Part 2: Survival
A/N: I'd like to wish all of my readers a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! May it be full of love, joy, health and fun. Hopefully I'll be able to update again before the new year. Enjoy the chapter!
Chapter 16: The Right Question
The next morning presented a composed Sakura donning her wrinkle-free Chūnin uniform. With her casual make-up applied, there was no physical evidence of her emotional breakdown from the night before.
She stood with the Konoha group as they prepared to be teleported back to the village.
Only two of the three rescued slaves originally from Konoha decided to return with the Shinobi. The third, the brunet, opted to remain in the Capital.
The Royal Family and their attendees faced the group.
"Fire Country thanks you for your continued exceptional service and duty. Sakura-sama, we look forward to officially presenting you with the Midnight Sun estate upon your future visit to the Capital."
The rosette bowed. "Thank you, Daimyō-sama."
Naho smiled at the older girl. "Be well, Sakura-sama."
Said person returned the gesture. "You too, Naho-hime."
"We look forward to achieving successful relations with the eastern nations." The Daimyō said.
"As do we, Daimyō-sama." Tsunade answered.
With that, the teleportation was activated, and the group found themselves in the Hokage's office.
Sakura was surprised to see her first Sensei sitting in Tsunade's chair looking overwhelmed and exhausted.
"Kakashi-sensei?"
Said person glanced at his student and gave her a tired one-eyed smile. "Welcome back, Sakura. I've heard that you ran into quite the predicament in Claw Country."
Sakura gave him a strained smile. "You could say that."
Tsunade snorted. "You've only taken over my duties for a few weeks and yet you look like a stampede of bulls trampled over you."
The masked man gave a nervous laugh. "Not all of us can always appear as composed as you, Tsunade-sama. For all the emphasis placed on the importance of a Hokage's duty to the village, I find the position not worth numbing my fingers over."
The Slug Sannin laughed. "Didn't expect all the paperwork that came with the job, huh?"
On cue, Shizune stepped into the office from the library and placed a tall stack of papers on the desk. "These are the last of the requests that need to be reviewed and signed before the end of the day, Kakashi-san."
The man slouched onto his seat as he stared at the stack in barely concealed horror.
Tsunade laughed again. "Have fun, Hatake. Shizune, please organize the accommodations for Goro-san and Sora-san. They'll need a moment to come to terms with what happened before reuniting with their relatives."
The brunette nodded. "Of course, Tsunade-sama." She then addressed the two former slaves. "If you would please follow me."
The pair briefly glanced at Tsunade and Sakura before they followed Shizune out of the room.
The Slug Sannin addressed the group. "Job well done, everyone. Shikaku-san if you would join us. The rest of you get some rest."
There was a murmuring, and the people who weren't asked to stay left the office.
Tsunade, Sakura, Shikaku and the Council Elders went into the Hokage's library and took their seats.
Tsunade activated a privacy seal before she spoke. "Despite the shocking discovery in Claw Country and the initial protest of the Nobles in regard to Naho-hime's claim to the throne, the situation has turned out in our favor."
The Elders nodded.
"Our presence in the Capital to endorse Naho-hime's claim definitely halted any further escalation of the protests. At most, they were rather childish." Koharu commented.
"There's also Sakura-sama's actions in Claw Country. She successfully took down a human trafficking ring and secured a trade agreement with Matsuda Itsuki-san. Considering the damaged reputations of Riku-san's former business partners, it's safe to say that Matsuda-san's influence will increase. This is an excellent step to securing our presence in the east." Homura added.
"How did you find the atmosphere during the trial, Shikaku-san?" Koharu asked.
"Naturally tense, although there were two surprises. One was Earth Country's relative lack of outward hostility towards us. Then there was Lightning Country's apparent support of us or at the very least neutrality.
"Earth Country's Daimyō wrote back to Daimyō-sama expressing his outrage over Riku-san's illegal activities as well as Claw Country's Daimyō's apparent unawareness of the situation. He also expressed his gratitude towards Sakura-sama's involvement in putting a stop to the ring and rescuing the civilians." Koharu replied.
"The Tsuchikage has been quiet throughout the process. He's evidently occupied by the return of the rescued civilians, but even that won't be enough to keep him distracted for long." Homura said.
A smirk appeared on the corner of his female counterpart's lips. "He'll certainly be displeased by the evolving political climate of his neighboring countries."
"As for Lightning Country's change of attitude, I could only guess as to why the Raikage chose now to get even with me." Tsunade added.
