A/N :Hello, everybody! I am AsmodeusCain, and this is my first story. You might be wondering why I am doing this now, as opposed to the first chapter. Well, I guess you could say that last chapter was kinda like a test-drive – I wanted to see the reaction you guys would have before releasing this. Now, I sense most of you are confused why in hell I killed off Kakashi, Tsunade, and Shizune in one chapter. One reviewer said that it was really stupid, because Konoha could retaliate. The answer to why Konoha did not is in this chapter, so there you go. However, I promise you that these characters are not gone forever. *Hint hint, Kuchiyose Edo Tensei, hint hint*
Thoughts
"Spoken Word"
I own nothing except for a computer and an overactive imagination!
Chapter 2
Five years after Kyūbi Attack
"Sandaime-sama, it is as we suspected. You are in Stage IV Lung Cancer – it is doubtful that you will live past the next years. I'm sorry to be a bearer of bad news sir," the Iryō-nin said to the Hokage that was lying in a hospital bed.
"I have been smoking for…close to 50 years. I suppose I have had this coming for a long time…" Sarutobi sighed. The Iryō-nin looked at his clipboard.
"Sadly, there was a treatment for this, however, only Tsunade-sama knew how to preform the operation, and we have not had any contact with her in over nine years. Has Jiraiya-sama had any contact with her or encountered her at all during his travels?" he asked.
"Unfortunately, no. She has dropped off of the map; Jiraiya thinks she has been avoiding her creditors or something…" the Hokage answered.
"I cannot let people know that she was assassinated…But we do not know who did it…Kami damn it."
"Well, in that case there is not much we can do for you, Hokage-sama, except try to ease your passing a bit…" the Iryō-nin replied, "Hokage-sama, please try to get some rest, I will return tomorrow morning."
"I will need to select a new Hokage candidate…damn it all to hell; there is nobody that would truly qualify for the position. Jiraiya is completely out of the question, for the first reason, Konoha needs his spy network, and he is not nearly responsible enough to be Hokage. Shikaku is too lazy; nothing would ever get done in the village. Moreover, though he is extremely intelligent, he is not strong enough to be a Kage. Hiashi… making a noble clan head Hokage could be potentially problematic…Fugaku is an Uchiha, and I cannot allow him to be Hokage; I simply do not trust him to do the best for Konoha. Shibi is a viable decision, however, he is not a people person – he would not inspire confidence, trust, and awe in the people of Konoha. Orochimaru, why did you have to leave? You were amazing – a genius, charismatic, powerful, you were one of the most prodigal shinobi I have seen in my life…"
"I cannot believe that I am, actually considering this, but it may have to be Danzō…he is powerful, I know that, and he is the quintessential shinobi. I know about his Ne, but I have never been able to track it down. Ugh, my chest! If no other viable candidate appears, I will have to appoint Danzō the Godaime Hokage…" the Sandaime Hokage thought, occasionally cringing from pain.
Five Months Later
"Kami damn it! Why did Ē-sama have to assign this mission to me? Stealing a Hyūga is a FUCKING bad idea! At least I grabbed the kid…" the Kumo-nin thought as he ran through the forest surrounding Konoha with a sack on his bag, from which a squalling sound could be heard.
"Shut UP you little brat!" the Kumo-nin growled, "Damn it! This Kami-damned brat is going to bring down every ninja from Konoha down on me!"
"Stop, Kumo scum! Give me my daughter back you worthless sack of shit!" he suddenly heard.
"SHIT! He caught up to me!" the Kumo ninja gulped, slowly turning around, "My only chance is to try and kill him before he gets me. But, this is a Hyūga, this might be one of the most difficult fights of my life…"
"You think you can beat me, Hyūga? Your famed Jūken is at a disadvantage with my katana." the Kumo-nin said.
"Hmph, that is what you think, Kumo scum! Hakke Kūshō!" Hiashi growled, releasing a massive amount of chakra at the Kumo-nin from his palm, smashing him back a few feet.
"Argh!" the Kumo-nin grunted as he fell, "You will pay for that, tree hugger! Raiton: Daburukiru!" he screamed, releasing a massive blade of lightning from his sword, nearly hitting Hiashi, smashing into a tree, cutting it in half. Hiashi dodged the falling tree, and rushed at the Kumo-nin, attempting to strike at his heart. The Kumo-nin's eyes widened, and he barely dodged the certain-kill blow by ducking and slashing with his sword, with Hiashi hitting him in the left shoulder and taking a slash to the thigh. Hiashi's white robes quickly stained with the crimson life essence of the clan head and turned the deep red of blood. Both shinobi jumped apart, panting.
"Y-you aren't half-bad, tree hugger!" the Kumo-nin gasped out, clutching his shoulder, "But, I have fought you Hyūga before, and I have a technique that negates most of your effects! Raiton: Sai Kakusei!" the shinobi yelled, as suddenly he was engulfed by lightning, and he screamed in pain as Hiashi watched in horrified fascination.
"You hurt yourself, how could that help you…oh Kami…nerve stimulation!" Hiashi gasped in comprehension, "You stream lightning all over your body to stimulate your tenketsu points, opening them up again! That is a very interesting technique, but it seems to have its downsides…"
"Correct, on both counts." the Kumo-nin said, jumping and slicing downward, channeling lightning chakra through his blade as he did. Hiashi moved to the side, and attempted to hit the Kumo-nin in the side, aiming to paralyze his sword arm. The Kumo-nin saw it coming, and twisted, taking the attack to the stomach, causing him to feel extremely nauseous. Feeling it coming up, he stumbled forward and hurled all over the Hyūga clan head. Said clan head reeled, the disgusting, partially digested stomach matter spattering all over him.
"Disgusting," he thought, but he had to give the Kumo-nin credit, he had turned a weak moment into an attack, albeit a disgusting one. He wiped the vomit off of his face, making a note to burn his clothes later, and take several hot showers. He then started making hand-signs.
"What!? I thought you Hyūga relied completely on your taijustu! Your lauded Jūken is claimed to be the most powerful taijutsu style in the world, why would you use something else?!" the Kumo-nin exclaimed in disbelief.
"Do you honestly believe that a ninja clan as powerful as mine got to where it is by using only one style of fighting? Fool, Doton: Doryūsō!" he exclaimed as several earth spears rose out of the ground and flew at the Kumo-nin. Said Shinobi could not move fast enough to avoid all of them, and one of them tore off his left arm at the elbow.
"AAAAAAAARGH!" he yelled, clutching his bleeding stump, "Katon: Shōshaku!" the Kumo-nin yelled, pressing his palm to the stump, cauterizing the wound. At this point he realized was not going to leave this fight alive.
