Chapter 22.
"The branch house has always been loyal, but the main house abused their power. You brought this on yourself."
"I understand you need to justify your betrayal, Iroha," Hiashi Hyuga coolly replied, "but you don't have to tell your excuses to me."
The leader of the Hyuga main house, held captive in his own home.
"It's not betrayal. We simply– We didn't kill anybody," Iroha of the branch house argued, feeling even himself the weakness of that statement.
"You did not. Your actions did."
Iroha couldn't argue with that. While the branch house did not kill a single Hyuga, there was no reason to say that their alliance with Danzou hadn't. But that was nothing compared to the potential casualties that would've surely happened if this war continued to rage on. If not for the Hyugas, Danzou wouldn've won so decisively, and consequently, much more people would've died.
Iroha's reasoning fell on deaf ears, as the former Hyuga clan Head was no longer paying attention to him. The guard took it as his cue to leave, which he gladly did after asking if their captive needed anything else one last time.
Escaping the imposing man's presence, Iroha kept convincing himself that there was no other choice. At least the Hyuga clan was still alive, including the main branch. Much like Hiashi, they were isolated and confined mostly to their rooms. It wasn't ideal, but the branch house outnumbered the main family, so there was little threat from whatever tricks their suppressed relatives might have.
The main threat was their leader, Hiashi himself. The word goes that he made an agreement with the branch house to spare the main family in exchange for their surrender. Iroha didn't want to believe it, but so far Hiashi's behavior had been uncharacteristically passive. They used chakra suppressors on him, but it seemed there was no need, the man made no attempt to escape.
All he did was have tea. All the time. Iroha, who'd been unfortunate to get assigned guarding duties was forced to deliver the captive's chamomile-green tea blend. He wondered how Hiashi's bladder was still intact with all the tea he was consuming.
Meanwhile, what Konoha shinobi remained of the Resistance were discussing their plan of attack.
"Even with Naruto and Sasuke it's going to be a tough fight," Tsunade said soberly. "Both idiots each lost an arm and the knucklehead is not in his best shape after a year in prison."
Naruto and Sasuke did not dispute the woman's claims. They knew it was true. They were not in their best condition. It will likely take them years to learn how to fight properly with only one arm. The Uchiha avenger didn't know about his friend, but he wasn't ever going to replace the lost limb.
"But they are still more powerful than that old man, Danzou, aren't they?" argued Shizune. "And as one of the Sannin, Tsunade-sama is roughly the same level as Orochimaru."
"We shouldn't underestimate Danzou," Sai chimed in. "He is the leader of Root for a reason."
"Sai is right. People like Danzou always have a trick up their sleeve. Just take the Sharingans that give him a second life, for example."
"Izanagi is a powerful jutsu indeed. However, from my last battle with him, I think he's got only one Sharingan left to perform it," Sasuke revealed, easing his comrades' worries a little.
"You sure?" Tsunade asked. The Fifth Hokage didn't need to explain why that information was critical to them.
"I'm not entirely sure, but he shouldn't have many. One, maybe two, at most."
"You heard that!" the blonde barked. "No fooling around Danzou."
Everyone nodded. There was no fooling around Orochimaru either, if Anko was being honest.
"That leaves us with the plan of action," Hinata muttered, eyes focused on the map of Konoha on the table.
They have been at it for the better part of the morning, and still hadn't come up with any semblance of a strategy. One way or another it boiled down to simply forcing through the enemy's defenses and overwhelming Danzou with Naruto and Sasuke's combined power. Didn't exactly sound as a well thought out plan. If only Kakashi or Shikamaru were here…
Fortunately for them, Kakashi left behind someone who was well versed in these kinds of things. Hanabi looked around, and after confirming that nobody had anything to say, decided to finally make an input.
"I have an idea."
Several heads turned at her in disbelief.
"You? But you are… You know…" Naruto was struggling to choose correct words.
"I may be only a kid, but don't forget who my family is. Between Father's tutoring and Gray-hair's teaching, I think I can help at least a little."
"Who is…?"
"She means Kakashi," Hinata clarified, an encouraging smile on her face.
Her little sister had a keen mind for such things, and Kakashi was arguably one of the best tacticians in the world. Hinata had complete faith in whatever plan Hanabi had come up with. And not she alone, it seemed.
"We are listening," Tsunade voiced everyone's thoughts. Age could be deceiving, she would know.
