Blind Sight

By

LigerJager

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

Scroll 11: Privilege


As soon as he landed in front of the massive gates, Neji found himself accosted by the guards. The annoyed genius had almost used the Jyuuken on them.

The two newly promoted recruits were hardly intimidating, though he had to give their teamwork a nod. At least they knew how to work together. Jumping a ninja of his caliber was not a wise move. It seemed that lately caution was being thrown to the wind and an attack-first-ask-questions-later mentality was being fostered.

In a way he missed the semi-laid back attitude Izumo and Kotetsu had projected when they took up gate duty. It spoke of different times, confident times.

Peaceful times.

Neji didn't even bother to acknowledge the duo when he was given confirmation. He was more than a little annoyed at the delay. As a Hyuuga and the hailed genius he was, after all, very recognizable.

Neji swept past them and made his way into the Leaf.

Konoha hadn't truly changed over the years. There were a few more buildings popping up and the ninja were a bit more visible. But the people hadn't changed, not really. There were new faces as the next generation grew up and replaced the elder, but it just…stayed the same.

Neji couldn't explain the feeling.

Perhaps seeing as how Suna changed from his last visit and getting a glimpse here and there of what the sand ninja could do left him slightly envious. It was like everything was changing around them and yet Konoha stagnated.

The route towards the Hokage tower took the young diplomat by one of the major civilian sectors and the largest market in the village.

The genius surveyed the scene before him and mentally scowled. He couldn't help but compare the Leaf to its counterpart. He could pick-out at least a dozen off duty shinobi plus active duty as well with just one glance.

Unlike in Suna, Konoha's ninja flaunted their status openly. Ten to fifteen years prior, that might have been acceptable. Back then wearing the symbol of your trade was a trademark practice of the village. It was also a source of pride. It was a strategic move to show that they were powerful enough to flaunt their status in such a way as to leave an impression of visiting dignitaries.

A familiar pony-tailed head poked out of the sea of market shoppers captured his attention instantly. Neji might not have been under the man's tutelage during his formative years, but even he knew the ninja on sight. He had a rather trademark look about him. He made a decision in that a moment.

"Sensei." He hailed the man before greeting him with a small bow. The courtesy and greeting seemed to take the quiet ninja off guard. The seemingly unremarkable male gave a slight nod in return as was socially acceptable.

When he straightened, Neji's pale gaze took in the exceptionally neutral countenance of the highly thought of chuunin. Dressed in plain, bland clothing, Umino Iruka seemed the epitome of boring and unremarkable. He wore no identifiable clothing that marked his profession. In his career he ranked a middle class chuunin who had been a decent instructor and never aspired for a higher rank. His mission quota was just as equally uninspiring.

And though he was not allowed to come anywhere near the boy during and after his imprisonment, he was also the only one who steadfastly stood by Uzumaki Naruto during the entire fiasco.

The man kept to himself and was painfully polite with most of his acquaintance. Neji felt the measuring gaze and, not for the first time, wondered how good he actually was. Most, if not all the veteran populace, including his own generation, regarded him with some degree of caution. Not because of his battle prowess, though he had garnered something of a reputation, but because of his political ties.

Ninja instinctively distrusted politicians more than their own breed because of the non-militaristic power they held as well as double meanings to every nuance a conversation held. The use of words as a weapon was feared almost as much as a Bijuu. While the sentiment seemed laughable as Ninja were the epitome of deception, the distrust still remained. And as he was now considered a politician, Neji found himself within the stifling stigma that followed the name.

As if being a Hyuuga Branch member and highly ranked Jounin weren't enough.

He couldn't even hold a decent conversation with his old teammates anymore. They watched what they said to a painful degree and if he was lucky enough to be invited to a social event, the topics remained juvenile and inane to the point of stilted amongst his peers. Even Maito Gai walked on proverbial egg-shells around him.

