Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Divergent Thinking
The opposite of convergent thinking, divergent thinking utilizes originality, imagination, and flexible thinking. Instead of narrowing down possible solutions, it makes more. Doors are opened. Contingency plans are discovered. So are contingency plans for contingency plans. Though the lack of organization and procedure in this thinking process can cause things to be overlooked or missed entirely.
By the time Shinobu called it quits for the night, Kabuto lost three fingernails but not any secrets. "He's going to be a tough one to break", Shinobu said as we left the office; leaving behind Anbu to watch the prisoner. "Ibiki-Taichou will probably take over".
I dragged my feet all the way home; feeling the beginnings of a long overdue crash. The fatigue was bad enough that I was clumsy as I tried to unlock the front door. And once in the entryway, I kept losing my balance while pulling off my sandals. So, it wasn't surprising when I failed to notice the blond lump twitching awake on the sofa.
A clink of metal. The sound of weight shifting on cushions. "Rion?"
Bleary-eyed, I raised my head; half leaning against the wall. Naruto was sitting up. A blanket pooled around his waist from where it had fallen off his person. In his hand was a correctly gripped kunai; poised and ready.
Blinking, I stared at it. Waiting for the usual barrage of thoughts, questions, and observations to come rushing at me as is normal. But… my mind was blank and I felt very little.
Naruto lowered his kunai faster than I was processing. "Why are you so late?" he asked in a whisper. Or his version of a whisper. It was still very loud, to be honest. Groaning in response, I hauled myself into the living space. "When I didn't see you at the preliminaries, I thought you went home. But then I got here before you did and Anzu nee-chan said-"
Yawning loud enough to drown him out, I maneuvered myself until I sat cross-legged in front of the sofa. With a heavy head, a nearly unrecognizable voice in my mind told me I needed to say something. Maybe ask why Naruto was sleeping on my couch. Or why he felt the need to have a kunai in reaching distance. But all that came out was a tired mumble.
"What'd you say?" Naruto whispered.
With great effort, I rubbed my eyes; trying to string some words together. "Your kunai. Don't get holes in my walls". Because that absolutely fits the situation. The last thing I needed was having to make extra payments to the landlady. Though she knew who our neighbor is, she might just let us get away with it.
"Huh?" Naruto asked; scratching the top of his head as he watched me lay down on my stomach; flat against the floor. "What are you talking about? Holes in the walls? Anzu Nee-chan was really worried. First when I came home without you. And then Gai-Sensei didn't show up for dinner. But she understood once I told her about Bushy Brows. We went out for ramen and when we got back, you still weren't home…"
Closing my eyes felt like the most wondrous accomplishment. Like watching a curtain fall at the end of a performance. Naruto continued to drone on in the background. Sounding like he was underwater… or maybe I was. My shoes are still on. So are my headband and weapon holsters. I should do something about that… moving is impossible.
"And… And there was this super crazy guy, Orochimaru, who attacked us! There's no way he was a genin. He burnt our scroll and bit Sasuke. And I guess that made Sasuke sick or something because he passed out. Then this Orochimaru guy vanished. So, Sakura and I had to watch Sasuke and figure out how to replace the scroll we lost and, you know, find a second one so we could pass the stupid exam. But then… Rion? Did you fall asleep?"
…
"Don't fall asleep on the floor! You have a bed".
…
"Rion?" Naruto sighed when I didn't answer. "Man", he complained as I felt a fleecy weight settle around me. Naruto's blanket, maybe? "You're as bad as Shikamaru. I don't get how Chouji can put up with you guys".
Seven hours later, I left with Anzu frowning judgmentally at my back. She didn't like that I grabbed a ration bar instead of sitting down for breakfast. But there was a lot she wasn't happy about right now; being lied to, the fact I hadn't participated in the exams, and loneliness. I'd have to let her yell at me at some point.
T&I was at full capacity when I got there. Meaning, there were more than four people present. "What's going on?" I asked as I eyed Shikaku lounging behind my desk with his feet up and his eyes closed. Behind him, leaning against a wall with his arms crossed, stood Ino's dad, Inoichi. Him, I could guess why he was here. But Shikaku…
Shinobu glanced up from the senbon he was sanitizing. "There's been some complications". He didn't sound happy about it.
