naruto Ch 26

Chapter 26

 

 

 

Shibi joined Tsume on the path to the top of the Hokage monument, he had been summoned to meet with the Hokage, and most likely his fellow clan leader had also been summoned. They had been expecting something like this ever since they got home last night. Passing under the Anbu member Shibi had ordered his remaining clan members to prepare to flee, if this was a ruse or he did not return they were to flee to the evacuation point and take the last of the Inuzuka with them. Spotting the Sandaime Hokage standing near the railing he relaxed just a little bit as he walked forward, “You wished to see me Hokage-sama?”

Turning around to look at the two he had summoned the Third was feeling every day of his long life so far, taking his pipe out of his mouth he nodded, “Yes, I wish an explanation.”

Frowning Tsume looked at the Hokage strangely, “I’m sorry sir, I am not sure I understand what you are asking an explanation of. My clan has done nothing against our home village, and to my knowledge all active duty Shinobi under your command are still here minus my son who shall begin his journey home today.”

Glaring at the woman the Third snapped back, “Do not take me for a fool Tsume, while you are within your rights under the clan charter and all of the people who have left the village including those from your clans have done so legally I still deserve an explanation.”

Pushing up his glasses Shibi walked over to the railing and looked over at the village as the sun started to rise, “We are holding to the strictest letter of the Konoha clan charter. But above everything else we will make sure our clan survives.”

“Hmmm,” the Third looked back over his village, “have you lost all faith in your village?”

“Before the day Naruto-sama received his summons I would have denied that question,” Shibi joined the Third gazing over the village, “Naruto-sama was not the only clan heir or clan to get similar letters.”

“The village council even informed me that they had several candidates for me to choose for several of my unmarried clan members,” Tsume growled out, “they in a sense were telling me who my clan could marry.”

“Indeed, they also approached me and told me my clan needed to increase their numbers as we do not place enough of our clan members into the role of Shinobi’s to protect the village,” Shibi noticed the pipe freeze halfway up to the Thirds mouth.

“And you have to admit there have been no public executions for treason,” Tsume moved over to the railing, “And without such even if the ones who were behind it have been taken into custody, their comrades are still out there.”

“Can you tell me Hokage-sama with utmost certainty that your Anbu forces are the same people that you promoted into those positions, the very thing we use to protect their identities also works against us.” Shibi sighed as he felt for the Anbu surrounding the monument, “can you tell us without a doubt the six Anbu guards you have watching us are loyal to you?”

Lowering his head as he reached out to sense the chakra signatures around them the Thirds tone turned cold as he lowered his voice, “of the seven I sense around us, I only brought five of them with me. That number includes the two who I sent to escort you here.” Turning to face both clan heads he frowned, “I understand your reasoning, why did you not inform me earlier?”

“Naruto-sama’s letter and response reached you before we did, afterwards we waited and watched to see if it the danger had passed,” Shibi shrugged slightly.

“But the executions or further arrests never came,” Tsume stared into the old pain filled eyes of her villages leader. “When nothing happened we planned and we talked then we decided that we would not be traitors to our village and Hokage, but we would send to safety all of our non Shinobi clan members and children so we would be free to concentrate fully on our village and when the time comes that you give the order we would not have to worry about hostages or distractions when we fought at your side to free our village.”

The Third nodded, a very valid point, and the village evacuation plans called for the evacuation of the non combatants before regrouping once they were safe, this way they were already out of the way from the very beginning.

“And in our defense, “Shibi pointed out, “We would have explained all of this in three days time, as enough time would have elapsed to ensure our clans safety. Once they passed a certain point to the hidden rally point we would have approached you.”

To be honest with himself it hurt that they did not trust him or his village, but as the Third stood looking over the village he realized it hurt that the village never honored Minato’s request. Their anger and hatred almost unleashed the very thing they were wanted to destroy the jailer over. Shaking his head sadly he looked down, no he could not deny them the right to protect what they held most dear. “I understand, the Hyuuga though are one of the only clans not to send members to safety are they part of the next wave then?” thinking of his grandson and the fight for control he felt was coming it might be better if he was sent out of the village to.

“No,” Shibi turned to stare at Hokage-sama, “the Hyuuga’s days are numbered unless the main family rescinds their criminal status. And no one really trusts them because of past dealings, so they are on their own.”

Harsh treatment the Third thought, but then again the only ones to blame are the Hyuuga themselves, the label of criminals was troubling, “Are any more groups going to be sent out in the future?”

