Chapter Six: The Challenge
In the third year of his training, Sasuke Uchiha had better things to do than this.
He'd been hoping to learn a new technique from Orochimaru before this order came in. Soon, very soon, he would surpass Orochimaru. He'd already observed that his attacks and movements had been faster. So he'd taken steps to check them and behave below his full ability.
Orochimaru had to be kept in the dark of just how much better than him Sasuke was. At least until Sasuke had everything he wanted from him, once he'd mastered all the techniques Orochimaru had, he'd throw him away like he had the Sound Four. It was no more than he deserved anyway.
But, at the moment, he was being dragged away from his training. And now he was making his way through the rocky forests between the Leaf and the Cloud. Behind him hurried an annoying red-headed woman named Karin. Then there was Jugo and Suigetsu, his... well, not bodyguards. He didn't need them. And the very idea that he might be considered friends with these murderous animals made him sick.
Escorts?
"Sasuke, Sasuke, wait up!" called Karin, and Sasuke did stop.
Turning to her, he remembered watching her dissect some of the prisoners he'd been told to capture. She'd done it with a smile on her face and seemed to enjoy it. All three of them did. When Orochimaru did experimentation, he enjoyed the suffering of his subjects. Kabuto was clinical and detached like always. He usually focused on healing them, even if they begged for death.
Karin, however, took satisfaction in a job well done. She especially enjoyed learning from the torments she inflicted on fellow humans. It had sickened Sasuke, and he'd wanted to kill, but he'd stayed silent. He first started working with her when he'd demanded Orochimaru give him a mission. This after a year of training in the darkness.
The opportunity to see the sun again and walk beneath trees had been... pleasant.
All he'd had to do was recapture a couple of prisoners. Only then Orochimaru had him observe Karin in action.
After that, Sasuke had stopped asking for missions, and he'd started making plans to kill Orochimaru and everyone else of note in the Sound. Once or twice, he'd been called up to make some noise, draw attention to Sound Ninja movement. But other than that, nothing.
"Karin, what is it?" asked Sasuke.
"We can't go any further. Not right now," said Karin, adjusting her glasses.
"What's the holdup this time?" asked Sasuke.
"There's a Hyuga heading toward the Raikage's encampment right now," said Karin.
"So what?" asked Suigetsu, white-haired and bearing a great cleaver blade. It had been held by Zabuza once. But he'd claimed it after Sasuke and he had wiped out a large group of bandits moving in on the Land of Rain.
That had been a few months ago after Sasuke freed him from imprisonment. Before that, he'd been a crazy serial killer. One so brutal and chaotic that even Orochimaru had gotten sick of his antics. He was the closest one to tolerable among this bunch.
"So, Lord Orochimaru has given specific rules. You're not allowed to be identified," said Karin. "If you come within range of their Byakugan, they'll sense you're Uchiha chakra. Then you'll have to kill them.
"But they're messengers. Even if they aren't, it could escalate tensions between the Cloud and Leaf."
"We ought to leave the decision to Sasuke," said Jugo. Who basically had no free will. He'd been a puppet to Kimmimaro or something. And apparently, he thought Sasuke was Kimmimaro's successor for... some reason?
Sasuke didn't know or care. He'd read up on the files, and apparently, he was some random Sound Ninja. One Sasuke had left to die with the rest of the Sound Four. In fact, he'd deliberated tailored his strategy so the Leaf teams would kill them off.
Though he hadn't expected them to send Naruto or those from the Chunin Exams, that had been an oversight, but they'd survived, which was good since Sasuke needed the Leaf as a base to restore his clan. Once Orochimaru and Itachi were dead, he had no interest or use for the Sound.
Subverting Karin was necessary to arrange that escape route.
Not that she, Suigetsu, or Jugo would be alive to reach the Leaf. Sasuke was sure he could find a way to dispose of them once they outlived their usefulness. It was no more than they deserved. For now, however, he was being transferred to the Cloud Village. This was as part of machinations he hadn't been privy to.
So, was it worth it to delay his arrival because of a Hyuga who wasn't even looking for him? Keeping the Raikage waiting could be a bad move.
"I don't care about that," said Sasuke. "We've been on the road for three days with no shelter. And they aren't looking for us."
"Damn it, Sasuke! It doesn't matter if they aren't looking for us!" said Karin. "As an Uchiha, you're chakra sticks out like a sore thumb. I can smell it stronger than anyone, and a Hyuga can see it too."
"The Raikage is expecting us," noted Jugo. "If we're late, it could cause other problems. Besides, the Raikage called for me personally. You really think he's going to keep our secret for long?"
"For all we know, the Raikage is planning to use you the same way Orochimaru has," noted Karin. "Assassination, capturing prisoners for experimentation.
"We can't let you expose yourself!"
"Kabuto gave us cloaks designed to deflect the Byakugan, didn't he?" asked Suigetsu. "He wouldn't have given them to us if they weren't meant to be used."
Sasuke had had enough of this.
He did not know what these people saw in him. Certainly, their initial motivations made some sense. But his existence in this little group seemed to be nothing but a sounding board. Something they bounced their projections off of.
That was the Orochimaru method of motivation.
First, you offer something they want, then you make them think the means of getting it is through you. Lead them on long enough with charisma, and the sunk cost fallacy does the rest. Just be prepared to dispose of them if they start to realize you won't be giving them anything.
Sasuke took off.
"Sasuke, come back!" said Karin. "That idiot!"
