Chapter 22: Pawn of the Shadows
A/N: Hey guys, I know nearly two months since my last update. I'm an ass, sorry. I ended getting my factory job back so barely anytime to write. I'm doing my best though, I swear!
Last time: Naruto finally admits to Jihibiki that he loves Hinata. When asked we he continues to fight hos feelings he tells Jihibiki that iys because of his haunting visions and dreams. Jihibiki tells Naruto that its okay to have some fear because its serves as motivation to not fail. with his determination restored the two push on with training. In the mean time Neji is summoned by Hiashi who informs him that they are going to see the Hokage. He tells Neji to go retrieve Hinata from the hospital. Before he can leave though Hiashi tells Neji that he still is aware of Neji's removal from interogation duty. Neji has a brief flashback to a conversation he had with Ibiki. Neji continues on to find Hinata and tells her that they have beeen summoned to see the Hokage. Hinata then goes over her father's head and summons Naruto, Renge, and Jihibiki. Once they all arrive they conyinue on to the Hokage tower. When they arrive Hiashi tells the three Uzumaki to stay but once again Hinata laminates how they should take help when they can get it. Hiashi concedes and they all head to the meeting. However, before the meeting could begin a Branch Member interrupts the meeting to inform them that Hanabi has been attacked and is at the hospital.
Hinata sprinted through the hallways of the Hokage tower as fast as she could. She thought she heard shouts for her to wait and stop but she couldn't be too sure. Her heart was pounding in her ears and her frantic breathing drowned out all noise. Her all-seeing-eyes were tunneled, focused straight in front of her and yet she still couldn't quite see. Everything seemed to blur for her and time seemed to slow down. No matter how hard she pushed herself to move forward it seemed as if she was walking.
Hinata's mind was racing in panic. Tears were forming in her eyes, but she didn't care. All she knew was that she had to find her baby sister, and she had to find her now!
"Please!" Hinata begged as she sprinted down the stairs to the first floor. "Please for the love of God let Hanabi okay!"
Hinata wasn't sure what she would do with herself if anything happened to Hanabi. Her baby sister was practically her life when she wasn't on missions or training. They had stuck it out together through thick and thin. They had laughed, cried, and shared secrets with each other. Hinata was the mother Hanabi never had, and Hanabi was the only constant in Hinata's life within the confines of the Hyuuga estate.
Bursting through the doors and exiting out the back of the tower Hinata made a straight beeline for the hospital, thankful that the village had decided to place it directly behind the Hokage tower.
"Where are you Hanabi-chan?!" Hinata thought frantically as she closed the distance to the hospital rapidly but not quick enough for her liking.
Crashing through the doors of the hospital, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared at the Hyuuga heiress in shock. Hinata's eyes darted frantically around the lobby looking for some sign of her sister's presence. Desperation hit its limit for Hinata and she was about to activate her Byakugan when she heard a voice calling her name.
"Hinata-sama!"
Hinata turned to the voice and saw a familiar Branch Member waving her over to one of the hallways. Not missing a beat Hinata ran towards the person.
"Shinrai-san!..." Hinata called out desperately.
"Follow me, Hinata-sama! I know the way!" Shinrai said quickly as they ran through the hallways.
In less than a minute Hinata found herself outside of a room that was being guarded by other Branch Members. Pushing her way through the door, the first thing to meet her eyes was a large basin filled with bloody rags and bandages. Hinata's eyes grew and her heart nearly stopped.
"HANABI!?" Hinata shouted nearly crazed.
"Nee-chan?!" Hanabi's voice answered right back.
Hinata's head snapped to the side and she saw a brown blur moving towards her. Not even waiting for her, Hinata met Hanabi halfway. Bending down Hinata scooped Hanabi up in her arms with a bone crushing hug.
"Hanabi-chan, are you okay? Are you hurt? Is everything alright?" Hinata asked frantically as she tried to hug her baby sister and check her at the same time.
"I-I'm f-fine nee-chan." Hanabi sputtered out through her tears as she clung to her older sister.
Hinata never added a suffix to her name unless she was in extreme distress, and it only served to cause Hanabi to become more emotionally unstable.
"I j-just got a c-cut on my s-side." Hanabi stuttered out as the tears fell down her face.
