Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto

Co-Author and Beta: Ethereal-23

Chapter 74: A moment before

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The hot, soothing water from the shower was like paradise over Kushina's naked form. Sure, she took a bath back in the Valley after the rescue mission, but there was nothing like a nice shower when back at home. Thank the sun goddess for Maiyuri, who allowed them another full day's rest after the events in the Land of Fang. The first thing Kushina insisted on was heading home for that rest, which Yugao and the kids were happy to agree to.

Save Kosuke, who went back to the Uzu compound in the Valley with Soujiro. The Young swordsman expressed he would be reverse-summoned back to the Leaf to start their mission for the Shogun the following day.

With quick reverse summons, Kushina and her kids, alongside Yugao, Homura, Sasuke, and Sakura, happily appeared back in the Leaf. Till being requested to speak with the Hokage by the ANBU.

Kushina winced under the water, reflecting on her mother's verbal tongue-lashing and nearly throwing her desk at them. Jiraiya only lay on one of the couches in the office with an ice pack on his face, failing to hide the bruised eye courtesy of the Senju princess.

While as Dainin and not under Tsunade's command. This was more of a very concerned mother lashing out of nearly scaring her senseless than a village leader angry at her subordinates.

Though Yugao and Homura were not so lucky, thank the Gods. All they got was a slap on the wrist and an order to never pull a stunt like that again.

And despite all that, Kushina could tell her mother was relieved to know now Kaida, who was thought dead, was found alive and free at last.

But the terrifying revelations from Kaida's rescue left the new Kage with a profound sense of dread. The great dragon of destruction and his daughter were alive and in control of the Cult. The forces they have in their command are powerful and more dangerous than anything they have ever faced.

Steep odds. But not unbeatable.

The redhead froze for a moment as her mind drifted to the fight of that woman... That godsdamn woman...

Katsura smiled in her twisted look of adoration and violence.

Kushina shook her head. Now was not the time to think of that insane Ichimonji. She should finish her shower and get to bed.

Priority one!

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Kushina deadpanned, staring up at the ceiling while lying on her bed, wearing a simple yukata.

She had been tossing and turning all night. Her mind refused to stay idle enough to catch a wink of sleep, regardless of how tired she was. 'Why do I even make sleep seals if I don't use them?' she grumbled.

So many things had been happening in such a short time, feeling her world had been turned around repeatedly. That wasn't even going into her little 'time travel' because of her stay in the Divine Sleep scroll. Her clan, her family, her position as a shinobi, so many things had changed so fast and were going to keep changing.

Kushina felt like it was finally hitting her, leading her to take a long look at her life. Her career as a shinobi, the loathed bloody nickname she made for herself in a path of vengeance. Her role as a single mother of one (two now) kid she didn't get to raise. Her new position as a personal agent to the shogun who embarked on a journey to fix these broken lands. And throughout it all, watching as her children grew far better than she ever was.

She didn't know how Yugao had become such a fine woman with her as a teacher, but she was determined to ensure Homura's transformation into a righteous warrior.

...But she first needed to figure out who she was.

Gods, she wanted nothing more than to visit Aunty Kaida right now and ask her for advice because she could! After decades, she finally got her aunty back! And the fact she was spending time with so many of her kin was enough to send her on cloud nine!

Gods, so many of them looked to her for guidance; she was pretty much the clan head, after all... but how was she supposed to lead them on this new path for their clan when she was still sorting herself out?

She had to set an example for Naruto and Karin. She needed to look out for Sasuke. She had to help her clan set up their new life. And she had to follow her duty as dainin to help make amends for all the blood she spilled.

Kushina was bound by honor and duty to do a lot of things, but who was Kushina now?

She sat up with a sigh, rubbing her eyes before turning to look at the picture of Minato on her nightstand. "You always knew who you were and what you wanted to do, Minato," the redhead muttered lovingly. "I wish I had some of that certainty..."

At best, the redhead felt she had been coasting since she got out of that damn scroll. Her dearest husband would have had things sorted out within a week, maybe less.

Okay, Kushina was giving Minato a little too much recognition because, beyond Shinobi's duties, the man was a total knucklehead. Then again, he put up with her looney antics, even during her darker days, so that spoke volumes of his character in comparison.

Kushina... Don't let me be your chains.

The Uzu matriarch shuddered, remembering those words. She has been moving forward. At least Kushina likes to admit that she is. But some days were harder than others. Rubbing her hands over her face, she looked down at her half-opened Yukata. Maybe a little self-relief might help; gods know she was more than a little pent-up.

Her inner thoughts paused when she heard objects moving in the kitchen. She knew it wasn't Karin or Naruto; those two literally fell into their beds after supper and a shower. Picking up a kunai from her nightstand, the former ANBU rose from her bed and slowly made her way out of her room. Her steps were silent, going down the hallway before pausing, hearing a loud belch.

"Sul-i deul-o kanda~"

The voice was slurred, drunkened, but recognized immediately by Kushina.

"Ma-shora, ma-shira, mo-shora~"

A cringe came from the redhead as the singing was badly offkey.

"Jjuk, Jjuk, Jjuk~! Sul-i deul-o kanda~"

Entering her kitchen, Kushina was deadpanning at the sight of Kurama, the size of a hound, with several of her sake bottles around him. Some were lying upright, and others were spilled on the floor. One bottle was currently in one of his furry paws as he kept singing. He paused with his nose twitching before turning his head to the redheaded Uzu. The two stared at one another before the Bijuu turned his head back and kept singing drunkenly.

"Is that Kuhan-ji?"

"Yeah ran out of local drinking songs..."

"Okay," Kushina slowly drawled before leaning back against the counter, crossing her arms as she took in the sorry sight of the dreaded Nine-Tailed Fox (or a fraction of his being, rather) drink himself silly. "May I ask why you're draining my entire stash?" She was really trying not to punt him right now; she didn't want to make a fuss and wake the kids.

"Why do you think?" He grumbled, chugging the bottle and discarding it with a heavy pant the moment it was empty. "I'm drowning my sorrows."

"That much is obvious," She noted with a raised brow; in all her time knowing the fox, she didn't believe there could be anything that'd bring him to this state... Then again, she didn't even know he had a name, "And why are you drowning your sorrows?"

He snorted, and one of his multiple tails idly snatched up another bottle. "Why do you care?"

"...I don't," Kushina admitted, her grudges against the bijuu were still fresh. "But I'm... trying to be better."

"Ohhh, good for you!" He mockingly said with a slurred tone, "Shall I make a parade? Let us all celebrate the ninja turning a new leaf!" And took a long gulp from the bottle. "You think this absolves you? Playing 'hero' because your little princess permitted you? You think this washes your hand of all the blood you spilled!"

She casually caught the bottle he threw at her with one of his tails.

"I know you, Kushina!" He snarled, "I know the anger in your veins like I know mine! We are killers. We are destroyers... We cannot change."

The way he said those last words, it was like they were filled with despair.

Kushina's gaze softened ever so slightly. "Why do you care about that now?"

The fox kept silent for a moment.

"Because... that is all I am to her. To... To Yasaka"

Recollection came to the redhead during the meeting at Mount Myōboku of the golden kitsune that came with Tamamo and her mother alongside Yuri. She barely spoke unless asked a question. Or offered an opinion when it was worth to be said. Any other time, she was glancing at her son. Though now she knew why.

