Chapter 7: Privilege.
Hiruzen Sarutobi was many things, but he was not a drinker. He enjoyed a good smoke and he enjoyed his student's literature, he would usually do both things to celebrate or release some stress. But for the life of him, drinking was he last resort.
So Nawaki knew something was wrong…very, incredibly, indisputably wrong when he saw the Third with a glass of sake in one hand and his pipe in the other.
"Hokage-sama" Nawaki kneeled in front of said man.
"Nawaki-kun" greeted the Third waiting a moment before dismissing the ANBU. "Please rise, we have urgent matters to attend to" he finished handing him two documents.
"The peace treaty with Kumo? I thought that you had signed it yesterday…" Nawaki said confused looking at the first document. He had been hiding all week to avoid a change of mind from the rival Village – in case they felt threatened or something …had he failed? Had the Kumo ninjas felt something was off and regretted their decision?
"Read the other one" the Third ordered and Nawaki didn't need to be told twice. It was a letter from the Raikage demanding compensation for the death of their Head Ninja in the diplomatic mission in the hands of the Hyuuga clan head. Konoha would have to give them the body of the murderer, Hyuuga Hiashi, if they didn't wish to break the recent treaty…what?!
"I'm afraid we are nearing a war, Nawaki-kun" said Sarutobi before gulping the rest of his sake.
"So…let's recapitulate" Nawaki started looking at the men in the room "A kumo ninja that supposedly was in our village for a peace treaty tried to abduct a three-year-old child right in front of our noses. The father of said child stopped him…killing him in the process" which was totally justified. "And now, Kumo is denying all accusations of kidnapping, demanding Hiashi's body as compensation and, to top it all, threatening with war if Konoha does not concede?" How dare they?
Sarutobi sighed, that was pretty much it. The leader of the Hyuuga clan had killed the "head ninja" of Kumo's ambassadors and Kumo wasn't having it. The title of head ninja was nothing really, only a meaningless honorific to grant additional weight to the murder of the diplomat and to put more pressure on his village.
"The Hyuuga clan knows what is required and will act accordingly" responded one of the elders of said clan. "Since we cannot afford to reveal the secrets of the Byakugan, we will not deliver them Hiashi. His twin brother, Hizashi, will take his place. It is his responsibility, as a member of the branch family, to ensure the protection of his clan head, after all."
"I will gladly do so" Hizashi bowed while his twin brother stood there without an expression on his face. As if his brother wasn't about to give his life for him.
Nawaki wanted to throw up. He knew clans such as the Uchiha and the Hyuga were very traditional and very hierarchical. The main family ruled while the branch house protected it. But Hiashi and Hizashi were brothers – twin brothers, at that – and Nawaki couldn't grasp the idea of letting – perhaps even ordering – your brother to sacrifice himself for your own sake. He could never imagine asking Tsunade to give her life for his. The mere thought made him nauseous. And here he was, Hiashi Hyuuga not faced – at. all. – at the very possible, very near death of his twin brother to save himself.
"We must not show such an act of weakness. Giving them a compensation for disrespecting our village is absurd, to say the least. Today they are asking for Hyuga-san's body, what will they ask us tomorrow? Perhaps they aren't even going to bother asking next." said an angry Danzo "They need a reminder of what Konoha is really capable of…if they are asking for a war, then a war is what they'll get." His declaration was met by gasps of shock and fear.
"I do not believe that such reckless actions are what we need right now. Especially after losing a great part of our shinobi in the nine-tail's attack" responded Sarutobi coldly. He was not going to lead his nation to another war.
"I think I must agree with Shimura-san…" Nawaki said surprising everyone in the room – mostly himself – for agreeing with Danzo of all people. "I do not wish to go to war if it can be avoided. We still have other options to persuade them not to start a war. However, we shouldn't comply so easily with their demands, especially if they were the ones in the wrong, not us. I will not let one of our shinobi sacrifice himself for what, I believe, was a totally justified action.
For decades our village has pushed for peace, recoiling at every glimpse of conflict that could rise. But the need to change the strategy has raised.
I am more than thankful and respectful of your vision as the honorable Third Hokage of Konohagakure, Sarutobi-sama. But we cannot keep seeking peace at any cost. The Raikage is not asking for the death of a shinobi that killed one of his own. He's asking for the death of a father. A father who did what any father would do if faced by the abduction of his child under his own roof.
