Hyuuga Hokage
by
Graey1
Chapter 1
xxxxx
Two weeks before Nagato's invasion of Kohona, Tsunade walked with Shikaku through the man's forest while discussing who to be her successor if the worst happened to Tsunade. "I am thinking of Kakashi."
"Good choice," agreed Shikaku. "He's strong, loved by the village and his reputation is practically worldwide."
"That's why he's at the top of my list. . .sorry."
"I have enough problems running my own clan. I don't need the added trouble of running the whole village," chuckled Shikaku.
"That and you're more lazy than your son and me when it comes to paperwork," said Tsunade with a hint of anger. "Please do my successor a favor and actually do your paperwork until he or she is completely broken in."
Shikaku did not reply and studied Tsunade carefully. There is something on her mind that is bugging her more than the impending invasion and who to become the next Hokage if she falls in battle. "I get the feeling that no matter who you choose something troublesome is going to happen."
"Troublesome with all letters capitalized," sighed Tsunade. "Danzo isn't getting any younger and I can't shake the feeling he's going to make a grab for power before or after the dust settles. Compassion and mercy does not exist in that man's worldview and I want to protect my successor from that man as much as possible."
"Accidents happen all the time during invasions," Shikaku suggested.
Tsunade grunted and Shikaku's passive expression cracked. She did try to assassinate Danzo at some point but the plan failed. Shikaku is genius enough to not ask any more about it. "Danzo is hiding things in plain sight. What's behind those bandages concerns me," said Tsunade.
"You tried to order him to take off the bandages and used an excuse of a medical exam," reasoned Shikaku.
Tsunade nodded with Shikaku's spot on assessment. "Danzo is ready with the excuses. Conflicting schedules for physicals, using his own medical-nin to give the exams which I am never present at and I can't interfere because of the rules of confidentiality between medical-nin and patient. Hell, I even came close to creating a phony pandemic to hit Kohona and use that as an excuse to examine him."
"Someone can rip the bandages off his head and arm in front of witnesses," casually said Shikaku.
Tsunade stopped and glared at Shikaku. "We are not that kind of village and if we are wrong and Danzo's arm and eye are diseased like he claims then the ninja who pulled off the bandages will ruin their career. That ninja will end up in I&T's not so tender hands to boot. That will give Danzo plenty of reason to tear down everything my predecessors built and died for while kicking me out of office. That phony pandemic idea was a wake up call that showed me how near obsessive I was becoming."
The two continued walking in silence when Shikaku said out of the blue, "Too bad we can't see through the bandages."
Tsunade again stopped and looked at Shikaku. This time she looked at him with a cunning smile. "We can't but we know who can."
"The Hyuuga," said Shikaku with understanding. "Hiashi or Neji."
"I can't risk Neji because I don't know if Danzo somehow figured out how to activate the Birdcage Seal. Hiashi is too confrontational for this. He'd as soon beat the hell out of Danzo let alone be cunning about it."
"Out of the Hyuuga you can trust that would leave. . .Hinata." Shikaku eyes went wide. "Hokage-sama you can't be serious!"
"I am," said Tsunade as the plan came to fruition in her mind. "Hinata is not known for having a deceptive nature toward people or having ulterior motives. While Danzo will expect something is up he won't think its an attempt to expose what is behind those bandages. Hell, he'd think the whole thing is a bad joke on my part."
"You will being using Hinata as a lightening rod," said Shikaku. "Even if Hinata exposes Danzo there is still the matter of her becoming Hokage."
"We don't have to worry about that. Hinata has never aspired for the position. She just wants to fix the problems with her clan and lead it in the right direction," replied Tsunade.
"Hinata will step away after Danzo is exposed and before the matter of who will become Hokage is settled," reasoned Shikaku. "Her qualifications will be questioned. If not by Danzo then by others."
