Scarlet Justice - ep. 64
"Patron Saints"

"Lord Hokage will see you now."

I follow the aide over to those familiar double doors. They're opened and I walk up to the Hokage's desk, where he sits while quietly smoking his pipe.

"Ah, Lili. Good to see you again."

"Likewise, Lord Hokage." I bow respectfully for him.

"Please, have a seat." I nod and do so. The chairs here and nice and soft, as always. "What did you come to see me for today?"

"Just a small chat and a status update. There are a few things I want to ask you."

"Of course. Anything that you want to know, my child."

"Let's start with a sensitive item, to get it out of the way. At least, I believe it would be as far as you're concerned. It's regarding the movements of Itachi Uchiha. You should be able to see the reasons for that sort of inquiry."

"How much do you know about him?" Hiruzen asks me.

"Mostly the basics. Ane-ue has mentioned things here and there."

"I see." He taps his pipe on the side of the desk before puffing out a cloud of smoke. "At the least, you should have full knowledge of the circumstances behind Sasuke's defection. Itachi has been in and out of the village a few times already, since the end of the invasion. Thus far, I am the only one who knows of these visits. He carried out the killings of the Uchiha Clan seven years ago in order to stop a coup against the Leaf. Sasuke has been on a mission to kill him and avenge the clan as one of the last known survivors. This is one of the reasons that he lusts for power."

"Were the killings on your orders?"

"No. Negotiations with the Uchiha were progressing, but suddenly failed. Itachi worked as a double agent, spying on the Uchiha and deciphering their plans for the benefit of the Leaf. Sasuke...protecting Sasuke was his final request before leaving the village forever as a missing-nin. He agreed to stop the coup, including killing his own parents...but only if Sasuke was able to live under our protection until the promised time."

"So you couldn't kill Sasuke even if you wanted to. Because of that promise." I sigh. "And Sasuke's goal is to kill that man, called a traitor to his family and his village...his older brother. How cruel..."

"Indeed."

"It's an unfortunate thing," I say. I wonder if I could bring myself to do such a thing. If I could be strong enough to avenge my loved ones, and live for that purpose from such a young age. I realize that I could, but the price would be incredibly high. I wouldn't have a self to speak of. Sasuke at least could bring himself to love others. "Even trash like him has experienced hardship."

"Lili..." Hiruzen takes a careful pause. "Is that how you truly feel about him?"

"If you would forgive me for speaking out of turn again...that is a question we both know the answer to, my lord. I will never forgive that garbage for what he's done to me, or to my loved ones," I say coldly. "It's not something subject to change or up for debate. I will treat him with the respect and dignity that every fellow of the Leaf deserves, but no more than that. He is unworthy of it."

"Hm. I see. I suppose that some grudges can never be erased. My apologies for agitating you."

"There's no need for that. It's fine, I...simply have those unchanging feelings within me. Rest assured, I will be at your call if you want me to help him along. But to say that those embers will never fade...'tis so, yes. Should I expect any trouble from Itachi?" I ask.

"It will depend on your intentions towards Sasuke. But...I would say to expect something from him soon enough."

"I understand. I will relay any messages he may have for you. Might you tell me about his current movements, my lord?"

"He currently works for a mysterious mercenary group, called Akatsuki."

"A dramatic name, to be sure."

"It seems so, yes. There is very little data on them thus far...Jiraiya is doing an investigation into their operations. He hasn't had much luck. According to Princess...rather, Empress Ryuuchi, Itachi arrived shortly after the invasion as a reminder of his existence."

"Yes. Ane-ue mentioned she spoke to him, but the information I received was limited," I say as I brush back some of my wild hair. "She has her reasons, as always."

"Yes, she does. I have no doubts that she has put a plan into motion already. Has she been well lately?"

"Very well. Simply busy as of late," I say as I cross my legs. "With Manda and Orochimaru gone, things are changing rapidly in her kingdom. It's for the best that she spends as much time there as possible, in order to properly oversee everything."

Hiruzen chuckles. "Yes, yes. Of course. With the way she treats me, I sometimes forget the scope of her personal work. I have also received word that she's engaged, so I'll have to make an appearance at the wedding, whenever it might be. Perhaps I'll have installed the Fifth by then."