Hinata felt an overwhelming sense of relief wash over her as the dams burst in her own eyes.
"Oh Hanabi-chan, I'm so glad you're alright!" Hinata whispered in her ear trying to calm her down as best she could.
Hinata gave her sister a squeeze and Hanabi returned it quickly. Looking around Hinata saw a bench in the room and scooped up Hanabi and moved towards it. Hinata wasn't sure why but for some reason it seemed like Hanabi was unusually small as the young girl practically curled up in a ball and buried her face in her chest. After taking a moment to dry her tears Hinata then hugged Hanabi protectively and spoke.
"Hanabi-chan, what happened?"
"I-I was playing with Konohamaru-kun and the others at the park they just finished building." Hanabi sniffed out still clutching on to Hinata for dear life. "We were playing defend the castle on top of the slide and I was defending. A-Anyways we decided that we wouldn't use any jutsu so I never saw the person come up behind me."
Hanabi started shaking so Hinata quickly gave her a reassuring hug.
"It's okay Hanabi-chan it's over now." Hinata cooed softly. It seemed to work as Hanabi seemed to stop shaking for the moment.
"How did you get away?" Hinata asked.
"Ko…" Hanabi said trailing off and looking over at the hospital bed.
Hinata hadn't realized that Ko was even there. She had been so worried about finding Hanabi that she was completely oblivious to the rest of the world. Looking over at the bed she saw that the bodyguard who had looked after the two girls for so long was unconscious and wrapped in several bandages.
"He pushed me out of the way and got stabbed." Hanabi said sadly.
"He'll be fine Hanabi, don't worry." Hinata said reassuringly noting the worry in her sister's voice.
Hanabi nodded but didn't reply. However, Hinata quickly became curious of something.
"Hanabi-chan," Hinata asked getting her sister's attention, "how did you get away from the attacker?"
At that question Hanabi ducked her head even more and mumbled out an incomprehensible response.
"I'm sorry, what did you say?" Hinata asked ducking her own head down to hear better.
"K-Konohamaru-kun saved me…" Hanabi mumbled out again.
Hinata raised an eyebrow at this and met Hanabi's eyes. The reaction was almost instantaneous as Hanabi quickly averted her eyes and blushed.
"I-It's not like I a-asked him f-for help or anything." Hanabi stuttered out.
This time the stutter was for a completely different reason, and Hinata couldn't help but smile.
"What did Konohamaru-kun do to save you?" Hinata asked.
"H-He jumped in front of me a-and said he would defend me w-with his life." Hanabi stammered as she began to fidget with Hinata's jacket. "He made a Rasengan and the attacker seemed to stop and hesitate before disappearing."
Hinata was surprised to hear that. "I didn't know Konohamaru-kun knew how to use the Rasengan. I thought Naruto-kun was the only one?"
Hanabi shook her head. "Naruto-kun taught Konohamaru-kun the Rasengan. He kind of took him on as his unspoken apprentice."
Hinata felt a sense of pride swell up inside of her over the man she loved. He was become something so great. He had saved her life multiple times, begun to teach the new generation, which ended up possibly saving Hanabi's life, and was now recognized as the village hero. Only a few things on his ever growing list of accomplishments.
"I guess we should both be thankful that we have those boys in our lives. If not neither of us might not be here right now." Hinata whispered into Hanabi's ear with a smile.
A small smile graced Hanabi's lips as well as a light blush and she nodded in agreement. Both of them were quiet while they held each other and waited for the others to catch up. After a minute of silence Hanabi broke it.
"Nee-chan…" Hanabi trailed off as she looked up at her older sister with new tears in her eyes.
"Yes Hanabi-chan?" Hinata asked meeting her eyes and feeling tears of her own welling up.
"I…I love you nee-chan." Hanabi said breaking the gaze and burying her face into Hinata's chest.
"I love you too Hanabi-chan." Hinata said gently with tears rolling down her cheeks. Giving her another tight squeeze she finished, "I love you so much."
After Hinata had rushed from the room the meeting quickly fell to pieces. Hiashi didn't even have to say anything when turned and looked at Tsunade.
"Go." She ordered in which she received a short but grateful nod from Hiashi before making a swift exit followed quickly by Neji.
"Get out here!" she quickly barked.
In an instant three ANBU appeared before her at perfect attention.