"And why does her opinion matter to you?"

A snarl came from the Bijuu before she slumped in drunken defeat. "I met her when the Fox clan took me in." He paused for a long moment. "She became my mate over time." Kushina's brow shot up past her bangs. "I have a daughter with her."

...Okay, that was a lot to unpack with just a few sentences...

"Bijuu can have kids?"

Kurama deadpanned, looking up at the redhead, "That is the first thing that came to your mind? Forgot who I am talking to."

"Hey!"

"My kin and I have all the right parts as Father made us."

"It was a legit question."

Rolling his eyes, the Bijuu took another long drink from the sake bottle in his hand: "So yes, Yasaka's opinion matters to me, despite being cast out from the clan by her and Yuri. I haven't seen my Kunou in a hundred years." His tone was pained in saying those last words.

Kushina leaned against the countertop. "Should I hazard to guess you did something stupid to get banished by them and not see your daughter?" Her voice held little to no empathy for the Bijuu.

"Oh, I'm sure you can imagine what I did," The old fox replied mockingly, yet his tone held an underlying feeling of hurt. "Everyone knows I'm the monster, don't they? Beware the Nine-Tailed Fox, for his tails cause tsunamis and sunder mountains! Generations of humans telling horror stories about me even as I sought no quarrel, even as I stood by and witnessed how they twisted the old man's teachings to war and oppression!"

The redhead frowned, "So what happened? What pushed you over the edge?"

"...I can feel evil, Kushina," The fox muttered. "Like a sixth sense, negative emotions, anger, hatred, greed. The truth of men's hearts is open to me. For so long, I had to feel it, to witness as they turned the old man's gifts to violence..."

"And you took action," Kushina said.

"I did," the fox growled. "You must have heard the tale a century ago when the monstrous fox descended on the city of Tsumashi."

Kushina said nothing; everyone knew the story. One of the most famous acts of devastation done by the Tailed Beasts was when the Nine-Tailed Fox struck an entire city and wiped it off the face of the earth in an instant.

What could have driven Kurama to unleash such carnage?

"Of course, your kind never mentions what Tsumashi was like" Kurama spat, taking another drink before panting. "A den of debauchery and sin! Ruled by warlords who profited from the slave trade! Who branded control seals on their slaves' foreheads and sold them like cattle! Experimenting with jutsu on how to perfect the fine art of robbing free will and turning people into commodities! Just 'pleasure objects' to be enjoyed! Foul slavemasters who made your Blood Leash look like playground bullies!"

If Kushina had been there, she would have killed every single one of those monsters herself.

"A Bijudama... that's all it took to annihilate them..."

And yet...

"It was a full city," Kushina remarked, "So that means there were civilians. Most likely oppressed by the very warlords. Prisoners and slaves, people that could have been saved. Innocents who had nothing to do with the atrocities being committed."

Kurama said nothing.

"That's why they banished you," The redhead concluded. "In your rage, you killed not just those who deserved it, but also those who did not..."

The Bijuu stared in no general direction, "Yasaka was the first to find me soon after. We were screaming at each other, 'You could have saved the slaves, the oppressed civilians! Why did you kill them all!? You could have saved the innocent!'" Kurama's head slumped forward, "My response was they were broken shells of what they once were; death was a mercy for them."

A shiver ran through Kushina as that felt eerily similar to the near-murderous actions she was going do if Fox had not stopped her. She shook away the thought before speaking up, "And then?"

Kurama's nine tails dipped, "Yasaka called me a demon. A monster," So much pain came from his voice saying those words. "That was when Yuri and the others showed up and attacked me." The fox crushed the sake bottle in his shaking hands before resting them on his head. "Kunou was only born weeks before..."

And from that day, he was forever banished from the Vulpes Den. The only home outside that of his father's he had ever felt accepted... Taken from him by his unforgivable actions.

"History knows what happened after that." Kurama lowered his hands with a snarl.

Madara Uchiha found and enslaved the fox to be his weapon against his former friend Hashirama Senju at their battle at the Valley of End.

Putting down the sake bottle, Kushina walked over and stood in front of the Bijuu before kneeling, "If you expect any pity from me, I think we both know that will never happen." The Bijuu growled back, "Wanna know why? The day Naruto was born." Her tone grew with anger. "You were free from me. You were freed from that masked bastard. And what did you do once no one was controlling you?" She leaned in, "You attacked the Leaf, killed my husband, and nearly killed my son." She growled.

"I was sealed for almost a century! I was almost free, and I was being attacked! What was I supposed to do?!"

"Ohhh, sure, the giant fox couldn't just turn around and run from the very tiny humans." The redhead rolled her eyes. "You don't get to make excuses. You wanted to hurt them, and you wanted to keep fighting. That's how far your anger went."

The bijuu bared his fangs at her as his ears flatted against his skull, a clear sign of aggression. "Don't you dare lecture me about anger, girl. I know you, Kushina, you did the exact opposite of what Mito told you. You survived the sealing and kept me locked up inside you not because your will was empowered by love and joy; it was rage. It was hatred, burning, searing, raw hatred." He stood up on bubbly legs; even his anger did little to sober him. "Against Iwa, against Kumo. You wanted to see them burn like Uzu burned... And had you accessed all of my power, you would have done so; you would have destroyed them all."

Kushina fell silent for what felt like an eternity.

"You're right," Her words made Kurama's eyes widen. "It wasn't until Minato, Mikoto, Sakumo-sensei, and all the friends I made gave me a reason to live that I could put something in my heart other than hate. I was angry... A part of me will always be angry. But I've seen where that anger got me and what it did to me and so many others like me. I see what it did to you."

The fox was silent.

"We don't get to hide from ourselves, Kurama. Our choices are ours, and so are the consequences. I'm trying to make peace with mine, to make sure nobody else repeats my mistakes. To see that dream Minato held so dear. Maybe I will always be the Red Death, and I can't pretend that part of my life never happened... But I'm Kushina Uzumaki, princess of Uzushio. I'm the Red-Hot Habanero of Konoha. Wife to the most wonderful man I've ever known and mother to a great boy who will grow up to be so amazing. And now, I'm a shinobi on a path to redemption, following the footsteps of an inspiring young woman who will make sure my husband's dreams come true. That is who I am. That is who I want to be. And no matter what hardship I face, even after losing so many people dear to me... I will continue to be that person."

The fox could only stare at this woman he had known most of her life, the same woman who once raged at the unfairness of the world for the loss of her homeland. This fire, this will... it was the same he often asked Naruto to show him so he could glimpse humanity's virtues and not just the evil he felt in them. So he could finally understand...

"You can sit here and mope, you can lament your mate left you, that you are not part of your daughter's life because you're a monster... Or you can be better, Kurama."

A long silence came between the two as Kushina sat down with a huff on the ground. Human and Fox glared at one another before the Bijuu broke it and stared at his furry claws. He let them drop to his side as he sat back down again, "I... I am sorry I killed your mate, Kushina."

If the redhead weren't already sitting, she would have nearly fallen at the words she had just heard. No one, not even Mito-Baachan ever heard Kurama apologize for anything.

Ever...

And his apology was for-

Kushina shook with the sincerity of those words, which made her fight back the tears threatening to fall. She rubbed her eyes with her forearm before looking away. "Yeah," her voice shaky as she spoke, "Me too..."

