Savage Maelstrom Chapter 12: Recovery, Secrets revealed & Councils, a naruto fanfic

Gotta say… The fact I can't see the traffic for this story is really starting to get to me, haha. I can't tell if people are just stopping midway or if my story is taking off. Although, Judging by recent reviews, something tells me that I might be losing quite a few more readers then I'd like. Sucks, Really does, Especially getting my first outwardly negative review this morning… But I suppose not everyone can enjoy it, but still… Stings. Do let me know what you readers think of these Au updates by the way, Saw other writers doing the same and thought to myself, hey, looks like a good way to stay engaged with my audience. To those looking to jump the boat, please give this chapter a chance. Questions will be answered, at least the ones I know of, and you may just find your interest re-ignited… and if not…

Ah well. Is what it is

Just hope FF net doesn't bring out a downvote/dislike button or this story is screwed haha.

Onto the chapter.

It'd be real nice if you read the disclaimer

Beep…

Hiruzen watched with Held breath as Naruto lay upon his bed in Konoha general hospital. The boy had finally managed to get to sleep after… Something had driven him to a shaking mess, one that the elderly Leader himself had to remove him from. To his right stood his new Shadow, the man's eye watching the boy clinically and not just naruto but the man lying in the bed next to him too. The frame of Iniochi Yamanaka lay in silence next to the boy, A decision that Danzo had suggested to ensure that Dragon's actions did not damage the boy too far. The beeping of Naruto's heart monitor was the only thing to break the silence since Danzo's arrival there in the room with him, leading to an odd tension in the air between the two

"…We need to talk about what we saw Hiruzen". A tension only increased by the comment the man made. With a heavy sigh, he turned his head to the bandaged elder and nodded, Waiting for the man to continue.

"We knew the Cursed seal could cause Psychotic breaks. Anko Mitarashi is proof enough. But this… The boy showed sadism on par with your student, And that reaction after he was finished… Are you sure you want this boy anywhere near your shinobi after that?". Truth be told he wasn't sure. Could he really let the boy's suffering over the past month be for naught? Have him go through it all, for nothing? His silence only drew a sigh from the man next to him

"I see… Then we shall await Inoichi's report on the boy's mind… How are you feeling old friend?". The question got a bit of a raised eyebrow out of Hiruzen, his wrinkled brow folding with a hint of surprised amusement. "small talk. Really?". But Danzo just shook his head, looking down at the resting blondes. "Not small talk. Reassurance. I know you care for the boy, and I Cannot have you go soft again… The village needs it's leader, Not a watcher".

Beep…

"I'm scared for the boy Danzo. What would Minato say if he saw us now… Jiraiya has refused to answer my summons-", the elder scoffed, looking at Hiruzen with a flat gaze. "You should keep a tighter leash on that man. You've already lost two students to their own whim, you surely cannot tell me you are letting the third get away too?". Hiruzen's tired sigh was all he needed as an answer, Danzo's not so subtle 'Tsk' going unanswered.

"…It'll be fine Hiruzen. I'll send my men out to retrieve him soon. But I need you to understand that if him and Tsunade do not return soon, Then you must discipline them. I will do it if need be, but I need your command…". The third nodded, his gaze set on the boy. He looked so peaceful… no blood. No injuries. Even his seal was now fading into skin, with no need to be active. Before anything else could be said, both men had their attention drawn by the ruffling of clothing; Inoichi's eyes opening slowly as focus came back to them and the man sat up upon the bed. They watched, with baited breath as the man stumbled off of his bed and around Naruto's, even stopping to look at the boy with an expression of worry… before exiting.

"Well? What did you find in there Yamanaka-san?". The man gave a weird look to Danzo for speaking on behalf of the Hokage but on Hiruzen's gesture to proceed, He nodded, taking a visible moment to gather his thoughts before… shaking his head.

"there was nothing". The man held up his hands, politely but silently requesting the two prevent themselves from interrupting before he continued. "That is not to say that the boy is braindead or his mind doesn't exist anymore… I mean nothing as in… He does not know what he did. At least, not consciously and if he does then those memories are being stored deeper than I was able to go, at the same level of the seal… And I'm sorry Hokage-sama but I refuse to risk my life going that far in where the chakra of that seal is still strong. I can say that, Your fears are warranted. That boy blames himself for those deaths in the sewers and Dragon's words have had a large impact on his view of himself. Even your acts yesterday did not do much to dissuade how he views himself".

