บท 32: Chapter 12: Aftermath Konoha
Summary: Konoha recovers from the invasion and Tsunade makes some decisions about Konohas future.
Review Responses:
- Some have commented on the Mangekyou Sharingan... that it damages the vision. True, but remember what I mentioned a few chapters ago? Naruto does something along the lines of a chakra transfusion, to stabilize Hibara while she is pregnant... bijuu chakra, a bijuu that is willing to cooperate and assist the host, accelerated healing for those the host has deeply emotional ties. Remember, with Akatsuki (and Madaras destruction) Kyuubi is very pleased... the ones responsible for his summons, those trying to hunt and use him are dead. Since Itachi was part of that retribution Kyuubi cooperates and assists in the regeneration. There will be more about this relationship in the next chapter.
AN: Disclaimer in chapter 1
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...ooO Aftermath - Konoha Ooo...
Four days later the last of the casualty and mainly damage reports were trickling in.
"Report."
Hinata brushed the streak of black grime from her face but only succeeded in smearing it around. "The Hyuuga compound has almost entirely been destroyed. One of the teams was completely devoted to shifting the ground under every single building in the Compound. Naruto actually used his chakra tails and techniques to open crevasses deep enough to reach lava streams. Most of the buildings have fallen into them and it is too unstable to send anyone to recover the scrolls or artifacts in the buildings. Not that we can do anything since most of it is on fire. No amount of Suiton jutsus can cool down natural lava streams. Most of the Hyuugas managed to escape. Those that didn't were the stubborn. All of the Elder Council is gone including my fathers cronies."
"The same tactic was used for several warehouses and food silos." Sakura reported. "The foundations were undermined; the contents destroyed or spoiled by katon and suiton jutsus."
"Many public buildings including the Academy and Libraries were destroyed by the hail of burning rock. There are fires in the tourist and market districts; they were sparked by raiton jutsus and fanned by futon jutsus. Some of the buildings are complete losses." Chouji added.
"Any loss of life?" Tsunade wanted to know.
"It was surprisingly light." Ino reported. "Mainly old fools who refused to follow the evacuation plans, some shinobis that went and did a futile kamikaze attack. Most of the destroyed property is unoccupied commercial or public buildings; with the exception of the Hyuuga Compound."
Tsunade nodded thoughtfully. "Naruto didn't want to kill us. He wants us weak, terrified and appropriately cowed. Plus the more survivors there are, the more mouths we have to feed, the more expensive it will be."
"The forests will take a long time to recover." Shino reported grimly. "Naruto and Hibara used some massive overpowered Arashi technique that created a controlled forest fire that took out a lot of the old growth. We cannot do any major logging or hunting for years to come. Not without permanently damaging the ecosystem."
"The roads and bridges in and out of Konoha have also been damaged." Shikamaru reported. "Naruto was aiming for a massive bill. It will take every ryou and then some to repair the damages."
"Exactly what he was aiming for." Tsunade concluded with a grim smile.
Kakashi stirred. "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 quoted the exact words of the Rokudaime Raikage. "He has succeeded. He has weakened us."
"And the Daimyo will not send a single ryou to help in the rebuilding. In fact he will probably cut missions while we rebuild. Missions that will most likely never be given to us even when we have the manpower." Iruka murmured softly. "Naruto has cut us off at the knees and he knows it. Konoha will have to recover the slow way, the hard way."
Tsunade nodded absently. "Any comments on the jutsus used?"
Kakashi began to speak.
"They are standard jutsus with some additional hand seal modifiers. The key seems to be doing them in tandem. All the Kumo shinobis seemed to work in pairs whose elemental affinities amplify each other."
"Like Amaterasu and futon jutsus." Sasuke explained grimly. "The fire was terrible but the wind made it several fold more powerful."
Shikamaru shifted. "Not only that Naruto seems to have control over all elements and then some. Probably has something to do with Kyuubi. According to legend it was able to level mountains and part seas with its tails."
"I saw Oyabun destroy the Hyuuga compound." Konohamaru spoke in dry factual tones. The usual ebullient boy was drained and down. His idol had destroyed his home and village, but in Konohamarus black-and-white view Naruto had every right to do so. "Shikamaru-san is correct. The tails have control over the elements. Earth to split the ground, wind to take down weakened structures, fire to destroy what was left.
"He blended earth and fire to create lava streams, wind and water to create ice. The damage was incredible. Some of them were no-seals others were half seals. I'm not sure what those techniques would be classified as. Most likely hybrid kinjutsus. I always thought he was a ninjutsu genius and this proves it." He smiled a distant bittersweet one filled with regretful thoughts. His grandfather would have been ashamed and so disappointed with Konoha. But then again his grandfather could have done so much more, but he didn't, he chose not to act.
Shikamaru sat up straighter. "We have to get more detailed reports from up-close witnesses to try and determine just how much Naruto is capable of."
