The Sixth Hokage: Ascension
The Sixth Hokage: Ascension
Chapter One: Guilt
Yamato didn't realize how long he had been under the rain until Tsunade appeared beside him. "Hokage-sama," he greeted in a monotonous tone, his eyes still transfixed on Kakashi's grave. Tsunade folded her arms and shook her head sadly. "Kakashi was a terrible loss," said Tsunade. She turned to Yamato and noticed his face was a blank. But deep down inside, she knew that Yamato felt worse than her. He felt worse than any of Kakashi's comrades, or students. He felt the worst of all. "Yamato," she started, but was cut off by the Jounin. He turned to the Hokage and drawled, "It's my entire fault, Hokage-sama. I deserve punishment." Tsunade shook her head and stared firmly at her subordinate. "Don't blame yourself, Yamato. You were leading. He obeyed. Both of you … did no sin."
He shook his head and walked away, and stopped a distance away. Then he shouted, "I told him to go!" Tsunade was taken aback by his outburst. He clenched his fists and let out a yell of anger, or perhaps it was sadness. "I shouldn't have told him to go ahead! I shouldn't have told him to take the damned lead!!" he screamed. Yamato fell to his knees and started crying. Tsunade walked up to him, not knowing what to say. "You had the power to lead. You were right. But we wouldn't have captured Pein if you didn't lead at all. It would have been a different situation if someone else led the team." Yamato didn't listen. He was too absorbed in his own guilt. He closed his eyes and shut everything else out. He couldn't stop blaming himself for Kakashi's death. He just couldn't. It was his fault. No one else could be blamed but him.
"Yamato," Tsunade's strong voice brought him back to Earth.
"Tsunade-sama," he murmured helplessly. There was a long, undisturbed moment of silence, before Yamato finally said, "I want to resign." Tsunade wasn't sure whether Yamato was in his right mind or not. She shook him hard and said, "You won't resign." He shook his head and argued, "I want to, Tsunade-sama. I don't deserve this rank anymore. I caused the death of a teammate." Before he knew it, a fist flew into his right cheek. Tsunade didn't use all of her strength, but it was hard enough to make Yamato bleed from his nose. She didn't care if she hurt him. She wanted him to wake up. "Wake up, Yamato!" she yelled angrily. Yamato seemed to be unaffected.
Tsunade scowled and let him go. "I won't let you resign," she said finally. Yamato remained silent. Tsunade shook her head for the last time and walked away in a huff. Yamato disappeared and returned to his apartment.
He lay down on his bed and tried to get some sleep. He hadn't been eating well ever since Kakashi was dead. He'd deal with Pein tomorrow.
-
Yamato opened his eyes and found himself in a familiar place. A dreaded place, he remembered vividly. Looking around wildly, Yamato laid his eyes on a man he knew too well. The silver-haired Jounin was staring back up at him with an equally shocked expression. "Kakashi," started Yamato, his mind a blur. Suddenly, a long katana ripped through Kakashi's chest from the back, causing a bloody blade to protrude from the Jounin's chest. Yamato yelled in despair and tried to see who was behind Kakashi. The Copy Ninja fell into Yamato's arms and whispered, "Don't be sorry, Yamato." He started crying again, and soon, everything faded into darkness, leaving him in the dark, alone.
Pein appeared in front of him, his expression dull and bored. He smirked and shook his head. "It was a necessary loss, my dear friend," whispered the Akatsuki leader. Yamato glared up at the auburn-haired man and screamed, "Go to hell!" Pein started laughing maniacally and screamed, "I'VE ALREADY BEEN THERE!"
-
Yamato woke up with a start, and sat upright. He was sweating profusely from his nightmare. It felt revolting to see Kakashi's death again, for the second time. He already felt as bad as it is. Shaking his head, Yamato tried to go back to sleep again. He couldn't at all, for the moment he closed his eyes, he would see the image of Kakashi, with a blade sticking out from his chest. "I'm sorry, Kakashi," he sobbed. Yamato gritted his teeth. He blamed himself for being so stupid and naïve. He blamed no one but himself for Kakashi's death. 'Go to sleep,' he told himself sternly. But Yamato felt no fatigue. All he felt was guilt. Pure guilt.
