Chapter 12 - Resolution
Kakashi and Moth arrived outside of Danzō's property, avoiding the eyes of the ANBU guards stationed there.
"Shit…" Kakashi sighed. "I was really hoping this wasn't the case."
"What's the plan boss?" The pug said.
"Your job is done here, thanks for the help Pakku." Kakashi said, dismissing the pug in a puff of smoke.
"Moth, report back to the Hokage. I'll keep watch here, after you report, find the other two and meet back up with me." Kakashi said. "Be careful."
"Yes, captain." Moth saluted, before vanishing.
'Danzō… It's past time the Hokage got rid of you. I don't know what he's thinking, keeping you around.' Kakashi thought to himself. He'd never say it, but he had doubts about the Sandaime Hokage's judgment. 'Are you really this blind, Sarutobi-sama?'
Kakashi suddenly cloaked himself in a genjutsu and looked off into the woods. He opened his eye wide in shock as he saw over 50 Shinobi approaching Danzō's residence, with Hiashi, Chōza, Shikaku, and Inoichi in the lead.
'Fuck. My job just got a lot more complicated.'
Kakashi watched as the Shinobi, a mix of the different clans, split up and surrounded the building, targeting the ANBU guards as they went. Fighting broke out and he could hear the sounds of ninjutsu being used and weapons clashing.
He saw the clan heads force their way into the house and decided to follow them, observing. Before he got to the door though, Chōza suddenly turned around. "I'm sorry Kakashi-san, I'm afraid I'm going to have to stop you right here."
"Mahh... what a pain…" Kakashi rubbed the back of his head with a hand, the other in his pocket. "You know what you're doing is treason right? I know Danzō was a bit heavy handed when he kidnapped the girl bu-"
"Hinata-chan." Chōza said forcefully. "Her name is Hinata-chan, and she's 8 years old Kakashi, and her mother is now dead, and her bodyguard is hospitalized. Danzō went too far when he ordered the Uchiha massacre, and kidnapping Hinata-chan is just the icing on the cake."
"He did what!?" Kakashi said, genuinely shocked.
"You didn't know?" Chōza asked him. "He ordered Itachi to slaughter his own clan, using his little brother as a hostage against him. Itachi has always been loyal to Konoha, and now the Daimyō has ordered us to clean up this mess. It's all legit Kakashi-san, please don't get in our way."
Kakashi frowned under his mask. "Did the Hokage know?"
"Yes, he did. He's helped cover it up."
"Mahh… This night keeps getting better and better." Kakashi shrugged. "If the Daimyō has ordered this, then I won't interfere. I'll get the ANBU to stand down, but not all will listen to my orders. Anyways, I have to go report this whether you want me to or not."
"That's fine. Just tell the Sandaime Hokage to sit tight. We'll be with him shortly." Chōza said.
Kakashi gave him one last look before flickering away.
Chōza turned his sight to the battle outside the house, before growing his body to a giant size. He stepped forward and joined the fight.
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Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were sitting in the living room of Koharu's house chatting when they first heard the shouts of fight. An ANBU member appeared in front of them, clutching a bloody arm.
"Mitokado-sama, Utatane-sama! Inuzuka Tsume and Aburame Shibi are attacking with over 40 shinobi! We're fighting back, but we won't hold out much longer. You need to es-" His voice cut out all of a sudden when beetles flew into the room and covered him from head to toe.
"Evening councilmen! I believe you may understand what's happening here, so I won't bother explaining." Tsume said with a wolfish grin, walking into the room next to Shibi. "I'm afraid you'll have to come with us."
"This is treason!' Koharu shouted. "Do you mean to plunge Konoha into civil war!?"
"Treason?" Shibi said. "I don't want to hear anything from the people who sanctioned a systematic genocide."
