A Carefully Planted Spy
Fukasaku smacked Shima's meddling green fingers away for the umpteenth time that day as she attempted to once again smooth a the wrinkle in his mauve cloak. She cursed under her breath, something about unappreciative husbands. With forced civility, as Tsunade had understandably been loath to discover the toads claiming Sasuke Uchiha as their prisoner without mediation from the Leaf, the Hokage and the sages had agreed upon a meeting place. It was easiest for the toads to make their way towards Konoha, as Mount Myoboku and the hidden village were linked in a secret way.
So it was that the sages, including the Great Elder himself, were meeting by a lake not even a mile outside of Konoha's walls. Fukasaku had adamantly insisted that the Great Elder remain at Mount Myoboku because of his delicate "health" (or rather, his mind). The Great Elder, however, would not be swayed. Fukasaku's attention kept swiveling over to the Elder toad, who was resting in the warm water of the lake up to his waist. He was tiredly waving away a vexed looking young red toad, the Great Elder's newest little lap tadpole, by the looks of how he was constantly tending to the great toad. Judging by the size of the little toad, he had barely begun an apprenticeship as a messenger between Konoha and Mount Myoboku; it was probably all he was old enough to do. The last gusts of the September heat were blistering, and the massive toad seemed to be sagging in it, rivulets of sweat running down his bumpy skin.
Shima distracted Fukasaku with her chatter, and he looked away from the Elder. "Tsunade's temper has never been easy to curb. We should be careful of what we say. Technically, the Leaf does have the sole right to covet Uchiha and deal with him as they should. We're really twisting her arm behind her back by calling her right 'force'," Shima warned as she smoothed over her smoky blue robes. Fukasaku sighed. It was messy business. The Hokage was wroth to deal with the sages, and he doubted the meeting would be quick, and least of all, pleasant.
"Let us hope we're only dealing with her anger towards Sasuke, and that this meeting doesn't turn into one about Naruto. As long as we can convince her that Sasuke can stay a prisoner on our lands, we should be fine," Fukasaku muttered. Shima said nothing, only grimaced. Finally, Tsunade appeared with a small group of ANBU guards, and her black-haired assistant, Shizune. The Hokage greeted them pleasantly enough as she walked to the edge of the lake.
"I must thank you again for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice. It is an honor to meet you, Great Elder. I'm surprised you made the journey."
The Great Elder eyed her warily, the heat obviously testing his temper. "Dear, there is no need to sweeten your voice, I can hear the venom in it. Please, if we might go right along, this heat is almost too awful to bear," the enormous toad complained. Tsunade was too happy to comply.
"As a rogue nin, Sasuke Uchiha rightfully belongs to the Leaf-"
"He invaded our lands. We have every right to hold him!" The Great Elder rumbled. Tsunade's brow furrowed. Fukasaku found he was rather impressed, and grateful, that the Great Elder had not yet lost his bearings.
"Invaded? It was my understanding that his appearance was purely circumstantial-"
The Great Elder cut her off once more. "Sasuke Uchiha was an unwelcome visitor. If unwelcome needs to be defined as an invasion in order to keep him as our prisoner, then so be it. The youth has illegally witnessed our secrets and the mountain, something no human should see without welcome of the toads! It is an ancient law in our lands. Therefore, he is subject to our imprisonment. Mount Myoboku is a sacred land, and we only permit those we deem worthy to bear witness to it. Sasuke Uchiha came unbidden."
Tsunade seemed to chew on that a moment before saying, "Great Elder, I understand and I sympathize, but Sasuke Uchiha's body belongs to the Leaf! You cannot withhold a rogue nin from his hidden village! You speak of secrets that must be kept! The same goes for ninja and their hidden villages! If Sasuke were to die, any enemy ninja could study his corpse and learn his secrets, which should only be known to the village he was sworn to protect! Techniques the Leaf has relied on could be used against us!" Tsunade fumed. The Great Elder held up a giant hand, but Fukasaku cut in.
"Lady Tsunade, Sasuke's body is under no threat, we assure you. The entrance to the mountain is a heavily guarded secret, and no ordinary ninja can simply stumble upon it. We understand his body belongs to the Leaf, but the body in question still has a beating heart, and therefore is subject to any captors who might imprison him. Should he die, he would most certainly be returned to you, untouched." Tsunade glowered at him. For several moments she did not speak.
