It's time for another chapter and no one is in this room with me. This chapter will show that the windmill is definitely turning as will next chapter. Danzo finally decides to make a move, and next chapter there will be more of that as well as revealing who the ROOT operative was. Though you can probably already guess who he is. (HE"S NOT SAI!) Enjoy and don't forget to review.
Leaf Village, With Mizu Ryu…
As Mizu made his way to the academy, something he did quite often, to pick up Inari and Mara, he knew someone was watching him carefully.
He discretely activated his Byakugan and scanned the area. "Three figures wearing blank mask. Each one has a tanto on their body." He deactivated the Byakugan and continued on his way.
"They have to be the ROOT agents Lord Daichi warned me about, and there's only one reason that they'd be following me. The only question is, how do I protect Mara and by extension Inari.
Maybe I could take them on alone; however, there's no telling how well they've been trained. There are numerous people that I could contact for help, but it wouldn't do any good if the message was intercepted.
They would be stupid to attack in broad day light, so it's likely that they have a trap set up somewhere with Genjutsu specialist at the ready. Likely it's in front of our home since that street doesn't have much on it."
He betrayed nothing on his face as he tried to think of how he could handle three, or more, ROOT agents alone or contact one of the Fusion Clan's friends for back up.
The Academy
Mizu approached the building and found Mara speaking with Kotaro and surprisingly Inari was talking with the Uzumaki twins.
The Fusion Clan member ignored the people tailing him and smiled. "Inari and Mara, it's time to go."
The two children said their goodbyes to their friends and ran over to Mizu. Together they began to walk back to the house.
Streets
"Hey Mizu, has my brother sent any word of when he'll return?" Mara asked.
Mizu shook his head. "Lord Daichi has not, but I'm sure it's just because he can't."
Inari smiled and put his hands behind his head. "Yeah, Daichi's pretty strong. Almost as strong as Naruto."
Mara was offended by that remark. "Yeah right. My big brother is way stronger than this Naruto person you keep bringing up."
"I'm not saying that Daichi isn't strong. I'm just saying that Naruto's stronger. I mean can Daichi inspire a whole village to fight?" Inari stated smugly.
Mara chuckled, "That's an impressive feat, but can Naruto train a village guard that can stand up to an invasion?"
The two argued back and forth who was stronger calling up different missions and feats the older Shinobi were capable of. Mizu listened to them as he scanned the crowd of people.
His eyes eventually landed on Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi. Kurenai laughed at something Asuma said and the two seemed to be having a great time.
"What do you know. I didn't think Asuma would ever get Kurenai to agree to a date." Mizu thought, but this didn't stop him from walking the kids into their path.
He smiled. "Hello you two. You seem to be having a wonderful day."
They stopped and Asuma smiled, "Yeah, I finally got Kurenai to agree to a date. Can you believe it."
Mizu chuckled and winked, "Honestly it is a little hard to believe, but I suppose you did have a crush on her since the Academy."
Asuma blushed and Kurenai smirked. "Oh really. Mind telling me more?"
Mizu shook his head. "There are so many. Did you know he would write yours and his names in a note book during the academy. I swear that note book was filled after two weeks."
Kurenai chuckled thinking it was sweet while Asuma's face reddened.
The Sarutobi placed his hand on Mizu's shoulder. "Come on Mizu, let's change topics okay?"
Mizu placed his hand on Asuma's shoulder. "Let's."
After a few seconds of the two staring at each other, they dropped their arms.
"It's been a while now, how has it been being a member of Fusion Clan?" Asuma asked.
Mizu smiled. "Can't complain. Daichi's a great leader and I've really flourished in his clan. Anyways, it was nice chatting with you. Maybe we could get a few of the guys together and get some drinks tonight."
Asuma nodded. "Sounds good." He then addressed the two children. "You two make sure to listen to Mizu. Can't be easy for him watching the two of you alone."
Inari smirked, "Of course."
"You bet." Mara added sincerely.
The two groups parted ways, and once they were far enough away, Asuma leaned over and began whispering to Kurenai as they walked.
Fusion Clan Home…
The small group stopped at the doorway an Mizu suddenly grew serious. "You two, get in the house and stay there."
"What's going on?" Inari asked concerned as Mizu never sounded like this for as long as he knew him.
"I'll explain later. For now, just do as I say." Mizu stated.
Mara nodded and grabbed Inari's arm dragging him inside. Mizu then put his hand on the door and pumped some Chakra into the sealing network before turning around with his Byakugan active.
"You can all come out now. None of you can hide from these eyes." Mizu stated.
