TimeShifter: Excellent questions all, and they should be considered very, very carefully. I can't answer most of them for spoiler purposes, but there are a few things I can say. One, I had no idea I had implied a Sasuke/Karin pairing until I went back and read it after your comments... Wow... Second, it can be said I predicted how Kishimoto would use Danzo. Think about it! He helped create Pein by aiding Hanzou...and possibly for similar reasons as to why he attacked Hitohana in this story. Also, there are backstory reasons as to why he called himself a war hawk. That'll come up later this arc. Third, most of the Danzo/Hitohana fight questions should be answered this chapter. I always considered Danzo to be strong. How else can he intimidate Tsunade when he's so badly mutilated? Fourth, Hitohana targeted himself with the genjutsu, so Danzo wouldn't have sensed it. To him, the mission was accomplished successfully. Finally, Naruto's return to orange is important because I forgot to change it back way back when the training started (as he was leaving Konoha). It completely slipped my mind...
samueltm2: I was really worried about the last chapter. I'm glad to see it was well received!
Chapter 20:
Breaking Dawn
As the dawn sun broke the horizon, some business owners were surprised to see ANBU barricading the streets. Various captains were barking orders, but several were concentrated in the center of some array. The civilians didn't recognize what, exactly it was, but they knew a ninja technique when they saw one. They also knew to stay out of their leader's private army's way when they were conducting operations.
The early morning scene created rumor and speculation, but no hard facts were present. The crime scene, consisting of Hitohana's body and blood, was already cleared. Only the seal array remained. Elephant and Bull stood in the center, following the intricate lines outward carefully with their eyes. They already had their own speculations, and they stood contrary to non-shinobi.
"It's just a training exercise. They'll be cleared out by morning rush, no harm." "It must be something new to protect the village." "It's an enemy! Somebody managed to sneak in!" The tension in the air was palpable, and it felt like anxiousness tinted with fear.
"You found anything yet?" Bull's gruff voice broke the monotony; though, the citizens didn't hear him.
"Yeah, but you aren't going to like it." Elephant finished scanning his section of the array before turning to deliver his analysis, careful to keep his voice stealthily low. "This thing's pretty intricate. The exaggerated lines in the center are the first array, designed to guide and mold chakra based on the user's method of injecting it."
Bull nodded. "I figured as much. Somebody as skilled as Hitohana could have kept up with most jonin in the village. The array must have been used to augment the attacker's jutsu, make them faster or something. Still, we should have been able to sense something."
Elephant shook his head with a heavy sigh. "The center is only the first array; I'm afraid. The second is a powerful genjutsu and amplifier. I suspect it knocked out Cat." He knew the next question without any hints. "…and she didn't sense the genjutsu for the same reason we didn't sense any chakra spikes." He paused for slight dramatic effect. "The third array encapsulated it all and made it undetectable."
Bull looked out over the array for the umpteenth time. "With Jiraiya-sama gone, Elephant is probably our foremost Fuuin expert. I thought this array was one, large seal. Whoever arranged this was well prepared and understood ANBU…" He turned to face the Hokage's tower. "We must report this to Hokage-sama."
In an instant, they were gone leaving only a swirl of dust and leaves. The remaining ANBU quickly changed tasks from restraining citizens from interfering with the investigation to cleanup. The business owners were happy shortly thereafter as they could finally open shop, not too late for the morning rush. As status quo was restored, the streets were filled with the usual crowds of buyers and sellers going about their business and ninja preparing for a long day's work, longer if the mission called for it.
It was in Tsunade's office where the real hustle and bustle was taking place. The buxom Hokage hadn't gotten a wink of sleep since being informed of delegate Hitohana's death. She constantly received reports and gave orders. She'd already ordered a messenger hawk be sent to Kumo to express their deep regrets and provide information on the progress of the investigation.
She was like the queen bee in the middle of a hive, and it was abuzz with activity. With the arrival of Bull and Elephant, that activity nearly came to a complete halt. Tsunade looked directly at them with a pleading expression. She wanted answers, and she wanted them as quickly as possible.
Bull locked his gaze on her bleary eyes. He knew she needed sleep, but he knew her well enough not to force the issue. Instead, he focused on his report. "As you suspected, the array was responsible for Cat's failure. However, it was set up by somebody who understands ANBU procedure well."
As Tsunade raised a brow, Elephant elaborated at a silent cue. "The large array was actually three. The first was the largest and aided in killing Hitohana. The second was a medium-sized array designed specifically to knockout any interlopers. It was a nonfatal genjutsu. The third absorbed excess chakra to prevent detection."
As Tsunade's brow furrowed, Bull continued. He knew her temper well enough. "It's obvious the perpetrator was well aware of nearby patrols. The perpetrator was also intimately aware of escort selection. I cannot rule out treason, revenge, or sabotage as motives for the attack."
Tsunade looked up, a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "Wouldn't sabotage be labeled under treason as a motive? We were negotiating with Kumo in order to rally our forces against Akatsuki. What other reason could there be to ruin negotiations?"