"There's something about Hinata that people don't realize. I think she doesn't know it herself," said Tsunade. "She already possesses the necessary leadership qualities. She has been attending more and more council meetings over the pass year and a half in place of her father. Lately the reports and clan requests I get from the Hyuuga have more of her signatures than Hiashi's. From the Kohona Grapevine I've heard current internal clan problems are handled by her."
"In other words Hinata is the leader of the Hyuuga. Hiashi just has to make an open declaration," sighed Shikaku. "What about her strength. Could she handle a S-Rank Ninja like the one who killed Jiraiya."
Tsunade winced and choked down the pain in her heart hearing Jiraiya's name. "Quit worrying so much. Like I said she won't take the job. What I need you to do is build up her resume and make it look good. You will need to speak on her behalf in front of the council or whoever will be part of the selection board."
Shikaku smiled and said, "Do you want to make a bet she'll faint when you tell her she's your successor."
"Normally I would take the bet but not this time," said Tsunade.
"You want to keep her in the dark. She does not have that deceptive nature and are concerned she will falter while trying to trick Danzo," clarified Shikaku. "She cannot know she is a lightening rod."
"To Danzo, Hinata, and everyone else who will be involved it will be business as usual when selecting a new Hokage. If the matter of a new Hokage comes up then wait for the last possible second to let Hinata know she's a candidate. All you need to do is speak on Hinata's behalf when need be and let the rest fall into place on its own," ordered Tsunade. "Its getting late and I need to get back to the office."
Shikaku sighed as Tsunade vanished in a swirl of leaves. Shikaku hoped the Hokage knows what she is doing. There is another problem with this plan that he did not get a chance to talk about and that is Hinata's attitude or rather her nindo. The same nindo a certain blonde has about not giving up or going back on one's word and promises. In the general mission reports Shikaku read Hinata developed a 'no surrender' attitude when it came to herself. As long as no one else on her team was hurt or in trouble Hinata would charge forward in a fight when ordered to without a second thought. Shikaku hoped Hinata would not see Danzo as a direct opponent in either a battle of words or outright combat. "Troublesome," muttered Shikaku as he walked back to his house while thinking about Hinata's resume to become the new Hokage of Kohona.
xxxxx
'I was going the wrong way. . .your smile saved me. . .I am not afraid to die to protect you. . .because I love you!'
Hinata woke up with a gasp. She sat up and looked around. Sleeping and injured people are on the ground as medical-nin's went about their duties. She thought back to her own words just before she woke up. The same words she said to Naruto. Hinata sat up and felt a pain both emotional and physical in her chest. The spot where Pein stabbed her. She saw the awful truth of Naruto so close to her. The anguish, anger, and pain that emanated from him as he changed into the Kyuubi. For one brief moment while slipping in and out of pain and unconsciousness she thought she saw Naruto stand over her. He thought he was one who hurt her. Hinata was greatly saddened by that which caused her to fall back into darkness and pain. Then she felt healing chakra and came to. She saw Neji, Sakura, TenTen, and a few other people. Sakura said something Hinata did not catch and passed out again.
A medical-nin walked over to Hinata. "How are you feeling?" she asked.
"Better," answered Hinata.
"Good," said the medical-nin. "I'll run a diagnostic jutsu one last time to make sure nothing was missed. Then you can go."
"What about Kou-san. . .and Naruto-kun?" asked Hinata.
"Kou is fine and resting. His leg is healed," answered the medical-nin. Her voice dropped to a barely audible whisper. "The demon became human. . ."
The medical-nin reached down to preform a scan. Hinata brushed the woman's hand aside while glaring at her. The medical-nin took a step back. Hinata stood up and said, "I believe I am fine enough to move on my own." It took a lot to get on Hinata's bad-side. Insulting her friends in general and Naruto in particular is the fastest way. Hinata got in the medic-nin's face. "If it was not for this tragedy you would be standing in front of the Hokage right now," said Hinata in a low voice.