Seeing as all attention was on her, Hanabi somewhat nervously began.
"Here is the plan…"
And so, the group spent a little over twenty minutes hearing Hanabi's suggestion out. It was a solid tactic, they had to admit. The plan was to send themselves first on a fake attack, leaving their civilian forces behind a good distance away in an ambush, so that they will be unnoticed by the enemy's Byakugan. After their initial "attack" failed, make it seem as if they were retreating to draw enemy in right into their trap. This strategy of feigned retreat was a somewhat obscure form of warfare to ninjas, and much more widely used by regular non-shinobi armies.
"This… is not a bad idea," commented Sasuke, impressed by the girl's resourcefulness. "Danzou doesn't know that we have acquired the support of the civilians, so the ambush will come as a complete surprise."
"And because they are civilians, they are less likely to be deemed as a threat by the enemy Hyugas," added Hinata.
It was unlikely that Danzou himself will give chase, but he will be certain to lose a good portion of his troops if their strategy works. Mentally, Hanabi thanked Kakashi's mentorship. His lessons on battle strategy provided great insight. Most shinobi are only concerned with becoming more powerful. Rarely do they think about learning anything unless it directly improves their skill.
Kakashi was not most shinobi. And Hanabi will follow his example.
She now understood why he was a living legend. There were three people in this room who could easily be considered as more powerful than him. Yet, Kakashi had seen more action than two of these people combined and probably even more than the third, despite her older age. This was more than anything a testament to Copy Ninja's abilities. He won battles with his brains and not his jutsu, even though it was the latter that he was so infamous for. Kakashi, Hanabi realized, was a more dangerous opponent in the long run than even the likes of Naruto and Sasuke.
"If you guys agree on my plan, I have some more suggestions."
Now even Hinata was surprised. Hanabi was smart, but to come up with even more…
"Go on," Tsunade urged once again, with everyone listening more attentively this time. The Fifth Hokage smirked, watching the girl brainstorm ideas; clearly, Hatake wasn't slacking off with this one. She may have been Hokage, but the truth was she wasn't a good strategist. She was a medic first and foremost, all the stuff about politics and battles only ever gave her headache.
"What poses the most danger in our enemy?" Hanabi asked suddenly, eyeing the adults one by one.
"Izanagi," Sasuke said.
"Orochimaru," answered Anko.
"Root," Sai shot back.
Hinata and Tsunade both shook their heads, smirking.
"The Hyugas," the younger woman said, confident in her answer.
"Neesan is right," Hanabi announced with a matching smile. "Think about it: the Byakugan provides unobstructed, absolute vision. Any attemps at sneaking, any jutsu – all will be noticed. Not to mention that the Hyuga clan's numbers contribute significantly to Danzou's forces."
"I see," said Sasuke, stroking his chin, "you have a plan to deal with them. Does it have anything to do with that Cursed Mark seal you mentioned the day before?"
Hanabi smiled. To remember such detail and correctly deduce her plan from it; the Uchiha truly was Gray-hair's student. Everyone else, however, seemed confused.
It was Tsunade's turn to explain things.
"The mark they are talking about is a seal placed on every member of the branch house. When activated by a member of the main family it causes debilitating pain, rendering the victim completely defenseless," the blonde said, looking at the Hyuga sisters for confirmation.
Hinata nodded. "And we happen to have two members of the Hyuga clan's main house with us."
"Really? Who?"
Everyone facepalmed.
"I find it hard to believe that Naruto can be that dumb," Sai commented, provoking their blond friend even more.
"Trust me, he really is," Sasuke deadpanned. To not be aware of such a simple fact about someone you've known for many years…
"I was just joking, no need to insult me, dattebayo," Naruto grumbled, turning away from his teammates indignantly.
Everyone shared a brief timeout to laugh at their friend's antics before getting back on track with their discussion. They planned and prepared until the rest of the day, by the end of which everyone, including their civilian comrades was aware of their strategy.
Later that day, when everyone was already back inside their tents taking some much-needed rest, a certain Hyuga will remain outside and ponder.
Early January usually brought warmer weather, and together with it, clearer nights. Tonight was one of those clear, serene nights. Yet, Hinata found herself unable to go to bed, even though her sister was already sound asleep in their tent a few steps away. Despite the disappearance of snow, air was still crisp, but the cold Hinata felt had nothing to do with the temperature around.