Bull never waivered from his leader's gaze. "Unfortunately, I must label treason and sabotage as separate motives. If it were treason, the perpetrator did it for purely selfish reasons, perhaps awaiting a reward from a source outside the village. If it were sabotage, the perpetrator may have thought it was in the best interests of the village."
Tsunade nodded. "I can understand your reasoning… If you look at it from that perspective, the investigation can move forward without prejudice." She hated to admit it, but they had to look at anybody who could have pulled the attack off. As she shifted the information around her head, she thought of the autopsy reports.
After a moment, she returned her gaze to the two ANBU captains. She wasn't concerned about the other presences in the room. Shizune and the other captains were all well trusted. "According to the autopsy, something 'strange' happened to Hitohana's eyes before his death. Also, his death was caused by the severing of his head from his body. The examiners believe the weapon, likely a katana, was handled offhanded."
Bull barely nodded as he accepted the information. He knew Elephant was analyzing the information as well. It was safest in the ninja world not to assume how somebody died. When they found Hitohana beheaded, there were two possibilities. He could have been executed using that method, or he could have been beheaded only after he was killed.
The confirmation aided little in the investigation, but it provided potential clues to the use of the complex array. The perpetrator potentially had a handicap not allowing him or her to properly mold his or her chakra in combat, or at least while wielding a precise weapon like the katana. Then, the perpetrator was skilled and knowledgeable enough to overcome any such difficulties. Finally, a skilled offhanded fighter either dual-wielded or was incapable of using his or her main hand.
Bull was forced to concede that the clues could be nothing more than red herrings. A skilled ninja was never caught. A great ninja made it look like somebody else did it. A truly great ninja hid their identity in plain sight to make it impossible to tell. With trained precision, he finally made a request. "I've read reports a chunin Nara is quite good with puzzles…"
Hinata was sitting with Kiba, Shino, and Shion in one of the open areas in the Hyuuga estates. It was midmorning, and they were watching Momiji play with Akamaru while they talked. As they thought, the child was able to bond easier with an animal than her peers in the park. It was sad, but they had a plan to break her out of her shell.
"That's good to hear, Kiba-kun." Hinata smiled as she responded to his good news.
"I know! I've been so bored since that last mission." He exaggerated a shrug and a sigh as he shook his head. "I was just cleared last night. I swear; if I didn't smell so much of Yoshi on her, I'd think Sayumi just wanted to keep us there."
Shion yawned in an undignified manner, without covering her mouth. She idly commented on her adopted daughter playing the large, white-furred dog. "Well, Momo-chan certainly wants to keep you around, if only to steal your partner." She had a certain understanding of the Inuzuka and how the canines were more partners than pets. In fact, he corrected her the first time she used the 'offensive' word.
He chuckled. "Yeah, at least somebody's having fun!" He turned his attention to his partner. "Hey Akamaru, how's the brat treatin' ya?" Akamaru barked then yipped. "Huh? Don't give me that! You sound like miss prim and proper over here!" He got slapped upside the head for the comment on Shion. He looked at her as he rubbed the spot. "What was that for?"
Shion shook her head. "Are all you Inuzuka so rude? Her name is Momiji, and mine is Shion." She paused for a moment as she considered something. "Make that Shion-hime to you."
His response was cut off by his bug-taming teammate. "It is unwise to insult a visiting dignitary." Shino turned to face his dog-taming teammate, an intimidating air surrounding him. "Why? Konoha desires to keep her alliances strong to maintain the peace."
"Sheesh…" Kiba chuckled. "You really love to lay it on thick, don'cha?" He shrugged. "It never hurts to tease friends, and they are Naruto's friends." He felt he beat his friend's logic there.
"She doesn't appreciate your inappropriate behavior." Shino kept his response short enough to annoy his teammate.
It worked. "Oh yeah!" Kiba clearly showed signs of anger. "I bet she doesn't like you using your bugs to keep track of them!"
Shion tensed as Shino explained as calmly as ever. "It would be unwise not to insure their safety." He directed his attention back to Momiji and Akamaru. "If the need ever arises, my insects ensure the most expedient pursuit."
The priestess daimyo shuddered for a moment. "I can understand that, but it still creeps me out." She decided not to tell her precious, adopted daughter about the bug crawling around somewhere on her.
Hinata smiled kindly as she reassured her friend and rival. "Don't worry Shion; Shino keeps tabs on all his friends that way." Her reassurance did not work. The ruler of Demons shuddered as an image of a swarm or infestation came to mind.
Lee shadowboxed the air before leaping high into a whirlwind kick. He was excited as he walked down the streets with his teammates and sensei. They were on their way to the Hokage's tower to receive a mission assignment. Sayumi cleared both Kiba and Lee for active duty at the same time, and he was just as excited to be freed for training and missions.
Tenten shook her head and sighed. "Lee, you know their going to give us an easy mission to make sure you're back at a hundred percent, right?" She wasn't trying to put a damper on his spirits, but he could really annoy her sometimes. He just had too much energy.
Lee clenched his fist and looked to the sky with a fire in his eyes. "It does not matter! I am free to return to active duty and show the world my youthful flames! It does not matter to me if the mission is D-rank or A-rank. So long as I can revel in my springtime of youth, I shall go where I am called!"
