Chapter 21.

Danzou just returned from Hatake's morning interrogation session to discover that the person he was supposed to be waiting for was already in his office. Head of Konoha's ANBU division was a highly disciplined man, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that he was overly punctual. As soon as he noticed his Hokage, the ANBU immediately stood up from his chair and bowed.

"You called for me, Hokage-sama."

Danzou smiled. Even though the ANBU commander always made sure to follow protocol there was no respect in his tone. It was clear that the man did not like his Hokage, and just followed him out of loyalty to the village.

"Yes, Shikibu, how are you doing? I have an important task for you."

The ANBU addressed didn't show any outwards reaction, but Danzou could sense the man tensing up almost imperceptibly when his hand touched his shoulder.

"What would that be?" asked Shikibu, notes of irritation seeping through his stoic façade. "I will need a few days to mobilise my forces, in any case."

He was the Head of ANBU for goodness's sake! He was one of the four main political powers in the village. Why does he need to personally listen to Danzou's whims? Wasn't it enough that his division was spread across the continent doing all the job while the Root were sitting around in the village doing nothing?

He didn't get to stew in his anger though, as he heard Danzou's next words.

"Oh, no, you don't understand. This task is only for you."

"What do you mean, sir?"

Instead of answering, his Hokage gave him another smile and asked a question of his own.

"You've been a part of ANBU for how many years now?"

"Twelve years, sir."

Danzou nodded, seemingly impressed.

"And how many missions have you completed?"

Something started to feel off for Shikibu. Nevertheless, he replied dutifully.

"Eight hundred, sir. 168 D-rank, 207 C-rank, 112 D-rank, 278 A-rank, 35 S-rank."

"Impressive," Danzou praised, not really meaning it.

Rising through the ranks prevented Shikibu from completing more missions, but his record still was one of the best in the force. He trained as hard as everybody else so no one could accuse him of slacking off either. The ANBU commander wondered what he was called here for? It couldn't be just to examine his qualifications, could it?

He didn't need to wonder for long, as the answer came soon enough.

"What do you think?" asked Danzou suddenly.

"I… I am not sure if I follow, sir," Shikibu responded, thinking the question was addressed to him.

"He'll do," echoed a sickly voice from behind.

Turning around, the Head of ANBU saw someone he would have never expected to see step foot in Hokage's office. What was Orochimaru doing in Konoha? Why was Danzou talking to him as if he invited the serpent himself? Before he could muster a reaction, he felt something prickle his neck. His instincts kicked in, and he jumped away as soon as the needle pierced the skin.

"What is going on? Have you lost your mind, Danzou?" he didn't even bother with protocol anymore.

"And I thought you were perceptive," tsk-tsked his Hokage. "You see, we needed a container for Orochimaru, and the choice fell on you. Though I still don't understand why we couldn't use that purple-haired former student of his."

"There is no need to struggle," Orochimaru chimed in with a half-amused smile on his face. "In a couple of seconds, you'll fall asleep and won't wake up again." He then turned to Danzou, "I told you that Anko's body would be unsuitable."

As the tranquilizer started taking its effect, Shikibu's anxiety subsided. Those two monsters casually chatted there while he was about to die. He really did pick the wrong side. He should've just followed Hatake's example and at least try to fight against Danzou. He regretted his decision to refuse Hatake help a year ago, when Danzou usurped the power.

Well, it was too late for it now.

"Damn… you…"

With those final words, the drug finally knocked the ANBU down.

Danzou and Orochimaru watched as the newly arrived Root agents dragged the unconscious body away.

"He is not the strongest shinobi your village has to offer, but his body will do," Orochimaru said, before following after the Root.

Hokage smirked. When Orochimaru takes over Shikibu's body, the snake will once again become the fearsome Sannin. It seemed Danzou gained a powerful ally today. All that was left was to destroy Naruto Uzumaki and nobody will be able to stand in his way.

Meanwhile, in the bowels of the Torture and Interrogation department, Kakashi lied sprawled on the cold floor of the torture room. Todays session was even worse than a day prior, but once again, he somehow pulled through without breaking. Moreover, his body seemed to start adapting to the strain, and he already felt like he could get up by himself. Kakashi didn't get to test his theory out because the door opened with a creak, allowing a feminine figure inside.

Momentarily blinded by the bright light that came from the open doorway, Copy Nin did not immediately recognize Anko Mitarashi, his batchmate from the Academy. Even so, he wasn't surprised to see her here, considering that she worked in this place under Ibiki.