"Give it a rest, Karin. Sasuke isn't listening to anything you have to say," said Suigetsu.
"Shut up, Suigetsu! Someone here has to keep some goddamn perspective!" said Karin.
"Be my guest," said Suigetsu. "I'm happy to be out of a cell. Right, Jugo."
They were following.
Karin was a shallow person, wasn't she? She was like Sakura, only creepy and even more insufferable. And Sakura at least had some interest in Sasuke as a person, albeit a delusional one. Karin viewed him as a lust object.
"Stay here," said Sasuke.
"What?" said Karin. "Sasuke, what are you doing?"
"I want to get a look a who's being sent. It could be useful information," said Sasuke.
"You want to get up right near the Hyuga? Are you nuts?" asked Suigetsu. "Those guys are dangerous! They can attack your chakra network and rupture your organs without touching them."
"You don't even have those," said Jugo.
"They can't focus their Byakugan all the time," noted Sasuke. "And if they are looking for threats, there won't be much difference between being up close or far away.
"Stay here and act as a reserve. Karin, which way is the Hyuga?"
"Um, heading north," said Karin.
"I'm going on ahead. Don't follow me."
Then Sasuke donned the cloak he had been provided and moved through the land silent and unseen. Now and then, he'd been given mandatory assassination missions. He'd gotten very good at moving. Combined with a jutsu that would help him meld with the forest, he headed out.
Soon, he began to sense the Hyuga.
It was either fate or chance, but it was someone he knew. Three someone's, in fact. Rock Lee, who still hadn't ditched the jumpsuit, and who wasn't crippled anymore. There was also a brown-haired girl with hair buns; he couldn't remember her name. She'd lost to Temari in the Chunin Exams. Last, of all, there was Neji Hyuga, who had been one of the higher tier candidates. All three wore a red sash, usually reserved for messengers.
"So, Neji, are you sure about this?" asked the girl.
"Absolutely, Tenten," said Neji. "Even if I were not, the period where I could turn back is far behind me. Uncle's expectations are high, and blood calls out for blood."
A concept Sasuke could relate to. So the Hyuga were seeking a personal vendetta with the Cloud. It was likely about Hinata Hyuga, that girl who was obsessed with Naruto. Or had been, the situation may have changed.
"I do not see why the Hyuga must pursue this course," said Rock Lee. "Should we not seek to forgive our enemies and live in peace?"
"Forgiveness cannot be given to one who has not repented," said Neji. "There must be restitution for the sake of my family and the Leaf and so many others. This way will ensure that it does not go beyond. One will die; the other will survive."
"But why should it be so, Neji?" asked Rock Lee. "If they were to beg for forgiveness, would you not consider it?"
"Not without reparations," said Neji. "And even with that, the Cloud must pay for what they did. If the Hyuga allow them to get away with what they did, it will set a dangerous precedent."
"Yeah, but..." Tenten halted. "The stakes seem wrong, Neji."
"The stakes are mere motivation and may not even be necessary," said Neji. "Hiashi gave me leave to offer them. Now come, we've work to do."
"Alright then," said Tenten.
And they moved on.
"Tenten, Lee..." said Neji.
"Yes?" asked Tenten.
"You should not speak at all when we are negotiating," said Neji. "It's best if you simply look silent and menacing. Unless you have something very worthwhile to say, of course." His tone was calm and devoid of passion.
More serene than it had been. Nice to know someone wasn't in a truly miserable situation.
Sasuke drew off his hood and felt himself yearning for the days he hadn't had a completely psychotic team. The problem was that said team was simply not up to the task. Sasuke may have liked her, but Sakura was completely useless or had been. Naruto was powerful. But had no chakra control and would be especially vulnerable to genjutsu. Kakashi, meanwhile, for all his mask of an in-control teacher, had absolutely no idea what he was doing.
His teaching regime had been scattered and disorganized. During the Chunin Exams, he'd left Naruto and left Sakura out in the cold. And even if they were to start training overtime. The likelihood of success without fatalities was nonexistent. To add to this, Orochimaru would have almost certainly not taken no for an answer.
The monster had already bypassed the Leaf's best defenses once, and that was during the peak. Itachi and Kisame had practically walked in.
So Sasuke figured he might as well play the game and give himself up in a way that hurt Orochimaru. Not that he could have told Naruto any of this, since Orochimaru might have had observers in the Valley of the End. And if Kabuto had seen Sasuke admit the whole thing. Then the opportunities afforded as a free agent would be gone. So he'd had to put a Chidori through Naruto's chest, just far enough to the side that he could regenerate. Hopefully.
Anything less, and the game would have been up.
Kakashi-sensei had always taught them that a ninja had to see through the deception. All Sasuke could hope was that the Konoha 12 could do the same. By all accounts, they'd been living out the propaganda of the Leaf Village in real life and doing a pretty good job of it. Karin had gotten him reports on the subject, despite Kabuto's attempts to control him.
But, enough.
Sasuke raced on ahead toward the Cloud Village as quickly as he could. Moving ahead of Neji, Tenten, and Lee, he hoped they had seen him and merely pretended not to. That would be the best-case scenario, with the worst being a showdown. He needed them to know he was here so they could make a report on the subject.
By all accounts, the showdown with the Akatsuki was imminent. They were moving right now, so his best chance to kill Itachi would come soon. Under no circumstances could he be locked up in a dungeon when that happened. Orochimaru had a personal vendetta with Itachi as well, but he'd prefer to settle it himself. And doing it while possessing Sasuke's body might be his idea of rubbing salt in the wound.
