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Artwork: jessejzette - The 7 Generations of Hokage - Find jessejzette on deviant art.
A NEW WORLD – SARADA'S TURMOIL
The Hidden Leaf Hideout
Sarada is on the verge of collapse, even an idiot could see that. The cumulation of injuries, fatigue and her lack of sleep have hurt her in a way that few individuals can do. Yet Elliot is forced to watch her go in with amazement. There is little point driving yourself forward like this, especially considering all the pain that Sarada must have been feeling at late. He concludes that she must be one of those exceptional rare people you meet in life. She is one of those people who is just born with something that cannot be learnt or taught, born with another gear, something bestowed by the heavens. She is just like Lara, Clyde and Naruto.
"Your scouts are finding our shinobi cooperative?" Sarada asks, jotting down some notes on the paper before her. The notes, meaningless and nonsensical, serve no purpose other than keeping her awake.
"Oh yes, very much so" Elliot praises the shinobi scouts. "It's surprising really, I hadn't expected them to be so willing to work with us".
Sarada would smile if she weren't so tired but she registers the happiness in the back of her mind. The shinobi who have no control over divine energy have almost all become powerless in the face of this threat with only the best such as Tsunade and Mitsuki having any chance to fight back. It would be easy for them to complain and make demands, but they don't, they just keep their heads down and work.
"They are the best" Sarada says, "They always have been the best, they wouldn't play mind games at a time like this".
"There is clearly someone they trust at the top".
"He has the ability to inspire people" explains the 9th Hokage, clearly in reference to Naruto. "I wish I had the same ab…".
"He's not the only one they look up to" Elliot comments, surprising Sarada again with his helpfulness. "They have good reason to admire their leaders. Don't underrate the skills you have in that Circle, you are all worthy of being followed".
Sarada nods to Elliot and then walks away.
Elliot's comment latches onto the truth about the difference between their worlds. This world is a purely talent-based society, where even the hardest working people would struggle. A society of lions. The pocket world was a place where the hard-working can surpass the talented, where you can scrap for power, where it's always worth it to keep going for one more second. A society of hyena.
As Sarada walks past a tent, she is caught by her favourite homeworlder, General Sheer.
"Hey Sarada" Sheer says, slightly cautious of her friend's condition. "Are you alright?".
"I've had better days Sheer, worse ones too".
"Right, I probably had a hand in those" Sheer admits, awkwardly handing a flask of liquid to the last Uchiha.
Sarada carelessly wastes some of her sparse energy using her Sharingan to examine the content of the flask. It didn't feel warm. As one of the leaders of the village, she's hardly had time for relaxing beverages lately.
"It's not much and you probably shouldn't be drinking anyway" Sheer says, "But it might help take the edge off, help you relax a bit".
Sarada hesitates. "You don't owe me anything, you know that don't you?".
"Don't be ridiculous. Look around here and tell me again that I don't owe you anything" the General chuckles. A camp full of the mightiest military force from both their worlds. "I've only come this far because you've dragged me alongside you".
Sheer's gratitude is justified. She should chiefly assume responsibility for the death of Sarada's mother and the trauma of her father's attack on the village. Despite everything though, Sarada has not sought vengeance and has instead started to make just a few of Sheer's dreams come to pass.
Sarada grabs Sheer by the shoulder, gesturing aside with her head, "Come on, let's sit down".
Together, they head into a vacant communal tent set up by Clyde's soldiers and sit down either side of the flimsy wooden table. Sarada initially feels relieved to take the weight off her feet but is also immensely conscious of the impending slumber she may fall into. She continues to distract herself, this time with conversation.
"I guess you're feeling rather overwhelmed now" Sarada asks. "You've come back to your homeworld, you're rebelling against the top authority, what do you think of it?".
"What do I think about it? It's amazing, it's what we all dream of doing but never dare to voice our desires" Sheer replies, "To be here and do this is powerful by itself. If we win though… wow… that's a seismic event that would shake all of reality".
"Do you think we can win? We don't seem to be doing too well against Carmen, and Lara is hardly helping".