"You look much better than yesterday, Hatake," she said by way of greeting.

"And you look like you've seen a ghost, Anko," Kakashi replied, allowing the woman to assist him in sitting up.

"You have no idea…" there was something sobering in her tone.

Ignoring the headache and his exhaustion, Copy Nin lifted his head to have a better look at the woman. His initial observation stood true; the confidence she typically exuded was nowhere to be seen. Instead, Anko looked anxious, almost panicked.

"What happened?" Kakashi prodded, sensing the woman's hesitation.

"He's back."

Kakashi's eyes widened in shock. Only one person in all of the Elemental Nations could elicit such behavior from Anko.

"Orochimaru," he exhaled, not needing her to answer. It was written on her face.

Anko nodded, feeling the bile rise in her throat. How shameful! So many years have passed, and she still felt the anger like it was just yesterday that he betrayed her. She shouldn't feel anything. Orochimaru should be nothing to her.

"What… are you going to do?" he asked, wincing from a particularly labored movement. Perhaps he was hasty in thinking that he could recover that quickly.

"You think I'm going to chop down on him and try to kill him?" Anko said, as if reading his thoughts. She smirked, memories she no doubt wasn't proud of resurfacing. "Been there, done that. Didn't turn out very well for me."

"Then… what?"

"Isn't it obvious? I'm getting the hell out of here," the woman said as if it was the easiest thing to do. "Thought you might have a message for your 'dear wife'," she teased, mocking the way he always addressed Hinata.

Kakashi sighed, his lips stretching in a smile. His friends truly did not change a bit during all these years. There was no point in trying to dissuade Anko.

"Tell her and Hanabi that Hiashi is alive," he began, feeling a little embarrassed, "and tell Hinata I love her."

"Idiot. You don't say these kinds of things to a girl through a messenger," Anko scolded him, rolling her eyes. "You say that yourself once you get out of here."

"But what if I die before letting her know?" Kakashi asked, and Anko could see that it really bothered him. Why else would he even consider asking her to relay such a personal message?

"Then don't die," she replied simply, turning to leave. Before she re-opened the door, she addressed him one last time. "I'll tell her that you'll be alive."

'The rest is up to you,' was left hanging in the air as the door closed behind Anko's form.

Kakashi crawled to the nearest wall and sat leaning on it. Breathless, he faced the reinforced door. Soon the guards should come fetch him back to his cell. He wanted to use that time to rest and think properly. Before the exhaustion claims him and the nightmares come back...

Tsunade-sama and others should reach the borders of Konoha's lands by now. Anko was an outstanding shinobi, he had no doubt that she will somehow escape the village unnoticed. By the time they will notice her absence it will already be too late. The day of the final confrontation was coming near. Orochimaru's presence complicated things, but Kakashi was confident in his friends' abilities. Anko will let them know and they'll be prepared.

The door creaked again, signaling the guards' arrival, and Kakashi quietly slid back down on the floor. There was no need to let his guards know that he was recovering faster than he should. The chakra suppression binds on his wrists were problematic enough. He had to use every little thing to his advantage. If the enemy will underestimate him ever so slightly because of his current condition, then so be it.

Hinata stood at the edge of the refugee camp, a restless expression on her face. Having been waiting unmoving at the same spot for the whole morning, she began sensing the panic she so desperately tried to hold at bay creep back, along with the stiffness in her muscles.

Sasuke left in the middle of the night, claiming that he had to meet Naruto and Tsunade-sama midway and escort them here. It was almost afternoon and none of them was nowhere to be seen.

"Don't worry, sis, they'll be here soon," she heard Hanabi's voice from behind.

Turning around, she saw her little sister carrying two bowls of rice. The girl came up to her, offering one of the portions. Thanking her silently, Hinata halfheartedly picked on the food.

How could she not worry when the fate of everyone, including Kakashi, depended on whether Naruto and others will arrive soon or not. People at the camp have become anxious…

"Oh, by the way, there is this ninja lady," Hanabi began, remembering something. "She just arrived from Konoha, no idea how she managed, but–"

The speed with which Hinata turned back could make even Lee jealous.

"What? Who? Where?" she gripped Hanabi's shoulders, shaking the girl with each question.

"Oneesan, relax, she should be coming soon," she replied, trying to escape Hinata's hold. "Oh, there she is."

With those words, Hanabi gestured behind her sister. Hinata saw an older woman with dark purple hair approaching them. She immediately recognized her as the toukubetsu jounin, one of Kakashi's peers.

