A/N: I know this update is faster than any of you would have expected. But, I am currently writing fast to finish off with the War Arc. As it nears the end, my writing is picking up pace.
On a side note, some aspects of this fic might make a few people irritated, but I guess it happens. But, this chapter might make a lot of people happy with what's happening in it. Some answers and closures you needed will be in this chapter.
And WARNING! One particular section of this chapter is a little bit vicious, but I felt it was necessary. So, don't be put off with that. It won't happen much. I would say it will never happen again, but no promises!
Once again, stay safe and follow safety precautions.
Chapter 27 – Guilt and Deaths
I admit I was honest to Kami in awe of Shikaku's strategic brilliance.
Two weeks after my second deployment to the frontlines, I found myself infiltrating Kumo for a retrieval mission. Retrieval missions are in essence one of the most dangerous missions to exist. The danger was due to its sheer frequency of running into a horde of enemy ninjas.
After I returned from my second deployment to the border, I was given two weeks of downtime. The downtime reserved for shinobis were beginning to become less and less due to the intensity of the war raging on. The high number of the death toll and the increase in the need for able personnel made it impossible to keep an active ninja out of the roster for long.
While I had expected to be sent out to the border once more, Hiruzen put his foot down hard. Apparently, my sleep-deprived state that I arrived in was the cause of concern. Biwako had chewed out Hiruzen and even some of the higher-ups had expressed their concern about my mental state. Hence I was given a different sort of mission when I was pulled back into the roster.
The mission was classified B-rank with the possibility of bumping it up to A rank. As we had to infiltrate deep into Kumo, we had to naturally do it with a highly professional and minimal team to avoid any possibility of exposure.
Shikaku was the Jounin in charge of the mission. Might Guy was the main taijutsu specialist. He was our battering ram. Shisui Uchiha was the second member who was our ninjutsu and genjutsu specialist. I was brought into the team mainly as a support for them in case we ran into more enemies than they could handle. But, Shikaku made it clear to me that I was brought into the team because I was a sensor.
A sensor was currently in high demand for such infiltration missions. Normally, a mission of this kind would be given to a team of Jounin. But, as we were in the war, they had to use every available resource to the best of our abilities.
The mission had gone well until we found our client and initiated the retrieval. But, everything went to bonkers once we had retrieved the target a few miles from our meeting point. It was clear that a trap had been waiting for us. Pretty soon, we were shit deep in enemy ninja and were basically fighting our way out of Kumo.
That's when Shikaku's tactical brilliance came into play. The man was a genius – on so many levels that I couldn't even start describing the sheer incredulity of his brain. He came up with plan after plan that allowed us to always be a few steps ahead of the opposition.
Whether it be Guy, Shisui, or myself, our only job is to make sure we follow his instructions to T. That's when I realized how important it is for a Jounin sensei to be present leading others. His experience and strategic thinking helped us significantly in thinning our pursuers one by one.
He didn't go for a head-on confrontation. Chased by more than four Jounin teams of Kumo, the man went to take them out one by one. The initial head start we had was increasing daily as we neared the border.
From a few hours, we soon found ourselves having a lead of almost a day. When we were merely a day from the border, things took a turn for worse. While we all held suspicions on the nature of the trap we had found ourselves in, we all still made sure to be professional with our client. But all our suspicions only got stronger as at each encounter, our enemies seemed to know who they were dealing with.
And just a day before reaching the border, it became very apparent that our client had turned traitor and had sold us to the enemy. After Shikaku caught him red-handed and was done extracting information from him, it became clear that Kumo was highly invested in killing off our team. So much so, that they had mobilized a whole platoon from the border to intercept us.
That's when Shikaku pulled out yet another tactical brilliance. The reason he had requested me to be on the team was that he knew that while I was adept in a support role if needed I can become a battering ram too. My experience in escaping countless Kiri shinobi on my own and returning to our side was also a decisive factor. Hence, he had requested my presence.
On Shikaku's orders, we switched our roles.
I was made to take the point and lead us out of Kumo. I made Shisui act as a backup and long-range. With Guy acting as a supportive taijutsu specialist and another battering ram, Shikaku was relegated to the role of merely keeping up with us. I ordered a breather as we had a full day lead on our pursuers. During the rest, I outlined my initial plan. When Shikaku asked for specifics further, I told them that having a detailed plan would be a hindrance on this occasion.
