A/N:This is a side story for my main fic "The Repentant's Path". Go give it a read! "
Konohagakure village, now a vast metropolis, has become a symbol of resilience, determination and hope. Even though the Kara organization attempted with great viciousness and brutality to completely annihilate the shinobi culture,the Will of Fire burned strong and bright enough to eradicate the darkness the cyborgs brought to Earth. Now shinobi, combining their arts and technology, are deadlier than ever, ensuring that an apocalypse like that will never happen again.
The leader of this grand reconstruction was none other than Sarada Uchiha, who now bears the title of the 8th Hokage. 100 years ago, a Hokage with "Uchiha" as their last name would be unacceptable, but now times have changed. People don't have the time to dedicate themselves to discrimination in this difficult era.
Sarada, now in her mid 30s, obviously never imagined that the duties of the Hokage were so stressful.In the past decade as the leader of the village and with the death of her beloved ones burdening her, she still managed to create something to cherish. A trustful nation and a family. However, she quickly learned that family and leadership can't go together.
Not because Sarada didn't have any time for her family, but because every one of her actions had a direct impact on her children.And one day, she understood than clearly...
In an eerily quiet night in Konoha, Sarada Uchiha was gazing over the old city from the Hokage skyscrapers, two large red twin buildings connected by a bridge that bore the fire nation's insignia. And then, a visitor came to her with questionable demands...
The Hokage's office was dark, with the source of light being Sarada's computer that projected a blue hologram screen and of course, Konoha's city lights. The light illuminated her face, quite resembling her uncle, as her black hair were tied in a half ponytail and her Hokage attire was very similar to the traditional, long collar Uchiha clothes. The Hokage cloak had red, fire-like patterns on the edges, while the Uchiha crest was sewn on the back. She finally wore orange goggles that covered her ears and eyes, pitch eyes that projected her psyche.Her forehead was covered by a red Konoha headband, which bore several dents from decades of combat.
She rapidly tapped her fingers covered by leather gloves on the arms of the chair, as she was clearly anxious and upset about something.Anything that would make the Hokage openly express feelings like these would surely be troublesome. And then, the automated doors leading to the office opened, generating a tiny, shivering squeal.
Under the door stood a tall man, at the height of 190cm.He was blonde,pale, while his eyes were covered by red, rectangular glasses.His ears were pierced by golden ring earrings and his head was covered by a brown cap that bore a Konoha symbol . He was protected by a brown vest that covered his neck and had diagonal protective shoulder pads, while wearing a tucked, long-sleeved black shirt underneath and black pants, with his calves covered by black bandages.Finally, he had a black belt with different pouches and equipment and a saber like sword strapped on it.
The things that stood out on his attire were the white garment with the Yamanaka insignia on it and the bandages that covered his right arm, as if he tried to hide something.
"Is Hayato alright?" he asked with a rough voice, a voice that didn't resemble much of your average 16 years old teen,yet displayed genuine concern.
Sarada appeared displeased by the man's visit and didn't immediately reply, staring at him with a suspicious look.
"Recovering. What do you want?" she spoke sharply and retorted with a question.
"Quite unfortunate he had to learn the truth this way." the man, that appeared to be a Yamanaka clansman, said and slowly walked towards her.
"You could have just told him yourself.No reason to hide the glorious Uchiha days from him." he continued, in a slight sarcastic manner.
"Family matters are none of your concern, Inozen!" she said back, visibly irritated.
The man, named Inozen, grabbed the desk chair from the other side of the Hokage's desk and aligned it with Sarada's, so he could have perfect eye contact with her.
His face was currently more visible and Sarada couldn't help but nail her gaze at the spiderweb-like scar on his right eye that kept it closed.
Inozen then pulled away his glasses and placed them on the table, glancing at her as well with his green eye. He then let out a huge sigh.
"Family eh? The family that have suffered from the consequences of your actions as a Hokage,-"
"What are you trying to say, Inozen?! Why did you come here?" she cut him off enraged.
"You should have already learned that Hokage's duties and family can't go together. Your children are DNA treasure troves and are in the epicenter of the shinobi world, just because they are your children ." Inozen exclaimed, retaining his calmness and collective character.
"Especially now that Uchiha Hayato bears a fucking, goddammed S-tier scientific ninja tool on his body he will be wanted by all of the Shinobi world." Inozen's words made Sarada shiver, even though she considered those info a fact.
"And that's why we have created the Electric Eye to monitor the whole country.And I'm asking again, what do you want Inozen?What's with this prologue?" Sarada said as her patience started depleting.