"Ridiculous!" Homura yelled. "The Uchiha massacre was a tragedy! Itachi went rogue an-"
"Enough lies." Growled Tsume, interrupting him. "Your crime has been exposed and the Daimyō has been informed. He has sanctioned our actions, and it's time you old farts retired. You can either come willingly, or be forced. There is no other option."
The two council members were shocked. When they heard that Danzō had gone over the Hokage's head, they were disappointed in him, but not overly against it. They didn't expect this outcome however.
"We've served Konoha for generations. You have no right!" Koharu said, taking a step back.
"Your positions were gained through nepotism, not merit." Tsume spat out. "Shibi, I'm tired of hearing their voices, take them already."
Shibi nodded, holding his arm out. Hundreds of thousands of beetles swarmed out of his sleeve, covering the two council members before they had a chance to flee. The beetles started draining their chakra, soon leaving behind the two laying on floor, unconscious from the lack of chakra.
"Well that was absurdly easy." Tsume said. "How could we let such weak people in power for so long?"
"Disappointing." Shibi said.
"All right, let's inform Inoichi and get out of here." Tsume said, leaving the room.
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Hiashi burst through the front doors of Danzō's instantly moving towards an ANBU guard in the hallway that was wearing a mask in the shape of a bird.
"Hyūga-Hiashi! What a pleasant surprise." The ANBU member drew his sword and lunged towards him. "I suppose you're here for your daughter then?" The man taunted him, dodging a strike and swinging his sword in retaliation.
"It's a shame though, losing a wife and daughter in one night. Did you recover your youngest yet? I left her in the street, a little bruised, but she'll probably be ok." He ducked another strike and went in for a thrust.
"It was you!? I'll kill you!" Hiashi yelled. "Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists!" Hiashi roared, blocking the thrust as his hands became coated in blue chakra that resembled the faces of two lions.
He took a step forward striking out, a pulse of chakra exploding from his palm, hitting the man straight on in the chest. Hiashi stepped forward, closing the distance once more. He saw the ANBU member starting to form hand seals, but shut him down. "Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!"
He struck out twice in succession, two blue lion shaped chakra pulses firing out, then he struck twice more, then four more times, eight more, sixteen more. Each series of attacks was faster than the previous, and each pulse hit the man in a different spot on his body, striking multiple tenketsu at once. Hiashi then took another step forward and struck out thirty-two times in such rapid succession that you couldn't even see the movement of his strikes.
The ANBU member crumpled to the ground, his body mangled under the blows, completely dead.
Hiashi started walking further into the house, murder in his eyes. He was going to save his daughter.
Shikaku and Inoichi soon finished their own fights, running to catch up to Hiashi.
They moved through the halls of the estate, fighting off members of ANBU that were crawling out of the woodworks.
"Backup will be here soon!" Inoichi called out, knocking back another ANBU. "I let our men know that there were more inside than we anticipated. They're on the way."
"Good.." Grunted Shikaku, who just took a kunai to the shoulder. "Kagemane no Jutsu!" Shikaku yelled, forming hand seals. His shadow extended and merged with the ANBU member that just hit with a kunai.
The ANBU froze and started to mimic the movements Shikaku was making. Shikaku always wore his kunai and shuriken in different locations on his body; places that other shinobi don't have them. He reached for and grabbed a kunai, while the terrified ANBU member grabbed nothing but air.
Shikaku threw the kunai at the man who also imitated the throwing motion and threw nothing. Shikaku's kunai struck the man in the throat and he dropped dead. Shikaku was past caring about the casualties of these people.
Eight Hyūga clansmen rushed into the hall, freeing up the clan heads and taking over the battle there.
"Let's move!" Hiashi ordered, running forwards.
Hiashi burst through a set of doors and came to sudden halt. In front of him were two ANBU guards along with Danzō, who was standing on the far side of the room with his hand on Hinata's shoulder. Hinata had a vacant expression, clearly in some sort of genjutsu.
"Release my daughter." Hiashi hissed in a dangerous voice.
