Summary:
'"Please Itachi… I know I can't save Sasuke but I can save you." Itachi considered these words before knocking Naruto's hand away.' Redemption begins in the form of salvation, at least that's what Naruto believes. ItaNaru Spoilers for Manga Chapters 365+
Pairing:
ItaNaru
One-sided SasuNaru
Challenge From:
xXxFrostyIceCubexXx
Warnings:
Character death, Manga incorporation, predictions as to 'what happens next', sexual situations later on/eventual Yaoi.
Cursed Salvation, Descending Redemption
Chapter Thirteen
Inspect
To look at, or examine, carefully or formally
調べる
The troops were lined up, complete in shining armour and porcelain masks. In Naruto's own opinion he had to admit that he was intimidated by these fighters but his face remained stern; they were trained professionals and he was currently in their domain.
He knew that if he showed even a miniscule amount of fear in the face of these Shinobi that they would turn against him. They were like wild animals; a hint of submission and there was no going back. You had to exert your position as soon as you came across it; otherwise you may as well submit yourself into a life of being lead by them.
The basic clothing consisted of ANBU uniform, armour plating, masks and an optional cape. Many of the troops assembled had various other weaponry or protective gear but each and every one looked after their equipment. Naruto supposed they had to in order to avoid Danzou's wrath.
"Here they are, Hokage-sama."
In all there were approximately thirty Shinobi before him and Naruto ran his eyes from each figure, easily identifying the younger ROOTs from the elder. One figure caught his eye and he called the mask forwards,
"Mujina-san, please."
The badger masked ANBU stepped forwards and Naruto crouched down a little so he was within eye level of the member. Whoever was behind the mask appeared to be a child; their bone structure behind the clothing and armour was thinner and lighter than that of the adults and the clothing itself seemed of a lesser quality; good if someone was going to grow out of it.
"Please remove your mask."
The head turned to Danzou and Naruto blinked slowly; each and every one of these people would check with Danzou, he was sure of it. Out of the corner of his eye, Naruto noticed Danzou shake his head and the ANBU merely saluted at the Hokage.
It was easy to tell that the Ne member would now refuse all of Naruto's requests and he fought the urge to snarl in Danzou's direction. The man really did have the whole of this division in the palm of his hand.
"Danzou-san, I do believe that your subordinates should take the full weight of their priorities. The Hokage does, after all, have a higher status to their superior."
Danzou smiled wryly and shook his head once again, the bandages over his eye slipping down slightly as his face crinkled.
"Forgive me, Hokage-sama, but all of my subordinates only refer to me. It was declared that way in the contract I signed when ROOT was first set up."
Naruto dismissed the badger Nin before him with a wave of his hand and he glanced at an emotionless Sai. An idea sprang to mind and Naruto faced Danzou, eyes alight with emotion.
"Let me talk to them one on one."
Danzou's face fell and he fought to control his expression. Naruto knew this was exactly what Danzou had feared, after all, Naruto had been able to get through to one of his best men (Sai had been told by Danzou himself that he had been chosen primarily because he was of the same age group, but also because he was one of the best ROOT had to offer) and most likely could do it again.
No matter how much you trained or broke a person, there was always a change – no matter how slim – that you could return them to how they used to be. Naruto had a healing quality in this respect and would be able to help anyone who came near him; on the conditions they were willing to try and it was within their personal capacities.
"I don't think that would be wise Hoka-"
"Danzou this is a direct order from your Hokage. You will allow me to talk to each of them, unmasked and without influence or I will shut this organisation down."
Danzou paled a little but nodded his head obediently. It was amazing really, how far a little bit of force got you. Danzou would want to remain in his comfortable seat of power for the largest amount of time as possible and it was through this that Naruto would be able to strike deals and bargain for certain necessities.
"Of course, Hokage-sama."
Naruto nodded curtly and called to the badger ANBU again. The person darted forwards, mask focused solely on Naruto this time. It wasn't hard to tell when your Taichou was treading on thin ice and that was the cue for you to act accordingly to appease both your Taichou and the person dissatisfied at your Captain.
"Please follow me to the tea room." He turned to the cloaked figure of Itachi and Sai whilst dropping his voice,
"Please remain outside and alert; I do not trust this place. If an attack does occur I can handle it on the inside but I'll need your help in securing the area. I don't particularly want to shut ROOT down but that is one of the lesser worst case scenarios."
Two heads nodded and Naruto looked down to the badger mask. Without a sound he walked onwards, Itachi and Sai behind, leaving Danzou and the other recruits behind. He heard the elder male call to his troops to remain where they were and wait, knowing full well that was what Naruto wanted him to do.