While he seemed to understand my point, something within him didn't feel that comfortable with acting with no proper plan. I identified the sole objective as to reach the borders and forbid any use of flashy jutsu. Surprisingly enough, Shisui agreed with my assessment. Having an Uchiha agree with me on anything was a truly novel experience.
We then took off in a diagonal direction, instead of a straight line. My reasoning being although the straight line might lessen our distance, it would also lead us into the thick of the enemy platoon. This way, we will be hitting the sidelines and if we were lucky entirely escaping the confrontation altogether. The others agreed.
Being a sensor and taijutsu specialist, I took point with Guy right on my coattails. Shikaku was in the middle and his only job was to aid us if we encountered more than we could handle. Shisui was bringing the rear. I advised him to use mostly weapons and if needed, genjutsu that needed less chakra.
I asked him to cast a basic genjutsu masking our sound. With that done, I ordered to forget about stealth and rush as fast as possible in the formation. Shikaku seemed like he wanted to object but I explained to him that there is no use in hiding our tracks now that the enemy knew where we were thanks to the traitor.
The main objective we have is to safely reach the border before Kumo deployed yet another platoon to tie us down. Then we would be in for trouble. As long as we didn't use flashy jutsu and reveal our position to the enemy, we are fine. Even if they tracked us from behind, we now had enough lead to make sure it didn't become an overwhelming disadvantage. Satisfied by explanation, we dropped the stealth and started to race through Kumo.
As luck would have it, we didn't entirely bypass the Kumo platoon. However, as I had predicted we only met them on the outskirts, giving us enough time to punch through them before the entire platoon fell upon us.
The first Kumo ninja we met was a Jounin. He was taken completely by surprise. But we were prepared as I had already sensed him and signed about his presence to my team. Me and Guy fell upon him like a ton of boulders as Shisui enveloped us in a sound canceling genjutsu. Even though he was a Jounin, he wasn't a match for the combined assault of me and Guy. To add to that, he was a kenjutsu expert. And we didn't allow him to even draw his sword. But, things soon came to a head when Shikaku trapped him with a shadowbind. I immediately followed up with a kunai to the throat and we were off.
We punched through the remaining Kumo shinobi in our way in the same fashion. Occasionally, we will get into a tight spot with more than enough Kumo shinobi present. But, Shisui's use of genjutsu was very creative and brilliant.
One time, he messed with a jounin's balance. The Jounin only needed a second to escape from the genjutsu. But, I was already on him in his moment of weakness. A kunai to the eye did the job. Another time, he made a chunnin attack his partner giving Guy enough time to dispose of two of their comrades. His creative use was further exhibited when he messed a jounin's sense of right and left. But, the mere second he struggled with it was enough for me as he blocked with his right hand when I was clearly attacking his left side. The result was a kunai to his gut. And I didn't let the advantage go as I made sure to target his left side from then on.
Shikaku manipulated his shadows to capture and isolate targets for me and Guy to finish them off. We never took more than a minute in a fight. We were always moving. Our team was far too well-coordinated compared to Kumo ninja that we surprised with our presence. Within ten minutes, we had punched through the enemy platoon and were on our way to the border.
Shikaku immediately ordered us to change positions. With him taking the lead once more, I was ordered to bring up the rear. Guy took the point and Shishui took back his old role. With most of the Kumo ninja behind us, it became prudent that I took the rear. The sudden change in tactics and leadership helped us take Kumo by surprise.
In the end, they never caught up to us.
(*****)
When we reached the Konoha and reported to the Hokage, it became apparent to us that they had expected something like this to happen. While Hiruzen commended me, Shisui and Guy for a job well done, Shikaku once more took off to take care of his administrative duties.
Just when I thought that he would dismiss us all, Hiruzen asked me to stay back.
"Hato kun, how was the experience of leading a team?" he asked amicably.
I narrowed my eyes, "If you thinking of promoting me again, I don't want it. I am fine with where I am."
"Ha ha ha, no, no. While you are developing exceptionally, you still have a long way to go before becoming a Jounin."
I let out the breath I was holding.
"So, how was it?"
"It was good. At least, Shikaku san trusted me enough to follow my instructions," I said with a smile.
"Ah, the talk is you are becoming more and more proficient in escaping after being surrounded by enemy ninja. There is a talk that you will do great in infiltration and retrieval missions. And this mission only proves that."
"The main reason we were able to escape was Shisui. His use of genjutsu is brilliant," I said knowing that it was the truth.
