If Danzo's speech sounds similar to Roawns from Scandal it's because I see them as one in the same :)
THE TRUTH UNRAVELS
If she thought the village would settle down after Team Seven was sent to find Madara she thought wrong. If anything she was more busy. The clan heads had been pushing for a meeting along with the council and she finally agreed to it. Meanwhile, Danzo was still in custody being watched 24/7 at T&I.
Tsunade sat in a room with the council planning Shimura Danzo's fate. She personally wanted to see the man burn for his crimes, but it had to be unanimous to give him the death penalty. "What are your verdicts?"
"The death penalty is the only reasonable course of action. An entire clan died due to his involvement." Yamanaka Inoichi spoke first, saying what was on her mind.
"I understand where you are coming from but the Hokage signed off on the mission. The blame shouldn't be put onto Danzo himself!" A civilian head called.
"Why are we punishing Danzo? The Uchiha we're planning a coūp. Danzo did what needed to be done for the sake of the village." Various nods were shared throughout the room, causing Tsuande to frown. If the majority thought the Uchiha deserved to die, then Danzo would live out the rest of his life in a cell. And that was unacceptable.
"An entire clan died. Children, mothers, and civilians who had no sharingan- stood judgment for the actions of Uchiha Fugaku and the Uchiha council. " Hyūga Hiashi spoke low, yet his voice carried across the room. The Hyūga clan now had the highest number of members since the death of the Uchiha clan. "The Uchiha planned a coup d'etat. Ask yourselves why."
"It is immature to blame the rest of the clan heads for the Uchiha's actions." Inuzuka Tsume said, leaning forward in her seat.
"I did not blame us for the downfall of the Uchiha." Hiashi frowned, "I said ask yourselves why." Even he knew the truth from 11 years ago.
Everyone became quiet either blinded by the truth or with a refusal to believe the Uchihas were truly innocent in their downfall.
"The blame went to the Uchihas after Minato's death. Only an Uchiha could control the Kyuubi." Nara Shikaku broke the silence. "The Uchiha were cast aside and blamed."
"The Uchiha district suffered much damage." Aburame Shibi leaned forward in his seat. "Moving them was the wise choice to do. I do not blame Lord Third for that. However, the place they were moved to was suspicious."
"It makes sense that the Uchihas were moved there. The village wanted them watched." Akimichi Chouza added, slightly shaking his head, disagreeing with the course of action taken. "As clan heads, we should have spoken up for the Uchiha but we were all pretty shaken by the events of the Kyuubi attack."
"We can't blame ourselves for the past-" Shikaku began only to be interrupted by Tsume.
"The moment this gets out we will be regardless. Pardon my bluntness but Lord Third is dead. Danzo locked up with the Elders, the blame will be put on us. Because an entire clan died on our watch."
"I for one wonder if Danzo was so content with letting the Uchihas die, would he have let the rest of our clans die had we possessed special dojutsu," Shibi said, casting his eyes on Hiashi. "Have you thought your clan would perish due to Danzo's actions?"
"My clan gratefully is alive." He answered.
"That's not what he asked." The civilian Tomu called. "If you thought your clan was being corrupted in any way by Danzo then maybe we could say Danzo wanted all the power to himself. Maybe we could understand why he decided to kill the Uchiha. Yet, if you say no then this mentality of Danzo being some monster is wiped away. As I've said, I believe Danzo did what needed to happen. The Uchiha would have caused a civil war had he not intervened."
"You can not be serious," Inochi commented. "A mass genocide is the answer because a few members wanted to fight for their clan?"
"Danzo didn't kill the Uchiha. Sacrifices have to be made. Had the Uchiha lived, how many Konoha shinobi would have died?" Tsume asked, looking everyone in the eye.
"The Uchiha were Konoha shinobi." Inochi muttered.
"Would you say this had it been your clan isolated? Would you not want Justice?" Hiashi asked.
"Justice? They were in the wrong!" The other civilian council called. Makiea Amoi shook her head.
"You all have no sense of humanity." Inochi frowned, standing from his seat. "We failed Lord Fourth and we failed the Uchiha. I knew Itachi before he committed the unthinkable. A boy whose only goal was to serve the village even when the village ordered him to kill his own parents. Did he cry and complain? No! He dusted himself off and acted for the village! And how dare we ask a child to do that! How dare we sit back and let a child's name be dragged through the dirt. I guess we didn't learn with Uzumaki Naruto. You all are to blame for Naruto and Itachi! Just as I am. We failed them before now ask yourselves…. Are we going to fail them again?"
Tsunade watched as everyone fell silent to Inoichi's words. "What's the verdict?" She asked again and watched as everyone slowly agreed to the death penalty for Danzo.
….
