THE IMPERIAL PALACE – THE TRAITORS' PLAN
In the Camp
Shikamaru sits perched on the stump of a fallen tree. One knee raised, he uses it as a rest for his elbow as his hand cradles his head, his mind in deep thought. Recent events aren't totally against his expectations, but he had failed to foresee the unusual anxiety that consumes him. It now seems that there is almost no chance that the assassination on Furst will move ahead successfully.
"Yo".
Shikamaru turns his neck to the side, seeing who has come to visit him. He had been expecting a member of his own generation but instead finds that it is Mirai and Shinki. Frankly he finds himself slightly relieved to speak to members of the younger generation, people that he can give council to using his supreme intelligence. Weighing up the probabilities makes it easy to give honest advice, but someone with such a great mind can never truly dismiss the consequences of failure.
"Hello Mirai. Hello Shinki" he says slowly, "How are the two of you coping with the whole situation?".
"I think the two of us are coping fine, but that isn't really what's important here is it? The moving pieces in this situation make us look rather powerless" Mirai answers.
"Yes, I suppose they do".
"May we have a seat?".
Shikamaru nods, shuffling forward so that the three of them can share the small stump. They sit in a triangle, their backs pressing gently against one another as they stare semi-vacantly into the space before them.
"So, please go ahead" Shikamaru sighs, "I know that you have something you want to ask".
"What do we do now?" asks the Kazekage.
"Nothing" comes the answer, "There is nothing we can do without Sarada's help".
"Nothing?".
"If I'm honest, the plan had a one in a million chance of working even when she was willing to work with us. Now that she is against us, it will be impossible for us to kill Furst Jonas. There is only one hope, Naruto must become stronger".
Shinki groans, "Become even stronger, what are the odds of that?".
Mirai makes her estimate. "Given how quick training divine energy is that could mean that we have to wait 20 years, even with Naruto's talents".
"Exactly" Shikamaru finishes.
It truly is as hopeless as it seems. Naruto took two world-consuming wars and twenty years of fighting experience to break through and come to understand the first of his element's three tiers. Given the trajectory of a normal student, it would probably take him at least the same time again to advance to the next tier. Indeed, unless the situation changes they are hoping against the odds.
In these situations Shikamaru used to feel defiant, like this didn't matter. There was always a feeling of inevitability about the situation. That was because Naruto would take another step. Naruto would fix things. He always does.
"We can't wait another twenty years" Shinki notes, "We will have to leave the imperial palace and head back through the portal".
"Naruto's just lost his student. Do you honestly think he will agree to retreat now?".
Shinki has the least experience dealing with the 7th Hokage amongst the trio but fears that he well knows the answer to that question. "No, I suppose that he will keep pressing forward no matter what".
"Right now all we can do is hold our breath, watch Naruto, and see what happens".
A Tent, In Lara's Part of the Camp
A small round table sits in the centre of the room with five people sat around it. As per usual, Lara has the same generals in her inner circle. She trusts the judgement of General Elliot, the second-in-command of her forces. She trusts the judgement of General Brooks, the genius who understood her element as merely a child. And she trusts the judgement of General Blackburn, the man with a heart for battle.
However, today Lara has admitted a fourth advisor to this discussion. Mirai has joined them and has brought news of the Hidden Leaf's position.
"He's the best thinker we have, and he doesn't believe that we stand a chance without Sarada's help" Mirai summarises her previous conversation.
"He's probably right" Brooks shrugs, "It's not like we stood much of a chance before anyway. It was only a dim light of hope that has been extinguished".
In spite of Brooks tough language, Mirai can see the sadness in her eyes. Perhaps it is because she still appears to be a child, perhaps it is because she has come so far, but it appears so obvious. These hardened warriors once attacked Mirai's world, they once tried to kill all her friends. Now as she looks at them as comrades and understands the struggles they have been through in this land, she feels more pity than she ever thought possible.
"Alright Brooks, we get it!" Lara snaps, "The assassination attempt is off, but can't you look at the bigger picture?".
"The bigger picture?" Blackburn repeats his boss, "What is she talking about Brooks?".
"How should I know?".
"If you two would shut up for a moment, I will tell you" Lara impatiently snaps once again. "The problem is now that Naruto has a clear route towards an even stronger following than before. Now he could hand us over to Hashirama, we would be a peace offering for their truce".
Lara returns to her seat.
"I get it" Blackburn loudly says, "If he does that all four of the strongest shinobi would be united once again".