"Why are you keeping him? What is it you're not telling me? Answer me truthfully, I am the Hokage." She sliced a hand through the air to emphasize her point. Fukasaku looked to the Great Elder, who seemed to be mulling this over, wondering if Tsunade would react accordingly.
"They cannot be separated," he said finally. Tsunade's brow arched.
"Explain," she ordered, oblivious to the venomous looks the sages shot at her for such disrespectful treatment of the Elder.
"I have seen it in my dreams. It is imperative that the Uchiha and Naruto understand each other and this child that connects them. A great good could come out of such an alliance-" the Great Elder tried to say.
Tsunade sputtered, turning pink with anger. "You cannot withhold him based on prophecy alone! Prophecies are subject to a wide number of interpretations!"
"What prophecy?" The Great Elder asked, and Tsunade fumbled, confused and annoyed, hands akimbo. Fukasaku rushed to the rescue. The Great Elder had lasted longer than expected. The large toad blinked rheumy eyes at the sages as if in a daze.
"Lady Tsunade, we feel that by separating Sasuke and Naruto, we will only asking for more trouble," Fukasaku hurriedly explained.
"So you want to let the love sick teens carry out their little fantasy?" Tsunade burst out, incredulous. Shima frowned at this.
"My Lady, the Great Elder's prophecies are not ones to be taken lightly. Need we remind you that our current Elder is the holiest and wisest in our history! All of his dreams have come to pass. Jiraiya himself was once in a prophecy-"
"Yes, and a load of good it did him to heed the dreams of a senile old toad! He mentored a monster, and he died by his student's hand because of destiny!" Tsunade snarled, still wounded at the memory of her former teammate. Shima turned purple with rage at this insolence, and Fukasaku put comforting hands on her shoulders and shushed her before she could say anything else. He turned to Tsunade.
"Jiraiya might have been your friend, woman, but he was my student, and I was as proud of him as I would have been had Shima granted me any sons! How dare you belittle our beliefs and blame the Great Elder for Jiraiya's death? We'll keep this meeting civil!" He pointed to her, and the Hokage looked (only a little) abashed, but she held her tongue.
"Jiraiya," The Great Elder spoke suddenly, and the others quieted. "Jiraiya had a choice. I told him to be way of the path he trod, for it might lead to his student's undoing. Such is the way of fate. Jiraiya believed, yes, but faith was not his downfall. It was fate," he pointed out sagely. Tsunade frowned, but Shizune placed a warning hand on her arm.
"My point is that a prophecy can easily break into something different than first theorized!" Tsunade continued.
"Whether you heed my warnings or not, we still stand by our decision to hold Uchiha on our lands until further notice," The Great Elder decided. Tsunade shook her head.
"I am not comfortable with this arrangement. He is a wanted criminal, and a rogue nin of my hidden village. I will have him handed over in time."
"In time," Fukasaku agreed. This seemed to placate the Hokage somewhat.
"Until then, we might agree on another human residing on your lands to keep a watchful eye on Sasuke?" Tsunade ventured hopefully. Fukasaku and Shima looked to the Great Elder. It was he who ultimately decided which humans were worthy of seeing the toads' majestic lands. The Great Elder grunted.
"Perhaps. I will have to see this person."
"It will be done," Tsunade agreed. "Now, as for Naruto-"
"Naruto is safe with us, my Lady. We assure you no harm will befall him," Shima cut in. Tsunade quickly veiled her irritation at the interruption.
"I understand that, and I really do trust him with you. It's why we wanted him there in the first place, but we have to discuss the child," she pressed. Fukasaku eyed her warily.
"What more is there to be done? The child exists."
Tsunade grunted at this. "Well, I could make it otherwise." There was a pause at her words.
"You are suggesting a termination, despite the death of Nakamura?" Fukasaku asked, disbelieving.
"It would be a wise decision, yes. In fact, it was supposed to have taken place before Naruto arrived on Mount Myoboku. Unfortunately, a sudden attack led by Madara stalled the procedure."
"You are a brilliant medic nin, Lady Tsunade, truly one of a kind, but only Aoi Nakamura could boast of having even a slight chance of success with such a procedure! She was skilled when it came to demonic chakras!" Fukasaku argued.
"I am aware it is not my area of expertise, but I know how the procedure should be done. There is hardly time to study and practice it, lest we let the problem fester and grow. If we let it develop further, the task will only be more daunting." Tsunade seemed confident.
Fukasaku shook his head at this, flabbergasted. "There was a chance Aoi would have killed him, skilled as she was in that area. A chance she would have put herself and her team at risk as well. Not only may the Kyuubi surface, but going into this without the proper training could mean Naruto's certain death!"