Inozen then let a slight grin slip,accompanied with a chuckle. He then fell back on his chair.
" I'm offering your children what you couldn't offer. Protection. Something that neither you nor your relatives couldn't offer. Not even your husband because you know, he is d-" then instantly, a senbon flew towards Inozen at ridiculous velocity. It scratched his nose, as Inozen managed to barely evaded it. The senbon was nailed across the wall, cracking it a bit. Clearly, Sarada's raw speed was no joke.
"HE IS MISSING!" she shouted at him, as her cry resounded through the whole building.Sarada losing her patience wasn't an everyday sight.
Inozen, completely unfazed, continued his speech.
"Now, do you understand how my mother felt? Can you take a grasp of her feelings?"
Sarada stared at him, confused. After receiving no reply, Inozen's manner shifted.
"Don't you fuckin' dare give me that look! You know something? I might be die-hard rationalist, but hell do I believe in karma!" Inozen spoke with great irritation and intensity. Then, he started unwrapping the bandages from his right arm, unveiling a bizzare bionic arm, made from metallic wires that were tightly bound together.
He then opened his right eye and revealed a mechanical dojutsu that had the characteristics of camera lens.
"Can you understand that 10 years ago the exact same thing happened?With the only difference being ME INSTEAD OF YOUR SON!" he abruptly shouted with great disrespect, as if his interlocutor wasn't the Hokage.
Sarada, as a response, got up enraged from her chair and grasped tightly Inozen from his collar, pulling him near her.
" Are you comparing me with those that literally experimented on my son, you little shit?" Sarada clenched her teeth and exclaimed, as she desperately tried to not grab Inozen's head and turn it into mince.
"Of course I fucking do! You literally did the same to me!" he pushed her hand away and pulled back. "As if you didn't implant those stuff in me when I was little, powerless, idiot. Of course, my mother tried to stop you,by threatening that everyone will learn what you did to Yamanaka Inozen!..." Inozen pointed at her and their conversation turned into a complete argument.
"My mom was a journalist with balls of steel!In comparison to you, who tried to hide the truth like a pu-"
"Listen here, goddammit!" Sarada abrupted him again, as her eyes narrowed from rage. "Can you understand that I was under pressure from the Yamanaka superiors?Those were the ones that wanted to implant this shinobi-ware in you!"she retorted.
" You had the final word. "
" I had no choice!The village needed a secure surveillance system!"Sarada replied, trying to justify herself.
" So you put the villager over me?"Inozen asked rhetorically.
" What would you do in my place? "and after letting out this question, Inozen's expression, changed, softened. His eye gazed at her with genuine regret, sorrow, while radiating a vengeful vibe. After a second of silence, Inozen spoke with a calmer tone, while a single tear was ready to fall from his eye
" I would definitely not command Yamanaka Inozen to cut his mother's throat."he said, wiping his eye with his bionic arm.
" Oh God Inozen, for the last time!Can you imagine the ruckus that would be created if we let the info slip out!" she said coldly and temporarily got no rational answer, but a sigh.
" It appears that the the conversation on this topic leads nowhere." Inozen talked to himself.
" Glad you understand it! "
" They say that power corrupts people and you, you are the very proof of this! "he continued speaking to himself, without caring that Sarada listened to every word.
" And so, if you want to become like my mother, a mother that truly cares for her son, then accept my offer! " Inozen's words made Sarada reluctant as ever, yet she decided to listen.
"Not only I offer protection to him and his sister,but I'll show them the truth as well, guide them.-"
"What truth?" Sarada intervened once more, retaining her cold attitude.
"Show him the horrors and terrors of the shinobi world. Can't you understand? I literally want to protect Hayato and Sayako, my intentions are noble!" Inozen said, yet it was clear that something about this offer truly stunk.
"What are you talking about?Protect them? What were you doing all this time?It's literally one of your duties to protect Konoha's citizens and and my children are citizens as well."
"Literal my duty is the monitoring and surveillance of the fire nation! I control, export and gather information and nothing more!" Inozen stated and grabbed a piece of paper from his pouch, a paper that clearly displayed his duties towards Konohagakure. Sarada stayed silent,giving no apparent answer.
" M'kay then. "Sarada sighed and fell back on her chair." What are your demands?"
And upon hearing the word "demand", Inozen formed a slight grin on his face. This grin was a grim preview for his... ridiculous demand.