They reached the tea room with ease – it hadn't been too far from their meeting point and Naruto had a wonderful memory. The Hokage slid the door open, holding it for the ANBU and closing it once he had stepped inside. It was just the two of them now and Naruto was going to make the most of this time.
"Please may you remove your mask? I will allow you to place it back on before we leave this room but it would be nice to see who I am talking to." Making a quick assessment of the figure and determining it acceptable, Naruto ventured a slight joke, "After all, you can see who I am and it's a little odd to be talking to porcelain isn't it?"
Hesitant hands twitched before the mask's eyes turned to the door as if making a silent plea to the outside world. After a few seconds the person decided that no one would come to his or her saviour and moved to untie the knot holding the porcelain design to their face. Naruto fought to keep his face at an expressionless stance when he saw the face behind the mask.
"What is your name?"
The person before him could be no older than twelve, at the most, and she had wide eyes, eyes that belonged to a haunted child. She was still just a child, probably wouldn't even be out of the Academy had she been in proper conditions.
"Mujina, Hokage-sama."
Naruto looked away from the dark eyes, afraid of showing this child how hurt he was by the fact that she no longer had a name. She was just another mask of Danzou's, caught in his web of lies and plots.
"How long have you been in Danzou-san's… care?"
The girl was slow to reply but she eventually did,
"I cannot remember… I have always been here."
Naruto nodded and his eyes softened; Shinobi villages often had many orphans, especially to non-clan families. Within a clan you always had another relative to look after the child or give support in the event of a parent's death. For non-clan Shinobi it was always so much harder; they had no one to fall back on and the children either ended up in the orphanage or somewhere like here; Danzou took nothing for granted and squeezed everything for every drop.
"Would you ever consider taking a different path if you had a choice?"
Naruto did not bother to sugar coat his words or dumb down his meanings; this wasn't a child before him. She was a fully responsible young woman who was capable of killing a man because of one hand sign from the Captain. She was ruthless and yet so innocent at the same time. She understood the realities of the world and would only think badly of him if he did decide to treat her as her age.
The girl turned her eyes away from Naruto's and focused on the door. She was obviously uncomfortable, yet, being young and obviously still had part of her that longed for a childhood, she spoke of her opinions. And, even though she most certainly was not a child, Naruto found he connected with her like he did with children.
"I always see other children playing… I want to… to be like…"
She stopped before she finished and Naruto understood; Danzou had drilled everything into her and she had spent her whole life living by how he wished her to live. The words had escaped her throat thickly, held back by the restraints Danzou had placed upon them a long time ago.
"I have the rights to pull you out of this organisation. I made it clear to Danzou-san that if I wanted to I could take anyone out of here."
The girl looked up sharply, eyes widening,
"But Danzou-sama…"
"Won't be able to get to you; I will extend the personal security that the Hokage's family gets to every member who leaves this organisation. I will also leave it up to you about what you wish to do, whether you wish to continue as an ANBU, though under my division, or whether you would like to be placed in a team or even the academy."
The child looked away and Naruto noticed her hands fiddling with the fabric of the tie on her mask. Naruto remembered something that might sway her,
"You know the man outside who is standing guard right now?" He waited for the girl to shake her head before continuing,
"He used to belong to ROOT. He was placed on my team a while ago and I changed him. Sai is one of my closest friends now and I do not know what I would do without his friendship.
"Every person in Konoha is part of my family, even you. I came here today to see if the programme Danzou is running is suitable. He knows that I will take people out of it if I wish to but what I want to know is what you want to do."
Naruto sat back on his cushion and waited with a slight smile of encouragement on his face. The girl's expression changed from surprise to curiosity and then confusion. He was winning her over slowly, and it would be worth the wait.
"You don't have to decide know, I will be happy to take you out any time. It would be easiest if you did it now but all you need to do is stop by my office sometime."
Mujina nodded slowly and Naruto smiled.
"Shall we go back then?"
The girl reattached her mask and Naruto opened the door again, waiting for the girl to exit first. Itachi and Sai looked at Naruto and he gave a curt nod; she was one who could be persuaded.
Danzou watched as the four Shinobi reappeared. His face lifted in a smug smile as he saw the mask in full place and Naruto knew that the man had thought he'd won.
"Could I have the striped mask next please?"
The grin fell from the old man's face as he realised that Naruto was serious about the private interviews. The trio walked off with their latest Shinobi and Danzou turned to the lion masked Nin beside him, the Taichou of all the ROOT ANBU.
