Prologue
Black clouds and cold rain loom over a solemn Konoha. A weary Tsunade looked out of her windows over her city, her eyes sagged and bruised by sleepless nights. Her face tired with frowns formed over many troubled thoughts. She tried to focus, but all that could be invoked in her mind was the visage of her dead brother. Her back slouched, and guard lowered to a dangerous point of vulnerability.
"The families of the deceased wish to have an audience with you," the voice of her aide reached her ears, Shizune stood by the opened doorway, her saddened face weighing down the already dreary climate.
Tsunade remained silent for a brief moment, dragging the minute as she composed her emotions and thoughts.
"What do you suppose I should tell the family?" Tsunade asked rhetorically.
Shizune did not reply.
"Two Genins are dead, and Jounin Hana now lies in a deep coma," Tsunade inflected, "Fledglings barely the age of 12 killed even before the initiation. A simple test that was supposed to gauge their competencies turned into a deathmatch right under my watch…
…It was supposed to be a simple test," Tsunade breathed.
"You're getting soft, Tsunade," another voice interjected, the Fifth Hokage turned and saw a slouching old man, his entire left eye bandaged. Tsunade's sat herself up, her melancholic gaze transformed over a fraction of a second, now they twitched in irritation as the shady character took a step forward.
"Leave us be," the old man with his deep slow voice, sternly ordered Shizune away.
Shizune hesitated for a moment, before she slipped away and closed the door.
The hunched man, with his walking stick, took another step, "The day when you accepted the Hokage's mantle, you already know well that you have to get your hands dirty."
She studied the man thoroughly, trying to read his thoughts…but there were none.
"Yes, Danzou," Tsunade replied to the head of ANBU Root - a secondary, and arguably more sinister organizational arm of ANBU specializing in high-profile covert operations. "…I remember our agreement. The perpetrator is not to be touched or prosecuted." Tsunade had no idea what he wanted, but every meeting with him had always result in strange consequences. He is a master manipulator, and she best be cautious.
"I do not question your level of interference in this matter," Danzou replied, "…nor am I worried about your intentions and actions that would favor the greater interest for Konoha. After all, the stability of Konoha is very much in your hands…"
"Danzou, we've been through this," Tsunade shifted in her seat, "…GET TO THE POINT."
Danzou fell silent for a moment, "You've asked yourself a question that I'd like to hear the answer to…"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes.
"What would you tell the families of the wounded Jounin and the dead Genins?" Danzou asked.
Tsunade did not reply.
"A Genin... with no relative ties here in Konoha, killed his team members and put his Jounin into coma. How would you explain to the grieving parents that he is still allowed to roam the streets?"
"What would you do when they demand his blood? How would you have them contend with injustice?"
"What would you do if they sink their nose deeper into the mission? Jeopardizing the confidentiality of our operations?"
Tsunade remained silent.
Danzou waited for a short moment, "Tsunade…despite your competencies and excellent track record, you still have much to learn when it comes to internal affairs."
The silence stretched longer.
"You don't have an answer," Danzou surmised, "Very well." The old man turned to exit the room.
"Wait," Tsunade almost got up, "That's it?"
Danzou stopped in his steps, turned his head slightly, "You are not ready to deal with this. The ANBU Root will take over this mission."
Tsunade stunned, as at the moment, hundreds of thoughts flooded her mind. She imagined all the pre-emptive, menacing activities the ANBU Root could do to stem instability and riots, actions and methods that went against her very principals and moral compass.
But she yielded, she knew she was not equipped to handle the mission.
"What would happen to the families?"she asked, but instantly felt that she would regret knowing the answer.
"As I have told you, Tsunade," Danzou replied, "You are not ready."
He turned and exited the room.
"Shit," Tsunade exclaimed, and slumped back into her seat.
She had just sentenced three families to death.