At last, Sasuke came to the Cloud encampment. He appeared openly and was halted by a tan-skinned, curvaceous woman with white hair. On either side were several very "Hold where you are, state your business."
"I'm Sasuke Uchiha from the Sound," said Sasuke. And he provided his credentials.
"...That checks out," said the woman. "I was given to understand you had a team?"
"They're waiting in reserve," said Sasuke. "There's a Hyuga messenger coming this way, and the standard procedure is for me to hide. That's a lot easier to do by myself."
"A Hyuga?" asked a man. "That's impossible Mabui. Even if Yugito withdrew, we've had dozens of watchmen on the border. We should have found him."
"They are there. All you have to do is wait until they arrive if you doubt me," said Sasuke. "Most of them are losers, but the leader has some talent. He's carrying the whole team." Keep up the facade of overconfidence. It made people angry or convinced them to underestimate him.
"We'll take your word for it," said the woman. "I'll arrange you be granted a meeting with the Raikage at once. I'll keep it private, so no one talks about your presence.
"And none of you say anything about this.
"Rumors around camp could expose him as easily as a sighting."
"Just take me to the Raikage," said Sasuke.
And he was led through the camp, hooded, while messengers were sent on ahead. Eventually, he came to a room where a man sat at a large table. He was leaning up against a set, massive hands clasped together, and his eyes were narrowed. His skin was dark, and though he was sitting, his head was higher than Sasuke's. A blonde beard was on his face, with blonde hair to the top of his neck.
"Sasuke Uchiha, then?" asked the Raikage.
"Yes," said Sasuke. So this was the one who had kickstarted the Hyuga affair.
"I'm told you were short with my watchman," said the Raikage.
"Does it matter whether I'm a nice guy or not?" asked Sasuke.
"In practical terms, no," said the Raikage. "But there is the matter of respect. Either way, sit down over there and wait. I have a meeting to attend."
Sasuke obeyed, sitting in the corner and raising his hood. Soon enough, a blonde Cloud Ninja entered the room and saluted. She looked like one who had been rushing, and her hair was a mess. "Yugito Nii, reporting, Raikage."
"I'm told you retreated without a battle being fought, Yugito. How do you account for this?" asked the Raikage, as Mabui sat down next to him.
"I met Naruto Uzumaki at the border. And..." Yugito halted, looking to Sasuke.
"Don't mind him," said the Raikage. "He's a recent arrive.
"Now, why should that matter? You should have stayed there."
"It's somewhat complicated. I have a formal report, of course," said Yugito, drawing out a sheet and placing it down. Mabui took it.
Had Naruto been at the border? Well, this would be good.
"Tell me in your own words," said the Raikage.
"He asked to parley, and I went to meet him. Then he invited me to look over his defenses," said Yugito. That didn't seem like much of a strategy.
"Why would he do that?" asked Mabui.
"I don't know; I assumed he was trying to lull us into a false sense of security or ambush me," said Yugito. "But he left me alone with Hinata Hyuga and only a medical ninja for protection.
We thought he'd have other guards, but...
"We weren't able to detect them. Several times we thought there was someone around, but it was like a ghost. Nothing attacked us, no reserves or anything."
"How is that even possible?" asked Mabui.
"Naruto Uzumaki seemed to believe he could defeat us all with only his team. Given his shadow clone jutsu, it's possible he could stall us," said Yugito.
That seemed unlikely. A hundred ninja fighting with proper coordination would be a threat. And shadow clones were easily destroyed.
"And why did you withdraw?" asked Raikage. "Our purpose there was to show strength and provoke targets of opportunity."
"We had... indications that it might have been a diversion," said Yugito, shifting uneasily. "While the Hyuga drew an Akatsuki strike force around by another means."
"Yugito, we have other border guards," said Mabui gently. "What were you thinking?"
"I..." Yugito shook her head. "I wasn't. You talk to him, and it's like... you want to trust him. Karui and Omoi were noticeably disarmed very quickly. I chose to take everything with a grain of salt, but...
"I think he played into that. I mean, when we first met, he quickly revealed his hand completely to establish trust. But I remained focused on seeing through his deception, whatever it was.
"I think he gave me something."
That was something Sasuke hadn't heard of. Naruto had been irritating and... sunny before, but never like this. The Raikage and Mabui shared a glance.
"...So, it would appear the reports were accurate," said Mabui. "Yugito, you've been ensnared by an ability of Naruto Uzumaki's. He seems to possess a powerful ability to influence people by talking to them.
"Gaara, the Kazekage, went from a psychopathic monster to a stoic and beloved leader by his people. Largely because of a conversation he had with Naruto."
"Why wasn't I informed of this?" asked Yugito. "I could have made preparations."
"We did not think he would actually be on the field," said Mabui. "He seems to have been pseudo-exiled by the leadership of the Village. This as a means to prevent him from gaining control."
Getting control?
What had been going on since Sasuke left? He was out of it for a bit, and Naruto was a legitimate contender for Hokage?
"Naruto did say something about internal conflict," said Yugito. "He said that our continued aggressive strategies. They were likely to result in a change of Leaf policy. One which would see the Cloud Village destroyed by vengeful radicals."
"So let them try," said the Raikage. "They are no match for us."