"Do you remember the half formed plan we made up in the event that a Hokage was to dig too deeply into this organisation?"
The tilt of the mask was all the signal Danzou needed to know the confirmation.
"Good because I do believe it is time we try to find out just how much of this plan is missing. Get ready to carry it out efficiently before they come back for the next member; this counts as the Hokage digging too deep and I don't want to give him the option of taking my men away."
The Nin nodded once again and replied,
"Of course, Danzou-sama."
Limbs froze and a badger mask turned the other way, away from the man who inspired fear in her and the man who acted on orders from this fear. She had heard the conversation clearly (after all, they all thought her to be the loyal one; no one in ROOT would dare sell another out, they were all in the same boat) and knew that it would give a catastrophic outcome.
Even if the Hokage wouldn't be defeated, to get the Taichou of the ANBU involved was bringing on a serious charge and there was a change that Naruto-sama would be caught unaware.
Without a second thought to her own safety, Mujina slipped from the room and her footfalls echoed around the hallways as the fought time to get back to the tea room.
調べる
"What is it that you want Sasuke?"
The Uchiha turned his head as his name was called yet showed no signs of responding verbally.
To Sasuke, Madara was another stepping stone to overcome; something that would get him to his final goal yet nothing more. Madara wanted power and Sasuke would supply him with that as long as he got what he deserved; namely Konoha.
"Come on now, you know that it's rude not to answer. We're of same blood, are we not?"
Sasuke looked up slowly, eyes full of disrespect to the elder. Madara chuckled and shook his masked head. It was still fun to taunt the boy merely for the fact that he was so painstakingly contrasting to Itachi.
"It's just you and I, Sasuke… tell me what you really want. I know you read the tablet in the meeting room."
Sasuke fought to control his Sharingan as the Amaterasu threatened to react to Madara. How was it that even after so long of fighting to control it and thinking he had mastered it, there were times when the Amaterasu appeared to act on its own. Was the difference between the two brothers that much?
"Why the hell did you do it? Why did you teach my brother? You said so yourself that it is indirectly your fault he had to sacrifice so much… why?"
Madara's mask turned to look at Sasuke, the one eye focused directly on the younger male.
"Why? Itachi asked for a deal with me. We've been through this before Sasuke," Madara moved forwards in his chair and tapped the table with his knuckles. "We made a deal, I would get my revenge on Uchiha as long as I didn't harm Konoha."
Sasuke looked down and bit back the retort that he knew would earn him some sort of comment from Madara.
"Then how can I complete my aims?"
Madara chuckled, he was so naïve.
"You expect me to keep a dead man's promise? I cannot do that! If every Shinobi went around fulfilling such requests then the world would be in chaos. Besides, Itachi is water under a bridge and all you need to do is look out for yourself. Tough times will be coming up soon… especially as you are to be collecting that Bijuu soon. I will be sending in the Akatsuki to Konoha soon so we can begin the process that you wish to complete… but what I want to know, Sasuke, is what you want."
Sasuke looked into Madara's eye and analysed the man from that one eye. It wasn't an issue of trust; Sasuke wouldn't trust anything that this man either did or say unless he was certain that he was telling the truth. He had to believe in him, for now at least, because there simply was nothing else that he could do. A war would be starting soon and Sasuke knew that he would just end up caught in the middle… there was no way the Uchiha clan would be setting foot inside of Konohagakure again unless it was on the terms of war.
"What do I want?"
Madara inched forwards a little as Sasuke's voice trailed off.
"The power of the Bijuu, to control such enormous power…"
Madara nodded and smirked under his mask,
"I know you have had a taste of that power, you managed to suppress the Kyuubi's chakra; not an easy feat. Do you want all of that at your fingertips? To be able to crush a whole area of building, destroy whole sections of towns… whole countries, clans even…"
Sasuke's eyes glossed a little as he was lost in the memory of the Kyuubi's chakra. He remembered the power surge it had given him, as well as the dirty feeling that crawled along after it. Sometimes he wondered how Naruto could stand to have something of such disgusting quality within him.
"Is that your final goal, Sasuke?"
Sasuke's head turned and he shook his head.
"I don't know what I want."
Madara grinned; everything was turning out to be better than he had planned.
調べる
Naruto sighed as the ROOT member refused to take his mask off; it was the third attempt to get the man rid of his mask but he wasn't having it. It was to be expected really; this member was older and so would most likely be more loyal to Danzou than the previous candidate.
"If you ever feel that you would like a position anywhere else then please do not hesitate to visit me. We'll be able to sort something out."