The alienation was to the point where he rarely socialized out of duty and even then he rarely spoke. None of the Jounin-sensei or the older populace went out of their way to make an effort either.

"Yes, what can I do for you Hyuuga-sama?" the polite inquiry was spoken softly.

Had he not spent time in Suna actively searching out the shinobi populace, the young Hyuuga would have mistaken this man for just another civilian. Even the body language was perfect, giving an air of complete harmlessness.

"I have been meaning to speak with you for quite some time, Umino-san." Neji straightened a bit, sending out a few probes to see if they had any eavesdroppers. And while he gave no indication that he knew what the genius was doing, Neji strongly suspected that Iruka had either done the same or understood what was going on. The man gave nothing away.

"Is that so." Neji almost blinked in question. He felt like he was speaking with a professional politician that alone made him do a double-take. "May I ask what about?"

Before he replied, Neji felt the presence of another, just as he expected. Somehow he just knew Iruka's aide, if not company, would be invaluable in the future, just as he knew he had to meet with him again. Since he rarely socialized and was under close surveillance, the genius had to be sure that this meeting looked like nothing more than a coincidence. He wished he knew this man better.

"Memories." The genius let something of his embarrassment show on his features. "And to reminisce." Neji prayed that the man got the message. He didn't know how else to convey his need to meet with Iruka.

Before the former academy teacher could respond, their eavesdropper made his presence known with a flurry of leaves. "Hyuuga-sama, the Hokage requests your presence." The Hyuuga diplomat felt his previous irritation rear its ugly head.

Neji couldn't quite figure if the disappointment he was feeling was outweighed by his frustration on the entire affair, though he did try to hide it. He must not have succeeded as well as he thought because Neji managed to capture a glimpse of humor in the elder male's eyes. Iruka, for his part, cocked his head slightly to the side and allowed his lips to quirk slightly.

"The best memories are like a stream and sometimes all you can do is sit on the railing and watch them pass. I find they easiest to call upon in the peace of the evening." The chuunin gave a slight bow as he stepped back.

"It seems you are needed elsewhere, forgive me for keeping you." With that, the chuunin melted within the bustling masses. Neji watched in surprise. Now that would be a useful trick to learn.

The impatience emanating from his escort brought him out of his reverie. At least the man didn't seem to pick up on anything. Either his inexperience or their acting kept him from being suspect. Somehow he didn't think it was the latter. Neji turned to the obviously young chuunin. The boy couldn't have been more than fourteen.

"Shall we." They bother disappeared in a puff of smoke.


Neji was more than a little surprised when a familiar face met him at the gate. Both ninja had taken precautions to keep their contact to the minimum.

Then again considering the shared subject between them, it should have been no surprise that the only person to greet him was the one who shared a single interest with him. The fact that he was treated as a human being as well was not lost on the younger man.

Umino Iruka and the young genius had developed a curious friendship over the past couple of years. As both were solitary individuals, outcasts of their own social circles, their association was welcome. Iruka hadn't cared that Neji was considered a politician and Neji was glad to be treated like a person again.

When they had met up later that night two years ago, it was on a small, non-descript bridge near the memorial fields. He later learned that it was Naruto's old team's stomping grounds.

After their first initial meeting, in which Neji learned a great deal about their blonde haired counterpart as well as his circumstances, they developed a rapport between them. Umino Iruka quickly became the only adult ninja to fully gain his respect.

At the beginning of their first discussion, he had had the impression that the man was the epitome of ninja. He was impossible to read. He showed no emotions and Neji just couldn't see how the rumored mentorship between the blonde and the elder man had developed. Iruka seemed…to just be. And truth be told it was kind of creepy. He had thought that the man hardly every laughed.

That was until after he had dropped the news of the last Uzumaki's whereabouts. It was the first time the young ninja had seen an emotion from the man. He cried and laughed at the same time.