"I want the ANBU scrambled in less than five minutes and investigating what the hell happened. I want to know how someone got within our walls without us knowing it and managed to attack the daughter to one of the most prestigious clans in the world! Find out who this was and how they did it!" Tsunade said with so much authority that it actually awed Naruto.
With a brief nod all three shinobi disappeared leaving only the Uzumakis in the office. Closing her eyes Tsunade slouched back in her chair and rubbed her forehead with an exhaustive sigh.
"Can someone please explain to me what the hell is happening?" Tsunade asked. "I can't help but get the feeling that this is all tied together somehow."
As she said this her eyes fell on Naruto expectantly.
"Whoa, hey now." Naruto said raising his hands. "For once I'm not involved in this."
"We'll see about that." Tsunade muttered.
Directing her attention to the elders she asked. "Mind filling me in? You two old bats always seem to know what's going on."
Renge sighed and Jihibiki chuckled sheepishly.
"Well…" Renge said slowly trying to think of a place to start.
Naruto wanted to listen, but his eyes drifted to the door. He wanted to know what was going on, but he realized that more than anything he wanted to chase after Hinata and make sure everything was okay. The look on her face when she ran from the room practically killed him inside. His heart tore when he saw the fear in her eyes and he wanted now more than ever to wrap his arms around her and tell her everything was okay. He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't even hear his name called until a stamp hit him in the back of the head.
"Huh?" Naruto said intelligently turning around to find all three occupants staring at him.
"I know that you're worried about her Naruto." Jihibiki said. "But try to focus a little, this does pertain to her."
Naruto's eyes shifted to his grandfather. "Everything we know about the Hyuuga's is the same right? We know nothing new?"
Jihibiki looked at Renge before looking back at Naruto. "That's correct."
Naruto nodded and then turned around, "Then I'm leaving."
Walking to the door, he stopped when he heard Tsunade's voice.
"Wait, where are you going?"
Looking over his shoulder he answered. "First, I'm going to check on Hinata-chan and make sure she's alright."
His face then visibly darkened and his fists clenched together. "Then, I'm going to find the bastard responsible for this and beat them to a bloody pulp."
Naruto then turned back around and reached out for the door knob.
"Stop." Tsunade ordered. "I can't have you running around this village half cocked and tearing up the place."
Naruto's knuckles whitened as his grip on the door handle increased and he clenched his jaw. Seeing this, Tsunade sighed to herself.
"Go check on Hinata and then report back here, understood." Tsunade said looking him in the eyes.
Naruto's demeanor instantly changed as he nodded and left quickly.
Tsunade sat back in her chair with another deep sigh before her face twisted into confusion and she looked up at the aged Uzumakis.
"Hinata-chan?" she asked.
Renge laughed and shook her head. "Get comfortable Tsunade-chan, it's a long story."
(Fifteen Minutes Earlier)
Hiashi and Neji were making their way towards the hospital as quickly as they could while still looking dignified. Unfortunately for both of them they were failing miserably at the task. As they crossed the empty courtyard between the Hokage tower and the hospital a lone Branch Member walked out to greet them.
"Lead the way." Hiashi barked out as he walked up to the subservient Hyuuga.
The Branch Member, however, stood in his spot and simply stared at Hiashi and Neji.
"Did you not hear me?" Hiashi asked, his irritation rising. "Show me to my daughter."
Hiashi didn't even stop walking and even passed by the Branch Member when the man's response stopped him in his tracks.
"Gisei."
Hiashi halted midstep and turned towards the stationary man.
"What did you just say?" Hiashi asked.
"My name is Gisei." The Branch Member stated impassively. "I have a name you worthless dog, I would appreciate it if you would remember to use it next time you address me."
Neji stood next to Hiashi dumbstruck while the latter began to shake with anger.
"I'll only say this once: explain yourself and apologize." Hiashi said in a dangerously low voice.
"You're correct about that." Gisei said arrogantly. "You will only say it once, because after that no one is going to listen anymore."
A tense silence fell over the group for a brief moment. In that moment a battle of wills raged between Hiashi and Gisei, neither willing to break eye contact. When the moment finally passed Gisei spoke again.
"My purpose here is not to show you to your pathetic daughter." Gisei explained ignoring the looks from the other two Hyuugas. "It is to simply tell you to do what the elders say, or else."