"Raikage, the Leaf Village does not operate by personal vendettas," said Mabui. "And we do not have any allies in the other Great Nations. The Village Hidden in the Stone has no love for us and would only agree to a mutual non-aggression pact.
"The Mist Village is too weak from Yugura's rule to make any difference. And the Sand has become a staunch ally of the Leaf. With proper negotiation, they might be able to form a coalition against us.
"They could destroy us if they came to hate us enough."
"Are you taking their side, Mabui?" asked the Raikage in a dangerous tone.
Mabui flinched. "No.
"I'm only saying that victory is not inevitable if it comes to war. And if the Leaf Village could isolate us, we could face some very serious problems."
"That won't be an issue for very long," said Yugito quickly. "Our sources tell us that that the Stone Village has employed two agents of the Akatsuki. Their names are Sasori and Deidara. They are being dispatched to remove Gaara from the equation.
"And they are moving through Leaf Village territory to do it."
"Why would they allow this?" asked the Raikage.
"Because someone in the Leaf Village has decided to hire two members of the Akatsuki. They are Hidan and Kakazu, to go after Fuu," said Yugito. "She's the Jinchuuriki of the Hidden Waterfall Village, a Leaf Village vassal."
Why was Sasuke sitting in on this? Was he on display? Or were they trying to take his measure?
"Why would they do that? It undermines their own power base," said Mabui.
"Fuu is close friends with many of Naruto Uzumaki's associates," said Mabui. "And Naruto Uzumaki has designs on being Hokage. Tsunade was brought in because there was no other option other than the Toad Sage Jiraiya. But he refused.
"However, Danzo Shimura was a contender for Hokage. He was stepped over for Sarutobi, a childhood friend."
"Well, why wasn't he made Hokage instead of Tsunade?" asked the Yugito. "He had the experience for it."
"As far as we can tell," said Mabui. "It is because Koharu and Homura, two of the Leaf Village elders, want to hang onto power. They were extremely influential in Sarutobi's regime, standing as equals to Danzo. Even superiors. But without Sarutobi's influence, Danzo would have gained total control.
"When they called for Tsunade to be brought in, she was drunk and a gambler.
"No doubt she seemed ideal puppet material.
"However, by all accounts, Tsunade hasn't played along. She got sober and stopped gambling after meeting Naruto Uzumaki. Since then she has become very active in village policy, following the ideal of the Will of Fire.
"It isn't a mere pretext to her. She appears to be grooming him to become a successor and may even regard herself as a placeholder of sorts."
"It's likely to backfire," said the Raikage. "Ideas alone cannot make any difference. Sooner or later, he'll have to choose between them and their people."
"Whether it backfires or not, at the moment, it has served to cut into Koharu and Homura's powerbase," said Mabui. "Instead of a drunken wreck to dress up for public appearances, Tsunade is gaining power in her own right." Wait a minute, shouldn't the Raikage have known all of this?
Or was this too an act for some other purpose?
"Thus why they invited Danzo back in," concluded the Raikage. "As a counterweight to shore up their own power." He clasped his hands. "Fools.
"They should have quit after Tsunade shook off their yolk. If they could not manipulate her, Danzo was never an option. Even Sarutobi couldn't fully control him."
"Naruto said something about internal conflict," said Yugito. "He seems like he might have been referring to this."
"Is it possible the Hidden Leaf is asking us to assassinate one of their own?" asked Mabui.
"No, they'd never be able to accept that even if they wanted to," said the Raikage. "There has to be something else to this."
If this was not an act, then it became apparent that Mabui was the one who dealt with information. The Raikage seemed to have more of a focus on action. His record had indicated a preference for leading from the front.
"What about the Akatsuki?" asked Sasuke suddenly. "Danzo lets the Akatsuki into the Land of Fire to take out one of his political enemies. Then Sasori and Deidara use that as cover to enter the Sand Village. Which also takes out one of Naruto's main claims to support."
"Danzo is undermining his own village for his own political gain," noted Mabui.
"What about the Stone Village?" asked Yugito. "The Akatsuki have numerous S ranked ninja who operates in pairs. At least eight. Deidara is from the Stone Village; his guidance could let them take a hidden path in. The Yellow Flash nearly depopulated the Stone Village. I doubt they could resist a raid in these circumstances. Not with their troops on the border near the Sand, anyway.
"Especially since they'll have men posted on the border to deflect a possible reprisal."
Silence.
"...Idiots!" said the Raikage. "They all think they're the mastermind here, but they're being played for fools by the Akatsuki! Yugito, you and Killer Bee are off combat missions until further notice! The rest of the world may be handing the tailed beasts over to the Akatsuki. But we're not falling for the trap."
"I'm a witness," realized Sasuke. "You want someone present who can confirm the details of this meeting for the Hidden Leaf. Someone that a potential Kage would believe."
"Yes," said the Raikage. "I also meant to see what you were made of. Some of my subordinates believed you to be a reckless spoiled brat. One betrayed your village out of jealousy. Other than that, you were a vengeful traitor who cared for nothing but revenge. There were other opinions as well."
"The conversation was custom-tailored to evoke emotional reactions," said Mabui. "We brought up various subjects that could be considered a sore spot."
"You could have brought up Itachi," noted Sasuke.
"We already know how you react to that," said Mabui. "Our sources have been able to figure out that much. We know you hate him and intend to see him killed. And since all familial and moral considerations demand his death, we don't hold it against you.