“Not from our clans, everyone we wanted out and safe are gone now,” Tsume stared at the Hokage and noticed the slight dropping of his shoulders.

Nodding the third bit down on his pipe stem, it most likely would have drawn too much attention anyways, but there was another way, “Both of you are tasked with creating an escape plan for the Academy students, they should be designed in such a way that it can be implemented at a moment’s notice with my order, and the students would think it was a new drill they were learning. Include only those you trust with your children’s lives in this plan, the children should be removed totally from Kohona, not sequestered in the evacuation tunnels, draft who you need.” Walking away with a heavy heart Sandaime Hokage called over his shoulder, “I will expect an update in three days time.”

Walking under one of his Anbu guards positions the Third called out softly, “Cat walk with me to the office please.”

Appearing at the Thirds side the Anbu captain wearing he cat mask walked in silence wondering in silence what was troubling his old friend.

Once in the office the Third sat down behind his desk after closing the door and channeling some chakra into the silencing seal Minato had ingeniously crafted. “Please sit and remove your mask my friend, I’ve sealed the room.”

Cat was not stupid, the last time someone was requesting to remove their mask outside of Anbu headquarters while in uniform they were suspected traitors, going as far as removing his chest armor and shirt he removed his mask, “Things are that serious then?”

Nodding solemnly the Third put his pipe away and opened a drawer and pulled out his hidden bottle of Sake and two dishes, pouring a small amount in each dish he pushed one across the desk to the captain of his guard.

“Sarutobi-sensei is it really that…” he could not bring himself to say too late, for his sensei to bring out the sake before the sun rose in the morning. Well the last time that happened was during the start of the third Great War.

“We have been infiltrated to an unknown extent my friend,” Sipping the Sake he stared at the bottle for a moment before sighing and putting it back in his drawer, it would not be wise to be out of character until the routed all the traitors. “I always thought by giving the civilians a voice in government that we would the example to the rest of the elemental nations, sadly I did not take in account that Civilians should not have power of a hidden village, going as far as subverting my authority and ordering my Shinobi forces to go against my wishes.”

“All those months ago the Anbu that accosted the Uzumaki heir, he was a root member. A member of an organization that had been disbanded, and yet he was to young and fresh to be a leftover,” Cat put the pieces together as he downed his Sake in one gulp. “The question is who is pulling the strings?”

“And sadly we will not know because as it was pointed out to me a short few minutes ago, the Civilian councilors who I ordered detained have yet to be dealt with, and to be truthful I would be surprised if they even made it to Ibiki’s cells for interrogation.”

“Sensei where do we start…who do we trust?” cat slumped down in his chair after sliding the dish over.

“We start with my guards, we make sure they are who and what they are supposed to be and then we move through the rest of the Anbu quickly and quietly,” the Third looked out the window, “And this time all those branded by root shall die, no second chances if we are to save our beloved village.”

 

Naruto stared the group of Kohona Shinobi as they waited for Team Kodochi to join them, it was a calculated risk allowing both Kurenai and Kakashi to leave without he seal placed on them, but they would have noticed waking up without remembering going to bed and would have found the seal quick enough. Having one of the mind walkers dip into their thoughts they did have some information he would prefer not get out, but nothing that would be dangerous or critical, including the way in and out of the Caldera Valley. “Well I hope you have a safe journey back to Kohona,” placing a smile on his face as team Kodochi showed up Naruto handed a scroll to Sasuke. “Your one step closer to you goal now Sasuke, and once you’ve mastered what I’ve written down in this scroll you will be ready for me to take you on as an apprentice and learn everything I can shove into your brain while abusing your body.”

Chuckling Sasuke took the scroll and clutched it tight, “I won’t let you down Senpai. I’ll be back before you know it.”

“I’m sure you will Sasuke, I’m sure you will,” Naruto nodded as he glanced at what remained of team eight. “I expect you to pass the Chuunin exam without breaking a sweat Kiba, don’t disappoint me.”

Grinning Kiba barked out, “I won’t Senpai, you’ll see, Akamaru and I will wipe them out.”

“Good,” Naruto grinned as he tossed a scroll towards Kiba, “Something to practice. It’s a copy from an archive Sasuke will tell you about, unfortunately the archive was destroyed so that is all that is left, but you should find it very helpful.”

Moving to look at the stoic insect user Naruto tilted his head, “Shino next time you visit I need to do a full workup so I know what your clan is capable of, but I did find a couple of earth Jutsu’s that might be helpful.”