"Or else, what?" Hiashi asked narrowing his eyes.
Gisei motioned to the hospital behind them. "Oh, I think you understand what could happen."
Neji couldn't help but show the outrage on his face while Hiashi simply ground his teeth and clenched his fists.
"Good, you do understand." Gisei said with a smirk. "If you attempt to inform the Hokage about what is happening within our clan then your entire family will be slaughtered like the pigs you are. This is a matter that concerns only Hyuugas after all. We don't need other's meddling in our affairs."
Neji opened his mouth to counter but Gisei cut him off.
"You should be grateful that this time it was just an accident. Next time you won't be so lucky."
"What is Gourzi planning?" Hiashi snarled.
"Gourzi?" Gisei asked incredulously. "You think this is Gourzi's doing?"
Gisei tilted his head back and laughed loudly which only served to anger the two more.
Wiping a tear away from his pupil less eye he continued. "You're so clueless. Gourzi is only a pawn in the grand scheme of things." Gisei then shrugged. "Then again he said you always were slow to pick up on things. Isn't that right, Hi-ass-hi?"
Now it was Hiashi's turn to show shock. Neji quickly noted this and asked the only question that was left.
"Who's in control?"
"Why don't you ask Hi-ass-hi. He knows." Gisei said with mirth.
"Who is it Uncle?" Neji asked confused.
"He's lying." Hiashi said narrowing his eyes. "He would never betray me."
"Who?!" Neji practically shouted looking back and forth between the two.
"Hyuuga Akesuke." Gesei said with an arrogant smirk.
"W-What?" Neji said.
"Liar." Hiashi said again.
"I am not!" Gisei shouted angrily pointing at Hiashi. "I have come here as Akesuke-sama has ordered! I have delivered my message like I was told to! Now all that's left is to tell you one last thing."
A crazed look had now developed in Gisei's eyes and a maniacal grin spread across his face.
"Do not think that you can tell anyone about what is happening or that you can go to anyone for help." He warned as spittle flew from his mouth. "We have eyes and ears everywhere. If you so much as even think about telling someone about what is happening we will kill you and your family."
He paused for a moment before perversely grinning even wider.
"But I'll make sure to take my time with your daughters. We'll have lots of fun before I end their miserable existences."
"You son of a bitch!" Hiashi shouted before holding up his hand and activating the Caged Bird Seal.
Gisei screamed out in pain and clutched his head before he stumbled back blindly. He continued to scream as he sunk down to his knees, his agonized cries echoing in the courtyard. Neji grimaced at the sight while Hiashi looked on impassively. However, both of their expressions changed when Gisei suddenly started to laugh. Confused, Hiashi and Neji watched as Gisei stood up and stopped clutching his head. Moving his hands around to the back of his head Gisei smirked.
"You didn't think you were the only one to remove that wretched seal from someone did you?" he asked untying his headband and letting it fall.
Hiash and Neji stood staring in a mixture of shock and anger. Gisei's arrogant smile never left his face as he ran a hand over his unmarked forehead and then ran it back through his hair.
"The elder's have begun to remove the seals from Branch Member's that are loyal to them." Gisei explained. "Furthermore, there are several more that are loyal and have not yet had the seal removed."
"You honestly believe that you will keep this freedom after I've been removed from power?" Hiashi asked.
Shaking his head he added. "You've even more naïve than what I originally thought."
Gisei's face contorted into anger. "Shut your mouth you piece of trash! Akesuke-sama is a great man and he will end the tyranny that you have tormented us with!"
Regaining his composure Gisei's eyes narrowed as he looked Hiashi in the eyes.
"My mission is complete; I'll be taking my leave now."
Waving his hand in a dismissive manner Gisei said in a haughty tone, "Go to your worthless daughters."
However a lecherous smile appeared on his lips as he added, "You never know when the last time you'll see them might be."
Neji's anger spiked, he felt a deep hatred for the man in front of him steadily growing hotter and hotter in his chest. His mind ceased to function though as he was slammed with the most oppressive wave of killing intent he had ever felt. It was thick and heavy, smothering him as it rolled over his body. He was a Jounin, a Jounin, and he still was freezing like this!
"And the worst part is this isn't even directed at me!" Neji thought as he glanced over at Hiashi.