Konohamaru snorted. "You are being overly optimistic. By the time we figure out what Oyabuns did today he will have developed other more powerful techniques. Besides I cannot see anyone other than a jinchuuriki or perhaps an ex-jinchuuriki executing such jutsus."
"Or a jinchuurikis child." Neji pointed out. "When we were in Kumo the old Raikage said Narutos son Ryuuchi was born with so much chakra the Sharingan was active."
Tsunade nodded slowly and looked around the tired red-eyed faces of her shinobis. Many were returning from their clean-up shifts.
"That is a good start, all of you. Try to make your notes as complete as possible with even insignificant details. Pass the word that I want everyone, civilian or nin, in the main square outside the Hokage Tower. I will be giving a speech half an hour before sunsets."
...ooOoo...
Nara Yoshino sighed as she looked around for a seat. Failing to locate one in the crowded space she looked for standing room and found it near her husbands old genin team and their families. Her own son was Kami knows where given the situation. She knew he was alive but the Hokage had immediately put him and lots of his year mates to work. Just like most of the other shinobis and relatively calm and stable civilians.
"I can't believe it! We are so lucky we didn't loose the Godaime in this invasion! If the Demon killed her-."
"That never would have happened Yamanaka-san." Yoshino stiffened. Her sons usually laid back voice held nothing but loathing towards Inochis civilian wife. "Naruto loves Tsunade-sama. If there is anyone he would kill it would be ninety percent of the civilians. Including you."
Yamanaka Reihana flinched and recoiled under the barely restrained killing intent directed at her. Wildly she looked at her husband and friends for support. All of them avoided her eyes. She pushed away her fear and opened her mouth.
"Don't take that tone with me Shika-."
"Shut up!" Reihana flinched at the harsh interruption from her daughter, her only child.
Ino stared at her mother. She was usually such a kind and friendly person, always willing to help others. Was this the ugliness she hid behind the pretty façade? Was this the truth Naruto had to face every single day of his life in Konoha? She shook her head. She wanted to cry but she did not have the energy. She buried her face in her old teammates' chest as Chouji wrapped a beefy arm around her.
"I am sick of this." Ino muttered. She forced herself to step away from Chouji and gather the energy to speak her mind. "I am sick of people treating Naruto like the devil. It is Your Fault!" She yelled. "You did nothing to help him! You drove him out of Konoha! And now you have the gall to blame him for those IDIOTS!" Her chest was heaving, eyes were hard and opaque. "If those Fucktards did not send assassination squads to kill Narutos wife and children he never would have attacked Konoha! Those TRAITORS brought the vengeance of Aka Arashi upon Konoha!"
Everyone froze and stared at the kunoichi.
"Ino-chan is right." The Godaimes cool voice cut through the silence. Everyone parted to allow her to walk to the front of the crowd. "Konoha brought this force of nature upon herself by not stopping the actions of old fools. Lucky for us they are now dead fools and will not repeat their idiotic choices. The question is will you?" Her eyes were steely as she scanned the crowd. "Will you risk those who still live to satisfy your petty vengeance and bruised pride?"
Several shinobi shifted uneasily. One spoke up. "The other villages will see us as weak."
The Godaime laughed, a harsh ugly sound. "Idiots! We are Weak!" Her eyes were molten. "We chased away the son of the Yondaime, the shinobi who defeated two S-class nins entirely on his own power! He is now the Raikage and father to the next generation of Sharingan users! I have seen his son and he is a genius like his mother and powerhouse like his father! And Konoha Nins Tried to Kill His CHILDREN!" She roared. "Would you give those who tried to kill your children a second chance!? A five year old boy who isn't even a genin?! Two newborns less than a week old?"
Every parent in the room stiffened. No. Then everything began to sink in. They had known Kumo was attacking, that a rogue faction sent assassins to Kumo and now the Raikage was retaliating. But few had known the targets of assassins.
A Hyuuga kunoichi choked. "They wanted to control the Sharingan. Just like Kumo wanted the Byakugan."
Tsunade snorted. "Yes. However we are in no position to make demands on Kumo given just who their Raikage is and his bad history with Konoha. Naruto made it very clear in Kumos Chuunin Exams. So did all the other Kages and the Fire Daimyo. Control your Council or face the consequences. I never imagined they were so swollen in their prideful self-delusions that they would ignore the warnings and drag Konoha into open war! And look at what their actions have wrought!
"Konoha is practically in ruins. Our economy and income is destroyed. It is only through Narutos care that there hasn't been greater loss in life. He could have very easily used his techniques to destroy the underground evacuation bunkers or flooded them with fire or water. Every single one of you lives because Kumo was not interested in killing by-standers. But they took their vengeance by ripping our infrastructure and wealth to bits.
"The Daimyo warned me months ago that he would not foot the bill for an invasion that Konoha instigates and he sent a messenger just an hour ago reaffirming his decision. He will not be sending us any relief for what the actions of a few bigoted vengeful idiots have wrought. We will have to make repairs and purchases using our own funds and the assets confiscated from the clans who committed treason. And believe me it is Not even close enough."
