Naruto: A Little Help
Author's Notes: Nothing major was changed, just some minor tweaking. You may skip if you have read it already.
Chapter 6: The Massacre…
Uchiha Itachi. Prodigy of Konoha. ANBU Captain. Son of Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto. Brother to Uchiha Sasuke. A teacher, a loyal soldier, a lover, a genius…
Now he was also a traitor and a murderer.
In the original story he was all of that, and more. But to me, he was a brother I never had. Not in this life nor in my previous one. I know what he has done. I know what his intentions are. I knew I couldn't stop him, or the massacre. It was the elders' and the Hokage's decree. Those were the only people who had the authority to stop it, but decided that the Uchiha Clan wasn't needed any more. And frankly it was becoming dangerous to the safety of the village.
I lay there in the hospital bed, lamenting my powerlessness, berating myself for not doing anything to change it. Completely that is.
To my right, was Naruto, the blonde knucklehead. To my left was Sasuke, the raven haired pyromaniac. Laying her head beside him was his mother, Aunty Mikoto. I looked at her. She hadn't cried all day today. Looking after her remaining son, to make sure she is there for him both mentally and physically when he wakes up.
Mom was in a similar state. Sleeping beside me, my hand clasped firmly between her motherly hands. Gazing at her I began to think of the past two days.
Flashback.
It had been ten days since our academy started. The three of us were making our way to the playground, where brother Itachi trained us. We always went to the Uchiha head family's home to bring big brother, after our school was out. Today He wasn't present. That alone should have rung a danger alarm in my head. He is never late. Whenever he doesn't go on missions he routinely trained us. Never once skipping a day or even being late. But somehow I missed that detail.
Upon reaching the playground we began our warm up, then began light sparring. After that we did some stamina exercises. This is how brother Itachi told us to train in his absence. No dangerous manoeuvres, no new technique. Just stamina training.
We completed the last lap around the playground. It was getting dark. I suggested we go back with Sasuke to his home and wait for big brother there. He readily agreed and we began making way towards the Uchiha Compound.
Another sign that I missed was the lack of guards at the main gate. Without noticing that we entered and immediately were greeted by eery silence. The entire compound was empty. Lamps that were usually lit around this time, just before the sun went below the horizon, weren't lit.
Sasuke suspected that something must have happened and ran off towards his home. That's when it hit me. I realized what must have happened and followed after him, followed immediately by Naruto. Zooming through the empty streets we arrived at his home. Cautiously Sasuke entered, we followed behind him a beat later. Entering the drawing room, we froze.
In front of us was standing our brother. Below him was the head of the Uchiha Clan, his father, whose head was being cradled by aunty Mikoto. Her face looked defeated. I could tell she was on the verge of wailing right then and there, but her eyes radiated a sense of acceptance.
The gears in my head turned and remembered that they had accepted their deaths in the original story. However, aunty was alive. Why though, I don't know.
Noticing our arrival both aunty and brother turned to face us. Big brother had a cold look on his face, but I can tell that he was deeply guilt-ridden. Aunty gazed solemnly at us.
"What have you done!?",screamed Sasuke, "Why would you do something like this, brother!?"
"To test myself.", came brother's cold reply.
His eyes spun, Mangekyou Sharingan blazed in his cornea. Sasuke dropped to his knees. Aunty didn't move to catch her son, as she was occupied by her dead husband in her lap. Naruto and I steadied the unconscious Sasuke.
Within that second of distraction, big brother went out using a Shunshin. A second later Sasuke woke up, gasping for air. Calming his breathing he ran out. Aunty yelled for him to stop but he didn't listen. She turned begging eyes towards me and immediately I grabbed a stunned Naruto's arm and ran after him.
During the small chase I turned towards Naruto to explain the plan.
"Listen, brother is an accomplished Shinobi, we don't stand a chance. Send a flare of your chakra to alert the ANBU or someone."
He did so, "What about Sasuke?"
"We have to save him. We might even have to fight big brother. Whatever you do don't look into his eyes. He will trap you.", I told him the plan, though I knew big brother won't hurt Sasuke, physically at least.