"Damn you Ē-teme! I curse you from the depths of hell. I am going to die, but I am going to take this Hyūga with me, and wait for you in the pits of damnation!" he thought picking up his sword and channeling wind chakra through his sword imperceptibly.
Hiashi watched the Kumo-nin, who did not seem to be moving. Narrowing his eyes, he activated the Byakugan, noticing the wind chakra channeled through the sword. Deactivating his Byakugan, he jumped within range of the sword, which was swung at him half-heartedly. Hiashi smirked, and dodged.
"You are in the range of my divination! Hakke Rokujūyon Shō!" he yelled, striking the Kumo-nin 64 times. At this, Hiashi smirked, and stood over the fallen shinobi, reaching down to feel his pulse, "Uh…" he gasped as suddenly a blade pierced his lung, and he fell.
"I…I am sorry…" the Kumo-nin gasped, "It…it was just…business."
"I understand," Hiashi said, choking on his blood, "You were a worthy adversary."
"F…for what it…it is worth, I e…envy you." the Kumo-nin said.
"Why?" Hiashi asked in confusion.
"You…you are dying for love…for something that you care for. I die…for a man that I hate, for a village that send me to die, and for an idea that I do not believe in…" the Kumo ninja wheezed out.
"I will never see my children grow up…my daughters will never see me again, my wife will be left alone, my brother will take over as clan head, and have to deal with the idiots on the Clan Council…" Hiashi grunted in pain, "Goodbye shinobi-san. It was an honor fighting you."
"Akakiogori Furasaya…my name…is Akakiogori Furasaya…" the ninja said.
"Goodbye, Akakiogori Furasaya, may Heaven smile on you…" Hiashi groaned.
"No, Heaven is not what waits for me…my destination is the pits of Hell…goodbye Hiashi... Hyūga…" Akakiogori shuddered and died. After those words, Hiashi fell on his back, and choked on his blood.
That was how Konoha shinobi found them ten minutes later. Hizashi took one look and fell to his knees with tears streaming down his face.
"No…no…no! NO! NO! NOOOOOO!" he screamed his rage and grief to the world.
"Hizashi…come, we will have to return to Konoha to report…" Shikaku said, landing next to him.
"You…you are right…I…I will mourn later…" Hizashi hiccupped and stood up.
In Konoha, Hyūga Clan Compound
"Hizashi…I am deeply sorry for your loss…" Hiruzen said, while thinking, "Kami be damned! Now that damn muscle-bound brute is going to demand the body of Hiashi! I cannot afford to let Kumo get their hands on the Byakugan! What can I do, though?"
"Spare me your pity, and your mercy, Hokage-sama, that will not bring my brother back." Hizashi snapped, "I am sorry sir, I did not mean…"
"I understand, Hizashi, you have had a hard night…" the Hokage replied.
"If I may sir, may I be excused? I need to start arranging the funeral of my brother, and I must comfort my sister-in-law." Hizashi asked.
"Of course Hizashi. Go, rest." The Hokage said. At this, Hizashi left, as did the Hokage.
About a week later, Hyūga Clan Compound
"What are we going to do!? We cannot let Kumo get their hands on the Byakugan!" a Hyūga councilor exclaimed.
"We understand that, Dokohara-san. But unless you have some ideas, shut the HELL up!." Hizashi Hyūga snarled.
"H-hai, Hizashi-sama." the cowed councilor stuttered.
"Now, do we have any options? There must be something that we can offer Kumo to appease them…" the Hokage said, all the while thinking, "Hell and Damnation! Why did this have to happen to me?!"
"What were the Raikage's words exactly, Hokage-sama?" Hizashi asked the Hokage.
"You can read the letter yourself, Hizashi. Here it is." The Hokage replied, withdrawing the letter from his gown.
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hokage no Konohagakure no Sato, no Hi no Kuni,
One of your ninja killed our Commander. I cannot allow this – by the terms of the treaty, we are demanding recompense. I demand the body of the head of the Hyūga Clan. If you do not give him to me, I will consider our agreement void, and might react in an unpleasant manner. I might even invite Iwa and Kiri to join in. You have one month.
Ē
Raikage no Kumogakure no Sato, no Kaminari no Kuni
"Wait, can't you apply the Hyūga Sōke no Juinjutsu to his body?" the Hokage asked in a burst of inspiration.
"No, Hokage-sama," another member of the Hyūga Clan Council memer, "The seal can only be applied to a living person, and even if we could apply it to Hiashi-sama, it would only work if he was newly-dead, and very young."
"So, there is nothing that we can do…" the Hokage said.
"Wrong. We can give them Hyūga Clan Head." Hizashi said.
"Hizashi-sama! Are you seriously suggesting giving Kumo, the vilest of all of the ninja villages, the most powerful kekkei genkai in the world?!" Dokohara said.
"First of all, no. The Byakugan is not the most powerful kekkei genkai in the world. It may rank fairly high, but it is not the most powerful. Second of all, we will not give them the Hiashi they need, but they will get someone who they think is Hiashi. They do not know that the Cursed Seal has to be applied to a living, young person. For all they know, we could have placed it on him just after he died." Hizashi said.
"Hi-Hizashi! You cannot honestly suggest that we…" the Hokage stuttered.
"No, I am not suggesting. I am demanding. We will give Kumo my body, and thereby avoid war, while simultaneously losing nothing." Hizashi said. The Hokage was silent for a minute before speaking,
"Honorable Clan Council, if you could leave us for a moment?" he asked. The councilors grumbled, but one by one they filed out of the room, before Hizashi and the Hokage were left alone. Hizashi stared at the old man, an impassive expression on his face, while the Hokage had a contemplative look on his face.
"Why would you do this, Hizashi? You were just made Clan Head – you are free from the Cursed Seal, your son Neji will be free, your bloodline will be the rulers of the Hyūga Clan. Why would you give all of that up, for our village?" the Hokage finally asked.
"The village? Don't make me laugh. I am doing this for myself." Hizashi replied with a snort.
"I do not understand…" the Hkage asked in confusion.
"All of my life, I have been a slave – a slave to the clan, a slave to the Main Branch, a slave to the village, a slave to my brother. Right now, I do not want to be a slave anymore. My entire life, I have not made any choices about myself – it has all been Fate. I did not become the leader of the Clan, I was MADE the leader of the Clan. I had no choice in the matter. Well, right now, I am cheating Fate. I am making the decision about my life. In this moment, I control my life. In this moment…I am free." Hizashi said.