"What are we going to do?" Someone whispered.
Tsunade smiled a tired wry expression. "Survive. Like we always do. I am declaring temporary Martial Law and dismissing the Council until I can find a set up that would be more dependable than letting power mongering old fools pull strings. Now I ask you citizens of Konoha, will you let go of your grudge, hate, and vengeful feelings against Uzumaki Naruto who is now Namikaze Naruto? If you don't feel free to leave Konoha. I will not risk your foolish desires sparking a second conflict with Naruto because next time he Will flatten us."
Sasuke stirred. "Vengeance has no place in a shinobis life. I learnt that the hard way. If I had listened to Naruto all those years ago I would not as suffered as I have. Don't lie and say you do not desire vengeance and then betray Konoha." Sharingan swirled into life. "Since the next few years will be very difficult the Godaime will not tolerate anyone flaunting her decrees. She gave us free reign to hunt down the traitors responsible for this mess. She will do it again to weed out all those who would weaken Konoha. She will not ignore and pretend everything is perfectly fine like the Sandaime. She is no longer bound by a meddlesome useless bunch of power-brokers who have little idea of what being a shinobi is. Konoha will be starting all over again and there will be no allowances for civil rights when the civilian in question is flaunting the Hokages will."
Tsunade smirked and stepped close to Sasuke and patted the taller Uchiha on one shoulder. "I second what Sasuke has just said. If you wish to have the soft civilian life you had before this invasion then leave. That time is gone and it will never return. If you are willing to really start anew then stay.
"Sarutobi-sensei allowed the hatred against one child to fester for more than a decade. That hatred twisted my grandfathers ideals about Konoha being a family into an ugly caricature. I will restore the Shodaimes ideals even if I have to Banish or Exile half of Konohas population so if you feel you cannot change feel free to leave. I'm sure there will be enough of you to form groups though we cannot spare any shinobis to escort you to the closest trade town." Everyone stiffened at that blatant threat.
Tsunade nodded satisfied at the silence. She looked at the group of Hyuugas.
"Who is the new Clan Head of the Hyuugas?"
Hinata stepped forward and spoke carefully. "It was decided by general consensus that Neji will be the next clan head." She smiled bitterly. "Hanabi is in no position to take the job or protest."
Tsunade raised a faint brow. "Oh yes. The little bitch. Let the regular medics do what they can. I don't have the time or energy to spare to treat someone who will only cause trouble."
"But you can't!" An older civilian Hyuuga woman protested. "You must treat her!"
Tsunades eyes glowed. "I don't have to do ANYTHING!" She roared. "If I want I can just burn these robes and hat and walk away!"
"But Hanabi-chan is paralyzed. If you don't treat her-."
"She will learn humility and a civilian trade." Tsunade cut off rudely. "If you care so much get someone else to treat the little bitch." She smiled maliciously. "Haruno Sakura has enough skill and little compassion but is more than willing to be paid in ryou or public adulation and admiration."
Sakura stiffened and forced back tears at the harsh words from her once teacher.
None of the shinobis said anything. No one wanted to touch that emotional quagmire with a ten-foot pole.
Satisfied Tsunade did one last quick survey. "Uzumaki Naruto is the perfect example of a shinobi, just like his father the Yondaime Hokage. He absorbs and refines what makes him strong, let go what would weaken him, never looks back or holds onto old grudges. Grudge, hate, vengeance… None of these have any place in our world. You became shinobis knowing you risk death so if you die you loved ones have no right to demand vengeance from your killers. I hated Konoha for years because Dan and Nawaki died for her but I never blamed the nins who killed them because they were just doing their duty, if they didn't kill they would have been killed instead of Dan and Nawaki. And they were doing their duty to Their Village.
"Naruto is just like Minato. Both of them never hold onto grudges. They are always willing to forgive those who tried to kill them. But what Konoha has done against both father and son is unforgivable. Konoha civilians and shinobis tried to kill both of their children when they were young and helpless.
"Each and every one of you is responsible. Remember that for the rest of your lives and pray that the Rokudaime Raikage is willing to give your children a second chance when they meet him or his shinobi in the battlefield. Pray that Namikaze Naruto teaches his children and the next generation of Kumo nins his forgiving second-chance philosophy so that when they meet during missions the Kumo nins are willing to give our children a chance despite all what their Konohan parents have done."
Tsunade did not wait to see the impact her words had on her audience. She had paperwork to finish. Distantly she wondered how Naruto was handling paperwork that came with the job.
In Kumo Namikaze Naruto created several kage bunshins and put them to reading and signing his paperwork. When they were dispelled he would get the information and sort through it via a few hours of meditation. Right now he wanted to be with his family… his wife and his children.
...ooOoo...
TBC...
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AN: Next up, more on Naruto and Hibara and Kyuubi.
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