Unfortunately, Lee and Gai decided to express their sincere acceptance of youthful exuberance. Meaning, they embraced embarrassingly. Fortunately, Tenten and Neji were well prepared and kept walking without looking back and putting something to good use. After careful practice, both knew how to block their hearing with a thin coating of chakra.
They shared a common thought. "Ah, peace…" Shortly after, Lee and Gai had already caught up. By that time, they were near the business district and an unusually high concentration of ANBU patrols. They were immediately suspicious and slowed their pace to try to gather information.
Sakura watched as Sayumi and Yoshi cared for a particular patient. It was an unusual case. He was suffering from chakra burns. They were freshly minted to the medic nin corps, but it was vital to constantly assess their skills. They also had an interest in finding out what had caused the chakra burns.
He wasn't suffering from chakra exhaustion, and his coils were fresh. It wasn't caused by a fight, and he was well rested. He was in a lot of pain, however. He was under Inoichi's command and had been injured while monitoring his superior. The question was simple. Did Pein somehow cause a feedback through their prisoner, Inoichi, and finally the observational team?
If they found the answer in the affirmative, was anybody else suffering from less severe forms of the chakra burns? They had to find the cause and treat it before they lost valuable shinobi. They were fighting to save the patient's life, but his case provided necessary clues to preserve the lives of others. It was a doctor's responsibility to detach emotionally from the patient.
It was harder for younger or less experienced medics. Sayumi and Yoshi were doing a better job than most their age and experience level. They were a little cold since their teammate and sensei's deaths, but they also hated to lose lives because of the same incident.
To those without life-threatening ailments, they didn't have the best bedside manner. Kiba and Lee experienced their detachment firsthand. They were professional and never gave in to their collective demands to return to active duty. They still needed further treatment, but their nervous system was no longer in any danger.
Sayumi and Yoshi never lost any sleep over their tactfulness. They made excellent decisions that were both ethically and logically sound. They were more concerned about their current patient's health than they ever were over Kiba and Lee. An erratic pulse and sharp breathing tended to worry doctors.
Sakura took a moment to look out the window to the midmorning sun. She hoped Tsunade was okay. Her sensei was stretched thin with the abrupt end to negotiations, and ANBU were everywhere. Some weren't even trying to hide their presence, as if trying to smoke out a scared rat. It was going to be a very long morning.
"You've been spending so much time with the code breaking department." Ino whined. "Please tell me you guys have found something!" Since Asuma died, she wasn't comfortable not knowing what was going on with her closest friends and longtime teammates.
Shikamaru sighed. "Troublesome... I can't tell you anything about what I'm working on. It would be beyond my security clearance if I wasn't working on it." Okay, he told a white lie. It would be beyond his security clearance if Tsunade said otherwise. She wanted him on the case because she trusted him and he was very intelligent and open minded. He also figured she was grooming him to advise Naruto if and when he became Hokage. "Troublesome."
Chouji stuffed a handful of potato chips in his mouth. He thankfully spoke only after swallowing. "Can't you at least tell us you've made some breakthrough? Ino's been worried; you know." Truthfully, he was too. He had seen his best friend rarely since being called to work on some big decipher project.
Ino went puppy-eyed. She knew few could resist. "Pah-lease, Shikamaru!" She folded her hands together dramatically and leaned forward. "You don't have to tell us any details! Just tell us you've made something out of the big mess."
Chouji shook his head and resisted chuckling. There was one thing he knew about his lazy friend. He could resist the puppy eyes; he just thought it was too troublesome. He decided to chime in. "We know it's got something to do with Akatsuki..." He paused. "...and Naruto."
If Shikamaru wasn't as clever as he was, his pleasantly big-boned friend's last comment might have been the straw that broke the camel's back. As it was, he only got one word out of his mouth... "Troublesome." ...before a plain-masked ANBU landed behind him.
"Hokage-sama wishes to see you." He disappeared as quickly and silently as he had appeared, leaving two stunned teens and one rolling his lazy eyes.
As he stood, yawned, and scratched his back with a long stretch, he realized he really should have seen it coming. "Troublesome." He looked to his friends and teammates. "Well, I'll see you later." He left once they had recovered and said their farewells.
Konan stood beside Nagato in their hidden fortification. She had carefully placed chakra absorbing notes among her paper to ensure they were not found. She only knew what was going on for her observational and detection skills. She also knew her childhood friend better than anyone. "Are you sure about this? You could have anybody attack Konoha. I'm sure Zetsu or..."
He interrupted her before she could continue. "No, Kyuubi has proven most difficult to apprehend. He has escaped no less than three attempts. It must be me." He turned his sickly face to the paper mistress. "I shall see Konoha's Pein with my own eyes.
She nodded. She wasn't sure of his plan, but she trusted and supported him. She could only hope his answer to hatred, pain, and war was the right one. They had come too far to pull back, and she was certain he could accomplish the rebirth of the world. She still sadly looked down.