"What we needed to know what if you were just using Itachi as an excuse to act out and hurt people. Our profile of you so far has been incomplete, and we wanted to get how you reacted to Naruto's success."
"Is there a reason I wasn't told I was on display?" asked Yugito, sounding annoyed.
"Need to know basis," said Mabui. "Sometimes we all have to be kept in the dark, Yugito."
"And what if I hadn't passed?" asked Sasuke, curious.
Mabui motioned, and a blade halted mere inches from Sasuke's neck. Looking up, he saw a dark-skinned blonde with narrowed eyes. "Sorry, but if the Raikage didn't think you were salvageable, your head would be at your feet right now."
"The demonstration is enough, Darui," said the Raikage. "Mabui, is there anything we can do about Danzo? He's half the problem here."
"I think there is," said Mabui. "We can't take any direct action against them. However, we might make a peace offering of sorts. If we could provide the Hidden Leaf with the information we've gathered, it could be used to arrest Danzo.
"And also to counter Hidan and Kakazu when they strike.
"That will also help with the... reputation we seem to have gathered."
At that moment, a messenger arrived. "Lord Raikage, a Hyuga emissary has arrived from the Leaf."
"I see," said the Raikage. "Yugito, go out to meet him. Sasuke, observe the meeting from hiding. Give him the opportunity to see you with his Byakugan if he tries."
"Why?" asked Sasuke.
"I want to see how he'll react," said the Raikage.
Sasuke nodded. Turning, he walked out behind Yugito and observed as Neji, Tenten, and Lee arrived. Staying just at the edge, Sasuke observed as they neared one another.
"Hold where you are, Leaf Ninja! State your business," said Yugito.
"Peace, Yugito Nii," said Neji, with many among the Cloud looking up in surprise. "We are here as messengers to the Raikage from the Hyuga Clan."
Obviously, they had not been expecting him. Had the Raikage declined to make an announcement to see how his men reacted?
They reacted well. In a few seconds, they were prepared for combat, though in a subtle, non-confrontational way.
"The Hyuga Clan?" asked Yugito. "Your compatriot at the front said nothing of that."
"He is not privy to the details of our message," said Neji. "I am here to settle certain accounts."
Well, that wasn't subtle. Sasuke wondered what he intended. Was this an assassination attempt? Neji certainly seemed to take it personally. "Very well," said Yugito. "Give me your message, and I will take it to the Raikage for you."
"I am to deliver it in person and receive his reply immediately," said Neji. "It is a matter that has been left open too long."
Yugito shifted. "The Hyuga affair."
"I am pleased there are those in the Cloud who remember the vendetta," said Neji. "I am here to negotiate restitution."
"Well, I already know what he'll say," said Yugito simply. "That you'll get nothing from him, and what are you going to do about it? The Cloud Village neither appeases nor apologizes for any action it takes."
"I am sure he will," said Neji. "Nevertheless, my duty demands I bring the message. I cannot return to my uncle until I have his reply. May I see him?"
Yugito shrugged. "...Follow me."
As they walked toward the tent, Sasuke saw a beautiful blonde-haired woman. She raced up to Yugito, her huge breasts bouncing in her tan top. "Yugito, we've been had."
"What is it, Samui?" asked Yugito.
"There are no Akatsuki that we can find anywhere," said Samui. "We've searched the entire border and found no trace. Nor of any Leaf Ninja. The border villages saw nothing at the crossings."
"What's all this hassle?" asked Neji.
"A bluff," said Samui.
"We have no intention of invading you. If we had, you would be facing an army right now," said Neji.
"Samui, send some squads down to the border and keep watch, just in case," said Yugito. "What is your name?"
"Neji Hyuga," said Neji.
Yugito evidently had heard the name. She nodded. "I will speak to the Raikage. Security arrangements must be made."
"Thank you," said Neji.
Yugito then departed into the tent, and the three of them waited. As they did, Neji made a rapid motion to Sasuke. An acknowledgment. So he'd seen him after all. Good. Now all Sasuke had to do was arrange for Karin to send a message reporting Orochimaru's death. It could happen at any time.
Now came the hard part. It was actually killing Orochimaru.
Sasuke should swallow his pride and kill the man while he was helpless or distracted. He was stronger than him, in raw power, but Orochimaru was not an idiot and likely had tactics he hadn't shown Sasuke. As much as he'd want to kill him fairly, Itachi was the highest priority.
"The Raikage will see you," said Yugito.
Sasuke didn't have orders to enter the tent, but he was curious. So he followed behind and honed his hearing with a jutsu. As he did, he saw Neji enter into a tent where many Cloud Ninja were standing by.
"Neji Hyuga, what is it that the Hyuga Clan decided was so important?" asked the Raikage.
Neji's response was to raise his parchment to open it. "I, Neji Hyuga, son of Hizashi Hyuga, scion of the Hyuga Clan, master of the art of gentle fist and veteran of the Fire Restoration campaign, am here to invoke blood rites.
"The charges shall be made below;
"You dispatched an emissary to our lands under the guise of friendship, accepted the hospitality of the Leaf. Then, in honorless and despicable fashion, you attempted the kidnapping of my cousin, a mere girl of two. Your intentions were to brainwash her, or worse, to rape her that the illegitimate offspring could be used to create a tame Hyuga Clan.
"When your agent was caught and killed, having violated the guest right and international law, as well as every law of morality and decency, you had the gall to demand restitution. You laid claim to the life of my Father, Hizashi, a man wholly innocent of the crime. And when presented with the sheer monstrousness of your claims, you simply appealed to force.