"I see," Hiruzen nodded. "Anyways, I am afraid I have some bad news for you."
I looked at him a little bit puzzled.
"Your team, sorry, former team has run into some unfortunate circumstances. Tsuki and Roku are currently being treated."
"What happened to Roku?" I asked as panic began to fill me.
"Nothing life-threatening, I assure you. Why don't you go and visit her? I think the staff there can tell you more details than I can," if he noticed me not asking about Tsuki he didn't mention it thankfully.
"I will," I said nodding, "then I will take my leave Hokage sama."
"Go on," he motioned as he went back to his paperwork.
(*****)
When I reached Roku's room after enquiring about it in the reception, her father was sitting outside. As we made eye contact he gave me a curt nod before looking away. More than grief, there seemed to be anger in his visage. I understood from it that something had gone monumentally wrong with this mission.
I walked into the room and stood stock still in shock. I could hardly move my eyes away from her prone form. She was alive and conscious, but that was it. But, my eyes refused to leave the area where her legs were. At least where they should be.
Because one of her legs was missing.
"Hey," Roku tried to act nonchalant as she saw me looking at the place where her left leg should be.
I took in a deep breath before walking forward and took a seat beside her bed.
"What happened?" I croaked, my voice refusing to cooperate.
"We ran into some Iwa bastards," she said in a dejected tone. "One of them felt it would be good to crush my left leg into a pulp. They had to remove it."
I looked up at her face, but she refused to meet my eyes. I didn't know what to say. I merely stared at the place where her left leg should have been.
"Couldn't they…."
"They could do nothing. All the bones, muscles and tenketsu points were crushed into a pulp," she said monotonously.
I had to fight back tears that were threatening to leak from my eyes. I looked away from her around the room. I felt guilty to look at her in that form. If I had present, maybe I could have stopped this. I felt angry at myself for being selfish and leaving the team. Conflicting emotions raged inside me trying to drown me.
"You didn't ask what happened to others," she said after a while.
I didn't reply. I didn't care for either Tsuki or Fujita. For all I cared, they could go hang themselves.
"What happened to Daichi?" I asked at last turning back to her.
"Dead," she whispered with a haunted look.
I fought hard not to glance at her leg. She wouldn't want that. Roku wouldn't want my pity. She was a strong kid and the only thing I could do was be supportive. Then her words registered to me making me blink.
"We were part of a convoy sending food and essentials to a border station. It happened while we were returning from delivery. It happened so fast. I don't know what actually happened to be frank. One moment we were returning, the next we were fighting of a group of Iwa bastards."
"Fujita rushed into the fray like a madman. He didn't listen to Tsuki sensei or anyone else. Tsuki sensei went after him to safeguard him, leaving both me and Daichi alone. Daichi didn't even last long. I saw him die, you know. Right in front of my eyes," tears were dripping from her face by now.
"Then I was all alone. It was scary. You were always there when something like this happened. You always protected me. But, you were not there. And I was all alone," she said in a haunted tone that ripped my heart.
The tears I was holding back were flowing freely now.
"I fought with everything I know. Even when you were not there, I kept hearing your voice. Telling me to duck, telling me to move sideways and such stuff. It helped me. Otherwise, I wouldn't even be here."
I held back a sob that was threatening to escape.
"But, I was not as good as you. One of the bastards got me with a jutsu. Earth, I think. It enveloped my legs and crushed it. Luckily, one of the jounins heard my scream and came to aid me. By the time the fight was over, I was already out cold from pain. I just woke up hours ago," she said in a small voice looking at her lost leg.
"I still can feel tingles down there, you know. Like there should be something there, but it's missing now," she muttered softly.
I couldn't sit there anymore. I rushed out of the room and the moment I crossed the threshold I was sitting down and sobbing. Guilt wrecked me as I tried to make sense of what the fuck was actually happening to me.
I was all alone. It was scary. You were always there when something like this happened. You always protected me. But, you were not there. And I was all alone.
Roku's haunted voice echoed inside my head making it hard for me to breathe. Suddenly, I felt a hand tighten around my shoulders and looked up to see Roku's father looking at me sympathetically. Anger blazed in me and my eyes turned red.
If that man hadn't treated me so distantly, I wouldn't have left the team. If the man had treated me like he did Fujita, I would have stayed. Maybe I would have been able to protect Roku from her fate.