The two men nodded, one in clinical and logical acceptance of the facts while his scheming mind went into motion, The other in a reluctant and defeated affirmation of what he already feared to be true. "Is there anything that can be done, Inioichi?". The man just sighed, nodding but not in a way the Third liked. "There is… time. The boy has been conditioned to believe himself a traitor; irredeemable and not as important as true Konoha citizens and I'm sorry to draw comparison Lord Danzo but… It was nearly identical to your old Root practices. Beaten daily, Forced to endure the late Dragon drilling these 'facts' into his head, Sometimes even during Sparrow's Surgeries… His healing may sew flesh and regrow bones but the psyche is something completely different."

The more the man spoke, the more that Hiruzen's heart sunk… and hurt. Danzo frowned, seeing the look on his face before taking Inoichi's attention with a clack of his cane. "Perhaps, Inoichi… this conversation would be better off said elsewhere. Not all in attendance have the heart for this currently.". This Definitely drew a confused and, shocked, look from the man but he nodded anyway. Hiruzen barely heard the man dismiss himself before walking out of the room, Danzo leaving with him in silence… leaving just him… and the machines.

Beep…

~{SM}~

Drip…

GAAAASP

Blue eyes shot wide open as he looked around in a panic. The dripping, reminding him all too much of that place, but the blinding light and the warmth that followed was… don't be a dream, don't be a dream… slowly he turned, the warmth of hope coming to him as he looked outside to see it… it was small. But it was there… Rain… dripping off of the gutter above his window, The Smell of freshly raised dust and soil wafting in through it's open gap, on fresh, Cold, air… he took in a deep breathe, his lungs Burning as he took in more and more before…

"ahhhhhh…". It burnt his throat a bit; His dry and tired throat… looking out upon the Village from his bed. Bed… oh the sheets, Actual sheets instead of the stone-like mattress and cold stone walls, he couldn't help the little choked out smile as he wriggled his toes beneath the cotton… "hah… hahaha… hahahaha… fuck you.. dragon..". but as he thought to the man, the smile fell… and the memories flashedback to his mind…

Regenerate, he said, as his foot came crashing down upon the man's skull… why did he relish the feeling of his bone breaking under heel, What was he doing? He had to stop, Why was he doing this, why, Why, WHY, his body burned, it hurt, why was this thing making him-

The boy gasped as he felt a hand close down around his shoulder, turning suddenly to look at… a nurse, looking at him with a concerned gaze. "…it's good to see you're awake Naruto…". The blonde nodded, staring at the woman as the machine next to him slowed down in it's beeps; Its screen calming down as it soon melted back to an ambient tone. He did not turn away the cup offered to him, only gagging when it went down his throat. "Oh god that's horrid… what is this?"

"Medicine, Naruto… just medicine, To help get your hydration levels back up. We've been waiting for you to wake up for a few days now and any saline solutions we tried to give you just…got pushed out of the skin. How do you feel? Need anything?". The blonde looked on in… honestly a little awe. An adult of the village was actually being nice to him, without his grandfather in the room to enforce it. How did he feel…?

…a smile… slowly crossed his lips. He looked up at her before letting his head fall back, with her hand on him to help lower him to the softness and cold surface of his pillow. "Free… I feel free… As for needing anything… I could Really… use some Ichiraku". Her giggle was melodic, but the small look of apology she gave him was clear. "Ah come on… not even a bowl, Pretty nurse lady?".

"Well, Flatterer, I'm afraid we can't risk outside food. Unknown Allergens you see, but I'm sure you'd rather eat your noodles at a place more comfortable than the hospital…". True, true, Naruto had to give her that. But still… The old man had always managed to sneak him a bowl or two before, and that was always the best part of waking up In the… speaking of… when he started looking around the room for any signs of life, he was surprised to see that… the room looked like no one had come to visit at all.

"Say, pretty nurse, Did the old man…um… Hokage-Jiji come to see me at all? I don't see his usual leave-behinds, or anything anyone would leave behind…". He ignored the disapproval at his nickname for the old man, but he did that for everyone anyway. He looked outside the window again, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Hokage tower for naught, before feeling something…the bed's fabric ruffling as the nurse sat on it, taking his hand into hers with a look of…pity….

"The Hokage is a busy man Naruto… A lot has happened since you were rescued from your Abusers".