"Hiashi! I was expecting you, although I must say, the alliance of the clans was something I didn't see coming. At least, not this quickly." Danzō laughed out. "I was just in the middle of a nice conversation with your daughter, she's rather feisty isn't she? But full of so much useful information. It's quite shocking really, what she has hidden away in her head."
Hiashi narrowed his eyes at the man. He had to be careful, or Hinata could very well lose her life.
"I had to rough her up a bit, but I'm sure she'll be fine eventually. Isn't that right, Hinata-chan?" Danzō looked down at Hinata.
"Yes, Danzō-sama." Hinata said.
"What the hell did you do to her!?" Hiashi shouted.
"She just had a change of heart. She came to see things my way." Danzō smiled. "I believe you will too, in time. Assuming you live through this, of course. So order your men to back down, if you want to still have a daughter." His grip tightened on Hinata's shoulder, causing her to wince.
"Now! Shintenshin no Jutsu!" Inoichi yelled, sending his mind into Danzō's taking over his body.
"Kagemane no Jutsu!" Shikaku used his technique on Inoichi's body, who just fell limp when he cast his mind into Danzō's. Shikaku, now also controlling Inoichi's body, flew forward to engage one of the two ANBU.
Inoichi, controlling Danzō, released Hinata, plunged his own hand into his eye socket and ripped out his sharingan and crushed it, before attacking the second ANBU.
Hiashi ran forward and grabbed a very confused Hinata, who looked like she just woke up from a dream. "Hinata, hang in there. I'm getting you out of here." Hiashi said, picking her up in his arms.
"Go! Leave them to us, the outside is clear, our men have secured the perimeter after most of the ANBU retreated." Chōza said as he burst into the room, massive chakra butterfly wings growing from his back.
Hiashi nodded and retreated with Hinata, leaving the property and rushing back towards the safe house.
"I can't hold him much longer!" Inoichi shouted, using Danzō's voice.
"Release him then." Shikaku said, after he finished striking down the ANBU he was fighting.
Danzō suddenly went limp for a second, before looking up, enraged and bleeding openly from an empty eye socket. "You wretch! You have no idea what you just did!"
The Ino-Shika-Chō trio turned to face him.
"Give up Danzō, the Daimyō has ordered your arrest. You are to be executed for the crime of treason and genocide." Shikaku told him.
"Treason!? I've never been anything but loyal to Konoha and her interests! You fools are just too weak to understand what must be done! I do what I have to in the shadows, so that the people of our country can keep living their lives in ignorant bliss." Danzō spat.
"If you truly care about Konoha, then come peacefully." Said Inoichi. "You've already lost, the other council members have just been arrested and the Hokage will be forced into retirement before the morning."
Danzō grit his teeth, he knew that what Inoichi said was the truth. He lost, but he wasn't going to be executed. "Watch out for Orochimaru and the Akatsuki." He said while sighing. "Also, use that Hinata girl, I didn't get much out of her before you interrupted me, but she has more information in her head than you would believe."
Danzō turned to face the ANBU member. "Stand down Tera. My last order is simple… protect Konoha." Danzō gave the trio one last look before taking out a kunai and slitting his own throat.
"Danzō-sama!" Tera was about to rush towards him, but Shikaku trapped him with his shadow.
A seal activated on Danzō's chest. A massive burst of chakra escaped his body and formed a black sphere, before rapidly shrinking, sealing everything within 5 meters into Danzō's body.
"Good riddance." Shikaku said. "Though I wish we could have interrogated him first."
Shikaku sighed while Inoichi knocked the ANBU unconscious.
"Let's return, we still have a meeting with the Hokage." Chōza reminded the other two.
The three of them left after ordering their clan members to guard the building and start sweeping the place for any evidence they could find.