10 blank masked Anbu appeared in the streets facing the Byakugan Fusion Clan member.
"I told you he could see us." One of the ROOT plainly stated.
Another said, "Maybe we can reason with him. You know he wouldn't like it if we killed a Shinobi."
Mizu took this opportunity to appear in front of a ROOT operative and hit several of their Chakra points. The Shinobi went down unable to move.
The Fusion Clan member shook his head. "You people are either terrible Shinobi or you're rusty because you haven't faced a real Shinobi. Either way, I'd advise you not to take your eyes off me. I was trained by Kakashi Hatake after all."
He ducked as another member took a swing at him and swept his opponents legs sending him to the ground. He then slammed his foot down on top of the Shinobi's stomach causing him to cough up blood.
"Both him and Lord Daichi have taught me not to rely entirely on the Hyuga Style of Fighting." Mizu stated with a slight smile.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu." A Shinobi stated as he wove hand signs and blew a ball of fire at Mizu..
"Earth Style: Mud Wall Jutsu." Mizu countered.
A wall of mud sprang up shielding Mizu's back from the fireball.
"Water Style: Raging Waves." A Shinobi said as they appeared in front of Mizu.
Mizu crossed his arms as the water hit him pushing him up against the wall and coating his clothes in mud. He rolled to the right as another Root member came at him with a tanto.
"It's time to get serious." Mizu got into the Hyuga stance and prepared to fight.
A Couple of Blocks Away…
Asuma and Kurenai stood with Sado Uzumaki who was decked out in his Konoha Police Force uniform. Sado had acted quickly and mobilized a small unit to deal with the situation.
"Have you found the group creating this Genjutsu?" Sado asked as am Inuzuka appeared.
"Yes sir, they're stationed in that house over there. Nagi is on stand by and read to apprehend." The Inuzuka Police member stated.
Sado put two fingers in his mouth and whistled. A few moments later the whole Genjutsu dropped enabling the sounds of fighting at the Fusion Clan House to be heard.
"I want you to head to the house and secure the prisoners. I'll head to the Fusion Clan house with Asuma and Kurenai." Sado ordered.
The Inuzuka nodded. "Understood Commander."
Asuma took out his trench knives. "Let's go and lend Mizu a hand."
Kurenai and Sado nodded before all three Jonin moved down the street.
Fusion Clan Residence
"Palm Rotation!" Mizu declared deflecting a barrage of weapons into the air. "Shadow Clone Jutsu." Three more Mizu's appeared and together they all jumped into the air grabbing the weapons. "Here have these back!"
He rained down the kunai, senbon, and shuriken on the remaining 5 ROOT members. They dispersed and one took out a Fuma Shuriken. They threw it at Mizu. The three clones grabbed Mizu and threw him to the ground taking the shuriken in his place.
The Chunin landed on his feet and dodged an on coming kick. He then grabbed the leg before the member could retreat and slammed his elbow down on top of it with all his might breaking the leg.
Mizu then kicked the member in the chest sending him straight into another ROOT member that was trying to get the jump on him. The Fusion Clan member then ducked and spun kicking a Shinobi's legs out from under him.
Mizu then got to his feet panting. It was easy to see why ROOT Shinobi were so dangerous. If he were still with the Hyuga Clan, then he's be no match for them with his meager training.
Inside the House
"We have to get out there and help him." Inari stated as he tried to opened the door and failed once more.
"I want to help Mizu just as much as you, but it's pointless. The house's walls have seals all throughout them. Seals that were made by Sado who is a Seal Master. Neither of us are going to break through them."
Inari slumped against the door as the sounds of fighting continued. "It's just frustrating you know. I've made so much progres,s yet I know I wouldn't be any good in a fight like that."
"If it helps, neither would I." Mara stated with a kind smile. "All we can do now is observe and learn. When this over, we continue to train so that the next time this happens we'll be able to help instead of needing to be protected."
Inari nodded and walked over to the window. "I hate it when you're right."
Outside
Mizu smiled and jumped away from the now four remaining ROOT members.
"Are you giving up?" On of the member asked.
"On the contrary, I'm merely holding your attention for a few seconds just in case any of you are Genjutsu specialist. Though that's unlikely, but still something I don't want to chance…"
Asuma, Kurenai, and Sado appeared knocking out three more ROOT members. "…when they attempt to surprise you." The Three Jonin joined Mizu and faced the last member. "Now why don't you give up."
The last member drew his tanto. "Failure is not an option."
Before anyone could act, all the ROOT members were nailed with kunai that had explosive tags attached to them.
Sado quickly reacted weaving some hand signs. "Earth Style: Earth Dome."
