border by two squadrons of Kumo jounins and one of Iwa jounins and pinned down. They made it very clear that only one Konoha nin would be allowed entry into Kumo. I was chosen due to my eidetic memory. One group remained at the border while the smaller group escorted us into Kumo.
"They were very professional. No verbal threats or abuse. The pace set was comfortable for the daimyos envoy. When the terrain was hard they carried the civilians. Kumo itself is isolated, difficult to penetrate, very defensive with the sheer cliff faces and gorges. But inside the walls Kumo has changed, there is energy and life. The civilians gossiping, traders bustling, children active. Most of the nins moved in groups of two or four.
"We were taken to a high-class hotel that was full of foreigners. Some seemed to know what was happening but no one was talking. I saw the Tsukikage talking with the Kazekage and a masked man but I thought nothing of it. He looked to be BOLT and I assumed he was their liaison or honorary guard. At dinnertime I found out the Tsukikage would be marrying the Raikages grandniece, Nii Yugito. There were too many shinobi guards to do a recon so I stayed in my room.
"The next day I took a quick stroll and spotted the bride-to-be. She was talking with the same masked man and the Kazekage. She called them both brother and hugged them. The wedding took place a few hours later. The masked man gave the bride away and the Raikage presided over the ceremony. The Kazekage and the Tsukikages sister Sango were the official witnesses.
"From what I saw the bride and groom have genuine respect and affection for each other. There will be an honest attempt to make this marriage work. All information about Nobunaga Dakuen indicates he has had no serious relationships or girlfriends in the past few years. His first wife died in childbirth, the daughter was stillborn. He has no children from any past liaisons. The witnesses from Iwa are pleased by the marriage and alliance.
"I did some eavesdropping during the reception. The masked man… He is Aka Arashi. It is common knowledge in Kumo he the Raikages right hand, a highly respected and skilled jounin and BOLT operative; and that he is a jinchuuriki, of what exactly no one who knows is talking. The Kazekage and Yugito trust him, call him brother. The next day we were escorted back to the border where the rest of the jounin escorts were waiting" Kurenai closed her eyes. "Three jinchuurikis, highly respected and honored, in or very close to the seats of power in three different hidden villages. They are the key for this alliance. They will not be easily removed and the bonds they share will not be easily severed."
Chouza frowned. "I do not understand. How can Yugito so trusted and liked? Didn't the Godaime Raikage die sealing the Nibi into her? Even Gaa'ra was feared. Suna chose him for his power."
Tsunade shook her head. "I don't know. Neither does Kurenai."
"Does any one know which bijuu this Aka Arashi holds?"
"Jiraiya might but he has not responded to any of my letters." She smiled sourly. "Don't count on him telling Konoha anything even if he does."
Several Councilors flinched at that pointed rebuke.
Hiashi frowned. Three jinchuurikis with power and influence, in positions of leadership in three separate countries that have bad relationships with Konoha.
"This is not a good thing. Iwa, Kumo and Suna… They might change their minds in the future and attack Konoha."
Tsunade grimaced. "A certain division in ANBU felt so and chose to act without my or this Councils permission. Ladies and Gentlemen, I have the distinct pleasure of informing you that the highly illegal Ne division of ANBU is no more. Ever single Ne ANBU sent to interfere in the treaty negotiations is dead. In fact Kumo sent several squadrons to track Ne back to their bases outside Konoha and wiped them out. Three days ago Danzo was found dead, officially he died of a heart attack, unofficially the medics believe it is a new assassination jutsu that mimics a heart attack, a raiton jutsu that over stimulates the heart. Several ANBU and jounins known to associate with him, and even some who don't have died in unanticipated encounters with Kumo nins in the weeks after." She smiled the now common death head grin. "A most welcome gift from Kumo. I must send the Raikage a letter expressing my gratitude for getting rid of those thorns in my side." Honey eyes bored into certain individuals. "Too bad they only took care of the shinobis."
Several Councilors flinched; they had been Danzos allies and supporters.
The shinobis on the Council shook their heads. It was a highly illegal action but it was very surprising, how complete and ruthlessly thorough Kumos reaction had been. Their intelligence operations must be very sophisticated to have penetrated and unearthed Ne. But then again Ne had been protected by factions on Konohas Council.
Shikaku sighed and tapped the table to get everyones attention. "It is clear. If we stay out of Kumos way they will not attack us, but if we interfere in their business they have no hesitation about wiping those responsible out."
Tsunade nodded. "Up until now our encounters with Kumo have only been in the field, when we are at cross-purposes in the field on opposing sides, trying to gather intel. My recommendation is to not hide any more since hiding has not helped one bit."
Several shinobis sat up straighter. "What are you suggesting?" Tsume wanted to know.
Tsunade glanced at a scroll in front of her. "The Chuunin Exams are coming up. This time they will be hosted in Kumo. Usually we never send genin teams to Kumo or Iwa but I'm thinking we should. It will give us a good opportunity to get a first hand look at Kumo since the Exams usually last at least a month."
Shibi nodded thoughtfully. "That is an excellent idea. We cannot send too many genin teams. But we should send those who have a greater chance of advancing so our jounins will have a reason to stay in Kumo."
Tsunade nodded. "Aburame Shino, Haruno Sakura and Hyuuga Neji have genin teams that should be ready. My suggestion is to send an additional jounin for each team, one-on-one instructors for those who advance. A few more can join me when I travel to Kumo for the Third Exam."
Hiashi frowned. "Is that a wise decision Godaime-sama? You are the Hokage…"
Tsunade snorted. "And that is why I have to be there. The Yondaime Raikage has implied he will be announcing his successor during the Third Exam. I want to have a first-hand look at the new Rokudaime, to see who we will be up against. Besides, with all the daimyos and dignitaries invited it is unlikely anyone will try anything. Kumo will probably handle them just like they handled Ne."
There was nothing anyone could say to that.
...ooOoo...
TBC…
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