But, then again, maybe she would have died on the frontlines if I had remained on the team. Is the loss of a leg better than the loss of life? I didn't know, I had never been in that situation to know what it felt like. Even though I was still raging inside, I calmed down enough after that to not take out my anger on the man whose kid was in the hospital.
"Where's the bastard, Tsuki?" I growled at Roku's father.
Tsuki would do. If anyone is responsible for Roku's current condition, it was Tsuki. Like always, he ran after Fujita sparing no thought to Roku's wellbeing. Finally, finding a target on whom I could unleash my anger upon, I stood up and dried my eyes.
"Where's he?" I asked barely managing to restrain my temper.
Roku's father looked at me in sympathy.
"In the next room," he said. "He is critically injured and is hanging between life and death."
That took the wind out of my sails. My anger deflated and my shoulders slumped. He guided me to a chair nearby and I plunked myself in it. We sat there side by side in silence for a while. I didn't have the courage to go back inside.
In the end, I asked the one question bugging me, "Where's Fujita? Has he even visited her?"
He was the root cause of all this. If I find the bastard whole and healthy, I am going to carve a piece out of his flesh. Not just a piece, I am going to carve out his entire body, gouge out his eyes, break both his le….
"Missing in Action," Roku's father said in a somber tone.
Not killed, but missing in action.
"They were only able to save Roku and Tsuki before they had to retreat. No one saw him die, but no one knows where he is either. Hence, he has been deemed MIA."
While he said MIA, we both knew well that Fujita was most likely dead. While no one saw him die, it didn't mean he survived. Even if he did, he would be taken as a prisoner by Iwa. Huh, that would be a good punishment for that bastard. If he was indeed alive, then most likely he would be tortured and then once all information was extracted, he would be promptly disposed of.
Considering that Fujita is merely a genin, he wouldn't have much information that Iwa required. Very few MIAs returned back safe and healthy. And it isn't like people going MIA happened only rarely. It was far too frequent in war. Almost every run-in with a large amount of enemy shinobi had someone going MIA. That is one of the reasons my escapes after being surrounded by enemy shinobi was notable in war.
"Both my genin team died in the last war. I was the only one to make it alive," Roku's father spoke suddenly. "When my precious daughter was drafted into war, it was one of my worst fears. I had lost her mother to the war too. Not only me, far too many people have lost someone to the war. I don't think I need to tell you that. After all, you are the last of your clan."
"I understand completely what you are going through. Seeing a friend in such a condition, you feel as if you are the one responsible for it. But, don't do that to yourself. I am glad that she is at least alive. And you should be too," he said looking at Roku's room.
As I digested his words, I too looked at her room. While, it didn't help much to alleviate the grief, pain, and anger in me, it kind of comforted me. True, I should be glad that she is at least alive. I have seen far too many people die. I have taken far too many lives myself. I should know how easy it was to take someone's life.
"I admit," Roku's father spoke after a while, "I was rash in treating you formally when we last met. But, I hope you understand where I am coming from. I had lost my friends and family to the last war. All I had left was my precious daughter. And when she was hospitalized after being on the frontlines, which she was far young to be in, I didn't think rationally. All I could think of was how being on the same team as you put her in such danger. But, when you left the team, I felt ashamed at my behavior. What right do I have to be angry at you when you were the one who saved my daughter countless times? I simply ley my fear overtake my rationality."
"Learn from me, don't let your fear override your rationality. Now go, comfort your teammate. She will need your help to bounce back from this," he patted my back and motioned me to go inside Roku's room.
I graced him with a small smile and walked into the room to comfort my friend.
(*****)
I hadn't still forgiven Hiruzen for dropping such a bombshell on me. A part of me – that is sane, far too mature, and from another world where there were no child soldiers, thought it was Hiruzen's damn fault for what happened to Roku. No amount of logical arguments such as the different worlds and cultures we were living in was enough to assuage that. That is why I was far too pissed to read the mood of the room when I was summoned to the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen was eyeing me with a calculating look. From his expression, it was clear that he knew I was angry at him for something. But, the other occupants like Orochimaru and Shikaku were merely eyeing with interest. Danzo looked annoyed and the councilors looked as if they had found a treasure.
"Senju Hatorama," one of the councilors began calling my attention to him. If he flinched a little when I leveled him with a flat look, that's not my business.
"You have been called here to address the inconsistency of your report on the activities of your first deployment. Especially, the last incident which earned you the nickname "Red-Eyed Devil"," he continued schooling his expression into something neutral.
"What inconsistencies?" I asked in an annoyed tone.
