New Lives
Chapter 25
Tsunade looked into the cell holding Uchiha Sasuke. She felt for the boy, but he was too dangerous at the time to be allowed to run free. "Sasuke, who told you that the Hokage had your clan killed?"
"Obito."
Tsunade bit her lip, Obito wasn't the type to lie, but he was definitely the type to mistake fantasy for reality, "And that's all?"
"No, I read Danzo's mind. It was all there."
Tsunade swallowed hard, she was completely unaware of any such plot, yet it seemed to be true. "I know you didn't know, you weren't in the leadership then, only a few people knew. And they must be punished."
"They will be, Sasuke, they will be..."
...
"Do you think it could be true?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah, it could, it does happen. It happened to the Kaguya clan, they were completely wiped out except for Kimimaro, and he's dead now."
Naruto nodded, he remembered the story Haku had told him, of the fear of Blood Limits, the purges, men killing their own families,
Yes, humans are capable of such horrible things.
"Yeah, but why the #! Would they get an Uchiha to wipe out the Uchiha clan?"
"Fear." Kankurou stared into the distance, "They were afraid of the Sharingan and it's power, so they used Itachi to get it done, jan."
"But why would he agree?"
"If he's anything like Sai, he wouldn't be able to refuse an order, especially one from the Hokage himself." Ukon noted as Sakon shook his head.
"Monsters. They call us monsters, but they're the evil ones..."
"Well, now that it's #! Out of the #! Bag, maybe somebody will have to pay."
Shikamaru looked at Tayuya, "I hope so."
...
"No! I want barbecue "
"We always have barbecue! I want seafood!"
Sakon and Ukon glared at each other, "We need jobs."
"Yeah, you think they'd trust us around weapons? You really are stupid, Sakon."
"We don't have to work as soldiers, you know."
"Yeah, what else are we gonna do?" Ukon sneered.
"I don't know, but there must be something we can do."
"Well, you just think about it, it's your idea. When are you going to figure out that the world wasn't made for us, it belongs to them, and they won't share, so we have to take."
"That's a very narrow view of the world, but understandable."
Sakon and Ukon spun around to see who was speaking.
"Oh, it's you."
Sai smiled, "You two are phenomenal warriors, and you have other skills as well, no doubt. Suigetsu and I would not be averse to having you live in our home until you can find an acceptable occupation."
"Why would you do that? Why would you care?"
"I don't, I can't care, but you are enjoyable to be around and you need help to become useful citizens of Konohagakure. As it's my mission to protect Konoha, helping you two contribute to our society is part of that. As for occupation, Kidoumaru is trusted with weaponry as well as the lives of numerous Genin. If he can gain such trust, you may be able to at least become ninja again. "
"You're really serious..."
Sai cocked his head, "Of course, why would I not be?"
"Thank you!" They bowed gratefully to the pale-skinned boy.
...
Shizune looked out at the monument sadly, "Now what, Tsunade-Sama? He did save our village many times, he died saving us all from Orochimaru. But if he actually ordered the Uchiha Massacre..."
Tsunade took a stiff drink, "That's for the people to decide, the Hokage Monument is for the people of Konoha to salute their heroes, not for politicians to deify or vilify each other. We'll hold a vote, make sure everything is considered, and let it stand there."
Shizune turned back out to the monument, old Sarutobi's face had been totally obliterated, if it was rebuilt, it would either have to be in a different area of the mountain or done in bas relief.
To Be Continued . . .