"I don't know. I've never really been against the odds like this. I have been against you though, I'm sure you remember it" Sheer begins. "It was one of the final matches in the captained-six contest and you had to win. You had to beat me, one of the strongest colonels under Clyde's command. And you did the impossible, you won, and you taught me a valuable lesson in the process".
Sheer concludes her statement, "If it's impossible then do it anyway".
"I'm trying" Sarada says, "I'm trying so hard to live by that philosophy but…".
"Then perhaps you are trying too hard and that is the problem. You are working yourself to death and even the brilliant glow of your purple eyes cannot hide those bags" Sheer says, pointing dramatically with her index finger. "You should go home every once in a while, go home and get some sleep".
That's just the problem for Sarada, she can't go home. "You know, I'm living with the Uzumaki family, with Naruto, Himawari, Lord 4th and the others. They're all great people, the best people I have ever known. Heck, Lord 7th is my childhood hero".
"I sense a but coming…".
"Boruto and I were going to get married" Sarada explains, "Now that he isn't here, I can't help but feel responsible".
"You are not responsible for his actions Sarada, not even as his partner".
"I know, but if there was anyone in that house who should have stopped him, if there is anyone who should have known how he was feeling, it was me" she explains solemnly, "The fact is that I did nothing to prevent him becoming what he is now. That makes me sick".
Sheer looks back over her shoulder, checking the platoon number of the tent just behind her. It's grim being in command, she knows each death that they suffer, each life lost. She knows every single setback they have, some of them far more unpleasant than the victories are pleasant. It also has advantages though.
"I know this isn't the most enticing offer, but a couple of our platoons have lost a soldier or two in our battles" the new General explains, "There are always one or two spare spaces in these tents if you would like to sleep here".
She wouldn't have believed it a few years ago, but Sarada finds herself taking Sheer up on the unusual offer.
"I would be really grateful for that".
Elsewhere in the Biome
This area is inhabited, much like the Hidden Leaf hideout. Though this one is made up entirely of pocket-worlders, led by the man who has become Naruto's opposite. This is Hashirama's group.
Unlike the Hidden Leaf hideout, the group are not sheltered by temporary tarpaulin structures but by small buildings made immaculately from a master of wood. Each temporary home appears as if crafted by a fine architect, though they have all been created by one incredibly skilled man. Near the centre of this establishment, Hashirama sits on a slightly reclined chair, meditating while nursing his injuries from his battles with Carmen.
A knock comes on the door and Boruto subtly slips into the room.
"Master".
"Boruto" Hashirama says, sitting in his chair slightly straighter than before, "It's good that you are here, I could tell when we returned that something was bothering you".
"I think it's best that we don't avoid the elephant in the room" Boruto says, watching as Hashirama creates a second chair in a few seconds. He sits in the chair when it is completed. "Your fight with my father, it was different to the previous time".
"Different? I won, didn't I? Isn't that all that matters, isn't the Leaf just a tiny bit safer".
Boruto shakes his head. "Safer? No. That fight achieved nothing, that is why Sarada and I did nothing to stop you. That wasn't a battle of principles, it was unnecessary, a battle born of frustration, an itching childish temper that we seem to have developed".
"Childish? Are you forgetting the larger picture Boruto?" Hashirama sighs as he asks. "Did you not see who was skulking behind him? He brought Lara into the village's inner circle, risking the lives of each and every villager".
"He's an idiot, I grant you" Boruto bluntly declares, "But tell me what makes you better. Did you have some kind of plan? Some way to defeat Lara or Clyde?".
"A plan?".
"It was never going to happen there, was it?" the shadow Hokage criticises. He rests his head in his hand, the stress having got to him. "You were just fighting my father because you were angry that he doesn't agree with us. Do you doubt what you have said in the past because he said we should?"
"Of course not. Look… look, I know you're right. I lost myself in a moment of anger, just as we all do from time to time" Hashirama admits. "You are just reading too much into it. There is nothing wrong with me".
Boruto wonders about that. Hashirama initially appeared to take the death of his wife well, but training in isolation changed the man who was the 1st Hokage. He came back a much darker man, someone who understood the cruelty of this world and the importance of controlling it. Since coming to the future, it's like his and his brother's reputations have reversed. Every day, Hashirama has spiralled further and further down a dark path, different to his original self. Boruto is certain that together they have done the right thing, though while he is sure of himself, he is not sure his master has done it for the right reasons.