"It could be to protect Lightning Country's reputation and interest." Shikaku replied. "Just like us, I imagine Lightning Country must be interested in expanding their trade routes further eastward, and they see us as the pioneers to lead the way. Iwagakure's reputation of hiring mercenary groups such as the Akatsuki isn't an ideal partner to associate with."
"Hence the noose is further tightening around them." Koharu stated.
The rosette's fingers gripped the fabric of her pants.
"Now that Fire Country's rescued civilians are home, there's the matter of dealing with our rogue Shinobi." Shikaku changed the topic.
"A public execution as an example to our current forces who may be considering abandoning their duties, and for our already existing missing nins. Taking advantage of a person's life, regardless of the manner, is unacceptable." Homura answered.
"Agreed." Tsunade said.
Shikaku and Koharu nodded.
Homura faced the rosette. "You've been quiet, Sakura-sama. What are your thoughts?"
Sakura regarded the elder calmly. "I saw firsthand the horrid conditions these people were forced to work in, not the mention the physical and psychological trauma imposed on them when I examined them one by one. Death is too merciful a punishment for the rogues involved, however it's better to have them dead so that they can't inflict further harm on anyone else." She managed to say in an even tone.
Koharu nodded in approval. "Well said, Sakura-sama."
"We'll organize the execution to take place as quickly as possible." Homura added.
"As agreed per the trial, we'll also have to provide the other nations the autopsy reports of Riku-san." Shikaku reminded.
"I'll ask Hirotoshi-san to lead the investigation." Tsunade replied.
"Shishou, I'd like to participate as well."
The Slug Sannin shook her head. "Not this time, Sakura. You've been formally invited to Snow Country for Koyuki-sama's wedding. You'll have to leave by the end of the week to make it there on time. Jiraiya will accompany you."
Sakura's eyes widened. "A wedding? What am I supposed to offer her as a gift?"
"Not to worry, Sakura-sama. While you were away in Claw Country, we took the liberty to find a fitting gift for the Daimyō." Koharu reassured the young Kunoichi.
"The fact that she's inviting you also proves her approval of you claiming the title of Hiyokuna tochi no josei.[1]" Homura added.
Sakura pushed down her unease and titled her head in acknowledgement.
Homaru nodded in satisfaction. "Another important player we have to keep an eye on is your former teammate." He addressed the Hokage. "Sending his right-hand man to negotiate on his behalf while Orochimaru is off doing Kami-sama knows what is alarming."
"Not to mention Uchiha Sasuke's presence in Claw Country as well." Koharu added.
The male Council Elder shifted his gaze back to the rosette. "You comported yourself well given the circumstance. Normally I would have questioned your decision to allow two missing nins to leave unharmed, however Naho-hime's safety took precedence."
"I also had to ensure the safety of the rescued civilians." Sakura replied. "The Anbu and I were injured, low on chakra and had suffered casualties. Even without the responsibility of protecting the civilians, I don't think we would have been able to stop Kabuto and Sasuke."
Tsunade frowned. "Don't underestimate your skills, Sakura. I do though agree that in your state back then, engaging those two in combat would have been foolish."
"I can understand Kabuto being a threat, however, Sasuke was your teammate. Do you believe he would have followed along with Kabuto's lead?" Shikaku asked.
Sakura made sure to keep her face blank. "Sasuke being my former teammate doesn't mean I understand everything about him. I wouldn't have believed that he'd ever leave the village, and I certainly didn't expect him to accompany Kabuto in what would have been a human trafficking operation. I was in a foreign country with a Princess to protect. It wasn't the place nor the time for me to try to unravel Sasuke's true intentions."
"A wise decision." Koharu stated.
"Our latest intel suggests that Orochimaru's still physically in Rice Country. Sakura's actions in Claw Country delayed his goal in expanding his influence eastward, so we need to jump ahead with our plans." Tsunade said.
The Council Elders nodded.
"We'll meet again to witness the executions." Homaru said.
With that, the Council Elders and Shikaku stood up, the latter bowing to Tsunade, and left the library.
Sakura discreetly let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
Tsunade stared at her student pointedly. "You do realize that I purposely left out details from Bear-san's report of your interaction with Sasuke."
The rosette glanced back tiredly. "Why?"
The Slug Sannin crossed her arms. "You were under stress and in a delicate position, so I won't hold you accountable for Sasuke's future actions. I do urge you to tread carefully, Sakura. The promise of information exchange could have you being accused of treason."