And when that mask slipped slightly and Neji saw a glimpse of the man Naruto considered as a father, he realized just how much of Iruka was hidden underneath that implacable façade of polite emotional placidity. In a way the man echoed his own.

After that day, Umino had resumed his teaching position after a fashion and mentored the younger man in politics and helped him in the beginning of his career. He had literally saved Neji's career with those subtle lessons.

Apparently his Hyuuga training had been lacking in the department of political affairs despite their reputation. It was humbling. When he had asked where Iruka had learned his prowess, the teacher just smiled in his quiet way and left him pondering.

It made Neji want to spar with him as well. He lost.

Every. Single. Session. To. Date.

The man was unpredictably tricky and Neji had to wonder if it was a prankster secret. The Hyuuga had yet to test his theory though, because that would mean potential humiliation at the hands of one of the last Sarutobi still loyal to the Leaf. And Konohamaru was notorious for taking things a bit too far, especially if he was angered enough. His cousin Hanabi had spoken ill of the potential Hokage candidate often enough (she had taken some perverse pleasure in goading the man, until he had had enough and humiliated the Hyuuga heir in a very public spar…and he wasn't even taking her seriously) to guarantee that particular reaction to their traditional mannerisms.

Iruka, for his part, had only replied to his unasked question about why he was still a chuunin, the man said, "I am a ninja, not a samurai."

How those words echoed in his thoughts. And after he had seriously thought about the wisdom from the elder male, his entire style had changed.

A small cough brought the young diplomat out of his musings and Neji found himself under the amused scrutiny of his mentor. It reminded him that he still had much to learn.

"Hokage-sama had sent me to fetch you." Iruka sent a small bow towards the gate guards.

"Hai." Neji didn't even bother. He had an image to uphold after all.

Iruka turned on his heel and led the way knowing the Hyuuga would follow. The genius would be suspicious of his appearance after all. They never socialized in the open, even through the pretense of work.

After the elder ninja had led them to a quieter part of the village, one less likely to be eavesdropped upon, he slowed enough for the diplomat to come alongside him. That made it easier for them to converse without drawing attention.

"Will they be coming?" the inquiry was so soft, Neji almost didn't catch it. Keeping his eyes forward and his senses open, the younger male replied softly.

"Hai."

Silence followed as they passed a heavily guarded check point. Since Neji's term had begun, Konoha had been using some of Suna's practices, one of which was the extra sets of lookouts for the sky. Ever since Deidara of Tsuchigakure had been able to make off with the Kazekage, the village leaderships had been taking extra precautions to look out for their villages…and themselves.

"Will he?"

Neji hesitated. Of course they both knew to whom the chuunin referred.

"I don't know."

Iruka seemingly accepted the answer. The young Hyuuga could slightly understand where the man was coming from. It had been some twelve odd years since he had last seen the blonde.

"How long?"

The inauguration was in three weeks time. If the Kazekage didn't reach them within a suitable period of time, it would be taken as a direct insult to the successor. Relations would be more than a little difficult.

"In about two week's time, they'll be here."

Iruka paused for a moment at that and regarded the younger male. Gaara was cutting it a bit close within the acceptable courtesy for international politics.

"That would be one week..."

"…before the inauguration." Neji cut in. Both were well acquainted with their village's image outside of the Fire country. It was impossible to be ignorant when his career depended upon his knowledge. A politician was only as good as the knowledge he wielded. It was an edge that gave way to negotiations or fortified a stance for the long haul.

And Gaara especially made no secret of his distaste. It was obvious that the Kazekage wanted to spend as little time as possible within the Leaf. Both males had started walking again. They would soon be arriving at the Hokage tower.

"And you will be expected to greet them?" Neji nodded.

"Yes, as well as run interference." Both quieted again as a returning surveillance squad flashed past them. Business was as usual in the Leaf.

"Are they aware?" the young genius stopped fully before turning and fixing the chuunin with a piercing glare. Umino-san was treading dangerous ground that was only supposed to be known to himself and two others inside of Konoha.

