The Nine-Tail Conspiracy
Chapter 1: Aftermath
Rain falls on Konohagakure, the dead remained uncounted their bodies litter the village. Hiruzen Sarutobi stands before the destruction tears stream down his face as a member of Anbu appears before him holding the body of an old woman, "Oh Biwako," His moans dropping to his knees taking the body of his wife into his arms. Those around the Third Hokage trembles at the sight of the Hokage in pain and grief.
On a different part of the battlefield Iruka Umino cries before the bodies of his mother and father his plight goes unnoticed as others come out after the long night of battle to find and bury their dead. When daylight breaks a solitary figure appears before the child the figure wears black and gray armor from a time past. He looks out of amongst the slain who wear the standard flak jacket of the village. Beside the figure a boy around the same age as Iruka appears his eyes are deadly and dangerous they glow red and seem to reflex hatred. He breaks away from the figure kneeling beside an old man who wears the same black and gray armor of the man who walks up to Iruka.
"Hokage," Iruka says surprise to see the third standing before him. "Iruka your parents have died for the village, but I know that it is scant comfort to you. I have lost my wife this night."
Iruka bows his head, "I am sorry for your lost Hokage," Iruka says with real sorrow and compassion tears streaming down his face.
Hiruzen places a consoling hand on the boys shoulder standing over him until the sun rises and the ninja gather the Fourth Hokage appears his face solemn. "You are alive, Minato," Hiruzen says a note of shock in his voice that is mixed with relief that is reflected on his line face.
"Yes, I have terrible news," Minato says distracted by the bodies slain by the Nine-Tail. "I have fail the village." Minato says dropping down besides Iruka parents.
"You saved us all Minato," Hiruzen says troubled by the expression of the Fourth Hokage.
"Not all, but I was able to discover who did this."
"I knew Kushina seal did not break of its own accord," Hiruzen says sadly.
"No Madara Uchiha broke the seal after slaying our ANBU guards and Biwako,"
"Madara," Hiruzen says in shock. "He is dead."
"No he is very much alive, I'm sorry I couldn't save Biwako from him."
"She died doing her duty and protecting Kushina, is she alright, what of the child?"
"Yes I brought Kushina to Tsunade, and convince her to return if only briefly to heal the injure. My son is fine, though I fear I have place a great burden upon him."
"We will discuss this later in private Minato," Hiruzen says his eyes shifting down to Iruka who has listened to the entire discussion. The Fourth Hokage looks up at the boy still kneeling beside his parents. "I will have to take you under my wing, and ensure you become a fine shinobi," Minato says sincerity in his voice as he stands placing his hand upon Iruka's head.
Minato turns staring over the battlefield his eyes falling upon a pair of familiar eyes, "Come here Shisui Uchiha," The boy is quiet as his body flickers and vanishes Minato body takes on the same flickering appearance disappearing as well.
Iruka looks up at Sarutobi in wonder, "It seems you have been witness to great events Iruka, and will continue to be a part of them come with me I will begin your lessons today, the best way to mourn and not be crush by grief is to stay active."
Iruka nods his head following beside the Third Hokage.
Minato catches Shisui in the forest the two stare at each other, "I'm not going to harm you," Minato says calmly.
"The rumors are already spreading throughout the village Hokage," Shisui says the full force of his Sharingan open.
"I will not accuse the Uchiha of conclusion with Madara you have my word on that, I know your grandfather Kagami Uchiha was the last family member you had Shisui."
"The clan is my family now," Shisui says coldly. "You should watch after yours Hokage you are surrounded by snakes maybe you should try rooting them out," Shisui says looking down into the underbrush of the huge trees they stand in before vanishing once more.
Minato shakes his head sadly flickering away as well.
In the trees Orchimaru watches the exchange, "He will become a threat."
"I'm sure public opinion will force his hand he is still young after all," says another voice.
"Danzo you resent him for being chosen as Hokage and you resent Sarutobi don't you?" Orchimaru asks grinning as he hisses out the words.
"Everything I do is for Konohagakure," Danzo says stepping out of the shadows.
"Then you wish me to proceed with the operation?"
"Yes with Minato suspicious, we will need to move sooner than expected use the DNA sample I gave you. And transplant Kagami's eyes."
"Of course Danzo, if they should find out about our little experiment," Orchimaru says letting the words hang in the air.
"I will give you ample notice," Danzo says.
Orchimaru smiles disappearing leaving Danzo alone.
The elders of the Village sit before the Fourth Hokage who stares at each of them with a stern visage. Donzo Shimura sits to the far left of the Hokage's desk. Homura Mitokada sits next to Donzo follow by Koharu Utatane. Next comes the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi to the right of him sits Shikaku Nara the Jonin Commander of Konohagakure. Next to Shikaku sits the head of ANBU.
"I have gather you here to inform you that Madara Uchiha is alive."
