32. The Final Judgement

Kushina had been discovered once the subordinates of Danzou had returned from their break while she was bandaging Minato's arm, and had been kicked out of his hospital room. But not before she had leaned in and whispered three words in his ear.

By the time the general had come by to visit, Minato's mood had raised significantly.

"What're you so happy about?" the general asked in genuine confusion as he entered the room.

Minato, who had been lying in his bed, staring at the roof with an expression of happiness and total relaxation, was driven out of his thoughts.

"Hm?" he said and sat up, slightly more carefully than last time. "Oh, nothing."

"Right," the general replied, deciding not to comment that Minato should be anything but happy right now. "Danzou has scheduled our departure for tonight. How're your injuries?"

"Better," Minato replied. "My ribs are healed, and I guess I can walk. Haven't tried."

"You better walk," the general sighed, quickly going through some papers in his hands. "Danzou's patience has gone sort of thin lately. But don't worry, Hokage-sama will sort things out once we get back to the village."

Minato nodded, trying not to smile too much. The sensation that had spread through his whole body ever since Kushina left the room hadn't faded at all, and worrying seemed such a faraway feel to him that he was convinced he'd be able to get past any upcoming hindrance; by jumping over it, walking around it, or the harder effort of crushing his way through it, he would either way be able to do so. Simply because of the smile on his face.

"Anyway, Danzou's tightened the security around this room," the general continued, ignoring Minato's inconvenient cheeriness. "Mostly because that girl managed to get in here. Wasn't according to his plan. Here -" he handed Minato some of the papers, "- details about the case on you. You've got the right to know, so I asked to deliver them to you directly. It's not all that bad, I just think Danzou's overreacting."

"That's an understatement," Minato commented after seeing the large stamp across the page that contained general information about him. The ink was red, and had been pressed onto the paper with determination worthy of praise; not a single letter was unclear.

"Don't worry," the general repeated. "Just because you've been reported doesn't mean Danzou alone can decide what will become of you."

Minato sighed.

"Well, I have to go," the general continued, checking his wrist watch. "Gotta fill in some reports. I'll come pick you up later."

He then left Minato with the few masked guardians and the papers in his hand. Minato looked down at the large stamp again, and let out a small, frustrated sigh.

He had never thought his papers would be marked with a shining, red missing-nin: under conviction.

Yet his worries had long since faded, and he found himself smiling again.

They left later that evening, after Minato had received one last treatment by the medic-nin. He was pretty sure the walking would do no good for his leg, and he had to admit he looked even worse than he felt; the lack of fresh clothes had forced him to wear his blood-stained ones, and despite his new, relaxed posture, both his body and mind was tired. As he left the emergency hut, kept on a good long distance from the others and surrounded by the strange ANBU, passers-by dropped their jaws at the sight of him; very few who knew his name - and there were plenty of those - had seen him injured before.

Though in the long run, the trip back to Konoha wasn't as bad as Minato had predicted. It seemed that Danzou was satisfied with finally being on the last road back, and even though Minato for most of the walk was unable to talk to anyone, the breaks along the way were plenty. Juukai insisted on checking up on his leg more often than what was really necessary, but Minato knew it was only to keep him company, and had no complaints about it either.

He also appreciated the fact that both Danzou and his subordinates looked alarmed by his perfectly happy mood.

Though as the sun rose once more and they could see the large gates of Konoha in the distance, Minato realised what he was really about to face. He was to be evaluated by the Hokage himself for suspected criminal behaviour, which could go one way or the other; if the general was right, he would be set free the moment he crossed the doorstep of Konoha, simply because the Hokage would be fair that way. But how much did the Hokage really trust him? Minato had been successful more than often with the most twisted missions, and had often had compliments from the Hokage about his services to the village. He could also say he was on pretty good speaking terms with the man. But not only Minato was a loyal shinobi to him, there were plenty of men who had earned the Kage's trust. How much did the man really trust when it came to sorting out the truly honest ones?

Plus – and he had actually not given it a single thought until now, which gave him a knot in the chest – a certain silver-haired ten-year-old boy would be worse than displeased with his sensei. Kakashi had of principle followed every single order he was given without intervention or complaint, and he had a disliking for people who would go against any orders given.

He guessed he had some explaining to do later.

"Reported missing-nin, huh?"

The Hokage looked down at the papers Danzou had handed him earlier. To Minato's relief the only ones in the interrogation room were the two of them, the general and only a few trusted ANBU; on the other hand, Danzou had been sent off with the Hokage's councillors. Minato was pretty sure the process of his case would take longer just because of the chance Danzou had to pull the councillors over to his side.

Minato had already given his explanation, followed by the general's. It was quiet while the third read every written detail – each of them Danzou's own words – and after a while, an eyebrow rose. He looked up at Minato for just a moment, and something flashed across the Kage's face so quickly that Minato was sure he had imagined it at first.

Amusement.

"Well, this is a most unexpected event," the third said, his voice deep and serious again. "I can say so much now – the rules were made by my predecessors for cases such as these – there has to be an investigation of the matter. First of all, the students of the general's brother, the general himself, the others involved – and of course, Kushina – their witness will be taken into account. That process alone will take some time. I will have to consult with my councillors before any action is taken, and there has to be guards at all time."

The Hokage put the papers down and reached out for his smoking pipe, frown visible on his face.

"It seems a lot is to be taken into account, yet the deciding of the fate of missing-nin rarely seem to taken any time at all. As far as I can remember, there hasn't been one reported missing-nin I haven't convicted to immediate death without so much as a morning's thought."

He observed Minato, eyes piercing as though they were looking right through his skin; the words he had spoken were already reason enough to worry without being glared down. Yet the single tug on the corner of the third's lips Minato had seen earlier was enough make him wonder if he was playing games with him.

"Missing-nin become missing-nin when they commit serious crime and flee. And because they leave traces behind that are easy to follow. The crimes are consciously conducted, and more than often does the missing-nin not mind being known for his stand-point. There seems to be a few cords missing in this case."

The third went quickly through the papers again.

"As far as I can tell, no serious crime is committed. No clear proof of wrong intentions, and you did come voluntarily back to the village." He put down the papers again. "Yet the process has to be made. Forgive Danzou; he takes his work seriously."

Minato was eager to know just what kind of position Danzou had in ANBU, but felt that asking would be pushing his luck. So he kept quiet.

"You'll be watched at all times by ANBU I select until any suspicion is erased. Other than that, you're free to roam the village and visit Kushina as much as you like. Or she likes. I'm sure she won't mind, at least if the rumours I hear about the two of you are true."

At this, the Kage couldn't help but show a clear sign of amusement on his otherwise professionally serious face.