Hyuuga Hokage
By
TheGraey1
Chapter 10
xxxxx
Hinata just disbanded Team 7 with no chance of ever being recreated or reunited.
"But. . .why?" Sakura asked Hinata.
Kakashi started to answer and Hinata interrupted him. She had to do this and when the reasoning for her decisions were demanded she had to be the one to answer.
"Was it something we did?" asked Naruto.
"No," said Hinata firmly.
"I'd hoped Hinata-sama didn't know about that law," sighed Kakashi.
"Tsunade-sama broke up two teams during my internship with her," muttered Hinata.
"Law? What law?" asked Naruto in a hurt voice but otherwise was keeping his cool for the moment. "I know some laws but never heard about anything like this."
"Its referred to the law of two," said Hinata.
"What is it?" asked Naruto.
"When a ninja chooses to retire, gets married, or receives a promotion which causes their new duties to place them apart from the team, that team member is replaced with a new member," said Kakashi.
"I get that. But nobody quit and unless Sakura-san got married or promoted. . .oh, she's the new Chief Medic-nin," said Naruto.
"Those are positive events. It is the negative things that can happen to a team. Death, career ending injuries, and. . .illegally leaving the village and not coming back," said Hinata making sure the last part was tactful. "These are the sort of things that can hurt the morale of the remaining team members."
"We won't let the bad stuff hurt us," said Naruto.
"Naruto-san, what did I tell you yesterday about being the Hokage?" asked Hinata.
Naruto flinched and said, "Its no longer about my wants or needs."
"It is the replacement member that becomes the concern. It does not take long for new members to feel as if they are meant to be the team's. . .meat shield. . .for lack of a better term," said Hinata leaving out the part of AWOL or Missing-Nin.
"At the least the team's morale ends up being flushed away. At the most other ninja begin to believe the team is cursed because of the continuous loss of teammates to tragedy. It turns into a giant mess for everyone involved. The Second Hokage created this law to prevent these things from happening in the long run," added Kakashi.
"But Sai-san's injuries and what was done to him isn't career ending. . .is it?" asked Naruto.
"Like any serious medical condition its fifty-fifty," admitted Sakura. "Provided he comes out of his condition at all."
"Overall its best to disband Team 7. There are too many bad possibilities that can happen. Even if Sai-san is brought out his current condition there is no guarantee that Danzo did not place something else on his body or in his mind that could activate without warning," said Hinata.
"He could suddenly attack the team while in a middle of a battle or become suicidal again," clarified Kakashi. "With such thoughts running through your minds all the time it will affect your performance while in the field. You'd be too busy worrying about Sai's state of mind instead of the mission."
Naruto kicked the ground in the frustration. "If we'd only known we could've done something. Tsunade-sama would've been able to fix him!"
"None of this is your fault. You and Sakura-san have both acted honorably and with courage as Leaf-nin. More times than not you both went beyond the call. I do not blame you nor will I permit anyone blame you for past or present events that led to this situation. It is not like you two will no longer see one another. You will still work together if the mission requires it. Now I do have a some good news," said Hinata turning to Kakashi.
Hinata stood tall and let some of her regal side show. With a smile she said, "Kakashi Hatake, you are hereby given the position of Jounin Commander and all the duties and responsibilities that come with the job."
Kakashi's exposed eye went wide. "I'm honored but I must humbly refuse," he said after getting over the surprise.
Hinata merely raised an eyebrow. "It is your right to refuse. The only Jounin that is qualified for the position is Gai-san. Naruto-san, create a clone and have it bring Gai-san to-
"I'll take the position!" groaned Kakashi with a visible shudder as he imagined Kohona-nin all wearing that same annoyingly green spandex outfits. Except for the flak-vests that showed a ninja's rank, Leaf-nin were could wear what they want. The Jounin Commander did have a say in what is or is not acceptable for a ninja's outfit. In Kohona the standard was common sense. Not too revealing or too bright, kept clean, and not too damaged. Previous Jounin Commanders did not mess with the dress code except for basic changes with flak-vests. There was no way Kakashi wanted Gai to disrupt what worked just fine since the founding of the village.
"I was told earlier that the unfinished paperwork was destroyed or lost during the attack," said Hinata.
"Thank goodness," said Kakashi.