So that was the story he was going with huh…

"while tattoos on someone so young are definitely not something I agree with, I'm glad to see yours are fading… Since helping rescue you, His… Hokage-sama has not left the tower in days. All anyone has seen of him is people exiting his office, and the rumours state that he is-", the nurse silenced herself at the sound of the door opening and closing, Naruto's eyes widening to spot a familiar mask.

"Hawk!". The man gave him a wave, before turning to the woman and tilting his head as he approached. "I don't think spreading rumours is the best use of your time Nurse-san. Please leave, I need to speak to the boy…privately". Flushed with embarrassment, The woman gave both a muttered goodbye before walking out, perhaps a little too fast, leaving the door to close shut behind her. The man reached down to lock it… sighing

"So! How is the fox feeling, hm? Not every day a little orange fluffball takes down the big scary fire breathing monster". Despite himself, Naruto couldn't help but flinch as he looked away from the man ignoring the approaching footsteps until that black cloak stood right over him… "…Was it that bad?".

"Oh you mean you going full psycho on us? Yes. They were picking fragments of Dragon's skull out of the concrete for hours after you were done, and I had to send your axe off for repairs… Again. You not only dulled the blade, but borderline cracked it with all those tosses. You warped the handle, crushed it in fact and… well. You scared the shit out of the old man". Of all the things said, it was only at the last part that he flinched…

"And then there was that comment at the end… find you again… What found you. Is the fox active?". When the boy shook his head, The Anbu let his shoulders relax a little… only to stiffen again at what he heard next.

"The fox is dead..". Naruto was not prepared for the man to take both of his shoulders and force him to look at those empty sockets behind the mask; the grip hard enough to make his bones creak. "Naruto. What do you mean, The fox is fucking dead. That thing is Konoha's Secret weapon, and Deadliest enemy and you're telling me, it's DEAD!?". The shaking blonde nodded slowly, fear clear in his eyes. "Then what the hell do you mean!?".

The boy gulped, unable to look anywhere but those empty eyes. "W-When this whole thing started I had a nightmare… I Thought it was just a dream but now-", he winced at the tightening grip, looking back at Hawk. "Details Gennin, cut the unimportant details, like I taught you".

"…During my unconscious state, I entered a dream where I came to face what I think now was the seal. Instead of a seal however, The place I arrived in looked like it was being eaten away by flesh, and The fox was suspended in the air by said flesh. It's body was being eaten by it and there was a man dangling from the flesh, Yellow eyes and…pale skin, like a snake".

It was only self control that stopped hawk from gripping the boy's shoulders tight enough to snap bone… "you saw Orochimaru…". Naruto nodded, taking a small gulp of air before continuing. "He, was being eaten too… the seal took him in, he said and it was… I don't know. He was trying to take the fox and these fleshy…tendrils, started to try and eat me too but then I got angry… and I jumped up and…tore him in two. And I felt this rush of power when I did, like my skin was going to burst… then his remains were pulled into the flesh. And the fox too…that's when I woke up".

Hawk nodded, sighing as he rubbed his face under his mask… "but… That's not where it ended"

The man stilled, 'looking' at naruto as he used his Chakra to reach out. The contours of his face, the furrowed brow, the sound of breathing increasing…panic.

"During… During the fight I thought I was going to die. The seal was hurting so much, I just wanted it to end; and then I was there again… and… and…". Hawk nodded, slowly… the boy had probably seen the kyu-

"And everything was flesh". Ok. That was not normal. He drew his attention to the beeping of the machine, speeding up, and the confused sounds of a doctor trying to open the door. He shot the man a glare, sending a Kage bunshin to go handle the commotion as he turned back. "…continue Naruto".

"There was something else in there sensei. Something Old, Something smart… It made the flesh drop the Nine tail's bones, and it pulled me into the seal. I saw Orochimaru's Skeleton, a…and two others that I didn't recognize. And then there was that eye…t.. ..that… that eye…"

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

The machine was blaring now, No doubt there would be an alert sent to the doctor's. ripping the diodes off of Naruto, he shook the boy to try and get him to focus, only to 'see' the tears running down his cheeks…and feel the terror coming off of him.