"Exactly" Lara nods, her voice now a lot quieter, "The odds of assassinating Furst would be even greater than they were before. Naruto would only have to work with the temporarily, he could worry about doing the right thing after killing Furst. The only people he would need to sacrifice are those who invaded his home".
Lara summarises the situation grimly.
"He only needs to sacrifice a group of murderers, then he has a good chance of saving both our worlds".
Elliot has worked with Lara for many years now. Since leaving the academy and joining the military full-time he has been her subordinate. He was reputed for his work-ethic, for his neatness and tidiness and his ability to keep to the rules. A ruthless leader, someone mentioned in the same sentences as Generals Lara and Clyde.
Elliot has worked with Lara for many years now. Since leaving the academy and joining the military full-time he has been her subordinate. He was reputed for his work-ethic, for his neatness and tidiness and his ability to keep to the rules. A ruthless leader, someone mentioned in the same sentences as Generals Lara and Clyde. In all that time, he never saw Lara truly struggle with anything like this right now. This is even more scary to him than the risky assassination that they were going to perform.
Elliot doesn't know what to say to Lara.
But to his surprise, Mirai confidently places a hand on Lara's shoulder and smiles to her.
"You guys don't need to worry about it. Lord 7th is working on a plan even now. He won't turn you over, you have my word" Mirai says reassuringly, "Besides, your teleportation will be key to any plan Shikamaru develops. We couldn't do this without you and Clyde".
"… well I guess so…".
Elliot watches on dumfounded. A former adversary of Lara's found the words to calm her down? Just who is this Sarutobi Mirai?
Outside the Uzumaki Tent
Naruto sits on the floor, his legs crossed and surrounded by his family. This is a time of great stress for them all, but amongst it all, in the back of his mind he is thinking. What will he do to get out of this mess. How will he rise above this latest challenge? It certainly seems like an insurmountable obstacle right now, but it definitely is if he gives up.
"She betrayed us. I really just don't get it you know, her taking Tsunade like that" he says sadly, "It's just not like Sarada, I can't picture what would drive her to it".
"Don't let it get to you" Hinata says, patting her fiancé twice on the shoulder, "You can come back from this Naruto. You can come back from anything as long as you keep moving forward, that's what I think".
"She's right Naruto, just keep going" Kurama urges Naruto from his inner world.
"I know" he replies them both, "I'll keep going, of course I'll keep going. But, it just doesn't make any sense to me. Didn't she believe in not giving up and holding true to the end?".
"Perhaps she disagreed with the path we decided to walk" Kushina suggests.
"Isn't our path the path of never giving up?" Naruto asks.
"I don't know Naruto. Perhaps she decided working with Lara yet shunning Boruto wasn't the right thing to do".
Naruto racks his brains for a moment, is that what he is doing? Is he refusing to work with his son because he wants to work with someone who once tried to kill his family? Is he in the wrong here? No, surely not, it is as if the whole world is trying to drive him mad. He chose peace and harmony to begin with, isn't it everyone else who made the decision to go against that? Should peace be sacrificed in the name of democracy?
"It wasn't a choice of Boruto or Lara" Naruto says, his frustration clear, "It was a choice between pursuing our goals or giving up. We were striving for peace, but she stopped!".
"Sometimes it is hard to strive for peace when it would mean the destruction of your family" Kushina declares.
Naruto wonders if that is what they all believe he is doing. Is he destroying his family by pursuing his goals too aggressively. Would everything go smoother if he just did as he was told? Surely that wouldn't be right? If that is what people want though who is he to deny them, isn't it his duty to fight for the principles of the Hidden Leaf Village?
"No, it doesn't matter" Naruto declares, "All that matters is that I keep moving forward, I thought she understood that too".
Hinata nods, "It looks like we never knew here at all".
"Did she ever even hint at betraying you Naruto?" his father asks.
"Not once".
Minato shakes his head. Having heard all the possible reasons for Sarada's betrayal he is still not satisfied. "She was always loyal to you in the circle. She was the only one who agreed with you when it came to the Lara problem. She was the first to try and convince the rest of us that we were wrong".
"Yeah, that was her alright, my very own student" Naruto says.
Himawari speaks up for the first time since the incident. "Dad, if she was thinking about betraying you before, why do it now? It would have been easier to work with Hashirama and Boruto to defeat Carmen, wouldn't it?".
They all go silent and consider what Himawari has said. It's true, absolutely true. The four mighty shinobi are all on a higher level than Clyde and Lara. If three of them were to work together defeating Carmen would have been much easier. They would be able to work together as a more cohesive team, integrating shinobi techniques and combinations into the battle would have been easier. This is the most nonsensical point to betray them, and Sarada is a very intelligent shinobi. That can only mean that she made the decision to switch allegiances after moving inside the Imperial Palace.