"You will still keep busy. You will be taking my place when I leave for the Kage Summit," said Hinata. "Now, Naruto-san, Sakura-san. There is something I am ordering you to do. Consider it your last act as Team 7. Find Yamato-san and deliver the news. He is probably sleeping or working right now. I want you three to spend the next two hours together. Remember and talk about the great things you did for the village."
"Yes ma'am," said Sakura.
"Kakashi-san, there is something I need to talk to you about," said Hinata. "After our talk you can go meet with them."
"See you later Kakashi-sensai," said Naruto.
After they left Hinata narrowed her eyes at Kakashi. Kakashi did not flinch or otherwise let himself be intimidated. When the Kyuubi attacked the village Kakashi was scared and intimidated by the raw power the giant beast was putting out. When attempting to lock down Sasuke's Curse Seal, Orochimaru appeared and intimidated Kakashi. Then came Itachi and Kisame and what happened. After that Kakashi had enough. He made his own promise to never be intimidated no matter the circumstance. "Huh, is something wrong?" Kakashi asked with indifference to show he was not intimidated.
Hinata's jaw clenched but that was all. "How long did you think you and whatever related parties were involved could keep it a secret?" asked Hinata.
"If its about Naruto's condition, I'm sorry. I know we withheld things about the Fox that we should've told you that involved how bad the situation can get when Naruto loses control," said Kakashi.
"This has nothing to do with the Fox. It is about the team you led. A dead last, a kunoichi full of fire, a troubled genius, and a regular genius as a sensai. Anyone who knows their basic Kohona-nin history had an idea of what was happening. The proverbial handwriting on the wall became very clear during the past three years considering who their teachers ended up being. I am surprised Kohona did not openly invite Orochimaru to take Sasuke-san away," said Hinata.
"The attempt to recreate a new generation of Sannin," sighed Kakashi.
"How many times?" asked Hinata.
"Minato-sensai when he was a genin. The team I was on when he was my sensai. Your cousin's team has some of the signs. Those are the ones I know about," said Kakashi.
"There is going to be some changes during my tenure. This is one decree that will happen since there are no known limitations placed on me as the temporary Hokage. Never again will such a thing be done. Attempts at recreating these teams are now forbidden. If another legendary team comes about it will because of circumstances and the actions of the team members. Not because of misplaced sentiment and hidden machinations," said Hinata.
"Understood," said Kakashi.
"After the Uchiha were wiped out what kind of mental help did Sasuke-san receive?" asked Hinata.
It was Kakashi's turn to show some anger. Most of the village ninjas were not pleased that Sasuke did not get proper mental help let alone be permitted to return to the academy as fast as he did. After his father died, then Obito, and finally Rin and Minato, nobody did much to help Kakashi through the trauma.
"Very little. Might as well say none," admitted Kakashi. "Something else you want to change?"
"Naruto-san kept what anger and hatred he had for the village at bay. A lot of people felt I was suicidal when I fought Neji-san. His own mental issues were born from a truth that should never have been hidden from him for as long as it was," said Hinata. "Them and myself. . .that was four children too many. Having one child slip through the cracks is a tragedy. Having more than that is unforgivable. Its a miracle Naruto-san never gave into whatever hatred he had for the village and either accidentally or purposely let loose the Fox to finish the job. From now on when a ninja or academy student goes through trauma like that they are to get real help."
"About Naruto. . .what did you say to him to cause him to go six-tails from the start? It has never happened in the history of any Bijuu Host that can't control the power. Its always at the initial cloak and tail and its downhill from there," said Kakashi.
"You know how he feels about his precious people. He thought Pein killed me after I attacked him. Naruto then lost control. It was bound to happen at some point with everything else that went on," replied Hinata.
"And I'm calling that explanation bullshit. Before you object, I asked you what you said, not who did what. Sakura told me you said something before Pein tried to kill you. She also said Shikamaru mentioned you were the trigger that caused Naruto to lose control. I figure it was more of what you said rather than your actions. I may no longer be his team leader but I'm still his teacher," said Kakashi.
"He still has partial amnesia. He explained to me that telling him what he does not know hurts him instead of helping him. Until he remembers what I said, I will not tell anyone else including Tsunade-sama if she recovers before Naruto-san remembers. The wrong information or even the full truth can full can harm him. Keep whatever assumption and questions you have to yourself until after Naruto-san remembers. Tell me what you know about the Uchiha Massacre and do not lie. I want the full truth," said Hinata.
