Chapter 6
Law, Justice and a new Beginning
The guards at the gate greeted us with a cheerful expression. Most likely they were bored and that this was the only interesting event to occur today.
"To the families who seek residency please form a line. We will be handing out forms for you to fill out," shouted a guard with a cloth that covered the bridge of his nose.
"Amaya-san," I said "Thank you again for your kindness," bowing deeply to show my gratitude.
"Make sure to visit us some time. I'm sure my daughters would love to keep you company," she replied.
"Mother!"
She laughed and waved goodbye to us.
I walked up to one the guards whilst making sure the girls were strapped carefully to my back.
"Is there something I can help you with?" the guard asked.
"I humbly request an audience with the Hokage."
He then appeared more alert before asking what I intended to discuss with the Kage of his village.
"I have some information that I believe to be of high importance. I cannot discuss this with anyone except for your Kage himself. It regards the deaths of your shinobi in Iwa Country."
He seemed suspicious of my request, but nonetheless agreed to let us into the village.
"Neko," he spoke aloud to no one in particular. A masked woman appeared with a katana across her back.
"Escort them to the Hokage."
The walk into the village was anything but pleasant. Many of the villagers stared as we were openly being escorted by the masked individual. I could only assume this was not a common occurrence. Keitaro held onto my sleeve the entire time, unwilling to let go even for a second.
Many of the civilians began to whisper and gossip about our arrival.
"Is he a noble?"
"Well he's certainly dressed like one."
"Who're the kids though?"
"You think their his?"
"Nah, he's too young to have that many."
~Quite a stir you've caused, hmm?~
'You've been unusually quiet for the past two weeks. Anything wrong?'
~Nothing's wrong. I was merely bored. At this moment, you're within enemy territory. I suggest you remain alert, lest your charges come to harm.~
The Hokage tower was hardly elegant, but it was sturdy and each area had a purpose. Practical and efficient.
We had been placed in the waiting room for nearly an hour. The Hokage was in the middle of delegating missions to his shinobi and could not be disturbed.
The shogi door opened and a shinobi with a green flak-jacket instructed us to follow him into the room.
The room had shelves of files placed against the wall with a long desk placed at the back where the Hokage himself sat. The Hokage was an aged man in robes, wearing a triangular shaped hat with the character for fire stitched on the front. He was no different from Hayato. The way he carried himself and the respect he commanded was very much the same. He stared at the children for a while before speaking.
"I was informed you had some information about my shinobi and Iwa," he stated.
"Indeed I do. The information may come as a shock to you, Hokage-sama."
This was no time for weakness. Showing even the slightest bit of uncertainty would shift the balance of our talk. If the scales tipped in his favour then the children would certainly be in danger.
Shinobi were not above killing children.
'I will not let any harm come to them. Not as long as I still draw breath.'
"I have a scroll in my possession. Within that scroll, lies the corpses of your men," I spoke with as much confidence that was needed to show that I was not a person to be trifled with.
Immediately I sensed multiple people surround the room. Their presence was cleverly masked, but their sudden tenseness made it easier to locate them.
"These men had attacked a temple in Iwa, of which I was a guardian of. They attempted to steal our secrets. In addition, they also killed all the villagers within the village nearby."
The old man hardly moved a muscle. His eyes were hard and was no doubt ready and willing to end any conflict himself, if needed.
"A temple is holy ground, no matter where it is. I have never issued nor accepted any mission that would result in a temple being attacked."
'He didn't deny the attack on the village... What else are you hiding old man?'
"I know," I replied. "Rogue-nin tend to work alone, but these men showed no sign of having left their village illegally."
Very slowly, I reached into one of the inner pockets within my haori and withdrew the scroll that contained their bodies.
Placing it on the ground before me, I welcomed him to take it.
Motioning for one of his men to examine it for any traps, his gaze once again fell on the children.
"Are these children yours?" he asked.
"No. They…are the only survivors of the attack. From both the temple and the village."
Shock flashed across the Hokage's face before steeling himself.
'Either he was hoping they would be no survivors, or he never expected that his men would do such a thing without reason.'