"The Leaf Village had no choice, then, but to cooperate against every notion of justice to avert the effusion of blood. Lest more innocent life be consumed by your brutality.
"Thus was a rift torn in my family that nearly claimed an innocent life. A rift that has yet to heal.
"And yet, your crimes against us are not done. For in the midst of the Chunin Exams, when the Sound and Sand attacked us, you attempted to kidnap my cousin again. And though, when foiled, you denied any involvement, we do not believe you for who in all the world would ever give any credit to anything you have to say.
"Betrayer of your host, breaker of oaths, murderer, and thief.
"And even if you did not command the act, your ninja knew well that had they returned with Hinata as a slave; you should have rewarded them.
"Last and worst of all, you have sheltered and allied with our bitter and eternal enemy, Orochimaru. In so doing, you have also supported the rebel Uchiha and conspired to the destruction of the Leaf by proxy.
"The thousand insults, the broken oaths, and crimes against all that is decent call out for blood. You are a brute, devoid of compassion or humility, an accursed traitor, unfit to hang from a tree. And we afford you only the undeserved honor of this challenge because you hide behind am appeal.
"The combat will take place a month from now, barring an interfering crisis. Meet me there, or set assassins in ambush, as anyone would expect you to." Neji closed the scroll and tossed it at the Raikage's feet. "The signatures of the Hyuga, the Elders, and many more can be found there if you wish for proof.
"The challenge is made. Take it up, or prove yourself a coward before the faces of your captains."
The Raikage stood, bristling with anger, and stepped forward. Tenten and Lee took stances, and blades were drawn, but Neji stood dead still. It seemed, for a moment, as though a line of fire was passing between them. The two glared at one another, and the sheer hatred in their eyes was something they had never seen.
He'd felt it, but an outside perspective was interesting.
For a moment, Sasuke thought that a fight would break out, and he wondered whose side he ought to take. Neji seemed sure to lose, but helping to kill Leaf Ninja would shut his escape route permanently. Even doing nothing was as good as siding against the Leaf since if the Raikage killed a messenger, it would be war.
But, at last, the Raikage stepped back. Mabui kneeled down to pick up the letter and offered it. Yet the Raikage raised a hand. "...Explain to me why I should engage in single combat with a boy of... sixteen, when there exists no war between us? When my armies could destroy any attempt, you might make to seize this place."
"So you courageously refuse the answer the vendetta of one less than half your age?" asked Neji. "You exemplify the power and honor of Cloud Village better than anyone."
"I refuse nothing," said the Raikage. "I merely-"
"Don't you dare question bros courage," said a large man, wearing six swords. "He'll beat you a pulp without needing any luggage."
Wait, was he rhyming?
"Bee, this is not-" began the Raikage.
"Yeah, just who the hell do you think you are, Hyuga?" said a redhead. "You're no match for the Raikage!" Yugito looked at her in panic and motioned for her to stop, but it was too late. Everyone else had all joined in—everyone except Darui and Mabui.
"He'll crush you!"
"You don't stand a chance!"
Neji smiled, and it was the kind of smile he wore when he faced Naruto in the Chunin Exams. "Well, Raikage?
"Would you care to back up the faith that your subjects have in you?"
And the Raikage couldn't say no. His lieutenants had already said yes for him, and to decline would be a humiliation. An admission that the Cloud as a whole had placed their faith in the wrong person. "...Name the time and place.
"But I insist that my village gain some benefit from my victory. I will not risk the loss of valuable Cloud resources simply to defend my honor alone."
"Name what you would demand in turn," said Neji.
"One of the Hyuga Clan," said the Raikage. "To join the Cloud in perpetuity."
That was something that they'd never-
"Very well," said Neji. "I was given permission to wager that. You would be surprised at just how invested my family is in your destruction.
"And now, since we are making wagers, we demand you offer us the same benefit. Therefore, three ninja from the Cloud will be given to us in return."
"Two?" asked Mabui. "How do justify that?"
"One for Hinata, one for my Father. And a third for the years of strife," said Neji, but there was... hope in his voice. Why? Mabui seemed to notice it. "But they will be chosen later. For now, the services of your Jinchuuriki, Yugito Nii, will be transferred to the Leaf upon my victory."
"You can't demand we sell one of our own into slavery," said Yugito.
"Yes, because you have such scruples against doing it to us," said Neji. "She will be given the Caged Bird Seal but otherwise will act simply as a subordinate like any other Leaf Ninja."
"Neji, are you sure about-" began Tenten.
"This was the Hyuga Clan's decision, Tenten," said Neji. "Not mine. I am merely making the challenge and fighting it."
"I refuse," said Yugito. "I will not be used as chattel as you Hyuga do to your own. Nor will we-"
"Silence!" said Raikage. "The terms are accepted.
"Raikage, you can't just barter me like this!" said Yugito.
"Yes, Yugito might be a Jinchuuriki, but she's always worked with us," said the redhead.
"I can, and I am obligated to," said the Raikage. "You are not strong enough to defeat me, Hyuga. The Cloud will have the Byakugan.
"There will be no tricks."
"None that are not perfectly legal according to the rules of the match," said Neji. "Tenten, Lee. We depart at once. I will see you in a month."
"One more thing," said Mabui, quickly taking up some documents and bringing them to him. "Take this.
"It's documentation prepared ahead of time. You may read it if you will. It was intended to be a peace offering, before, well..."