"I know as much as everyone else. My own opinions is that Itachi did not do it alone. Perhaps another member of Akatsuki. Some of the nastier non-ninja criminal gangs have an initiation test where a potential member has to commit a felony usually murder. Some people say Itachi's initiation test was to kill members of the Uchiha and decided to wipe everyone out. You remember that masked Akatsuki that hindered our efforts to find Sasuke?" asked Kakashi.
"Yes. You think he helped Itachi," said Hinata.
"Tsunade knew this from my report. This Tobi or whoever he is has the Sharingan," said Kakashi.
"A survivor of the massacre? Someone who was greatly injured and somehow survived and escaped?" asked Hinata.
"That's one theory but not likely. From the information we got from Orochimaru and Kabuto a while back Tobi was perhaps a reserve member or someone lurking in background of Akatsuki. According to Orochimaru's notes, he noticed a masked figure that fits Tobi's description hiding in the background when he and the rest of Akatsuki had to meet face to face for some reason. Orochimaru's time with Akatsuki happened before the massacre. Orochimaru being a scientist type, well, mad scientist, wasn't one for messing with data including any dates he wrote down," answered Kakashi.
"A traitor or someone left for dead during one of the wars or a mission. This person felt betrayed by the village," said Hinata thoughtfully.
"A person like me who got his hands on a Sharingan and had it implanted and decided to use it for selfish reasons. Many theories but none that stick without further information," said Kakashi. "One thing I've been thinking about is if Tobi helped Itachi wipe out the Uchiha."
"In a couple of hours I will be talking to Homura-san about the massacre. Um. . .do you have any idea why Tsunade-sama chose me to be her successor?" asked Hinata.
"Just that you were chosen because you united your fractured clan. That's what is going around. Tsunade felt what you did would be crucial if the village was greatly weakened," said Kakashi.
"There is more to it than that," said Hinata.
"The first truth you usually hear is a lie," sighed Kakashi.
"Look beneath the beneath," said Hinata.
Without warning Hinata activated her Byakugan and bore her gaze right at Kakashi.
"This next question is a yes or no question and nothing more. Answering anything will get you into real trouble. Nod your head if you understand," said Hinata.
Kakashi nodded in the affirmative.
"Are you loyal to Kohona?" asked Hinata in the most no nonsense tone Kakashi ever heard from the normally quiet Hyuuga.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. That question was not one he thought he would ever hear from her. She was not messing around either. "Yes," he said.
Hinata deactivated her eyes seeing he told the truth. "The village has been compromised in a horrible way. I had to be sure. Later there will be a clan meeting. I will be asking them the same question and the situation will be. . .tense to say the least. I will give you the details before you go meet with Naruto-san and Sakura-san."
Hinata explained her plan for the meeting with the clan leaders. Kakashi's normal eye almost bulged out of its socket.
"You really don't want to be Hokage," said Kakashi.
"You have until the meeting to give me a better idea," said Hinata.
"You're not rocking the boat. You're going to tip it over. A lot of people won't like the status quo being disrupted," said Kakashi.
"Status quo is a fancy way of saying complacency. What happened to us is a sure sign we have been too complacent for too long. The Kyuubi, Sound/Suna Invasion, and now this. The first two were wake up calls to improve ourselves. Unfortunately we fell back on the same routine and here we are today. Enough is enough. The moment we hear about a threat of this scale against us is the moment we take the initiative. I know its a militant stance when compared to the other villages. While I do not like violence and prefer the diplomatic solution there are threats that can never be reasoned with," said Hinata.
"A lot of people did want us to go after Akatsuki hard after Itachi and Kisame infiltrated the village," admitted Kakashi. "People said we had the strength and numbers to take on Akatsuki. In truth we didn't. Its the reason why the team that went after Sasuke after he left the village was made up of the members it was."
"All the Jounin including you were out on patrols and S-Rank Missions to help get quick money for the village after the Sound/Suna Invasion," said Hinata.
"I have an idea. In a situation like that keep one or two Jounin in the village on standby until things settle down. If something unexpected happens we will have one or two strong ninjas always ready to act," said Kakashi.