"Very well. We, we will do what you desire." The Hokage replied, after thinking for a minute or so. He prepared to call the other members of the Council in, when Hizashi stopped him, and gestured to come closer. He lowered his head, and whispered something to the Hokage. The Hokage's eyes widened, and he looked at Hizashi as if the Hyūga had gone mad. Hizashi only nodded, and gestured to the wardrobe in the room. Hiruzen tried to say something, but Hizashi simply shook his head. Hiruzen went to the wardrobe and took out a bundle, which Hizashi unfurled, revealing a tantō, a snow-white robe, and a mat, as well as a larger wakizashi. After this, Hiruzen called the other members of the Clan Council. One by one, they came back into the room, to find Hizashi kneeling on the mat, holding the tantō in a reverse grip.
"Honorable Council of the Hyūga Clan, I am calling you all now as witnesses to my actions. On this day, I will commit ritual seppuku, and my body will be given to the village of Kumogakure no Sato. Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage no Kumogakure no Sato will be my kaishakunin. My will is final, and you cannot change my mind. Before I proceed, I would like a moment of prayer," Hizashi said lowering the tantō to his abdomen, and closing his eyes. Quietly, he began to chant. When he had finished, he spoke again. "Call my son."
"Hizashi, are you mad!? This could traumatize young Neji!" Hiruzen yelled in disbelief.
"My son will know how his father died, and why he died. Call my son." Hizashi demanded. A council member went to fetch Neji, and returned a few minutes later.
"Daddy? What are you doing? Why did you wake me up?" Neji asked, rubbing his eyes.
"My son…I want you to know that I love you, and that what is happening is of my own free will. I am giving up my life, in order to maintain peace, but understand this now – I am not doing this for the village, or the clan, or for the people of this village. I am doing this for myself. My entire life, I have been a slave – no decision regarding my life has been made by me – Fate has controlled my entire existence. But, in this instance, I am in control, and I rule my destiny. I want you know this now – Fate controls the lives of the many, and the weak. Do not be one of those. Become strong, become powerful, and become great. Only that way can you defy Fate, and make your own future." Hizashi finished his speech. Neji looked stunned and confused, and Hizashi simply smiled.
"Do not worry my son. One day, you will understand." Hizashi smiled and ruffled his son's hair, "Hokage-sama…I am ready." The Hokage picked up the wakizashi, and positioned it over Hizashi's neck. One of the council members put his hand on Neji's shoulder and squeezed in comfortingly. Hizashi positioned the tantō, and turned his head to look at his son one last time, before moving the blade a little away from his body, squeezing the hilt, and ramming it into his belly. Still looking at his son, he swiftly pulled the blade from left to right, spilling out internal organs, before the Hokage swiftly lowered the wakizashi onto Hizashi's neck, removing his head from the body. It rolled a few feet, stopping in front of Neji, with his large, pale, unblinking eyes staring up into the boy's as a single, fat, wet tear rolled down the young child's cheek. The council member squeezed the young boy's shoulder, and led him to his room.
The Hokage stared at Hizashi's body, befor he suddenly felt a stabbing pain in his chest. He clutched it, and suddenly, before anyone could react, he fell.
A council member activated his Byakugan, and gasped.
"The Hokage has fluid in hi lungs! He can't breath! We must get him to a hospital, immediately!" the council scrambled into motion, picking up the coughing Hokage, and rushed him to the hospital. The moment they got there, a nurse took one look at him, and yelled.
"I need a bed immediately! The Hokage is here, and he is in serious condition!" One of the councilors quickly informed her of the problem, and she called for a doctor. The Hokage was rushed to a private room, and a cannula was inserted into his lungs, and the fluid was drained.
"All right, we got most of it out, he should be able to breath normally now. He needs to rest, and not do anything strenuous. As it is, with the stress he has undergone today, I would give him less than three months to live…" a doctor said.
Next Week
The Hokage had called a meeting, and was patiently awaiting the members of the advisory Konoha council. The council was a system put in place by the Shodaime Hokage, Hashirama Senju, created to advise the Hokage, as well as take up complaints to him about various issues, asking him for judgment about said issues, however they had no real power in the village. Slowly, they filed in, one at a time.
First came Shibi Aburame, the head of the Aburame Clan – one of the four noble clans of Konoha's. He was a quiet man, who spoke little, but thought much. He wore a large coat, with the collar reaching above the nose. He wore small glasses, covering his eyes, and giving him a fairly creepy look. Usually, the only thing that could be heard from him was a slight buzz.
Next came Chōza Akimichi, the, "pleasantly plump" head of the Akimichi Clan. The Akimichi were also a noble clan of Konoha, who were well known for being large, and having weight-based attacks. Chōza wore samurai armor, with食, shoku – the kanji for food on it.
The third to come in was Fugaku Uchiha – the head of the Uchiha Clan, well known for their rivalry with the Senju Clan. He was a man of a somber nature, who rarely smiled, and often had a slightly arrogant look on his face. Not many people liked him, but nobody could deny that he was a powerful shinobi, and was a capable leader of one of the most powerful clans in Konoha. He wore a simple kimono, with a reverse apron with a white diamond design on it.
Next came the leader of the final noble clan of Konoha – Hikari Hyūga, the newly elected leader of the Hyūga Clan. She was the wife of the late Hiashi, and had decided to take control over the clan until her daughter or Neji were old enough to become the heads of the Clan. She wore a white kimono, with a blue floral design on it. Her hair was styled into a complicated braid, and she wore a Konoha Hitai-ate on her waist as a belt.
After Hikari entered two people at the same time – Inoichi Yamanaka, and Shikaku Nara. Inoichi wore a simple black coat above a grey shirt and white cargo pants. His hair was in a ponytail, and his eyes were pure green, with no pupils. Shikaku wore a mesh undershirt, and a flak jacket. His hair was styled in a spiky topknot, and he had 2 scars on the left side of his face. He had a moustache, and a goatee, and he had a permanently bored expression on his face.
Finally, Tsume Inuzuka, the head of the Inuzuka Clan came in, with her ninken Kuromaru. She had two tattoos on her cheeks in the shape of fangs as well as a spiky hair. Her overall appearance made her look somewhat feral compounded by the fact that she usually had a fairly unsettling bloodthirsty grin on her face. She wore a flak jacket, under which she wore a brown tracksuit.