"Hokage-sama," The shinobi had apparently finished examining the scroll for any deception.
"I believe there is something you must know."
"And what is that?"
"I was the one who killed each and every person inside that scroll."
This time he did not conceal his shock. ~He's shaken. Now the balance is in your favour! Be careful, this may end up with a tough fight.'
"What village were you trained in?" he demanded.
"None. I trained myself and was later trained personally by the Grandmasters of the temple."
Things were starting to get dangerous. I slowly channelled small amounts of Qi throughout my body.
~This could be a very dangerous bloodbath…~
'Indeed…'
"Open the scroll," He commanded.
The shinobi nodded and laid the scroll across the floor, showing all twenty storage seals. With a small pulse of Chakra the seals flared and the sight of twenty corpses appeared. A head rolled towards the man, its eyes still open in a chilling stare.
"What the- That's Fugaku!" the man cried out.
"It is as I feared…"
The Hokage sighed and looked down in shame. "ANBU! Call an emergency council meeting. If everyone isn't here in an hour without good reason, then I will have them stripped of their position," he ordered.
"Alto-san, you have my most sincere apologies. This matter must be dealt with quickly and as carefully as possible. It would be best if you were present with me in the meeting that is to be held," he implored.
"Of course. This is a delicate situation for you and your village. If I can be of any assistance, then please do not hesitate to call upon me for aid," I responded.
The Hokage opened a draw and pulled out a brass smoking pipe. Filling it with some tobacco he then proceeded to light it and puff on it. For a moment he wasn't the iron-hard leader he portrayed, but a man who had seen and experienced far too much.
"Dark times have fallen on this village, and it seems even more darker and sinister things are yet to come…"
The council chambers were filled with various, prominent figures of Konoha. The head of each ninja clan were seated on the right side, while the civilian clan leaders sat on the left.
~Look to the right, at the far end.~
Directing mygaze to the suggested direction, I saw a young boy and a woman with the same fan symbol that the temple attackers had.
'Ah… The boy looks like he could be Fugaku's son. If that's true, then the woman must be his mother.'
Everyone in the room was whispering, wondering what the purpose of this meeting was. Most were the civilians. The ninja clan representatives merely watched the situation, quietly making observations. Everyone had noticed my presence.
The chamber doors closed and silence immediately followed. The Hokage stood beside me, taking one last puff from his pipe before extinguishing it.
"This council meeting is now in session. I thank you for coming here on such short notice. The subject of this meeting is about the disappearance of Uchiha Fugaku and nineteen other clan members," he began.
"It has been confirmed that…they are dead. I had their bodies examined and have found no signs of deception. In front of you are a variety of files. The first is the autopsy report and the rest are simply testimonies from a number of individuals."
Everyone picked up the files and immediately began to read through them. Most of the civilians were slightly confused while the military side of the council were outright shocked. I assumed they understood the severity of the injuries I inflicted on the now dead clan members.
"Before we proceed," the Hokage continued "I'm sure you are curious as to who the people seated to my right are."
Again their focus turned towards me. The boys quickly attempted to hide behind me in a futile effort to avoid their gaze.
The Hokage motioned for me to speak and seated himself.
"My name is Miyamoto Alto, I was until recently a temple guardian. I am the one who killed the Uchiha clan head and the members that accompanied him."
The entire council suddenly erupted in a cacophony of shouts and accusations.
~Unbelieveable! Do the words 'Political Disaster' mean anything to you? You openly admitted to murdering their people!~
'I cannot deny what I did! My actions were justified. It was to protect not only the children but the Forbidden Scroll as well.'
~Their ninja, they will bend your words. They will not hesitate to defend their own through deceit.~
A man with bandages around his arm and face slammed his cane and called for silence.
"Sarutobi! Why has that man not been apprehended and taken to Ibiki for interrogation?" he demanded.
"Danzo-" Before the Hokage could continue, I answered for him.
"My actions were justified-"
"Justified! You killed one of our clan heads!" a civilian councilman interrupted.
"They attacked my temple. A temple that I have been guarding for longer than you can possibly imagine," I countered.