It was the third night she spent apart from Kakashi, and wife couldn't help but worry for her husband. From Anko's words he is alive but being alive was hardly the only thing important to Hinata. How was he? How well was Ibiki treating him? These are the questions Hinata found asking herself when her mind wasn't being occupied by the thoughts of their impending battle.
To put it simply, she missed Kakashi.
"Just you wait, we are coming for you," she whispered into the night, before turning back towards her tent.
Tomorrow was an important day, and she had to force herself to rest somehow.
Miles away in the center of Konoha, Danzou was coming back from yet another failed interrogation session with Hatake. His frown deepened when the door opened before him, revealing his ever-present councilors.
"The torture didn't go well, I take it?" Koharu sneered.
Her companion sent the woman a pointed look. Danzou clearly was vexed, but she didn't have to rub it in his face.
"I have little patience to deal with your games. What do you want?"
Yeah. Their Hokage definitely wasn't in the mood. Homura cleared his throat before Koharu could antagonize him more.
"We've heard of the sudden 'disappearance' of our ANBU commander, as well as a number of 'suicides' that seem to plague the arrested rebels lately," the old man laid it out for Danzou, raising his brow.
"So, you suggest it has something to do with me?" asked their Hokage, no attempt at hiding his true feelings on the matter.
"Cut it out, Shimura, we all know that it's your doing!" exploded Koharu. "Don't you see what pit you are pushing yourself into?"
"Your control is slipping, Danzou," Homura finished.
Danzou had enough with those two, constantly poking their noses where they shouldn't! He wasn't an idiot. He was perfectly aware of how dire his situation was. Which was why he still didn't execute that bastard, Kakashi. He needed the information on the rest of the rebellion. He couldn't even spare men to keep an eye on those lazy refugees holed up in the forest twenty miles away. The jinchuuriki and that Uchiha criminal were too dangerous to be left to their own devices. Not to mention Tsunade. She was no doubt itching to take Konoha for herself.
"I am aware of the attitudes around in Konoha," he forced through gritted teeth. "Which is why I am pulling most of the ANBU stationed in foreign lands back to the village. We will lose presence in our enemies lands but at least the situation here will be stabilized."
Homura shook his head while Koharu who stood beside humphed derisively. Their old friend has changed. Years ago, when they were still young and Hiruzen was his best friend, Danzou recognized the value of compassion. Now it seemed power was the only thing he had faith in. Bringing in more military to fight his own people… Did he truly think that would end well?
"You think sensei would've approved of your actions if he were with us?" Homura asked, one last attempt to make Danzou see reason.
To their Hokage, that remark seemed to be the last straw instead.
"Tobirama-sensei is not with us!" Danzou roared in anger, completely losing his composure. Chair screeched back as he abruptly stood and documents flew out of his desk, scattering all around the office. Realizing his slip up, Danzou took a few deep breaths and returned back as if nothing happened, the papers lying on the floor, ignored. "He is not here," he muttered, lifting his gaze from the desk back to the stunned councilors. "You may leave."
Disappointed, the pair did as asked after recovering from Danzou's outburst. There was no hope for their old friend. It was too late for words – his issue lied much deeper within his heart.
"I don't care what you think, sensei," Danzou uttered when he was alone once again. "You were wrong."
They all were making a mistake. Tobirama-sensei… Saru… All of them. The fact that they were dead and he was still alive only further proved it. This world is merciless. History doesn't care about justice, because those who win and survive are the ones to write it. And justice is whatever those who win say.
Second Hokage was wrong to sacrifice his life for them. Just as Hiruzen was wrong to do the same. Strong shouldn't protect the weak. Rather, weak must become stronger to protect themselves. And that will never happen if strong keep throwing their lives away for those who don't deserve it.
'Konoha is her people…', 'Konoha is younger generations…' Feh!
Konoha is the power she exerts on others, the mark it leaves in the history of this world! And Danzou would do anything to preserve the true Konoha.
This chapter is a short prelude to the battle. Consider it as a calm before the storm.
Once again, thanks you guys for your support and criticizm. Believe me when I say that it helps A LOT. There is like 60k words worth of story I ultimately ended up discarding because it was crap and you guys deserve better. Even though I'm not a good writer, I try to do my best.
What I'm trying to say, I guess, is feel free to point out any mistakes. Cheers.