The man was standing as still as a statue. His fists were clenched and his head was down shading his eyes from the other two. Neji had a feeling though, if he were to see the pale eyes of his Uncle, the only thing he'd see reflected in them would be his death.
"Ooooh, how scary." Gisei said mockingly as he shrugged it off. "Living as a Branch Member, you learn to deal with this kind of feeling since it surrounds you constantly. Besides, you can't touch me."
Stooping down he picked up his headband off of the ground and looked at Hiashi one last time.
"Is there any message you'd like me to relay to the elders?" Gisei asked, "Perhaps a plea to spare you and your pathetic family?"
"Yes, there is one thing." Hiashi said darkly.
"And what would you like me to tell them?" Gisei asked raising his headband to his head to retie it.
However, as the headband passed his eyes Hiashi suddenly appeared in front of the traitorous Branch Member with his hand raised back and the promise of death burning in his eyes.
"You don't have to say anything." Hiashi whispered.
Before Gisei could even process what he said or what was even happening Hiashi brought his palm forward and thrust it into Gisei's chest. The chakra surrounding Hiashi's palm was so great that the Byakugan wasn't even necessary to see it.
There was a moment of silence before Gisei looked at Hiashi with widened eyes. Except that his eyes were no longer in his head. Blood began to pour out of every orifice of the man's body as he crumpled to the ground in a bloody heap.
Neji stood rooted in his spot as he watched what was left of Gisei fall to the ground. He hadn't seen Hiashi move. Hell, he didn't even heard Hiashi move. The palm thrust didn't even move Gisei back one inch but there had been so much chakra in his hand. Yet Neji couldn't tear his eyes away from the dead man.
Hiashi turned around and looked at Neji, his face and outer robe covered in blood and gore from where Gisei's eyes had ruptured out of their sockets.
"Neji," he said in an even tone that gave Neji shivers, "let us continue to the hospital."
Not even waiting for a response Hiashi turned and made his way towards the hospital, completely ignoring the Hyuuga corpse.
"W-What have you done?" Neji whispered in awe and a little bit of fear.
Hiashi stopped and turned halfway to look at Neji. Neji finally raised his eyes to look at his Uncle was met with the piercing gaze of hardened and unmoving conviction.
"Declared war." Hiashi said with a controlled rage burning in his eyes. Turning back to the hospital, Hiashi continued on not even bothering to wait for Neji.
Finally finding his legs again, Neji hurried after his uncle and fell in line behind him. However, curiosity finally got the best of him and he activated his eyes to see just what Hiashi had done to Gisei. He grimaced immediately and shut off his doujutsu, shuttering in the process.
"Uncle, what was that technique you just used?" Neji asked after a moment of silence. "It was something I have never seen before, even the way you used your hand was different."
Hiashi didn't seem to hear him as he stopped at the fountain in the center of the courtyard and wiped the blood from his face. Washing his hands in the water, he then took off his outer robe revealing his clean, untouched white robe underneath. Leaving the outer robe there, he then proceeded towards the hospital. Neji followed behind silently and when they finally reached the doors Hiashi spoke.
"The technique you just witnessed is a forbidden jutsu that was only knowledgeable to the first generation of Hyuuga who were here when this village was first founded. It is the technique that gave the Hyuuga's the reputation we now hold and struck fear into the hearts of all our enemies in battle. It was after the First Shinobi War that the technique was banned as too powerful, deadly, and inhumane to continue using."
"What is this technique called?" Neji asked in a hushed voice.
Hiashi was quiet for a moment as he followed Shinrai whom had reappeared to lead the way once again. "Before our main taijutsu was called the Gentle Fist it went by another name. This name is what our original and forbidden technique was called."
"And that was?" Neji asked.
Looking over at Neji, Hiashi answered. "The Hollow Fist."
Silence reigned over the two as they made their way towards the room. Neji was lost in thought, replaying what Hiashi did over and over again in his head trying to figure out how he did what he did. Hiashi was also lost in thought but his mind seemed conflicted as if he were debating something.
Finally the door to the room they were searching for appeared before them still guarded by other Branch Members. As they reached the door, Neji finally spoke causing his uncle to pause with his hand on the door.
"Uncle, I wish to learn this technique."