When we reached them, Sasuke was about to be trapped in a Genjutsu aided by the Mangekyou Sharingan. It was going to be hell for him to live through it. I didn't want my friend being mentally broken. I [Observed] big brother, whose level and status were question marks. 'What did I expect. Anyone ten levels higher than me would be able to hide their status.', I berated myself.
Quickly going into action I pulled out a training Kunai and activated my Shuriken Jutsu to throw it towards big brother. It had the desired effect as he had to incline his head to the side to avoid the Kunai. This broke his eye contact with Sasuke, who was tackled away by my blonde friend.
Without pausing I grabbed another Kunai, held it in reverse grip and launched myself at big brother. Easily he dodged my strikes, but his posture and raised eyebrows were indicating he was surprised by my strength and agility, which isn't normal for children my age.
He must've been getting tired of dodging and in a swift motion deflected my Kunai with his own and threw it away from me. His following strike was slow, too slow, almost as if he was begging me to dodge. I wanted to dodge. I really did. But decided to stand my ground.
Just when his strike penetrated my skin, many thing happened at once. I felt immense pain run through my tiny body, big brother was stunned, Naruto's and Sasuke's yell entered my ear holes, violently vibrating my ear drums, I myself screamed in pain, I felt a heavy pressure coming from my back.
If I had known that was Naruto's chakra, or the Kyuubi's, flaring up I would have gotten out of the way. I didn't. I was frozen. In a split second big brother carried me in his arms and jumped away, letting an orange blur pass through our previous position. He placed me back on the ground and faced the berserk Jinchuuriki.
"How dare you hurt her!", yelled Naruto in a voice not his own. It scared me. Big brother stepped forward to shield me. Ironic that both of them were trying to save me from each other. But that didn't cross my mind then. I was deeply concerned by the Kyuubi taking over my friend's body. Even though I knew better.
"Calm down, Naruto.", said big brother.
"You will pay for hurting her, you bastard!", replied Naruto, lunging for brother again.
Before he could reach his target, he was instantly put to sleep, courtesy of the said target, who turned towards his little brother and put him to sleep as well.
"No!", I yelled, before big brother turned towards me finally and put me to sleep as well. The last thought that went through my brain was, 'It's like he was getting fed up with us.' before my vision went dark.
Flashback end.
'I have woken up just five minutes ago and I can't get the guilt out of my mind. Imagine Sasuke suffering through the visions of his parents dying over and over again as a child. Of course he turned evil in the original story.', I thought looking at my friend. 'I wonder how his demeanour would change now, since his loving mother is still alive.'
Then I looked at mom. She must've been tired from all the work if she wasn't waking up even though I stirred quite a bit before gaining consciousness.
During the ten days before the massacre, mom had worked in the civilian council non-stop. She barely had the time for sleep, let alone me. Whenever I brought this up she told me that she just have a lot to catch up about the village before she can actively take part shaping it. It was understandable. Many civilian council member I have met seemed like people who half-assed their work, regardless of the consequences. Mom at least was making an effort to understand the ongoings of the village.
She have actively volunteered for allocating labour force through out the village, this showed her how the government properties are handled and how many buildings are under the care of the village and how many are privately owned. Curiously, she had been explaining these things to me in details while she worked on it. When I pointed this out she elusively told me it keeps her mind off the stress. It was strange for a parent to explain the intricate details of their work to their children, toddlers no less. Either way I got a good understanding of how the council operated and how civilian council had their own meetings separately from the main council, unless the topic involved Shinobi.
One often talked about topic was Naruto. The council always complained about giving 'luxuries' to the demon brat. Not knowing mom's connection to the said demon brat, they always slandered his name and made plans to sabotage his life, right in front of mom, who kept silent through all of this, just to gather information like a deep cover agent, and make her own plans of shielding Naruto from the idiots indirectly.
As I was thinking this, a low voice came to my ears. Turning towards the origin I saw Sasuke waking up. He opened his eyes and regarded his surroundings with confusion.
"Hey.", I called out to him, low enough to not wake up mom. One quick Observe showed that he was physically fine. Mentally, though… "Are you alright?"
Slowly he turned his head towards me, "What was that?"
Confused by his first question, I asked him, "What was what?"