Sakura's shoulders sagged. "What was I supposed to do: antagonize Sasuke when the Anbu and I couldn't back up our threats? It's not like I'm going to purposely seek out Sasuke or that he'll come looking for me."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "I know that you won't go looking for him, but the Uchiha boy has a goal, and he's the type to go through any means to accomplish it. I know you're loyal to the village but be aware that Sasuke could resort to emotional manipulation to get the information he needs from you."
The rosette's heart panged, and she had difficulty swallowing. "Why the secrecy around the Uchiha clan massacre? Why's it not public knowledge, except for high-ranking Jōnin, that Uchiha Itachi was the perpetrator? Why's there not even a mass grave or a memorial for the Uchiha clan?"
Tsunade inhaled sharply. "Sakura, you're asking dangerous questions."
The younger Kunochi's eyes narrowed. "Dangerous for whom?"
For a moment, the two women were locked in a staring contest as they wordlessly tried to make the other submit to their will.
Sakura didn't budge. "I don't understand Sasuke-kun completely, even less so in the years he's been gone, but I do know him better than the impression you and the Council Elders have of him based on his records. It's just as you said, Shishou: Sasuke will go through any means to achieve his goal. Even with me out of the picture, Sasuke-kun would find out the truth sooner or later. Kami-sama help anyone who kept said information from him."
The Slug Sannin gritted her teeth. "Sakura, this is a dangerous game to get involved in."
"Perhaps you shouldn't have taught me how to play it." Sakura replied. "Considering that this information isn't recorded in any of the books in your personal library, the cover-up is coming from a position even higher than the Hokage's seat yet shrouded in secrecy. It's either you know the truth and have been threatened to keep quiet, or you don't know the full details and that fact scares you into not investigating more."
Tsunade's stare was almost burning, and her hands clawed into her thighs. "Sakura, let this go." She said almost pleadingly. "The Uchiha are long gone, and there's no point in stirring up old ghosts."
The rosette stared at her master and a wry smile curved her lips. "You're just proving my point, Shishou."
The tension was interrupted when the purple-haired secretary named Yūgao stepped into the room to put away a handful of scrolls she carried.
She blinked at the scene. "Is everything alright?"
Tsunade didn't break her gaze from the rosette. "Everything's fine, Shizune. I was just informing Sakura that she's relieved from duty this week to prepare for the royal wedding in Snow Country."
Sakura's eyes were hard as she stood up and bowed. "The break will do me good to reassess my priorities."
Tsunade gave her student a grim look, and the younger Kunoichi left.
Sakura barely remembered to wave at her masked Sensei in farewell before she left the Hokage Tower and made her way home.
It was only muscle memory that kept her body moving in the correct direction since the rosette had retreated into her mindscape.
There's more than meets the eye to the whole Uchiha clan massacre. Sakura thought. Every other tragedy that had occurred before and afterwards always had their perpetrators made public knowledge. Why was Uchiha Itachi's involvement keep secret?
The real question is what exactly does Tsunade-sama know about it? Her Inner voice replied. Her reaction was surprising. She seemed genuinely frightened by you asking those questions.
Shishou wasn't even in the village when the massacre occurred, so it's not like she has to hide her involvement. What's she afraid of?
And on behalf of whom? She urged you to drop the subject, but she didn't outright order you not to investigate. She even left out the "deal" between you and Sasuke-kun from the Council Elders.
Maybe she wants the truth to be known but can't come out and proclaim it herself. This is making me believe more and more that the truth about the Uchiha clan massacre would harm Konoha's reputation due to its implication in the tragedy.
You mean… the village was involved in the crime?
I have no idea, nor do I have the proof. The only other person who'd know the truth is Uchiha Itachi himself, although frankly, I'm not keen on approaching him for that information just yet. Sakura thought dryly.
Her mood sobered. There's so much that I have yet to know. Former beliefs of mine were shaken and proven to be incorrect. I had always thought that Konoha was the most morally based out of all the Shinobi villages and yet look how Naruto was treated growing up.
None of that would have happened had the Sandaime Hokage done something about it. Sakura's Inner voice remarked darkly.
A lightbulb went off in the rosette's head and she halted in her steps.
The Sandaime Hokage was Naruto's legal guardian until Naruto graduated from the Academy. He knew about Naruto's Jinchūriki status and how that influenced the villagers' treatment of him. He was also the Hokage during the Uchiha clan's demise.
He's dead now, but the Council Elders are still alive, and they were also his advisors. Sakura's Inner voice added.
The same Council Elders who see politics as a game. They place their pieces on the board and sit back in comfort as others suffer the consequences of their actions.