"We were led to believe that you have omitted your former teammate Uchiha Fujita's degenerating mental state on purpose," the other councilor said with disapproval dripping from her voice.
"And who led you to believe that?" I asked baffled by such a statement.
"That's none of your concern," she huffed.
"It is mine as it pertains to me being here," I retorted calmly as my rational side began to kick in.
"Hatorama," Hiruzen barked bringing my attention to him, "were you aware of Fujita kun's mental state being less than ideal?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then, why didn't you report it when you returned from the deployment?" he asked looking baffled.
"I remember, Roku, on my advice, reporting it to then leader of my platoon Uchiha Ryoma and our team's sensei Mokurimo Tsuki. I even discussed it with my comrades in the bunker during the deployment. They assured me that it is a normal thing to happen during a first deployment. They said and I quote, "It is normal kiddo. This is your first deployment. Some shinobi cope with the stress of being deployed to frontlines with increasingly violent behavior. A simple meeting would a Yamanaka would solve it. You don't need to worry." I took my comrade's advice and didn't worry about it much."
"Then, why didn't you report it when you returned from the deployment?" the male councilor asked.
"Well, I thought that it would have been noted in Uchiha Ryoma's report. I was only a messenger carrying his reports on the deployment when I returned. I was neither the platoon leader nor was I in charge of the team. If anything you need to ask why Mokurimo Tsuki didn't report it till now. I mean, its been, what almost a year since that incident? Are you telling me he didn't note it even after being reported by his teammate?"
Looks were exchanged and something clicked in my mind.
"He didn't report, right?" I asked, "It was someone else who noticed in the last mission and reported it."
Hiruzen let out a huge sigh and nodded making look at them in sheer wonder. How the hell did a child killer not get a mental check-up for his mental health till now?
"It appears when Uchiha Ryoma perished in the line of duty and Mokurimo Tsuki got injured in that last mission that the issue about Fujita's mental health was missed in the ensuing confusion. Since Ryoma's reports were perfect and Hato kun had only been asked about the last mission where his interaction with Fujita was minimal, no one reported about his mental state." Shikaku spoke making all of us turn towards him.
"That means," Shikaku continued, "Tsuki assumed that Fujita had undergone a checkup when he returned to duty. Since they were only having minimal contact with the enemy and considering there was a new genin on the team, any warning signs were ignored as something related to stress."
"Not to mention his father was killed right in front of his eyes," Orochimaru stated the overlooked information in a calm tone.
"And that," Shikaku said massaging his brows. "Seriously, Tsuki must have seen it before. I mean, its almost a year."
"And why didn't Uchiha Ryoma include it in his reports?" Danzo asked at last with disapproval clear on his face.
"I think he and Tsuki decided to keep it out of the books," Shikaku groaned.
"And that would mean that the fault didn't lie with Hato kun," Danzo said sharply looking at both the councilors who were not looking him in the eye.
"A simple miscommunication leading to the death of one of the most promising shinobis and loss of another one," Hiruzen stated, at last, taking a huge drag from his pipe.
I was then promptly dismissed. But, the rage in me was far from quelled. I was sure that Tsuki noticed that Fujita hadn't gone counseling, but he turned a blind eye not wanting to find fault with his favorite pupil. As a result, Roku had lost her leg. I didn't care about Fujita or Daichi. But, Roku was an entirely different matter. Tsuki was going to pay for this dearly.
(*****)
I was being needlessly vicious. I knew so. My temporary team knew so. But, no one called me upon it. They knew that something had pissed me off and were keeping their distance from me as far as possible. And running into Iwa ninja only furthered my anger and I finally let it all out.
I punched through the Iwa nin's guard with sheer brute force and broke his jaw. Not even giving him a chance to howl in pain, I grabbed him by the hair and slammed him on the nearest rock headfirst. His head became a pulp from the impact.
I body flickered and rammed into another Iwa chunnin, he staggered back from the impact. I followed it up with a kunai right through his head before he could stabilize. An Iwa ninja tried to catch me with an earth jutsu. I body flickered away.
My hands blurred and a wave of water blasted him off his feet. I followed up with electrocuting him with lightning chakra. When he remained twitching, I lobbed a kunai with an explosive tag right into his body. I body flickered once more and caught a Jounin from behind with a water whip which almost gutted him into two.
