Chapter 4: Decisions

When Inoichi made it to the room the Hokage was in, he saw that Danzo was there.

They were in a relatively heated conversation by the looks of it. The one-eyed advisor was heavily leaning on his cane, something that made Inoichi smirk slightly, before he schooled his face. "Hiruzen, I told you, that… that thing is not to be trusted. He took down a rather powerful Chunin with an Ice Spike that was about the size of an arm! He should be put to death before he becomes a danger to our village! Not to mention the fact that from what the Hyuga told us, he doesn't even have chakra paths or coils!"

Hiruzen, for the most part, glared down at Danzo. Aside from the slight raising of a single eyebrow, he showed no emotions. "You may be my old friend, Danzo, and you may be a skilled Shinobi, but what I say goes. And what I say is that until proven otherwise, he should not be put to death. If you go behind my back and kill him, perhaps I should then look into your replacement. Do I make myself clear?"

There was an edge to the Hokage's voice that scarce had heard and lived to tell the tale. The air was flooded with so much killing intent, that it took all of Inoichi's willpower not to run, or piss himself. The elder Shimura sighed, and said in a resigned tone of voice, "Yes, Hokage-sama." With that, he turned and left, his cane tapping on the floor in an almost mocking manner.

When Inoichi finally entered the room, he bowed respectfully. "Hokage-sama," he stood up straight. "I have reviewed the strangers mind as per your request. What I have found…" He paused, and took a few breaths, trying to get his thoughts in order and keep his composure, "His memories… I've never seen anything like them."

At this, Hiruzen's eyebrow rose so high, it almost left his forehead. "What do you mean, Inoichi?"

Inoichi sat down in front of the ageing Hokage, and told him everything. With each and every passing moment, and each memory spoken of, Hiruzen seemed to get more intrigued. When Inoichi got to the massacre - or genocide, really - that got a rise out of the Hokage.

Most would miss it, but the telltale flash in his eyes, and the way his knuckles turned white as he gripped the table, told Inoichi everything he needed to know. "They did what?" he said as Inoichi finished relaying that particular harrowing piece of information. Most ninja never see that kind of bloodshed against civilians, but when you throw in children and infants, the defenceless and innocent, that would cause any but the most black-hearted to stand their ground and fight against them.

The religion seemed to bring Hiruzen's curiosity to the forefront, as they were mostly non-religious, or followed the teachings of Buddha.

The design that was told about the weapons and armour, not to mention the stonework and the Chantry, amazed the Hokage. Not even the Daimyo's had the money to make something of that nature, let alone a small sect of the Snow Elves as they were known.

When Inoichi talked about their age, the Hokage almost choked on his pipe - not the smoke, the actual PIPE - he was that surprised. "F-four thousand years?" When it was all said and done, Hiruzen was speechless.

"H-hokage-sama?" Inoichi was afraid that he had broken the Hokage, and, more importantly, that Danzo would take his place.

When Hiruzen next spoke, he was deathly serious. "This information is classified as SS-class. Do you understand, Inoichi?" Inoichi nodded. SS-class was one of, if not the highest rank for information or jutsu.

"What do we do with him, Hokage-sama?" Hiruzen shook his head with his eyes closed. "Is there an extra room at your house, Inoichi?" The Yamanaka head paled. If he brought a stranger home, his daughter would not forgive him. Neither would his wife. Orders were orders, though, and he had to follow them, regardless of the consequences.

"Y-yes, Hokage-sama." Hiruzen smiled at Inoichi's expression. "You are to take him home, and educate him. And try to keep him out of sight." "Y-yes, Hokage-sama." Hiruzen nodded his head. "Good. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to finish the paperwork that my assistant left for me. By the way," Hiruzen looked at Inoichi. "What was the lads name again?" "H-Harlor, Hokage-sama." Hiruzen nodded, and left without another word, leaving Inoichi to wonder what exactly he would tell his wife, and daughter.