We have been living in the hopes of making yesterday's enemies into tomorrow's friends. However, Kumo is regarding such actions as a consent to put a target on our back and enough is enough. If there is one thing my grandfather taught me is that some fights are worth fighting for." He knew he was being reckless - and he also could accept the small grudge he held towards Kumo for their attempt at kidnaping Kushina that one time – but this decision wasn't unjustified nor biased. Nawaki knew what war meant. Minato and himself had insured Konoha's win in the third shinobi war almost single-handedly, after all. And because of all that effort, he knew his village deserved respect after winning against all odds. The heroes that had sacrificed their lives in that war deserved the respect of their well-deserved triumph, they had not died to see Kumo take advantage of Konoha like they were doing right now. They had won fair and square and he wasn't about to let Kumo push over.
"Nawaki-kun, I cannot initiate another war. We have to…" said the Third, he was too old and tired to lead a nation to a war and succeed at it.
"You won't." said the Senju interrupting the Thrid "If you'll still have me, I'd like to claim the Hat that was granted to me two years ago and make this my first official decision as the Fifth Hokage of Konoha."
Needless to say, his declaration was followed by gasps of surprise from the representatives of the Hyuuga clan and the Council Elders. He knew he was being daring – even rebellious to a point. But he couldn't stop himself, he couldn't let a man die for such an absurd reason. So he simply waited for the objections to come.
"For once, I support Senju-san" said Danzo of all people. "It is downright out righteous that Kumogakure believes they can kidnap a child within our walls and get away with it." Huh, a kidnapper talking about kidnap Nawaki thought ironically, but he wasn't going to say anything for now. "I asked for war, but if Nawaki believes there is another way, we shall try."
"I intended to give you the position once the negotiations were finished." Said the third removing his hat and handing it to him. "But seeing the situation we are in…now seems as good time as any"
Nawaki nodded at him with gratitude and put on the hat, action that was met by bows of utter respect from the shinobi in the room recognizing him as their new Hokage. "What are your orders, Godaime?" said the Third standing up.
Nawaki pondered at his words. The grandson of the first Hokage knew it would be reckless to outward declare a war against Kumogakure – he didn't want another war. He was going to fight if he had to, but that didn't mean that he wasn't going to exploit his wild cards first. One of said wild cards being himself.
"As a recently appointed Hokage, I think it would only be appropriate to deliver the news to our guests in person" said Nawaki calling the – his – ANBU guards. "I need you to summon Hatake, Shiranui, Namiashi and Might Guy if available" he ordered smirking. "I need an escort of sorts."
"Hai, Hokage-sama"
Yes, he was going to send Kumo a message, a powerful message at that. Konoha was not one to pushover.
"Danzo-san, may I have a word with you before we depart" said Nawaki dismissing the other men in the room. The older man looked at him expectantly
"I intent to and will do whatever is under my reach to avoid war. However, I need to know how strong our military force really is if things go south." Nawaki sighed. "Is Root still active?"
The elder didn't respond. He simply glared at Nawaki as if daring him to keep asking questions. "How many?" insisted Nawaki "I'm not trying to disband it." Not now, anyways "I just need to plan ahead considering our current workforce."
"About a hundred agents" finally responded Danzo, after a long pause. Nawaki had to bite his tongue to not say anything else. How dare he?
"Noted. Thank you." Said the Senju trying really hard not to say anything else and rapidly dismissing the elder.
"You should also call the boy back. He would be a great asset" Danzo said instead of leaving. "I understood your insistence in having him quit Root but prying the village of his abilities was not the wisest choice. He was your student, after all, not your sister's."
Nawaki gritted his teeth. Not sure if he was mad about Danzo being so daring or him being kind of right. But his student didn't own anything to the village, it was the complete opposite, actually. "I saw them during my trip" confessed the Senju. "I am certain that Tenzo and Shizune would come back if I requested them to aid in the war. But as long as my sister isn't ready to come back for good, they won't either."
No one could possibly recognize Senju Nawaki covered in the ceremonial Hokage's haori and hat. What they could recognize, however, was the waves of power that he and his companions were emitting while walking towards the temporary residence of the Kumo ninja.
The message was loud and clear even for the civilians walking by: Konoha was a thriving village full of powerful shinobi.
"Good afternoon shinobi-san. Please excuse our unscheduled visit." Said Genma, the ever charmer jounin. "Hokage-sama wanted to review the current situation with the Hyuuga before you departed."