After the Clan Heads came in, the Honorable Elders of Konoha – Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado came in, followed by Danzō Shimura, who was not actually a member of the council, but was usually invited by the Hokage. Koharu wore a black long-sleeved shirt, as well as a white shawl, along with a tan long skirt. Homura wore a blue robe and a pale yellow jacket covered by a white scarf. Danzō wore a white long shirt, covered on the right side by a black over shirt. His right arm was completely bandaged, along with the right side of his face. Danzō was known as the Yami no Shinobi because of his leadership of Ne.
"I have called you all here today for a simple purpose – I am too tired to be Hokage anymore. I am old, and I have Stage IV Lung Cancer, and last week I nearly died. I am no longer fit to be Hokage, and today I am going to decide who the next Hokage is going to be." Sarutobi said. He was met with silence.
"Ummm, Hokage-sama, who are you going to choose?" Inoichi asked.
"My decision is…Danzō Shimura." Sarutobi responded. He was met stunned silence – even Danzō was confused. Hikari looked at the Hokage as if he had gone insane, and Shikaku was so shocked he woke up.
"H-Hokage-sama…have you gone round the bend?" Tsume finally asked bluntly. Everybody knew that Hiruzen did not trust Danzō – he viewed him as a warmonger, a liar, and way to Machiavellian. The suddenness of the question, combined with the rudeness and typical Tsumeness of itcaused Homura, normally implacable Homura to snort. Everyone turned their heads to look at him so quickly, they nearly got whiplash. After the council and Homura had a staring match for a few seconds, the Hokage answered Tsume's question.
"No, Tsume-san, I have not gone insane. I know that most people think that I mistrust Danzō, but in reality, I trust him very much. I trust him to do what is best for Konoha, and for her people. I am old, in more ways than one, and I am tired. I have been living in a world of peace for too long. The incident with the Hyūga Clan has reminded me, that we are a military village. The years of peace have made us fat and indolent. We NEED a man like Danzō, because if we have another person like I, we will have even more villages making us look like fools." He said.
"Hokage-sama…we could not do anything about Kumo. They threatened war, and said that Iwa would join them. We are not prepared for war – after the Third Shinobi World War, and the Kyūbi attack, aour forces are at an all-time low. We simply could not afford war." SHikaku said.
"Hai, and do you know why that is?" the Hokage asked, as everyone looked at him, "Because I was WEAK!" he yelled slamming his hand on the table, startling everyone but Danzō when he did.
"Over the last 5 years, since the assault of the Kyūbi, the death rates for new Genin have gone up by 60%. Why? Because in my soft-heartedness, I believed that with the end of the Third Shinobi World War, we should let children be children. This. Is. FOLLY! They are not children – they are shinobi. They are killers, thieves, liars, and cheaters, and yet they waste almost an entire YEAR doing idiotic D-Rank missions! When I was a boy, we did those in the Academy as training exercises! By the time I had become a Genin, I knew much more than the Kawarimi, Henge, and Bunshin, of the three the only useful on being the Kawarimi. So, I have decided, enough is enough. I am abdicating, and Danzō will be the Godaime Hokage. My will is unmovable." The Hokage finished his speech, and in that moment, the council saw what Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Sandaime Hokage USED to be – Kami no Shinobi, one of the fiercest and most powerful ninja to ever exist. And in that moment, they realized he was right. Konoha needed change, and it needed it soon, otherwise, they would be faced with another incident, and maybe even worse than the one that had just occurred…
Next Day, Inauguration of Godaime Hokage
"I have been Hokage of this village…for nigh on 40 years. I have seen two wars, and several international incidents. I have seen the birth and rise of this village, like a phoenix from the ashes, ignited by the Will of Fire. But…I have also seen some very tough times. The Kyūbi Attack, the death of our dear Minato, and the recent incident with Kumo…This has lead me to believe that I am no longer fit to be Hokage. I am tired, and I wish to spend the last few months of my life with my family, so, today, I am announcing my Hokage…Danzō Shimura!" his speech was met with a few cheers, but mostly confused silence as Danzō took the podium.
"People of Konoha…I know many of you do not trust me. You view me as a war hawk, and that I cling to antiquated and militant beliefs, and that I will do whatever is necessary for my own betterment. I stand before you now as your new Hokage, and I tell you this now – from this moment I will do everything in my power to help and better Konoha and her people. I will make our village such a village, that nobody will even DREAM of trying to undermine us. Right now, we have hit rock bottom. We are the bottom of the barrel, the lowest of the low. But, from the bottom, there is only one way to go – up! I will make Konohagakure no Sato, the GREATEST of the ninja villages, as it once was!" Danzœ yelled out the last few words, raising his arms as he did. At this, the crowd went wild – they were not sure whether they trusted the new Hokage or not yet, but they agreed with what he said. This was a man that could lead them to a new Golden Age of peace, power, and prosperity…
Next Month
Over the following month, Danzō had done a complete overhaul of the training system, starting with the Academy.
Flashback no Jutsu
"Haigashi-san, how long have you been the Academy instructor?" the new Hokage asked.
"Ummm, about 3 years…" the nervous Chunin replied. At this moment, many thoughts were running through his head – was the Hokage mad? Was he pleased? Was he about to get fired?
"Tell me honestly what you think about the material that you teach over 4 years, Haigashi-san." Danzō demanded.
"Well…it is a bit basic…in my opinion, I could have the students able to do the Kawarimi, Bunshin, and Henge at least by the second year of enrollment, and try to have them know Shunshin and maybe their elemental affinities by the time they graduate. Moreover, there is a very large emphasis on theoretical knowledge, most of which, to be honest, I do not remember having to use much when I worked in the field. Finally, I believe that having our students do no actual work, outside of sparring and the occasional field trip does not adequately prepare them for the world outside." Haigashi replied.
"And what do you think you could do to improve it?" Danzō asked.
"Well, if I had a choice, first of all, I would decrease the Academy enrollment age to 6 – this gives us more time to prepare them to be ninja. Second I would try to lessen the amount of theoretical knowledge – calculating the trajectory of a kunai flight will not help you in battle unless you are a Nara: one simply does not have the time. Third, I would increase the amount of chakra control exercises – introduce tree climbing by the third year, and have them master water walking by the time they graduate. This would serve to not only increase chakra control, but chakra reserves as well. By the third year, I would try to get the students to know their elemental affinities, so that they can train in a specific area. I would use the academy students to complete D-Rank missions – this not only prepares them for the real world of ninja missions, it also gives the village more income – you do not have to pay Genin out of the cost of the mission. Finally, I would pair them up with people that they consider rivals, so that they may grow and seek to better themselves against their opponent. This would also work to establish bonds and build rudimentary teamwork." Haigashi said, taking a deep breath after his long speech. Danzō looked at him and thought,
This is the type of man I need. He thinks exactly like me, and with his help, I can create the next generation of ninja, one more powerful and efficient than any before seen. And I will start here…
"Haigashi, in your opinion, how soon do you think you can implement this new system, and how much funds do you think you will need?" Danzō asked.