He slammed both his hands on the ground causing a dome of earth to cover all 10 members. A few seconds later the tags went off inside cracking the dome in several places, but it managed to hold.
He then turned his attention to the roof of the house and noticed a tall figure in the same clothing as the other ROOT members. Mizu, Asuma, and Kurenai then looked at the same figure.
Sado spoke into his communication device as the figure took off. "That same cloaked figure you two saw just took out our remaining suspects. He's currently heading to the North. I'm not pursuing him. You two join me as soon as possible."
"Yes sir." Both Police Force member stated.
He then addressed Asuma and Kurenai. "You two stay here. I want you to tend to Mizu and protect the children."
The Jonin nodded and Sado jumped onto the roof before taking off after the cloaked figure.
With Sado
Sado was running after the blank masked figure, but whoever it was they were fast. The Uzumaki drew some shuriken and threw them at the ROOT member. The member dodged every shuriken.
Soon Nagi and the Inuzuka joined him following a few feet behind their commander. "Listen up, that guy is our only lead, and we're going to do everything in our power to catch him."
"Right." The two police force members stated together.
"I'm going to cut him off." He channeled Chakra to a seal on his body. "You two move in for the capture." Sado ran ahead of the cloak figure and wove some hand sign. "Earth Style: Mud Wall."
The ROOT member ran up the wall. Sado met him at the top punching the masked Shinobi in the face and cracking the mask. The Shinobi then fell to the street, but he landed on his feet.
"Fang over Fang!" The Inuzuka declared.
Earth began to tear away at the masked figures clothing around his arms. "Earth Style: Dragon Scales."
They caught both Shinobi and dog. He then slammed the dog into the ground before substituting with the Inuzuka as Nagi performed the Mind Transfer Jutsu. He then kicked the Inuzuka away and threw a 5 kunai at Sado as he jumped off the roof.
Fromm there, the ROOT member ducked and dodged several other Shinobi who'd ran at him. He took his tanto and slammed it into the gut of a Shinobi before kicking him away. The masked figure then ran through the opened he created.
He jumped onto the roof and continued running as he was chased by several Shinobi of various ranks. The Yamanaka shifted back to her body, and the Inuzuka immediately went over to his partner.
"You okay girl." He asked.
The dog barked out a warning causing Sado to tackle the Inuzuka away from the dog before she blew up. The Inuzuka kicked Sado off and quickly stood up only to fall to his knees.
"Shiromaru!" Tears fell from his eyes.
"Nagi, stay with Kiyo. I'll continue chasing the culprit." Sado stated.
Nagi nodded. Sado rest his hand on the Inuzuka's shoulder before running after the culprit once more.
Tsunade's Office, Some Time Later…
Tsunade was readying herself for the news she was about to deliver. She'd seen everything on the tape from the exams to the end of the invasion. Now she had to tell Choza and his wife the news.
As well as Shikaku and Inochi since they were both the Godfathers and had close ties with Choza. The group walked in somberly. It didn't take a genius to figure out what happened when you call in the husband and wife of a Shinobi.
Tsunade took a deep breathe. "You already know why you are here. Choji Akimichi passed away during an invasion that happened in the Grass Village."
Choza's wife teared up and buried her head in his shoulder.
"Was it one of the other villages that killed him?" Inochi asked.
"Things were complicated during this Chunin Exam just like they about 2 years ago. The Sound planned an invasion. I assigned Daichi to go undercover and deal with the Sound team.
I then gave him free reign to deal with the invasion as he saw fit. He asked his friends and allies from other villages to aid him in saving the Grass Village. During the invasion two Akatsuki members made their presence known.
Mizuki was the one to end Choji's live. He forced the Akimichi heir to use all three pills by displaying a power we never knew he had and the Byakugan. Before he died, you should know that Choji took one of Mizuki's arms while Kakashi took the other and his eyes."
She shook her head. "We have no idea where he's gone only that he is most likely with his partner Kuma Dagami an ex Mist Shinobi and someone with both the Sharingan and a similar power to Mizuki's."
"If that's all, I think me and Inochi will escort the Akimichi home." Shikaku stated.
Tsunade nodded, "There is one more thing you should know, Choji lost his life protecting Sasame Fuma and Yakumo Yuhi. That coupled with his skills have allowed us to award him the rank of Jonin."
Choza nodded. "Thank you Lady Tsunade."
They left the office.
Konoha Gates
Kotetsu and Izumo were watching the gates, like they always do, when they felt vibrations in the Earth.
"You feel that, right?" Izumo asked his friend.