For the past three weeks, Danzo hadn't uttered a single word. Her father and uncles talked about it every time they got together, and Ino being the next in charge to take over her fathers' position and along with her internship under Ibiki allowed her knowledge and first-hand insight over what was happening deep inside of T&I.
Which let her know that today would be the day Danzo died. She gathered her teammates and entered one of the several tunnels under the Hokage tower.
"Are we allowed to be here Ino?" Choji quietly asked as Ino pushed them both into a corridor to avoid the ANBU that just turned into the hallway.
"Of course, we can be here." She hissed back, pressing her back against the wall as the men passed them.
"No way we didn't get caught." Shikamaru groaned as Ino pulled them down the hall.
"Just shut up. Actually, tell me what happened to Temari, she's still here right?"
"No troublesome women, she left a few days ago. I'm supposed to go visit her once I have 'tea' to tell her."
"You know I can't wait to be your best man!"
"What makes you think Shika will pick you over me as best man?" Ino shot daggers at Choji as she walked faster down the hall and pulled them behind another corridor. "Ok that's the room and those two guards do not have clearance to let us in."
"So why are we here?" Shika sighed.
"Because boys," she showed them her badge, "according to the badges I made this morning, we officially do." Ino grinned as she passed both them badges cleaning them for entrance. And with bated breath, the three of them entered the room.
"Ino what is this?" Choji asked as they were faced with a motor on screen.
"This is a live feed of what's happening doors down. Now tell me why the three of you are here?" The three looked up to see Asuma-Sensei with his arms crossed. "You are not supposed to be here."
"Your sensei's right. But they are here now, and besides it's starting." Ibiki gestured to the screen. The three of them quickly hurried into the middle of the room and stared at the screen.
"Wait, why is there a live stream?" Ino looked at her Senpai and Sensei, "I thought no one was supposed to know about this."
"Seeing as what happened last time," to which Asuma shot Shika an amused look, "we took the liberty to make sure it wouldn't be another fiasco."
"Along with the fact that this would all be public record. The villagers are going to know what Danzo did."
Shika grumbled about a pain in the ass this all was as they focused on Tusnade who stood beside Danzo going over the crimes he committed against the village.
"I'm surprised everyone voted for his death." Choji stated, "I know a few people don't see Danzo as the villain."
"They still don't." Shika said, "It's just easier to put the blame on him instead of the Third."
Asuma nodded, "If you listen to what she's saying all the blame is going to Danzo, not my father. Officially stating that Danzo acted on his own, and my father knew none of his plans."
"But that's false right?" Ino looked at them, "I mean I know Lord Third was a good Kage but he agreed to it right?"
"Officially no." Ibiki spoke, "Officially the only one who ordered Itachi to kill his clan was Danzo Shimura. Officially he acted alone."
Shizune began going over the vials that would be used to end his life.
"But that isn't true!" Choji quickly pointed to the screen. "Yes Danzo needs to pay for his crimes, but if we don't admit Lord Third's role or even the elders what happens to the Uchiha clan?"
"Officially some won't understand why Itachi took orders from someone who wasn't the Hokage. Officially a lot of people won't understand why he did what he did."
"That isn't fair Senpai." Ino crossed her arms, "The Uchiha still aren't getting Justice."
"It's the closest amount of Justice they will get," Ibiki answered.
They watched as Shizune gave him the sedative. And right as she pushed the second needle into Danzo's arm the man spoke. "Aren't you going to ask if I have any last words?"
They saw Tsunade tense on screen before she spoke. "I don't care what you have to say."
"Even if it involves your precious Uchiha whore? Or I'm sorry you probably know her as Haruno Sakura."
THE TRUTH UNRAVELS
Deidara met them at the gate of Ame. His cloak covered his face, as he eyed the group in front of him. Itachi stepped forward, "You're still in Ame." He observed which caused Deidara to frown.
"You're not all that, un." He said, crossing his arms, "Why the hell are you here? Didn't get enough last time, un?"
Itachi stepped forward again until he was towering over Deidara, "Enlighten me."
"Here you go, un. You always thought you were the best out of us, well guess what? I'm not the 13-year-old boy anymore who got bested by you and your damned eyes. I want my rematch, un!" He waited years for this day, years to stand over the dying Uchiha's body. It was his turn now.
"I'm uninterested in fighting you. I'm here for Konan." Itachi mused side stepping him and walking into the village. Deidara wasted no time in grabbing Itachi's arm, clay already forming in his hands as he attached it to Itachi's shoulder. He jumped back content with watching the scene unfold.
Itachi's body blew up in smoke causing Deidara to grin. As the smoke faded the spot Itachi was at was now empty, his team still stood back but otherwise didn't move. He quickly frowned as he looked around before blocking the kick that was aimed at his face. "Bastard!" Deidara shouted as he quickly threw clay in Itachi's direction.
Before Deidara could blink he was pinned down with Itachi atop him.