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Sandaled feet traveled across a dirt path through an open valley with the afternoon sun glowing above them. "A big breakfast before a mission always does wonders for the mood." Kisame chimed with a grin under his hat.

His partner, Itachi, said nothing as he kept his gaze ahead.

The larger man soon chuckled, "And who would have guessed this mission involves an old friend of mine."

"Were you and Raiga ever friends to begin with?"

"Nah, that prick always had a stick up his ass." Kisame snorted, "Maybe telling him he has a little brat back home might rattle his cage." Though the swordsman knew his fellow Seven Swordsman of the Mist likely wouldn't even care. Raiga really was that big of a bastard. "Should I be surprised he turned into a two-bit bandit?"

"Reports say he's engaged in something far more dire than banditry," Itachi said with his usual toneless voice. "We would not have been sent otherwise."

"True," The large blue-skinned man shrugged. "So... if we can make off with whatever Raiga's doing, should we bring it back to headquarters?"

"It depends," Itachi replied. "We need to assess the severity of the situation first."

"Well, we can't say we failed just like that. We have to make it seem we made the effort. We gotta come back with something.." Kisame's beady eyes settled over Itachi. "Tobi's always keeping a close eye on you. How long do you think before he decides you're no longer useful?"

"It's fortunate I keep making myself useful."

"You know that won't last forever. Not with that demon whispering in the Leader's ear. Or all the 'forces' they're providing Pain..." They're playing the Akatsuki leader like a damn fiddle; it was so easy to use his delusions of godhood against him.

"It matters not. Tobi's aware I know nothing about Bai Shen's cult," The Uchiha said. "By the reports I got, Konoha and Asahi know far more than me, fortunately."

"All the more reason to be concerned," Kisame casually said. "Your position in Akatsuki is going to be compromised one of these days, sooner than you expect, I feel."

The Uchiha's partner always had a bluntness for speaking the truth. And if there was one ace in the hole, it was that none were even aware Kisame was against the Akatsuki as much as Itachi was. The others only assumed Hoshigaki was a bloodthirsty warrior looking for a good fight, which was half true. But as the adage from Konoha teachers went, look underneath the underneath, and you'd find Kisame to be much more complicated than he appears from the past that shaped him into who he is now.

And the person he had once trusted and respected being a traitor from the beginning.

"A world with no more lies."

Deep meaning in such simple words. Which was enough for Itachi to take a chance with him once the two had cemented their partnership. Revealing the truth about Tobi and the real plans of the Akatsuki brought great displeasure to the renegade Kiri Nin, who opted to work alongside the Uchiha to bring the group down.

But now... The arrival of Hidan's master and devilish high cleric of Jashin. Things have turned in an unexpected direction. One which the Uchiha never anticipated. Tobi's arm's length surveillance had been subtly getting more strained since Bai Shen arrived.

That devil had become the wild card.

Itachi sighed, "Bai Shen is the one we need to worry about. Even more than Tobi."

"Way ahead of you on that. Trusting a devil is like balancing on the sharp edge of the sword. You will always get cut in the end."

The Uchiha fell silent once more, pondering his companion's words. The game had become even more dangerous, and they had to be ready.

Unbeknownst to them, an astonishing feat considering their abilities and experience as shinobi, a masked cloaked figure, was following them. Observing their every move, Izumi's orders were to report everything they did back to her... master.

Izumi hardly found it in herself to care, barely even feeling worried for Itachi's safety. Her life had been a prison for years now, and perhaps a part of her was resentful to him... but there was nothing she could do about it, not if she wanted to ensure her mother's safety.

Nothing but obey, like the good little tool she was.

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Naruto had never seen so many Hyuuga in one place before. Sure, this was the clan's compound, but he doubted it was often that so many members of the clan, high ranking or otherwise, met in such large numbers. After all, the shogun had called for a clan-wide meeting, and they couldn't deny her, not after dragging their feet on her latest decree.

The gathering was held in one of the open-aired gardens where such meetings were to take place when they involved so many clan members. Currently, the gathering was split into four distinct groups, two much smaller than the rest. On one end were Maiyuri and her entourage, comprised of her dainin and bodyguards (apparently Kosuke's presence made their mission end in record time), along with the Hokage, who stood dutifully behind her as she sat on a simple chair.

It was symbolic that she sat with her head held high while on the opposite end, the Hyuuga elders and clan heads were kneeling. Naruto took no small amount of joy in seeing how damn nervous they looked, except for Hinata's dad, who looked very comfortable with the situation without appearing smug, enjoying where this was going but masking it well, he suspected.

The largest groups of the gathering stood on opposite sides, almost a hundred Hyuuga in total. On one side he spotted Hinata and her little sister with the main branch, while on the other stood Neji alongside his fellow servant branch members.

While Neji kept his expression masked, Naruto had no doubt he was experiencing a terrible storm inside. After all, this meeting would dictate his kin's future.

"I'd like to thank you for your hospitality. It is always a pleasure to visit Konoha, even when it takes my time off the war to micromanage my subjects."

Ohhh, starting with scathing snark, this was going to get good, Naruto thought with a smirk, a gesture shared by his mother and grandmother.

Leaning against the pillar beside Tsunade, Jiraiya masked a laugh through a snort with his arms crossed. Next to him stood Hiruzen, replenishing tobacco to his pipe and relighting it. His face of indifference made it impossible to read save his students, who could feel the old monkey was thoroughly enjoying this.

At the head of the kneeling elders was Hisashi's father, Haruka, who raised his head but kept his gaze low in respect to the Shogun, "I assure you, Maiyuri-sama, the Hyuuga clan is loyal to your efforts for Asahi Empire."

"Your clan's loyalty is not in question, Haruka-san." The pinkette's voice was steely and even.

The elderly Hyuuga lowered his head, "Then may I ask why such a meeting was called for?"

Maiyuri's delicate brow subtly rose past her bangs. Karin glanced at the pinkette, feeling the older woman's chakra shift. The Shogun's elbows rested on the chair's arms, and her fingers interlocked. "Why?" Maiyuri paused, "Let me think. Oh yes, this meeting was made for your clan's inability to follow simple direct orders I have sent. Three. Times."

Hinata, Hanabi, and others could not repress the shiver down their spines. Hearing their Shogun's frosty tone made the area's aura feel much nippier than normal.

Another Hyuuga elder at Haruka's side cleared his throat with immense discomfort. "My Lady Shogun, it is not that we are refusing your orders. Far from it." Kushina failed to hide her cringe as the man spoke; Rikiri Hyuuga was still a damn bootlicker, just as she remembered him. "I-It just those orders far more complicated to enact."

"Are they now?" Maiyuri turned her head to her Dainin, "Kushina-san."

"Hai!"

"How long does it take to remove a seal with this level of complexity?"

"One to two hours."

"Thank you," Maiyuri nodded to the redhead before looking back. "It's not so complicated to follow my orders and remove the caged Bird Seal, is it, Rikiri Hyuuga."

The man paled, "W-W-Well, of course, it's such a simple task for someone of Uzumaki-dono's caliber! Seal masters don't grow on trees."

Oh great, now he was licking her boots...

"If that was the case, perhaps you should have asked for her expertise in the matter," Maiyuri shot back. "After all, who better to work on the seal's removal? You boasted you could do it in record time, Kushina-san. Is that something you can back up?"

"Certainly," The redhead nodded. "Especially because the framework of the seal remains mostly the original Uzumaki design."

