.
.
"What is the meaning of this?" Obito asks. He had just finished dropping off Minato and Kushina at the hospital when he sees the village council convening without him.
"Ah, Hokage-sama," the elder says, and as they swivel in their chairs to look at him, Obito sees the civilian leader sitting at the table, smiling meanly ad his hands steepled in front of him.
"Our guest has arrived requesting our services," another elder says. He hands Obito the folder of papers. "His group has used us before and they have another sensitive matter they need our help dealing with."
Obito flips through the pages, sees the grainy black and white photo of a newly elected civilian leader. "This is the leader of your village?"
"A demagogue and a tyrant," the man says. "He has risen to power and is threatening the other countries in that region."
Obito tosses the folders on the desk. "And?"
"And we look to you, Hokage-sama, and your forces to stop it."
Obito's eyes narrow. "I'm familiar with him," Obito says. "You weave a compelling narrative. A demagogue who threatens the peace of surrounding nations. Except my intelligence says he is a pro-democracy leader who enjoys a wide swath of popular support, but one whose policies are in direct opposition to yours. If he were to die, you would be the one to assume leadership. But that is besides the point - we do not involve ourselves in civilian politics."
The elders gape at him. The civilian sits back, amused.
"We come to Konoha because your fighting forces are the strongest among the five shinobi nations," the civilian says. "We have used your services before. If you take care of our problem, we will triple your rates. Your village will be rewarded quite nicely."
"I'm sorry, minister, but we're not a group of mercenaries, and we don't meddle in non-shinobi affairs. I'm afraid the answer is no."
The elders snap at him. "Hokage-sama, this is outrageous! Konoha has long enjoyed a fruitful relationship with them."
"And we will continue to enjoy such a relationship, so long as the mission involves protection and not political assassination."
The elders whisper amongst each other. The civilian frowns at him.
"A pity," the civilian says. "I should hate to take my business elsewhere, but I hear the nin of the Mist are quite efficient."
"You have my regrets, but I've already made my decision."
The civilian leaves. The elders turn sharply toward him.
"Hokage-sama! This is outrageous! Your refusal will only help line the pockets of the other villages!"
"Then so be it," Obito says. "Konoha lead by example once. I see no problem leading again."
"You acted alone without the input of this council," the elder says.
"As is my right, as Hokage these missions fall within my purview."
The elders whisper angrily at each other.
xXx
.
"They're crafting a motion to limit your power," Kakashi says. He sets a stack of papers down at Obito's desk. "It sounds like you really pissed them off. What happened?"
"They wanted to hire us as a group of assassins."
"And?" Kakashi says. Obito frowns at him.
"And, this is the sort of thing I was talking about when I said I wanted to reform the system."
"Don't take this the wrong way, Obito, but you need to be less rigid," Kakashi says. "I suppose it makes sense - you adhered to that ridiculous Moon's Eye Plan for years, acting like a religious zealot. But if you don't work with the council you'll just be banging your head against a brick wall, you need to compromise, or else you won't get anywhere."
"And so if we're offered a job to murder an innocent civilian, we should take it because it pays well?"
"Of course not," Kakashi says. "But that civilian was an important client. Half our revenue came from him and his village."
"Maybe that should change then." Obito sighs and tosses the papers on the desk.
"Am I being too rigid?" he asks Rin later. He's giving Rin her shot. He pulls out the needle and engages the safety lock. Rin straightens, wincing a little and rubbing the spot.
"I don't think so," Rin says. "It sounds like you made the right decision."
"I don't know," Obito says. "It's so much harder to do the right thing, now."
"You mean compared to before?" Rin asks. Obito nods, sitting on the bed.
"I could kill whoever I needed to before, I thought I could just erase it." He lays back on the mattress. "I should just genjutsu the whole fucking council and just be done with it."
Rin bites back a laugh and lies next to him.
"Hey," Rin says, and she takes his hand and places it on her belly. "Can you feel this?"
"I don't feel anything," Obito says, and Rin props herself up on her elbow, smiling at him.
"I feel flutters," Rin says. "Now that I know what kicking feels like, I can feel him moving. I thought these were gas bubbles before."
Obito strokes the skin of her belly with his thumb, thoughtfully. "I want our children to grow up in a village whose economy doesn't depend on us acting as hitmen," Obito says. "I don't think that's asking too much."
"Is our revenue stream taking a hit?"
"A bit," Obito confesses. Rin nestles into the pillow watching him. "From what Kakashi tells me, the elders are about to riot."
"Heh. I can imagine."
He reaches over her body to switch off the light, then lies back next to her, pulling up the covers. "To be honest, Rin, I'm pretty sure I'm the worst Hokage yet."
"That's not true," Rin says. She smiles at him. "You're trying to change the system."
"Why do you do that?" Obito asks. Rin's brow furrows.
"Do what?" Rin asks. Obito gestures.
"Support me. You've always been there for me. I wish I could do the same for you."
Rin nestles against him. "If it's about the baby and my training, Madara lets me train in the genjutsu world, nothing's changed."
"Except once it breaks, you'll be exhausted. Your chakra will be depleted, I know from experience."
"It's fine," Rin says. She takes Obito's hand and laces her fingers in his. "I don't mind supporting you. If our positions were reversed, I know you'd do the same for me."
His eyes are soft. He smiles at her. "Thank you," he says softly.
Rin smiles back at him. "I love you, too."