"I'm not here to fight you. I need to speak to Konan."
"First you attack her, now you wish to speak to her? Burn in hell, un!"
"It wasn't me," Itachi said, standing and offering him his hand.
Deidara scoffed as he pushed himself up into a sitting position.
"She fought an Uchiha un, if it wasn't you it was the other dumbass little Uchiha."
"Where is she?"
"The hospital, un. She's been there ever since I found her two days ago."
Deidara watched as Itachi and the group walked past him. He knew logically he couldn't take them on.
"She's not like Leader-sama, she's different, un."
….
Itachi could conclude that Konan had been in a fight by Deidara's words. He, however, would not entertain Deidara when they were on a time schedule.
Konan sat up in her hospital bed, a bandage wrapped around her head, and her arm in a cast.
"What happened?" Naruto asked, pushing himself in front of Itachi. "Who did this?"
Konan offered a small smile. "Madara came, he took Nagato's eyes. He now has the rinnegan."
Itachi stilled. If Madara had the rinnegan it made defeating him that much harder. "Do you know what he plans to do?"
"No," she said, shaking her head, "I think his original plan is still in effect."
"He has none of the tails!" Naruto quickly said, "What can he do by himself? Whatever his plan is will fail."
"I hope." Konan said, "Unfortunately I am of no more use to you. I still fully believe in you, Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Itachi."
Itachi nodded and left the room with Naruto on his heels. They meet the group in the lobby of the hospital.
Itachi shook his head, letting Kakashi know they had no leads on Madara.
"Madara now possesses the rinnegan," Itachi told the group once they were out of earshot.
"We could take Madara, rinnegan, or not." Sasuke added.
"The issue isn't about fighting Madara, we have no leads as to where he is." Yamato supplied, "Senpai, what's our next course of action?"
"We have to bait him out," Kakashi stated to the group of shinobi.
"Bait Madara, how?" Tenzo quickly asked. "What do we have that Madara would want?"
Kakashi's lone eye roamed over Naruto, "He wants the nine tails, let's give it to him."
…
Naruto's chakra ran wild throughout the forest. Destroying everything in its wake.
They were miles away surrounding Naruto. Kakashi and Sasuke were behind him, while Tenzo and Sai surrounded his front and Itachi was on his right while Shisui guarded his left.
They were in the middle of nowhere, yet he knew Madara would come.
"I don't think it's working." Came Sai's voice over the com. "He knows Naruto can control the fox, he's not going to fall for this ploy."
"Except it isn't a ploy," Shisui said in the com. "Naruto's alone, it would take us approximately 7 minutes to reach him once Madara comes. 7 minutes where Madara could grab him before any of us got to him."
"I think I can fend myself for 7 minutes." Naruto starkly shot back.
"We aren't saying you can't," Kakashi said in the com, dragging his hand through his hair. "This plan is a risk, Naruto. But Madara will come." He looked at Sasuke who had his sharingan spinning.
"You think he will come?" Sasuke asked him.
"He will." He affirmed him. He wanted his rematch from the memorial stone.
"Sasuke,"
Said teen looked at him, "hn."
"Listen about before," He never told Sasuke the truth, "I never thought it was you."
"I don't know what you're talking about." He stated, looking off in Naruto's direction.
Was it always this difficult talking to his student? Kakashi turned to him, grabbing his arm and forcing him to look at him.
"About Sakura. I never thought you killed her."
"Really? So you chased me and what? Hoped I had information about her death." Sasuke crossed his arms, pulling himself away from Kakashi and looking back toward Naruto.
"No, I wanted you to come home." It was the truth. He made a silent promise a long time ago that he would bring Sasuke home with team seven.
He could understand if he was never forgiven. He let Sasuke down many years ago and hasn't redeemed himself yet. He would though, even if it took years. He couldn't let a repeat of the past happen.
"I blame myself for you leaving." His words whispered away in the air. Not knowing if Sasuke heard him he turned back to the woods, looking for any sign of Madara. Time slowly ticked away, it seemed the destruction of the forest was in vain.
"He's here!" Shisui stated into the coms, causing both Sasuke and Kakashi to frantically look around.
"Naruto's clear," Itachi said next over the coms.
A cold breeze washed over him as he glanced up. Madara sat perched on the tree above.
"You thought you could get away with it all?" Kakashi glanced over at Sasuke who ran forward his katana aimed at Madara. "This is for the Uchiha."
"You're not who I want," Madara said back before locking eyes with Kakashi. "Kamui." Kakashi's world began spinning as he is taken in Madara's jutsu. A jutsu similar to his own.
THE TRUTH UNRAVELS
This was over, she had won. "I don't care what you have to say." This game he was playing was done. She looked up ready to tell Shizune to finish the job when he spoke.
"Even if it involves your precious Uchiha whore?" She froze and her entire body ran cold. "Or I'm sorry you probably know her as Haruno Sakura."