The silence that followed was almost deafening; Naruto and his peers stared wide-eyed at such a horrifying revelation. The whiskered blonde let out a very small, almost inaudible 'What.' He and Karin shared a troubled look; their clan had designed the damn seal?!

Maiyuri let out a hum, not looking particularly perturbed. "Could you clarify?" She asked, clearly for the benefit of the many confused people in the crowd.

"From what I read of our archives and from Mito-sama's tales, this was way back in the Warring States Period," The Uzu matriarch explained. "The Hyuuga clan commissioned us for a seal meant to activate upon death, targeting the parts of the eyes linked with how dojutsu function and destroying them. Thereby rendering the eyes useless from any potential grave robbers and keeping them safe from... 'plunder' after a battle, shall we say. It was a very sensible decision to provide their front-line fighters a means to keep their Byakugan from falling to enemy hands."

Kushina's violet eyes then hardened, "Of course, we did not put those pain command parameters that currently form part of the seal matrix. The current version of the seal, the one placed on every member of the servant branch, is a bastardization of our original design. We would never have helped you design a slave seal had we known you would use it this way."

Some of the elders sputtering in indignation, "A slave seal?!" A nearly balding elder said in outrage. "My lady, I can assure you the Caged Bird Seal is not a slave seal!"

Kushina looked like she wanted to comment on the name the Hyuuga ended up giving the seal, but she held her tongue. Naruto and the others, for their part, felt immense relief that Uzumaki had not designed the seal to be that way.

"And yet you give it to your servant branch," The young shogun replied with a scathing tone. "Your words ring hollow."

The same elder stammered, "I-I admit it reflects... poorly on us, from an outsider's perspective. But I assure you, the history of the seal is much more complicated than that."

"Is it?" Maiyuri leaned slightly on the left armrest, "Hiashi Hyuuga, please enlighten me."

The elders didn't look pleased. She deferred to Hiashi for an explanation, "Of course, my lady." He inclined his head. "It used to be the seal that was given to all warriors of the clan. But the clan suffered a coup attempt from a growing faction within our ranks. It failed; gods be praised. So, the seal was modified to ensure it would not happen again."

"And how long ago was this coup attempt?"

"Exactly one hundred and thirteen years ago."

"So you divided the clan into a main branch and a warrior branch, under the supervision of the former, to keep it from happening again."

"That was the intent at the time."

"Yet it is not only the servant branch who are sent into missions,"

"Correct."

"And unless I'm mistaken, a notable percentage of the servant branch is not even shinobi."

"Once again, correct."

"So..." Maiyuri clicked her tongue. "Can you give me a reasonable explanation as to why this continues to be the case?"

Hiashi frowned, looking deep in thought. Of course, he didn't look hard-pressed to come up with any explanation that might help the clan save face, "Hmm... I cannot, by all accounts, it bears little logic."

"I see, thank you."

"My lady," He merely inclined his head.

Oh, Karin did not need her empathic senses to feel or see the anger from the eyes of several Hyuuga elders, who glared sideways at Hisashi. However, she did blink towards Haruka, who remained a stone in his expression. But the redhead repressed a shudder, feeling the man's spike in anger came like a flash and vanished just as quickly.

He did not even look back at his son.

"So." Maiyuri's eyes narrowed slightly, "Does anyone among you care to explain the reason to me?"

More than a few elders cleared their throats with an uncomfortable cough. Even Sasuke couldn't mask the tiniest smirk on his lips.

The balding Hyuuga elder spoke again, "I mean no offense with these words, Shogun-sama. But the current and late Hokages' did not object to our use of the seal."

Maiyuri's eyes turned along with others at Kushina, who growled upon hearing those words. Her sentiment was shared with Tsunade and Hiruzen but much more subdued with the Senju, who only glared. Sarutobi remained unreadable, but the faintest shift in his brow made the atmosphere of the garden feel pressured before fading at the same moment.

"Kushina-san," the shogun said slowly, "Take a deep, calming breath." The former ANBU captain followed those orders with a shuddering intake of air before releasing it. "Now speak your mind."

Kushina took a step to stand beside her leader. "My husband had fully planned to bring about the issue of your use of the Caged Bird Seal. But as all of you knew, Minato was dealing with several important matters before his death, including the birth of our son."

"As for myself," Tsunade took over, "I have been playing catch up since becoming Godaime."

Hiruzen blew out some smoke: "Some of the fault does fall to me for this. While I never condoned the use of the seal, I also did nothing because I did not want to start a conflict against the Hyuuga, which could have sparked infighting, as I have seen many times before from other clans." He bowed his head to Maiyuri, "I am sorry for this Maiyuri-sama."

"Your apology is accepted, Sarutobi-san. You admitted your mistake and take responsibility for it." Maiyuri's eyes sharply narrowed, "The same could not be said for the individuals trying to justify the continued use of a bastardized and cruel seal against their kin."

A few of the elders were ready to protest, "Maiyuri-sama-"

"Silence."

Her reply was soft-spoken and curt, yet she might as well have yelled at the top of her lungs with how fast she made them hold their tongues.

"I have read the reports," The shogun continued, "And I kept a close ear to how your clan works. Branch members are required to obey orders to the letter, and servants who slip up or make a mistake have a history of being punished by the more 'conservative' members of your clan. Branch members who serve in the shinobi corps are required, by clan law, to give over fifty percent of their earnings to the clan's collective bank account. Something that is not imposed upon the main branch members. Moreover, while main branch members also go to the field, you never attempt to put the Caged Bird Seal on them unless they are deemed 'more suited' to serve in the servant branch."

The elders said nothing.

Maiyuri stood up.

And everyone else who was standing knelt. The elders bowed lower as she slowly approached.

"You have failed to provide me with a single argument that could justify the use of this seal. There is absolutely no evidence that doesn't point to the treatment of the servant branch being just a step below slavery:" Every word came firm and full of reproach, the heat in her soft green eyes was unmistakable. She looked down at the kneeling elders in front of her with open disgust as she stood before them. "What I see here is not only your branch's stubborn refusal to treat your kin as equals but the annoying trend of shinobi dragging their feet when it comes to my orders. As if somehow, you're under the impression you can still do what you want, as though the words of your princess, your shogun, are only suggestions... And if you think your tradition of oppression supersedes this country's laws, then perhaps you are not welcome here."

Gasps were heard throughout the crowd. The elders looked up at her with terror in their pearly eyes.

Hiashi, however, remained bowed.

This time, Haruka's emotions broke through his mask, and his fear and indignation were evident in his older features. "My lady, you shame us...!"

"Shame?" Maiyuri repeated and quickly approached the man. "If the shame is too much to bear, then here." She took out her sheathed sword from her waist and thrust it in the elder's direction, "You can use my sword."

The world fell silent once more.

Haruka gulped and bowed his head in defeat.

Maiyuri sighed, shaking her head as she strapped her blade to her waist again.

"Effective immediately, the Caged Bird Seals shall be removed from the heads of every Servant Branch member of the Hyuuga." A small gasp came from Neji and others who held the seal on their heads. "Jiraiya-san will oversee its removal. Kushina-san, as the original seal came from the Uzumaki, please leave a clone to assist the Toad Sage."

"Hai."

"At your command," The Toad Sage bowed his head.