"I don't know that you can read too much into our actions anymore. Otherwise I myself would fail to understand my own motivations".
"In that case tell me, Boruto, what do you not understand. I will make it clear for you" Hashirama declares, his tone is patronising and sarcastic, out of character for Hashirama, Boruto realises.
"You assaulted my father after he made a foolish decision, and I agree with you, he is a fool, but I need to you to answer me this" Boruto begins.
"Do you still think my father is a good man?".
That is not the question Hashirama expected to answer. Naruto has become his antithesis, the greatest opposing force against his goal to ensure the safety of the Hidden Leaf Village. It has been a long time now since he looked at Naruto in a favourable light, but Boruto's question forces a re-evaluation of the man that is Uzumaki Naruto. Hashirama looks once again at the traits that made Naruto the man he admired the most.
"Yes, I do think your father is a good man. He is more than good. He's naïve and pure, and while that causes him to make stupid decisions, it is also beautiful. I'm fighting to save the entire Hidden Leaf Village, but if there is one person that I truly want to save it is Uzumaki Naruto".
Boruto nods, it is good that this is still their sentiment. "Our two groups have only been split for a short while but it's already taking a toll on me. Don't worry, I've endured worse than leaving my family for a few months, but I do feel a bit like a child. Sometimes, I just want to fall back and know that my father will be there to catch me".
For his son, living without Naruto has become like living without air.
"I know how you feel Boruto. Fighting against the villagers is not rewarding. It means that even my family hate me" the 1st Hokage laments, thinking to his brother and granddaughter. "I can only imagine how this miserable affair has made Tsunade feel and that is my responsibility".
They have both left a lot behind.
"I often think of Sarada" her Shadow Hokage admits with a shrug, "I wonder if she blames herself for my leaving the village".
"Blames herself? It was your decision".
"I know that, but she is always looking for something she could have done differently" Boruto explains. "She spends a lot of time reflecting on the mistakes of her past. Just like you do and just like I do. It's our past that shapes our future, isn't it?".
"I agree".
"I wish there a way, just some way we could all come together again" Boruto says, "I wish that my father could be made to see the truth".
"Don't worry Boruto, there are ways to help him…".
"… so many ways".
The Hidden Leaf Hideout
Sarada wakes to the sound of soldiers running back and forward, their heavy boots muddying the ground. She wakes up to pure chaos.
"Get those weapons ready!".
"Don't do anything stupid, we just need to stick together for now".
Through the haze of her own half-consciousness some of those words got to her. Weapons, stick together, don't do anything stupid. That two hours sleep is the most she has slept in ages and bizarrely enough as she comes to she feels more alert than she has in days. All the people outside are panicking, shouting and screaming at the tops of their voices. Something important must be happening, but if it was wouldn't someone tell her.
She gets up, climbing out from under the thin sheets she has been given to sleep under. She hastily walks over to the tent's entrance and peels back the canvas separating her from the outside world. It's dark outside, but 'fire' made from divine energy lights the paths, sticking harmlessly to the end of torches. Despite seeing one of their former adversaries clambering out of the tent, not one of the soldiers so much as looks at her.
Sarada grabs a passing soldier's arm.
"Hey, what's going on here, why is everyone so panicked?".
"Sorry ma'am, I can't stop now" the soldier declares as he pulls his arm free and continues running on his previous course.
"Hey, hey you, stop!" Sarada shouts, "Someone, stop, tell me what is going on?".
None of the soldiers stop.
'Are they all ignoring me?' Sarada wonders. 'It makes no sense, if there was an emergency surely I would be one of the first people they would have told'. Of course, she wonders what could possibly be so urgent that they need ignore her and all focus on their own duties.
If they are getting weapons, what are they defending against. She cannot sense any threats in the immediate area.
Deciding it best to find someone more likely to speak with her, Sarada spots the nearest group of Hidden Leaf shinobi and runs towards them. 'Thank goodness' she thinks to herself, 'a familiar face'. The familiar face that she has spotted is that of her childhood friend, Akimichi ChouChou.