"Finally, I found you," Anko said, a sigh escaping her lips, "I swear, Hatake is rubbing off on you." It was only at the opposite side of the camp that she finds her.

At the mention of Kakashi, both Hinata and Hanabi practically raced to the woman.

"Is he okay?"

"Did you see him?"

"Wow, wow, hold on," Anko said, backing off a little from the eager pair. "I'll tell you everything about your precious Kakashi-kun, just let me sit down. It's been a very stressful journey here." She stretched her shoulders to make her point.

The sisters waited impatiently while Anko slowly made herself comfortable. They could swear she was doing it deliberately just to tick them off. Nevertheless, as soon as she was done she went straight to the point, telling them everything about Kakashi, Orochimaru and what was happening in Konoha.

"… by the way, your father is alive too," she finished her tale, pulling a pack of dango from the pocket of her trenchcoat, frowning a little as she realized it was the last one.

While she was busy eating her sweets, Hinata and Hanabi were busy digesting everything she'd told them. Anko smirked as identical grins slowly appeared on the girls' faces. The special jounin took the Hyuga sisters' distraction as an opportunity to observe them. It was clear that they were relieved. It seemed the confirmation of Kakashi and their father being alive had invigorated them as the two started talking animatedly, discussing their next actions.

Who would've thought that Hatake will find a family? Certainly not Anko. But the evidence was right there before her eyes. These girls looked like the ones who'd make that idiot happy.

'Don't you dare to die now, Hatake,' she thought to herself. If he dies now that everything is finally seeming to be going well for him… Well, then they'd have to bring him back if only just to kill him again themselves.

Mood markedly improved, the three of them rested on the cool morning grass, each in their own world, when they heard a commotion on the other side of the camp. Turning their heads, they saw a flock of large unnatural looking birds approach their encampment from the sky.

"What the…"

It was the first time Anko saw so many of Sai's birds gathered in one place. There probably were a couple dozen of them, all much bigger than what he'd usually summon. They seemed to carry some boxes as well – how strange. All that was forgotten, however, when they flew closer, as Anko noticed people mounted on them and couldn't help but smile at the sight.

"Tsunade-sama! Naruto-kun!" Hinata shouted, even going as far as using her Byakugan to make sure it was really them.

"Finally."

Hanabi's remark couldn't have been more appropriate.

The crowd parted to allow the giant birds some space to land, and as soon as their ink feet hit the ground Naruto jumped down. People cheered from all around, the Hero of the Leaf was finally there, accompanied by the former Hokage no less. They'd make sure everything will be fine.

The blond hero himself, a little overwhelmed by all the attention, just scratched the back of his head.

"He-he, I'm glad to see you too."

The crowd halted when Sasuke came up to him and put his hand on his shoulder. Clearly, the man was still considered a criminal among Konoha's populace.

"He's with me, guys," Naruto reassured, smacking the Uchiha's back so hard the man almost lost his balance. "He'll help us defeat Danzou and then we can all talk whatever issues out together."

That seemed to somewhat comfort the people, and Naruto moved on. He gestured to the large crates they brought with them from the Land of Snow. In all the bustle and excitement nobody paid attention to those containers strapped to Sai's birds. Eight ninja hounds led by Pakkun stood at attention beside the crates. Naruto gave a signal and Kakashi's ninken summons broke them open. A heap of ammunition slid out of the crates, shocking the refugees. There was everything – armor, swords, spears, shields, even bows and arrows!

This could only mean one thing.

"Together, we will take back our village and establish a new government. The one that is fair and just to everyone, shinobi or not!" Naruto rallied, pumping his fist up. "What happened over the course of the past year was eye-opening to me and Granny Tsunade. Konoha's system as of now is far from ideal, and we promise we'll work hard to make it as good as possible. In return, we just ask for your help."

A collective gasp echoed through the whole camp. They wanted them to fight against Danzou?! From the lost expressions on their faces Hinata could already tell that things weren't going to be as smooth as Naruto perhaps imagined.

"Why shocked faces?" Tsunade's voice roared, making even Shizune who stood nearby recoil. "Need I remind you that while we fought the war Danzou usurped the power? Or that he put your beloved Naruto in prison? Now, he destroys your village and you still expect us to be all friendly with the bastard?!" She nodded in the direction of the weapons they brought. "These are not some regular armor and weapons. It is the newest development of the Land of Snow – the anti-jutsu weaponry. That armor is resistant to any type of chakra attack, and the weapons are just as deadly as any other blade."