Hiashi's eyes narrowed for a moment before he answered. "You will."
Opening the door he was greeted to the sight of Hinata a holding a soundly sleeping Hanabi in her lap. His hardened eyes met his daughter's gaze and he could feel the conviction in her eyes; eyes that demanded retribution.
"You all will." Hiashi finished.
(Present Time)
Naruto made his way to the hospital as quickly as he could. At first he had been taking his time, knowing that Hinata would probably want to be with her family first. However, things changed quickly with the discovery he made in the courtyard.
His mind had been wandering on what to do about his predicament with his feelings when he stepped in a puddle. When he did two things registered in his brain.
One: It had not rained in at least a week.
Two: Rain was not the color red.
Looking down Naruto felt his heart rise to his throat. He found himself standing in an unhealthy amount of blood. That was all it took because in seconds Naruto was in the hospital and at the front desk asking for the room number. Luckily, or unluckily, Naruto had spent enough time in the hospital already to locate the room quickly. As he ran to the door he was stopped by two Branch Members guarding the door.
"I'm sorry Uzumaki-sama, but Hiashi-sama has requested that no one disturb his family." One the guards said apologetically.
"Oh come on!" Naruto yelled in frustration. "You can't at least let me in for a few minutes?!"
The other Branch Member shook his head which was about to set Naruto off on a rant when a voice stopped him.
"Forget it Naruto-nii, I've been trying to get in every since Hanabi got here."
Naruto turned around to find Konohamaru sitting on a bench by the door with a mixture of boredom and worry on his face.
"Konohamaru?" Naruto asked confused. "What are you doing here?"
Konohamaru blushed slightly but answered. "I was here to see if Hanabi-chan was okay."
"And how is she?" Naruto asked.
"Hanabi-sama is fine. She received a small cut on her ribs but that was all." One of the guards answered.
"That's a relief." Naruto said visibly relaxing. "After I saw all the blood out in the courtyard I thought something serious had happened."
The guards seemed to tense at this but said nothing.
"Hey I got another question." Naruto said turning to Konohamaru. "How did you know Hanabi was here?"
Konohamaru blushed slightly but answered regardless.
"I was playing with Hanabi-chan when she was attacked." the young ninja said.
"Don't be a fool." One of the guards interrupted getting Naruto's attention. "Sarutobi-san drove off Hanabi-sama's attacker after she and Ko-san were injured. The Hyuuga's are in young Sarutobi-san's debt."
Konohamaru's blush deepened at the praise he was receiving from the Branch Members as well as the proud smile that had spread across Naruto's face.
"Aw shucks guys, you're making me blush." Konohamaru said laughing while rubbing the back of his head embarrassingly.
Naruto laughed as well but his smile slowly faded away after a moment.
Looking at Konohamaru seriously he said, "You need to report what happened to Tsunade-baachan. You're coming back with me to her office after this, got it?"
Konohamaru nodded and gave a salute showing that he got the order loud and clear. Naruto smiled again at the young apprentice that he taught every so often and felt a small sense of pride swell up inside of him.
"I wonder if this is what Ero-sennin ever felt with me?" Naruto wondered.
His thoughts were interrupted when he heard the door open behind him and he saw Hiashi poke his head out.
"Naruto, I thought I heard your voice." The clan head said firmly. "Please come inside for a moment, I'd like to speak to you about something."
Naruto nodded and followed his way inside the room. When Naruto turned around from shutting the door he was met with the blazing Byakugan of Hiashi; to which after seeing Naruto nearly lost all bowel control.
Regaining his composure he grew angry instantly and raised his fists before shouting, "What the hell are doing?!"
Hiashi's response was simple. "Shhhh!" he hissed before jamming a finger against the blonde's lips.
Naruto couldn't help but think that Hiashi was acting strange but as he watched him Naruto realized that he seemed to be searching for something.
And he was. Hiashi was waiting to see if one of the Branch Members would activate their Byakugan to try and eavesdrop on their conversation. Sure enough, after a few seconds of entering the room the member who had praised Konohamaru earlier activated his eyes. Hiashi gritted his teeth and the two seemed to stare each other down before the man suddenly grew hesitant and deactivated his eyes. He then said something to Konohamaru and smiled reassuringly.