"I agree. I will make it official when I get writing materials," said Hinata. "That is all for now. Go meet with your former teammates. . .oh, bring them back here with you. Thinking about it, they deserve to hear about what is next on my agenda for the day."
Kakashi walked to the tent's exist. "I'm just glad the ending of this team was little better than the last one I was on," sighed Kakashi.
xxxxx
Almost two hours later Hinata stared at the preserved arm of Koharu that was placed in a chakra enforced glass jar and sealed. The deceased Elder was infected by one of Danzo's ROOT agents. An ANBU came to her with the arm and report. Hinata was shocked when she was told what it was that killed the Elder. Whatever doubts about her actions she will be taking later today went away when she heard the report.
"Hello Hinata-sama," said an old voice.
Hinata turned to Homura who entered the tent. The surviving member of Team Tobirama and the last Elder that worked for the past two Hokages.
"Good morning," said Hinata. "How are doing?"
"Koharu's arm. Any news on what killed her?" asked Homura ignoring the question about his state of mind concerning Koharu's death. Being an old school ninja he did not open up. Some saw it as a weakness and others saw a strength. Homura and Koharu kept how they personally felt and how other people saw them to themselves.
"Yes. I just got the report. I am keeping it to myself until the clan meeting," said Hinata. "I will not answer any questions until then."
"You shouldn't keep too much information to yourself," said Homura.
"There are two types of secrets. The first are the kind that has to be kept to keep the village and her people safe. The second are secrets that made out of a sense of fear, shame, and guilt," said Hinata.
Homura had seen Hinata in action during clan meetings and heard about her exploits in the field when Team 8 did missions that are diplomatic in nature. Homura still has doubts about her physical prowess. Negotiation and politics she is a clear master. In Homura's opinion Hiashi royally screwed up. Granted Hinata is a top notch spy and infiltrator. Kohura once mentioned she felt Hinata's real skills laid in negotiation and diplomacy. Instead Hiashi used whatever political capital capital and favors he had to get a young Hinata into the military arm of the ninja forces. Baring any unforeseen consequences to her health and life Hinata might some day be an Elder provided she is not chosen as the permanent Hokage.
"Anything major happened since you became Hokage?" asked Homura.
"Shikaku-san is out of commission because of Danzo. I have selected Kakashi-san as the new Jounin Commander," said Hinata.
"Danzo, you fool," muttered Homura. "And Kakashi-san took the job? That's surprising."
"The only other viable choice was Gai-san," said Hinata.
Homura had to laugh at that. "Then I don't blame him."
"I broke up Team 7," sighed Hinata. "Because of Sasuke's actions and with Sai's current state I felt I had not choice because of the law. . .did you know about the plan to recreate the Sannin?"
Homura took a long slow breath. "Yes."
"I told Kakashi-san that if another Sannin team comes about it will because of effort and reputation of the team,. Not because of manipulations and sentiment," said Hinata. "This last piece of news is the most dire. Sasuke-san was accused by Kumo for the kidnapping of their Bijuu Host."
Homura became afraid. "He. . .captured their Host. . .are you sure about that?" asked Homura.
"Provided they are not lying. What is the problem?" asked Hinata seeing the fear on Homura's face even though it was brief.
"Sometime before Tobiram-sensai died, we infiltrated Lightening Country after hearing reports of unusual weather patterns. He said it might have been a Bijuu. . .and he was right. Kumo somehow lost control of Eight Tails between that moment and the time the First Hokage gave them the Bijuu," said Homura. "The creature's roar was enough to make us feel deaf for a few moments. Eight Tails was tearing up the landscape like it was tissue. Hiruzen asked sensai if this what it was like when Hashirama and Madara fought. He said that it came close to being this bad."
Hinata felt a lump in her throat. The reason why she slipped in and out of consciousness was that when the Kyuubi roared during his own battle against Pein, the noise snapped Hinata out of unconsciousness for a few seconds.
"I am saying this because according to rumor and some sketchy reports the current host for the Eight Tails is in full control," said Homura. "That means their host can access the Bijuu's power and not go out of the control. In simplest terms, Host and Bijuu are not in conflict with one another. If Sasuke and anyone else helped him then that shows how strong he is regardless of whether the Bijuu Host is stable or not."
"The Raikage requested a Kage Summit. I will hear the truth there," said Hinata.