The Fifth Hokage's authority was such that even a few words spoken with rigor were enough to make people fall in line. This time, however, it didn't seem to be enough. It wasn't that people didn't want to get rid of Danzou, no. By this time everybody in Konoha was more or less fed up with their despotic Hokage.

"They are afraid to fight," Hinata muttered, feeling anger boil within her. Even with that powerful armor they were scared.

Tsunade seemed to realize that too, for disappointment washed over her face. She looked everyone present over; there had to be more than a thousand people in this camp! All of them harmed by the government, all of them had to abandon their homes just because they were picked out to be suspects by Root. And now, when they finally have a chance to fight back, they refuse?

"What's wrong with you, people!?" they heard an angry voice from somewhere.

Heads turned, only to see a girl no older than thirteen stare at them with disgust.

"So many people sacrificed themselves for you, and now that you have a chance to pay them back, you are all cowering with your tails between your legs!" Hanabi said, unable to hold her rage.

Her words only seemed to provoke the civilians even more.

"It's because of your rebellion we are in this state. Other people could safely return to Konoha, but people like us who were unjustly prosecuted will be arrested!" one man shouted back.

"Yeah, we stayed here in this camp because you told us that you'll talk things out with Danzou and he'll let us come back," seconded another woman. "We knew nothing about your plans to fight Hokage."

The crowd started to get more and more agitated. People started arguing among themselves. Some were even directly accusing Tsunade-sama and the Resistance. Hanabi was seething. She looked like she might attack one of them if it went on any further.

Hinata's eyes darted between the angry mob and her friends, and the words left her mouth by themselves.

"Will everyone SHUT UP!" she yelled at the top of her lungs, coming to stand beside Naruto.

Immediately, all the fighting stopped. People looked at her, silenced by their shock. Even Tsunade seemed like she couldn't believe her ears. It was no secret that Hinata was one of the gentlest people in Konoha, and few haven't heard the tales of the timid Hyuga princess disowned by her father for her softness.

All the more terrifying was her outrage.

"Are you citizens of Konohagakure or not? Naruto is not asking you to fight for him," she gestured to the blond jinchuuriki, "he is asking you to fight with him. And even if you refuse this request to the person who has the least obligation before you, he is still going to fight!"

Hinata looked around at the people who surrounded them. A sea of faces, hundreds of them. All sporting guilty expressions. They all remembered how they treated Naruto in the past, and how he, despite their mistreatment, had saved their village not once but twice.

"He will still fight for you. For us! But this time I am not going to stand aside and let him sacrifice himself for our village. I will be fighting alongside him!" Hinata's words resounded, causing a number of heads to look up at her.

"Me too!" they heard Hanabi shout from her side.

"Hn," Sasuke nodded, followed by everyone else from their group.

One by one, Tsunade, Shizune, Sai and Anko pledged themselves to the cause. It was everyone else's turn now.

There was complete silence. Nobody dared to speak for a long while, until one middle aged man broke off from the crowd. Slowly, he approached the Hatake's wife.

"I didn't realize it at the time, but your husband saved my life," he spoke to Hinata so that everyone could hear. "I am a mere vendor; was selling fast-food on the street when one crazy shinobi destroyed my stall and tried to kill me. But Hatake-san stopped him and arrested us both."

Everyone gasped but were quickly reassured by the vendor.

"My reaction was similar to yours. I spent a month in a detention center, and I began to hate the man that put me in there. Imagine my surprise, however, when my family was given a check for money roughly equal to what I would earn had I not been imprisoned, plus some on top to cover for additional expenses. I was happy to have at least that, but turns out Hatake-san did more than that… When I came to my usual place with a brand-new stall, other vendors told me that the ninja who tried to kill me had been looking for me. Thankfully he stopped searching after a few weeks, right before my release," he said, turning to the crowd. "That was when I realized that Hatake-san put me in prison not to punish me, but to save me from that brute's revenge. He then killed that man with his own hands, from what I heard protecting the Aacademy students. I owe my life to the Hatake clan," he bowed to Hinata, "and we all owe our lives to Naruto Uzumaki."

With those words he picked up a random sword from the pile, clearly letting everyone else know on whose side he was going to fight.