The man left without a word, not even waiting for the Hokage. Naruto rubbed his head; he was only on the second person and already Danzou's Shinobi were doing his head in!
"Hokage-sama…"
Itachi and Sai stood behind the badger masked girl as she stood in the doorway. Naruto looked up in slight alarm for the girl was out of breath yet holding it back, almost as if she wanted to remain hidden.
"Danzou-sama… Taichou-sama… he's planning on attacking… you."
Naruto's eyes widened and he ushered the two dark haired Shinobi inside. They slid the door shut and sat down in a circle, facing each other. It was one thing to anticipate an attack and to receive one, especially in territory that could be considered foreign.
And Ne division was the exact definition of 'foreign' to Naruto' he was the only Hokage who had openly visited it, noticed the sister organisation to his ANBU and took time to review it.
"Danzou doesn't like what I'm doing… he obviously wants as much power as he can get…"
"Naruto-sama," Itachi warned respectfully, reminding the Hokage that they were with company.
"I understand but I wish to show Danzou exactly what he is dealing with. Unless there are more than two members on the assault, I wish for you to remain without contact.
"I will most likely leave after this skirmish so, Sai, could you write a letter to as many people as you can? Just let them know that they have an alternative, let them be aware that I will help them if they so wish for it."
Sai nodded and pulled out his ink and a blank scroll. Naruto turned back to Mujina and signalled for her to stay put.
Naruto walked out of the room with a soft smile on his face. His eyes flickered to the side and he placed his hands behind his head, whistling joyously as he did so. A dark shadow appeared behind the Hokage and the others knew now that Danzou was open with his methods, confident that he would succeed.
And why not be confident? His ANBU were some of the strongest Shinobi and Kunoichi in the land. They met every challenge that was put to them with gusto, seemingly never failing.
Itachi hated this, hated the silence as he waited and hated the fact that he couldn't do anything to help as he had to remain hidden. They waited patiently, Sai coiled and tensed between Itachi and Mujina, as they heard Naruto begin the 'skirmish' between them.
"Hiraishin no Jutsu," Naruto muttered calmly and a yellow blur cut through the corridor. Itachi could feel the surprise radiating off of the stalking Shinobi before he crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
"I think it is time I spoke to Danzou in private. Thank you for everything Sai, if you could give one letter to each member that would be a great help."
Sai knew that Itachi and Naruto had business that he had no part in and he respected their decision; if anyone could face off against Danzou it would have to be Naruto. There were aspects of Konoha that he would never know about – not that he was sure he did want to know about them – and Sai knew this was one of them.
Naruto nodded to Itachi and they left the other two. Mujina scuttled off shortly after, most likely to wait out the anger Danzou would feel at her betrayal and Sai sat down to compose his letters.
The walk back to Danzou left Naruto seething in anger at the sheer audacity of the man, so confident that he had this power to attack the Hokage in front of Konoha's Shinobi, Naruto's friends, and to do it secretly, when he was trying to help the poor souls stuck in Danzou's web.
Itachi walked calmly, the unconscious Nin slung over his shoulder. If there was anything to thank the time in the Akatsuki it would be his; although he personally hadn't carried any bodies back (Kisame had carried them on his sword) he had seen others do it and knew the most comfortable way to hold a body on yours.
Danzou was waiting for them back at the hall, all of his troops had dispersed and the man himself wore an interesting expression.
"Would you care to tell me why in hell's name you set your Captain to take me out? Do you really doubt my abilities so much that you are willing to attempt an assassination?"
Danzou looked away, unidentifiable emotions bubbling in his eyes.
"The evidence is too circumstantial; my views may or may not have swayed the Taichou. Say if he just acted of his own accord?"
Naruto nodded, agreeing that Danzou was correct. A sly smile crept to the old man's face and Naruto was reminded suddenly of why he had nicknamed him one of the Three Oni.
"But you forget that I am the Hokage now. All cases have to go through me and I can choose to intervene if I think that the trial was too biased. As I am involved here I think that it proves you guilty but I will let it go. Here is your man,"
Itachi released the man he had been holding and the Shinobi stumbled forwards. He had regained consciousness just after they had started talking yet had remained motionless, mainly due to being held tightly.
"Report," Danzou barked and the man replied instantly. It sickened Naruto and Itachi to hear the Shinobi respond much like a whipped dog would; quickly without wasting any time. If any time was wasted then there would be a huge problem.
"Target fought using the Hiraishin no Jutsu without the use of kunai. I had no chance, sir."
