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Artwork: jessejzette - The 7 Generations of Hokage - Find jessejzette on deviant art.
A NEW WORLD – THE VILLAGE SPLITS
The Circle
The Circle is the fullest and yet the emptiest it has ever felt all at once. Previously they have called emergency meetings, but this is on another level to any incident they have had to deal with before. Nobody in this entire haphazard alliance can claim to be as strong as Naruto, but there are a whole bunch of them who could wound him in his sleep. That is what one of them has done, and the chief suspect for that is General Clyde himself. If it turns out that he did it and that he has betrayed them, the village will struggle to survive.
All the usual suspects are at this meeting, Shikadai and his father as the administrators, the Kage, except for Naruto, Hashirama and Boruto, Clyde, Peterson, Sheer and Elliot. This meeting is more though, this calls for action across the entire village. With that in mind, Shikadai called a collection of other high-ranking members of each group here.
In attendance is the military leader of the Hidden Leaf Village, Sarutobi Mirai, a powerhouse stronger than many of the Hokage. Also present are the remaining members of both Ino-Shika-Cho generations, along with Hinata, Shino, Kiba and Tenten, together who formed a generation to surpass all others. From Clyde's group, not only have the generals attended the meeting, but also the Colonels that have come to be trusted by the Hidden Leaf villagers. Lastly, from Lara's group, not only is Elliot in attendance, but so are Brooks and Blackburn. Then of course is the one who they thought most likely to be a traitor, General Lara. If only they had known back, then what they know now.
"I'm sure you all realise that more people are here than usual, that is because this is a very important meeting. Perhaps, the most important in our history" Shikadai begins ceremoniously, "The most important individual to this meeting is the one man who can't be here right now. That is Lord 7th, Uzumaki Naruto".
Clyde remains calm, "Shikadai, please tell us what happened".
Minato can feel his hand twitch as Clyde speaks with this ignorant demeanour. In his mind, this is the man who attacked his son, who put him on the verge of death and is now a threat to the entire village. Everything will probably be OK, if you don't kill Naruto his abilities of recovery will bring him back even from the brink of death, but such actions would certainly spell the end of any alliance. In addition to that, such actions may also end all hope this world has for freedom.
"I'm sure this won't come as a surprise given how voices travel around here but Naruto has been attacked, he has been left in a critical condition" Shikadai explains.
Whispers quickly travel back and forward between the closest allies at the table. Mirai looks to her grandfather for confirmation, Kiba moves to reassure Hinata, Burns quickly places a calming hand on Grace's shoulder. All little comforts, disguising the main issue. There are personal grudges in this camp, too many of them to count, but not even Lara should have a grudge against Naruto. This attack, seemingly without incentive, was clearly premeditated by a dangerous adversary. That can only mean that the situation has just become very volatile.
"Not many people could have put Naruto in a critical condition" Peterson is quick to note.
"No, they couldn't" Mirai says, agreeing with the analysis, "That means that there can't be many suspects outside of this room".
The majority of the rooms occupants still aren't aware of the exact circumstances of Naruto's assault, there assumptions quickly go in the obvious direction. As soon Mirai declares that the assailant is likely present, they look to the four most recent aggressors in the room. Namely, they look at Blackburn, Brooks, Elliot and Lara.
Elliot sees this immediately and takes his frustrations out on Mirai. "I would like to clarify what qualifies you to be here making accusations like that?".
"I am here because I am one of the strongest shinobi of the Hidden Leaf. I am stronger than half the Hokage in this room" Mirai correctly boasts, "I also happen to be the leader of the Hidden Leaf military, and I am also the one who defeated you, so don't forget that".
Elliot has done little to reverse the ill-will that has accumulated against him. By killing Dan, the academy's headmaster at the time, he terrified a group of children, traumatised Mirai, enraged Naruto, and took another of Tsunade's loved ones away. Some grudges cannot be forgotten, no matter how much time they have to heal.