Koharu-san seemed particularly smug about boxing Earth Country in. I'm not a fan of the Tsuchikage by any means, but to manipulate peoples' livelihoods without second thought… that's a dangerous way to view the world.
Shishou might not be in the position to be honest with me, but Jiraiya-sama was also a student of the Sandaime Hokage. Aside from Orochimaru.
Ironically, I think that snake would have the most realistic opinion about the Sandaime Hokage.
Sakura shook her head and continued her journey home.
She soon found herself in front of her home and opened the door.
She took off her sandals. "Tadaima."
"Welcome back, Sakura! I'm so happy you're home." Her mother replied. "I hope you've got an appetite."
The rosette's stomach growled when the smell of breakfast reached her nostrils. "I could eat a horse right about now."
Sakura took off her Chūnin jacket and placed it on the entrance hanger. She made her way to the dining table and took her usual seat.
Not even a minute later, Haruno Mebuki emerged from the kitchen with two steaming plates that had Sakura's stomach growl even louder.
The blonde laughed. "You came home just on time."
Sakura smiled and split open her chopsticks. "Where's Tou-chan?"
"Your father went to help Ren-san make his grand opening at the marketplace. He won't be back until late tonight."
The two women began to eat, and Sakura felt the stress leave her body as she took comfort being home again.
When they finished, her mother took the plates, and quickly washed them before she returned to the dining table.
She stared at her pensive daughter. "Rough mission?"
The rosette sighed. "It was. I've had to come to terms with the fact that many of my assumptions were dead wrong."
Mebuki placed a hand over her daughter's hand. "This is part of life, my dear. No one is born with the knowledge nor wisdom to understand how the world works."
"It's not just that, Kaa-san. I saw a repulsive part of humanity and the relative avoidance of acknowledging it from leaders. An injustice was done and the only thing that's seemingly more important is how to rise above the rest and keep one's rivals down."
Mebuki closed her eyes and sighed lightly. "I wish I could tell you that the world's only full of wonder and beauty, but I was a Kunoichi before I retired to have you."
Sakura bit her lip. "Kaa-san… if information that's important to a dear friend of yours was kept secret, what would you do?"
Her mother blinked and pulled back her hand. "What kind of information?"
"Apparently damming enough that it could possibly destroy the reputation of the village."
Mebuki's eyes widened, and she barely stopped herself from leaning back in her seat. "That's treasonous, Sakura!"
The rosette stared back grimly. "Is asking a question really treasonous or is it the ugly truth that the village is keen on keeping secret?"
Her mother stared at her hard as if trying to unravel the puzzle that was her daughter.
Mebuki's lips formed into a grim line. "Every village has their secret, Sakura. More often than not it's for the wellbeing of their villagers that said information never sees the light of day. Don't stick your nose in business that isn't your own."
"And yet it was because of sticking my nose in business that wasn't my own that I ended up stopping a human trafficking operation and saved over two hundred former slaves!" Sakura yelled.
Her mother's eyes widened once more, and she gasped.
Despite knowing she wasn't supposed to talk about her latest mission, Sakura went into full details about Riku-san's actions, the state of the rescued civilians both physically and psychologically, their previous working conditions in the chakra stone mine, and their stories told at the trial.
By the time she was finished, Mebuki's eyes gleamed with unshed tears, and Sakura felt the fight in her dissipate.
The two women spent a moment in silence, and Sakura mentally berated herself for allowing her anger to get the better of her.
Finally, her mother spoke. "I'm distraught that you had to witness such an inexcusable horror. My sweet girl, I never wanted you to become a Kunoichi, but I never imagined you'd experience such a mission as your latest one."
"It was my choice to become a Kunoichi. I'm now grateful more than ever for the power I've gained since training under Tsunade-sama. I'm now in the position to help those who can't protect themselves from monsters."
A sad smile appeared on Mebuki's face. "When did you grow up? I barely had the chance to properly protect you before you went off into the world."
"I don't ever want to be weak again, Kaa-san. This world doesn't allow us that luxury. I'm going to surpass Tsunade-sama one day and become the greatest medical ninja in the Shinobi world. And with my title and wealth, I'll do whatever I can to put an end to corruption and other hideous crimes like I saw in Claw Country."
The smile on her mother's face became genuine. "The world's already a better place with you in it, my sweet daughter."
The rosette's cheeks turned pink, and she gave her mother a bashful smile.