His hatred had eaten away at him. He was a mere shadow of his former self, and he was nothing like she had imagined when Jiraiya described his destiny of peace. He was stretched thin to maintain his Pein Rikudou, and he had to use the accursed machine to supplement his chakra supply.
Nagato's expression became distanced. Konan knew he was concentrating on the collective visions of his Pein Rikudou. She had to settle for what she could see and sense from their vantage point near the top of their fortification. She waited for him to speak, always patient.
His eyes refocused after several, long moments. "I had thought about simply sending my incarnations into the village to wreak pain and suffering, but I think I know a better course." He didn't notice his childhood friend wince. "I'll destroy the Hyuuga compound and wound their pride. It'll cause great pain and mass confusion."
Konan was wide eyed in worry as Nagato sent his orders to Tendou. The powerful main body looked out over Konoha with his expressionless gaze. He directed his energy over the Hyuuga estates as commanded. The clouds over the village grew turbulent with power, and those sensitive to chakra looked up in alarm.
"Nagato!" Konan screamed fruitlessly in a rare display of emotion. She felt the penalty too high for the technique he decided to start with.
Tobi was in rare form. He was giddy without hiding his true persona. He was Uchiha Madara, and he was truly enjoying the spectacle. The Pein Rikudou were in formation and prepared to move in. Though, he wasn't surprised to see the gathered chakra over his hated village.
He watched in unadulterated delight as wind and light picked up. He suspected more than saw even civilians looking up to the unusual weather pattern. It was early morning, so light shouldn't be coming from directly overhead. He could almost hear the whispers and murmurs sweeping through the streets as fear took hold on the people's hearts.
It was everything he had dreamt of and more. Soon, very soon, he would have his revenge on Konoha. Pein would destroy it, and he would dance on its grave and revel in delight as he snuffed out its dream. The Senju would finally pay for betraying him. He was also aware of the first target. Finally, the last of Konoha's pride would fall.
Sasuke and Hawk were at top speed. They felt they could make it to the Valley of the End by midday. They were also confident they had evaded all pursuit teams from Kumo. They only had to worry about standard patrols from Fire. It was nothing they couldn't handle. With Sasuke's Mangekyou Sharingan and Karin's chakra sense, it was elementary to evade even the most skilled patrols.
After a long morning of silence, Suigetsu couldn't take it any more. "Hey Sasuke, what happens if we can't get there in time and either the Hyuuga or half pint kick the bucket?" He was never subtle, and he earned another angry glower from the red head of the group.
"Karin knows what to look for, genetically, if worse comes to worst." Sasuke had his suspicions about where to look if Hinata died, but he was far less certain about Naruto. There were no records about an Uzumaki clan even in Orochimaru's vast database, and he was certain no such clan ever existed in Konoha. As such, he wasn't certain about his former blond-haired teammate's lineage.
Karin blushed at the praise. "Sasuke-kun, should we start gathering information on the whereabouts of suspected candidates?" She wasn't Orochimaru's top researcher, at least at her facility, without reason. She had a photographic memory and could list all Sharingan progenitor candidates off the top of her head.
Sasuke shook his head. "No, I refuse to see failure as an option. I've come too far to be stopped now. I betrayed Konoha and killed Itachi. I shall return the Uchiha to their former glory, and the ninja world will be reborn...starting with Konoha." There was also another problem he couldn't admit. If Naruto died, there were no candidates for the genetics he could provide.
They raced to the Valley of the End. They raced to begin a campaign for regeneration. They each had their own final, end-game goals. While Sasuke dreamed of a resurfaced Uchiha clan, Karin dreamed of helping him. Suigetsu dreamed of becoming the world's strongest swordsman, even reigning over Kiri. Juugo dreamed of a peaceful, normal life in which he no longer had the urge to kill.
With Madara and Pein already in Fire and at the gates of Konoha, they were in a race against time.
Mizukura wasn't a shinobi by any means. He understood the principle behind molding chakra, and he had a rudimentary chakra sense. The massive buildup of chakra over Konoha was pervasive to his untrained coils. He fell to his knees, oppressed by the raw sensation. Even with his keen intellect, he couldn't pinpoint the target. He could only pray that Shion and Momiji weren't where the massive energy was targeted as he watched in horror.
The instant after the energy exploded outwards, the Demon's camp was set upon by strange creatures. He recognized them as ninja summons. As he forced himself to his feet, he drew his katana to fend off tooth and claw. As his first opponent fell clumsily by the wayside, he was already molding his chakra and injecting it into his technique.
The camp was surrounded by a protective barrier, highlighted by a faint glow. He sweated and breathed heavily at the titanic expense. He doubted he could make a repeat performance and hoped he didn't have to. His eyes widened as he saw the summons throw themselves against the barrier. It shook and rippled where they hit, but it held even under mounting pressure.
Mizukura fell to his knees as the powerful blows were transferred to his mind. He was strong willed, and he wasn't about to see his men hurt. The number and variations of summons, though, had him worried. Were there a dozen shinobi out there? To his knowledge, the rule was one summoning contract to a single shinobi. The strangest aspect, however, was that each and every summon had irises consisting of three concentric rings.