"You have little faith in me, Fukasaku," Tsunade said through gritted teeth. "I'm a better medic nin than you're giving me credit for-"
"It is too risky, too dangerous! If you had to dispose of it, the safest way would be to wait until its birth so that is no longer protected by the Kyuubi and Naruto's body-"
"Fukasaku!" Shima gasped, horrified at the implication. Fukasaku paused and glanced at his wife, who was staring at him as though she were witnessing a side of her husband she had not yet seen. The Great Elder was studying him with a face that was hard to read, and Tsunade had quieted. He felt ashamed of the thought, but it was the safest option. Sasuke Uchiha had even agreed…
Tsunade interrupted his thoughts. "I had thought of it," she confessed. "It was only my own affections for Naruto that stopped me from taking that route. I had hoped to end it quickly, so I could spare him that kind of trauma."
"I have a soft spot for the boy as well," Fukasaku agreed, "I'm merely saying-"
"I understand. Still, I feel there must at least be an attempt!" Tsunade was putting her foot down on this one, Fukasaku knew.
"That is unacceptable," the Great Elder finally rumbled. Tsunade looked to him, at wit's end.
"What's unacceptable is allowing this child a chance into the world! We have no idea what we're dealing with-"
"This child will possess a great power. There is no denying it. However, casting it aside as a mere demon does nothing for the possible good such power raised in the correct hands will bring. Let things unfold the way fate intended, however it should be. Forcing death will only bring pain," the wise toad mused.
Tsunade wasn't having any of it. "Naruto is a ninja of the Leaf. He is the ninth Jinchuuriki, a target in this war, and under my protection. He will understand. Ultimately, I have the final say in what happens with him. He has no real guardians but me, and I say termination is safest. Not only for Naruto, but for the unfortunate child."
"It is too dangerous!" Fukasaku objected.
"Too dangerous?!" Tsunade thundered. "What's dangerous is letting this child live. If Madara ever caught Naruto, can you imagine the things he might think to accomplish with such an asset? No, we cannot let that happen! If Madara comes too close-"
"Enough! I cannot take this bickering," the Great Elder snapped. The others quieted. Tsunade was flushed.
"At least permit Naruto to leave Mount Myoboku just long enough to undergo the procedure here in Konoha-"
"No, no. Madara will be looking for him. It's best to keep him hidden. You know this, Lady Tsunade," the Great Elder explained tiredly. At her mutinous look, he continued, "The threat is great both ways. Still, we must keep him hidden. Sasuke Uchiha as well. Rogue he may be, but for a youth of seventeen, he is very skilled and may prove to be a valuable asset later on. He might yet be saved."
Tsunade bit her lip, mulling this over. "He still violated the law, attempted and succeeded in assassination, and has tried to kill my ninja without a second thought to any relationship he might have once shared with them. The Sasuke Uchiha I once knew is dead to me. In his place is a villain I will gladly end myself. There is nothing left to be saved."
The Great Elder blinked. "Hmm? Save who?" The old toad seemed lost and confused again. He motioned for the young red toad waiting at the edge of the lake with a plate of enormous steamed caterpillars. The Great Elder gingerly picked one between two fingers and popped it in his mouth.
"Who needs saving?" he asked again. Fukasaku sighed deeply, turning to Tsunade. He knew it was only a matter of time before the old geezer ran out of steam.
"Present the person you have selected to stay on Mount Myoboku with Naruto. The Great Elder will decide, once he sees this person, whether or not to go along with your idea. I know it will bring you some source of comfort. knowing you cannot set foot on our lands."
Tsunade nodded curtly. "You won't send him to me, will you?" she asked. Fukasaku looked to Shima, who had been unusally quiet. She was eyeing him in a suspicious manner, as if she was beginning to piece something together. He hopped away from her and beckoned to the Hokage.
"It is too dangerous," he repeated once they were out of earshot from Shima. Noticing how he fidgeted and glanced nervously back at his wife, Tsunade hummed thoughtfully.
"What have you got up your sleeve, toad?" she wanted to know. Fukasaku sighed, bowing his head. He felt the familiar guilt associated with his secret pact with Sasuke, mostly because he didn't have the nerve to suggest it to Naruto himself. It was simply too gruesome to fully accept and acknowledge that the only person Naruto would let get so close (especially if he knew the thoughts of his peers) would be Sasuke. In that case, Sasuke would be the only one quick enough, and capable enough, to match Naruto in strength should things get difficult and end the threat.