"With Naruto.", he said. Understanding dawned over me but I kept silent, waiting for him to continue. "Something happened to him."
"Yes. It was… scary."
"I know. What was it?"
"I have no clue. It was like he was going berserk."
"He was-"
"Stop dodging the situation, Sasuke. It's not healthy.", I said a little louder. Which woke up aunty and mom.
"Sasuke? Are you alright?", aunty said grasping his hand to her chest.
"Yes, mother.", was all he could say before waterworks began and he quickly hugged his mother tightly, who hugged him back and finally let her tears flow.
"Sweetie, Mikoto-chan told me what happened.", mom said to me.
"I'm sorry I worried you, mom.", I replied.
"Don't be sorry, sweet heart. You did good.", she said, "You should always stand by your friends."
"… Mom…"
"Yes?"
"Something happened to Naruto when I was cut.", I said, brushing the wound on my right arm with my fingers. Surprisingly, it didn't hurt, at all. "Their was a terrible… aura, around him. Scary. Heavy. Do you know what that was?"
Mom looked like she was battling against the decision of telling me. I knew, however, and for a split second, I saw a look that told me she knew that I knew and accused me for asking a question I know the answer to. She turned sombre before replying, "It's his secret to tell, sweetie. I cannot tell you."
I was connected to an IV drip, otherwise I would have jumped straight towards my blonde friend when I heard him groan. Mom also heard it and stood up to reach his bed. When he awoke he didn't have a look of confusion like Sasuke and I had. He had a look of happiness and guilt mixed together. Mom embraced him to absolve his guilt leaving behind happiness.
Just then the door to the room opened up and in came the Hokage, almost as if he knew everyone was awake and he decided to make his entrance just then. Aunty Mikoto looked like she was about to murder him, but held herself back.
"I'm glad you three are awake.", he said with a forced smile. "It is my deepest regret that I wasn't able to prevent this event. And I am very sorry you three had to witness such a thing."
"Is that all you are here for, Hokage-sama?", aunty Mikoto asked coldly. I understood her anger towards the elder Kage, and by the looks of it, so did mom.
"Forgive me.", he said politely, as if apologizing for causing this massacre, which might even be true, "I am personally here to inform you, Mikoto-san, that you have been selected as the head of Uchiha Clan."
The council have the power of selecting members in times such as this. And, boy, did they make use of this clause.
"If that is all, then I would like to mourn in peace, Hokage-sama."
"I see…", he replied before turning towards me and Naruto, "Forgive me for being late, Naruto-kun. I did receive your warning through the flare you lit up, but I was held back by the elders who decided to send a scout ahead for my safety."
I know a lie when I hear one. It's probably because he doesn't want to tell us what the elders were doing, which was waiting for the massacre to be over.
"I have a question, Hokage-sama.", I said raising my hand, "When we were fighting brother Itachi, it seemed to me like he was on a mission, not a craze filled genocide episode. He even protected me when Naruto went berserk."
The Hokage, mom, aunty, and surprisingly Naruto flinched at the last sentence. "We cannot understand the mind of a criminal completely, Ichika-chan." he replied, which was the wrong thing to do.
"That's enough! I want you out of my sight! Right! Now!", yelled aunty Mikoto. Her anger was understandable, if my assumptions of her knowing big bro's actual intentions is correct.
The old man didn't say anything further and bowed his head slightly before walking out the door. Sasuke was dumbfounded by that reaction and kept his silence. We all did.
X-X
It was later that night when we three were discharged. Sasuke went with his mother. Mom took Naruto and I home, not wanting to leave the poor orphan alone at a time like this. Sis greeted us back and hugged both of us tightly. We then ate dinner in silence, and then went to our separate rooms. Naruto had a room permanently reserved for him.
When I had showered, changed and prepared myself to hit the hay, the door to my room was timidly knocked. I called the person in. Naruto entered with his features looking sullen and depressed. Fearful even. He stood in front of the closed door, shifting under my curious gaze, not saying anything.
Finally I asked, "What's wrong, blondie?"
He would've taken offence to that nickname if he wasn't so downtrodden. He sighed resignedly and spoke, "Well, you see… aunty told me you had questions… and that you have a right to know things about me… dattebayo."