"You dare accuse the clan head of such a thing? Mind your tongue boy!" Danzo threatened.
"They butchered everyone! There was barely anything left of my brethren, not even corpses. All that were left were cinders of what was once their bodies."
A civilian councilman stood up and slammed his palms on his table.
"Why would they attack your temple? What could they possibly hope to gain?" he questioned.
"And another question, what proof do you have that they did attack?" Danzo inquired.
This was feeling more like an interrogation than a council hearing.
"The children in my care are the only survivors, and your clan leader was going to burn them to ashes if I had not defended them. Fugaku and his men sought the secrets that I was tasked to protect," I refuted.
"And what exactly are these secrets? What is it about your temple that makes it so special?" this time a woman from the ninja council stood up.
"If what you claim is true, then the secrets you guarded must be something of great value correct?"
She did not appear angry, but rather calm in this whole mess. She did look rather fierce with two markings on her cheeks and if my eyes do not deceive me…fangs.
"Our temple is the place where the Rikudo Sennin was born, raised and later taught the ways of Chakra."
Absolute silence reigned supreme.
The secret was out. I could only pray that I would be strong enough to protect the legacies left behind by our temple. Each and every person was stunned; most of them had to pick their jaws off the floor.
"But I thought that it was only a myth, a legend…" the woman whispered.
"Brother Riku was an orphan that we took in; he later chose to become a disciple and eventually left the temple to travel around the various nations at the time. The rest is as your legend describes. The Senju and Uchiha are mixed descendants of his," I elaborated.
"Mixed decendants?" inquired the Hokage.
"Yes… They did not inherit his knowledge or abilities."
"This is quite a startling revalation-" he began before being interrupted again.
"The Senju and Uchiha are one of our most noble clans in Konoha. If they are not his true descendants then who are?" Danzo demanded.
"Ken'ichi," I beckoned. He stepped forward from behind still clutching to me with a vice-like grip.
"The boy before you is Brother Riku's direct descendant. He carries the same blood as he did, unchanged and pure."
"Wait!" cried one of the clan heads; a man with three scars across the side of his face. "Does it exist? The Rinnegan? Does the boy have the same bloodline as him?"
"Only time will tell…" I answered.
Danzo had a strange contemplative look. I didn't like it; he seemed to be the type of ninja that were considered to be the most dishonourable. The type who would gladly sell their soul if it would further their ambitions.
"There still remains the question of how you managed to kill Fugaku and his men," he began while sifting through the files given to him.
"The autopsy report says that the insides of their bodies had completely been torn apart, besides a few men who revealed only fractured skulls. Fugaku also showed the same type of injuries to a lesser extent, it is possible that with treatment he could have survived, but then you severed his head from his body."
Raising his head and with a defiant look. "I find it hard to believe that a single person could do this. Fugaku was an elite Jonin. The men that accompanied him were all seasoned Chunin with the exception of his brother who also was an elite Jonin."
He slammed his cane on the floor. "I demand an explanation!"
"If you like, I can demonstrate the technique. Perhaps you would oblige by being the target," I mockingly countered.
"I believe we have sufficiently proven that Fugaku and his men were guilty of attacking the temple," the Hokage intervened. "There was the motive of stealing temple secrets, and there is also the witness accounts to take into consideration."
"Therefore I declare that the Uchiha clan make amends to Alto-san and his charges. Does the council have any objections to this?"
The young boy from the Uchiha clan stood up.
"I do not have any objections, but...I would like to formally apologise for the actions that my father and clansmen have taken against you. The Uchiha will pay any form of reparation that you may desire."
"Itachi!" his mother cried out.
"Don't!" he shouted. "Don't defend father, not anymore. What he did was close to genocide! The clan has to pay for his stupidity. When the bodies are released, we'll hold a clan funeral."
His mother almost burst into tears, but could not dispute what her son had said. Turning to me, he gave a deep bow.
"I know that nothing will ever replace or bring your fallen brethren back, but even so, I hope that this terrible incident will not create any hatred against our clan for the mistake of a few," he said bowing even further.