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Sarutobi Hiruzen was really feeling his age at the moment. Just a few minutes ago he had been informed by Moth that Danzō had betrayed his trust yet again and kidnapped Hinata, killing her mother in the process. If that wasn't bad enough, Kakashi returned and informed him that Hyūga Hiashi, Akimichi Chōza, Yamanak Inoichi, and Nara Shikaku led a contingent of clan shinobi to lay siege to Danzō's home, in order to arrest him. On orders of the Daimyō no less.
Hiruzen sighed for what felt like the hundredth time. "Kakashi-kun… Have I been a good Hokage?" He asked him, looking at the man.
"That's a hard question to answer." Kakashi said bluntly. "I think you've made mistakes, large ones, but I also think you tried your best. I do believe you allowed Danzō to do what he wanted for far too long, however."
"I wanted to trust him... I always believed he truly had Konoha's best interests at heart, so I turned a blind eye to his actions…" Hiruzen said, putting more tobacco in his pipe and lighting it.
"Give me your mask, Kakashi-kun."
"Sir..?"
"I believe it's time for you to return to being Kakashi, and not Hound." He said, sighing. "You're a good man, and deserve to live your life in the light of day. Consider this an order."
"Ah… Yes, Hokage-sama…" Kakashi took his porcelain mask off and handed it to Hiruzen. He felt strange, not wearing it. He'd been in ANBU since he was 13 years old.
He suddenly felt a sensation on his tongue, the root seal that had been there for years was finally gone. He felt… lighter, like a weight was lifted off his chest.
"Danzō just died." Kakashi said, still not quite believing it.
"What..?" Hiruzen asked, shocked.
"The seal on my tongue just vanished. The same will be true for all root operatives now. That can only happen if he was killed. It seems Hiashi and the others were successful in their attack."
"They'll be on their way then. We'll need to get Mitokado and Utatane. They'll need to know what happened, so we can deal with the aftermath." Said Hiruzen, rubbing his temples.
He turned to look at the little girl that was asleep on the couch in his office. Hanabi had been exhausted, both physically and emotionally. She didn't know her mother was dead, and he felt a pang in his heart. Maybe it was a good thing Danzō was gone…
He sent another ANBU member to go and inform the remaining council members what had happened, and sat in silence with Kakashi, waiting for the arrival of Hiashi.
It wasn't long before the door to his office slammed open and Hiashi waltzed in, going to his daughter, picking her up. She didn't wake up as he lifted her, instead gripping onto the front of his robes and leaning into his chest in her sleep.
The other clan heads walked in behind him, fanning out into a semi circle, facing the Hokage.
"I heard about Danzō." Hiruzen said simply. "What is your goal here?"
"It's time for your retirement." Hiashi said, taking his eyes off his sleeping child to look at the Hokage. "We have a writ from the Daimyō." He said, handing the scroll over.
"The two council members are in our custody, and will have the choice to either announce their retirement along with you, or be tried for genocide." Shikaku added.
Hiruzen sighed. "You all planned this out rather thoroughly didn't you… Who do you plan on instating as Hokage then?"
"Shikaku will be the Hokage temporarily, while we try to find and convince Tsunade to return." Inoichi said. "As for Jiraiya… Did he know about everything? The massacre?"
"He had no idea… He would have detested the idea. He's been working as spymaster for the best several years, ever since Orochimaru defected. He's always been sending me information, but his knowledge of what's happening in the village is actually rather limited."
"Then we shall consider him for the position as well." Shikaku decided. "I originally did not plan on offering him the position, but if he truly had no idea of what you and Danzō were up to, then I can't hold him accountable. If he'll take the position, we'll strongly consider it."
"Will you step down then? I'd rather not have to fight a Hokage, given the choice." Shikaku said. "I'm pretty beat already."
Hiruzen closed his eyes for a moment as he thought. "I'll make the announcement tomorrow, as will Homura and Koharu. I'm surprised though, you all rallying together like this."
