Chapter 1: Checkmate.
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-----Hope decays…Generations disappear…Washed away as a nation simply stares. -----
-The Little Things Give You Away, Linkin Park -
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"Akatsuki has fallen…"
The news had spread like wildfire the day the unpopular crime organization had been reduced to ash. As their plans to capture the nine powerful tailed beasts had been thwarted, their aspirations for a totalitarian regime had become an impossible reality. Any threat they had once posed to the sanctity of the ninja world had all but evaporated.
Uchiha Sasuke smirked as he recalled his hand in their defeat. They had underestimated their grasp over him, as most who used him as their lackey normally did.
The twisted truth Uchiha Madara had spun to use Sasuke for his own purposes had become unravelled. It became apparent that Madara had been the sole player in the twisted games the Konohagakure government had once conducted as he had influenced both the planned coup d'état on the side of his clan and the decision to use Uchiha Itachi to exterminate the threat of rebellion. Added to the fact that Madara had been the culprit who had unleashed the nine-tails fox demon on the village, as well as the one who aided in the merciless slaughter of the Uchiha clan, Sasuke had finally understood his place in the endless game of chess that had become his life.
While Sasuke's older brother had died at his own hands, it was not without purpose. Itachi had ensured that Sasuke's tragic upbringing would one day lead to the obliteration of Madara while passing on Amaterasu to aid him in their final battle.
Upon revelation of the true reason for his damnable existence, Uchiha Sasuke had spared Konohagakure for their implementation in the demise of his family. He would follow his brother's ideals and recognize that the Uchiha clan had torn itself apart from the inside out, and would have, with or without Konoha's influence. Thus was the cruel fate of immense power.
Now, five years after Akatsuki's destruction, Sasuke remains standing as the last surviving member of the Uchiha bloodline. Despite the redemption that should have been his, Konohagakure still considered him an outcast, and as he could only vaguely recall the life he had once led, this suited him just fine.
He had returned to the only other location he knew could serve as his new home: Otogakure.
The village, after the demise of his last mentor, Orochimaru, had dispersed only to be re-formed by outcasts from every great country. Upon his return, there had been no doubt amongst its residents that Sasuke had the right to become the village's leader, and had declared him to be the Otokage.
While the five most powerful hidden villages would never consider him to be a true Kage, Otogakure had become a stable and economically growing force in the Land of Sound that would someday join their ranks.
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As he took his seat at the head of the table in the circular council chamber, Sasuke heard the familiar hush as his nine advisors turned to give him the full attention his position demanded.
"Status report." Sasuke requested.
"We've had twelve completed missions this past week; one of which was an A-rank mission for Sunagakure. We have five more requests pending, three for Kirigakure and two for Kumogakure. Our alliance with these villages continues to strengthen our economy. The Academy reports amazing progress in the village's young, while current team leaders express their satisfaction with the work of their pupils. Construction on the improvements in our east-district is near completion. Plans for next month's festival celebrating the arrival of the Kazekage's visit are well underway." The advisor to his right had stood to read the summary from his clipboard.
Sasuke nodded, notifying the speaker to take his seat. He was definitely satisfied with the way his village had been developing at a rapid pace.
"Ensure the construction is complete before our guest arrives. We need our town to be presentable during his stay if we have any hopes of receiving his continual support. This sojourn is crucial if we are to prove to the Kazekage that his trust in us is not misplaced." He reminded his advisors.
"Of course, Otokage-sama." They all agreed simultaneously.
"Are there any other matters to be discussed?" Sasuke asked of them. There was a minute's hesitation as each advisor looked to their neighbour as if wondering who would be the one to speak up. When no one volunteered, Sasuke grew impatient.
"Well?" He demanded.
"T-there's just one more m-matter of business…"The advisor to his left was obviously anxious as he was the first to speak up.
"And why are you all reluctant to inform me of this 'matter'?" Sasuke questioned, his voice gaining a powerful edge.