Maiyuri kept her eyes upon the elders, "Any... And I mean any attempt to delay or stop the removal process will be viewed as an act of treason." All the elders stiffened hearing those words. "I am done hearing your ridiculous reasons for your laws upon the servant branch. I will never tolerate slavery in any form in my empire."

"Maiyuri-sama," The prinkette shifted her eyes over to the retired Sandaime, "I wish to oversee this as well; I feel it is only proper I am there to see this long wretched tradition put to an end."

Haruka's bowed head tilted upward enough for his eyes to cast a glare at Hiruzen.

"Are you seeking penance, Hiruzen-san?"

The elderly man chuckled, "I have many regrets; I doubt I could ever truly fix all of them. But this, this is one I can finally see to the end. For all those who suffered from my negligence, my heart is only saddened that those we have lost were not here to see this day."

Neji and Hisashi's eyes held a pained look before closing them and returning their neutral gazes.

Maiyuri nodded, "Very well, do as you wish." She looked back, "This meeting is now adjourned. To all Servant Branch Hyuuga, please remain patient for a while longer. The day for your seal's removal will come."

Slowly, several bowed heads of servant branch members rose. None of them could fight the tears that ran down their cheeks any longer. Countless emotions glowed on each of their faces before a grateful smile came to them all. Two being more vocal than the others was a young mother who held her infant son alongside her husband. Staring at their shogun and then their newborn, who giggled at them without a care in the world.

The Shogun offered them a tender smile and bowed, which they returned.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

"So it's official? I-Is it really happening?"

Team Gai stood in the guest hall as the meeting finally concluded with all the participants and allowed witnesses to take their leave little by little. They saw the clan elders march off with displeasure written all over their faces, with the exception of Hiashi and various members of the main and servant branches, who wore a multitude of emotions on their faces.

The most notable were those of the servant branch, who smiled in hopeful disbelief, which quickly alleviated many of the team's fears. Of course, they wanted to hear it from Neji himself.

The young teen looked awestruck, as though he was still coming to terms with what happened; a serene smile displayed on his lips as his mouth opened and closed several times. "There are still a few things to go over, but... it is. The shogun has decreed the Caged Bird Seal to be removed from all of us."

It only took a millisecond for Lee and Tenten to throw themselves at him, hugging him with all their strength.

Neji stood there, overcome with the love his teammates gave him so freely, even when he had been so cold and distant in the past. He knew that perhaps he should have hugged them back, but he wasn't sure. He didn't know for certain how to act in these situations.

He was still coming to terms with the knowledge that, soon enough, they'd all be free.

"Neji," Gai-sensei's voice lacked any of his usual exuberance; there was only warmth and gentle pride in his eyes as he looked at him. And it made his words all the stronger. "I am so happy for you."

"We all are!" Lee wasn't so good at keeping composure, however, sobbing and sniffing loudly. "You all deserve this so much!"

"It's about time," Tenten said as she slowly pulled away, rubbing a finger over the corner of her eye. "Maybe now you can relax a bit from now on."

"...Thank you," The young Hyuuga muttered sincerely. "For... everything. Just thank you."

A slight pang of guilt came to the Jounin as his lips downturned, "I have to earn that thanks by being a better sensei for you and Tenten."

Ever since the mission against the Blood Leash had been an eye-opening experience for the hyperactive taijutsu master. So much so that once they had all returned home Gai formally apologized to Tenten and Neji for his absence in their teachings. Which caught the two rightly off guard. Even more surprising was the Jounin's vow to be a proper sensei to all his students and ensure they blossom into the adults they were meant to be.

True to the man's word, Gai has worked tirelessly to teach Neji and Tenten alongside Lee equally. Both had been silently appreciative of their sensei change and improved their teamwork in leaps and bounds.

Neji sighed, "You have more than earned my gratitude, Sensei. You made the effort to become a better teacher, and I am a better person now because of you."

Gai knows it started with Sakura beating the Hyuuga, but he guessed he took it the extra step after taking down those slaver bastards.

Their attention to one another was cut short when Maiyuri came out of the compound with her guards, Naruto and Soujiro with her. Quickly, Team Gai bowed respectfully, making the Shogun stop along with the others. "Might Gai, Tenten, Rock Lee, and Neji." Her eyes stayed on the young Hyuuga.

Neji's team did a double take as the Hyuuga formally knelt on one knee, bowing, "I wish to thank you, Maiyuri-sama. You have brought a joy none of us in the servant branch family ever thought would be possible."

Mourning came to the pinkette's eyes, "I am sorry your father was not here to see this."

"No," Neji shook his head while fighting the stray tears threatening to spill from his eyes, "I know he saw this and smiled." He looked up to the leader who changed everything, "My life is eternally yours, Maiyuri Sasaki-sama."

Maiyuri bowed her head, "Thank you, Neji Hyuuga. I only ask that you live that life fully, with your head held high."

"As you wish," Neji bowed his head before standing beside his team who looked at him.

"Wow," Naruto muttered under his breath.

It was like night and day. Neji seemed... unburdened. And, of course, he was. A massive weight had been lifted off his shoulders, and he was very happy for him. All the branch members didn't deserve what was done to them. He felt proud. They had achieved something amazing this day, and they had changed a lot of lives for the better.

This is the sort of thing he wanted to do as a ninja, and working with Maiyuri gave him that opportunity.

"If I may, my lady," Soujiro inclined his head, "You were looking for a team to accompany us. We have fought alongside Team Gai in the past, and they would be valuable for this mission."

"Mission?" Tenten and Lee parroted. She looked thrilled at the prospect of a mission given directly by the shogun, and Lee just... was excited for a mission like always.

"Ahh, indeed. Good idea." The shogun nodded before addressing the team. "Are you free of any duties?"

"Whatever you need, Team Gai shall deliver!" Their sensei promised with a thumbs up and a wink.

"We are yours to command," Neji dutifully said as he nodded.

"Excellent. I will have my people debrief you. For now, I need to contact Asuma Sarutobi and his team. His experience with certain matters is needed. You will all travel together with me and my agents to the capital. There is another important matter I must handle."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

"Have you ever been to the Land of Hot Water, sensei?"

"Their hotsprings are life-changing. We will be taking a dip once the mission is done."

"Hai!"

Dashing through the trees, Kushina and her new student Homura had begun their trek to Yu no Kuni by dawn. The redhead was grateful to get her Dainin gear cleaned before going on this mission. Her eyes landed on the bluenette pupil, who now wore a pink, rosy floral yukata with a hard leather black corset over it. Armored fingerless gloves, similar to ANBU's, covered her hands and forearms with low-heel armor black sandals that protected her shins. Her konoha hite-ate wrapped around her left arm.

"Are all your clothes nothing but Yukatas?"

The fifteen-year-old kunoichi blushed at the question. "I really like yukatas." They always reminded her of the geisha she had seen when she went on small vacations with her mother. So graceful and elegant, something Homura would have liked to be had she not chosen the path of the shinobi.

"Well, can't say they don't suit you."

"Thank you." She paused before speaking again, "Have you ever met the Daimyo of Hot Water?"

"Daimyo Keisui, never met him. But I heard fairly good things about him." He was a decent man who looked after his people for forty years. And his nation has shown itself to be the most peaceful compared to its neighbors. Well, outside the Chinoike Clan, but they haven't been seen since the Warring States period. Some sightings, but mostly rumors at best.

