Flash of Red and Black
Chapter XV
"What the hell do you mean they're 'not there'?"
"It's exactly as I said. Uzumaki Mito-sama's remains are not in her tomb," Sai said, his voice totally neutral despite the absurdity of the statement.
"So what, then? Did she just walk away? And why were you in her tomb anyway?" I asked, totally confused and upset.
"Did Danzo take the remains?" Shikamaru asked once he arrived, having been summoned by Sai a few minutes earlier. I could tell just from a glance that he'd been in the archives since we got the scrolls about the Dead Demon Consuming Seal two days ago, but even without sleep his mind was better than mine, so I wasn't going to send him home just yet.
"I am not sure yet. I have some ANBU searching the tomb for clues about what happened."
"What made you decide to search her tomb to begin with?"
"I found a small reference to Orochimaru and in the same document it mentioned 'Mito and her clan members,' so I decided to follow up as best I could," he said, and I frowned. I was confused, and Shikamaru seemed to be in the same state I was. I called an ANBU to get Shikaku, hoping his rested mind would fare better than his son's and mine, but in any case, I knew nothing good would come of anything involving both Orochimaru and Danzo.
"Do you have any idea when her body was taken?"
"The document was probably written sometime prior to the Sandaime's death. However, we are still unsure of an exact time frame. It could have been several years before," Sai replied, looking at Shikamaru, though the genius seemed no closer to the answer he was looking for, so he just stood there, silently mulling until Shikaku arrived.
"Was there any evidence of a break-in?" Shikaku asked once Sai had filled him in.
"None that we've discovered yet."
"Then only someone from Konoha could have entered, unless the Sandaime or the council gave the key to someone," Shikaku said, frowning.
"So Danzo did it?" I asked, looking at the three men standing quietly.
"It seems likely," Shikamaru replied, though he had a frown that told me there was something he was still missing from the picture.
"What the hell would he want with her body?"
"I am not sure. I will search for answers while trying to confirm where her remains are currently located."
I nodded and dismissed Sai before turning to Shikamaru.
"Any luck on the Dead Demon Consuming Seal?"
"Nothing yet. I just can't figure out how everything fits together."
"Get some rest. You'll be able to think better once you've got a clear head. Then update Shikaku on everything you've gathered so far," I told him. He looked like he was going to protest, but he seemed to think better of it and just nodded before leaving.
"I'm sorry I can't help more," I said, looking at Shikaku, but he just shook his head.
"You're already doing more for the village than anyone else. Just leave this to us," he said, and I just smiled a little and nodded.
"Excuse me, Hokage-sama? There's one Sato Chie-san here who is asking to see you. She doesn't have an appointment, but she said that you had asked to see her?" a chuunin asked through the door.
"Yes, send her in," I called before turning back to Shikaku. "Let me know if you figure anything out. For now, you may want to find Kakashi and the Suna-nin. They're reviewing your plans for his mission," I said and Shikaku nodded and stepped out just as Sato-san entered.
"Hokage-sama, I'm sorry to disturb you," she said, bowing. She looked tired, understandably so, but I saw the same resolve in her eyes that was there the morning before.
"No, thank you for coming, Sato-san. You said yesterday that you wanted to join the force again. Is that still your intention?"
"Yes, Sir. If you will have me, I would like to take my late husband's place in your ranks," she said, standing tall. I could tell that her pride in her husband outweighed her grief, though I was sure both were heavy.
"You were a jounin before you retired, weren't you?" I asked, pulling her file from where I'd left it earlier.
"Yes, Sir. I retired after my husband proposed, a few months after the war ended."
"You will have to go through some exams to assess your skill levels as they are now."
"I understand. I am prepared."
"Do you want to regain your old post of tower guard from before the war? Or do you have something else in mind?" I asked, looking at the papers detailing her old positions.
"Actually… Before he died, my husband spoke of considering taking on a genin team of his own. If you find it suitable, I would like to do the same," she said, and I looked up at her, studying her for a moment.
"You understand that the next genin exam won't be for several months, so you will be on active duty until then?"
"Yes, sir."
"If that's the case, Sato-san, then I will see to it," I said before grabbing a scroll from my desk that I'd prepared earlier for this reason. "Take this downstairs. You will be given the dates and times of the exams you will need to go through. You will also need a medical exam. Ask for Hojo Mei at the hospital. She will be expecting you," I told her, and he nodded, taking the scroll from my hand.
"Is there anything else, sir?"
"No, that's all. Please get some rest and let me know if I can do anything else for you," I said, and she gave a small bow before leaving. Then I looked out my window at the village again. There was no way I would give up. No matter what, I would figure out a way to create the peace everyone gave their lives for.