"Yes," Neji scrutinized the elder man. How had he known? Iruka just returned a supremely placid look, completely unresponsive to the intimidating Jounin.

"How…"

"…did I know?" The young genius couldn't help but scowl at having his sentence finished. The chuunin had a slightly mischievous light in his eyes that was quickly extinguished.

The Hyuuga nodded.

"I didn't."

After a moment the teacher continued, "you just confirmed my suspicions."

Neji scowled when he realized that he had been had. His mentor was good. Very good. Iruka seemed unperturbed that he had just thrown his student for another loop. It was rather amusing actually. He kept his gaze forward and slowed his pace slightly, to something closer to a stroll.

"I too have been keeping an eye out for anything that might be related to him."

The young diplomat stared at his scarred mentor. His surprise must have leaked through his façade because Iruka responded to the look he was receiving after a glance.

"You shouldn't be so surprised that I've concluded a few conjectures of my own." There was a moment of peace before Iruka broke it.

"Akatsuki is coming isn't it?" It was more a statement than a question. Neji blinked. He wondered what exactly the older shinobi knew for him to arrive at that conclusion. And, more importantly, what else did he know and didn't share?

"I had thought Jiraiya was the only one to know something about them."

For the first time in a while Neji witnessed open disapproval cross the chuunin's features.

"You'd be surprised at how much civilians know." What went unsaid was, 'and how much Jiraiya doesn't.'

"Even if-"

"Even if," Iruka cut him off a little severely, "they do not know the information directly or at all."

They were within sight of the tower. It would be about five to ten minutes at a regular stride whereas the meandering pace the former academy teacher had set put them at about fifteen to twenty minutes.

"Most ninja of the Leaf believe it is beneath them to associate with civilians. Cultivating relationships and networks with others from all walks of life will keep you ahead of the game."

They grew silent as the tower came closer.

"I…" Neji hesitated. He wasn't even sure if he should speak with the elder man. They were ninja and both were loyal to the Leaf…somewhat.

Iruka was the only one to witness this side of his pupil as far as he knew. Somehow the more humanistic side of his personal student's natures came to the fore when they felt completely safe. It was a secret fact that he privately prided himself on.

"I've been…I have…there is something I need your advice on."

He knew he had the teacher's full attention then.

"I've been offered complete sanctuary in Suna…" He felt the intensity of Iruka's stare like the sun beating down upon him in the desert.

"…If I defect."

"Will you?" The blunt question caught Neji off guard. Normally his teacher would have only been direct in an indirect manner or if he was truly surprised.

"I don't know."

Neji hadn't even realized they'd stopped until he looked up at the smirk that seemed out of place on the normally placid features of the elder male. Iruka huffed slightly before resuming his pace, they did have to meet the Hokage some time that day.

"Well, if you do, take me with you."

Neji couldn't tell if the man was serious or if he was joking. He did know, though, that he could completely trust the chuunin.

……

Gaara stared back into the embers of their small fire. Within a week they would be within sight of the Leaf and his reservations were surfacing in abundance.

He didn't like the feelings the situation was citing upon him.

The other ninja sensed his mood as they also felt them. None were too keen on attending this event.

The young Kazekage had been doing his best to come up with as many viable plans as he could. Not that he doubted the strength of the men Naruto had sent as escort, but he didn't know them as well as the commander…mostly because he beat the living tar out of Naruto at least once a week.

Temari had taken it upon herself to spend time doing just that. She spoke with her fists and like Gaara, came to know a person through a good long spar.

Kankuro, though, just spent the time fiddling with his puppets and priming them. He worked in the Anbu so the matter wasn't of real importance to him. The fact that he worked with them occasionally helped ease his mind considerably.

As far as he knew, both men were good solid ninja. Their specialties though, lay in the heavy assault and chakra intensive jutsu. If anything he'd have to make sure that Gaara just positioned the boys advantageously, he'd just have to watch their backs if Konoha tried anything. The rest could be left up to them.