"Well, Hokage-sama, I can't implement the system this year because we are already half-way through it, but next year I definitely can. I can use the remaining half of the year and the summer to plan a course schedule for the 6 years of academy. As to funds…we may need a fair amount, because we would have to hire specialists to teach, and those do cost a pretty penny. However, the village would get that money back in spades, with all of the D-Ranks that the Academy would complete for free." Haigashi replied, already mentally planning the restructuring of the Academy.
"It will be done. I want you to create a plan in the next half-year on how to restructure the academy, and present it to me. Request help from anybody that you want – if you require funds, I will give them to you. Meanwhile, I think we can implement one part of the plan this year – start the Academy students above second year doing D-Ranks. This will be a good way to raise our economy quickly, given that we have suffered several blows to it in the past few years." Danzō commanded.
"Hai, Hokage-sama!" Haigashi said calmly as he turned to leave. On the inside however, he was jumping for joy.
Finally! Hokage-sama recognizes my ideas, and I can actually train shinobi that I am proud of! This may even lead to a promotion to head instructor!
Danzō looked at the man who was obviously drooling inside, and mentally smirked. This was too easy – basic psychology: show a man that he is appreciated, and he will go to the ends of the earth for you. Granted, Danzō had wanted to implement all of those changes himself, but the fact that someone else had the idea and that he approved it gave him a loyal follower, and one that gave him direct access to the young minds and future of Konoha, making manipulating them much easier, and harder to trace back to him.
Flashback Kai
However, that was only the first part of the plan that Danzō had implemented. Over the years, he had grown wary of Orochimaru, especially after he defected. It is not that he disliked his experiments, on the contrary. However, without Orochimaru bound to the village, he may easily attack or attempt to subvert it. It is for this reason that Danzō had arranged this meeting – he had to negotiate a deal between Konoha and it's most famous nukenin.
"Well, well, well, Danzō. Long time no see…did you miss me?" came a chilling snakelike hiss from the dark room. Normal men would have had chills running down their spines at this point, but not Danzō he had seen things more frightening than Orochimaru, and he did not intend to play the Hebi Sennin's mind games.
"Cut the crap, Orochimaru, I do not want to waste any time." Danzō snapped. At this Orochimaru pouted.
"Awwwww, Danzō-sama, you cut me to my very heart." He said.
"That cold, dead, blackened organ of yours can barely be classified as a heart. Now, let's get down to business. You know why I summoned you, yes?" Danzō asked.
"Well, let's see. The old man is about to croak, you got appointed Hokage, I am dangerous, and you want to reform Konoha. Sooooooo, I am going to guess you want to offer me something in return for me not fucking with your grand plan. Am I correct, Danzō?" Orochimary hissed out.
"On all counts. Now, what can I offer you to leave Konoha alone?" Danzō asked, dreading the response.
"Ha…hahahaha….HAHAHAHAHA!" Orochimaru burst into a uncharacteristic full-belly laughter, "What can you offer me you old Warhawk? I have almost everything I need – I certainly do not need you!"
"Ah, but that is where you are mistaken. First of all, just how well does Akatsuki pay you? Yes, I know all about the fact that you have joined them." Danzō smirked, looking at Orochimaru's slightly surprised expression, for which it was the equivalent of a wide-eyed gaping expression, "I am willing to wager that this Pain does not give you nearly enough, considering how much your experiments are worth. Moreover, I understand you Orochimaru. I have known you for almost 50 years – you want, no, you crave attention. How many of your developments have been used? Ten no Juin, Chi no Juin, Orochimaru-ryū no Kawarimi no Jutsu, and so many others. How many others have you developed that have never been witnessed and admired for their ingenuity? How many experiments have you not been able to do because of lack of funding? You could have that and more. Your developments could be recognized and admired. You could experiment, truly experiment, with funding, and not the reject equipment that you happen to scavenge. And, I could call off quite a few of the ANBU I have hunting for you currently. However, should you refuse, I might happen to assign more. Think about it Orochimaru. I could even supply you with a few kekkei genkai users every now and again. And you would not be in any danger – I would simply pass it off as developed by the R&D, using young Kabuto."
"Hmmmm…The offer is quite tempting… But how do I know you will keep your side of the bargain?" Orochimaru asked.
"Because I do not want Konoha demolished, that is how." Danzō retorted.
"Very well, Danzō, we have a deal. If you want, I can show you some of the fruits of my endeavors, and you can see if you can put them to use." Orochimarū offered.
"Excellent. But, should you renege on our bargain, I will not send ANBU after you. No, I will get rid of you myself, and trust me, you will enjoy it." Danzō threatened cryptically. Orochimaru merely chuckled, and thought to himself.
Threaten me all you want, old man, but my day will come. I will see Konoha razed to the ground, burning. And when you ask me for help, I will throw your threat back in your face, and deal with you, and trust ME, you will not only not enjoy it, but you will remember it for the rest of your short, miserable life. Kukuku…
Out loud however, he merely said, "Why Danzō, after everything that we have been through, would you really distrust me like this?"
"Yes. Yes, I would." Danzō said bluntly.
3 years after Hyūga Incident
"Itachi, any new developments?" Danzō asked seemingly to thin air.
"Somewhat, Danzō-sama. I have found out the day that my Clan wishes to launch the attack on Konoha." A disembodied monotone answered.
"Humph. When?" Danzō asked.
"October 10, Danzō-sama. My father says that there is a double advantage to this – it is the day of the festival, so many ninja and civilians will be caught with their pants figuratively down, and he also seems to think that it is poetic – the Uchiha will betray the village in reality, on the day they were accused of doing it." Itachi replied.
"Damn him…" Danzō muttered, If that fool had only agreed to try and work this out, but Fugaku Uchiha is as unmovable as a fucking mountain. He would have made a great Iwa shinobi… In any case, there is nothing that can be done. But Kami damn it! Why does this have to all happen so soon?!
"Danzō-sama, what are your orders? What should I do?" Itachi asked. Danzō sighed.
"We have to execute the back-up plan. The Wednesday of next week, you will slaughter the Uchiha Clan, excepting your younger brother." Danzō ordered.
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Itachi replied with a slight waver in his usual monotone.