Accepting the scroll Shino bowed, “I look forward to it Senpai, until our next meeting.”

“Kakashi-san, Kurenai-san, have a safe journey,” Naruto waved before motioning to Kodochi to move out. Watching them leave he felt the presence that had been masking itself in the trees drop down to his side, he never looked at his War Dragon as she moved to stand one step behind him, “How soon will the seal work be done around the elemental nations?”

“Two weeks my lord,” Miashu watched the group disappear before she focused on her lord, ‘After that the myth of the dragons ability to travel the winds in a blink will become reality.”

“We’ve planned the best we can for now,” Naruto turned and started to walk back towards the Citadel, it was time to open that vault up.

Stopping off two floors below his own, well one floor was hidden and he still needed to find the entrance to it Naruto strolled into the mission office and leaned against he wall as he gazed over at the board two Chuunin were rapidly writing down the D-class missions for the day on. He smiled somewhat as he saw all the missions going up that had to do with the cleaning and restoration of the clan estates, using a Henge to morph into a Jounin look alike he moved off to one side so he could watch the academy last year’s come and accept their daily assignment.

 

Unrolling the scroll as he walked down the path Sasuke started reading it, noticing right away the hidden sealing circle, just like Naruto told him last night would be there. Glancing up to see what the others were up to he noticed Shino and Kiba were both looking through their scrolls, looking back down he unfurled the scroll further, examining the two Jutsu’s listed there.

“So,” Kakashi slowed down so he was walking next to Sasuke, “What did you get to work on?”

Letting the scroll roll up Sasuke frowned in thought as he went over the hand seals in his mind, “Two Jutsu’s that look too easy. Which means it’s going to be more difficult than I even think it is going to end up being,” still not getting the idea of why those seals he stopped at the side of the path and quickly started to go through the hand seals. Not even half way through he stopped as he felt the incredible build up of chakra, letting the buildup of chakra release he felt as if he had run for miles full out. Staring at the pouch that held the scroll in awe Sasuke blinked as he quickly caught up to the others, he would need to really up his reserves if he was going to pull that Jutsu off.

“So…” Kakashi glanced sideways at Sasuke he looked winded, “It did not look like you completed the seals, problems?”

“Not enough chakra,” Sasuke shrugged, he had not even reached the halfway point and he ran dangerously low, what in the hell does that Jutsu do?

Nodding slowly Kakashi had to wonder what kind of technique Naruto had given the Uchiha, leaving his one time student to think about things he sped up so he was walking next to Kurenai once more who was talking to the team leader from Whirlpool.

 

Four hours later the Third was sitting in his chair as the eight Shirtless Anbu members paced around his office, if he was not trying to be seen as being in control he would be pacing in anger right along with them.  Glancing back at the two tied up thoroughly next to the wall, naked as the day they were born to make sure there were not any hidden weapons he counted slowly backwards trying to control his rage.

Knock…Knock

Looking back at the door as his loyal Anbu flew to their positions he called out, “Come in Ibiki.” The Third watched as the head of his torture and interrogation department walked in, “Close the door behind you please.”

The first thing Ibiki noticed as he closed the door was the two naked men tied up near the wall, the second thing followed closely on the first was the two Anbu masks on the Sandaime Hokage’s desk along with a pile of standard issue Anbu gear on the floor…Leaf Anbu gear. Sensing movement he caught half naked Anbu moving from their places of concealment along the walls, nodding to himself he put the pieces together quickly. “Hokage-sama,” holding both hands open and where they could be seen he felt the killing intent rise in the room. “I am going to very carefully and slowly disrobe,” waiting until he got the short nod from the Hokage he used his left hand to unbutton his shirt and slid out of it one arm at a time making sure the other was in plain sight the whole time. Sensing the tension in the room drop slightly he undid his pants and let them fall around his ankles as the Anbu moved around to carefully check him over, going as far as to pull his shorts away from his body to look for whatever they were looking for.

Cat looked at the Third and nodded, “Hokage-same he is not branded with the Root symbol.” Moving back towards the wall he ignored the way Ibiki tensed at his announcement.

“You may get dressed Ibiki, and I apologize,” the Third relaxed back in his chair as he quietly let the breath he was holding out as he put the Kunai he was holding back on the hidden self of his desk.