Hinata pushed her anger aside and went for a walk. All around her the destruction is still there. This is reality and not a bad dream. She activated her Byakugan and set her vision to maximum 360 degree vision to get a better look at the damage and find any stragglers that were missed or worse buried under the rubble. She was proud of that accomplishment with the Byakugan. Being able to see ten kilometers in a straight line and half that with the nearly omnidirectional dome shattered the old records. Her father said it will take a long time for Hinata's record to be broken.
Hinata saw a large group of people gathering near the forest. She walked to the large group of people. A diverse number of ninja, mainly Hyuuga, stood facing the forest. She went to the crowd and her fellow thirty year old female Hyuuga named Miro. "Miro-san, what is happening?"asked Hinata sensing the heaviness in the air.
"Oh, Hinata-sama you are well," said Miro with relief. "Naruto is in the forest confronting the true enemy behind the attack. We are waiting to see who wins."
Hinata swallowed hard. There was someone worse than the one who hurt her out there and Naruto is again facing a powerful enemy. . .alone. Hinata thought back to Naruto being pinned on the ground. She knew he had lost. Naruto had forgotten he is the Proud Failure. The one no who matter how many times he is knocked down get back up. A person who struggles against adversity no matter the cost. Hinata did not have an idealized image that others believed she had. Hinata waited with abated breath for someone to exit the forest.
"Hin. . .a. . .ta. . ."
Hinata stiffened a bit. That voice. When something bad happens to Hinata, she hears a voice. A soft gentle voice full of strength and power. The first time she heard the voice was on the worst day of her life. At first Hinata believed it was the result of the trauma. Over time she knew it was more than the result of a stressed mind. The voice would say her name once or twice then nothing. Hinata felt a mix of assurance and trepidation when she heard the voice. The trepidation came after the voice said her name and a certain nightmare happened.
"Someone is coming out of the forest!" a person yelled from the front of the crowd.
Hinata started to silently prayed that it is Naruto. "Its Naruto!" another person yelled validating Hinata's silent prayer.
Hinata watched with relief as Kakashi carried Naruto out of the forest. There was a brief celebration of people cheering, throwing Naruto into the air, Sakura punching Naruto in the shoulder then hugging him. Hinata frowned with jealousy at that. Long ago Hinata admitted she would get jealous when some girl got too close to Naruto.
"Nobody would blame you if you walked up to him and gave him a big kiss while ramming your tongue down his throat," teased Miro. "Heck, lift your shirt and give him a good show."
Hinata's cheeks turned red. "Miro-san," muttered Hinata. Her very distant cousin is the clan pervert. Somehow the Hyuuga modesty gene skipped her. One of the few times Hinata agreed with the Hyuuga Council is the standing order that Miro is forbidden to be near the Hyuuga bath houses when others are using them and that Miro had to bathe by herself. The other standing order that had been receded is Miro was to stay away from Jiraiya whenever he was in Kohona. The last time those two met, it was one of the worst days for all the bathrooms and onsens in Kohona. Jiraiya's death hit everyone hard, including Miro. Hinata heard a rumor that Miro swore to surpass Jiraiya and become the world's biggest pervert. The Hyuuga as a whole shuddered at the thought that Jiraiya's successor as world's biggest pervert could come from their clan.
"What did you say to Naruto-san to cause him to change?" asked Miro.
"You know?" asked Hinata.
"Talked to Kou-san earlier," said Miro. "Didn't say much about it. Didn't look happy either. Hinata-sama. . .you can't mess around."
"I do not know what you mean," muttered Hinata.
"Naruto-san is a village hero now. Heroes are very popular," said Miro. "Before he betrayed the village, Itachi was a village hero. He had the tightest as-
"Miro-san!" gasped Hinata.
"Uh, oh sorry. Anyway Naruto-san is going to be getting the kind of attention from our side of the gender pool. The kind of attention that includes. . .what does your generation call them? Oh yeah fan girls," said Miro.