"Bit late for that," said Tenten.
Neji took the document and looked through it carefully. "...Even if the information contained here is accurate, the Clan Elders will demand blood." His tone was oddly professional.
"It never crossed my mind," said the Raikage, seething.
Neji, Tenten, and Lee walked out, and Sasuke trailed them.
"So, do you think you can take him?" asked Tenten.
"I'm not sure," said Neji. "I do know that he specializes in speed and power, and Lee is among the fastest ninja alive. I was waiting for this; I was training for this.
"Come, Tenten. We have a long way to go.
"And I don't trust him not to have us murdered in our sleep."
"Actually, Neji," said Tenten. "I was looking over the details of his fights with the Third Hokage. I think I might have a strategy that could work..."
Sasuke stopped at the edge of the camp.
The Raikage had blundered. He'd been too angry to see straight, and he'd agreed to a match where he got a lot less for winning than he lost for losing. Even if he thought he couldn't lose, it made him look stupid. Turning, he walked back into the tent.
The Raikage was looking stony-faced and bitter.
"Alright, I've observed them," said Sasuke. "What now?"
"Well..." said Mabui. "This is an absolute disaster. Why did you ever take him up on the deal, A?"
"There was no choice," said Raikage.
"But there was," said Mabui. "He was giving us an out. He demanded we wager three ninjas in exchange for one Hyuga. Including a Jinchuuriki. We could have just as easily laughed off the and said the Hyuga had a conceited opinion of how powerful they are.
"Now, if he wins, he could take our three strongest ninjas and brand them as slaves."
"He obviously hated me more than he loved life," said the Raikage. "Why would he give us an out?"
"Just because he hated you doesn't mean he's suicidal," said Mabui. "He's a member of the Branch Clan carrying out his orders. Even if he wants to kill you himself, I doubt he'd hurry into a one-on-one duel with a Kage.
"Prodigy or no, you'll destroy him in an even match. Or at least you are likely to."
"What is going on here?" asked Sasuke suddenly. "Who are the Hyuga working for in this?"
"I don't think it's anyone," said Mabui. "Neji Hyuga's match with Naruto Uzumaki drew a great deal of attention to the Branch Clan system. The resulting fight led to public pressure for better treatment. The Hyuga Clan had no choice but to punish many abuses.
"Hiashi, Hinata, and Neji reconciled over the blood of two of our Jonin.
"Yet I don't see why they'd push something like this through in this situation."
"Neji is considered one of the greatest masters of the gentle fist of his generation, correct?" asked Raikage.
"Yes. Kabuto's information was quite extensive. The Konoha 12 have not been subtle," said Mabui. "And his rival is one of the fastest ninjas in the Leaf. And a very powerful hitter."
"Which means his fighting style is specifically tailored to beat me," said the Raikage. "So he has a chance. Give me the details on his personal life, I need to know how many of the Hyuga techniques he's liable to know."
"Well, a few years ago, I would have said very few," said Mabui. "But he learned some of their defensive techniques purely through observation. Hinata is apparently quite talented, and he destroyed her during their match. Since then, he has received personal training from Hiashi, the Clan Head.
"Both have long-since surpassed the actual heir, Hanabi."
"Then why is Hanabi still the heir?" asked the Raikage.
"Well, originally, she was judged to be superior to Hinata," said Mabui. "However, we did some digging.
"It turns out that Neji was Hinata's main sparring partner, and she was never able to defeat him. His showing in the Exams completely blindsided everyone. Given that Hiashi could kill Neji without legal repercussions easily...
"I think it is likely that Neji Hyuga hid his own talents. He likely fought Hinata well enough for her to fail. Hiashi likely overlooked the fact because he did not want to see his brother's son as stronger. Hizashi and Hiashi were rivals. Hiashi was made Clan Head due to order of birth, rather than superiority."
"So Hiashi underestimated Neji, leading him to underestimate Hinata. In so doing, they finally overestimated Hanabi," said the Raikage. "What of it?"
"Well, Hinata has been out of favor for years and has only recently regained the limelight," said Mabui. "She is also close personal friends with Naruto Uzumaki. One who has designs on being Hokage and has declared his intention to change the Hyuga.
"Neji, meanwhile, has been a slave to his family for most of his life.
"The Hyuga are deeply conservative and refuse to change tradition for anything. All the other Clans have long since stopped using the kinds of techniques they do.
"If Hinata or Neji were to be made the heir, they would likely immediately destroy the Branch system. With the support of virtually the entire village, and the Branch Clan, it wouldn't even be hard."
Sasuke guessed where this was going. "... It's a suicide mission.
"Neji is inconvenient to the status quo of the Leaf. So the Hyuga are playing on his personal vendetta with us to get him killed. He'll fight the Raikage in single combat, die horribly. Then they'll make some speech that rationalizes why he was put in that position.
"Everyone will be sad for five minutes, and then they'll forget he ever existed."
"Well, he certainly seems to hate my guts," noted the Raikage. "So perhaps it is his choice after all."
"No, it isn't," said Mabui. "It doesn't matter if he would make a choice, given the opportunity. Because if he doesn't have the ability to tell the Clan Elders to go to hell, it's meaningless. It would be his choice if he decided to die rather than seek vengeance on you.
"But he's ultimately doing this because he has been manipulated to do this. He has no will in the matter; the only choice he has is whether to smile when he cuts your throat."