"The whole thing feels wrong to me, I just can't work out what's going on" Naruto admits, "Oh well, I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other".
"But what do we do now?" Kushina asks, "Do we spend the rest of our lives impoverished, wandering this world?".
"I'll defeat Furst" Naruto announces.
"We're not going to attempt the assassination now are we? It would be pointless!".
"I can't just give up!" Naruto shouts loudly.
Kushina goes silent, her son's unwavering determination almost intimidating her. The will to push forward without the conviction to back it up is truly frightening. It can make someone look like a machine, it can make them look unstoppable, but it can also make them look like a zombie, it can make them look like they have stopped thinking.
"You can't win either" Minato says bluntly, "Delaying our assault is not the same thing as giving up".
"It is the same! It's giving up and admitting that something isn't possible" Naruto declares, "This assassination is possible and if it's impossible then I will do it anyway. Barriers have always been put in front of me, I've never failed to smash through them yet".
"… OK…".
Kushina turns to her granddaughter. "Himawari, you were the last person Sarada spoke to before she betrayed us. Did she tell you why she was doing it?"
Himawari shakes her head gently and nervously. "She said a lot of strange things that didn't make sense. Taking Tsunade is so unlike her. She said she thought of me as a sister and that I…".
"That you…" Naruto prompts his daughter to continue.
"She said that I stand with you, no matter what".
"We will" Hinata says.
That is something they can all readily agree on. They will stick together. No matter what.
Elsewhere Inside the Imperial Palace
Sarada quickly spots her intended destination. She follows Hashirama and Boruto to their own encampment within these walls, the former of whom is dragging Tsunade with him. The camp is obvious, anyone could see it if they were to look in the right place. Largely dark coloured canvases cover the people who follow Hashirama, likely made from the same material as their poorly-crafted cloaks.
Sarada lands and is surprised by how friendly and happy these people all seem. When she looked at them as enemies they seemed absolutely terrifying, virtually silent yet endlessly deadly. It seems that is façade though, and that the moment they enter battle they focus with such precision and determination that they do not even speak to one another. These people are professional fighters, not to be messed with and very much to be respected.
From amongst this force, the familiar face of a bearded man emerges. This is the man who once took Boruto away. This is Tao Ma.
"Well, I am amazed that your plan worked so well Lord Hokage" he says.
"It went exactly as planned Tao Ma. My granddaughter is of course here with us and in addition to that we have another mighty warrior who has joined our ranks. Perhaps she is the finest leader our village has ever had".
"You praise me too much" Sarada says, "I will always believe that the greatest Hokage is Uzumaki Naruto".
While Boruto doesn't doubt it Hashirama detects just a hint of challenge in the voice of his new ally. Is her generations devotion to the teachings of Naruto really so great? Is she really so determined that he would never do anything wrong? Never mind, it matters little to him if she is fighting for the right cause now.
"You are very modest Lord 9th" Tao Ma replies.
"It's good to meet you properly this time, Tao Ma. My name is Uchiha Sarada".
"Indeed. We have had a very combative past Ms Uchiha. I hope that we can put our disagreements behind us now that you and I are allies".
Sarada scowls at her 'ally'. "You took my fiancé away from me and made me think he was dead. I would normally say it was impossible to forgive you, but if he is willing to do it I'm sure that I can as well".
"Excellent" the bearded man proclaims with a chuckle.
"Traitor!" the voice of the now awakened Tsunade comes from over Hashirama's shoulder. "Don't you dare proclaim yourself an admirer of Uzumaki Naruto or his ways. You betrayed him and through all his hard work away you…".
Hashirama begins to carry Tsunade away, not keen to discuss their family affairs in front of everyone else.
Sarada watches as Tsunade is carried away but has no chance to listen to the 5th's curses. Tao Ma offers to introduce her to some of their other allies. He introduces many of them and explains that they are the other victims of Homeworld's oppression. It seems to Sarada that everywhere she goes there is a tail of woe and misjustice. All that differs is who is blamed. Does the blame lie with the military, with Lara and Clyde? Or does the blame lay at the feet of Furst?
Around an hour later, Hashirama, Boruto, Tao Ma and Sarada meet to plan their strategy going forward. They are now operating from a position of strength, a strength greater than Naruto's group.
"How was your conversation" Boruto asks Hashirama.