"We can hope. There's something else I mean to ask about, also sensitive in a way."

"By all means," he says as he reloads his pipe.

"It's regarding Sasuke, and his connection to the organization called ROOT."

"Hm...yes, of course. That is something you should also be sharply aware of." He takes a long drag on his pipe before exhaling. "ROOT is also known as the Foundation. I ordered it disbanded several years ago, after the massacre of the Uchiha Clan. Orochimaru was also a part of it at one or more points before his betrayal of the Leaf. The group took on...rather still takes on unsavory missions on behalf of the Leaf. Kidnappings, murders, suppression of suspected radical elements, missing-nin...things that not even the ANBU are given to take care of. Danzo Shimura heads the group, and he works from the shadows. He truly believe that it is all for the benefit of the village...and he is also my most effective advisor in terms of military intelligence."

"Someone you can't just cut loose, then."

"He was supposed to take care of the darkness while I stayed in the light to lead the village. It seemed like the best possible arrangement at the time...the unfortunate part now is that I do not have any proof of ROOT's operations or even of their current existence. None of its members report to me unless so ordered, and I do not know who is part of ROOT or how many members it currently has. I simply know that they are all loyal to Danzo, and him alone. The training that ROOT members go through is brutal and inhuman. Children are taught how to kill their emotions completely, in order to become the ultimate weapons. 'The unseen ones who support the great tree of the Leaf from the depths of the earth'. It's what he said to me ahead of ROOT's founding, many years ago."

"You know him personally, then. As more than just comrades of the Leaf."

"We both had Lord Tobirama as our sensei. At one point, yes...we were good friends who talked for long hours about the future of the village. But he soon became obsessed with protecting the village by any means necessary. It was after Lord Tobirama declared me the Third that those feelings started to overflow from him. Danzo was the one that set in motion the events of the Uchiha massacre."

"What did he do, exactly?"

"He acted without my permission and forced Itachi into a corner. It was risking a civil war between the Uchiha and the Leaf, in which case every member would be slaughtered...or silently destroying the clan on his own, in which case he could save the person he cared for the most."

"Sasuke," I mutter. "That man put Sasuke above everything. Not just his life, but that of the village." It's...twisted. But for some reason, that part of it is resonating with me. What could someone do when faced with that sort of choice? A contemporary of the Third Hokage wouldn't be so easy to threaten or erase, and as the immediate successor of the clan, Itachi would know things that most wouldn't.

It's another one of those things that would have me labeled a psychotic monster, I suppose...but I do grasp those conflicting feelings. I wonder what that sort of person is like. Someone who would snuff out so many candles to save thousands upon thousands more. A person who performed admirably for his village, only to be called traitor and monster until his dying breath.

"Itachi saw no other option. He took on the mission before I could stop him. When he returned to give his report, I agreed to protect Sasuke, especially from Danzo, and to fabricate a cover story so that the honour of the Uchiha Clan could be safely preserved. Sasuke...still has a chance to revive his clan if he so chooses."

"I see. So Itachi manipulated Sasuke, as a punishment for his sins against the clan. He wants Sasuke to come after him with the intent to kill. Sasuke is restless...Orochimaru's temptations were too much to handle in that case, then," I conclude. I realize I also triggered him more than once. It's not something I will blame myself for, but it puts many things into perspective. "And now your fear is that he will turn to Danzo and ROOT to achieve his goals."

"Yes. If that happens, I will have failed Itachi. There will be nothing to do if he chooses to take retribution."

"There should be a way to give Sasuke the strength he craves. I could provoke him further, but he may just run away again in response. That's undesirable, obviously. He needs a mentor of some sort," I say. "Hm. Kakashi would be the best choice, seeing as they're the same type and he did learn that interesting jutsu within a month. But he's always short on time, it seems."

"The only solution to that is to allow Kakashi to work with Sasuke full time. But that would mean..."