I understood what he was getting at. I quickly devised a lie and spoke, "Is it about a giant Bijuu trapped in you?", was my nonchalant question.
His eyes bulged. He definitely wasn't expecting that. He tried to say something but I cut him off. "Or is it about your parents? I know of them."
Though it was not possible, but his eyes bulged even further at that. My arrow in the dark had find it's mark with the second question. Mom or aunty may have told him about his parents.
Silence reigned between us. My stoic gaze met his stupefied one. With great effort he managed to say, "H-how do y-you know those things?"
"I have a brain, you idiot. I figured them out from small bits of information mom gave me.", I lied, just to quickly move this conversation along. I needed my sleep, even after being comatose for a better part of the day.
He was silent at my reply, understanding dawned on him. "But aunty said you didn't know, dattebayo."
"I didn't at the time. I just figured it out during shower earlier.", another lie, I felt guilty for doing that but something inside of me was begging for me to sleep. Weird.
"And you… don't hate me, dattebayo?", he asked, turning timid all of a sudden.
The three of us were turning into a quite a band of misfits who were burdened by things out of their control, all we needed was Hinata-chan in our circle and we would be complete.
Coming back to the matter at hand, I sub-consciously developed a tick on my temple. I walked up to him, a fist raised threateningly in his direction. He put his hand up in a placating gesture.
"Do I look like I hate you, you idiot?", I asked in a voice barely above a whisper, underlying threat apparent… to most people with a brain. But this is Naruto we're talking about.
"With this much of a scary face, you certainly seem like you do.", he said with a forced smile.
I would have bonked him on the head, but I suddenly realized I was about to pull a Sakura on him. I berated myself for that and softened my expressions. "No, Naruto. I don't hate you. You're my brother. I can never hate you."
He relaxed at that. Tears filled up his eyes. I didn't want waterworks so I changed the topic.
"Putting that aside.", he did a deadpan at my nonchalant dismissal of his enormous secret. "What should we do about Sasuke?"
Another reign of silence ensued. We both contemplated for a while, not knowing what to do.
"Let's think about this tomorrow. I want to sleep.", I said.
"Alright. Good night then, Ichika-chan!", there was his contagious smile. I found myself mimicking him, and I didn't stop myself.
"Good night, little brother.", I said as I hugged him. He blushed, which I saw after we separated.
He mechanically turned around and began walking out the door. When he left I finally found myself jumping on bed and my brain went off almost like a switch.
X-X
*Chime*
Came a voice from no specific direction.
I opened my eyes to find myself in a black room. Nothing but an abyss staring at me back. It was like the weird, knock-off version of space I went through to get here, in the Naruto-verse. Minus the dots, or were they all portals to different worlds?
In front of me I found a message window. It had a message from this Author thing/guy/gal.
"I have pulled you into this world to inform you of changes that I have made following your injury."
Below that was a table with lines of text and an arrow indicating a drop down menu. The first cell reflected my thought exactly.
"Why did [The Author] chose this silly way of contacting me?", I physically pressed the arrow button which open a larger cell below it, hiding the later question behind it.
"It's more fun this way. Playing with your head and messing up your expectations of future or even present makes me excited."
Hiding that cell again, I opened up the question below it. Again, it reflected my exact thoughts.
"So it was you who have been changing the system to prove me wrong?"
The answer:
"What do you think genius? Of course it was me. I said I wouldn't interfere with the world, too much that is. But I can and I will make changes to your system as the situation demands it."
I was beginning to get irritated. I closed that cell and looked at the question below it. Again, it was exactly what I was thinking. It was beginning to creep me out.
"Why does it seem like the conversation I want to have with [The Author] is already planned out?"
With anger at being so thoroughly creeped out by this freak, I opened the answer.
"This is because [The Author] knows what you would do, in a given situation. Your behaviour, attitude, and even your thoughts are predictable to [The Author]. [The Author] can pretty accurately predict what you would do if [The Author] presented you with a situation. You do have a tendency to be unpredictable, but not too much. Your unpredictable decisions may not be a big difference from this design I have, but small changes will add up for the future. Just keep being yourself."