"Hokage-sama, of course. Please come in" said the ninja bowing at said man.
"Thank you. I believe we have much to discuss before you return to your Country" said Nawaki removing his hat while entering the house. The Kumo ninja could not help but gasp and widen his eyes at the sight of the Grandson of the First Hokage.
"Se-Senju Nawaki?!" he exclaimed in utter surprise. Hadn't he left Konoha like his sister? This was definitely not in the plan.
"Oh, did I forgot to mention we recently named Senju-sama as the Godaime?" said Genma faking innocence while scratching his head "My bad"
With all his willpower, the Kumo ninja managed to not drop his mouth open in bewilderment. However, he was still pretty damn shocked. Nawaki smirked at his reaction If this doesn't change his plans, I don't know what will.
"I've recently been informed about the Hyuuga heiress' attempt of abduction by one of your ninja." Nawaki stated, he was not one to beat around the bush, after all.
"I think you've been misinformed, Hokage-sama" defended the cloud ninja, recovering from his first impression. "One of our men was murderer by your shinobi…and there isn't any proof of a kidnapping involved."
"Oh…well, that can be easily fixed. Inoichi Yamanaka, our interrogator specialist, can enable us to see through Hiashi's memories and determine what really transpired within the walls of the Hyuuga compound. I do not think Hyuuga-san will mind either. You can accompany us to the T&I department to see for yourself" declared Nawaki and saw all color of the ninja's face fade away with each of his words. Bingo.
"Or…as a way to strengthen our relationship after the recent peace teatry, we could recognize this situation as a simple misunderstanding and leave the issue behind." the Senju said after a prolonged pause. He knew he could have asked for something – some retaliation for Kumo's disrespectful acts – the ninja's reaction at seeing him had told him that much. However, he didn't want to push his luck too much and end-up in a war. Cloud ninja were known for being prideful and irrational, after all.
"I know you are in no position to make this decision so please let my personal guards escort you to your Village. The Raikage can deliver his response to them personally." he finished singnaling to the four powerful – very deadly – shinobi accompanying him.
"I-I thank you, Hokage-sama" said the ninja bowing. "I'm sure the Raikage will appreciate your consideration"
"It's settled then, I'll leave you to my guardians…I really hope we can maintain our peace treaty for the benefit of both villages, shinobi-san." Nawaki finished nodding one last time at his jounin before exiting the room.
Nawaki was almost certain his plan was going to work. If arriving next to non-other than Kakashi of the Sharingan, Konoha's green beast and two very capable jounin that had learned the Flying Thunder Formation Technique from the Fourth himself wasn't alarming enough, the news of him becoming the Godaime would do the trick. He wanted Kumogakure to not even think about plotting against Konoha ever again. He wanted them to see for themselves what they were up to if they went to war.
Because his village could be many things but being weak was not one of them.
…However, if things went south, he could trust his four jounin to inflict as much damage as possible and return unscathed in a matter of minutes thanks to Minato's technique.
In a span of just five days, little four-year-old Hyuga Neji had come to understand – in the hardest possible way – the true meaning of his existence as a member of the branch family – or rather, lack of meaning.
Despite being called a prodigy, he sure had taken his time to finally comprehend. And like a bucket of cold water, reality had come for him all at once, forcing him to realize the truth.
He was, is and will always be as expendable as a kunai in the eyes of his clan.
It had all started with Hinata-sama's – the heiress – birthday. Neji, in all his naivete, had been excited when his uncle had declared him her protector. He had been a fool to think it was an honor, a fool that did not understand the consequences of that statement. But soon enough, he had begun to truly understand.
His life was no longer his.
His first clue had been during the heirress' training session. His uncle had given him permission to train with Hinata and, naturally, he had easily defeated her – too easily it seemed. He had been too preoccupied reassuring his cousin that he would help her become stronger. He had been too blind to see the envious looks the clan head threw at his own father - his twin brother - for daring to have a much more talented child.
Because while Hinata was beautiful and compassionate, much like a doll. It was Neji who had mastered most of the basic moves and katas his clan were known for – something children twice his age barely managed to do. It was Neji – not Hinata – who was showing signs of being the greatest prodigy in the history of the Hyuuga. He was the child – not Hinata – the clan knew should have been the heir.
And of course, that simply would not do for the Clan Head.