"The end of Team Seven," I finish. "I want to believe in Naruto. I still do, but...some aspects of the situation are out of his reach. Lord Hokage, you really must consider your options at this time. Suspending Sasuke's involvement with his team for a while, at least until he can get a proper evaluation and regimen in place. It sounds extreme, but it's becoming a drastic situation. We have some time remaining to work on a proper plan. Sasuke won't be in combat condition for a while."

"Tsunade can work on a slowed recovery schedule in addition to all of that," he says.

"Good. Either way...if you don't want him falling to ROOT and Danzo, you have to do something."

"Yes. But what would be best?"

This really is a massive decision, and not one I planned on making when I came here today. With all of the information filtering through, it's critical that we figure what happens to Sasuke Uchiha for the near future. If we screw this up, everything will go to waste. The mission to bring him back, the killings of the Uchiha meant to save the Leaf from oblivion, possibly peace across this world of ours. Troublesome, but I have to solve this.

Alright, my options.

Letting things fall where they may is out. Danzo Shimura will without a doubt sink his hooks into Sasuke and pull him into ROOT. He'll be made into a machine with no emotion, a tool that exists only to kill and destroy. And likely sent after Itachi on some secret mission, to close the dark loop between Uchiha and the Leaf once and for all. Even if I despise Sasuke, I cannot allow that to happen, ever.

Splitting up Team Seven and leaving the members to their own devices. Sakura is working with Tsunade. Sasuke can be taken care of in isolation. But Naruto will suffer as a result. Team Seven needs to be together. They need to interact properly and start that course of healing, so that Sasuke and Sakura will want to stay with the Leaf of their own accord. Naruto losing his comrades again, just after they've come back...that would be a devastating blow.

Another mentor. But I'm coming up blank on anyone aside from Kakashi who would be best to look after him.

And the last option...I don't want to think about it, but it has to be considered. My conversation with Kakashi comes to mind. Villains treated as heroes, and heroes treated like ghosts. A painful outcome, to be sure.

"..."

But...shinobi are those who endure. And so, I will make this heavy decision with the best of intentions. It's no longer about what's fair in the eyes of the world.

"Before I make my proposal, a question or two," I say.

"Yes, of course. What do you need to know?"

"There's been mention of a contingency plan regarding Sasuke. How will that work, exactly?"

"Ah, yes. If Sasuke should defect again, or perform a criminal act that endangers the village, I have left up to three members of the village to decide his ultimate fate. He will be informed of this contingency, but not of the exact details. Naruto, Erika, and yourself will be mobilized to track him down and stop whatever acts he is committing, depending on who is in the village at the time."

"All three of us?"

"It will be more like...a sort of roulette system. Very much a gamble on his part, literally speaking. If Naruto is present, he will be able to talk him down first before fighting him if necessary. This is the least lethal option. The second level will be left to you, as I envision you sparing him no words and taking him into custody after battle. This is potentially more lethal, but carries a good chance of him returning alive. And the last would be Erika."

"She would kill him."

"Yes, if not ordered otherwise. It would depend entirely upon the time between notice and engagement, but...there is a very high chance that she will engage him as a threat to be eliminated as quickly as possible."

"Hm. It was fortuitous that they didn't cross into Sound Country, then. Erika...she would have slaughtered both Sasuke and Sakura if she came upon them. It would have been justified, too," I say. "Enemy combatants in the thick of battle, all of that."

"Mm." Hiruzen puffs on his pipe in thought.

"I'm sure that we would have caught them before that point, but the thought is troubling enough. We should do our best to make sure that she's not put into such a position in the future. Even if she would be quick to act, she wouldn't revel in cutting down a comrade."

"That much is true."

"So. I know that it will be troublesome, but...I believe that it would be best if Sasuke continued his training under you, Lord Hokage."

"An intriguing thought. Hmm..." He shifts in his chair, puffing away on his pipe in the silence. This will be an important decision on his end as well. As the Hokage, he has enough work, assignments, papers to sign, village management...a lot of things that contribute to the health of the village. Fitting Sasuke into his schedule might not be possible, or even wise.

There's also the other obvious part that's burning a hole in me right now.