"There is no sense in getting heated" Blackburn says, showing his composure amid rising tensions, "We should settle this matter calmly".
"I agree" Shinki says, "We won't get anywhere by letting our tempers get the better of us".
"Why not?" Shikamaru asks, shrugging his shoulders while maintaining an uncharacteristic aggressive tone, "Under these circumstances, I think we all know where this is going".
"Father, let me handle this!".
"I am Naruto's friend. I was assistant to him as the 7th Hokage!" Shikamaru shouts impatiently, losing his cool as happens so rarely. "I've seen many assassination attempts against him, but this is the most blatant and pathetic of the lot".
"Are we certain this was an assassination?" Clyde asks.
"Oh yes we are" Shikamaru laughs sarcastically, "I bet that comes as a great surprise to you, General".
"If there is anything we can do to help Naruto, any medicine we can obtain, I will arrange it straight away".
Clyde's promise appears sincere, and as it is made, Elliot looks over his shoulder. He communicates with Lara using a quick exchange of gestures and nods. He too then offers his help, citing it as a rare opportunity to gain some much-needed trust. In a matter of seconds, the homeworlders show themselves as unlikely assassins. However, that is just what an assassin would want to do.
"It's a bit late to be trying to win our trust now" Hinata comments.
"I seem to remember you from before" Elliot replies, "Oh yes, you're his fiancée if I remember correctly. Are you in an appropriate mental state to be attending a meeting like this?".
"I will be fine" Hinata answers bluntly, "But only if we deal with this in the way Naruto would want".
For many of them it is not something they have seen before. Hinata rarely gets this angry and if she does it's often just for show. This is different though, it can be seen in the focus of her eyes, the intensity of her stance and heard in the tone of her voice. Hinata's brain is working at a thousand-miles-per-hour. If she were to get her hands on the person who attacked Naruto, no good could come of it for either of them.
"Naruto would want us to deal with this calmly" Clyde says.
Tsunade disagrees. "Naruto would want us to deal with this in a way that protects the villagers above all else, wouldn't you agree, General Clyde?".
"Yes, I suppose I do".
"I'm surprised you're not putting up more of an argument" Tsunade continues, "After all, you are the one who attacked Naruto".
"Me?". Clyde is instantly stunned.
Peterson is the first to the defence of his commander. "Don't be ridiculous, there is no way that the General would attack Naruto, that would make no sense".
"That's strange then" Shikamaru nods with a sardonic grin, "Naruto was attacked using divine energy. 'Darkness' divine energy to be precise".
"And you think it was me?".
"Are you suggesting that one of your captains uses 'darkness' and would be capable of hurting Naruto like this?".
Clyde goes silent, surveying the looks from the shinobi in the room. Hostile, on another level than before. It's clear that there is only one suspect in the room, only one person who could have done this. He is the only person who they could turn to with their accusations, the only suspect for the crime. In this lawless situation held together by good intentions and charismatic leaders alone, he must be as good as guilty in the minds of the victim's allies.
Brooks speaks for the first time, standing on her chair to compensate for her child-like frame. "I don't suppose you would miss it if an assassin from outside the camp were walking around Naruto's tent?".
"No" Hinata answers definitively. "I wouldn't miss it".
Elliot sighs. "Then it appears we have reached the point where we must make a decision".
The decision clouds minds across the table. Before they didn't even consider that this could come to pass, but now they are forced to evaluate just how important Naruto was. Tactically, he was a safety net that stopped those from this world from acting up. Together with Sarada, he could put down any rebellion, he could protect them and keep them here for as long as need be. Sarada wouldn't be able to do that by herself, not without him. If the homeworlders rebelled now, there is every chance they would defeat the Hidden Leaf. Each person must ask themselves if that is a chance they are willing to take.