"You went too far when you allowed the slaughter of the Uchiha to happen under your watch. We couldn't risk the tragedy happening a second time, but be relieved, we won't ruin your reputation by telling the public. They still need a hero to believe in." Shikaku told him.
"I believe it's time I got my daughters back home. I'll be taking my leave here. I'll leave the rest to you all." Hiashi then started walking to the door but was stopped by Kakashi.
"Hiashi-san… I'm sorry I didn't make it in time. We arrived just after the incident."
"I don't blame you Kakashi… I blame Danzō. Haru died protecting our daughters. She was a kunoichi at heart, she was prepared for death the moment the men attacked. She died a hero, and can now rest peacefully knowing Hinata and Hanabi are safe." Hiashi had tears silently rolling down his cheeks as he spoke. "Shinobi and kunoichi walk the path of death, this is nothing unknown."
He finished speaking his piece and left the room. Hiashi loved his wife dearly, she was the light of his life and had been with her since childhood, but he had to carry on for his daughters. He would mourn later, once this business was over and done with.
After he left the room, the others begin to plan out the process for making both Shikaku the Hokage and the other clan heads and a new council. They would make an announcement tomorrow, and prepare a grand celebration and festival in the upcoming week, to celebrate the service of the Sarutobi Hiruzen, Mitokado Homura, and Utatane Koharu.
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When Hiashi arrived at the Hyūga compound, he had one daughter in each arm. He took them to the guest house on his estate, as their main house had been all but destroyed.
Haru's body had already been moved to the Elder's pavilion, but he didn't choose to visit her. As much as it pained him to not see his wife, he had two daughters that just went through serious trauma and he didn't want to take the risk of them waking up when he wasn't there. He also wasn't sure he wouldn't break down if he saw her lifeless corpse.
Hiashi kept running through scenarios in his head, of what could have been. What he could have done differently. He should have hidden Hinata elsewhere, he should have assigned more guards, he should have… he should have… he should have… the list of things went on and on.
He laid his daughters down in a bed together, and climbed in next to them. It was a tight fit, but he laid on his back and had an arm around each of them. He was exhausted as well. He hadn't slept since the Uchiha massacre three nights ago, he'd been worn out physically, mentally, and emotionally. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep.
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When Hinata woke up, the morning sun was shining through the window. She could hear the breathing of her father next to her in bed, and feel his chest moving up and down in his sleep. She tucked in his arm, head on his chest. She looked and saw Hanabi fast asleep on the other side of him.
She suddenly panicked.
'Okaasan!' She didn't see her in the room. She sat up and shook her dad quietly so as not to wake Hanabi.
"Mmm." Hiashi grunted as he opened his eyes. He saw his daughter looking down at him with fear in her eyes.
"Otousan… where is okaasan..? She's ok.. Right? And Kō! How is he!? And what about Danzō is he still alive or did yo-" She was starting to panic, Hiashi could see it in her eyes.
"Shhh.. Hinata-chan." He said, sitting up. "Not here, come with me, I don't want to wake up your sister."
He got out of bed, tucked in Hanabi, and left the room with Hinata following after him. He closed the door to the room and took Hinata over to the couch in the main room to talk to her.
"Hinata-chan... I'm so sorry…" He said, choking up. "Your mother died taking out one of the shinobi that attacked you."
"Okaasan…" Hinata's eyes were wide, not believing what she just heard. Her mother, the one who coddled her as a child, who sang her songs when she couldn't fall asleep, who nursed her back to health when she was sick, who used to sneak into her room in the middle of the night and whack her with a pillow, before running away giggling… was dead.
"The man who did it…?" She asked, with gritted teeth. She remembered that mask. The one shaped like a bird.
"Dead. I killed him." Hiashi said in a quiet voice. "Haru was a kunoichi Hinata-chan." He closed his eyes to hold back tears. "She loved you so much, she fought with everything she had."
Hinata was staring at the floor, as if trying to burn a hole in it with her gaze.