"Get those kunai and hand them to anyone who can use one" ChouChou shouts to her subordinates. "Get the civilians as close to the centre of our area as you can, I don't want anyone missed. Any sensors come to the outskirts, we can't afford to miss any of the sick or injured".
"ChouChou" Sarada calls as she approaches, "What is going on?".
ChouChou just walks past her Hokage, "Sorry Sarada, can't stop now".
Sarada is once again baffled. What is going on? They can't be under attack if they aren't begging her for help, she should be right at the top of the list for that. Then perhaps a medical emergency, but this wouldn't make sense either, there would be no need for weapons in such a scenario.
She soon notices the cautious looks some of the shinobi give her as they pass.
It's as if nobody trusts her anymore.
'It's just like when Lara first came, only worse. You would think the devil himself had descended'.
Looking around, Sarada is grateful to spot two of her fellow Hokage, Hiruzen and Kakashi running past her. They don't stop to speak, only rush their way towards something of great interest. Whatever is going on, it is her duty to get to the bottom of it, so she quickly follows them through the familiar paths of the Hidden Leaf portion of the hideout.
Alongside Hiruzen and Kakashi, Sarada arrives at what seems to be the heart of the disturbance.
Here are stood a group of Hokage and a couple of other senior shinobi. Sarada quickly observes that there is not one representative from Clyde's home-world here though.
"Thank heavens your OK" Tobirama says as Sarada arrives.
"Unharmed? What are you saying unharmed?" Sarada asks incredulously, looking down at her stretched arms. "Of course, I'm unharmed, there is nobody here who could hurt me".
Tobirama shakes his head regretfully. "There are people who could hurt you in certain circumstances".
"We don't have time for this" Sarada says, raising her palm impatiently. "Please just tell me what is going on".
Just as Sarada makes this request, Minato emerges from the tent next to them. "It's good that you're here Sarada, we need you right now".
They are all just the same as the shinobi, the captains and the colonels. Even these Hokage have a distressed panic-stricken look on their faces. Something traumatic must have happened to the lot of them. The 9th Hokage is left to join the dots and make the dreaded discovery that not all of the Hokage are here.
"Where is Naruto?" she asks.
The answer comes from the 4th Hokage.
"Tsunade says he is in a critical condition".
An explosion goes off in the back of Sarada's head. A critical condition, Naruto? How could that possibly happen. It would take someone with a power similar to Carmen's to injure Naruto in such a way and she has no reason to do so. What's more, there is no way that such a powerful individual could make their way inside the camp undetected, past all the scouts she and Elliot set up. Even if they could sneak into the camp, even if the gods themselves had decided to do so, why would such a powerful individual decide to attack stealthily, there would be no need to do so.
"This isn't possible" Sarada says with certainty, "Is it a medical problem? Some sort of health issue? There is nobody here who could do that to Naruto, not even me".
"They could in the right conditions" Minato says, "Perhaps if he were sleeping and couldn't defend himself".
"So, you're telling me someone tried to kill him?".
"Yes, that much is certain" Shinki says, speaking for the first time since Sarada's arrival. "Someone tried to kill him and this time I can assure you I had no role in it".
Sarada denies the possibility again. "No, Naruto uses 'life', any assassin must have known it would be almost impossible to kill him, even in his sleep".
Kakashi plays the detective. "The assassin would have to be one of a very small group of us then. It would have to be someone strong enough to kill Naruto".
"Is there any evidence this was an attack. It seems incredibly unlikely" Sarada says, doing her best to come up with any alternate solution. "Why don't we ask Clyde over here to help us investigate. He's a military leader, he must have some experts in this kind of thing".
Minato is left to tell Sarada of a devastating reality.
"There were traces of divine energy on some of Naruto's wounds Sarada. It was divine energy of a very specific nature. It is because of that divine energy's nature that we don't want to invite Clyde over here".
The penny drops. That's why everyone is preparing weapons. That is why everyone is preparing for a fight, but nobody is fighting. That is why the civilians are being collectively brought to a safe location and the sensors have all been recalled from their patrols. The least likely assailant of all seems to have struck.
"You can't really mean…".
"Naruto was attacked by someone using 'darkness' Sarada. That means our top suspect…".
"… is General Clyde…".