"Above all else, we must prioritise the villagers safety right now" Hiruzen groans, knowing the potential ramifications. "What everyone is saying makes sense. There is no reason for Clyde to attempt an assassination, especially in a tent where Sarada may well be to try and stop him. However, all the evidence points to him being the one who tried to kill Naruto, for now I suggest we escort the villagers somewhere safe".
Sarada feels a pang of guilt in her heart as Hiruzen's conclusion is spoken aloud. That is right, she should have been in that tent with the Uzumaki family, that is the place she claimed to be her home. It is because of her own cowardice that she accepted Sheer's offer of somewhere else to sleep. If she hadn't taken that offer, this wouldn't be happening right now. A tentative conclusion, but the argument can definitely be made, that this was the fault of Uchiha Sarada.
"Escorting the villagers into the unknown, without a guide from this world" Kiba asks incredulously, "Naruto would not approve of that all".
Tenten nods. "Going it alone in this place is very risky. We don't know what may happen to us".
Hinata looks gratefully towards her two old friends. Time may have separated them by many years, but they are still on her side just as they always have been. These guys are Naruto loyalists through and through.
Shikadai counters. "We don't have to go it alone here, there is somewhere we could go, not where Naruto would want us to go but it would definitely be safe".
"I can already tell where this is going" says the 2nd Hokage as he slumps back into his chair.
"We should use our sensors and communicators to take the villagers away from here" the administrator continues, "We should take them to safety, and deliver them to Lord 1st and Boruto".
On the surface this seems like a good idea, immediately it is enticing to the many Hokage. That is a good idea. They may follow a different philosophy but both Hashirama and Boruto staunchly wish to protect the Hidden Leaf Village. They may appear adversaries, but they will be more than happy to protect the villagers against any attack from Clyde or Lara. That is the perfect solution, isn't it?
The solution seems to fit everyone, until Elliot points out a problem.
"If you take the villagers away, you will be telling Hashirama and Boruto that we are weak" Elliot explains, "It's inviting them to attack".
"An attack that would only endanger the people who aren't from the village" Shikadai explains. "Sorry, but we can't concern ourselves with that right now, we have to protect the villagers".
Hinata immediately speaks out against this idea. "Of course, we can concern ourselves with that. That is exactly the sort of thing Naruto would want us to think about. If he was here, he would never allow you to do that".
"But we have to prioritise safety, don't we?".
The two of them clash, the least official debate in the Circle's history. The Nara clansmen who dedicated himself to administration but vowed never to interfere. He argues with the time-travelling wife of a critically-wounded soldier. The two of the butt-heads and argue over the very destiny and soul of the village they both love. Amongst their fundamental ideological clash, all other arguments seem to become noise. That is until, the younger Senju brother makes an interesting claim.
"We are safe here" Tobirama says.
Shikadai shakes his head, "Lord 2nd, you can't seriously be suggesting that…".
"Sarada is stronger than Clyde and Lara, she may be able to defeat them even if they worked together" Tobirama continues, his head lowered as he thinks and talks simultaneously. "Given the circumstances, the changes are that the assassin worked alone. That means that unless Sarada was the assassin, we are not in any danger".
"Tobirama, that is an analytical decision, one perfectly constructed from years of experience in the shinobi world" Kakashi praises. "But, we are not in the shinobi world any more. We need to take the safest potion here, not for us, not for them, but for the village".
Sarada watches as the cracks form in the Circle. Both sides have perfectly valid points, both sides want what is best for the village, they just disagree on what that is. The safety of the civilians at all costs. The sanctity of the village's soul no matter what. Both sides are right, but only one of them can actually have what they want.
"The unity that we are showing here is part of Naruto's spirit" Sarada says, making her choice of side clear. "This unity is the Hidden Leaf Village".
"Then nothing bad will happen" Kakashi retorts, "We will simply hand the villagers over to Lord 1sat and continue on our current path without the civilians holding us back".