“I understand Hokage-sama,” Ibiki buttoned up his shirt as he stared at the two men on the floor, “how bad is it sir?”

“Tell me Ibiki,” the Third ignored the question for a moment, “How many of the civilian council were turned over to you for questioning?”

Freezing mid motion Ibiki stared back as the picture that was forming in his mind was not very enticing, “None of them, I knew of course about them being disbanded, but I never received a single prisoner. The only prisoner that I received for questioning was Danzou and I followed your order yesterday to dispose of him.” Sensing the killing intent spike drastically he winced, “I checked it thoroughly it had all the valid seals from your office on it.”

Turning to look out the window the Third sighed, it was worse than he could even imagine, “Bad, the situation is even worse than I first thought, we have been compromised at the highest levels it seems.” Looking over to the picture of the fourth he sighed, ‘Minato we both were so wrong to give up so much control to the civilians’.

Bam…Bam…Bam

Kunai in hand before he finished looking towards the door the Third motioned for Cat to move towards the door. Waiting as the door was banged again he frowned when Cat used the peephole to see who was on the other side.

“Hokage-sama, it is the Fire Lords son and six of the Twelve Guardians,” Cat closed the peephole waiting for orders.

“Let him in,” the Third sighed, things were definitely spiraling out of control.

Shoji looked around the room as the door opened and shook his head, motioning for his guards to join the Anbu guarding the office he closed the door, “So Naruto was right in his assessment.”

Placing the Kunai on top of his desk the Third motioned for the chair next to Ibiki.

Frowning as he looked at the half naked Anbu members Shoji sank into the offered chair, “When I received the letter last night,” shaking his head sadly he looked up, “My father thought the letter was an exaggeration, but I see Naruto once again was correct in his assessment.”

“I am at a loss for words Shoji-dono, what letter?” The Third tilted his head as he thought about the meeting with Shibi and Tsume that morning and their planning to tell him about what they had done and why tomorrow. And they had spent a couple of days talking with Naruto as they watched their sons compete in the Chuunin exam.

Shoji stared at the Third in confusion before looking at the two bound men, “I made the assumption that you had also gotten…”trailing off as he thought about it, “I’m a day early, if we had been at home it would have taken me all of today to get here. But I set out last night after talking to my father and we were halfway here,” looking up he examined the room in a calculating manor. “Naruto mentioned something about he would get word to you after the people who he had entrusted the message to got their families to safety.”

“Indeed,” the Third sighed, “And I forced their hand this morning,” pointing to the two on the floor, “and my beginning investigation proves they were right to be concerned. My only question is how Naruto knew all of this.”

“Is it possible that he is behind all of our problems,” Ibiki winced at the two glares directed his way.

“While I realize you had to bring it up, don’t mention it again,” Shoji hissed in anger, “Naruto knew about this way back when he first rescued me from the kidnappers five years ago. To my shame I thought he was creating problems where there were none, but didn’t say anything because he had saved my life and taught me how to protect myself.” Voice lowering as he sunk back down in the chair, “And I thought friends are allowed to be a little different, just because he was paranoid I chalked it up to how he was treated when he was off his families estate.”

“It seems so unlike everything I’ve heard or observed about the boy,” Ibiki looked around for support and found none, “Right?”

Shoji laughed, “Naruto hid so much from all of you for so long it has been deeply ingrained into his habits.” Tossing the letter to the Hokage’s desk he sighed sadly, “What this village has done to him is criminal, and you should not expect him to ever act normally around any of you, this village has trained him to well.” Standing up he straightened his kimono, “My father gave me a message to pass along if the letter was proven correct.” Eyes hardening as his voice took on an edge to it, “If the Sandaime Hokage is replaced or killed off, the status of this village as one of the Hidden Shinobi villages will be revoked by my father, as such he will send in the army to restore the rule of the Fire lord.” Tilting his head slightly, not enough to be called a bow he strode from the room, the sound of the door banging shut behind him was loud in the silence.

 

Zabuza stared out the window in silence, his dream to change Mist for the better, to stop the civil war was not going like he thought it would. So many things had been hidden, so many schemes inside schemes that are almost impossible to unravel what was true and what was deception. Glancing over his shoulder at the message scroll he had prepared sitting in the middle of his desk he shook his head sadly, it was time to salvage what he could of what was good and take his team and destroy the Daimyo and all the tops advisors, one last bit of killing and maybe the people would be free. Looking out the window as he waited for his trusted team to arrive he hoped Haku could forgive him.