"My quarrel was with your father. I offered a chance for him to surrender, and he refused. My hatred and vengeance against your clan ended when I took his life," I replied.
He straightened himself, a great weight seemingly lifted off his shoulders.
"What sort of compensation do you wish for us to pay?" he asked.
"When I first arrived here, I intended to simply return their bodies to their family. Yet this village is quite…peaceful. I had always assumed that a ninja village would be in constant conflict. I believe that I can live here and raise the children well."
"I see…" he whispered.
"I believe it will be better to discuss such matters in private, Uchiha-san."
The Hokage stood up and began to end the hearing.
"This hearing has ended and a satisfactory conclusion has been reached. You may all return to your homes." He declared before signalling the guards to open the chamber doors.
The Hokage gave us a hotel room to stay in until our living arrangements were dealt with. It was late into the night, the children were sleeping, and yet I could not shake the feeling that we were being watched. If keeping them safe meant forsaking sleep, then so be it.
Suddenly the sound of someone knocking on the door echoed through the room.
Opening the door revealed the boy from the council hearing, Itachi.
"May I come in?" he asked. I led him to the main room and offered him some tea I had recently brewed.
"Is it wrong for me to assume that your presence here is about what occurred in the council hearing?" I inquired.
"Not at all, that is exactly why I'm here." He replied, taking a small sip from the cup of warm tea.
"I previously expressed my desire to live in the village. If it is possible and within your power, I wish for a suitable place to easily raise and train the children."
"You're very much like a samurai," he said. "And yet you harbour no hatred for my profession."
"I'm just a simple warrior seeking the truth through the sword. I cannot deny that your methods are commonly viewed as dishonourable, but I believe that sometimes that such actions are necessary to achieve peace." I explained.
"You…are very wise, you seem to radiate the same wisdom as the Hokage and yet, only a few years elder to myself."
I gave a small chuckle. "I'm not as young as you are led to believe."
He paused for a moment, trying to understand the meaning behind my words. "Is there anything in particular you wish for your future home to have?"
Taking a small sip from my own glass, I replied. "If possible, I would like to have a forge."
"You know the art of making weapons?" He appeared quite surprised about this newfound knowledge.
"Yes, I was taught the art of smithing, I was hoping to make a living by making weapons."
"Have you considered becoming a shinobi? You would be a most welcome addition to our forces, and the pay is quite substantial," he offered.
"I'm afraid at this time it is not possible for me to join the military force. I have four children to take care of; the newborn girls will require some special attention."
"I see…" he whispered.
He placed his cup down and rose from his chair.
"I will see to it that by the end of the week your new home will be ready," he said with a troubled look.
"Something the matter?" I asked.
"The house you desire exists in the Uchiha clan district. I would gladly give the place to you, but…"
His hands curled into fists, knuckles white from the tightness.
"There are some in the clan who disagree with my decision to accept fault and make amends. Some even believe that you should be executed for killing my father." He whispered.
"I don't mind living near your clan members," I said. Again he was surprised by my choice. "I made it quite clear that no one will harm the children under my care without consequence. If they have a score to settle with me then we can settle it as men on the battlefield."
With a small nod, Itachi then proceeded to leave. Opening the door for him, he left with a small bow.
"Farewell Alto-san."
"Farewell Uchiha-sama."
"Kei-chan, Ken-chan, it's time for you to rise," I said, shaking them awake. "Go through your morning exercises while I prepare breakfast."
Gurgles of little laughter suddenly came from the kitchen. Making my way there, I was greeted with a sight that was starting to become more common. The girls were happily flinging bits of food at each other and clearly enjoying it.
"Honestly, what I am to do with you two?" I asked them. I couldn't help but laugh at their behaviour.
We were to move into the Uchiha clan compound today. Itachi was kind enough to provide me with something he called a pram. It made it so much easier to move through the village with the girls.
News of Fugaku and his clansmen's death had spread through the village like fire. Before noon, the entire populace was buzzing. By now, most of the civilians would know of my involvement in the death of Fugaku. Since yesterday, quite a few of the civilians were wary of my presence in any of their establishments. I can only hope that such treatment will not extend towards the children I care for.
