The next day, the Hokage was no closer to a solution for the riddle before him. It didn't take a ninja to hear Date cursing and yelling last night, trying to force the sealed cases open. Maikeru seemed to be telling the truth, and now, a new wrinkle had appeared in the form of another group from the Hidden Cliffs, now standing in front of him, led by a man who was proclaiming Maikeru's innocence from the moment he stepped into the room.
"I am Murashi Tsutokiri. I was the man who first discovered Maikeru, washed up upon our shores. I brought him to Chishio-sama for treatment, and later advised him to take Maikeru as his apprentice. I have known them both for years, and I am absolutely certain Maikeru had nothing to do with Chishio-sama's murder. There is no way that-"
He broke off at a wave from the Hokage.
"Yes. I am already quite certain regarding Maikeru's innocence."
"Then…why have you not released him?"
"To simply allow a wanted criminal to walk free because I believe him to be innocent? The answer should be obvious. However…perhaps with your help…"
The Hokage motioned to the chair opposite his. This man was just what he needed…
"Oi! Hinata!"
"N-N-Naruto…kun?"
Naruto had called out to her, and now he was coming this way!
Stand up straight! Check your hair, hair ok? Jacket wrinkled? AHHH fix it fix it fix it Smile! Say hello! SAY IT!
"H-H-Hello, Naruto-kun."
"Hey, Hinata. Umm…"
"W-What's wrong?"
"It's just…on my last mission, we captured a missing-nin, and…he was saying some weird things about the Hyuuga, so…ah, it's probably nothing. Just…be careful, ok?"
"O…Ok!"
He waved as he headed off to rejoin his team, and Hinata meekly waved back as he went.
Naruto-kun is…worried about me? He's worried about me! He actually…hey, wait a second…
"Naruto, do you really think Hinata's in some kind of danger?"
"Well…"
"Just forget about what that missing-nin said. It's not important."
"Hey, it could be! You'd better be careful too, Sasuke-chan, 'cause Sakura-chan might not be there to protect you next time!"
A glare and an incomprehensible grumble was his only reply.
The Hokage stood looking over the execution grounds being constructed, and Kakashi appeared next to him, looking on without a hint of emotion.
"Hokage-sama, isn't this plan of yours something of a gamble?"
"Yes. But it's the only way to be sure. I'm come to learn that Kyosuke's testimony is the only thing that implies Maikeru in Chishio-sama's murder. All we need do is cast doubt on that. A single misspoken word will suffice. Is everything in place?"
"Yes."
"Good. While Maikeru is being escorted to the execution grounds, Tsutokiri-san and his men will 'liberate' him. Once that happens, contact Kyosuke and ask for his assistance in tracking them down. When the two meet, we will quietly observe and learn the truth of the situation."
"And is nothing is gained from this? What then?"
'Then…I shall personally question Maikeru and determine his guilt or innocence, regardless of the methods I am required to use."
After two days in the dark, the prisoner blinked away tears as he was pulled into the bright sunlight. A chuunin stood to either side, holding the chains that bound him. At the end of the long walk, a block of wood, scored and stained, awaited his neck.
Then it began.
First, flashbangs, to 'stun' the chuunin escorting him. They were quickly knocked unconscious, and Maikeru nearly jumped with joy and the chains dropped away. More flash and smoke bombs detonated around them, and through the cover they provided, they made their escape.
"WHAT?"
"I said, a second group from the Hidden Cliff has betrayed you. They have freed Maikeru and are fleeing as we speak."
Kakashi put on a display of fake emotions for the overdressed man in front of him, even though he knew it probably wasn't necessary.
"Then…then…catch him!"
"Unfortunately, most of our senior ninja are not in the village right now. We have organized the genin to assist, and we need your group to help us as well."
"Letting him escape like that, of all the-"
Kakashi made a point of looking apologetic as the man pushed past him. The chuunin behind him would point the group in the 'most likely direction' and luck would take care of the rest.
"So this is all part of the Hokage's plan, Murashi-sempai?"
"Yes. Date will be directed to us. You will confront him, and get him to admit the truth. Konoha ninja will be watching, and the moment that pompous fool slips up, we will capture him."
"Damn…I had heard the Hokage and Chishio-sama once knew each other, but to go this far…"
"Considering what is at stake…this is nothing."
The pair, plus four Cliff nin alongside, settled amongst the trees. They didn't have to wait long.
"Traitors! Surrender in the name of the Hidden Cliff!"
"You're calling me a traitor?"
Maikeru dropped to the ground and was quickly surrounded, Date strutting out in front and pointing dramatically.
"You are a traitor and a murderer! Why Chishio-sama accepted an outsider like you as his apprentice is beyond rational thought!"
"He accepted me because I was the only one who cared more about protecting my adopted home than advancing my political career!"
"Enough! I shall finish what I began and drag you back in chains to face your judgment!"
"What you started? Just out of curiosity, what were you and your men doing in Chishio-sama's house that night?"
"I…we witnessed a disturbance, and went to investigate, only to find you had betrayed and murdered your master! All for the sake of these scrolls!"
He reached to his belt and pulled the scroll cases out, thrusting them forward dramatically.
"But you will never-"
The scrolls vanished, along with half the outstretched arm. For a moment, time slowed to a crawl, dragged down by pure shock, before speeding up again as Tsutokiri's men dropped from the trees and attacked Date's escort. The spray of blood from Date's severed arm hit the ground next to Maikeru, and he jumped away from pure reflex. His body shuddered to a halt, and looking down, found a foot of gleaming steel protruding from his chest. The blade was released, and he fell to the ground, Tsutokiri walking into view, pulling the scroll case from the grip of Date's severed arm and tossing it away.
"Tsu..to…but…you and Ch-Chishio…"
"Yes, yes…old friends, known each other for years. Years! That's how long it took to get close to that paranoid old man. But it was well worth it, considering what is at stake…but the Hokage, at least, was quite accommodating, helping me finish what that fool Date had accidentally interrupted, though in the end, it's actually turned out to my advantage."
Tsukokiri knelt down, daubing his fingers in Maikeru's blood and smearing it over the kanji on the sealed cases. After a long string of hand seals, the cases fell apart and he spread the scrolls out before him, examining each one carefully before tucking them into his vest.
"Alright. There's two things left for us to acquire. The Hyuuga girl and the last Uchiha. Shame their techniques both use their eyes…and with both such impressive techniques, it's going to be so difficult choosing between them…"