Not wanting to be seen through so completely I decided to skip the next question and open up the one below it which read:
"Why have you brought me here?"
"See? What did [The Author] tell you. Your behaviour is predictable. [The Author] knew you would skip the next question. To answer this one however, it is to tell you that a major change has occurred. A force outside [The Author]'s influence in another universe has sent two of it's users into this world, one of them is seeking you, while the other isn't here completely, but still could be dangerous.
[The Author] will also answer the above question, 'What do you want with me?'. You see, at first [The Author] wanted entertainment. [The Author] summoned you for that. At least, that would've been what [The Author] told you in the answer to that question. Right now, what [The Author] want with you, is to engage with those abnormalities. They are not under [The Author]'s influence and won't appear on your reputation window, even if you know their names.
To put it simple, [The Author] wants a challenge. To see how long those entities evade [The Author]'s control. You will help [The Author] with that."
This was starting to disgust me. Now it was even creepier than before. I closed this cell and opened this next one that read:
"Our agreement was that you wouldn't interfere with my life, Why would I work for you?"
Opening the answer, I felt anger rise up in my chest.
"As [The Author] has said, [The Author] won't interfere with the world too much. [The Author] can and will change the events so that you do meet them. You just have to be yourself and changes will come."
The next one wasn't a question but a statement.
"I can feel you have changed something about the system. I can't feel the pain from the wound."
The answer to that:
"Yes, [The Author] has. [The Author] has given you the skill 'Gamer's Body', certainly you are familiar with it. You injury could have killed you because of your unpredictable decision to stand in the way of a blatantly obvious strike."
"Why not give me 'Gamer's Mind' as well."
"If [The Author] gave you that skill you would become boring and [The Author] would be able to predict your actions"
"What are you?"
"I am God."
"How can I leave this place?"
"You just have to wake up."
After that last one, a window popped up. It was similar to the one I used when I was a baby. A Time Skip window, labelled 'Sleep'. The only difference was that the clock was stuck at 6:00am and the hands I used to change the 'alarm' were greyed out and a large rectangular button labelled "Wake up", was blinking. I pressed it.
X-X
Opening my eyes, the first thing I saw was a message window.
"You have slept in your bed. HP & CP fully restored."
'I guess it is a consequence of the "Gamer's Body" skill', I thought.
I brought up the stat screen and opened up the skill.
"Gamer's Body
Your body has been turned into a game character. Any damage you take will be spread over you entire body. Instead of a glaring wound, a drop in HP will indicate your overall health. Effects like Bleed, Poison, Paralysed, etc. will only be inflicted for a set period and will be removed once you sleep on a bed. HP and CP will be completely restored when you sleep on a bed, partly if you sleep in a bedroll, hay, sofa, etc. and barely if you sleep on a hard floor. CP is unlocked."
This was interesting. I was still creeped out by the [The Author] seeing through me. But this was a damned useful skill. I didn't feel any pain in my still bandaged arm. I reached it and opened the knot. No matter how closely I looked at it, there was no sign that I was ever injured. Not even a scar!
I decided to test myself and pulled out a training Kunai from my bag nearby. Without hesitation I sliced open my left hand palm. I did feel the pain, but it was momentary, a second later I felt nothing and the wound began to disappear, fade out of existence. I pulled up my Status Window.
Status
Name: Yoshida Ichika (previously Junaid Ahmed)
Age: 5
Level: 6
Job: Toddler (+2% exp gain across the board)
Status: Healthy
Experience: 50,340/14,700
Attributes
HP 95/100
CP 66/66
Str 21
Vit 10
Sta 17
Int 16
Wis 13
Dex 11
Atk 21
Def 15
Lck 30
Points 0
'Hmm…', I thought, "5 HP damage from that wound? Seems accurate enough. Pain is minimal, as well.", I said, thoughtfully.
This sort of power is both a blessing and a curse. It only depends on one's perspective, really. If you think you have a responsibility because you have gained power, then it is a curse. Otherwise, if you don't give a fuck, it's a blessing. And I am glass-half-full kind of person.
Ending on that note, I went to the bathroom and brushed my teeth, did my business and changed into regular clothes. Upon reaching the living room, I found mom sitting on the sofa. She turned to me as if she were expecting me.