"Alto-sensei, where are we going?" Keitaro asked innocently.
"Have you ever had dango before?"
He shook his head "Nope, what is it?"
"A fun sweet. I took you both for ramen yesterday so today I decided to let you try something new," I said, guiding the pram towards a small outdoor seating area. The restaurant was not expensive, built and designed in a simple fashion.
Setting the pram near one of the empty tables, we all seated ourselves. A young woman came to us ready to take our order. Her movements were too sharp, too precise.
~She's a ninja! Watch your surroundings carefully. There may be more, it's possible that the people sitting nearby are not simple civilians.~
"We'll have two servings of dango and I'll have a bottle of hot sake," I ordered, watching her movements. Writing it all down, she then left.
Most of the people around took short glances at us. The boys didn't know, but such things were not above my notice.
'What do you suppose they are watching me for?'
~You killed one of their clan leaders. A man they believed to be highly skilled. They most likely wish to assess how powerful you are, and keep an eye on Ken'ichi.~
'Ken'ichi? What for? Is it because he is Riku's descendant?'
~Yes. So you best be vigilant, lest they try some underhanded tactic.~
The serving girl returned with our order, and left after I paid for the meal. The boys each took a skewer and began to taste the sweet treat.
"Ah this is really good!" Ken'ichi exclaimed.
"I still like ramen better," commented Keitaro.
I gave a small chuckle as they argued which was better. During our travels to Konoha I learned that they were best friends. They had known each other since the first time Ken'ichi had been to the village with his father. They reminded me of the relationship Takezō and myself had. Ken'ichi would certainly be Takezō, both headstrong and decisive, always marching onwards. Keitaro was much like myself preferring to avoid conflict, but when it's needed, could be just as fierce as a tiger.
"Alto-sensei, there's something that's been bothering me," Ken'ichi said.
"What is it?" I asked. 'Did he notice the ninja around us?'
"Oji-san made me memorise the temple records as part of my studies, and I noticed something strange."
He placed the skewer in his hands back on the plate.
"The temple never had a guardian until Grandmaster Kazue, but afterwards there are no records of any new guardians. It's like there was only ever one guardian for the temple all these years. The records are always truthful, even if something shameful had happened."
'I knew I would eventually have to reveal my secret, but I never expected to do so this soon.'
I poured some sake into the saucer provided, and took a small sip. The hot drink and the burning sensation it left down my throat helped calm my nervousness.
"The truth is…that I am the first, last, and only guardian the temple ever had," I whispered.
To say Ken'ichi was shocked was an understatement.
"If I am to take care of you, raise you. Then as your guardian and as a surrogate father I must not keep secrets that you are both entitled to know."
This time I gulped the rest of the sake in one go, before pouring myself another.
"I'm immortal. I always have been. Time is meaningless and death, an old friend. Both seem like nothing more than an illusion, a cursed blessing that has plagued me since birth."
I downed yet another shot of sake. The memories flooded my mind, it wouldn't stop, they just wouldn't stop…
~Calm down! Your emotions are making the place waver with too much energy. Even passers-by are beginning to take note of it.~
I couldn't believe what I just heard. It was insane, crazy, absolute madness. Subconsciously I rubbed the seal on my neck.
'Sensei… He dreamed of achieving immortality. He sought after it with such fervour that it consumed him.'
The man that Hokage-sama requested I keep an eye on had just stated that he was immortal. The Hokage has to be informed of such critical information. The ninja that were also part of this team were all just as stunned by this revelation.
Yet, there was something very strange. The air suddenly seemed so… dense?
'What secrets are hiding within yourself?'
"I…was born in the Old World. The world that existed before this continent was even created, a world that was devoid of Chakra, a world without Qi. Ninja were far more terrifying back then than they are now."
"How old are you then?" Keitaro asked.
"Physically my body is only seventeen years old, but my true age…is more than three thousand years."
"T-three thousand?" he shouted, his jaw wide open in shock.
"It…is a long time to live for, and I hate it."