"I don't know what you said Konohamaru, but I'll give you anything you want for all your help." Hiashi thought before glancing over at Hanabi. "Anything…"
Konohamaru was sitting on the bench as patiently as he could while he waited for Naruto to come back. Looking up, he noticed that one of the Branch Members had his Byakugan activated and he seemed to be analyzing something intently.
"Hey why are you doing that?" he asked curiously.
The Branch Member seemed shocked for a second before saying, "I'm merely checking to make sure that Hiashi-sama and his family are safe."
"Oh that's not necessary!" Konohamaru said laughing. "It's just Naruto-nii and everyone knows he's a hero!"
The Branch Member seemed to be conflicted for a second before he deactivated his eyes and smiled.
"Of course he is. I guess I'm just a little on edge." he said reassuringly.
"What's going on?" Naruto asked thoroughly confused as to what was happening.
"Listen because we don't have much time." Hiashi said quickly in a low tone. "Take this."
Pulling out a folded piece of paper, Hiashi quickly stuffed it into Naruto's hand.
"This explains everything that I have learned recently." Hiashi explained quickly. "Tell Tsunade-sama that she cannot, I repeat cannot, make a move. Both of our hands are tied in the matter I fear and the only way we can receive help is if it comes from outside the system."
"Umm, okay?" Naruto said completely lost now.
"Naruto, I know things are confusing right now but they will become clear once you read that letter." Neji said coming up next to Hiashi. "We're counting on you to get this information to Tsunade-sama."
Naruto's confused eyes darted from Neji to Hiashi before settling on Hinata. Her eyes held worry, but not for herself. It was a deep concern for her family and now she was depending on him for help.
"Naruto!" Hiashi whispered urgently gaining the blonde's attention once again. "I know that I'm asking too much but please, help my family one more time."
Naruto heard the plea in his voice and instantly felt his heart harden with resolve. His face changed to one of determination and he nodded in understanding.
"Okay now when you leave the guards are going to be suspicious of what happened in here." Hiashi said quickly glancing at the door. "This is what you need to say..."
After giving a quick cover story to use, Hiashi wished Naruto luck. Turning to the door, Naruto was about to leave when he was stopped by Hinata.
"N-Naruto-kun…" her voice said softly.
Turning to her Naruto saw unshed tears in her pools of soft lavender. Uncertainty swam in the depths of her eyes. She was worried for his safety just like the rest of her family and it showed on her face. Seeing that she had his attention she clutched her sleeping baby sister a little closer to her and spoke.
"P-Please be c-careful."
Naruto gave her a confident yet soft smile and a thumbs up. "Don't worry, Hinata-chan, I'll be fine!"
Turning quickly around so she couldn't see the burn on his face for letting the "-chan" slip he opened the door and left the room without another word. The rest of the room stayed silent for a full minute before a blushing Hinata on the verge of fainting managed to squeak out,
"H-H-Hinata-chan?!"
As soon as Naruto stepped out of the room he was instantly bombarded with questions from an impatient Konohamaru. Naruto did his best to answer all the worried Genin's questions, but he couldn't help but notice that the guards seemed to be listening to see if he said anything in particular. Feeling the pressure, Naruto resorted to what Hiashi told him to say.
"Alright we need to go see baa-chan, Konohamaru." Naruto said seriously. "Apparently Hanabi was attacked by one of the Akatsuki members. This is a serious breach of the village security so we need to inform her, let's get moving."
Konohamaru's face instantly became serious as flashbacks of the last time the Akatsuki entered the village replayed through his head. Nodding his head he fell in step behind Naruto and followed him as they began to walk away from the room. It wasn't until they had turned the corner that Naruto let go of the breath that he didn't even know he was holding.
"I've got to get back to baa-chan so we can figure out what's going on!" Naruto thought as he and Konohamaru walked briskly back to the Hokage tower.
Gourzi stood shaking with rage and glaring down at one of the Branch Members that were loyal to him. How could such a simple order turn into a total nightmare? It was simple to follow, easy to remember, and yet Gisei still failed. Not only did he fail though, he also was killed in the process! But that wasn't even the worst part of it. No, the worst part was that someone had gone over his head and told Gisei to stand down, to not kill Hanabi and to deliver a message, a fake one no less, to Hiashi. All together, it was too much and once again Gourzi found his patience quickly eroding away.