Then he saw two shinobi walk out of the woods. One was commanding all the summon beasts. It was an unheard of feat. Was any, single shinobi capable of holding multiple contracts let alone commanding all effortlessly? The second simply walked up to the barrier and placed his hands against it.
Mizukura felt his mind awash with pain. His head tilted back and his mouth open. His throat was quickly sore, but he couldn't hear himself scream. He was screaming; wasn't he? The effect was instantaneous. Though the barrier held, his soldiers' morale was shot. Though the barrier protected them, it wavered and quaked under the new assault.
He was forced to fight harder. Through pain, he managed to throw more and more chakra into the barrier. Still, he felt is slipping away. His pain increased, and, not for the first time, he wished he understood more than the basics of chakra manipulation. It felt as though his chakra was being sucked through his coils. It felt as though he was expending several times as much chakra as usual.
Finally, he collapsed. With his chakra spent, his stamina and resistance came to an abrupt end. With his last vestiges of consciousness and strength, he issued what he thought would be his last command. "P-Protect Demons-sama... Fi-..." His head rolled as he fought blackness. "Fight b-bravely!"
He fell forward with a sickening thud. Blood trickled from his nose and ears, revealing the strain on his psyche. His men didn't know if he was simply unconscious or dead, but they doubted he was the first casualty. They saw the massive attack that seemed to flatten a large section of Konoha. Some even felt it with their limited training in chakra manipulation.
With one cry, they rushed the only two offenders they knew. The two shinobi stood unflinching. The only sign of movement was the second as he lowered his hands to his side. They stared, emotionless and stoic, as the summons attacked en masse. It was over before the Demons army could put up a resistance.
Chikushoudou and Gakidou turned and returned to the other members of Pein Rikudou. They knew the leaf shinobi were already scrambling to find out what was going on. They were also certain civilians were already being evacuated. It was a calculated risk, but they were certain the Hyuuga were mostly destroyed.
Yamato, Anko, and Sai were well beyond Konoha's gates when they felt the tremors. They looked back to Konoha to see if they could tell what happened. Curious, the former ROOT member had one question. "Should we return?"
Yamato shook his head. "No, Hokage-sama entrusted us with this task. She'd be disappointed if we returned now." He carefully looked to the third member of their party.
"Hey, don't look at me. You're the one in charge of this expedition, not me." The dango-loving kunoichi shrugged. "I'm only tagging along 'cause Tsunade seems to think my knowledge on Orochimaru will come in handy."
Yamato nodded. "Our orders are to use the information provided by Kumo to track the last remnants of Oto. Once at Fire's border, we should be able to pick up some sort of trail. Now, Oto isn't as much a concern as Akatsuki, but there may be double agents we can get information off of."
He knew the mission was similar to his first with Team Kakashi, but he didn't let failures stand in his way. It was doubtful that Kabuto was the only possible source of information. If Akatsuki could inject him so deeply, they doubtlessly had others. For whatever reason, Oto and Akatsuki were at odds. Perhaps they had the same, ultimate goal, but such thoughts were mere speculation.
They had a mission and were quickly traveling at ninja speeds towards the boarder between Fire and Rice. It came as no surprise, really. The snake sannin seemed obsessed with setting up camp near enough Konoha to move against her quickly. The country also had no hidden village, at least anymore. The Fuuma were practically the last remaining shinobi clan, and, to their knowledge, only one remained.
Tsunade could only watch as the strange chakra gathered and condensed. From her vantage point, it looked like the Hyuuga estates were flattened. Dust still clouded the air, and it was clearing away painfully slowly. Where she had clear line-of-sight, the ground was indented and buildings crushed. She couldn't see people from her distance, but she was certain any bodies they located would be dead.
She turned to the ANBU in her room, who were instantly at attention. "I want damage and casualty reports, now! Taichou, coordinate your squads and report directly to me. Bull, reactivate Cat. For the time being, we need her." She bit her lip. It wasn't time for squabbles. She could concentrate on the traitor and arrest him or her later.
She felt slight relief when her subordinates followed her commands and cleared out. Only Shizune was left in her room. She turned to her with a weary expression. "Prepare triage for casualties. Order the complete evacuation of civilians. All genin squads are given the C-rank mission of escorting and protecting civilians. Their jonin sensei are to report to their stations with the rest of the chunin and jonin. Dismissed!"
Shizune quickly left to fulfill her orders. It was easier to use messenger birds. All chunin and jonin knew what to do based on flying patterns alone, but she was sure most were already following emergency directive orders. She also knew the D-rank mission of escorting civilians to the Hokage monument was upgraded because the genin would be acting without jonin backup.
It was a risk, but it was a calculated one. It was only as she reached the roof that she understood the devastation. She also became witness to what seemed like the most absurd invasion ever, but its absurdity was what made it genius.
An oddly pierced woman appeared in Konoha's center. She calmly bit her thumb and leaned down to touch her bloodied hand to the ground. With a great puff of chakra smoke, an army of summon beasts appeared and spread through the streets. The plan would easily foil Konoha's ability to count invaders, and the number and variation of summons seemed impossible.