Before Neji could begin to enjoy the praises of Hinata and his father, he heard his uncle say "Neji only lives for Hinata's sake. Everything he is and will become, he owns to her."
Because it was Neji – not Hinata – who was destined to a life of servitude despite his talents.
Neji didn't say anything, he didn't know what to say – or think – of such a statement. But he saw his father clench his jaw and fists, seething anger. Hizashi had even activated his byakugan as a natural response of his anger. But before his father could even regret his impulsiveness, Neji saw his uncle lift two fingers – two dam fingers – that made his father scream in pain.
The little four-year old was witness to the excruciating pain his father suffered for what seemed like an endless time. He witnessed the way tears gathered in his fathers' eyes while he threw himself to the floor in an attempt to make the agony go away.
Same agony he felt just hours later. When his uncle decided – just for the sheer joy of making his point clear – to mark Neji with his clan's curse seal.
Sealing his destiny.
However, Neji still held no bad feelings towards his clan despite all the excruciating pain – so so much pain – he went through. He understood his position – he did not like it – but he respected it. Some were meant to rule, and some were meant to serve. It was just a matter of luck that he had been born in the second group.
That soon changed the next day.
The ever-curious child had followed his father to a meeting at early hours of the morning only to find the hardest truth he had yet to face.
Kumogakure was demanding the life of Hyuga Hiashi to prevent a war.
But of course, the Hyuuga main house would not let the clan head die. He wasn't expendable like the branch members. He wasn't expendable like Neji's father.
So they had decided that Hiashi's life had more value than that of Hizashi and, consequentially, he would die instead of the clan head.
And that had been the straw that broke the camel's back for Neji. That was the end of his loyalty and the beginning of his resentment towards his clan. He understood right there how awful fate to some really was. He understood the world was controlled by an elite group. Some were lucky enough to be born into the group, while the rest was born to protect them. Some gave, while others received, and it was never the other way around.
Heroes were nothing but childish made up stories. The elite would never sacrifice a thing for their servants.
Neji cried and cried with each word confirming his father's future demise. At some point, he stopped caring if he was heard. He wanted to scream at them to not to take his father away – he would even beg if he had to. But he knew it was going to be futile. They were nothing but vassals, after all. They were mere tools that the main family could use as they pleased.
But it was his father. It was the man that had raised him. He was the only family that cared for him. Neji couldn't lose him too. He didn't want to be all alone in such a cruel world. Who would train with him? Who would wish him goodnight? Who would be there encouraging him to get better? Who would be there to tell him how proud he was?
Damned be his reason, damned be his pride, Neji was going to enter to let them know what he thought about them sacrificing his father. Perhaps he wasn't going to convince them to change their minds, but hell, he would try.
And just as the four-year-old genius was about to enter the meeting, his savior appeared. He had heard his name at least a hundred times during his history lessons. He was what he had dreamed of becoming – before falling conscious of his position as servant.
However, Neji didn't want to let his hopes up. Senju Nawaki was the grandson of the Shodai Hokage, the grand Nephew of the Nidaime and the brother of one of the Legendary Sanin. Senju Nawaki had been born in the group of the privileged, there was no doubt about it. He was part of the group that was meant to rule and be protected. He would not let the Village go to war for his father. He would not go to the front line – because he was Senju Nawaki and that's where he belonged – for a mere member of the Hyuga's branch family.
Except that's exactly what Senju Nawaki did.
He had defied every single elder and current Hokage to make his point clear. He had claimed his rightful title and had sworn to protect his shinobi, at any cost.
Neji didn't know exactly how Senju Nawaki managed to convince Kumo to forgive them. But, five days later, there was a big celebration in said man's honor for saving the life of the Hyuga's clan head – or so they claimed – without initiating a war.
And Neji decided he liked the man. Not because he was the Godaime, nor because he was one of the most powerful shinobi of all time. Not even because he had saved the life of the clan leader. Neji liked Nawaki because, despite being in the privileged group, Nawaki cared. Cared enough to put his life on the line not for the Hyuuga's clan leader, but for a Hyuuga branch member. The Senju had not seen the tittle, he had seen the person and Neji admired and repected him for that.
The Godaime had such an effect in Neji, that the little boy decided right there that he would at least try to have some of his fate within his control. If he was meant to be a protector, then at least, he would choose who to protect.