Homura took a slow breath. "Just be careful with that man. Unlike other Kages who are expected to well rounded, that man is a pure muscle head. What makes him dangerous is that he's almost as fast as the Yellow Flash. You should brush up on the mission reports concerning Minato's run in with the Raikage and his brother Killer Bee."
"Killer Bee. . .the Eight Tail Host," said Hinata. "Any information on him?"
"Hidden Villages keep very few written records about the Hosts for a reason," said Homura.
"A fat lot of good that did," growled Hinata. "How can the Bijuu be used as a weapon?"
"According to the Kazekage's report about his capture, Akatsuki drained the Bijuu from his body and placed the creature in a large statue. Nobody knows how Akatsuki intends to use it. They could used the Bijuu as some kind of overpowered beam weapon or the statue is a type holding cell for new Hosts."
"But most of Akatsuki is dead," said Hinata.
"What scares me is what almost happened a few years before your birth," said Homura. "One of our ninja was captured by Mist-nin. This ninja was forced to become a Host for the Three Tailed Beast. The plan was to let her. . .escape. . .and return to Kohona. Seals on her body would activate and cause Three Tails to form right in the middle of Kohona."
"My god," said Hinata.
"At the time Kiri was still known as Bloody Mist. The Kohona kunoichi died before she was forced to return to Kohona," said Homura.
"Who was she?" asked Hinata.
"Rin," answered a voice that was not Homura's.
Elder and Hokage turned to the entrance of the tent. Kakashi and his former teammates entered the tent. Hinata could see the guilt in part of Kakashi's exposed face.
"Wasn't Rin your teammate?" asked Sakura.
"Yeah. When Minato-sensai heard the news," said Kakashi with a shudder.
Homura paled at the memory and the reports. "I never seen Minato get that angry. What he did in retaliation almost cost him his dream of becoming Hokage. He reminded the whole continent why he had the 'Flee On Sight' entry in his Bingo Book profile," he muttered.
"Not even a certain kunoichi could calm him down," said Kakashi in reference to Kushina without giving anything away concerning Naruto.
"How bad was it?" asked Naruto who looked up to Minato as a hero.
"Keep in mind for as powerful as he was he was still human. He regretted the carnage he caused to Kiri's forces and carried the guilt for what he realized was needless bloodshed for a long time," said Homura.
"That is a discussion for another time," said Hinata. "Right now there is another tragedy that needs to be discussed. First, Yamato-san, could you please create a table and some chairs?"
Yamato smiled weakly. "Sure I can," he said.
"Wait a moment," said Hinata seeing that Yamato looked miserable and almost out of energy. "How hard have you been pushing yourself in creating building materials?"
"I'm still good to go," mumbled Yamato.
"You did it again," admonished Homura.
Yamato ignored Homura and created a wooden table and some chairs. "I did no such thing," he slurred.
"Yamato-sensai, you're exhausted. I am ordering you to get some rest," said Sakura.
"No, I can still help rebuild the village," said Yamato.
Kakashi spoke up before Sakura used Tsunade's version of bedside manners. "Stupid boy scout tendencies. As your sempai, I am ordering you to get some rest."
"Oh alright," muttered Yamato.
"Naruto, create a clone to keep an eye on him," said Homura.
"No," said Naruto flatly. He got along with the Elder's grandchildren pretty good but not the Elders themselves. To Naruto being hidden away for his own good and safety is as bad as being turned into a living weapon.
"Naruto-san, go ahead. I will be needing Yamato's abilities later today and he does need rest," said Hinata.
Naruto created the clone and sent it on its way.
"Everyone take a seat. We have something very important to discuss," said Hinata.
They sat down at the table. Hinata turned her full attention to Homura.
"I want the truth concerning the Uchiha Massacre," said the Hokage.
To be continued. . .
Author's Notes – So I broke up Team 7 and hopefully gave a good reason why. Anyway some big news concerning the story. One thing I don't want to do is write a single 'mega-fanfic' like A Growing Affection. I've to decided to turn this into a trilogy. Part 1 is what is happening now with Hinata becoming Hokage and discovering many truths while trying to adjust to the job and preparing for the Hokage Summit. Part 2 will focus on the Hokage Summit and couple of major things that personally affect Hinata. Part 3 will focus on the Fourth War and how this version of Hinata will be involved in it.