"Itachi, I truly wish that this did not have to happen – the loss of one of our greatest clans will hurt Konoha greatly…" Danzō said, "Now, you are dismissed."
Of course that senile fucker only thinks about the village, not the fact that he is ordering me to kill off my entire family…Sasuke, one day, you will avenge me, and rebuild the Clan… Itachi shook out of his reverie as he jumped from rooftop to rooftop, stopping after a few minutes, and lying down on one of the roofs, gazing at the night sky. I wish that I could be a star in the sky…powerless truly, but I would burn and illuminate with the heat of the sun…I would have no true responsibility, and I would be at peace…maybe in my next life, Kami will see fit to reincarnate me as a star…
Next week – September 20, nighttime
Itachi was entering his room through his window, when he suddenly realized that someone was already in there. Drawing his tantō, he slowly jumped into the room, listening intently as he did.
"Hi, Itachi." A weak voice sounded from his bed, "Long time no see."
"Shisui?" Itachi asked in disbelief, sheathing his tantō, "What are you doing here?"
"The clan…ordered me to watch you. They suspect that you are going to betray them regarding the coup, so they told me to keep an eye on you. However…I do not agree with them. I di not want to stage a coup…it would only create more hostility and rage, and it would mean the deaths of so many people…so many innocent people…" Shisui said, "A few hours ago, I attempted to talk to Danzō-sama, to convince him to arrange peace talks with Fugaku-sama…"
"And? What did he say?" Itachi asked excitedly, "And why don't you come out of the shadow?"
"He…said that peace talks would never work with a man liôe Fugaku-sama…and then he tore out my right eye…" Shisui said, stepping out of the shadows.
"Shi-shisui!" Itachi stammered in shock, gazing at his friend. Shisui was holding his right hand over his eye, with blood seeping between his fingers. His hair was completely messed up, and he was limping on his right foot, which was bent at the wrong angle, "What did he do to you?"
"I told you – he tore my right eye out." Shisui smirked weakly.
"We…we need to get you to a hospital! You are going to bleed out!" Itachi said, snapping out of his shock.
"No, Itachi. Even if the Iryō-nins help me, Danzō will find a way to get rid of me in another manner. No, Itachi. I am tired of this, tired of life. I have lived my entire life as a weapon and a killer – it is time for me to repent for my sins. You must take my eye, and kill me. Make it look like a suicide, that way Danzō will not think that you are on the side of the Uchiha." Shisui said in a tired voice.
"Shisui, you cannot ask me to do that – you are my best friend!" Itachi said fiercely.
"It is precisely because you are my best friend that I am asking you to do this! Itachi, do this for me, I beg you! There is nobody else that I could ask to do this! Please, free me from this cursed existence!" Shisui pleaded with his friend.
"V-very well, if that is what you truly wish…" Itachi stammered.
"How are you going to do it, if I may ask?" Shisui asked.
"Dim Mak…" Itachi replied with a heavy heart.
"Ah, a good choice. Hard to trace, leaves no marks." Shisui said, "Now, before you put me out of my misery, I must ask another favor."
"Anything. If it is within my power, I will do it." Itachi said, fervently wishing to help his only friend.
"My eyes…they are dangerous – that is why Danzō wanted them so badly. I have unlocked the Mangekyō Sharingan, and with it an extremely dangerous technique called Kotoamatsukami – one of the greatest Genjutsu in existence. With it, one can alter memories, literally brainwashing someone. Danzō means to use it to attempt to control someone or something, I do not know, but I know this: my eyes cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of those who would seek to do evil. Therefore, take it, and keep it safe." Shisui finished, raising his left hand, and suddenly plunging it into his socket, and pulling out his eye.
"AAAAAAAAARGH!" he screamed in pain. Itachi looked on in horrified fascination as his best friend destroyed his sight forever. Shisui held his hand up, and handed it to Itachi, who took it like it was a precious jewel.
"Do it now…" Shisui whispered. Itachi looked at his friend one last time, before forming hand in a particular shape, and striking Shisui in his heart, damaging it.
"Thank…you…I…ta…chi…" the last part of the sentence was barely a whisper, and only a ninja would have heard it. Thus Shunshin no Shisui died. Died by his own wish, and by the hand of his best friend, who committed the deed unwillingly. Itachi took his friend's corpse to the river, quietly, subtly, in a manner that nobody would see him, and threw it in. After he did, he felt a sharp, sudden pain in his eyes. He fell to his knees, covering his eyes with his hands, and when he took them away, and looked in the reflection of the water, he saw…
He saw the eyes of the Kaleidoscope…the Mangekyō Sharingan, which could only be attained from killing the one, who you thought was your best friend. He wished…he wished he did not have these eyes, for they would serve as a constant reminder… He forged a note, signed in Shisui's handwriting, and brought it to his dead friend's apartment and left it on his desk. He then proceeded back to his own apartment, whereupon he went into his bathroom and threw up several times. After he had finished, he went back into his bedroom, and summoned a crow, and proceeded to seal the Sharingan that Shisui had given him into it. Having finished, he picked up a bottle of sleeping pills, and took one, going into a deep, dreamless sleep…
October 4, 2 weeks later
"It is time." Danzō told Itachi, "Tonight, you will do it. Then, you will leave the village."
"Hai, Hokage-sama." Itachi said, seething inwardly, "One day, old fool, I will kill you. You will pay for Shisui, and for all of the other lives that you have taken…"
"Dismissed." Danzō ordered, turning back to his paperwork. Itachi bowed, and shunshin'd away. Heading back home, he thought about the deed he had to commit tonight, and got lost in thought. Before he knew it, he had reached his apartment, and was opening the front door. Having gone inside, he went to his bedroom, and picked up a picture. It was a photo that was several months old, and it depicted his mother and father, along with him and Sasuke. In the picture, Itachi was ruffling Sasuke's hair, which Sasuke was trying to stop, and his father was in one of those rare moments when he was actually smiling. His mother was sanding next to his father, and laughing at the camera.
"Why? Why did he have to kill all those that were dear to him for the sake of a village? Why did the good of the many outweigh the good of the few? Why did HIS family have to die? Why…why did he have to leave his little brother?" At this last thought, Itachi began to cry, as a single solitary tear fell from his eye, and trickled down his cheek. All the while, a single thought pervaded his entire being… "Why?"
Several hours later
Itachi silently leaped into the Uchiha Clan Compound, and immediately saw a masked man leaning against the gate, as if he was waiting for the ANBU.
Flashback no Jutsu
Itachi was returning from a bar late, heading home, and had just reached his apartment building, when he saw a masked man standing outside the door, blocking entrance.