This is terrible considering all that's happened. Sakura gets to train with one of the Sannin, and Sasuke with the God of Shinobi...after willingly betraying the village, nearly getting several of us killed, and trying to run off to an enemy country. That would burn anyone up, yes, but it hits me especially hard, and why wouldn't it? I was the one who led a team out to bring them back. I was the one who had to watch my friends cry and beg to have them brought back alive. I was the one who had to shove down every violent feeling in my head and focus on returning them to their homes. But I consider the weight of the Hokage's promise to Itachi, who threw away his entire life just to protect his little brother, to give him a chance to live where nobody else could, even if it's tied to a ridiculous, and at this point, unworkable plot to make him a heroic avenger. And I consider Naruto's feelings. Someone he called brother...family. I don't have the right to decide those bonds for him. If this works...it will be a great solution. I want it to work.

"I suppose this is the best way to keep Sasuke safe."

I let out a sigh of relief and nod. Good. We're on our way.

"But..."

"..." Concessions. Right, it only makes sense. I'm ready for those, whatever they might be.

"I will need something to help with the work that I'm sure to miss out on, as a result of time spent training and mentoring Sasuke."

"What is it?" I ask eagerly.

"It will have to be an aide, or two." His eyes dart away from mine. "Preferably women..."

I relax again and snort at him. "Yes, of course. Don't let your old age stop you..."

He grunts and tries to hide a small blush. "You of all people, lecturing me...anyways. If you could find me help of any kind, it would be appreciated. At least that way I won't have to put off any sessions with Sasuke, except for emergencies of course."

"Understood. That's more than reasonable, my lord. I'll start a search within the next day or two. Men are alright, aren't they?"

"Yes, very much fine."

"Alright. But you've come to the right young lady. I'll do my best to meet your needs, Lord Hokage," I say with a wink.

"Appreciated."

"Then I'll be on my way. I think I've taken up enough of your time for the day, and I don't want to be scolded too badly by Luna," I say as I get up. "Thank you for hearing me out, my lord. We'll definitely make this work, together." I smile and give him a deep bow.

"We certainly will. Thank you, Lili. Please, take care."

"Yes, I will. Take care, Lord Hokage." I leave the room and then the building altogether.

The stage is set. Sasuke's safety will be secured at last. Now...it's been a long enough day as is, so I really will go straight home and eat something. Within the next few days, I'll start on my search for the Hokage's new assistants.

"Miss Lili, there's a call for you!"

"Mmph." I wipe my mouth free of crumbs and set the sandwich down. "Coming."

Luna holds the phone out and I take it from her gently. "Lili Kobayashi speaking."

"Lili? It's me. You have time to slip out a bit?" Kurenai asks from the other end.

"I should. What's going on?"

"He got it, finally! Our guy got his promotion, they just finalized it and had the Hokage sign off."

"Really? Where are we meeting up?" I ask anxiously.

"We're gonna surprise him at his place. I just called Miss Kiko, and Asuma grabbed the docs for me from his old man. Hinata's on her way already."

"Nothing more needs to be said. I just have to make a quick stop, and I'll meet you over there."

"Got it. See you in a few."

"Ah, I have to go back out again...what a day, what a day," I say to myself. I walk back to the table and devour the rest of my sandwich before running off to get into some proper clothing. Nothing that will take too much time...a loose silk shirt and jeans will be fine.

"Miss Lili?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, Luna. Shino just got his promotion approved!"

"How wonderful. He's worked so hard, hasn't he?"

"It's about damn time. What with his performance on the retrieval mission, and in the exams themselves...that is among the least of things this village could do for him after all that he's gone through. I'll have to pick something up at Yamanaka Flowers, though it won't be as elaborate as usual because of the timing..."

"It should be more than alright."

"You're right. I can't worry too much. Shino wouldn't want that, either. I'm off," I say as I kiss Luna on the cheek. "Sorry about the mess."

"Perfectly fine, milady. I'll see you soon."

"Thank you." I head out and jump to the bottom of the stairs, then take off quickly towards the flower shop. A bouquet of iris flowers is procured, and then I'm off again towards the Aburame District. Shino's home comes into sight, and Kiko waves to us from outside the front door.