Three of those gather express shock while Hiruzen merely nods already knowing of the events of the Nine-Tail incident. The leader of ANBU says nothing. Danzo stern mouth only twitches as Minato looks at them.
"How is this possible," asks Shikaku.
"That is what we must discover," Minato says.
"What must be done is an immediate action against the Uchiha Clan," Danzo says. "If Madara is alive."
"Madara is alive, Danzo," Minato states his voice cold.
"With Madara alive the Uchiha Clan can't be trusted to maintain their allegiance to Konohagakure."
"I will not have the Uchiha persecuted after they valiantly defended the village against the Nine-Tail attack."
"They were most likely apart of it," Danzo says.
"Your friend and former teammate died today in defense of the Konohagakure, Kagami was a true shinobi and embody the will of fire."
"He did, but that does not mean the rest of the Uchiha clan do. Where was Fugaku Uchiha during the battle with the Nine-Tail?"
"This is true," Homura says leaning his forehead creasing. "At the very least as was the will of the Second Hokage the Uchiha must be watched. Isolated so that they can't cause harm to the village."
"I will not subject our fellow shinobi to such an ignoble solution," Minato says. "We will hunt down Madara Uchiha and bring him to justice. We will alert the other shinobi nations and make them aware that he is to be consider the most dangerous threat in the Ninja world."
"And what if the Uchiha should rise as one?" Danzo asks.
"Then we will deal with it," Minato says slamming his fist on the desk. "I will have a meeting with Fugaku, as the leader of the clan and head of Konohagakure Police force he must be appraised of the situation."
Danzo stands angry, "Hiruzen you chose poorly in your choice of Hokage," he says glaring the Third Hokage, whiling pointing at Minato. "You bring us tells of Madara, but what of the Nine-Tail?"
"The Nine-Tail has been dealt with Danzo, maybe you should go back to your roots."
"I will deal with this has I see fit," Danzo says storming from the room.
Minato flickers appearing before Danzo, "You will obey your Hokage Danzo, and your first act will be to disband Root and place them under my direct command."
Danzo glares his right eye twitching in anger.
"Enough," Hiruzen says his voice shaking as he watches his friend and pupil fighting. "We have lost many shinobi this night we can't compound this tragedy with such internal fighting."
"Danzo our job is to keep Konohagakure safe," Koharu says softly her voice seeming to calm the room, "We will settle this on the morrow after the funeral," She says with finality.
Danzo nods his head towards Koharu before turning his gaze upon Minato glaring at him as he leaves, he is flanked by his ANBU guards vanishing in the hall.
The other councilors leave the Hokage office leaving behind only Hiruzen, Shikaku, and the ANBU Captain. "Captain send your men to scour the land for Madara, and place a constant watch on Danzo let me know if he does anything suspicious."
"As you command Lord Hokage," The captain says vanishing.
"Shikaku, prepare the count, I need to know our current military strength. We must be prepare for war, with the assault of the Nine-Tails the other nations will think us weaken. I want to be ready for such an event. If the fourth Shinobi war should break out I will not allow Konohagakure to fall."
Shikaku nods, "I will have our strength excess immediately," he says heading for the door.
"By the way Shikaku I have a son; his name is Naruto I hope he will get along well with Shikamaru."
Shikaku smiles, "Knowing our children they will be sitting here in a few more years, my hope is to raise a fine shinobi who can replace me so that I live a life of peace."
"I hope to give you that future Shikaku."
When the two are alone Hiruzen speaks saying, "This is bad Danzo will not comply meekly."
"Madara is real and dangerous, I could barely land a hit, I got in one Rasengan, but that took all my skill. He is the man who fought the first Hokage and the first man to tame the Nine-Tail. If he has return to react his revenge then we are looking at a bleak future."
"What about the Nine-Tails," Hiruzen asks.
"I sealed the nine-tail inside Naruto, I hid him with my master he and Kushina should be safe for the time being."
"Excellent he will be able to keep him safe until this crisis is averted," Hiruzen says visibly relaxing.
"I need to assemble a new team of ANBU wholly loyal to me."
"Danzo does believe in the village," Hiruzen says cautiously.
"He does, but I did not see him on the battlefield nor Orchimaru. Yet there has been rumors about those two."
"Orchimaru may be self-involved, but he is fine shinobi."
"He is your most precious pupil, and yet he is not the Fourth Hokage; you would have chosen my master over him or even Tsunade. He puts his personal goals before the village. I can't trust him nor Danzo or the elders they are of the old guard, this is a new future and I must protect the king of the future."
"I understand who will lead this new ANBU Squad?"
"My most precious pupil," Minato says looking out over the village.
"The White Fang's son," Hiruzen says. "I will do what I can to sway the others we must move swiftly though.
"I need a different favor I need you train the next generation those who lost their parents need to be taught the will fire, your will of fire."
"What do you have in mine?"
"To start with Iruka lost his parents as did Shisui Uchiha and others they will become my first recruits for my ANBU."
To Be Continued…