"Good morning, sweetie. Come sit.", she said. I did so.
"Naruto-kun told me that you already knew about his burden."
"Yes…", I replied.
"How did you know?"
"I figured it out on my own."
"I know for a fact that's not true. Tell me how you really knew.", she said before adding, "I won't be angry."
"Well… I have this ability…" that's all I managed to say before I was cut off.
"Before you say anything I have to tell you something.", she said with a serious face. "When you were talking to Fuku-chan about your… past,", this statement filled me with dread. She knows. Oh my god, she knows!, "I overheard you."
Due to how scared I was about losing her, I didn't say anything.
"You should know that I am not mad, nor do I blame you for hiding this. All I know is that I love you regardless. Don't worry about it.", she said.
After a moment of silence due to the shock of the acceptance in her voice, I spoke, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to hide this from you. I wanted to tell you. I just didn't know how."
"Don't worry about it.", she repeated in an almost amused tone. "I'm just glad you are you. Not a miserable, shut-in, male, idiot."
I didn't know how to answer that.
"So, would you tell me how did you know?", she asked again.
Feeling a little confident at her encouragement I told her a brief overview of the original story. Sis also joined in halfway through. Both of them paid rapt attention to my words. When I told them Naruto had become Hokage and achieved his dream, they were excited.
"Though, all of that might be changed now that I am reincarnated into this world. The sole reason for that was to make changes to the original timeline, just to entertain this [The Author], it calls itself.", I finished.
Their faces were filled with worry, concern and kindness. I was beginning to doubt they would have been this accepting of my situation if they were real people. They were in this world, but I don't know if they would have been if they existed in my previous world. It might have something to do with [The Author]'s trickery.
I have told them at the start of my recounting that they might be under the influence of this Author and they did show worry about that but disregarded it saying I am more important to them. I forgot my own worries and beamed at them. My doubts lay forgotten. After I had suffered in my previous life I wouldn't dare squander this chance. This much happiness is within my grasp, I won't ever let it go, even if it is just a fabrication. I wouldn't even care right now if I was caught in Mugen Tsukuyomi (Infinite Tsukuyomi, Madara's plan).
I recovered from my tangent. Asked them about Naruto.
"He's still asleep, dear.", replied mom.
"I'll go wake him up.", I said as I stood up to do just that.
I knocked hard on his door and heard a loud thump. Probably he dropped from the side of the bed in surprise. A few footsteps were heard before the door opened up quickly.
"What's the big idea, dattebayo?", he demanded of me.
I gave him an amused look, "Get changed. We are going to meet Sasuke, right now.", I ordered and went away. Behind my back I heard some grumblings about troublesome sisters before he almost slammed the door shut.
A few minutes later we two arrived at the Uchiha compound. Walking down it's main street I couldn't help but think how lonely Sasuke must have felt in the original story. Going through these thoughts we reached the main house and Naruto politely knocked, as mom had beaten this lesson into him once he barged into her room.
A few seconds later the front door opened up to show a weary looking aunty Mikoto. A weary smile appeared on her face as she motioned for us to enter. In the living room I sent Naruto to cheer Sasuke up and decided to stay. I turned towards aunty when we heard a loud, "Wake up, bastard!" from Naruto upstairs.
Aunty Mikoto shook her head at that. "Guess I have to beat some manners into him.", she said as she turned towards me again. "What is it, Ichika-chan?"
"Should we sit down first?", I asked. We did so. "I wanted to talk to you, about big brother. Would that be alright?"
Her expressions turned downtrodden. "I see… Yes, go ahead. Ask what you want."
I took a deep sigh, "When I told Hokage-sama," her expressions turned annoyed slightly before she went back to being weary, "that I thought big brother seemed like he was on a mission, I meant it. I saw it in his eyes."
Aunty Mikoto seemed reluctant, but I stilled continued. "You look like you do know something about that. Could you tell me, please?"