If the whip was sharper, he would have been. Unfortunately, water wasn't known for its sharpness. But, I made up for it by encasing his head with a water globe before he could get out of the daze. I watched him struggle dispassionately before throwing two explosion tag attached kunai into his body. He exploded, splattering limbs and blood all over.
"Hatorama, we need to retreat," the jounin in-charge barked making me growl, "now!"
I reluctantly retreated, but not before throwing a few more kunai attached with exploding tags near the Iwa ninjas who were groaning on the ground. As we took off, we heard the explosion tags off creating a ruckus and destroying whoever was left behind.
Shisui was giving me a concerned look. He had never seen me act bloodthirsty like this. In the previous mission, I had been far too mellow. I usually took out my targets, brutally but very effectively. Not like this. I had always done things clinically and not showed any indication of viciousness that most shinobi showed. But, today was something else.
"Are you alright?" he asked as we hopped through the trees.
I nodded and grumbled. I still had some leftover anger to get out of my system. But, trying to linger in Iwa territory was akin to suicide. We were on a sabotage mission deep in Iwa. Our ruckus would have now let everyone know that Konoha ninja was in the vicinity. I grimaced at that thought. But, a part of me was salivating at the thought of running into more Iwa ninja.
We traveled for a day before our Jounin called to rest.
"Shisui, create a genjutsu covering us. Kenta, create some basic perimeter traps. Don't overextend, just make sure we have enough time to respond in case they find us. Hatorama, come with me," he ordered briskly and walked to the side.
"What was that?" he hissed as I reached him. "I was informed enough of you to know that what you did was uncharacteristic of you. Care to explain?"
"Sorry Souta san," I grimaced. "I got carried away."
"Shove it Senju," he hissed back. "Now Iwa will be all over us."
I winced knowing what he said was true.
"While none of us expected to get out of Iwa territory without a fight, what you did there was like lighting a flare. Every Iwa shinobi in the vicinity will be upon us now. Pray that nothing untoward happens, or else I will have your head."
"I understand," I said dejectedly.
"But, I won't deny. What you did there gave us some much-needed respite, but any more of your shenanigans. I will be gutting you myself."
I merely nodded knowing that I had let my emotions take over and put my team in danger. After that talk, I was much more subdued. We rested until we were all recovered before booking it back to Konoha. Luckily, we were able to escape Iwa's notice after that.
I breathed a sigh when we entered the village gates.
(*****)
As expected, I was forced to attend counseling after that. After I worked out my anger issues by talking to a Yamanaka, I was ordered to rest in the village for two more weeks. When I was back on the roster, I was deployed to Kiri border for another six months.
The general consensus was that I need to stay away from Iwa ninja as far as possible. My Yamanaka shrink had identified an irrational hatred in me for Iwa. And that made me highly dangerous to be deployed in their vicinity – both for them and to Konoha. Luckily, it was expected to mellow out with time.
Things soon became a routine. I was becoming a notable shinobi in the bunker. After my last two stints here, things were progressing well and I was one of the experienced ninjas in the bunker. Very few shinobi were deployed back to back like me.
And the fact that Kiri was still out for my head only raised my prestige among the other shinobi. One day, one of the shinobi who recently came to the bunker showed me a Bingo book page. It as from Iwa. I had unexpectedly been placed on their bingo book as well.
Currently, I was on three Bingo books. Kumo had designated me as a B rank threat. Kiri and Iwa as an A rank threat. Iwa had termed me as a vicious beast and Kiri wasn't far off from them as well. I currently had a Flee on Sight order for chunnin and below in both Kiri and Iwa.
The jounins were asked to Kill on Sight of course. It wouldn't do to let me grow. The war was raging more and more intense as time passed. My name was becoming more and more resounding in Kiri. Quite frankly, the only one more popular amidst Kiri shinobi than me was Fugaku. His moniker was Wicked Eye Fugaku. I had to say it fit him well.
He was a terror on the battlefield. Ever since my recent deployment, I was placed in the main contingent of forces present in the border. This provided me with ample opportunity to see Fugaku in action. His genjutsu prowess practically scared me. He could kill a large number of shinobi with just that. The moment he ensnared you in it, you are a walking dead.
The few times I had to work with him, he always acted very professionally. He never let his personal emotions get in his way. He was calm, logical, and very willing to take the lead in attacking the enemy. He never asked something of his shinobi that he himself didn't do. That was a great quality of a leader.