Since those times, the Land of Hot Water has avoided any conflicts that could initiate battles in their country. Even their hidden village now does guard duty at the borders and minor missions, but nothing more shinobi-related. And it has worked for them and kept their minor land safe.

Yu and Yugakure were outliners in the shinobi world, having once been a more traditional shinobi village that never had much of an inclination for war and bloodshed. Working instead with their country's talent for carefully planned diplomacy and long-term economic growth, they managed to settle into a comfortable and peaceful existence as a tourist and commercial spot. It helped that the village had avoided making too many enemies and the country's long history of pacifism. Their shinobi were more like guards nowadays, and the country enjoyed a steady economy for their famous hot springs.

Unfortunately, pacifism did not translate to safety. Just because you did not quarrel with anyone didn't mean people didn't want to pick up a fight with you.

Their shinobi and soldiers were lacking in numbers, to the point the rising activity in banditry and demon attacks were starting to strain the country's resources. That's where the empire came in; Maiyuri-hime had been in talks with Daimyo Keisui to allow the construction of outpost bases and have a buffer zone between the empire and the Land of Lightning's territories, and in turn, her troops would help quell the bandit and monster attacks.

This dam project was part of the accord, financed by the empire to supply the country with another source of energy that would benefit its economy. Asahi's troops took care of the aggressors so Yu's soldiers and shinobi could focus on a more defensive stance on their territories.

The whole thing was partly symbolic, as already a few troops had taken residence in the country, but Maiyuri wanted to show her dedication to people who put their trust in her. Hence why she sent Kushina for this PR move; she was a renowned figure, so having one of her dainin look after a half-completed dam was going to help relationships.

It was not the type of mission she would have preferred to be sent on, but it was for a good cause.

"We will be meeting up with the lead Samurai of Yu guarding the dam with some Yugakure shinobi." Aoto, if she remembered right, on the samurai leading the guard division alongside senior Jounin Emi. A married couple, no less.

Or Namika was pulling her chain.

Kushina shook herself out of those thoughts before looking to Homura, "This might not be the most glorious of missions and will be boring. But it is for a good cause."

"Hai."

The redhead pondered for a moment, "Homura." Her student looked over, "What are your thoughts about the mission?"

"The creation of this dam will secure Yu to join us and grow the Asahi Empire into a prosperous nation."

A very standard shinobi response that Kushina half expected was, "Yes, the overall goal is to bring all the nations under our banner. But how do you think the people from nations like Yu and others feel about this?"

"With a minor nation like Yu, wouldn't its citizens feel safe under our banner of protection?"

Kushina nodded, "Safety is good. But just being safe might not be what some people even want." Homura looked confused. "Yu has spent its days in relative peace for decades. Bandits and demons aside, what do you think some of their people are thinking of joining a newly formed empire in the pursuit of uniting the Elemental Nations as one? Especially when some campaigns are anything but peaceful."

Though the Land of Lions occupation was a brief battle, it still cost people their lives. Alongside, there was the battle at the Land of Crows. That fight was not brief or easy, as the Daimyo and his men proved tenacious, strong, and stubborn. Outright attacking the envoy sent to speak with him before they could talk and imprison them. Damiyo Ushitarou was a staunch traditionalist who took Maiyuri's unification as an act of war.

The 6th and 10th Divisions were dispatched, leading to a long conflict. They ultimately won, but they had to slay Ushitarou, who refused to relent. His people had been mixed on either their loyalty to their Daimyo or the change brought about by the new empire.

But maybe a current event might get her student thinking, "What's your opinion of Kirigakure?"

"They were a very militaristic culture with an emphasis on 'weeding out weakness,' which led to multiple purges of their shinobi," Homura said as though she was reading straight from a report. "As well as crushing any sort opposition that would have threatened their power structure, such as bloodline users and-"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Kushina quickly cut her off with a wave of her hand. "That was old Kiri. What do you know about current Kirigakure?"

"Oh," Homura blinked a few times. "I... just heard they aren't the same village anymore."

"So you don't have an opinion on them."

"Not really," The student shrugged.

"Hmm..." The redhead hummed in thought, "Much like you don't really have an opinion on the Land of Hot Water, I imagine."

"Sensei?"

"We're going to that country to further the interests of our country. But the empire it's..." She trailed off, looking for the right word. "It's not just us anymore. It's all the people under our banner. Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

Homura's gaze shifted for a moment, "That I... should view those nations under us as vassals, therefore subject to our care?"

"Not-" Kushina sighed, rubbing her neck a bit. "Not just those who pledge themselves to us. I'm talking about thinking of other lands' peoples, to... do right by them as well, even if not always it aligns with what our country wants."

The young swordswoman stared at her for a moment, "Is this related to what happened at Han'ei?"

"...In part," Kushina admitted. "At Han'ei... I chose to be more than a shinobi. I chose to be better, to do something more important. Something I'm hoping you learn as well."

Homura's brown eyes widened. "But being a shinobi, serving our country, putting the empire and the mission above all, isn't that what we should strive for?"

"And yet here I am, at a higher position than I ever had, because our lady always knew that, that we need to act thinking of other people too... I'm not teaching you to be just a shinobi," Kushina said, gently placing a hand on the young woman's shoulder. "I'm teaching you to be something more."

The young woman looked doubtful and unsure.

"I hope one day it makes sense to you," the Uzumaki sighed. "I admit, I don't have all the answers. I have only what I believe is right."

Homura pursed her lips, "Then... even if I don't fully understand, I will heed your wisdom, teacher."

Kushina internally sighed, well at least she can hope Homura gets what she is trying to teach her.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Asuma took a long drag from his cigarette, walking through Amotsu's palace with his team alongside Sasuke, Sakura, and Karin. They followed the Jounin, who remembered the destination they were to arrive at as the Sarutobi had gone there many, many times years ago. Despite the tenseness of the upcoming mission, the adult of the group kept the air around them calm, "So enjoying being Dainin kiddos?"

"Better than being prisoners," Sasuke droned back.

Karin squinted in a manner much like Naruto, "Could do with less craziness all the time." Sakura nodded in full agreement.

The Jounin snorted, "Consider who your mom and brother are now." The redheaded teen slumped, "There, you get it now."

"Damn glad I'm not a Dainin," Shikamaru muttered, "Pain being more active as it is."

Ino rolls her eyes, "At least you're not napping so much now."

"And it is a drag..." He idly took a chip from Choji, who offered one.

"Just hope this won't be as scary as the Land of Trees," The Akimichi quipped with some nervousness, recalling that nightmare.

Absently, Ino rubbed her forehead, which did not go unnoticed by her friends. While the physical damage done by that succubus was healed, the psychological took some time with her father personally helping her. Ino was only cleared for duty after Inoichi was certain his daughter was ready.

Rounding a corner, the group came to large double doors with the symbol that was on Asuma's sash around his waist. The jounin stared at the door, "Never thought I'd come back here." He sighed before opening the door. The teens were greeted by a large room that was spacious but also remarkably simple. Besides usual furnishings, there were training dummies, sparring areas, and many things to keep a person's skills sharp.

"HAH! Took your sweet time, Asuma!" A rough, wild voice yelled out from a rugged man in his forties with swept-back brunette hair with a Konoha headband on his head. The Inuzuka fang markings on his cheeks show where he came from.

Asuma chuckled, "Gaku Inuzuka, still alive, I see."