Then I shook my head, pushing away that train of thought. I could only do so much at that moment, so I sat down and started filling out forms and stamping my seal, and by the time I heard another knock on my door, it was pitch black outside.
"Come in!" I called, rubbing my eyes. They were tired from staring at the pages for hours on end, but I'd had worse.
"Hokage-sama, we have written up our opinions on the mission plan for attacking Orochimaru's base. We included our suggestions as well, should you like to consider them," the Suna vice-captain said as he stacked several scrolls on my desk.
"Thank you. I'll read them carefully. Is everyone else resting?" I asked, smiling at him. I was surprised that they finished reviewing them in a little over a day, but I was glad. The sooner we could be prepared, the better.
"Yes. Is there anything else we might do for you, Sir?"
"No, thank you." I said, and I was met with a slight nod before he spoke again.
"Sir, I would like to make a request, if I may," he said. I was somewhat surprised, but I nodded, urging him on.
"Please get some rest too, Sir. Some of your ANBU have been saying that you haven't gotten any sleep since before Akimichi-san's team returned days go. I understand that you have stamina beyond what I can comprehend, and I know that everyone in this village admires your dedication and your concern. However, I believe that your rest will alleviate some of their concerns and allow them to rest easier as well," he said, bowing his head. I could tell that he was somewhat anxious trying to advise me, and I was surprised by it, but I appreciated his concern.
"Thank you. You've been secretly listening to the villagers, haven't you?" I asked, smiling at him. He tensed, suddenly seeming somewhat nervous. (I couldn't help thinking that the posture seemed out of place on an ANBU, especially one of the best from Suna, but I figured he wasn't really sure about how to approach me.)
"Yes, Sir, when I have occasion to pass through. I thought that… perhaps I could be of better use to the village that way, if I happened to overhear concerns I might be able to address them," he said, trailing off. I stood and walked over to him, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I see why Gaara has you as the vice-captain for his two best ANBU teams. Thank you. Please, if you hear anything else, let me know," I said, smiling at him before dropping my hand. "Now, I'm going to go home. Please get some rest too," I said before I walked out and headed home.
When I walked in, I saw some covered bowls on the table and Kakashi asleep on the couch with a book covering his eyes. I smiled a little before walking over to him and nudging him a little.
"If you sleep here, you'll catch a cold, you know," I said gently as I tried to wake him. He just slid the book away from his eyes and looked up at me.
"Well if I catch a cold then you'll just have to nurse me back to health, like chapter twelve of Make-Out Tactics, so it's not all bad," he said with a smile that I could only roll my eyes at.
"I'd just leave it to Sakura and her special food pills. Then you'd never be able to think of those books without getting sick," I said, giving him an evil grin.
"Maa, since I'm awake, I might as well get up," he said as he sat up, and I couldn't help laughing. Then he looked over at the table and saw the bowls sitting there.
"You haven't eaten yet?"
"I'm about to. I was just moving you first."
"Then I'll join you," he said, standing and walking over to the table with me. He and I started uncovering the bowls and heating what needed it before I sat and started eating as he just drank a cup of warm tea.
"I heard the Suna-nin talking about the speech you gave them," he said once I'd finished.
"Ah, I didn't really mean to lecture them, but they didn't seem to get what I'm trying to do. I guess it turned out okay, though," I said, pondering, but when Kakashi didn't say anything, I paused and looked over at him.
"What? Did I say something bad to them?" I asked, confused, but he smiled and shook his head before leaning over and giving me a quick peck.
"No, from what I heard, it was perfect," he said, smiling at me.
"Wh-what, then?" I asked, fidgeting a bit under the stare. He just smiled more and weaved his hand into my hair.
"I may not be able to help you with the legacy of your name, but I will do everything I can to help you create the peace you're striving for," he said before kissing me, and I felt my face go hot.
"So… they repeated all of that then, huh?" I said, looking away awkwardly as I scratched the back of my head.
"The vice-captain pretty much recited it word-for-word," he said, and I just sighed.
"Well, at least now the rest of the Suna-nin know understand what I'm trying to do," I said, letting myself fall forward to lean my head on his shoulder, though it didn't do much to hide my reddening ears.
"Naruto, you've always had a power much stronger than any jutsu. You have the power to move people and to make them believe. That's not a power someone can learn or study. It's something that you and you alone were born with, so you are the only person who can lead this world to peace. You need to realize just how important you are to this world, and you need to take care of yourself," he said quietly as he ran one hand through my hair as his other wrapped around my back and pulled me closer.
I sat quietly and listened until he finished, then I pulled back a little and looked at him, just studying him for a few moments. Then I tangled my hands in his hair and took a deep breath.