"Lord 1st's group haven't actually done any harm to us yet" Shikadai adds. "They have refused to kill both Naruto and Sarada when they likely could have done. I suggest we trust in their good nature, just one more time, couldn't we do that for the founder of our village".
"I agree" Shikamaru says, siding firmly with his son.
"I'm afraid that I also agree" Tsunade raises her hand.
Mirai nods. "Yeah, and me".
This group grows and grows, until a large portion of the room is intent on taking the villagers and leaving. The 'leave' group comes to consist of both generations of Ino-Shika-Cho, of Mirai, Shinki, Hiruzen, Kakashi and Tsunade. That is a firm group with a tremendous collective influence and assortment of political powerhouses. Not only that but in terms of combat ability, this is also a formidable group.
"We have to do our duty" Hiruzen declares, "I have to do my duty as the 3rd Hokage. We're taking the villagers to safety, after that we will come right back here. I hope that until then you won't get in the way".
"Lord 3rd, please reconsider this" Sarada begs, positioning herself between her predecessor and the door. "This isn't what Naruto would want. This isn't what Lord 1st would have wanted in the past".
The pleas of the 9th Hokage fall on death ears. The group leave the room and prepare to take the villagers with them. As they leave the room, the silently but knowingly condemn the homeworlders, potentially sending each and every one of them to their deaths. Each second that passes it becomes clearer and clearer just how important a cornerstone Naruto was to the village. Without him, everything is falling apart.
The people of the homeworld now must make their decisions. How will they react when confronted with this impending doom?
Clyde gets to his feet, walking straight to the centre of the circle and standing in behind Shikadai's podium.
"What are you doing Clyde?" Lara asks.
"I'm going to chair this meeting now. We have to make a decision and we have to make it quickly" he announces, "Some of you from the Hidden Leaf Village have remained here. I swear to you now, I didn't attack Naruto. I am thankful to each of you who have stayed and are willing to give us a chance".
"What's the rush for" Hinata asks, sitting down in one of the now vacant chairs of the Hokage. "If you didn't attack Naruto, and I don't believe you did, then we have nothing to worry about. I don't believe my son would let harm come to the villagers, they will be in good hands, even if those hands aren't ours".
"It's not a problem for you Lady Hinata, this is a problem for our lives" Clyde explains.
"A problem for your lives?".
Sheer speaks. "If they leave and find Hashirama's group quickly enough, then they will tell him exactly what happened here. What do you think will happen then?".
"They will find somewhere safe, they will take the villagers out of harm's way" Kiba suggests.
"This world is so big compared to yours" Sheer explains, leaning forward and looking the Inuzuka clansmen in the eye. "We have hidden ourselves here, in plain sight. They don't need to hide your villagers anywhere, they won't have to do anything. However, they will know that we are weak. They will come here and try to kill these two".
Hinata understands now. Boruto, Hashirama and Sarada can all transcend two levels with their power. Clyde and Lara can only transcend a single level. Boruto has shown that he can fight Sarada before, Hashirama has also fought against the duo of Clyde and Lara. If that happens again, they will be completely obliterated.
"Well then, we will take the fight to them" the bulky General Blackburn suggests.
"Forgive him for being slow, the only muscle adolescence didn't grow was his brain" Brooks declares as she punches Blackburn's upper arm. "If they attack us right now, when Uzumaki Naruto is unconscious, even Sarada will not be able to stop them. We will all be killed, we won't be able to do anything to stop them".
"Oh god" Hinata's head drops into her hands. She wanted to be here as Naruto's voice, she wanted to make sure things would go as he wanted. It seems that things have gone a completely different direction.
Sarada shouts to the room. "I will go and speak with Mirai. Perhaps I can convince her to hold off a little while longer". She leaves the room in a hurry, desperate to buy them just a few more seconds, seconds that may turn out to be vital.
Lara teleports to the centre of the room, standing off with Clyde.
The rest of the room goes virtually silent as the two strongest General's come face-to-face.