Hinata started to retort when an ANBU appeared in a swirl of leaves. "Hinata-sama," said the masked ninja.
Hinata swallowed. . .hard. This could not be good. Going by what Miro said about Hinata's confrontation earlier word had gotten around and the Hokage will want answers. Hinata lowered her head. "Y-yes," she stammered. Something she had not done in a long time.
"Your presence is requested at the Fire Daimyo's Tent," said the ANBU.
Two sets of Hyuuga eyes went wide as possible. "What about the Hokage?" asked Miro getting over her surprise first.
The masked ANBU shook his head. "The Hokage has been incapacitated. When the enemy destroyed the village, Hokage-sama released too much power to protect us and ended up in a deep coma."
"I see," said Hinata. "The selection board must want the Hyuuga opinion and my father is not back yet."
"Before you two split I want to see your tattoo," Miro said to the ANBU in a serious tone. "Hinata-sama ain't budging until I get proof you are who you say you are."
"Miro-san!" said Hinata.
"ROOT," Miro replied. "Rumor has it they have been slinking out of the shadows more as of late."
Hinata shuddered thinking about Sai. From a Byakugan user's perception, Sai is a person without much of a personality with the appearance of a slave that is worse than the forced servitude of the Hyuuga Branch House. The ANBU raised his sleeves exposing the ANBU tattoo on his right arm. Mito looked at it closely then nodded. "Its legit."
"Sorry about that," Hinata said to the ANBU.
"Its alright," said ANBU with a tinge of anger directed not at Miro but at ROOT. "We need to leave now."
"Of course but first I need to talk to Miro-san for a moment. Clan business," said Hinata.
"Make it quick," replied the ANBU.
"Miro-san," said Hinata in a formal and no nonsense manner. "The village has been destroyed including the Hyuuga compound. I expect all Hyuuga who are fit to help rebuild the village. If they can move their arms and legs then they can walk, carry materials, and use a hammer. There are to be no exceptions to this. I better not hear about hoarding or attempts at influencing the flow of incoming materials and relief goods into the village." Hinata took Hiashi's stamp out of her pocket. He gave it to her before he and Hanabi left the village. "If anyone questions these orders show them this and if anyone has a problem then they can take it up with me or my father when he returns."
Most people would be surprised with Hinata's sudden tone but not Miro or any other Hyuuga. Since gaining confidence and repairing her damaged relationship with Hiashi, Hinata once again became the clan heir. A lot of Hyuuga in both Branches saw Hinata's compassion and kindness as a weakness to be exploited. Those people found out the hard way that Hinata did indeed have her father's cold and hard edge. She never used those unwelcome traits except when an adult Hyuuga acted like a spoiled child or the Hyuuga's good name, such as it is right now, was about to be spoiled by some fool's words or actions.
Miro bowed formally and said, "As you wish Hinata-sama."
"I am ready now," Hinata said to the ANBU.
The ANBU led Hinata to the Fire Daiymo's tent and an unexpected destiny.
xxxxx
Hinata sensed her ANBU escort bristle. Looking ahead she saw why. The Daimyo's Guardsmen tightly surrounded the tent with three Guardsmen at the entrance in a triangle formation. Twenty feet away from the entrance stood ten people in two groups. One group was clearly ANBU in full uniform. They glared at another group of Kohona nin. Hinata did not recognize the group ANBU was facing. Seeing the blank expressions on their faces gave Hinata the idea they are ROOT. 'Whoever becomes Hokage, I will request the first thing they do is shutdown that horrid operation. The blank expressions on their faces is not of professional detachment but people who had horrible things done to them,' thought Hinata.
Hinata walked to the entrance. She heard raised voices coming from the inside. Recognized two voices. The first being Koharu and the second Shikaku.
"We have waited long enough," said Koharu. "We will not tolerate any more delays."
"A couple of more minutes," replied Shikau.