Though he wasn't as bad as Anko. She started out with a low growl, clutching at her head as frustration bubbled. When it became too much, Anko arched her back and threw her hands into the air. "This is ridiculous!" She yelled; kicking her desk.
"Did Kabuto escape?" I asked; fearing the worse.
"No", Shinobu answered with a shake of his head. Meanwhile, Shikaku opened one eye to cast his annoyance over Anko. Not that she cared. If he wanted to nap, he shouldn't be doing it in T&I's main office. "After reading our report, Ibiki-Taichou decided time wasn't on our side, so it would be prudent to request the Yamanaka's services". Shinobu paused to gesture to Inoichi who nodded in response. "The Hokage agreed, but-"
Anko stomped her feet. "He shouldn't have a say in this!"
Shinobu's head snapped towards her. "Anko", he hissed before casting a warning look toward Ibiki's closed office door.
"He doesn't have any say about what T&I does. We answer to Ibiki, and Ibiki only answers to the Hokage!" As Anko ranted, Shikaku opened both his eyes and grunted loud enough for Anko to register. "And sometimes we have to listen to this guy", she amended her statement; waving a hand at Shikaku. "But Lord Danzo shouldn't be able to come in here and-"
The door to Ibiki's office slammed open. The walls of the office vibrated at the force. Anko fell silent at once and I couldn't help but think that had been the action's purpose. Ibiki stepped out of his office; hands clasped behind his back and a scowl on his face that was hard to read under his scars. Behind him, a man with bandages and a cane followed. So, this was Danzo Shimura, huh?
Taking his feet off my desk, Shikaku sat up straight. Turning in my desk chair, he faced Ibiki and the man and showed me his back. Due to the length and spikiness of Shikaku's ponytail, the bandaged man was almost blocked from view.
"Inoichi, thank you for coming out on short notice", Ibiki said in a strained voice. "But we won't be needing you after all".
Inoichi pushed away from the wall. "I understand". There was a pause as everyone just stared at each other. The only noise came from Anko who couldn't stop growling her feelings. "Let me know if anything changes".
They were challenging words. Ones that Ibiki accepted with a head nod. "Rion", I stiffened at the sound of my name as Ibiki stepped closer. Danzo shadowed his steps. "Deliver these", Ibiki ordered; holding out six envelopes. With just a sideways glance, I could tell they were the ones we used to call in witnesses for interviews. "Then take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow, report to the mission desk. Don't come back to T&I until we summon you".
I had to step around Shikaku to get the envelopes; mulling over what Ibiki said as I did so. A lazy afternoon felt deserved and sounded great. But… There was an uncomfortable tense moment where Danzo and I made eye contact. Except the tension wasn't coming from me or him. "I thought you said I wasn't allowed to take missions until after the chunin exams", I said once the envelopes were in my hands.
I read who they were addressed to as Ibiki answered. Naruto Uzumaki. Ino Yamanaka. Chouji Akimichi. Sakura Haruno. Why were they being called in as witnesses? "Things have changed. With Orochimaru in the village, the chunin have more important things to do than run D-rank and C-rank missions. And most of the genin are recovering from the exams or still participating in them" Ibiki explained. "You'll help pick up the slack. And I better not get any reports about you skirting your duties".
Sasuke Uchiha. Shikamaru Nara. I read the last two names; ignoring Ibiki's warning. There was something much more interesting going on here. Enough so that worrying about Ibiki's consequences didn't even ping on my radar. Why did T&I want to talk to Team Ten and Team Seven? I mean, Team Seven kind of made sense. If Sasuke had been… My conversation with Naruto the night prior rushed through my memory. One I had kind of brushed off as a dream. Sasuke had been bit by Orochimaru. Or so Naruto said. But that didn't feel right. Why didn't that feel right? What else had Naruto said?
"Shikaku", Ibiki moved on. "Lord Hokage would like to discuss next steps". He gestured to his office. Did that mean the Hokage was here as well?