"Who gave the order for Gisei to change his mission?" Gourzi asked quietly.
"I do not know." The Branch Member answered not looking up from their kneeling position.
"HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW!?" Gourzi exploded.
"Gisei-san left immediately to carry out his mission." The Branch Member explained. "If someone were to have changed his mission details they must have done so while he was in route."
"Then find out who's responsible for this?" Gourzi asked enraged.
"That would've been me."
Gourzi's attention was directed to the far corner of the room that was shrouded in shadow. Stepping forward into the light Zetsu appeared; his black skin allowing him to practically hide his entire presence in the dimly lit room except for his smile.
"Zetsu?" Gourzi asked in a mixture of outrage and disbelief. "How dare you go above my head!? Your master will hear of this!"
Zetsu's smile turned into a frown quickly. "I did what had to be done to protect Madara-sama's interests. You have been failing significantly on your end of the deal so Madara-sama asked me to come and try to salvage what I could."
"I-I have everything under control!" Gourzi sputtered out. "Why would you change the details of the mission?"
"Clearly," Zetsu said unconvinced while crossing his arms, "You're an even bigger idiot than what I originally anticipated."
"How dare you!" Gourzi shouted in anger. "I am above you trash!"
"You are nothing more than an insignificant worm!" Zetsu snapped back. "Trying to murder the Clan Head's daughter, you're a complete and utter fool!"
"You think that would put Hiashi in his place?" The plant hybrid asked. "Killing his daughter would do nothing more than fuel him to retaliate. If you want to control someone then you control them with fear. That is why I told Gisei to only injure little Hanabi instead of kill her."
Walking further into the light Zetsu looked evenly at Gourzi.
"Hiashi may be shaking in rage, he may want nothing more than to tear us all apart, but he will not make a single move if he thinks his family is in danger. He may want to retaliate, he may even train them to make them stronger, but we have the power and we are in control now. Hiashi is nothing more than a helpless fly trapped in our web."
Zetsu paused and then added. "However, I did not anticipate Hiashi killing Gisei. I took his body afterwards and I must say that whatever Hiashi used was both effective and…unique."
Gourzi growled and clutched his fists at his side but bit his tongue and dropped the subject.
"Why did you order Gisei to relay a false message?" Gourzi asked.
"That's an easy one." Zetsu replied with an evil grin spreading across his face. "I found your mole."
"Who was it?!" Gourzi demanded.
"The one you originally suspected, Akesuke." Zetsu answered.
"I'll admit that I suspected him at first," Gourzi said shocked, "but after he told us of the location of the scroll I had him figured as an ally."
"The best lie is sometimes the truth." Zetsu replied. "He's deceiving you through honesty."
"It is a legitimate hidden drawer." Gourzi argued. "Even our Byakugan cannot pierce it."
"But that doesn't mean that the scroll is there." Zetsu said irritated. "Akesuke told you the location of a hidden compartment, yes, but it's too convenient that the Byakugan cannot see through the drawer. The scroll is most likely being kept somewhere else."
"So why the false message?" Gourzi asked.
"You clearly know nothing of counterintelligence." Zetsu said disappointedly. "By sending out a false message Hiashi will be slow to trust his mole. He might not even trust him at all now."
"But doing so would require some outstanding proof." Gourzi mused crossing his arms. "What did you use?"
Zetsu smirked. "I managed to dig up an old nickname that Akesuke called Hiashi back before he became the Clan Head. It was a miracle that I managed to find it but from Hiashi's reaction it seemed to do the trick."
"Then what should we do?" Gourzi asked. "Should we kill Akesuke?"
Zetsu shook his head and chuckled. "You're so eager to send a head rolling. Be patient, our next move is working itself out as we speak."
Gourzi became curious at hearing this, "How so?"
Zetsu's smirk turned into a full on maniacal grin as he stepped back into the shadows.
"Distrust, fear, and isolation," Zetsu's voice echoed as he began to laugh. "These are our greatest weapons right now and Hiashi's biggest enemy."
Gourzi watched as Zetsu started to sink back into the walls of the hidden lair, and just before he fully disappeared Zetsu said one last thing.
"Be patient Gourzi. In time Hiashi will come undone from the sheer amount of weight on his nerves. Time is our ally and Hiashi, his enemy,"