"What is all this about Hinata as a breeding slave?" said Sasuke.
"Because that's what the Leaf would do," said the Raikage. "If the Leaf Village kidnapped a young child with a unique set of eyes, they would not risk them in combat duty. Rather they would raise them in a secluded position. They'd breed them with a variety of powerful Shinobi.
"All for the purposes of getting a new clan.
"They can't conceive that we'd risk a valuable asset by raising it as one of our own."
"Well, that doesn't add up with what I saw," said Sasuke, remembering Team Guy.
"Well, of course, it doesn't. It never does," said the Raikage. "That's the entire reason the Leaf is successful. They are more ruthless and pitiless than any of the Five Great Nations. The atrocities have committed make the former Kazakage look like a saint.
"But because they all seem like such nice and wonderful people, you don't notice until it's too late. The Uchiha found that out."
"What are you talking about?" asked Sasuke.
"Nothing we can prove," said Mabui. "But it's suspicious, isn't it?
"One lone ninja goes off the handle and successfully destroys a clan of hundreds? In the middle of a crowded city? And no one even notices until the last survivor gets home from school and has a dramatic confrontation with his brother?
"The very idea of it is absurd."
"And what do you think happened instead?" asked Sasuke.
"We're fairly certain Itachi's actions were sanctioned," said the Raikage.
"What?!" said Sasuke. "But why would they... who?"
"Our guess? Sarutobi or someone on his inner council," said Mabui. "Of course, no one in the Leaf except them would know."
"How can you know that?" asked Sasuke.
"This is not the kind of operation which could be kept secret unless only a few people knew about it," said Mabui. "Raikage, I believe you had some analysis of events as they happened."
"You would need three basic components," said the Raikage. "One, someone to murder everyone in the Uchiha district. Two, someone to wipe out the police force. And three, a unit to enforce containment.
"All three would have to operate at the same time. Itachi, obviously, is the one who killed off the civilians. Normal ANBU could be trusted to carry out the second task, and you wouldn't even need them to know anything.
"The Uchiha Clan district was comparatively out of the way and secluded. It was built after the Nine-tails attacked. And it was specifically designed for containment. All you have to do is post the ANBU there without telling them anything."
"They'd notice," said Sasuke. "You'd have to inform them."
"Unless," said Mabui. "You make their duties mundane. You get them into the habit of watching the Uchiha Clan every day. All you need is an innocent excuse.
"Perhaps there is concern that an intruder is there, and so you lock the place down. When the alert passes, you take away the obvious observations but keep a few intact. Rinse and repeat until eventually, you have the place under a constant watch."
"We'd have noticed something like that!" said Sasuke.
"Tell me, Sasuke, what did your team do for your first few missions?" asked Mabui.
"D-ranks, what of it?" asked Sasuke. "The Old Man created them to work on teamwork and give out of work ninja a job in peacetime."
"What did you do on these D ranks?" asked Mabui.
"We did repair work, painting fences," said Sasuke. "Why is this important?"
"Did anyone give you a second glance while you were doing it?" asked the Raikage.
"Of course not!" said Sasuke. "We were just... kids...
"The henge. Those Chunin were pretending to be kids in the Chunin Exams." They could have been patrolling all day, and no one would notice. "What about the one who attacked the police headquarters?"
"It could be anyone," said Mabui. "Though whoever it was was probably set in place by Itachi. With this kind of operation, you'd want to keep your hands clean."
"And why would I be left alive?" asked Sasuke.
"To recreate the Clan," said the Raikage. "But without any of the Uchiha Cultural attitudes. A tame Uchiha Clan. One which follows Tobirama and Hashirama's vision without regard to the troublesome Madara."
"...Madara was afraid of this," said Sasuke. "This is all just speculation on your part. You don't have any real evidence. Itachi could just as easily have used a genjutsu to disguise killing off the police force.
"Or the attack could have been unrelated and timed opportunistically.
"I'm not going to believe a word you say until I have some hard evidence." He owed the Leaf at least that much; he'd become a lot stronger because of this.
"I can't give you that," said the Raikage. "But I can give you this. Mabui."
She brought out a sheet of paper, a mission dossier.
"I want you to enter the Land of Fire and head for the Village of Waterfalls," said the Raikage. "There is a Jinchuuriki named Fuu who we believe is going to come under attack. Make sure the Akatsuki don't get her. I have here personnel records on those you are facing, Hidan and Kakazu. They are S-ranked Ninja and considered to be extremely dangerous.
Don't take them lightly.
"Kill them if you can, but your priority is to make sure the Akatsuki don't get her."
"I'll do my best," said Sasuke.
"Under no circumstances is your team to bring any harm to the citizens of Land of Fire or Leaf Ninja," said Raikage. "If you are pursued, run. If you are cornered, surrender or talk your way out. And don't have any showdowns with old friends if you can avoid it.
"If you kill anyone from the Leaf Village or their allies, regardless of context, I can do nothing to help you. Understand?"
"Yes," said Sasuke. It made sense from his perspective.
"Good," said the Raikage. "Take time to rest and get any supplies you need, then head out at your earliest convenience. Now get out of my office."
Sasuke had considered the possibility that Itachi might not have acted alone. But he hadn't had any information and had no way to get it. He refused to start swearing revenge until he knew more, however. Itachi and Orochimaru were enough of a problem for anyone, and he wasn't going to waste energy.
Even so, this was going to take some serious investigation.
He might just have to make a hit list.