"You are gonna let me do my business as I please. Meaning, I will offer my services to the village in ways I see fit!" Sarada gasped slightly by mistake upon hearing his words. Inozen was notorious for his unorthodox, immoral and corrupted ways to accomplish his goals, ways that were highly questionable in terms of legality. In fact, Sarada and every Konoha shinobi regarded Inozen as a walking casus belli.
Cold sweat streamed in Sarada's cheek,making her stress very apparent.
"What if I refuse?" she attempted to speak calmly and tried to appear relaxed, even though this was almost impossible.
Inozen placed his hands on the table and abruptly came close to Sarada's face. He widely opened his eyes, emanating a creepy aura.
"You know you can't refuse. You can't, because you know that your children are in danger and the only one that can protect them is me. You can't, because I'm such an important asset to Konoha's defence that losing me is like shooting yourself in the head. You CAN'T BECAUSE THE ONLY MAN THAT CAN PREVENT UCHIHA HAYATO FROM BECOMING LIKE ME IS ME! "Inozen screamed until his voice cracked, as Sarada witnessed the evident insanity in his eyes.Yet, contrary to last time, she didn't flinch a bit to Inozen's taunt and managed to retain her composure.
And that's filled Inozen with untamed fury, his failed attempt to break Sarada out of character. Watching her complete indifference about his empty threats pinched a sensitive nerve on him and instinctively drew out his saber, aiming ruthlessly towards her.
"You filthy HYPOCRITE!" he shouted, confident that his slash would land,yet the only thing that Inozen slashed was Sarada's goggles that fell on the ground, shattering into pieces. Sarada herself was... nowhere to be seen.
"Where did she..." he said clenching his jaw as Sarada's silhouette standing upon the table shocked him. It was unclear when Sarada managed to switch places so quickly.
He lifted his gaze, noticing two red, gleaming eyes on Sarada's face which was none other than the loathsome Sharingan, eyes cursed yet much desired by many shinobi through the years. She then made a clear statement in a cold, chilling manner.
"No one blackmails the Hokage."
The 3 tomoe on each eye spun at ridiculous speed, almost appearing as a single circular line. Then, the HUD implanted on Inozen's left eye, the electronic interface that provided him with useful information, started glitching horrifically.Instantly, sharp pain struck Inozen's brain, as if someone ignited it on fire.
He fell on the ground shaking, while gallons of blood streamed through his nose. He foamed and shakes uncontrollably by the bizarre genjutsu that Sarada casted.Nevertheless, Inozen managed to partially break himself from this peculiar Sharingan Genjutsu and, even though it inflicted appreciable amount of damage on his electronics, he initiated his offense.
His bionic arm unwrapped like a flower and broke into hundreds, thousands of tiny metallic wires that were infused with chakra, as Inozen gasped heavily in agony . They swiftly extended towards Sarada, revealing their actual length. However, just when the wires were about to pierce her, she dissappeared once again. Inozen had completely fell under her Genjutsu.
Then, Sarada landed the final attack that decided the winner of the skirmish. Several hundred slashes, slashes accompanied by intense electricity that emitted deafening chirping sounds, appeared on the metallic wires. The wires were shredded into millions of hair-like pieces, destroying Inozen's arm.
Sarada then appeared right besides him,with her right hand engulfed in bright blue lightning.
"You know what Inozen? Fine, I'll accept your offer."she shrugged off, as if nothing happened.
" But next time, if you once more forget who has the upper hand in this village... "she brought her right arm close to his neck, close enough that Inozen felt the burning tendrils of the lightning painfully brushing his jaw.
" This chidori goes through your neck. "
Inozen spat no answer to this warning. What answer could he give anyway, humiliated he was. He only let out a chuckle and a smirk.
"Well, correct answer Hachidaime!" he spoke in a slight sarcastic way.
"Your children - no- the whole village will benefit from it!" and with those words he disappeared in a large cloud of steam, using the body flicker technique.And instantly, at the exact moment Inozen disappeared, Sarada's computer rung, indicating a phone call.
" Dad? " she answered the phone verbally in surprise after reading the callers name.
"Are you okay?" the caller asked worried, as if he spied on the whole situation.
"Me? Yes. Him? Doubt it."
"I think you went too hard on him. I understand, Inozen is a troublesome personality, yet he remains a valuable asset to the village." the caller scolded Sarada for her over-the-top reaction to Inozen's attack, yet she didn't appear to regret it.
She crossed her arms and stared blankly at the floor, letting out a sigh of exhaustion.
" Indeed. " she exclaimed monotonously.