Aunty gazed up at the ceiling and took a deep resigned sigh. "When… Itachi came into the house, he had already killed everyone, we were saved for last. His uniform was bloodied. A blatant evidence of his deeds. Fugaku and I knew that our time had come and we resigned our deaths to our son. Before he made another move he told us he was sorry. That he was ordered to kill Fugaku and the entire clan. I was confused as to why he didn't include me and Sasuke. Fugaku just had a smile on his face, as if he knew what was about to happen. It seemed like he was glad only he gets to die in our family."
Tears started to fall down her face. I clasped her hands to give her whatever comfort I could. She continued.
"When he was about to kill him, Fugaku told him to take care of us, he cried. It broke my heart when I understood that we will be left alone, as the only survivors. I barely managed to keep myself from losing control. Bottling up the pain and agony of losing my husband, right in front of me, by own son."
She calmed herself down, slightly, "You know the rest. Hokage-sama explained the situation when he came with his ANBU in response to Naruto-kun's chakra flare. He told me it was a decision made by himself and the elders. I didn't know what to think at that time. I was only focused on my boy. When Hokage-sama came to the hospital called Itachi a criminal, I just snapped. The hypocrisy was too much for me. It was his orders that Itachi followed. My boy was used as a tool. I was so angry at him, I might have even attacked him."
I stroke her arm to soothe her pain somewhat, as she told me about the coup-de-etat plans. After a few seconds of silence we heard the boisterous laughter of Naruto coming closer. Aunty quickly wiped her tears and schooled her expressions. When the boys came into the living room Sasuke noticed his mom's smothered tear stains. His own face looked very much the same. I assumed some sort of male bonding happened between the two. God, I missed those. Just me and my best friends and a round or two of beer.
"Good morning, Sasuke.", I said.
"What's so good about this morning?" he replied back cynically.
"You seem to be forgetting but 'Good Morning' isn't a news flash but a prayer that your following morning will be pleasant.", I told him, trying, and failing, to cheer him up.
"Whatever. Let's get our training over with.", was his reply as he made his way out.
I turned towards aunty who gave Naruto and I an apologetic look. We bowed to her and went after Sasuke.
X-X
'Naruto is a stamina freak.', I thought as I approached a still panting Sasuke after I did my last lap of the day. Still watching Naruto going strong on his thirtieth lap. I Observed him.
Status
Name: Uzumaki Naruto
Age: 5
Level: 4
Job: Toddler (+2% exp gain across the board)
Status: Healthy
Experience: 3540/5000
Attributes
HP 240
CP 309
Str 12
Vit 12
Sta 23
Int 9
Wis 2
Dex 3
Atk 12
Def 16
Lck 32
Points: 24
'Yep, a stamina freak. His is even higher than mine. What the fuck does he eat?'
I settled beside a miserable looking Sasuke. I expected him to lash out at me by the way he flinched. But he spoke cautiously, "Did you really think he was just following orders?"
I took a moment to reply, knowing exactly who he was talking about. "I don't think. I know for a fact."
"Then this means the village is responsible for my clan's death?"
"No. It's your own clan's fault that they were wiped out."
He snapped his head towards me. "What!?", anger evident in his tone.
"Your mom told me you were kept in the dark about it. The clan was planing to take over the village."
"Why would they do that?", he asked after he calmed down.
"Resentment. Your clan was well known for a particular stick up their ass. Other than your father, your family was the only exception. Your mother's kind nature is the reason you are still alive today."
He turned his gaze down. I continued.
"The village always treated them disrespectfully for their stuck up attitude. Also the fact that the Uchiha Clan was the local law enforcement didn't help matters. The isolated clan was further isolated due to that. The started to resent the village. That's the reason your possible ancestor Uchiha Madara left the village and clan. Your father felt it prudent that the village be taken down a peg or two. He made efforts to show the village the clan is still useful but the villager's resentment only increased. He then followed Madara's advice and started planing to take over the village for the Uchiha Clan. That's when the elders and the Hokage decided that the clan has become a threat. Your mom also told me that the Hokage had no say in the matter, he was outvoted."
This much information was a great risk I was taking in giving to Sasuke. Some of it were lies. His mom didn't tell me anything about Madara or the reason behind the cou-de-etat. That was all me. I just have to make sure I come up with another lie to ward off suspicion.
Sasuke was contemplating, sorting the information dump I just dropped on him. His features looked like he was a statue. Moments later, he spoke.