The Inuzuka barked a laugh as he came over. "Not for lack of trying!" He thumbed back behind him. "Remember where the meeting room is?"

"Hmm, was it the first room to the left?" Gaku laughed once more before shaking Asuma's hand. "It's good seeing you again."

"Same; I wish it was on better terms."

"Kids, this is Gaku. A tenacious bastard and veteran of the Third War," Their sensei introduced the Inuzuka with a wave and a smile.

"Please, meet the new generation of the Ino-Shika-Cho team. Heh, you lot are the spitting image of your folks," the older man said with the typical Inuzuka fanged grin.

Ino froze when she felt something large behind her, sniffing her... and then licking her hair.

"Ew," She squared her shoulders, shivering as the licking continued. "Ew ew ew ew we!" She could only remain frozen on the spot as Shikamaru and Choji winced at the sight of a very large brown-haired hound

"And that's my partner, Kuko!" Gaku laughed, finding the girl's uncomfortable state hilarious. "Heh, must like your shampoo!"

"Please get him off me!"

"Her actually," He whistled, "Here, girl."

The large dog ceased, much to Ino's relief, walking ahead of the group where they took a better look at her. Her fur was a very light shade of brown, and her features were a touch more angular, which made placing her exact breed a touch difficult. Then again, Inuzuka were known to crossbreed their kennels a lot. However, her ears looked rather... sharp.

"Huh," Shikamaru muttered. "She's half-fox"

"Good eye, kid!" Gaku laughed, kneeling to ruffle his partner's head. "Oh yeah, Kuko here is half-dog, half-fox."

"Huh, that's... hmm." Choji held his tongue. The village's attitude regarding foxes wasn't the... best. Made all the more complicated when the fox clan came to their defense during the Sand-Sound Attack. So, there were a lot of mixed feelings among the villagers and shinobi after Naruto's displayed heroism.

"Well, she was born way before the Nine-Tails Attack," Gaku shrugged. "We used to crossbreed with other canines a lot more, including foxes. Hopefully we can again."

The young teens followed the two adults and canine through the Guardian's hall towards the meeting room's doorless opening. They passed the threshold into a large circular room with a massive ornate table in the center. Around it were twelve chairs, only two of which were sat on by Suburo and a young man in his early twenties. His featureless white eyes showed he was a Hyuuga, with spiky brunette hair and bangs framing his face and a Leaf head protector bandanna wrapped on his head.

Like Gaku, he dressed in his Leaf uniform and flack jacket with his guardian twelve sash around his left arm. Both were looking over a map of the Land of Fire. Sakura blinked with Karin and Ino at the sight of a girl around their age with long black hair, green eyes, and creamy pale skin. Dressed in a simple black Kimono and nagajuban underneath, along with a sash around her waist.

Her green eyes shifted from the map to the people entering the room, "Our guests are here, Suburo-sama." She spoke in a polite, soft monotone.

Suburo looked up, seeing Gaku and Asuma alongside his team and Maiyuri's Dainin, "Thank you, Nemu." The Hyuuga looked up for a moment before returning to the map. "Welcome, now where's only missing one to begin the meeting."

"Someone else is coming?" Asuma questioned, nearing the table.

"Considering who we are dealing with," a male voice spoke up from behind the others. The Sarutobi's eyes rose with the recollection of the person now arriving. "I felt it best to be here, too." The teens saw a barefoot bald man dressed in the Fire robes of a monk. His brown eyes turned warm, and his smile matched: "Been a while, Asuma." Shikamaru took note of the Guardian Twelve sash on the monk's clothes.

"Chiriku!"

The two men laughed heartily, sharing an embrace as they patted each other's backs. Asuma kept his palm on the monk's shoulder as he introduced him, "This is my old friend Chiriku of the Fire Temple. We were on the Twelve together! Hell, I learned a lot from him."

"Chiriku-dono," Sakura bowed her head at the man, "I heard a lot about you."

And read about him as well, Sasuke internally noted. It wasn't often a monk made his way into the Bingo Book.

The monk joined his hands together in greetings as he gave a small bow, smiling politely at the young shinobi. "Blessings of the Buddha upon you, young ones. I, too, heard tales of your exploits; you upheld dharma in Han'ei Country."

Sakura's and Karin's smiles faltered a bit at the mention of Han'ei, while Sasuke remained stoic. They did not like to think about Han'ei much, even if it had such an impact on their lives. "Just... did the right thing."

Picking up, the three did not want to be reminded of the events in that country, Gaku continued. "And this here is Tokuma Hyuuga, our most recent member."

"A pleasure," The Hyuuga bowed politely as expected from one of his clan.

"Hmm, you are from the main branch, aren't you?" Ino hazarded a guess. There was no way the clan was going to let a servant branch member have a position among the Twelve.

"That is correct," Tokuma nodded.

"I imagine you heard the news by now," The Yamanaka said, putting on a faux-casual tone. "Quite the shake-up in your clan."

"Ino," Asuma called out in admonishment. Oh, he knew what she was doing. She wanted to see what kind of man Tokuma was in light of the recent events surrounding the Hyuuga clan. Clearly, she still needed to understand that you worked with whoever you were assigned with, no questions asked.

"If you mean the decree for the Caged Bird Seal to no longer be used, I agree with the shogun's decision." Tokuma replied, "The country's laws are paramount, and my clan has skirted the line around that law for a long time."

If Asuma heard right about Tokuma, he followed the commands of the Land of Fire's laws to the letter. He was a very by-the-books kind of guy, which could be both good and bad in the long run.

Suburo gestured to the Hyuuga and Inuzuka, "These two, along with Kuko," the fox-hound hybrid barked, "are the only ones here of the Twelve at present. The others are on assignments in the field."

"Who is she?" Sasuke pointed to the girl on the table.

"Nemu Kurotsuchi, she works as a specialist in the palace; she is an… assistant to us, you could say." The young girl bowed her head, offering a quiet greeting to the group. "Sakura, Karin, Sasuke." The three perked. "You are aware when not under specific commands of Maiyuri-sama, you will be reporting to me?" As the masked shinobi was the leader of the Guardian Twelve, his duty also extended to being the commander of all shinobi stationed at Amotsu.

Which included the Dainin.

"We were fully debriefed, sir," Sakura spoke up with a bow alongside Karin and Sasuke.

The masked man nodded, "Good. Now, let us begin the meeting."

Soon, everyone gathered around the table, with Tokuma putting down miniature carved sun images. "We have had confirmed sightings of Kazuma in these villages. So far, he has not neared the capital or Konoha."

"Kazuma knows he'd be killed on sight if he did," Asuma quipped, "He's being cautious."

Chiriku nodded, "Indeed, he hasn't neared the Fire Temple either." Idly, Jounin and Monk glance at each other before looking back to the map. Only Shikamaru and Sasuke noticed the action.

"Is he with anyone or by himself?" Karin questioned

Gaku rubbed the back of his neck, "That part has been hazy. In some places, he is seen with a small band that follows him; in others, he is alone. We are not certain if they are with him or not."

"We have not been able to identify those people either," Nemu addressed.

"Do we have a clue on his objective?" Asuma asked, trying to think what Kazuma might be after. "Last time, he convinced half of the Twelve to lead a coup with the purpose of destroying Konoha."

"I can't understand that," Choji conveyed. "Why would he do that?"