"Yamato," hissed a familiar voice coming from his window. Yamato looked up and saw the silhouette of Pein. It was expected that Pein would escape from the holding cell sooner or later. He didn't do anything, although he had wished he could kill the man with his bare hands. "I'm here to tell you something," said Pein. Yamato stared intently at Pein, waiting for whatever he was going to say. "I want you to sabotage Konoha from the inside."
Yamato's heart pounded furiously. Pein wanted him to do the impossible! "It's all part of my plan, or rather, it is Madara's plan. I don't care how you do it, Yamato-san, but you must. If you don't … well, the deal is off, my friend." Pein chuckled as he saw the look of anguish appearing on Yamato's face. He shook his head and said, "You can't do anything about me … if not, you'll never see him again."
The Jounin looked down at his hands and clenched his fists. What could he do? Pein already knew what he was thinking. He couldn't possibly disobey Madara's orders. He couldn't lose the chance now. "So?" whispered Pein, his voice clear enough under the silence of the night. Yamato reluctantly nodded his head. Pein smiled deviously and said, "Good boy." With that, the Akatsuki leader disappeared.
-
The next morning, Yamato awoke in his bed, feeling almost the same from what he felt last night. He still didn't forget Pein's words. Shaking his head, Yamato knew what must be done in time to come. He got off his bed and got ready for the day.
He left his apartment and decided to head down to the streets of Konoha for a long walk. Despite the noisy chattering of the villagers, Yamato didn't feel suppressed in the crowd. Instead, he felt more alone than ever. Sighing, he stopped at the ramen store and ordered a bowl of ramen for himself. As soon as he started eating, Uzumaki Naruto appeared beside him and ordered a bowl of ramen as well. They were both extremely silent, not wanting to talk to the other. After a moment, Naruto finally spoke. "I don't blame you, Yamato," he said firmly. Yamato felt worse. He shook his head and smiled. "I wouldn't be surprised if you did, Naruto. He was your sensei, and a sensei that couldn't be replaced at all. I know that."
Naruto looked appreciative for those words and nodded. "I know. But he's gone, isn't he? We can't bring him back from the dead." Yamato was astonished at Naruto's optimism. He nodded in agreement, but still didn't feel any better inside. Naruto looked at him and said, "At least, he died for a goal." Yamato smirked and nodded again. 'He didn't die for any goal … Pein's gone, and they'll find out soon,' he mused.
"Yamato," said Naruto. "Yes?" he answered. Naruto played with his noodles for awhile before asking, "When is Sai coming back?" Yamato thought for a moment, before saying, "I'm not sure myself. I guess it's either today or tomorrow." "Oh, okay."
"Why did you ask?"
"Well, over the year, I've learnt to understand Sai. I even got a little closer to him. So, maybe, just maybe, I miss the guy."
Yamato chuckled and said, "I'm glad you two are agreeing with each other again."
Naruto nodded and laughed. Yamato started to laugh too, but there was no joy in him. He still thought about what Pein had said to him last night.
"I guess I'll be going now," said Yamato, as soon as he finished his ramen. "Okay," said Naruto. "I'll see you around, Yamato-sensei." Yamato looked at Naruto for a moment; had the shinobi just called him sensei? Smiling at Naruto, he nodded and left the ramen stall. He walked a fair distance before he arrived at the memorial grounds. He wanted to pay respect to Kakashi's grave. Sighing, he began to speak.
"I'm sorry," he said simply. "I'm just so sorry, Kakashi, that things had to turn out this way."
"I never thought I'd be a fool to agree. And now, there's no turning back for me. Pein has already escaped, and I didn't even do anything. I'm a traitor to Konoha. I'm just sorry. But you told me not to be. I regret it. But I can't choose another path. It's already been set. I will no longer dwell here, soon after I have completed my … task."
There was a long silence as Yamato stood there, his eyes closed. He heard a faint whisper, probably the wind, but he had made out distinct words.
Don't … be … sorry.
-
"Tsunade-sama!" yelled one of the Chuunin, who was previously guarding the prison. He rushed into the Hokage's office and stopped directly in front of Tsunade.
"Pein has escaped from the prison!"
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Chapter One, woot. R&R :D