Danzou frowned yet turned to Naruto with a slight twinkle in his eye. It wasn't every day that his Taichou admitted he had no chance what so ever and yet he was slightly proud. For Naruto to have mastered the quality of the Jutsu to that level was astounding… the Yondaime had spent a lot of time and effort on it and it was enthralling to know that his son was spending time recreating what his father had, only evolving it to the full potential.
"Well done for mastering the Hiraishin no Jutsu to the fullest level… not even your father took it any higher saying that it was perfect enough. As I am sure you know, evolution is necessary for the Ninja community and, without it, there is no point in you being Hokage or anyone going on missions. It is who we are."
Naruto's eyes narrowed at the mention of his father yet he thanked Danzou nonetheless. He even found himself agreeing to the latter points the man had made; sure he was a little crazy and power hungry, but Danzou was a smart man and could still bring a lot to Konoha. If he remained on the right side of the Hokage and did as he was told, that is.
"I wish to talk about ROOT. I want you to disallow anyone under the age of ten. If it ever gets to the point then I will allow you to teach a taster session in the Academy or just come in and talk about it but I do not want children growing up emotionless. Do you understand?"
Danzou nodded but remained silent. It was clear that he too knew when he should play the part of whipped dog. Naruto was the Hokage, a Hokage who actually took notice to what he was doing and wanted to alter it. This was the mark of a great Hokage and the respect he felt for Naruto overtook the resentment… for the moment.
"I wish to remove Badger from your care. I will return in the week to collect her from you and if you try anything then, I will personally see to it that you receive some form of punishment."
Itachi drew back the hood of his cloak suddenly and revealed the Mangekyou Sharingan. It was an unexpected move that not even Naruto would have guessed Itachi would do. He had thought that the cloak would remain on and smiled at the shock on Danzou's face; obviously he hadn't been expecting it either.
"Remember that Naruto-sama will not be the only looking out for you."
Itachi's voice was stern, cold and that of a ruthless killer. Naruto surmised that it was now Danzou was remembering that this Itachi was no longer the young teen who had assassinated his family upon orders. This Itachi was the one who had survived amongst ruthless Missing-Nin, who had played the part of the bad guy so spectacularly that no one, not even his own flesh and blood, had been able to see through the lies.
Naruto turned and walked towards the door, pleased with how this meeting had ended.
"Thank you Danzou-san it has been a pleasure."
"Of course Hokage-sama."
Both caught the sarcasm in the man's voice and Naruto smiled; it appeared that one never could let go of all emotion after all. For all Danzou claimed, he could still be brought to express himself.
調べる
The taste of war was all around him and Madara bathed in its glow. His whole life had been one long battle and the man wondered how he had ever lived during peace. Peace was something boring, monotonous and life thrived in peace. What good was being a Shinobi if there was only peace?
If Itachi had been the peace maker then Madara was his perfect opposite. Two Uchihas who had been raised in a war; one sworn to protect the village, the other sworn to destroy it. It was funny, really, how everything had turned out. The one that everyone assumed to hate Konoha was really the protector of the damned village.
"Kyuubi…" Madara whispered remembering the power he once unleashed upon the leaf. It had been euphoric, addictive and so utterly, purely amazing.
A disturbance sounded near him and Madara looked round; Zetsu stood there looking at Madara. The mismatched colours of the man's face almost disturbed Madara but, instead, he smiled and waited to hear what he had to say.
"The footage is ready."
Finally
"So you finally have the fight between Itachi and Sasuke for me to look at?"
Zetsu nodded and Madara followed the man as they walked to a room with a huge screen plastered on the wall. Zetsu had a unique skill that allowed him to retain images or footage for later viewing, much to Madara's pleasure.
He sat in the seat and watched the film; what he saw angered him.
Something was wrong with Itachi and it wasn't just the illness. Madara had experienced the same illness until his brother had donated his eyes. It killed from the inside, burning your lungs and constricting the trachea. Itachi wasn't feeling the full effects due to the medicine that he had made up but there was also something else…
… Almost as If Itachi was constantly weighing up an idea.
Madara's eyes narrowed as the figure of Susanoo came into view; he had always assumed that Susanoo was merely just a legend. No one had used the god's personal techniques and never had Orochimaru's hydra technique been destroyed so easily.
He was at a loathe to say it, but Itachi had been a bloody good Shinobi. If only it weren't for the whole peace bit.
A bird cawed outside and Madara smirked as he watched Itachi fall; everything had its time to die and the evidence for Itachi's final plans were all laid bare… it was just time for Madara – the coroner equivalent – to unravel the full mystery that was Uchiha Itachi
調べる
Notes:
14/12/08: Edited (additional paragraphs added and typos fixed)
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