"It called itself… Rage, Judgement, Fury, It… the eye… Red.. with rings and Those…commas, 9 of them, And..i felt, my head..". the boy's nails came up, digging into the scalp as he began… laughing. Tears flowing, the laugh broken and fragmented. "it was splitting in two, it was burning and freezing, it called me a name I didn't recognize and it… it… It was so much, So much power, So much Anger; I thought I was going to die, to be ripped apart and it did not go, it did not fade, I watched my body beat Dragon to a pulp and I Liked it…"

The man let silence take over the space between the two… nodding… when the door opened and the doctor's ran in, he did not stop them from embedding a needle into the boy's neck, letting the sedative take the boy to a dreamless sleep. Instead, he backed up from the group…

Centric rings… nine commas… like some mix of the Rinnegan and Sharingan…? As he withdrew his Chakra field, letting blindness take over his senses again, the man simply leaned against the wall and listened to the commotion. Taking it all in as they checked the boy's vitals.

…it seemed the boy had yet to leave hell.

~{SM}~

Hiruzen sighed as he looked out to the Rabble of the Council chambers. On one side, The chattering of Civilians talking about taxes, Budget increase, and the general chaos of the 'civvie' life that bored the man to tears, while on the Shinobi side, each clan head… minus four chairs, sat in silence as they watched the chaos too. As he raised his hand, the Civilian side began to quiet down; looking at him for answers to the questions he had ignored for the past 20 minutes.

"Well? What do you say Lord third? Surely you think the bank could use an increase to-", the man raised his hand again, looking to them with a flat stare, daring them to speak up again. They did not. "…All Non-Shinobi aligned matters and requests must be submitted in writing, with the correct forms. Why you refuse to get this, I don't know, but I will tell you once again… This is a room for the Important meetings concerning our intervillage politics and the national affairs of Konoha. Not to request ways to fill your own pockets… Understood?". The grumbling Civilian council laid forgotten about in the back of his mind, instead drawing attention to the Scarred face of the Nara clan head

"Yes shikaku?". The Man let his hand fall, respectfully standing to address the one who sat at the head of the council chambers. "I think I speak for everyone Sir when I ask, Why is it that the Shadow of the leaf Is standing at your side and not where he belongs amidst the Civilian council?". The Aged Kage turned his head, having almost forgotten that Danzo had been standing right beside him since the meeting began… silent. Watching.

"I am here, Nara, To ensure that our lord third has a voice in his ear that he can trust to keep him focused on what matters. Instead of being overwhelmed by the schemes and commands of the Villagers who do not respect him". the shouts of protests from the Civilian council were cut off as White masks jumped from the shadows, each one holding a blade to the necks of the protestors with lethal accuracy. The shaking men and women lowered themselves, shocked to find their usual Stooges Koharu and Homura not jumping to their Defense like normal.

At the questioning Stares, Hiruzen…sighed. Looking out at the two councils with a nod. "It is true. Since the loss of our Dear fourth Hokage, We have become a mere shadow of our once great nation. This hat was never meant for my head a second time, And in our panic to appoint someone worthy of the position, You allowed me… A man who's shoulders were already too heavy with the weight of the past, to do anything. That stops now".

The rising look of fire behind the man's eyes brought the attention of every council member, some with fear, some with hope. He reached into his robes, handing a slip of papers that would then be taken by Danzo as he walked around and placed the papers down… in front of everyone. As they read, Their eyes grew wide, a woman with hair as pink as cherry blossoms standing up with shock in her eyes.

"S-sir you can't be serious about this!". but the man just nodded, taking the look of approval from his old friend and using it to fuel his next words. "I am, Councilwoman Haruno. Come tomorrow I shall release the Truth behind the Uchiha coup to the masses. It is time to bring a stop to the Pride of the clans that leads this village… Founders or not, Both Senju and Uchiha are reduced to but a single member, and only the Uchiha have one capable of reviving their clan.". The nods of acceptance from the Shinobi council, was a fair contrast from the looks of horrified realization from the Civilian.

"…And even then… well, the inbreeding of clans is not a secret amongst the people, What with enough gaps between families to help prevent close relations but with one man, one boy in fact, It is only an eventuality that the Sharingan will be bred out of existence… and the Senju line ends with my student. I would be protecting the memory of nothing but the past and despite what some might think, be allowing some clans to believe they hold domain over my commands if I were to let the Uchiha be remembered as heroes when they were in fact treasonous… Hiashi Hyuuga".

The Clan Patriarch stood, answering the call to do so by his leader. But it was not the Hokage who spoke, instead all eyes were set on the man who walked up to him… Danzo's small smile of satisfaction clear as he placed a single slip of paper down on the desk, one Hiashi's gaze hardened at. "I do believe you recognize this little marking do you not? Our Leader is not a fan of you making slaves of his shinobi".