" Don't lose your energy with him Sarada. I'll make sure he'll by no means hurt your children." the caller spoke in an assuring tone, receiving Sarada's grin.
"Don't forget I'm still the Shadow Hokage." and with this line, the caller hung up.
A year later...
"Goddammit, Kakashi! How can you get doubles on each throw!" the voice of an old man followed after the dices fell. This man that was immobilized on a wheelchair and apparently appeared to be a very familiar individual, judging from his bushy eyebrows and energetic attitude. He was none other than Gai-sensei.
Gai, now a shinobi veteran at his 70s, still had the power of youth burning strong inside him. Something that Gai didn't have was his iconic green battle suit and well... most of his hair.
"Hey, narrator! Don't be so harsh on me! Look! At least now I got a cool bushy mustache!" Gai said trying to comfort himself.
On the other side of the table was none other than Gai's eternal rival, Hatake Kakashi, who mysteriously, even in his 70's, retained his gravity-defying hair. He then lifted a piece from the backgammon board and placed it-almost slammed it- on Gai's, declaring his victory.
"And here we are, Gai." Kakashi smiled behind his iconic mask. "75 wins me, 74 you and 47 draws."he mentioned their all - time score in an attempt to tease him.
" GARGHHH, DAMN IT! "Gai slammed his hand on the table." You know what, I don't accept this. Come on, lift your arms! Palms facing towards me! "he demanded and looked thoroughly in Kakashi's kimono sleeves in search for a bizarre trick.
" Gai, please.Stop. "Kakashi said with his usual boring tone. They are gonna kick us out of the cafe. " and suddenly, Kakashi's default expression of pure boredom changed. His eyes widened in shock upon witnessing who stood behind Gai.
It was boy around 12 with long blonde hair, shaven on the back and the sides of his head that were covered by a headband bandana, from which a ponytail stuck out. He had a dead-serious stare, parallelogram pitch - black eyes, while a dim white light was emitted from the center of his iris. He wore a three-striped zipped yale blue jacket, while the collar of his teal shirt sprung upwards. He had simple black cargo shorts,bandages strapped around his calfs and shins and wore the typical shinobi sandals. Finally, he bore a black belt, on which different types of equipment was strapped on.
The boy's expression instantly changed, forming a smile so large that it squinted his eyes.
"Alive and kickin' it seems, doesn't it?" the boy said in a joyous tone. Kakashi didn't reply, awaiting for Gai to turn his head to see who was standing right behind him. If course Gai instantly recognized the boy's voice and sharply turned his head around.
" HAYATO? I-IT'S YOU! "his eyes watered and skyrocketed from his chair and stood on his foot, completely disregarding his disability. He placed his hands on his shoulders and stared a bit at his face.
" You haven't changed at all! "he noticed, unable to hold his tears.
" I mean I'm like...6 months in Kumo, relax."Hayato said in a deaf, almost bored tone. Ignoring his statement, Gai-sensei hugged Hayato affectionately, like a father towards his son.Hayato,on the other hand, felt his back and shoulders getting crushed by Gai's ridiculous strength.
" Yeah, yeah...I... I miss you too, Gai-sensei!" Hayato, barely able to breath, said, trying to get off Gai's hug that seemed like a death grapple.
Gai let him off took a look at Hayato's equipment. Scrolls, paper tags that he has never seen in his life, kunai, electronic devices and other incomprehensible stuff made Gai raise an eyebrow.
"All those peculiar... stuff. Tell me, you haven't been slacking on your taijutsu, haven't you?" and upon hearing those words, Hayato disappeared as a blur, appearing right above Gai, ready to deliver a rapidly falling kick that would unleash unfathomable amounts of damage. This kick was none other than the leaf guillotine.
Even though Hayato was constantly praised about his otherworldly speed and agility, he stood no chance in front Gai and his 60 years of experience. Gai blocked Hayato's kick by placing his arm on his calve and then, using Hayato's momentum against him, slid his hand towards his foot, pushing him back and making him spin several times on the air.
Hayato however managed to find his footing and landed smoothly on the ground on his feet. Thank goodness, the cafe was empty.
"I haven't!" Hayato gave Gai a big smile,a smile that faded when he felt someone tapping his back. It was a robot apparently, a robot that resembled a geisha and it seemed that it served as a waiter.
"Sir, if I you cause any commotion again I'll have to ask you to leave." the robot warned him in the usual dead, robotic tone.