Mebuki's expression turned serious, and she stared into her daughter's eyes that were identical to her own. "Acquiring information requires tact and knowing when to take risks. First, you need to identity the person or persons who have the information in question. Depending on their psychiatric background, they'll either kill themselves first before divulging the information, or purposely give you misinformation that's very similar to what you're looking for, but still removed enough from the actual truth that no link could be traced back to it. Those individuals are dangerous because while they won't necessarily kill you, they'll ruin your reputation and make your life a living hell. You'll then need to figure out if there's written records on the information and where they're kept. Regardless of how inconspicuous the location might appear to be, it'll be well guarded.
"The fact that you as a Chūnin know something's amiss means this secret isn't so well kept. If you're determined to uncover the truth for your friend, find the weak links and exploit them as much as you can without risking your safety. And most importantly: don't get caught."
The execution took place two days later on the outskirts of the Forest of death.
The two rogue Shinobi had chakra suppressing collars on their neck, and their hands were bound forward by chakra-resistant chains. They stood on a hastily crafted wooden platform that rose four meters off the ground.
They were disgruntled, bruised from their torture at the hands of Konoha's intelligence division, but they were quiet. Neither of them had the energy to even lift their head up.
Konoha's entire Shinobi population was present, with the exception of ninjas who were currently out on missions. Even the Civilian Council members were present to witness the execution.
Sakura stood in between her parents on the western side of the front row. All three of them wore their Chūnin uniforms and had somber expressions.
The rosette hadn't spoken with her master since their dispute, and she was still upset with the Slug Sannin for taking her off active duty, upcoming royal wedding be damned. The suspicion behind Tsunade's reaction had festered inside of Sakura and she didn't know how to approach her master again.
Perhaps the royal wedding is a blessing in disguise. It'll keep me away from the village and give me time to reflect on how to navigate these waters.
Kaa-san also had excellent tips for us. I never pictured such a side to her, Sakura's Inner voice remarked.
Tsunade and the Council Elders stood on the opposite side from the Haruno family and stared at the criminals with cold eyes.
Shikaku read from a scroll the charges the two rogues were guilty of, and there was an increase in the tension among the crowd.
After the Nara clan leader finished reading, the executioner and his clone secured the noose around the rogues' necks, and then kicked them off the platform.
The rogues noisily struggled to breathe and kicked out frantically as their faces quickly turned purple.
It took just over a minute for them to stop moving.
Sakura's parents discreetly squeezed her hands, and she was grateful for their silent support.
It wasn't that the rosette was averse to death; her profession kept her in constant company of it. It was the sheer cold calculation of the village that sent a cold shiver down her spine. Any other Konoha Shinobi in attendance could have been hanging there now.
The executioner and his clone took the bodies down, and the crowd began to disperse.
Sakura's parents started to chat with the Civilian Council members, while Sakura lingered by the edge of the crowd.
She was soon joined by her masked Sensei, whom she greeted with a small smile.
Kakashi stared at the Slug Sannin who was in deep conversation with the Council Elders and Shikaku.
"Trouble in paradise?" He asked with a light tone.
The rosette refrained from sighing. "Just a disagreement. Nothing serious."
"A disagreement that made you not speak with each other for two days. You've always spoken with Tsunade-sama even if it was just for five minutes a day."
Sakura peeked at him. "I asked a question that apparently I had no right to ask."
Kakashi's teasing nature went away as he straightened his posture. "About?"
"A goal of one of our teammates."
The masked man's visible eye darkened. "And what did Hokage-sama say?"
"She told me to let it go, and then took me off of active duty." She stared at her pensive Sensei. "Kakashi-sensei, I'm not an idiot. Even had I not been a Kunoichi, I still would have kept my curiosity. The facts don't line up, so someone more resourceful and experienced than me could have already figured it out. I already know that it was his brother who caused him so much pain, but only high-ranking Jōnin know this. You're a high-ranking Jōnin, Kakashi-sensei."
The man met her accusing gaze unblinkingly. "Yes, I'm a high-ranking Jōnin. Yes, I know of whom you speak of, but even I'm not privy to such sensitive information." He lowered his tone. "I swear, if I knew the full details, I would have told him, consequences be damned."
Sakura stared at her Sensei in surprise, and she believed his sincerity.
Kakashi ruffled her hair affectionately. "Mah, the atmosphere's already dreary enough. Let's not add to it by continuing this conversation here."
The rosette stared at him in determination. "I can't let it go, Sensei. Now that I know there's something to hide, I'm going to shed some light on it."
The man regarded her contemplatively. "How far are you willing to go?" He asked quietly.
"Until the very end."
With that, the rosette walked away. She briefly caught eyes with Tsunade, but she quickly torn her gaze away and stood beside her parents.
[1] Lady of Fertile Lands