The man's Kekkei Genkai came to life, veins bulging around his eyes in anger only to be silenced by the deafening Pressure of the Hokage's own chakra. "…That there is a modified version of your seal from Danzo's own Fuinjutsu experts. I expect you to apply it to yourself, and your family, and your branch family by the end of the week or I shall see you as a traitor who is sabotaging my men".

The man could only take so much, slamming his fist on the table as he stood. "how Dare you! the Hyuuga are the Strongest clan in the leaf village, We have been here since the founding and our ways have kept our bloodline pure and Safe! You would lead us to-Gack!", much like with the Civilian council, The ma was silenced by the threat of a blade to his throat… and his heart. And spine. And liver. And kidneys. Surrounded by faceless masks…

"…Who leads this village, Hyuuga". When no answer came, The Elderly Kage stared into the angered eyes of the man who stared back in… spite. "Who. Leads. This. Village". But the Clan head simply grew a smirk, gazing to the other. "From the looks of things, it is the puppet master whispering things into your ears… Are you seeing this, Councils? How our leader allows himself to be manipulated by-"

Silenced by a solid strike to the gut, sending some Civilians into a panic, The man glared up at the Sparrow masked Anbu who had appeared before she leapt back into the shadows above the chambers. "…Yes, Danzo whispers into my ear. Just as Any good advisor should. You are not royalty Hyuuga, You simply walk around in wealth and lord it above others with the fear of your clan's numbers preventing any consequences… You are not above my law. No one is. And I am tired of people thinking they are, simply because I lost my way… Danzo is not my puppet master as you claim, he is my blade, Suggesting solutions and cutting the rot from my village."

Another set of papers, this one of photos and reports, as Danzo stepped forth to speak, The aged Kage lowering his hat over his face. "As of 0300 hours last night, my men have Ransacked the red light district that our shinobi have kept away from for want of preservation of their vices and supplies... Over 500 arrests and the destruction of hundreds of thousands of Ryo in illegal contraband. Change is coming to the leaf, Esteemed councils… I will not have Families acting as if they are their own village; Shinobi who hold rank thinking they can simply ignore our Kage any longer… The great tree stands when it's roots support the trunk and kill off the weeds. Are you roots, or are you weeds… think about that as you leave these chambers".

Neither side of the council was willing to speak up in protest, as Faceless masks guided them from the room. Hiruzen, Tired as ever, sighed as he looked up to the man walking towards him. "Are you sure this was the right thing to do Danzo. For all we know this could lead to a repeat of the Uchiha coup…". The Elder nodded, sitting upon the desk in front of his Kage with a stoney expression.

"I do Hiruzen. I really do. Kumo, Iwa, even Suna have produced stronger shinobi in recent years than our own. We have lost what it means to be a Shinobi village and with your approval, I shall be your hand to shape this village back into what it was…what Sensei, knew it should be… I only ask that you too, help keep me from the darkness as I help keep you from weakness. It takes two hands to shape something after all, one to force the clay to bend… and another to help mold it…"

Hiruzen nodded, Smiling slightly as he sat up. "Well with any luck this will hopefully put down the rumors of abuse and Dissent amongst the Hyuuga branch family. Hiashi doesn't know it but we likely just saved his life…now, With all due respect Danzo I have had enough time playing the role of Hokage today… I think I need to go see Konohamaru and be a grandfather for a bit. Can I trust you to handle the spreading of the information discussed here today?"

The man nodded again, as Hiruzen went to stand; only for both to look to the swirling pillar of flame that appeared in the room beside them, out stepping hawk with his mask removed. "Shisui. What is the meaning of this-", but Hiruzen raised his hand, silencing his advisor. "…Is Naruto awake?"

Shisui's nod brought a smile to the elderly man's face, only for the next words to bring it crashing back down.

"He is. And he's in great danger. Something else… has broken through to his seal".

~{SM}~

Baboom! How's that for some drama! Is Danzo truly trying to help Hiruzen, Or has the man embedded his claws in to the elderly Shadow. Decisions have been made and who knows what they could mean for the Village's dark prince… and what will happen to our favourite blonde, Now the hints of his true power have finally slipped into the open…

And who on earth, has the writer planned to be unlucky enough to fall for this trouble magnet