Shikaku grunted in response as he hauled himself to his feet. "Sure", he agreed; eyes squinted. But not in a sleepy squint that Shikamaru had right before he was about to take a nap. It was the shogi squint. The one I knew meant that his Nara brain was hard at work. "Will you be joining us, Lord Danzo?"
Danzo started forward. Every other step he took was accompanied by the tap of his cane. "I am not needed here", he dismissed himself; never sparing Shikaku a glance.
Both Shikaku and I had to shuffle to get out of Danzo's way. Somehow in the process, I ended up behind Shikaku once again. Knowing something else was at play here, I glanced over my shoulder. Anko's hands were clenched into fists as her eyes tracked Danzo's departure. Shinobu was giving his senbon meticulous attention. One of them would surely let me in on whatever… this was. But they never looked in my direction.
"One of those is for my daughter, right?" Inoichi's question pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Uh…" I turned my head towards him and blinked. Had Inoichi ever said anything to me before? Slowly, I nodded.
"She's working at my wife's flower shop today. Come on, I'll take you there". He switched places with Shikaku. "That'll make at least one of your deliveries easier. Finding everyone will take some time". All of this was said in a good nature that didn't suit the environment.
With one last searching look in Ibiki's direction, I started for the exit; Inoichi following close behind. This was… weird. Why was I being kept in the dark? After letting me in on Kabuto's initial interrogation, this didn't make sense.
After finding Ino at her family's flower shop, I headed for the hospital. Was Sasuke there? It was a question that, if satisfied, would either tell me what I needed to know or provoke more questions. I didn't know what I should hope for. Was it better if Sasuke was hospitalized? Because that meant my odds of predicting future events were greater. Or was it better that he wasn't? Because… well, that would mean Orochimaru screwed up, right?
The nurse sitting behind the front counter confirmed it was the first one. "Sasuke is here, but he isn't allowed any visitors". She sounded bored.
"I'm not visiting", I said; holding up the envelope addressed to him as proof. "This is official business". I couldn't say more than that. A nurse didn't need to know T&I wanted Sasuke for questioning.
"Ah", the nurse blanched. "I'm very sorry. But Sasuke hasn't woken yet. We can't say when he will. Is he… Will he be in trouble if he doesn't respond soon?" Which also translates to, 'Will we be in trouble if he can't respond?'
"What's all this?" A new person drawled as they approached the desk.
I didn't have to look to know who spoke. But doing so anyway, I caught the familiar sight of Kakashi with his nose buried in his book. "Official summons", I said; holding out the envelope for him to see instead of the nurse. "Ibiki-Sensei wants to talk to Sasuke. Once Sasuke's on his feet again, I guess". After all, it made no sense to interrogate someone in a coma. Unless we could get a Yamanaka to do it.
"I'll let Sasuke know", Kakashi said as he took the envelope from me. Not once did he look away from the pages of his book.
Unimpressed, I leveled him with a stare. "You will?" I challenged. It felt more likely that Sasuke would never see the summons. And Ibiki would blame me when he didn't show.
"Of course", Kakashi said as if I had nothing to worry about; he turned a page in his book. "No good shinobi would disregard an official summons. Who would ever think to do such a thing?"
Well, two can play this game. "Thanks so much", I said; copying his tone. "I'll let Ibiki-Sensei know you'll deliver it once Sasuke is awake. So, he'll know who to ask just in case Sasuke doesn't respond". Kakashi twitched and I took great pleasure in it.
"Kakashi-Sensei! Kakashi-Sensei!" Naruto yelled as he ran towards us; seemingly having just entered the hospital.
"Inside voice, Naruto", Kakashi scolded; his tone back to normal. "You're in a hospital".
Though Naruto didn't seem to hear him. "Boy, am I glad to see you. I've been looking for you all morning". Naruto skidded to a halt once he was close enough. "We got to start training. The finals are only a month away!"
"Calm down", Kakashi said as he turned another page. "I've already looked into it. And I've found the perfect person to handle your training".
The way Naruto reacted was the opposite of calm. Causing the people in the waiting room to turn their heads in our direction. "You're going to train Sasuke instead of me, aren't you? Does this have to do with the b-" The feeling that something wasn't right came back.
