To Become Hokage
Chapter 6 – What makes a clan?
Chapter 6 let's do this! As always I own nothing. Naruto is not mine. Do not sue me. And thank you for everyone that has followed/favorited and commented so far, I appreciate it. Recently I have taken on new creative projects that will force me to spend less time on this story but it's still not something I plan on giving up. I will try my best to update every 2 weeks instead of every week but I won't give up!
Hiruzen pov:
It had been two days of hellishness, two days full of council meetings and two days' worth of constant fighting.
It started off with Danzo standing in his office late into the evening, the dark shadows of the room casting an ominous appearance over the old war hawk.
" Danzo… breaking into my office this late at night, what possessed you to do such a thing old friend?" Asked Hiruzen as he eyed his old teammate from the entrance to his office.
"Is it true?" Simple asked Danzo.
"Is what true?" Replied Hiruzen.
"Have you taken that child in and named him your apprentice?" asked Danzo, seething.
"I have, I don't know how you came across such infor…" Replied Hiruzen before he was interrupted.
"Are you a fool! Have you finally gone senile? When you picked up that child from the street did your mind leave you? Why else would you have given the boy such a prestigious title?" Asked Danzo his voice rising with each question.
Hiruzen, enraged flared his killer instinct and watched with pleasure as the old war hawk took a step back, He was not deluded enough to think that the man couldn't fight him on par with him, but it had been years ago that he last let his anger out like this and that in itself must have been a shock for a man who had decided he had long lost his bite. No, this old dog was not yet down.
"No, I haven't lost my mind but it seems that you have if you believe I will be addressed in such a manner. You're unhappy with my decision? Fine, but I am the leader of this village and I am your Hokage. You may respectfully state your opinion like everyone else but ultimately the last decision is mine and mine alone."
"The council won't stand for this; the village won't stand for this!" Stated Danzo, covering up his slight hesitation and glaring dangerously at his old teammate.
"Well that will have to change like a lot of things in this village will have to change, you can either get on board or fight against me but I promise you I am no longer a passive old man that will sit and watch this village go to hell!" Warned Hiruzen as he pointed at the view of the village below them and the moonlit carvings of the previous Hokages that stony faces simply had to watch as the village they gave their lives to become something so vile under his rule.
"This isn't the end of this" Finished Danzo as he made his way to exit the office.
"No it isn't but do me a favor and never break into my office again, make an appointment like everyone else. I won't be so forgiving next time." Said Hiruzen as he watched the old war hawk stop and look back at him with eyes full of promises, promises of nothing good to come.
Danzo left the room and Hiruzen listened to the man's footsteps until they finally faded out.
Hiruzen wanted nothing more than to go home and sit by the fire and hold his grandson but there were things to do and fights to prepare for. It was time he laid down the law for the future of young Konohamaru and his new responsibility Naruto.
After a long night of stewing over hard decisions regarding his new ward, Hiruzen decided he would call a council meeting to address the matter, hoping to get the worst over and done with.
He had sent out the messenger birds to the council members an hour ago and it wouldn't be long until they gathered in the official council meeting quarters.
He would have waited longer to inform the council of the new changes to the boys' life but his late-night visit from Danzo worried him. Exactly how much power did his old teammate have over the council? Even if he lost all his control of the council Hiruzen was not naive enough to believe that the man had disbanded his shadow army like he was ordered to. He would need to be diligent and careful, if Danzo was shut out completely he would seek power elsewhere and Hiruzen had always believed it was easier to control the spread of a parasite in his own home.
Hiruzen adorned his Hokage robes and ceremonial hat before making his way out his office and down the corridor to the council room, as always he would be the last to arrive. Hiruzen entered the room and made his way to the front of the desk with filled seats.
Hiruzen looked at the members of both the shinobi and civilian council before addressing them.
"You may be wondering why I have a called us to meet this morning on such short notice but before I start I ask that you keep your comments and questions until the end. It was yesterday afternoon when a young child bumped into me as I was making my way through the village center, the child was filthy and had been walking for days with no sandals, his feet bloody. He was starved almost to death but surely would have died if I hadn't found him. This child told me how at 4 years old he had been evicted without notice from our local orphanage and how no one would help him even when he was bleeding and begging in our busy streets."
Hiruzen paused to gauge the expressions of his fellow council members and saw the universal feeling of disgust on the faces of both shinobi and civilians alike. Thoughts of this happening to their own child or family member in their 'safe' village had taken priority in their minds and no one but the Nara clan leader, Shikaku Nara had put two and two together.
"That child was Naruto Uzumaki the holder of the nine tails."
Cries of outrage left the lips of many of the civilians in the room,
"I SAY THAT THING DESERVED IT!" Shouted a dark-haired man in the back of the room, his fellow civilian members cheering at his outburst.
"YEAH! FOR THE GOOD OF THE VILLAGE THAT MONSTER SHOULD JUST QUIETLY DIE AND LEAVE US ALONE!" Responded a pink haired civilian.
Shock coloured many faces of the shinobi council. They knew the boy's status but hadn't seen or heard of him since it was decided that he would be placed in the orphanage with the rest of the parentless children. The severe reaction from the civilian side of the room acted as a culture shock, that was 4 years worth of despise that had been left to stew unchecked. And to think they left the child's care almost fully in the hands of the civilians. Had anyone ever explained to them what a seal could do? That a kunai sealed in a scroll didn't make the scroll a kunai?
"ENOUGH!" Hiruzens voice boomed, silencing the room.
"I have decided to take that boy under my wing as my apprentice. He is currently residing in the Sarutobi clan where he will be inducted as an official clan member. No longer will I put Konoha in danger by allowing its people to isolate and abuse an innocent child who's strength of will is as essential as the seal created by the Yondaime to keep the beast at bay."
Hiruzen looked into the eyes of every single person in the room to make sure that they read just how serious he was. Displeasure painted the faces of the civilian council who knew they couldn't protest in the Hokage's currently dangerous presence no matter how much they wanted to, it would be a death sentence.
Finally turning to the clan leaders in front of him, " You may be wondering why I would do such a thing when the village has such a …'sensitive' power balance. In all honesty, this village isn't where it needs to be and that my fault, grief and old age has taken its toll but I still have to wear this hat. Over the next few months, I will be asking each clan head to take up more responsibilities, I hope you will work with me to change this village and bring it into a new age of glory." Hiruzen received nods of understanding from his clan heads.
Facing his councilmen and women for the last time, Hiruzen turned away and walked out the room.
It was time to create a new Konoha.
If you like this story please follow/favorite or review so I know not to give up. Chapter 6 how are we all feeling? Should I keep the future chapters this length or go back to how it was? Let me know!
I will be uploading this story to Ao3 as well under the name AbsentSun, I know someone of you like their format better so feel free to read from whatever site floats your Naruto fic boats. Hope to see you all in Chapter 7!