Then Chikushoudou trumped herself. She used her technique to summon five more oddly pierced persons. They were all male, and Shizune couldn't help but tremble at their presence. Their chakra capacity was astounding, but there was something even more frightening. She could sense their chakra, but she couldn't sense what medics called an aura.
All living beings gave off a distinct aura. With training, medics were able to differentiate between them. It enhanced their ability to heal. It also enhanced their ability to distinguish between hopeful and lost causes. The six people standing in the center of Konoha just didn't feel right. They almost seemed...dead.
It defied logic. Shizune knew dead bodies couldn't produce chakra. In fact, death caused chakra coils to shut down first. A patient might have a heartbeat and/or breathe even after the coils collapsed. There were even cases of continued brain function well after the coils stopped producing chakra.
The very existence of the six she witness was both a medical marvel and improbability. She was so distracted that she jumped a little when a finger poked her shoulder. She turned to see one of the bird keepers staring quizzically at her. "Shizune-san, is there something you need now?" She was sure it was an emergency or she never would have interrupted a commanding officer's musings.
Shizune nodded her head, no offended. In fact, she was glad to be drawn from her thoughts. Her distraction could have potentially severely retarded response and defense efforts. "Yes, Hokage-sama has initiate emergency response procedures. All genin are assigned C-rank escort and protection missions. Civilians' safety is to be ensured. All chunin and jonin are to report to their assigned stations."
As the messenger birds were sent out, Shizune returned to her musings. Konoha was being invaded by seemingly impossible opponents. Based on her assessment, she suspected they were the Pein Rikudou Jiraiya reported. However, she was certain the one Jiraiya killed was still very much secure and dead.
There was no mistaking her count. There were most definitely six people attacking. They had already spread out, and she could sense chakra spiking all over the city. The shinobi were responding to drive off the invaders. With a nod, she knew she had to report to Tsunade. She knew her observations were vital. She only wished her sensei and her ANBU were more rested. They were still weary from a long night.
Fukusaku felt unease as he watched Naruto concentrate. He didn't understand why, but the tadpole's emotions were rubbing off on him. He did feel impressed that the anxiety hadn't ruined his concentration. He was successfully employing senjutsu to balance inhuman weight on his shoulders...while surrounded by Kage Bushin.
It was an astounding accomplishment. One Kage Bushin was enough to disrupt Jiraiya's concentration. The army of one thousand clones wasn't even pressing Naruto. Something else was. The cold sweat on his face indicated just that. He was distracted by something he felt.
"No, that can't be right..." Fukusaku didn't understand it at all. Naruto's mood would shift sometimes for inexplicable reasons. It wasn't so bad; the toad sage was willing to wager. Through the intense experiences, whatever they were, the tadpole had grown. He was able to maintain concentration even while distracted. Better still, his form was perfect. He hadn't had even the smallest fleck of stone appear in days!
Deciding the concentration drill was over; he whacked Naruto over the head with his chakra-absorbing staff. "Enough of that, you can practice your jutsu now." He shook his head and resisted rolling his eyes as the young blond jumped up and down. He followed at a more reasonable pace as the hyperactive shinobi rushed off to another area...dispelling clones along the way.
Once at the waterfall, Fukusaku noticed a far more sedate Naruto call two clones into existence. They stood perfectly still and called on senjutsu. Once transformed, the clones sat and concentrated at the waterfall. The original breathed deeply and practiced his form.
His eyes, though open and watchful, were distant and anxious. He slipped into each stance with practiced ease, and he was fully aware of every source of energy around him. He was intimately aware of body, spirit, and natural energies while a sage. He didn't even have to concentrate on any of it, a bit of a surprise for the elder toad.
It was probably near time to return the tadpole to his village. His progress was astounding, and there was nothing else to teach him. In fact, the runt had learned nearly as much training himself as he had from the elder toad. He had combined Fuuton with senjutsu in ways that astounded.
Though he had no formal Suiton training, he had picked up on that. While he couldn't use Suiton techniques outside of sage mode, it was still a magnificent sight to behold combined with senjutsu. Fukusaku was surprised by Naruto's logic. The idea of combining elemental chakra with senjutsu was to counter the most powerful members of Akatsuki.
The elder toad was impressed, but he understood something important. Naruto had the strangest way of thinking. It was outside the box and very unorthodox. Fukusaku liked it, and he was unashamed to call the surprising ninja a genius, away from his prying ears of course. There was no point giving him a swelled head.
He didn't understand where the blond genin got the inspiration to use senjutsu without merging. He somehow solved the problem of looking in both directions at the same time. It was ludicrous! It was simply impossible! The number one, hyperactive, knuckleheaded, surprising ninja lived up to his reputation. He was truly one of a kind, a diamond in the rough.
Naruto looked like an idiot, but his inventive nature spoke otherwise. His fighting formed looked undisciplined, but his ability to adapt to any situation proved multifaceted. His clothing coordination looked like he was just asking to be killed, but his ability to escape and evade were astounding. It was unthinkable to Fukusaku that such a fine example of shinobi skills went unnoticed for so many years.