"We can't wait for that Clyde, you know what we must do".
"What do you mean, Lara?".
"Don't play dumb" Lara snaps, clenching her fist with anger. "These rebels had several ringleaders with enough brains to have thought this through. They made this decision because they knew it would lead to our death".
"That is a dangerous way to be thinking. Lara, you have no proof of that at all".
Once more two iron wills clash in a debate, only this time the intensity is on a level not seen before. While Clyde is a sensible man who always tries to make decisions based on his moral compass, he is not Naruto, he is not so forgiving of past sins. Lara is even less forgiving, with the rage of this betrayal practically seeping out through her pores. Minato had come into this room angry with Clyde but now, having slightly more confidence in his innocence, is overwhelmed by the sensation of their standoff. This is power.
"I know that you didn't attack Naruto, I can tell" Lara says. "I also know what must be done to deal with a situation like this as quickly as possible".
Lara's conclusion terrifies the 2nd and 4th Hokages.
"We must crush the mutiny. We must kill the rebels".
What terrifies Minato even more is what follows that statement.
Hinata gets to her feet, without any fear, and bursts into the middle of the Circle. She positions herself between Clyde and Lara and stands face-to-face with the lead General of this world. She shows a tenacity and a level of leadership so unlike the Hyuuga heiress. For a few moments, she has an aura of a leader that surpasses the Hokage by leaps and bounds. Even Lara appears slightly intimidated by the mental prowess of Hinata.
"If you take this action, we will never work with you again" Hinata says threateningly, "You need Naruto and I can assure you he will not forgive you killing any more unarmed civilians".
Lara's left foot moves back a pace and she suddenly finds herself experiencing an unfamiliar sensation. Retreat, not born out of tactics or logic, but out of fear. Just who is this person masquerading as Hyuuga Hinata.
Lara concedes, turning around and ignoring Hinata. "I have more immediate concerns than Naruto's principles. Elliot, Brooks, Blackburn, gather the troops, we are going to crush this rebellion".
Elliot and Brooks both follow Lara as she leaves the room, but the burly Blackburn doesn't move, maintaining his stance with a rigid determination. "I'm afraid I cannot go along with this plan of yours Lara. Our whole reason for rebelling is to get away from the life of cold-blooded killers. I would rather die an honourable death than live like that again".
"I see, you disappoint me Blackburn". Lara's expression hardly reflects her words as she expressionlessly turns and leaves the room, taking Brooks and Elliot with her.
With the room's population lower than ever, Clyde speaks to the remaining warriors.
"Alright, all of you who have stayed here, I owe you all my life. I believe that you are truly acting as Uzumaki Naruto would".
"What do you suggest we do now?" Tobirama asks, readying himself for any action necessary. "Lara was right after all, if the villagers leave then you will be killed by my brother".
"We can't let the villagers leave. We can't let Lara slaughter them though" Minato adds. "If Lara gets to them, if she hurts anyone then this alliance will be off. We may never kill Furst".
"Then it's a two-pronged strategy" Clyde explains. "Some of us have to stop the shinobi from leaving the village. The rest of us have to stop Lara from killing anyone".
Blackburn leans forward, resting his chin on his two fists. "To do this without killing anyone will be almost impossible".
"He's right" Peterson says. "To pull this off we will require a miracle".
"Then let's consider ourselves lucky that Sarada will be helping us".
Indeed, Sarada is the strongest member of this alliance with Naruto out of action. With her powers of 'creation', if anyone can prevent fatalities in this mass conflict then it is her. It will require a miracle as Peterson said, but the daughter of Sasuke may just be able to pull that miracle off. So, a strange alliance is formed, an alliance of those loyal to Clyde and Naruto, an alliance to stand in the middle of two fighting factions and prevent them reaching each other.
"… let's just pray that's enough" Minato says.
It is with these words, with this hopeless dream, that a civil war begins.