"I have spoken to Sasuke," he said finally. "He has agreed…well, he has agreed to step in when the time comes."
Tsunade frowned. "Naruto is aware of this?"
"He is not. We both know what the boy would do…" Fukasaku hesitated, looking to Tsunade. The woman sighed.
"Yes, I know. He is naïve, powerful, and headstrong. He believes in protecting the innocent at all costs, and to him, his child is unblemished. I think his strong desire to protect it and prove it is loved comes from his own bitter childhood. He grew up without parents to love him, and was seen as a curse by the villagers. He will not do the same to his own. I am not sure whether to admire this or be enraged by it," she said finally. Fukasaku silently agreed.
"How can you be so quick to trust Sasuke?" Tsunade asked. Fukasaku shrugged.
"If you were to see him, you would understand. He is cold and lethal, but something keeps him connected to Naruto. Something that really makes him see Naruto. I am not sure what it is, but they have formed a most unusual, and a most terrifyingly strong, bond. Once I presented the situation correctly to him, I had no doubt he would agree, if only out of a need to keep Naruto from death."
Tsunade nodded slowly. "If they have formed this most terrifying strong bond, then what do you expect will happen once Sasuke murders their child 'for the greater good'?" Tsunade asked. Fukasaku looked away.
"The Great Elder claims that Sasuke and Naruto must understand each other, lest chaos should reign. He's made it clear they won't do as enemies. Yet, we both know what chaos will be brought upon this world if Madara should have Naruto. Even Mount Myoboku will be affected. It's only a matter of time, Lady Tsunade, before the villain puts us in a corner. You know this; this is why you are more adamant than ever about the termination." Tsunade considered him for a moment.
"I'm surprised. You're not heeding your own Elder's prophecy," she said quietly.
Fukasaku winced. It was true. He was going against the Elder's wisdom. "Naruto is no position to make this decision. He is a person one can truly admire. He possesses true strength and courage…and it changes those who know him. It is his courage, his unwavering desire to save those he loves, even if they are deemed unoworthy of it, that will be his own undoing. In time, he will understand why the decision was made. He will forgive Sasuke. He won't forgive us."
"No, he wouldn't," Tsunade agreed, thinking of the energetic blond with the bright attitude.
"I have seen many things in my life. I have seen comrades fall, evil spread its shadow, villains persist and eventually burn out, even Death itself. I will not see Madara unleash himself upon this world. I try to be a faithful follower of our Great Elder. I heed his prophecies, muse over his wisdoms, and am sure to apply it once I fully understand it. There are few things greater in this life than wisdom. Without it, you know nothing, can do nothing. However, even the Great Elder does things I cannot fully comprehend. This child being one of them. If it brings Sasuke and Naruto to blows…so be it. It is a fight that will eventually end, but Madara's fight..." He paused, looking to the cloudless blue sky, and Tsunade nodded.
"Well said, toad." she said quietly. Fukasaku cast a guilty glance over to his wife, who was waiting, watching, a frown on her lined green face.
"The future is indefinite. It can always be changed." Fukasaku whispered as he bade Tsunade farewell and shuffled over to Shima.
The Great Elder stalled his departure long enough for Tsunade to summon Suigetsu. The Great Elder squinted at the youth, and seemed to hesitate. His unwavering glare made Suigetsu fidget. Fukasaku looked over to Tsunade. She seemed cool and collected, but he had no doubt she was holding her breath.
"Very well," The Great Elder agreed tiredly, waving thema way. Tsunade cast a quick glance towards Fukasaku and the two shared a knowing nod, but suddenly Fukasaku felt unsure. Discontent. Why did Tsunade need Suigetsu in the toad lands still, despite what Fukasaku had divulged to her?
Later, he would learn he was right to be wary.
The Hokage left the lake that September day with a smug grin on her face. She had stuck her foot in Mount Myoboku's seemingly impenetrable door; Sasuke was being watched for her by a young man torn between his want to have faith in his team leader, and his desire to avoid betrayal and end up on the side he was safest. Fukasaku had already taken initiative about the demon child, but she was still skeptical in the toad's belief that Sasuke was the only one able to accomplish the task accordingly. It didn't matter, she supposed. Either way, the child would be ended, and Sasuke would be hated and scorned, even if it was "for the greater good". In the end, he might even come to her willingly, and his reign of terror would end.
Everything would fall into place.