It was unforgivable, and he regretted his inability to help his finest student's son. He was making up for it in teaching senjutsu to a new generation. He was buying back lost time by giving the child much needed recognition. He was securing the future by ensuring Jiraiya's destined child was strong enough to do what needed to be done.
Shikamaru wasn't halfway down the road from his teammates when it happened. The street was illuminated by a bright light from above, and wind and dust swirled around them. Ino and Chouji quickly made their way to his side to look at the gathering storm above them.
It was no natural storm; they were sure of that. It was composed entirely of chakra. The clouds were turbulent around the area. They stared wide-eyed and mouths agape, except Shikamaru. In a strange moment of seriousness, he spoke their collective mind. "This is bad... This is very bad..." For once, 'troublesome' was too weak a response.
In an instant, the chakra condensed. The implosion was immediately followed by a violent explosion, directly over the Hyuuga estates. The deafening sound was followed by waves of dust as buildings were flattened and bodies sent flying. As shinobi, they instinctively held fast to the ground with chakra, but they were forced to shield their faces from oncoming debris.
As trained shinobi, they were instantly in action. Without a command, they split up for search and rescue. They were going to find and save as many lives as they could. They had to rescue people, civilian and shinobi alike, from collapsed buildings and heavy debris.
Fortunately, the people they rescued quickly joined the search and rescue. Most shinobi caught unawares were able help themselves, but some were too mired by the strangeness of the attack to do anything before being struck unconscious or buried alive.
They were surprised to find few dead among the casualties. There were plenty of injuries, ranging from minor to life-threatening. Fortunately, Ino was a medic. She was able to stabilize any major or life-threatening injuries before they were transported to the hospital.
After handling the outer rim of the attack, they looked worriedly to the epicenter. They looked at one another and nodded. Shikamaru spoke up. "I'm sorry guys, but I need to get to the Hokage tower. I'm sure Tsunade'll need me. You two handle things here."
Ino nodded. "Don't apologize. We all have our responsibilities. Right now, Konoha needs you there more than here. Besides, Chouji and I can handle things." She gave her friend a reassuring smile. Even if things were dangerous, the shinobi of Konoha were strong.
Chouji gave his best friend a thumbs-up. "You get going, Shika! We'll hold our own; don't worry."
Reassured, Shikamaru finally left his friends behind. He had to get to the tower. He had to get more information and help them strategize. He could be lazy and watch clouds later. He could call things troublesome and complain about women later. A blond with four pigtails came to mind, and he managed to find that lazy bone despite himself. "Troublesome woman..." Thankfully, he felt better.
Sakura was too distracted to watch Sayumi and Yoshi perform their autopsy. Their patient had died from severe chakra burns. In a series of traumatic events, his chakra coils suddenly gave out and collapsed. Despite their best efforts, he died painfully as they could do little more than watch.
They had worked to save him, to his last dying breath. It had all been fruitless. As they investigated his body for how the anomaly killed him, Sakura sadly gazed out the window. It was always hard to lose a patient, but they had learned something. The chakra burns were caused by a backlash when he tried to tell Inoichi something. It was a mental defense to prevent probing, something the Yamanaka patriarch had carefully bypassed.
As she contemplated the discovery, her gaze floated outside. Her eyes went wide as her throat constricted. It felt like her heart had jumped into her throat, a physical impossibility. Her stomach felt like it sank. Over the Hyuuga estates, a massive pool of chakra formed. It caused turbulence, light, and wind. When it exploded, it knocked the entire hospital staff, several pieces of equipment, and any patient not strapped down to the floor.
Even watching, Sakura had been unprepared. Still, she was the first to her feet. She couldn't stop her eyelids from blinking in astonishment. Great clouds of dust rose from the streets, and it looked like a great deal of damage had been dealt to the Hyuuga estates and immediate surrounding areas. She covered her mouth in fright. What if Hinata, Shion, and Momiji were still there?!
Sayumi and Yoshi were quickly by her side. They felt their hearts seize at the sight. It was almost too much for them to take in, and it brought images of their teammate and sensei's deaths to the surface. They were brought out of their stupor by their superior's next commands.
"Prepare all rooms to receive injuries! Send all civilian doctors and nurses to the Hokage monument to set up triage and prepare for civilian casualties. Make sure all medics have soldier pills on hand and are ready to treat all casualties." She looked directly at them as they gawked at her. "We are in a state of emergency! Tsunade-sama will declare it soon enough, move! Ignore any DOA for now and to ensure as many survive as possible. Move!"
Her harsh command when they didn't immediately move managed to kick them into gear. As they left the room, Sakura turned back to the window to gaze at what she could see of the destruction. It was the same as the botched Oto-Suna invasion three years ago. Except this time Akatsuki was after Naruto, not Orochimaru after Sasuke.
She clenched her fists at her side as her body went rigid. With a look of raw determination, she made a vow. "I won't let Naruto get taken away! Akatsuki isn't getting its dirty paws on my teammate and friend!" Adamant, she turned and stormed out the room. If there was ever a time to prove she was stronger, it was facing an invasion.