"I'm Konoha's Number One Unpredictable Ninja. In other words, I'm a reckless idiot who can't lead anyone anywhere unless I have you next to me, so even if it destroys me, I'm going to make sure Orochimaru dies and you return home safely," I said, before kissing him hard. Then I pulled back a little and stared him down. "As much as this world needs peace, I need you, Kakashi."
He stared back at me for a while, but then he closed his dark eye and took a deep, slow breath, but then he gave a small smile and looked at me again, and I could see more emotions than I could count swimming in the darkness of his eye.
"Then don't leave me alone either. You are the last precious person I have left, and you're the most important of them all. So don't leave me alone," he said slowly.
I took a sharp breath and hugged him. He immediately held me against him as tightly as he could.
"I'm afraid of making another promise that I won't be able to keep."
"Then I promise that we will bring peace to this world together, Naruto," he said before pulling me impossibly closer.
A heavy silence settled over us for a while as we sat there, but after a while he pulled away some and kissed me again.
"You need sleep. Go ahead and go to bed. I'll take care of the dishes," he said, giving a small smile before standing and pulling me up with him. I nodded and did as I was told, though I didn't fall asleep until I felt him crawl under the blankets with me.
oOo
Just as the sun was creeping up the next morning, I felt the chakra of an ANBU appear at my door.
"G'morning," I answered my door, groggily rubbing my eyes as I looked at the ANBU in front of me.
"I apologize for disturbing you, Hokage-sama, but some birds came in this morning from the other Great Nations. The scrolls are waiting for you in your office," the kunoichi said, and I immediately felt more awake.
"Got it. Tell Shikamaru and Shikaku to meet me there," I ordered and she nodded before vanishing. Then I quickly changed and disappeared to my office, leaving Kakashi to continue sleeping.
"What did they decide?" Shikaku asked as he walked in, Shikamaru following behind. I handed the scrolls to them as I continued reading the one sent from Kumo.
"It seems Kumo will strengthen their border defenses and increase patrols. They appreciate the warning," I said, not particularly surprised at the information. I expected Kumo to only intervene if their own security was threatened, but I hoped for a better response from the other villages.
"Kiri will send two ANBU teams to monitor the operation. They've also increased patrols and will notify you if there is any change in activity in the area," Shikamaru said before rolling the scroll back up and handing it to me. I smiled a little and took the scroll, reading it for myself.
"Iwa thanks you for the alert and will strengthen its defenses like Kumo," Shikaku said, pausing for a moment to glance at us. "Suna?" Shikamaru asked after a short silence.
"Suna has several teams on their way to Konoha as we speak. They should arrive in two days. They are to help wherever they are needed. The jounin Kankuro and Temari are among teams. The Kazekage suggests using Kankuro for fortifying security measures," Shikaku said before handing the scroll to me, and I nodded while Shikamaru smirked. Then I called in Rabbit and asked her to take the scrolls to the Suna ANBU, figuring that they should know that other Suna-nin were on their way.
"Last night the Suna ANBU also gave me their review of the mission plans and their suggestions. Shikaku, since you were with them, I assume you approve of their revisions?" I asked, and Shikaku nodded.
"Though we will probably need to make some more changes once the other Suna-nin arrive."
"I figured as much. Shikamaru, did you tell him about what you were looking up on for the Dead Demon Consuming Seal?"
"Yeah, but even after that and reading everything the archives had on it, I'm not any closer to an answer," Shikamaru said, frowning.
"Try going back through everything we've collected from Orochimaru's bases, then. Sorry I can't help more," I said, and Shikamaru nodded.
"I'll do that, thanks. But don't worry about it. This is my job," he said before heading out and Shikaku followed.
"Your job, huh?" I asked aloud to no one in particular, staring at the closed door before standing and heading out.
"Oiii! Lee! Are you busy?" I called once I saw him walking on his hands in circles on one of the training grounds. The moment he saw me, he flipped around and bounded over to me, grinning.
"Naruto! I am happy to see you on such a great morning! What can I do for you?" he asked, burning with excitement. I grinned back at him. I knew that spending time with the youth-filled shinobi was exactly what I needed.
"What do you say to a spar? It's been a while, and I want to keep my skills sharp," I told him and he was instantly on board, eager to get started. And just a few minutes later, we were throwing punches at one another.
"Naruto! Your speed has increased since becoming Hokage!" he said, just managing to dodge an attack from my clone before using the bunshin to block my kick.
"Really? I haven't been able to get much practice in, but I guess sending bunshin on ANBU missions has helped some," I said before creating a Rasengan attacking him with it, but he dodged expertly while kicking me off balance, causing me to launch it straight into the ground below his feet, causing him to fall too.
Once I stood again, I heard a huge thud on the ground and I grinned, instantly going into Sage Mode in expectation of what was to come. I made it just in time to avoid a barely-visible blow aimed at my ribs. Then I started my own assault, throwing all the attacks I could, trying to create an opening.