"Hokage-sama" Neji saluted while approaching the Godaime and his daughter without hesitation, not caring that he had interrupted a conversation between the Senju and some members of the main family. "Sakura-hime"
"Oh, Neji-kun, right? There is no need for formalities kid" said Nawaki smiling at him.
"Hello!" greeted his daughter with a big smile on her face, certainly excited about finally finding someone her age but then she frowned. Neji looked at her and couldn't help but stare a little. Because in the sea of white eyes and dark hair, she stood out like a sore thumb. She was the epiphany of color…he had never seen someone with pink hair and green eyes. Was that even possible? "Please don't call me hime, I'm not a princess, Nej…I'd rather be called Saku-ninja 'cause that's what I am gonna be!"
Neji wasn't sure how to respond to that.
"Uhh…Saku-chan, I don't think that's how titles work" her father responded sweat dropping and smiling sheepishly,
"I..."
"I'll make it a tittle then!" said the little girl with determination and then smiled at Neji once again "In the meantime, you can call me Saku-chan, Sa-chan or even, Sakura, I guess"
"I…"
"Well…speaking of shinobi, I heard you are becoming quite the ninja, Neji-kun. Congratulations" said the elder shinobi, interrupting Neji with a wink and making him blush. He knew I was spying.
"I..Thank you, Hokage-sama" he said and kept his bow still adding after a pause. "I also wanted to thank you for saving the life of a very valuable member of our clan. You put your life on the line for us when you didn't have to. And to express my gratitude, I'd like to protect someone precious to you, just like you did for me. " he stood up to look at the man ahd his daughter "If you'll let me, I'd like to become Sakura-him…" the girl glared at him "Sakura's protector. I promise I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. And if the need arises, I'll help her become stronger."
His declaration was met by utter silence. The Hyuuga knew he had been declared Hinata's protector just a few days ago, but they would not defy his declaration towards the man that had saved them. Neji knew that and so he had repeated his uncle's words when giving him the title of guardian.
And just like that time, Neji expected Nawaki to state he did not expect anything less and Sakura to shy away behind her father's legs – just like Hinata did – silently accepting the offer.
However the Senju proved him that they didn't go by the rules of the privileged, once again. Except it wasn't the same Senju as before.
"Raise, kid. There is no…"
"Thanks, Nej. But you don't have to, you know?" said the little Senju interrupting her father. "Dad is the new leader of the village, which is something like being everyone's dad…and that means he's the protector of every person in Konoha, right dad?" she glanced at her dad, suddenly unsure of herself. Nawaki only nodded gently "And like any dad, he did whatever it took to keep his ninja safe…Dad's the ninja with the biggest will of fire in our home!"
"Will of fire?" asked Neji not quite sure how to feel about Sakura's explanation. he wanted to contradict her, it was the other way around. The servants were the ones that protected, not the leaders. Never the leaders.
"Like I said, our village is like a big family. Every member has a will of fire that makes them wanna love and fight to protect our home and each other. The will of fire is like this magical power that gives you strength to fight for what's precious to you"
"Oh..." Well, how was he supposed to respond to that? He didn't want to be disrespectful, but the girl was wrong. Things didn't work like that. Not for him, at least.
"Yeah…also, I'm not some kind of damsel in distress that needs protection." Sakura huffed crossing her arms "I'll be the best shinobi!…and we're gonna be comrades one day…So let's just promise to have each other's backs, 'kay?" she extended her hand towards him.
Neji just gawked at her, trying to make sense of this little girl's words. Not sure if he wanted to believe or refute her - but god he wanted to believe her. He wanted to have a choice, to have freedom.
She wasn't supposed to counter propose his offer. She was the top of the top in terms of privileged people. She had more tittles than he had letters in his name! More so than Hinata-sama for sure. And yet, here she was, not refusing, but putting an offer of her own. A privileged wanting to protect a servant? A proviledged seeing him as equal? As a comrade?
"You may call yourself my protector if you really want to" she insisted with a pout. "Please say yes. I'd like to be your comrade and friend!" and then she smiled at him.
And right in that instant Neji knew he would never be able to say no to that little pink-haired girl. So he simply walked towards her and took her hand in his. Sealing not only a promise, but a friendship that would last a lifetime.
A/N: I really enjoyed writing this chapter! Haha I'm not really sure how well I represented Neji's philosophy, but still liked the overall result.
Anyways…what do you think of Sakura's new friend?
More of these new relationships will come in the next chapters...Who would you like to be introduced next?
Thanks for your reviews!