"I'll take you to see her today… if you want." Hiashi saw his daughter trying to fight the tears, trying to be strong. His heart broke seeing her like that. It reminded him of the time he found her in the tree on her birthday, tipsy from alcohol and crying over her lost cousin.
"It's ok… to cry.." He said, voice cracking. He hugged his daughter. "She loved you so, so much, Hinata. She'd just be happy you and your sister are safe now. Her death wasn't in vain, she died protecting what she cherished most in this world."
Hinata broke down. She cried hard. Harder than when Neji was taken, Harder than when she mourned him on her birthday… She felt like she lost a piece of herself.. Her mom. She'd never get to see her again.
After a while she spoke up, voice shaky from crying. "Oh god, Hanabi… what do we tell her?"
"You don't have to worry about that, I'll talk to her."
"I should be there too… It's.. my fault…" She said through tears.
"Hey, don't say that. This isn't your fault, you can't blame yourself." Hiashi hugged her tighter.
"I left her behind! I could have helped! I could have.. Done… something."
"You did do something. You ran and saved your sister. I saw the house after coming back, it's almost completely destroyed, including Hanabi's room. You let your mother fight with peace of mind knowing that she wouldn't accidentally hurt either of you." Hiashi said. "I'm so proud of you Hinata-chan, and your mother would be as well…"
They sat like that until they heard the sounds of Hanabi waking up in the other room. Hinata stood up and wiped the tears from her face. She wasn't looking forward to this talk, but it had to be done. With red eyes, and shaky breath, she went to go get her sister.
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The announcement went off without a hitch that afternoon. The Sandaime Hokage announced his retirement as well as the council's and that Shikaku was going to be interim Hokage until they decided on a permanent one. They announced the formation of a new council, and that Shimura Danzō had died in his sleep the previous night.
They were going to host a festival in a week's time, in order to celebrate the life and service of Sarutobi Hiruzen and the other three, as well as to welcome the new Hokage and the new council. It was going to be a grand event, with food, games, and entertainment.
It made Hiashi sick to his stomach, knowing they had to keep Danzō's crimes a secret. They had to celebrate the life of the man who got his wife killed, and kidnapped his daughter. But he understood it had to be done, in order to ensure a peaceful transition.
They sent a messenger to Jiraiya and he would arrive in time for the festival, if not a few days before it. Tsunade's location was still currently unknown, they'd have to ask Jiraiya when he returned.
It was going to be a busy week for them, preparing for the festival and going over decades worth of paperwork and information that they would need to know in order to run Konohagakure. Shikaku wasn't looking forward to that.
The crowd dispersed after the announcement, the details and gossip surrounding it was on everybody's lips, chatting away happily, not knowing the pain and sacrifice that made this happen. After the events of last night, 27 shinobi and kunoichi would have to be added to the list of names on the memorial stone.
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"Hey okaasan…" Hinata said, standing next to her dad and little sister, holding her mother's hand. Her hand felt ice cold, Hinata hated it. She was always warm and full of life and love.
The death had been instant, they said. The sword pierced her heart and severed her spine. That knowledge did very little to comfort her. A part of Hinata still blamed herself, but she also knew that there was nothing she could have done. She would have just gotten in the way if she had stayed.
"Mama…" Hanabi cried, holding onto her dad's hand. She didn't know exactly what was going on, only that her mom was asleep and wasn't going to be waking up again. She knew that her big sister and papa were both sad though, and that made her sad.
"We're ok, okaasan. Dad, Hanabi… me… We did it too. We made that man pay for what he did. You can rest now, okaasan. I love you." She kissed the back of her mother's hand before laying it back down on her chest.
She took Hanabi out of the room with her, allowing her father time to be alone with his wife. The funeral was going to be held tomorrow, and it was going to be a grand event in the Hyūga clan. They decided to hold a feast in her honor, and celebrate the life she lived. She would have liked that, Hinata was sure.