"Lovely night, isn't it?" the masked man said.
"Who are you?" Itachi asked, drawing his tantō.
"Who? Who is but the form following the function of what... and what I am is a man in a mask." the masked man replied.
"I can see that." Itachi replied with a small amount of annoyance in his voice.
"Of course you can. I'm not questioning your powers of observation, I'm merely remarking on the paradox of asking a masked man who he is." the masked man said, "However, if you truly want to know, I will tell you. My name…is Madara Uchiha."
"Ma-Madara Uchiha?! You…you died! Years ago!" Itachi stuttered in disbelief.
"Heh…that is what Hashirama Senju," at this the masked man spit, "Would want you to believe. However, I am alive and well, as you can see."
"Prove it. Why should I believe that you are who you say you are?" Itachi demanded, having regained some semblance of control and calm.
"Well…it would be difficult for me to use a few of my more powerful techniques here, but how about this?" the man asked, as his eye shifted first to a regular Sharingan, and then to a more complicated design which looked like a slightly deformed 3-pointed star, with a circle connecting the three points.
"M-Mangekyō Sharingan!" Itachi nearly shouted.
"Yes. Is that enough proof for you?" the now-known Madara asked.
"Y-yes…" Itachi said, still finding it difficult to believe that he was talking to a living legend, "What are you doing in Konoha?"
"Ah…the million ryō question. I am here…to make the Uchiha Clan into what is one was, and to have it claim its rightful place, as the leaders of Konoha, as they were meant to be, instead of the foolish Senju, and the spawn of their ideology." Madara replied.
"H-have you been supporting their claim to take over the village?" Itachi asked with in fear.
"Where do you think the idea came from? For their vaunted ability to see through deception, the Uchiha Clan Council is very gullible, and it was very easy for me to use just a few genjutsu to convince them that taking over Konoha is the best course of action in order to reclaim their rights and power." Madara said, laughing once he had finished.
"But why? According to the reports left by your contemporaries, you tried to convince the clan to revolt, and were refused, after which you left, claiming the clan had betrayed you. Why would you try to help them?" Itachi asked in disbelief.
"Because I was bored…" Madara said. Itachi sweatdropped a little, but felt even more fear at a man who would incite a revolt a revolt simply out of boredom.
"What if…I offered you a better deal?" Itachi proposed hesitantly.
"Oh? Do tell – I am all ears." Madara replied.
"What if…I gave you the chance to revenge yourself on the clan that abandoned you so many years ago? Hokage-sama…Danzō knows that peace talks with the Uchiha will fail – he intends for me to kill off the entire Uchiha Clan in order to maintain peace. What…what if you helped?" Itachi suggested with no small amount of fear running through him.
"Oh…that sounds interesting…tell me more…" the man replied, intrigued.
"I am going to kill them all…except my brother. If you help me, you would get your vengeance against the clan that wronged you so many times." Itachi coaxed.
"Why are you leaving your brother alive if you plan to kill everyone else?" Madara asked.
"Because…Sasuke is innocent. And one day, he will wipe the slate clean by killing me, and rebuilding the Uchiha Clan as it once was and is destined to be." Itachi said.
"Heh…sentiment and love…two things that no matter how long you are a ninja can never be wiped out from you if you had them… Very well, Itachi Uchiha. I agree to your proposal. Together, we will kill off the entire Uchiha Cla, excepting your brother. When you wish to do it, send me a message." Madara said before using a Jikūkan Ninjutsu of some sort to simply…disappear.
Flashback Kai
"Well…time to do it, yes?" Madara asked, standing up straight as he did.
"Yes…" Itachi said with a heavy heart.
"Ah, come now Itachi. Do not be so downhearted. It will soon be over." Madara said almost comfortingly.
"No…it will never be over for me. I will live my entire life with the knowledge that I killed my entire family." Itachi replied sadly.
"Not your entire family…" Madara said.
"Hai…but the next time I will see the last of it…will be when he kills me…" Itachi retorted.
"Enough talk, let's do this." Madara said with no small amount of relish in his voice. Itachi nodded, and in unison they jumped into the roof of the first house and silently went in through the window.
About an hour later
Sasuke was coming home late from training, and as he entered the clan compound, he noticed something odd. There were no sounds - -not the laughter of children, not the arguments of adults. And there was nobody in the streets – Sasuke knew that there were people in the clan with insomnia, and they had a tendency to walk around the compound sometimes, but tonight, he saw nobody. How odd…
Sasuke walked through the compound for a few moments, until he came across someone lying on the ground. He walked over to wake them up, but when he touched the person, they rolled over and Sasuke saw a gaping stab wound in his chest, from which blood was still leaking a bit.
"AAAAH!" Sasuke screamed, and started running towards his house, which was in the center of the compound. As he ran, he saw more and more dead bodies littering the streets of the compound – stabbed, beheaded, throats cut, sliced into pieces. If you were a moron, you could almost admire it. After a few moments he had reached his house, and was running inside, "Kaa-chan! Tou-san! Are you alright?"
Having run into his parents' room, he saw his brother standing in front of his father. Suddenly, Itachi pulled something away from his father, and Fugaku fell. At this, Sasuke saw what Itachi had pulled away – his tantō.
"Tou-san!" Sasuke cried running towards his father and cradling his head to his stomach, "Itachi? WHY?!"
"Foolish little brother. So, so foolish. I will tell you why, though you are too weak to do anything about it," Itachi said in his monotone, "I did it to test myself. The Uchiha Clan has grown weak with age: I alone am powerful. I sought to test that power, and to kill to birds with one stone, I eliminated all those Uchiha that were weak and not worthy of their name."
"Y-you! I hate you!" Sasuke cried.
"Foolish, weak little brother." Itachi said, grabbing Sasuke by the arm, "Come, let me show you how I killed our parents. Tsukuyomi."
Suddenly, the scene changed to Itachi entering their house, with Sasuke being an outsider looking in. He saw his mother, Mikoto Uchiha come out of the kitchen to greet Itachi with a smile on her face, when she noticed his tantō, stained crimson from the blood of his clan. A questioning, then horrified look came across her face, when suddenly Itachi blurred and appeared behind her, his tantō at her neck. Tears were streaming down Mikoto's face as Itachi swiftly pulled, and severed her jugular, causing her to fall to the ground and bleed out in seconds. Itachi stared at her body impassively for a few seconds before raising his sword, and swinging it, flicking the blood off of it, after which he turned and walked towards the stairs.