Hinata smiled, feeling immense pride for her husband. Even now, so many miles away he continued to save her. She hoped others would follow the vendor's example and find something to help defeat the fear in them. Konoha's famous Will of Fire could not burn so dim. Just as the thought passed her mind a boy ran up to the crates and picked a bow.

"My name is Saburou!" he exclaimed proudly, "and I am the best bowman in Konoha. It would be a shame for me not to use my skills against the bad guys. I saw Hatake once, and I can't say that he is a bad guy."

Despite the boy's cocky statement and more than a little flawed logic, his heart was in the right place. People looked surprised and even more ashamed to be outdone by a child, but still nobody was eager to step forth. Until the next person spoke up, that is.

"He is right!" they heard a feminine voice. Turning to the direction of the voice, Hinata's eyes widened when she recognized the woman that appeared out of the crowd. "My name is Fukuda Chiyo, and I am a teacher at the Ninja Academy. I returned from my vacation in the Land of Hotsprings to discover our village in shambles. People were pouring from the gates; I couldn't even peek inside to see what was going on – so many of you were running through. But I did witness one thing," she spoke heatedly, "Kakashi Hatake and all the other shinobi who fought Danzou surrendered in exchange for your freedom!"

The accusation rang true. It was obvious to everyone else who exactly was present at that time, for these people's faces hung low in shame at the memory. Fukuda continued, mercilessly tearing down the citizens of Konoha.

"Brave men are a city's strongest tower of defence," she said, fire behind her eyes. "No wonder Konoha fell…"

Shaking her head in disappointment, the literature teacher quietly went up to the crates and picked a spear for herself. There were no Academy students with them today to show just how loyal ninjas could be to their village. As their teacher, she had to uphold the same values, otherwise she couldn't be able to look them in the eye, much less teach them anything.

Hinata stood, impressed by the three civilians' bravery. And it seemed not only she alone. Fukuda's speech seemed to trigger a chain reaction, as more and more people volunteered to receive their gear. It wasn't long until all of the weapons were distributed among the villagers. In fact, there weren't enough, so many of Konohans opted to fight with whatever they could find. It seemed only a moment ago they were afraid to touch the weapons, and now they were adamant to battle in their kimonos, armed with hoes and shovels.

"Good job, Hinata," the woman heard Tsunade praise her as their makeshift army lined up for the tally. "These people would be lost had you not spoken up."

Hinata didn't feel like she deserved any recognition, but nodded, nevertheless. Watching the determined but still very much anxious faces of her comrades, she addressed the people one last time.

"Naruto earned the right to call himself a citizen of Konoha, even though he shouldn't have had to. Today it's our turn!"

As soon as the words left her lips the crowd erupted in a roar. Armor clanked, weapons were raised, people cheered one last time before the most important battle in their lives. They knew what they signed up for, and they didn't want to keep being cowards anymore. Hatake-san was right, it was their village. If they wanted ninjas to treat them equally, they had to help when their shinobi had trouble fighting by themselves.

"Couldn't have said better myself," Tsunade commented with a smirk.

"Just thought it would be something Kakashi would say," Hinata explained, slightly embarrassed.

"Oh, trust me, that robot would never dream of saying something like that," Tsunade argued, making Anko and Shizune nod in agreement.

"Yeah, he'd probably say something along the lines of, 'Don't worry, by my calculations, only 7% of you will die'," Hanabi snickered.

"That's not true!" Hinata exclaimed, outraged on her husband's behalf. "Kakashi is a great leader."

Everyone burst into laughter. Hinata looked at them quizzically, trying to comprehend what was going on.

"Relax, neechan," Hanabi said, "we are just teasing. But you gotta admit that Gray-hair is not the best motivational speaker."

Hinata still couldn't agree. Although she didn't want to give them any more ground to tease her about, so she decided to ignore it. Besides, they had more important matters to deal with. Namely, their strategy for the upcoming siege. From Anko's information, Orochimaru joined forces with Danzou, which added to the list of their problems.

'Hold on for one more day, guys,' Hinata spoke in her head, thinking of all her friends in Konoha.

Soon, everything will end, and they'll once again be free.

And so the day of final confrontation draws near.

Danzou, Orochimaru + Root and loyalists -VS- Naruto, Sasuke, Tsunade + friends and equipped civilians. Which team do you think is stronger?

Btw, do you guys remember those side characters from previous chapters?

As always, thank you for reading. I hope my little fantasy brought at least some positive emotions to you guys.

P.S. I do not write Author's Notes particularly often, because I think it can distract from the story. But this time I couldn't help it. Sorry