Finally a few hours in, once he was starting to wear down, I managed to use a kagebunshin to knock him off balance enough to be able to make an opening in his guard and land a clean hit to his side. ('Course it wasn't enough to really hurt him, but it would leave a nasty bruise for a day or two.)
I walked over to him and grinned at him, releasing Sage Mode as I offered a hand out to help him up. He smiled took my hand as I hoisted him up.
"Thanks for the spar. I needed that."
"Yes! Thank you! That was most exhilarating! I must train more to improve for next time," he said, smiling as he rubbed his side.
"I'll look forward to it, then. You might want to have Sakura check that out just in case, though," I told him, and he just shook his head.
"I cannot bother Sakura-san with something like this. It should be healed within a few days," he said and I shrugged.
"Sure. I should get back to work, but be sure to get that checked up on if it doesn't go away, alright?" I said and Lee saluted before bidding me a good day and returning to his maniacal training methods.
Back in my office, I worked until I heard a knock at my door, and I was surprised to see Choji walk in (though he had Ino standing next to him, looking aggravated, and I had to work to keep from smiling).
"Choji! Is it really alright for you to be up already?"
"That's what I'm telling him! He may have been released from the hospital, but he is in absolutely no condition to be moving around!" Ino huffed behind him and Choji just laughed a little before turning back to me. Honestly, he looked like he was in good shape aside from the stitches.
"Don't worry about it. I'm fine. I just wanted to see if I could help out with anything. I mean, I know I can't go on another mission yet, but I hoped I could help out somehow," he said, and I glanced at Ino, who seemed torn between anger and pride.
"Think you can do some paperwork while on bed rest, then?"
"Sure! What can I do for you?" he asked, and I smiled before pulling some scrolls from my desk.
"This is everything we've gotten from the investigation on Danzo so far. Shikamaru and Shikaku have already seen all of it, but I figure a fresh set of eyes might help. Mind reading through it for me?"
"Got it. I'm not sure if I'll be able to help much, but I'll try."
"Thanks. But make sure rest is your first priority," I said and Choji nodded and left, and Ino followed behind.
Once they were gone I continued on paperwork until Shikamaru suddenly showed up and immediately had an ANBU call for Shikaku.
"What are you—"
"I figured out why that seal was bothering me," Shikamaru cut me off, and I nodded for him to continue. "Why would Orochimaru, a guy obsessed with power and jutsu want to have anything to do with the Dead Demon Consuming Seal?"
"You said that before, right? It's a forbidden jutsu, and the snake wants to get his hands on all of them he can," I said, confused.
"Sure, but the seal takes the life of the user. There's no way he would give up his life to kill someone else. He'd just hide and bide his time until he could defeat that person."
"Then what would he want it for?"
"I remembered a report from the ANBU when we first took the Chuunin Exam. The Sandaime didn't die from his wounds. He died because he used the seal to try to kill Orochimaru. Because of his wounds, he didn't have enough power to succeed, but he was able to seal part of Orochimaru's soul, and thus some of his power," he said before Shikaku walked in.
"That's why he was so urgent to change vessels every three years since the body he used would fail. And that's also why Sasuke was able to kill him, temporarily at least, before the war," Shikaku said, but I frowned, not quite understanding, so Shikamaru spoke up again.
"He's not researching the seal to use it. He's researching the seal to undo it. He wants to regain his full power," he explained.
"And there's no better place to research seals than in the Land of Whirlpools, the country that was once known for its fuuinjutsu," Shikaku said, and I grimaced.
"So we have to hope that we're hitting him while he's still weak," I said, looking at the two, and they nodded. "Shit," I grit out through clenched teeth. I didn't like the idea of him getting any stronger than he already was, especially with all the super thugs already swarming.
"Of course, there's no guarantee that such a thing is even possible. And if what the teams had to deal with is any indication, Orochimaru has been more interested in the Sharingan and his curse mark than the seal," Shikaku said.
"There's no guarantee he didn't already figure it out either," I said, looking at the two, and they both nodded. I just sighed.
"Well, either way this doesn't change anything. We have to take him and every last one of his thugs down before they get any more powerful. I won't risk him reviving again," I said and again the two nodded. "Anything else?" I asked. When the two shook their heads, I continued, "Then see if you can help Sai any. That may be the only way for us to get any more hints about Orochimaru's experiments for the moment."
The pair nodded and left, and once they were gone, I sighed before grabbing the reviews from the Suna ANBU about the mission. There was only so much I could do to prepare for the mission, but I was going to make sure that I did everything I could to make sure it would end well.
Lots of stuff happening this time! I look forward to hearing more predictions from you guys. Hope you'll enjoy the next chapter too.