Naruto had after all selected them for a reason. And knowing the blonde like he did, after all he had worked under the man for the past seven years, Kankuro could only guess that each nin was sent with abilities to complement their own. Perhaps they had a trick or two as well.

The puppeteer allowed a lazy smirk to filter over before banishing it. Whatever was bound to happen in Konoha, it was going to be fun.

Those seals Gaara had been placing guaranteed that. And he was looking forward to it.

……

It would take them two weeks to arrive in Konoha and one had already passed. The Suna ninja had taken to watching the horizon over the wall.

After the first day, the guards were hardly surprised to see the commander waiting patiently by the gate. His silhouette was something of a permanent shadow on the wall.

What did surprise them was when various elite and lower ranked ninja started randomly popping up on the walls as well. Missions, while still numerous were being taken at a slower pace. There was general unrest and uneasiness that had the ninja taking even more precautions than before.

The Suna ninja instinctively knew something was happening and their kage was right in the middle of it. And that something had to do with Konoha and the inauguration of their newest leader.

Naruto had taken his usual place just inside the front gate. He could honestly say that Suna felt empty without the other three-quarters of his family there.

And all he could do was wait.


:Tsudzuku:



A/N: I guess I do have to settle one of the questions that have arisen.

Thank you Vaanarash. To answer your question, Jiraiya and Tsunade are both and neither because of their positions and rank, they were caught in a catch 22 situation with Naruto.

Both head spymaster and village military leader had their duties to the village. And I don't think their bonds with Naruto would have been strong enough. They are very much duty bound to the Leaf. If you compare their ties to the leaf versus their ties to Naruto, a few scant weeks or months of acquaintance hold no power to decades of service.

Tsunade was pretty much powerless to stop all that happened to Naruto because she was considered too close (personal/emotional) to the situation. Jiriaya…let's just leave to that he took a watch and wait approach. They were also bogged down with work during that time (quelling an enraged populace). No matter how powerful an individual can be, they can't fight an army by themselves.

Also considering the environment for Naruto, it's hostile. He's blind, alone, and weak. He would not have lasted a month in Konoha. It was a cruel, yet kind mercy to banish Naruto.

As to why the Uchiha subject is not broached (I'm surprised most haven't asked about this sooner) simply, the higher echelons in the political structure swept the defection under the carpet, keeping most of the populace in ignorance of everything. Most of what Konoha knows is that there was a fight with the enemy, Naruto and Sasuke were involved and Uchiha was badly damaged. So people being the 'logical' and 'rational' creatures they are automatically connect the injuries with powerhouse jinchuuriki. Ergo, the isolation was needed because Naruto would have been murdered in cold blood if he wasn't.

Now Kakashi and Sakura were allowed to visit him that once (under heavy supervision) and as I hinted, it didn't turn out so well. Sakura, you could partially understand. She's had years of conditioning on how she should behave and think towards Naruto and, no matter how intelligent or book smart she might be, she is very much susceptible to opinions. Kakashi…in the manga he never acknowledged Naruto until maybe the training arc after the time skip, so he has no connection to the blonde other than duty.

They were caught up in the fervor and it influenced them as both blatantly favored Sasuke over Naruto since the beginning. They also witnessed the aftermath of the confrontation and damage to Uchiha. With no counter story (as Naruto seemingly disappeared and most people believe that means guilt) they drew their conclusions, wrong ones mind you, but without facts of both sides, it was a fairly one-sided situation.

So in short all four of the people who should have stood by Naruto didn't. But also there is no clear cut right or wrong. Either way Naruto got the short of it all…and came out better for it.

On a different note:

Thank you all for soldiering on. I know the beginning is difficult to read because I gave no reference points as to where it started other than the vague hints in each time period.

Merry Christmas!

LJ 12/23/2009