Kotetsu hopped over the desk and looked past the gate. "Yeah, and I can see a large figure coming on fast. It's… a lion. Judging by it's speed, it's not from Kazamae's house."
Izumo joined him. "Then it must be Daichi, and there's likely been some kind of problem with a mission he was sent on."
"Did he go on mission?" Kotetsu asked.
The lion came to a halt at the gates. Kakashi, who had Daichi on his back, jumped off the lion and took of running to the hospital. He was followed by Sakura and Shizune. Sakura was carrying Jiro. The lion dispelled.
"Wow, Daichi and that other guy were in bad shape." Kotetsu stated surprised.
Izumo nodded, "And did you see Kakashi? What kind of a battle do you think they got into?"
"I don't know, but Lady Hokage would want to hear of this. Watch the station while I inform her of what's happened." Kotetsu stated.
Izumo nodded and his friend took off for the Hokage's Tower.
Outside Tsunade's Office, Just a Bit Earlier…
Sado was waiting for the doors to open. He had to report what happened to Lady Tsunade. Unfortunately, he was not the only one who'd come to see her. Danzo had just entered the room.
Sado was one the people that knew what the old war hawk was up to, and he didn't like it. Of course, he didn't portray these feelings openly.
"Danzo Shimura, what are you doing here?" Sado asked.
Danzo plainly said, "Nothing to grand as you might expect. I simply have a few issues with the Fusion Clan."
"I bet you do." Sado looked at he elder. "Oh, what problems could you have with them."
"This is a matter that is best discussed with Daichi and some of it with Tsunade since I believe she may have been overlooking this infraction given her history with his grandfather and fondness for the boy."
Sado was about to speak when the door opened. Choza, with his wife crying into his shoulder, walked out followed by Inochi and Shikaku. All three men were somber.
"It seems that she is finished. If you would like, I could speak first. I assure you that what I must say is rather short." Danzo stated.
"By all mean, after you. Though I think you'll be interested in what I have to report, so I ask that you remain." Sado stated without a smile.
"Fair enough." Danzo agreed.
He then walked into the room followed by Sado.
Tsunade's Office…
Tsunade sighed when she say the old war hawk. "What do you want Danzo. If you're going to try and persuade me to let you back on the council, then the answer's still no."
"I assure you that is not why I have come. I merely wish to establish a meeting with you and Daichi Ryu." Danzo stated.
Tsunade raised and eye brow. "Why?"
"I'll go into more detail when we actually have the meeting, but his clan is the main topic of discussion." Danzo stated.
Tsunade said, "His clan has nothing to do with you. I'll ask him what he thinks and only then will we have the meeting if he agrees."
Danzo knew he had to bow out on this so he nodded. It wasn't like he couldn't go directly to Daichi anyways.
Sado then stepped forward. "Lady Hokage, I have a report on the incident at the Fusion Clan Home, and I believe Danzo needs to hear this."
Tsunade nodded. "Very well, proceed."
Sado told relayed everything that happened. "…In the end the end the Shinobi escaped us.
Tsunade turned to Danzo angrily. "What do you have to say for yourself."
Danzo remained unreadable. "It is shocking to say the least. Hiruzen ordered the termination of ROOT. To think some group would attack a loyal Shinobi of Konoha using my old organizations features."
Tsunade sighed, "Regardless, I'm going to allocate a few Anbu to watch over the Fusion Clan in case this group tries to make another move on them Fine, I'll summon you if Daichi wishes to meet with you."
"As you wish Tsunade." Danzo stated.
He then left.
Tsunade addressed Sado. "I want the Police Force to move a patrol route around the area of the Fusion Clan Home. Tell them to apprehend anyone with a cloak, tanto, and face mask or anyone who seems suspicious."
Sado nodded, "Yes mam, I'll also make sure to remove their seals and bring in Ibiki or Anko to question them."
Tsunade smiled, "Good, I see you were certainly the best choice for the role of commander. You may leave."
Sado bowed before leaving Tsunade's with her thoughts. "Danzo, you may be able to stay one step ahead, but I will put a stop to ROOT."
Her thoughts were interrupted by Kotetsu slamming her doors open.
She turned around and angrily yelled, "Why are you bargaining in here!?"
Kotetsu was panting. "Lady Hokage, a lion carried Kakashi, Shizune, Sakura, Daichi, and an unknown figure to the gate of the village. Daichi and the unknown were unconscious and Kakashi, Shizune, and Sakura ran them to the hospital."
Tsunade nodded. "Right, I'll go and see them right away and get the full report from Kakashi."
She left out the door.