Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the associated characters, locations, jutsu, etc. The only thing I own is the plot of the story. If there is any plagiarism of any form it was completely unintentional.
"Finally, home at last! Dammit Kakashi, your injury made a 2 day trip a freaking 5 day hell." Sakura said while glaring at him.
"It was just a slip-up, anyways let's hurry up. Tsunade-sama has been waiting for us for three days now." Kakashi responded while walking slowly with his favorite book in front of him.
"Yeah yeah, I can already see the gates. It shouldn't be long now." The rest of the way until the gates they walked in silence. They were greeted by the usual guards before they entered Konoha. Instead of the usually busy and overflowing streets they encountered what could very well be a ghost town.
"Where is everybody?" Sakura asked while glancing around. Then she saw two civilians running through a street towards the town square.
"Hurry up, Danzo-sama said there was a very important announcement, we better not miss it!" She heard them say before they disappeared into an alley.
"Danzo? What could he have to say? Let's go find out." Sakura said while slowly walking towards the same alley the civilians disappeared into.
"You guys go ahead, I have to report back to Tsunade-sama?" Kakashi said while starting to walk the other way.
"Okay then, let's go Hinata. You've been awfully quiet lately, is something wrong?"
"N-no, I was just thinking about that shinobi w-we saw being captured when we crossed the border. H-he looked to be in a lot of pain."
"The Root are known for their cruel and inhumane methods. And out of all of them, he is the worst." They kept walking while their conversation shifted to random chatting. Eventually they found themselves in the town square, and sure enough it was completely crowded. In the main podium there were two Root Anbu standing motionless at the edges and in between them was Danzo. He had a serious expression on his face as he quickly skimmed over the crowds in front of him. He slowly leaned over to the microphone in front of him and cleared his throat to get everyone's attention, but the loud, incoherent chatter could still be heard.
"SILENCE!" He shouted, making everyone flinch and cover their ears. Danzo once again regained his calm posture of superiority and continued. "I regret to inform you that we have discovered some very alarming news. As some of you might already be aware my ANBU have captured a very dangerous rogue shinobi here in Fire territory." Some murmurs and whispers of concern started going around the crowds.
"Do not be alarmed, he is no longer a threat to Konoha. Regrettably, he killed himself after we interrogated him."
"Yeah right." Sakura scoffed.
"But before he died, he revealed to us that he is not alone. There are hundreds, maybe even thousands of rogue shinobi, all under the command of one man. And his name, is Yoshida Suyomura. He was once a dear friend of mine, and it pains me to say this, but this man is now an S-rank criminal, and along with him, these shinobi are now criminals as well."
"Oh no..."
"Tsunade-sama, may I come in?"
"Ah, Kakashi. How did the mission go?" Tsunade said as she stopped writing and looked up at him.
"Well, as expected, we were unable to capture Naruto."
"That's nothing new, however, I can tell that there is something more."
"Well, we encountered two shinobi, apparently they belonged to the group that has been kidnapping shinobi from all the other villages. One of them had a very unique Kekke Genkai, he was able to manipulate another person's body through contact with his own blood."
"Interesting, would this shinobi be the same one that the Root just brought in."
"He is, however that's not important, what matters is that I didn't anticipate for him to know about Sasuke and his brother."
"Don't tell me that-"
"Yes, Tsunade-sama, he told Sasuke about his brother before he escaped."
"Dammit!" She cursed while slamming her fist down on her desk. "Where is he?"
"He escaped along with Naruto and Sunagakure's jinchuriki, Gaara."
"Do we know where he might be going?"
"No. Kumo sent word that a search squad had been sent to the surrounding areas, but I doubt they will catch them."
"Send a messenger hawk immediately! Tell them that he needs to be found as soon as possible."
"Hai, Hokage-sama!" Kakashi bowed slightly before he disappeared in a cloud of smoke. Tsunade let out a loud groan before she pulled out a sake bottle from one of her desk drawers and she poured some on a small glass in front of her.
"You know he would have found out eventually, right?" The outline of a man could be seen standing outside of her open window, he was facing away from her but it was clear he was talking to Tsunade.
"And you ou know very well, that this complicates everything. He's going to want to chase after him now, what if he does find him? What if they find out who he is? We've worked so hard to keep him away and it will all be for nothing if that little shit comes here!"
"Stop worrying so much, I'll take care of that. For now, you should really be worrying about your own safety, and the safety of your village."
"I'm not the Hokage for nothing, if and when the time comes I will defend this villagge with my life."
"If you're not careful, you might end up doing just that."
"Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, Sabaku no Gaara, are now recognized as S-rank criminals by the Land of Fire. Even though other nations might not be in agreement, they are a kill on sight target!"
"Oh my god!" Hinata gasped while covering her mouth in disbelief.
"And it is with great pleasure, that I announce that the Hyuuga clan will form part of our search squads, led by their own leader, Hyuuga Hiashi!" Sakura was left in shock at those words, but when she turned to look at her friend, she was already gone.
KNOCK, KNOCK!
"Come in." A calm and deep voice commanded as a man with eyes as blank as the moon kept reading through the documents stacked on his desk. However, the tranquil atmosphere was broken as the sliding door was thrown open with a loud slam. The man looked up furiously at whoever was foolish enough to disrespect him in such a way, and he was met with an equally intense white stare.
"Ah, Hinata, I trust your mission went well." He said nonchalantly while resuming his reading.
"Why?" Was the only word she could say in response.
"Why what?" He asked without looking up from the papers.
"Why are you going with the ROOT?" She asked in a slightly shaky, but still demanding voice.
"Danzo-sama needs our help in dealing with those menaces." He said as if it were the most obvious thing in the planet.
"Those... Menaces. Are my friends, you can't just go and kill them!" She yelled as tears were starting to form in her eyes.
"You'll understand when you're older, it is for the good of the village, of our family, and for your own." He responded meeting her teary gaze.
"How would you know what's best for me? I-if all you do is judge me, and criticize every single thing I do. All you care about, is your stupid reputation." At this Hiashi slammed down the papers he was holding and looked at her with indignation.
"And why would you care what happens to them, have you forgotten what happened already, need I remind you of what he did?" He took a deep breath before he sat back down and resumed talking. "You must not forget your place, what I say is final! Now leave, we are done here." Hinata just quietly stood up and walked out of the office, slowly sliding the door shut as she left. But Hiashi could hear far too clearly how her hurried steps disappeared into the halls, most likely leaving a trail of tears. "You don't understand what is at stake here. I have to protect my family."