"Why? If you can't die then you can be stronger than anybody else!" Ken'ichi inquired.
"You don't understand Ken-chan… Immortality is not as perfect as one would dream of."
By now, the entire bottle of sake was nearly finished.
"How painful it feels…to watch as those close to you fade away and die, while only you continue to go on. Family, friends, even mere strangers. How agonising it is…to watch as they die, from age, sickness, or because…you weren't strong enough to save them."
The cup in my hand slipped and fell back onto the serving tray. My hand wouldn't stop shaking.
"It never stops hurting. I simply wandered the lands as a blind man, blindly clinging onto the Way of the Sword. Grasping at threads that weren't there, but Kazue-dono gave me a purpose, he gave me something to fight for, to die for."
Shakily I reached out and hesitantly placed a hand on both their heads.
"That purpose now…is to protect all of you. I will bear everything on my shoulders. Your pain, your suffering, whatever burdens you may have. I will bear it all, because you are my reason for living."
They hugged me fiercely and for a flash…I thought I saw Kazue and Daichi standing before me, with looks of pride.
That boy, Alto. The information we gathered was enough to warrant a security team to keep an eye on him, at least until the Hokage gives the 'all clear'.
Anko was…well I wasn't sure what was going on with her. She was rubbing the curse seal on her neck and appeared to be in deep thought. The only solid facts that I had on Orochimaru was that he was conducting hazardous and illegal experiments, after he was confronted by the Sandaime Hokage ( Third Fire Shadow ) he then fled the country. Any and all other information regarding him is highly classified to a degree that even the Jonin Commander or the head of our ANBU division can't access those files.
Still…the situation was confusing. There were too many variables and unanswered questions. If this boy is truly immortal as he said, then how do we deal with him if he becomes a threat?
'Damn it. All this crap is too much to think about.'
I dug into my weapons pouch and pulled out a familiar orange-coloured book…
The dark stone chambers made even the slightest sound echo. A security precaution and at the same time it served to make my soldiers more efficient at their stealth skills. It was always dark, as the roots of a tree should be.
'Hidden from the light of the world. The leaves can dance and bask in the light, but it is the roots that dig deep and whose reach extends far beyond the branches above.'
"Report," I commanded.
"Danzo-sama, the boy says that he is immortal. He mentioned that he was born immortal. He also spoke of something he referred to as 'The Old World'. He said that that his true age is beyond three thousand years and that this 'Old World' was the world before this continent existed."
'Interesting…'
"He claimed that the ninja in this 'Old World' were more dangerous and terrifying, despite saying that no one in that world had any knowledge of Chakra or something he called Qi. The boy is currently surveillance by two teams, one from ANBU and the other from the Military Police Force."
The files that I had received from the council meeting lay bare on my desk which also included updated information regarding the boy and the child that he claimed was the Rikudo Sennin's blood descendant. I read and re-read those files to the point at which I lost count. Nothing seemed to make sense anymore. The internal injuries that the men had received were on an extraordinary level. The autopsy had described it in detail; their insides had become almost liquefied.
A decision had to be made, and I had to make one now before any more time is lost. The boy has knowledge that would make Konoha invincible. Knowledge that has to be obtained no matter the cost or consequences.
"Were you detected?" I asked.
"No, but it seemed like he noticed the presence of the other teams."
"Keep a vigilant watch on him and the children. I want regular updates on my desk every week. If the chance arises then I shall even meet with him, if only to have a better standing with him in the future."
"As you command, Sir!" the soldier responded with a stiff salute.
"This mission is top priority. That boy and the children are valuable assets to this village. I don't care if the Uchiha clan are pissed, but they must be protected."
"Hai." (Yes)
Sitting down at my desk, I quickly wrote down notes regarding what I was just informed of.
'Alto huh? You just prevented a civil war and a possible genocide. If you were part of our military force then I would give you medal and fat pay-check with six zeroes. You've not only saved the village, but given us a chance to become even stronger.'
Leaning back, I took this rare opportunity to close my eyes and rest.
Another chapter done! If you have the time, I would very much appreciate any feedback on my work.