But, I digress, to say the least, my latest deployment into the frontlines was eventful. I fought far more times than I could count. My kill count was increasing in a steep incline. If Fugaku had more kills when it came to jounins, I had more kills when it came to chunnin and below.
And it was only natural that life decided to fuck with me.
(*****)
I had pushed back thoughts about canon to the back of my mind. I couldn't honestly bother about it, for I was busy surviving the Third Shinobi War. While others would consider changing canon the priority, my priority was surviving till canon began.
What use was changing canon if I can't even live long enough to reap the benefits for it? I wasn't so noble like that. As a person, I was selfish and it reflected in my narrow thinking. But, I had no problems with that. While I had a vague suspicion that my mere existence might change canon is someway, I didn't think about it much. After all, I had killed far too many people. What if one of them played a major role in Mei's life or Zabuza's life or anyone else's life?
So, I had never bothered to think about canon much.
But, right now, canon was staring right in my face and as fate would have it I was powerless to do anything about it. Oh, the irony of it!
Hey Hato kun,
I hope you are doing fine there. As fine as you could be. Anyways, I am writing to you to inform that when you return next, I will be proud owner of the name Mrs. Namikaze, dattebane!
I know, right! That blockhead finally popped the question, dattebane!
And the dork created a ring embedded with his very own fully functional Hirashin in it! I am so happy right now Otouto. Although I want to wait till you are back, we don't want to wait till then.
Minato tells me that war will be over soon. But, you and me, we both know that is only a speculation. I want to start a family Otouto. I want to have kids and watch them grow up. One dorky and blondy like Minato and one free-spirited like me. I hope it happens soon.
Mikoto tells me that she planning for another child. Itachi kun is already growing up fast and she tells that she wants to have a baby as soon as this war is over. Yoshino and Akira are also waiting for the war to be over to have babies. I want to join them. Imagine if all our babies are born in the same year! That will be too sweet, ne!
Right now, Minato is currently going on a very important mission to Iwa border. Once he returns, we will have our marriage.
P.S: Kakashi made Jounin and he is leading the team. Obito is not happy, he he he!
Regards,
Your favorite Nee san,
Kushina Uzumaki.
(I think I am not going to change my name. And my children will all be called Uzumaki. We have a rich history and I don't want to end with me. And if Minato doesn't agree, I am gonna beat him into pulp, dattebane!)
As I read the letter Kushina had sent me, I couldn't help but grimace. The letter was full of canon. Yoshino and Akira would be Choji and Shikamaru's moms. The second baby of Mikoto would be Sasuke. And the mission.
The goddamned mission that starts everything!
Kanabi Bridge. Obito's supposed death.
Which then spirals into Rin's death, followed by Kyubi attack. Which leads to Uchiha Massacre and everything else.
What am I gonna do?
Better yet, what could I do now?
I mean, I am miles away from any of them. By the time this letter had reached me, Minato's team would be off to complete the mission. So, I was practically powerless in this situation. How the hell do I even do something in such a situation?
I surely can't tell Fugaku what I know. He would send me for a mental evaluation straight away. Anything else, I might do will be too late. So, even though I know what was going to happen, all I could do was to wait for the news and watch the events unfold like a powerless bystander.
If at anytime Minato learns that I could have prevented Obito's supposed death, he will kill me. But, I could live with that, if worse comes worst. What bugged me most was the prospect of Kushina dying in a few years. I admit I didn't want Kushina's death on my conscience. Others I could live with. But, Kushina was someone I cared abo…
Wait!
The same night Kushina dies, doesn't Biwako die too.
My world spun and guilt gnawed at me as I sat down with heavy thoughts. Can I in good conscience look away from the death of my mother-figure and sister-figure? What kind of a man would that make me?
Oh, Kami! I need a drink!
(*****)
Two weeks later, incoming shinobi brought news of the destruction of the Kanabi Bridge to the bunker and I promptly excused myself to go and vomit, while others celebrated the joyous news.
A/N: This was a short one and next one will be too. The war will be over in the next chapter. There will be some major plot twists that might surprise you. Also, I have seen people complaining about Hatorama's reluctance in messing with canon. But, I figured that it will pay off with what's happening in the next chapter.
I also thought that it would be good to point out here that Hatorama was initially scared to mess with canon, but he is progressing slowly to entertain the idea. But, now he is powerless to stop it. It's a gradual progression that a character needs to undergo in my opinion. Some might think it is needless, but then everyone has their own opinions.
Sit back, relax, and let the fic turn on its head in the next chapter.