"As your council members, Otokage-sama, we're here to advise you on all affairs that concern Otogakure," Another spoke, "And as such, we'd like you to take into consideration our next recommendation…"
"Rather, we were wondering if you had any plans to produce an heir who may someday take up your position in this village as it clearly belongs to none other than an Uchiha. There are no other candidates as you haven't taken on any students of your own, nor endowed any rights to succession to any of our top ninja." The advisor to his right finished.
"It hasn't crossed my mind." Sasuke stated bluntly, "And you all know that I've already made the decision final that I won't take on any students to train under my direction. I also haven't felt the need to begin contemplating a possible successor as I've many years ahead of me to lead this village into a prosperous future."
"Please accept our apology, Otokage-sama. We did not mean to offend you, nor to criticize your leadership. We were just wondering if you had any inclination to find yourself a matriarch." An advisor further down the table insisted.
"I haven't." Sasuke spoke in an annoyed tone, "This meeting's over." He stood abruptly.
The advisors scrambled to do the same out of respect for their Kage. Once he had left, they looked to each other nervously, hoping they hadn't overstepped their boundaries.
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"The Council thinks I need to find a wife." Sasuke spoke, his voice deadpan.
"They what?!" Karin shrieked annoyingly. Team Hawk stood around Sasuke in the main room of his lavish home. The mismatched team had decided of their own free will to continue following their once temporary leader. Karin had insisted her skills could still be of some use to him, though her real reasons were obvious.
"They want me to find a matriarch who can pass on my bloodline." Sasuke continued, ignoring her.
"Ridiculous." Jugo muttered, shaking his head. When his former companion had sacrificed his life to deliver the man standing before him to Orochimaru, Jugo had first joined the team due to his need to use Sasuke to keep his enraged state in check. Now, however, he had developed a reliance on the Uchiha that had, in time, necessitated their friendship.
"Yeah, it's as if the imbeciles have no clue who you are," Suigetsu agreed. He had decided that sticking with the new Otokage was the best way for him to finish "collecting his swords" as he was often allowed the freedom to use whatever records and information the village had been collecting to track them down, as long as the village's name would never be implemented in his hobby. "I mean c'mon! Karin's been trying for years to get with you-" He snickered before being interrupted by a forceful smack on the head from Karin.
"Anyways, it's not just like you'd find a woman just to use her as your baby-factory." She stated logically.
"Hn," Came Sasuke's reply. He hadn't thought of that. His advisors had stressed he should find himself a bride, but what if he didn't actually have to (dare he think the word) love her? "Maybe that's what I'll have to do." Sasuke informed them.
"Eh!?" Karin shouted in disbelief.
"Shut yer yap Karin." Suigetsu berated her, now deaf in his left ear. Karin replied with a death glare.
"Makes sense," Jugo turned to Sasuke, "They demand an heir but it doesn't have to be troublesome for you."
"Yeah it's not like you have to force yourself to dig some chick just to make the bastards happy." Suigetsu interjected.
"We can find you the perfect matriarch who doesn't need affection to be satisfied…" Jugo suggested.
"No way! I'm not taking any part in this!" Karin crossed her arms and lifted her chin in defiance, giving a little 'hmph'.
"Oh hey now Karin, there's no need to be jealous!" Suigetsu poked her, earning him another smack to the head. "Watch it will you! You're gonna start giving me brain damage…" He complained.
"Maybe if you had any brains to begin with…" She muttered.
Sasuke overlooked Karin's statement, knowing she'd do whatever he asked of her, as he contemplated the proposition briefly.
"Alright, it'll be your new mission. Make sure the woman knows all the details; I don't want her getting the wrong impression." He instructed them.
Karin's facial expression showed she couldn't believe the task that had been assigned to her. Jugo and Suigetsu nodded in understanding.
"Don't worry; we'll bring back quite the catch!" Suigetsu encouraged jokingly as they all turned to leave.
As Sasuke watched the odd team disappear into the night, somehow he didn't feel too reassured.
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Author's Note: A short first chapter just to set the stage; could have even called it a prologue of sorts but I decided against it. What do you think? Good idea? Lame already? Confused? Let me know and review! Thanks for reading! :D