"It's as I suspected" he declares, "She isn't willing to hear me out. Tsunade has no wish to understand the element of 'death'".
"That's regrettable".
"There are some things that those who have not experienced 'death' will never understand" Tao Ma says painfully, "They will never understand how cold it is, how much we suffer with each and every passing soul, how fatal the world truly is".
"I do not use 'death'" Sarada says.
"But you have experienced it" Boruto recalls, "It was my fault for exposing you to it when I almost killed you. During the captained-six contest, because I never told anyone about it, you were hit with 'death'. You understood the agony that I have lived with".
Sarada nods. "I remember. It was the most horrible thing I have ever felt".
"Lord Hokage, your granddaughter has never felt this, she has never experienced how it feels to touch a dying soul" Tao Ma explains, "Perhaps if you were to teach her the element, she would come to understand what you are trying to tell her".
"She has no desire to learn it. I spoke with her and…".
"None of us chose to learn 'death', we all learned another form of energy, one you refer to as 'natural chakra'" Tao Ma recalls, "'Death' was forced upon us by the reincarnation technique that the people of Homeworld developed to bring pocket-worlders back from the dead. We could use that on your granddaughter".
Boruto thinks it through. It fits. Tsunade struggled with her own weakness, especially after Dan's death. Their teammate Mitsuki helped her to get stronger by making several training recommendations, including learning sage mode. Tsunade is a sage, if the reincarnation technique were to be used on her, she would awaken the element of 'death'.
"That would be against her will" Sarada protests.
"Ultimately it would be a kindness if it means she and I could understand one another and fight together again" Hashirama counters.
Boruto and Tao Ma voice their agreement to this, leaving Sarada in an awkward position. As the only newcomer she has no choice but to agree with the three of them. She does have other concerns that she voices though.
"You know that Naruto will sense this right? He definitely will try and stop us".
"The last thing I want is an all-out conflict between myself and Naruto" Hashirama says.
Sarada finds this slightly curious. Hashirama has not hesitated to fight against Naruto for his beliefs on two previous occasions. Could it be that he has turned a corner and discovered a new side of his morality? Or is there a tactical reason he is becoming more reluctant to fight the 7th Hokage? Could it be that he is starting to become concerned that he might lose? Is Hashirama worried that Naruto will get stronger?
"The three of us could empower Tsunade together, far away from both camps" Sarada suggests, "We'll head south, back towards the secret entrance and do it there".
"My father is certain to come after us" Boruto says, "But if all three of us work together there is no way that he would be able to defeat us".
"Exactly" Sarada nods, "Not even Lord 7th could win three-on-one".
"… two-on-one…" Hashirama proclaims.
"Huh" Sarada starts, that doesn't sound good. If two of them are going to be fighting Naruto to the south, what is the other one going to be doing?
"The two of you will head south and deal with Tsunade and Naruto" Hashirama says while stroking his chin, "Tao Ma and I will head into their camp and finish off Clyde and Lara".
It is as Sarada feared, the compromise that she would always need to strike to side with Hashirama and Boruto.
"If Naruto were not there to fight us we could win the battle efficiently, avoiding any shinobi causalities" Tao Ma decides, "It's a good plan".
Hashirama continues. "We will get rid of the Homeworlders, help Tsunade to understand our cause and possibly force Naruto into an alliance with us once and for all".
Hashirama, Boruto and Tao Ma are all elated. Tao Ma did look at Naruto during his visit to the pocket world, he looked at him with awe. He had believed at the time he was looking at the single mightiest pocket worlder that had ever lived, and he had only started to scratch his potential. There was more to that pocket world though, there was Hashirama and Boruto, there was Sarada, that world was a real diamond. If he could unify and work together with all four of them, it would be a dream come true for his cause.
"I'm not sure this is a good idea" Sarada says, "Naruto won't enter into an alliance with us if we force 'death' on Tsunade. Also, Boruto and I may not be able to beat him without your help".
"Are you unwilling to try Lord 9th?" Hashirama asks, the tension thick in the air.
"This plan would risk the lives of the shinobi in the village".
"If Naruto isn't in my way I can do this without any shinobi fatalities. You have my word as the 1st Hokage, Uchiha Sarada".
Sarada has no further avenue for protest. "Very well, I'm willing to go along with your plan".
Boruto thanks Sarada for cooperating, knowing that this isn't easy for her. He then asks exactly when this plan would be best executed.
"There's no point in wasting time, we don't need to prepare for a fight so straightforward" Hashirama decides.
"We will begin immediately".