"This is exciting, you know? Thanks for coming, all of you. The rest of the clan will know formally tomorrow, but I thought the idea of Shino's closest friends congratulating him first sounded so beautiful..."

"I have flowers here," I say.

"And cake here," Hina follows.

"Got the papers here," Kurenai says.

"It sounds like we're all ready. Tea is brewing inside, so...let's be quiet as we head in. Shino doesn't know what's going on yet."

We all nod and silently walk inside, not making a sound as all kunoichi are taught. The four of us gather around the table, where Hina sets down her cake beside the plate with slices of winter melon. Kiko nods and we nod back, standing together in the relative darkness.

"Shino? Can you come down for a moment? I have something I need help with."

"Coming, Mother." We hear him cross the upstairs hall and start down the stairs. "What did you need help with?"

"Just come over and have a look, honey."

"Understood." He steps into view, and Kiko flicks the lights on.

"Congratulations!"

"Huh...what?"

Kurenai smiles and places the scroll into his hands. "Open it up, hotshot."

"..." Shino unrolls the scroll and stands in place for a few minutes, not moving.

"Um...Shino? Are you okay?" Hina asks quietly.

"..."

"Do we have to hit him a few times before he starts working again?" I ask.

"Shino, honestly." Kiko sighs. "Say something to your friends, they're worried."

"You...came here for this?"

"What kind of question is that?" I ask. "You're our teammate. Our friend for life. Why wouldn't we come to see you after learning you've been promoted? God, you're annoying."

"Here we go," Kurenai groans.

"You have your mother and three gorgeous, vibrant young women crowding your kitchen, with pure smiles and cake and flowers, all congratulating you on your grand accomplishment, and all you have to say is 'oh, you're here for this'? Of course we're here for this!"

"I'm...I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Don't be anything but happy, you difficult guy." I set my flowers on the table. "Come here. Come on!"

"Right. What is it, Boss?"

I kiss him on the forehead and hug him tightly.

"Shino...never forget how proud of you I am. How proud all of us are of you. You're amazing and helpful and courageous...and you are my friend. You are so much to me. You'll advance to even greater heights in time, but enjoy this moment."

I release myself and smile for him.

"Congratulations, Shino."

"Thank you, Lili."

"She's right, you know. You're stubborn, but we love you all the same." Hina smiles and hugs him, along with Kurenai.

"Oh...so beautiful..." Kiko is crying happily.

"Let's eat. I'm sure the wonder boy here is hungry," Kurenai says.

"I made Shino's favourite!" Kiko sets down a few bowls in front of us as we sit around the table. It's...wild salad? Well, it doesn't look half bad...

Kurenai mutters under her breath. "Between this and the whole winter melon thing..."

"..." Shino adjusts his glasses. "It seems you have some more tastes to discover, sensei."

"You could stand to not be such an ornery bitch sometimes," I say to her.

"Ah, shut up."

"I know that our guests might have some different tastes, so there's some fish here for you if you'd like it," Kiko says.

"Oh, that's good. Thank you. But this salad...it's not half bad, you know?"

"I really enjoy salad," Shino explains. "Why? Because of how refreshing and nourishing it is to the body."

"Can you feel your insides being cleansed, sensei?" I tease.

Kurenai gives Kiko an exasperated look. "You see what I have to deal with?"

"You bring it on yourself these days, sensei."

"You too, Hinata? Seriously..."

"This salad really is good," I say. "We should put it into our guidebook, as one of the team meals. Maybe add some wild nuts, a bit of meat if we can find it...if it's enough to fuel Shino, we should be alright, I think."

"Let's talk about you, Miss Super Elite."

"By all means, sensei. But wouldn't you want to focus more on Shino?"

"I need to know if those rumours are true," Kurenai says.

"I would like to know as well, Boss," Shino says in agreement.

"I feel the same," Hina says. Kiko is pretending not to listen in.

"That all depends on which rumours you're talking about," I say casually as I sip my tea.

"Okay. Let's start with this whole Hana thing-"

"I didn't do it."

"You don't know what it is I'm talking about."

"I know. I didn't do it."

"Yeah, okay...but Tsume keeps saying..."