"Haruno Sakura is dead and is none of your business." She spat.
Danzo laughed, throwing his head back, "You stupid woman, just like your Sensei. Tell your men to check her grave."
It was a ploy. Yet Tsunade stepped back, she looked at the camera stationed in the corner of the room and nodded her head.
"We saw her body." Shizune said, "You can't fake a dead body."
"You are nothing without me." Damzo told Tsunade, "This village- this peace that is installed is my doing alone. I am the greater good, I am the person that keeps Konoha safe at night without my knowledge- without me, Konoha wouldn't be what she is today! You are all welcome to the sacrifices I HAVE MADE! My life, my blood, and my tears are all in vain for Konoha. For her to stand tall for her to be safe for your children! So what my hands have gotten dirty cry me a river!
"Every life lost was not for no reason. Every life lost died for Konoha to be what she is. It was an honor for anyone to die by my saying so. For their deaths lead you all to feel safe in this village. Their deaths were for you to be able to walk outside carefree of war of suffering. Their deaths are so you can be alive. They died for your children. You thought this world was horrible with me in it well Hime you haven't experienced the world without me! How long do you think this world you're desperately trying to build will survive without me in it?"
There was a knock at the door before it opened. Two ANBU appeared in front of her.
"My Lady." They said bowing before her before Bull spoke "The body is of a woman of similar build but not Haruno Sakura." Her body ran cold as gasps were heard throughout the room.
"Haruno Sakura is alive?"
"We can not be sure. But she isn't the body we buried."
"Where is she?!" She turned on her heels and marched to Danzo, grabbing his shirt she lifted the man into the air, "What have you done to my student?!"
Danzo smirked, "Kill me and never find out." She threw him into the wall.
"My Lady, what shall we do?" Shizune asked.
"I want Haruno Sakura in front of me now! Find her! Raid root and bring me, my student!"
Her men disappeared, and she turned to Shizune. "Take him back to his cell." She muttered before walking out of the room. Just then the clan head and council began calling out questions to her. But she ignored all of it. Haruno Sakura was alive.
…
She didn't waste a second thought as she ran to the cemetery. She got there the moment ANBU pulled out the casket. She forced herself to join their side as Bull opened the casket. Ino stared in disbelief at the deceased woman who was indeed not her best friend.
"That's not her." She whispered, "Hey, that's not Sakura!" She quickly turned to Bull, "What does this mean? Is Sakura alive?"
"We can't be sure if she is alive. But we can hope." Bull stated, "Take the remains to the hospital to be identified. I want to know everything about this woman. Figure out what jutsu could have been used. Dismissed." The remaining ANBU members disappeared leaving behind an empty casket and a stumped Ino.
"Damn it forehead!" Ino shouted before taking off to T&I, where they would be questioning Danzo.
…
Hinata was able to get Neji a meeting with Hiashi but due to the events, the meeting was not a top priority and kept getting pushed back.
Neji understood, the village had been attacked by the Akatsuki, and now with Danzo's betrayal, Hiashi-sama had a lot on his plate. However, a pregnant Tenten did not seem to understand and because of that, she acted as if she wasn't pregnant.
This is why Neji and Lee decided they had to talk to her and tell her that she indeed was pregnant and needed to stop taking missions.
"I'm not being sidelined. I'm a shinobi and I'm going to continue being a fucking ninja until I physically can not."
"Tenten you're a liability. You need-"
"Me? I'm a liability? Are you deadass?" Tenten slammed her hands on the table causing a few others in the tea shop to look at them.
"No!" Lee frantically shouted. "That's not what he meant, we just don't want to see you get hurt! Maybe you could teach at the academy? Or the new jounins, anything that doesn't require you to leave the village."
"The village was attacked and yes we are safe right now but everyone knows we're weak at the moment. We're still building. I don't want you getting hurt." Neji said calmly as he picked up his teacup.
"I'm not even showing. I'm fine, when I hit six months I swear I'll go on leave but not right now. I was born into this life, a pregnancy isn't stopping me."
The door was thrown open as Hinata ran to their table. "Have you heard?"
"Heard what Hinata-hime?"
"Please tell me it's about your father," Tenten mumbled.
"It's Sakura, she isn't dead."
"And you know this?" Neji asked as Hinata nodded her head. After paying the group quickly left the tea shop and was met with the rest of Hinata's team.
"Team 10's already at T&I we're being asked to aid ANBU in searching ROOT headquarters." Kiba grinned, tugging on Akamaru's fur.
"Why? Our mission is to bring Haruno Sakura home." Shino said. After nodding to his team, the two teams went to ROOT HQ.
THE TRUTH UNRAVELS
AN: Hello Loves! Thank you for staying with me, as always I love reading your reviews, makes me happy :-)