From their vantage, Team Gai couldn't tell exactly where the chakra was concentrated. Neji activated his Byakugan, and his face twisted in abject horror. Noticing, Tenten begged him for answers. "What's going on, Neji? What's wrong?" Also concerned, Lee and Gai watched and waited anxiously for a response.
His expression morphed from horror to outrage. "It's above the Hyuuga compound! The enemy's targeting my home!" He had his pride as a Hyuuga, but it wasn't the same as the 'snooty' elder council, as he described them. Then he took in a sharp gasp of breath. "Hinata-sama's still..."
He was cut off as the explosion shook the ground. Screams filled the streets, and dust rapidly moved in like early morning fog. Neji practically shook with rage before the feeling of loss and depression took hold, and he fell to his knees. The air was so thick with chakra and dust that he couldn't see the Hyuuga estates. He couldn't see his home.
He couldn't see Hinata's fate.
As a single tear rolled down his cheek, he felt his emotions transform once more. It wasn't hope that filled him and gave him motion. It was rage. It was hatred. Wobbly, he made it to his feet. He felt his coils as if they were on fire. It wasn't anything like what he saw his cousin use one time, far from it.
His chakra was being supplemented by his emotions. He felt stronger, driven. Whoever had destroyed his home and removed his cousin's future was going to...pay! He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned an angry glower to his teammate.
Tenten shook her head. She knew exactly what he was going trough his mind. She felt it at their connection. She couldn't see chakra like the Hyuuga, and she couldn't sense any deeper meaning to it like medics. Her chakra control was mediocre, but she knew her teammate very well after four years of partnership.
He didn't allow the chakra or hatred to subside, but he understood what she was trying to convey. As a jonin, he knew his responsibility. It was to the village first. If he could save lives, he was going to. If he ran across whoever caused the destruction, he was going to make that person pay dearly.
It was unwise to cross the Hyuuga. "Individually, we are dangerous. As a group, we are powerful. United, we are unstoppable." It was something his father told him when he was young. He didn't understand it until Naruto soundly defeated him. Neji knew he was only an individual. He knew the branch or main were merely a group. Together, they could be an invincible, united front.
Though he doubted it at first, he kept faith in Naruto's eyes. His eyes were always better despite lacking a doujutsu. Hinata was the glue to unite the houses. She was the one he was willing and able to put his faith in. If she was gone, he doubted he could have faith in Hanabi, and he knew he didn't have faith in Hiashi.
Then he realized something. There was an inkling of hope forming in him. If she was gone also meant if she was still alive. He could believe. She wasn't the weak, undependable girl he saw not three years ago. She was stronger. She had faced in chunin trials again and nearly fought him to a standstill.
He respected her, and he found it an unusual sensation. He trusted what he once hated. He put his faith in what he once saw as trash. If she was dead, his hatred would avenger her. If she was alive, he was going to make sure she knew she had his support.
He saw the messenger bird in the sky but ignored it. He knew his responsibility. "Thanks Tenten." He was appreciated of her in more ways than he dared count. She didn't need to speak to reassure him, and his head was cleared of doubt. He still felt his rage and hatred, but he'd deal with it in time. "We should report to Hokage-sama and see if we can help distribute orders."
With a plan of action, Gai nodded his approval. "Yosh! Even facing tragedy, it is youthful to keep one's head. Let us show our youthfulness to Hokage-sama and reassure her of our youthful resolve. Come my youthful students! Prepare yourselves!"
Though they would normally reel at his boisterous display, Neji and Tenten were too distracted. They quickly followed after Lee and Gai towards the Hokage tower and Tsunade's office. They didn't even complain at the grueling pace. There was too much going on, and complaints were something selfish in a situation calling for selflessness.
Madara was actually rolling on the ground. He was actually laughing in delight. Even if they failed to capture Naruto, Pein had succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. He attacked the Hyuuga estates directly. He managed to break Konoha's back, morally and militarily, in a manner of seconds.
He didn't care about the risk Shinra Tensei represented. Nagato was his rook to use as he saw fit, so was Konan. The Akatsuki fitted their roles for him. He manipulated everything as he saw fit, but he didn't see himself as the king. No, that was reserved for his weapon. It had to be preserved until it was ready. He was the queen that protected it, and Akatsuki was the necessary army.
Deliberately, he stood and straightened his black robes. He faced a nearby puddle and activated his communications technique. "Servant, answer my call."
The indistinguishable shadow appeared in the puddle and met the secret leader's gaze. "Yes master, I answer your call."
I forgot that Mother's Day was the week after my parent's anniversary, so I was a lot busier than I thought I was going to be. Hopefully that doesn't reflect poorly in this chapter. Well, that's the beginning of Pein's attack.
I really liked this chapter, but it was hard to write. It also reintroduces my ability to write several different perspectives along the same or similar timelines.
As always, reviews are appreciated, and flames outright ignored.
Story Word Count: 8,001
Story Page Count: 17
Terms and Jutsu:
Pein Rikudou: Six Realms of Pein
Shinra Tensei - Almighty Push: Tendou's ultimate technique, Shinra Tensei utilizes gravity (possibly space/time) both defensively and offensively.