Having ascended, he went up to the room of his parents, and saw their father sitting away from the door, looking at a painting of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha's battle at the Valley of the End. Itachi appeared to say something and Fugaku stood up and faced the ANBU. He appeared to say something, and then closed his eyes and lowered his arms to his sides. Itachi raised his tantō, and rushing towards his father, stabbed him in the heart grabbing him by the head and leaning in to whisper something in his fathers' ear at the same time…
After this, Sasuke was surprised to see the scene shift to Itachi once again enter the house and redo the events of the previous few minutes again…and again…and again… for the next 3 days. When the nightmarish scene finally played for the last time, Sasuke was torn back to reality to find that nothing had changed, and that Itachi was standing in front of him holding his gaze.
"Why…why did you leave me alive? You killed everyone that I love, why leave me alive?" Sasuke asked, nearly in hysterics.
"I will tell you, little brother. I am leaving you alive precisely because I have killed all that you love – you are too pathetic to kill. I have killed everyone that you love, because they were worthy of death at my hands – you, on the other hand are not. Grow up, foolish brother. Grow strong and grow worthy. Thrive on your hate; use it to become powerful. Maybe then you will be worthy to fight me, and I will give you the chance to prove yourself before I kill you." Itachi said, turning away.
Sasuke tried to stand up, as suddenly he felt a pain in his eyes, and he fell to the ground silently crying tears of blood. When he got up after a few seconds, he had awakened the Sharingan. Sasuke however, was too mad with grief and rage to notice the fact that he could suddenly see much better, and drawing his kunai, he attempted to attack his brother. Itachi turned around, and saw his brother throw a kunai at him. Itachi did not move, but the kunai went a bit high, striking his hitai-ate, scratching it and knocking it off. Itachi looked at the fallen piece of steel and cloth for a second, before using Shunshin no Jutsu to get by his brother, and chopping him across the neck, knocking him out, before leaving the compound to go to the gate, where he was met by Madara.
"Time to go, yes?" Madara asked.
"Almost, I have something that I need to do first." Itachi said, turning towards the Hokage Tower.
"It is done, then?" Danzō asked, facing the wall.
"Yes. They are all dead, except my brother." Itachi replied, standing on the windowsill.
"Why is your brother still alive? The order was for all Uchiha to be killed – you disobeyed a direct order from your Hokage…" Danzō said in a monotone, yet managing to come across as threatening.
"My brother is innocent. He has not done anything wrong, and he can be used to rebuild the Uchiha Clan here in Konoha as loyal soldiers." Itachi explained.
"What is stopping me from simply killing your brother, and harvesting his genes to create a new clan…a clan of non-Uchiha's completely loyal and subservient to me?" Danzō asked in a monotone curiosity.
"Because…if you do, I am going to reveal every secret of Konoha to every village in the world. I will air all of Konoha's dirty laundry to anyone who wants to listen – I would wager Kumo and Iwa would be VERY interested…" Itachi said in his monotone, growling slightly at the end of his speech.
"Very well Itachi. Continue the plan as we decided, and contact me every 2 months or so. Dismissed." Danzō ordered, turning around to face the wall again.
"Understood." Itachi said, leaping from the windowsill before dispelling in midair, transforming into a multitude of crows.
"Let's go." Itachi said, appearing next to Madara, and they left through the Konoha Gate to his next mission – a long-term assignment to spy on Akatsuki. Itachi turned towards Konoha one last time, before catching up with Madara.
"Sasuke…grow strong…avenge the Uchiha Clan, make them strong again, and rebuild us as we were meant…loyal to Konohagakure no Sato…"
A/N: So, I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I am sorry that it took so long to write it… Now, some of you might be upset that I have killed off yet ANOTHER character. But…was Hiashi ever really that important in canon? No…he wasn't. But, once again, don't worry; they are not gone for good. Anyway, welcome to a feature that I will try to include in every chapter of every story I write – Fanfic Rant! In this feature, I am going to rant about something about fanfiction that I DESPISE. Today's edition…the Civilian Council!
The Civilian Council – a term used so often, that it is practically canon. It is often used as a story catalyst. There are two main ways they are portrayed, with one sub-way… weird use of the word.
1.) The Civilian Council banishes Naruto after the Battle at the Valley of the End for hurting Sasuke, supposedly overriding the will of the Hokage…
BULLSHIT!
Even if the Civilian Council existed, HOW THE FUCK COULD IT OVERRIDE THE WILL OF THE FUCKING HOKAGE!? THE HOKAGE IS A FUCKING MILITARY DICTATOR!... Sorry, I just REALLY hate this plot point. See here's the thing – the Hokage is not an elected official, he is chosen by the previous Hokage. In fact, one more thing – when the Sandaime died, the Daimyō of Hi no Kuni was the one who was making the decision of who would be the next Hokage. And after Tsunade came to Konoha, the advisory council, Homura and Koharu approved Tsunade becoming the Godaime.
1.5.) The other manner in which the council is portrayed close to this way is when they choose to depose Tsunade and elect Danzō as Hokage….once again…BULLSHIT! How the hell could a council depose the military leader of a village, considering they never even ELECTED said leader?
2.) The second manner in which the council is portrayed is when they constantly call Naruto in to talk to them, insult him, and try to basically fuck with him as much as possible…ok…here's the thing: in and of itself, this is not a TERRIBLE idea. Mind you, it's overused, but it is not terrible. It can be used to great effect to provide a tragic backstory for Naruto to make him grow up to be a darker character. However, here's the thing – it's used too much, and always in the same manner. Civilian Council bitches, Sakura's mother screams, Hokage says "STFU." Btw, why does everybody seem to think that Sakura's mother is on the Civilian Council? I never got that… Anyway, the problem is the Civilian Council is always portrayed as being traitorous, fat, idiots. It gets a bit annoying reading the same scene so many fucking times, just with different names. So, it's doubtful if you will ever see a scene like that from me.
One last thing – the Civilian Council is COMPLETELY Fanon – it never existed in the Naruto Universe. The only council is the advisory council – Homura and Koharu, who have no real power. The only reason I include a Clan Council, was because I thought it made sense – that way, the council can bring up inter-clan issues for the Hokage to arbitrate. But, other than that, the council has NO power.
Anyway, that's it for this chapter folks. I hope you liked it, and please review and critique, but I want to say one thing before this is all over. I am writing this story for you guys, but also for myself, so if you don't like something, tell me. But, tell me what you would like changed, so that I can see if that works better than my original idea. But, if you want me to cater to your guys' desires, let me say straight up, not happening. I am writing this for my enjoyment – if it is being read, that is the icing on the cake, no more.
Review!