They must be waiting for her. When selecting a new Hokage it did not make a good impression to show up late to the selection board meeting. Hinata walked to the tent entrance and said, "I am Hinata Hyuuga. I have been summoned by the Fire Daimyo."
"You may enter," said the guard.
Hinata walked into the tent and immediately frowned seeing everyone inside the tent. The Fire Daimyo is there of course along with Shikaku and Koharu. Homura sat beside Koharu as usual. The source of Hinata's frown however was Danzo. When Hinata began attending Kohona council meetings, Hiashi told her to never believe or trust that man. He warned her to be on her guard whenever he agreed with her. Hinata thought her father overreacted. Except for the enemies and outside threats to Kohona, Hinata always gave her fellow villagers the initial benefit of the doubt. Seeing Danzo through the insight given by the Byakugan for the first time validated Hiashi's warning. Hinata never felt such an all consuming greed coming from someone except for that masked ninja who hindered her and Team 8's efforts to help Team 7 find Sasuke.
"My apologies for holding up this important meeting. I did not know about it until an ANBU came to get me," said Hinata while slightly bowing. "Before coming I wanted to make sure my clan fully helped out in the rebuilding."
Shikaku gauged the two elder's reaction. They were frowning but not upset. Danzo of course had no emotion on his face as usual. "If this everyone then can we begin?" asked the Fire Daimyo in a tired voice.
"First I have a question to ask Hinata," said Danzo. Shikaku used all of his training to keep calm. Danzo could not have found out about Tsunade's plan. "I heard Naruto lost himself to the Kyuubi and that you were present and that perhaps you may have initiated the transformation. What did you say or do that caused Naruto to change like that?" Danzo wanted to control and mold the Bijuu Host into a weapon. Naruto instantly changing into the Kyuubi's six tail form without starting from the initial one tail showed promise.
Hinata did not want to talk about it in front of people yet and especially not with Danzo present. Sai spoke very little about ROOT and Danzo. What cryptic things he did say was nothing but bad news. "Danzo-san, you will hear of my account like everyone else; after I write my mission report, am debriefed by the Hokage, and the general reports are sent to the various parties."
"I am sure we can breach protocol just this once," said Koharu.
"Since its not a life and death situation I would feel uncomfortable breaking the rules," replied Hinata.
Shikaku had to permit himself a small smile. Hinata's detractors on the council often referred to her as 'Naruto Lite' behind her back. She and Naruto both had crappy early lives, both are driven and shared the same nindo, and both would move heaven and earth to protect their friends. That is where the similarities ended. The biggest difference is that Hinata is not dumb or ignorant about politics. She just used Obito's famous saying that is the driving force of Hinata's generation to her advantage and the oldest generation in the tent knew it.
"Can we please move along with business? I still have to sign off the relief funds and the villagers need a leader," said the Fire Daimyo.
"Of course Daimyo-sama," said Hinata.
She went to sit down when Shikaku said, "You are fine right where you are Hinata-san."
Hinata stopped moving. Shikaku wanted her to remain standing. There are only two reasons why a person is required to stand. The first is if they are in deep trouble. Hinata sensed no anger or disappointment from Shikaku. The two Elders looked confused. She sensed nothing from Danzo except that dark greed. The second reason is if a person is being rewarded usually with a promotion to a higher shinobi rank or some kind of reward. Hinata knew she did nothing to warrant an on the spot promotion or did anything to warrant a medal. Then it hit her like Deva Pein's attack. Hinata's eyes went impossibly wide. For once she wanted to pass out but she was too shocked for it happen.
The Elders and Danzo also figured it out. The Elder's eyes became as wide as Hinata's. "Tsunade didn't," whispered Komura.
"She did," said Shikaku. He smiled at Hinata. "Congratulations Hinata Hyuuga. The Godaime selected you to be the Sixth Hokage of Kohona known as the Rokudaime."
To be continued. . .
Don't own Naruto and related characters. If I did, I'd tell the editors they can go screw themselves every time they suggest a stupid idea.