Kakashi moved without me noticing; snapping his book shut, he covered Naruto's mouth with one of his hands. "We are in a hospital", he repeated. His warning was even more potent than before as Naruto struggled under his hand. "And don't worry", Kakashi added as he let Naruto go. Continuing as the blond spluttered in indignation. "The teacher I found for you will do an even better job than I could".
"Who is it?" Naruto demanded to know. Then, as if he just realized I was there, Naruto pointed an aggressive finger in my face. "And why are you here? You were still dead asleep on the floor when I saw you a couple hours ago!"
If Kakashi wondered why Naruto knew about my sleeping habits, he didn't comment. Taking my time, I thumbed through the envelopes in my hand. Not bothering to respond until I found the one with his name on it. "You've been summoned", I said as I shoved the right envelope at him. "Show up when asked or you'll be hunted down". The last part was directed at Kakashi as Naruto took the envelope and scratched at his head.
"What's this?" he asked.
… Wasn't the formality of the envelope enough of an indicator? "You've been invited to a party".
"Really?!"
Kakashi sighed. "No, Naruto. It's an official order from the T&I department. They need to collect your witness statement for intel".
Naruto took a moment to frown at me before he stared down at the envelope he now held. I could leave. With those envelopes delivered, there was no need for me to stay. All I had left to do was hunt down Sakura, Chouji, and Shikamaru, and then I was done. Maybe I could get more sleep. Or treat Anzu to lunch… Though I should probably figure out what happened in the Forest of Death.
"I don't have time for this", Naruto complained as he pulled his attention away from the envelope. "I need to train. Who's this teacher you found?"
"That would be me", a voice said behind us. This one, I didn't recognize. Along with Naruto, I turned to get a look at the newcomer. He wore the same sunglasses Shino favored and dressed in standard-issue Shinobi garb. A bandana-like headband covered most of his hair.
Naruto gawked at the sight of him. "You!" he yelled. Practically vibrating, Naruto's left arm shot out in front of me. "Stay away from this guy, Rion. He's a closet pervert!"
And that was my cue to leave. Kakashi cleared his throat as I walked away. "He's a what?" Kakashi asked.
Shikamaru got his summons last. I found him sitting on his porch, still in his pajamas and a shogi board in front of him. The only sounds to be heard were the clicking of shogi pieces, trickling water, and the occasional thump of a deer scare. "Troublesome", he complained as he took the envelope from me. "But I guess this will at least get me out of training for a day".
"Does that mean you passed the preliminaries?" I asked as I took a seat on the edge of the porch. Reaching down, I removed my sandals. With that last delivery, I was done for the day. So, there was no reason not to make myself at home.
"Unfortunately", Shikamaru moaned as he moved one piece on the shogi board. "I thought about throwing in the towel. But if I had, Ino would never let me hear the end of it. And there was no way I was going to let that guy from Kabuto's team get the best of me".
Leaving my sandals to lie on the ground, I sat up straight and twisted my spine to get a better look at Shikamaru. That wasn't… He didn't fight the girl from the sound team?
Yawning, Shikamaru moved another piece. "It was stupidly easy too. The guy didn't know how to counter my shadows. Asuma-Sensei would've known if I let him win".
Lifting my legs, I turned so I could sit cross-legged on the porch. "Any idea why T&I wants to talk to you?" I asked when a casual way to ask about the preliminaries eluded me.
Shikamaru gave me a sharp look. It was the same shogi squint his dad had a few hours earlier. "You don't know?"
I shook my head. The honesty felt good. "I was told to deliver the witness summons and then stay away. Whatever's going down, Ibiki-Sensei doesn't want me a part of it".
Slumping his shoulders even more than he had been before, Shikamaru sighed. "I thought you'd know more than me. Since you were the one who warned me about the guy".
What?
Reading my face, Shikamaru elaborated. We ignored the deer scare in the background. "This is about Kabuto, isn't it? And what happened to the team from Sound?"
With my mind trying to calculate unknown numbers, I gave up trying to be subtle. "What happened during the second exam? And the preliminaries?"