"So, what my brother told me were lies?"
"What did he tell you?"
"He told me about a next level of Sharingan. I unlocked mine that night, by the way. He said I have to kill my best friend to obtain it. He said he had killed his. Was that a lie?"
"Shisui-san?"
"Yes."
"Bullshit!"
"You think so too, huh?"
"You got that right."
Sasuke turned his gaze towards the sky, "That means he was still trying to protect me."
"Yes, that sounds just like him."
I didn't know what was going on in his mind but his eyes watered up and a sad smile appeared on his face. I took that as a good sign.
"That means he was also protecting the village.", said Sasuke. I didn't reply and he continued, "He really loved this village right?"
"Yes…", I answered in a soft voice.
"I've decided."
"What?", I asked turning towards him.
He turned back and looked me in the eyes. "He requested a battle to death, once I become strong enough. He will get a battle to death. Then I will follow his lead and protect the village, no matter the cost."
I don't know whether that was a good change or a bad one. But I smiled in response.
"Oi! Can I get some water, dattebayo?" asked Naruto from a ways away. Probably completed his fortieth lap.
I tossed a bottle of water towards him which he easily caught. I then turned towards my Uchiha friend. "Any particular reason why you decided that?"
"Mostly because I wasn't particularly close to father, and many of the clan members threatened big brother right in front of me. He is a good person and my clan was in the wrong. And I will stick by this until the day I die."
That reassured me. By now Naruto had joined us. We stayed there in silence for quite a while before going our separate ways.
X-X
Sarutobi Hiruzen had just finished listening to Kakashi's debriefing and told him what happened with Naruto. Suffice it to say, the Hatake was proud of his charge for fending off three larger opponents and getting an apartment out of it. He told the Hokage that Naruto now didn't need his protection any more, and had requested to be put on active Shinobi list, outside of ANBU. He was annoyed that a Genin team would be pushed onto him, though.
Left alone in his office, barring some ANBU guards, he began thinking of his uselessness in the decision making process regarding the Uchiha Clan. He hated himself for not stopping him. The elders had outvoted him. "Outvoted" a Kage. A dictator. How the hell he didn't deny their claim. A Kage does not get outvoted.
His age must be getting to him.
He dismissed that notion. He still had a head on his shoulder, he just need to use it against his old teammates. But to think Itachi had been ordered to kill civilian members as well. That wasn't agreed upon. Some one must have ordered his most loyal ANBU to do that. And he knew who that some one was.
'Danzo', he thought sadly.
To think he considers his old teammate and rival friend, over looking his less-than-appropriate actions. This will not stand. He has to do something about it, or Danzo's will of fire will burn the tree it is supposed to protect.
Will of fire. That phrase. He has stood by that ever since he became a Shinobi. All of his teammates did. His will of fire rivalled Danzo's. Two sides of the same coin. Equal, but opposite.
When he had become Hokage by the wish of his sensei, Senju Tobirama, Second Hokage of Konoha, Danzo had taken to the shadows and done the deeds most would consider heinous. But his work was necessary, to a certain degree. The ROOT were the opposite of his main Shinobi forces. If his forces were the light then Danzo's forces were the shadows cast by that light.
Whatever Danzo has done it was for the benefit of Konoha. He may have made many enemies but his work has allowed Konoha to prosper. The old War Hawk has a dream to see Konoha at the top of the world and all his years of service was to ensure his dream becomes a reality. Due to that reason Hiruzen had allowed his supposedly disbanded ROOT to work behind the shadows.
But now the shadows were creeping into the light. The roots are now damaging the leaves. His actions are affecting the village negatively. And the worst thing about it, is that he thinks he is right in doing so.
Inadvertently he has been hurting the very village he is trying to protect. Becoming a monster he swore to destroy.
And it stops now. Loss of the Uchiha Clan could have been avoided if the ageing Kage had just grown a back bone. No more will Danzo's Will of Fire hurt his precious village, and he will make sure that his old friend knew the consequences of his actions.
'Time to call him in and have a heart to heart with my old rival.', thought the elder Kage as he called in one of his ANBU guard. "Bring Homura Danzo, tell him it's urgent."