"Come on now" Hayato squatted down to the robot's hight and patted it's head. "Serve your purpose and bring a soda, okay?" and just when Hayato prepared to put a coin in the robot's recess in it's chest, a coin came flying from his right, successfully entering the recess.
"I'll pay for ya!" Kakashi raised his thumb after displaying his genius shurikenjutsu skills.
"W-wow!" Hayato's mouth hanged from shock, impressed by Kakashi's skills that were forged through decades of combat.He then grabbed a chair and sat with them, noticing the backgammon board.
"Seriously?" he frowned, as he instantly understood that Kakashi and Gai weren't just playing a friendly backgammon game.
"You two continue with your stupid rivalry?"
"It's not stupid!" Gai talked back "This rivalry is... is... GAH! IT'S SACRED!" he slammed his hand on the table,moved just by talking about his decades old rivalry with Kakashi.
Kakashi did wasn't a part of this conversation for one solemn reason. He was the only one that noticed the tall man that stood behind Hayato.Kakashi's retained his old cold gaze that struck terror in his enemies, a haze that was the last thing many saw before getting their insides incinerated by a lightning-coated hand.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Kakashi asked menacingly the man. Gai and Hayato turned to see the man that Kakashi talked to. Hayato narrowed his glance upon laying eyes on the man that stood behind him. Gai simply stared at him with no particular interest.
" Yamanaka fucking Inozen!" Hayato whispered to himself and instantly earning a painless, playful slap by Inozen.
"Sup bitch" Inozen said in a dead tone with his usual rough voice. "You're the same shitface as 6 months ago."
"Same to you, asshole." Hayato instantly retorted with an insult.
"But Bumyato, I'm not here to welcome you back, but..." he then raised his arms on his face, tapping his index, point and thumb fingers together.
"Do you hear it? The sound of MONEY!" he exclaimed enthusiastically.
"Inozen" Kakashi sighed "Please tell me it's not one of your usual shenanigans again."
" Yeah, I mean I thought this stream and gaming crap make up enough extra money for you." Gai added a bit puzzled.
"No in fact, I have found a better way to make money. WE GO BOUNTY HUNTING!" he shouted, almost dying from the hype, and lifted his fist in the air.
"That's not...usual of you." Hayato noted, even more puzzled than his sense, Gai.
"The fact is that I need a new, ultra powerful yet ultra expensive graphics card for my PC. And the bingo book might be the solution." Inozen explained, yet the reaction that he got wasn't the one that he expected.
"Oh God. You're gonna slit someone's throat for a goddamn graphics card? " Kakashi sighed once more and slammed his face with his palm.
"Damn this new generation wasting their money on useless stuff!" Gai didn't miss the opportunity to criticize the new generation.
"Well, that's the good thing about messing with the underworld. You can do whatever the fuck you want to this failures of society and no one bats an eye,they are literally punching bags. In other words, easy money!" and after Inozen shared his thoughts, he abruptly came close to Hayato's ears and instantaneously changed the way of his speech.
" Better than waging war on another country and ravaging sacking innocent's people lifes, don't ya think? "Inozen's rough voice made Hayato shiver and so, he didn't answer.
" Anyway, Im asking you to come help me. Come on! You gonna get a fine share of the money!"Inozen shifted back to his previous tone and tried to tempt Hayato.
"I'll... Think of it." he answered awkwardly, trying to shake Inozen off.
"Great! Now, if you decide to show up, which I'm pretty sure you'll do, you know where to find me."
"On your dirty basement that smells like Cheetos? Yeah, certainly." Hayato threw a sarcastic answer, earning Inozen's grin.
"Well, I'm off!" and thus Inozen disappeared, using the body flicker jutsu.Silence followed for a few seconds and the other three threw awkward stares between them.
"Troublesome fellow, isn't he?" Gai broke the silence with a question. Kakashi shrugged in complete indifference, while Hayato kept his silence.
"Well now that he is gone Kakashi-sensei, should I tell you about my immense progress on the chidori?" Hayato asked eagerly, ready to weave signs to unleash the jutsu that he worked on for so long.
"W-wait wait wait wait, NO!" Kakashi attempted to stop him by lifting his arms towards him, as he reflected upon the immense damage that a possible failed chidori would cause to both of the cafe and... his wallet.
"Well, okay, I wouldn't to it anyway.Last time I attempted a chidori on public space I mistakenly electrocuted an old lady."
"You did WHAT?!" Gai and Kakashi shouted together, with enough volume to even shock the seemingly lifeless robot waiter.
TO BE CONTINUED...