"He was convinced Konoha drained too much of the country's resources, that eventually if the shinobi system were to continue, it'd lead to the abolishment of the Fire Court's authority." Chiriku explained, "The events that had long since plagued the Land of Water did not help matters."

The Sarutobi sighed, "He believed the only way to ensure the safety of our nation, from within and without, was to conquer the other nations and have them brandish our flag."

The youths looked at each other. "It sounds to me like this Kazuma guy would love what Maiyuri is doing right now."

Asuma snorted and rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't put too much stock into it. There are no extremes Kazuma won't go through if it means seeing his goals accomplished."

"Like Sora," Chiriku muttered, his gaze softening.

Asuma pursed his lips, "Yeah, like Sora."

"Um," Ino looked between the two; the others shared her confusion. "Who is Sora?"

The adults perked up, suddenly realizing something very important. "They were not informed?" Suburo said.

"They... were not," Asuma admitted as he awkwardly rubbed his neck.

Chiriku shook his head and went straight to it. "Sora is Kazuma's son. Moreover, his father turned him into a Pseudo-Jinchuuriki from the Nine-Tailed Fox's chakra."

One could hear a pin drop.

Looks of shock bore of the six kids. "H-How the hell did this guy get chakra from the damn fox?" Shikamaru questioned with a stutter in his voice.

"It's… complicated," Gaku grumbled, patting his hound's head.

Tokuma responded, "I read that the Kyuubi's escape and attack on the Leaf, swaths of wild Tailed Beast chakra ran rampant as the battle prolonged, particularly when the Sandaime cut off a piece of one of its tails. We believe Kazuma obtained it and sealed it inside his son."

The pinkette of the group voiced a relevant question to the adults, "And... did anyone tell Naruto about this Sora?"

Shame crossed the faces of Asuma to Suburo, "In truth, we never got around to it." The Sarutobi admitted, "But is no excuse for not telling him or Kushina, really."

"Someone... might get punched in the face," Karin quipped with a wince.

Oh, Asuma, Gaku, and Suburo knew damn who would be supplying the very enraged fist for neglect of this information.

Chiriku got everyone back on topic with a clearing of the throat, "In any case. I will remain at the Fire Temple in the off chance Kazuma will seek out Sora."

"That would be best; he might think twice with you present. And keep his son away from him," Suburo inclined his head in agreement.

"Okay, so where does that leave the rest of us? Should we follow Kazuma's trail and see if it leads anywhere?" Sasuke inquired, crossing his arms.

Nemu nodded, "That's all that we can do at the moment. We don't know the traitor's exact location."

"She's right." The masked leader of the Twelve addressed, "It might be a needle in a haystack scenario. But we have a few aces to aid our search."

"Such as?" Shikamaru asked.

"We've been getting reliable intel from a trusted source." The leader of the Twelve said, "Forgive me, I cannot disclose their identity. Even to you," They did not raise questions about that; it was important to keep the identities of sources a secret. It was safer for them the less people knew. "Thanks to them, we were able to track down his latest sighting. He pointed at the map, "Kinteki Town."

"Kinteki Town..." Asuma mused before his eyes widened. "Isn't that the place where-?"

Then he suddenly held his tongue, his eyes hardened in a way that worried and confused his students and the dainin. The way Suburo and Chiraku looked did not ease their concerns.

"Asuma-sensei?" Sakura worriedly asked. "What... is it about that town?" From what she knew, Kinteki Town was a simple place, ordinary, with a very banal and peaceful history. Why were they treating it like it was the place of some great tragedy?

"...I can't say," the Sarutobi muttered. "It's best if you don't know." His voice was low and distant, and his students could honestly say they had never heard him speak in such a burdened way before.

"More secrets?" Sasuke called out, "This is becoming annoying. I think we are owed answers if it concerns the mission."

"This is one that we all swore to keep. The Twelve and a few other select individuals, by orders of Akiha-sama himself," Chiraku explained, his gaze weary. "All you need to know is that once, there was a... vile man who committed atrocities. The rest is... immaterial. You do not need to be concerned."

For such a thing to be held secret to the point they've never even heard of it... they could only imagine the magnitude behind it, when there were people like Orochimaru running around.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The Land of Water. A nation made from a collection of isles surrounded by their country's namesake. The weather was always cool, with a mild foggy mist and lakes throughout their cities and villages. Naruto recalled Haku having told him about her nation during the Chunin Exams. While its darkest days were behind them, they were recovering from still.

And many bore the scars that would never be forgotten.

It was rare to receive guests from those lands. But the invitation was received, and the envoy came to Amotsu, sitting in one of the meeting rooms with an open garden and a massive short-legged table. Prince Takeru, sitting for his father, who was busy with their land's restoration. He sat opposite Maiyuri with Naruto and Soujiro behind her with Namika and Miharu.

A fair-skinned man around Hakus's age with short black hair framing his face in a long ponytail. Dressed in ornate robes of white and blue, his amber eyes carried an easy-going look. Haku and her team stood dutifully behind their prince alongside armored samurai.

Another party who joined this meeting per their request was the Prince of the Land of Rivers. Prince Ryoma, as he introduced himself, was a fairly tall man with spiky, long black hair, fair skin, and brown eyes, dressed in a rather simple but ornate robe. His gaze was casual but held an underlying sense of urgency. No doubt with the troubles going on in his lands.

Leaning against him was his wife, Oryo, whose reddish-pink eyes lingered on Naruto and Soujiro with a creepy stare. Everything about that woman made the blond and even the normally serene redheaded cousin a little on edge. She sat with a bit of a forward slouch, dressed in a beautiful black and red kimono and obi wrapped around her waist with long black hair to rival the blond's mother. Her skin was pale, almost white, possibly albino, even to some who looked at her. Oryo was strikingly beautiful, but how she carried herself made a few in the room unnerved by her. Save Oryo's husband and their two guards behind them.

The two guards could not have looked more different from each other. One was a short young man at least Namika's age dressed in more traditional shinobi gear. He was pale-skinned with short, untamed white hair and yellow eyes. Next to him was a moderately tall, fair-skinned, beautiful young woman in a white kimono with a katana tied to her obi. Her brunette hair was in a high ponytail with bangs around her face; her almond eyes stared forward, ready for anything.

And a third hidden in the shadows. The last guard they knew was another shinobi, and the few glimpses showed it was a woman, but nothing else could be seen. Naturally, they all had shinobi who were hiding just in case.

Takeru spoke up, "Thank you for the invitation, Shogun Maiyuri."

"I also wish to thank you for meeting me, Lady Maiyuri." Ryoma smiled kindly while his wife kept her eerie stare.

"Prince Ryoma, Prince Takeru, it is my honor to be hosting you both this day," the young shogun said with proper etiquette. "Both your courts have raised several concerns regarding the events transpiring in the Land of Rivers. To clarify for those unaware, the River Court has asked my support regarding the civil war to help quell the rebellion and restore proper power to the throne of the daimyo," she said, facing the long-haired man.

"That is correct," Ryoma nodded with a smile. "We have seen what you're doing, and honestly, I'm a fan," he said openly and casually, a rarity for someone of his station.

"I thank you for your words," Maiyuri earnestly replied before turning to the other guest. "And it is my understanding that the Land of Water has an interest in the situation considering a rogue ninja from Kiri is in the Land of Rivers right now, working for the rebels."

"Raiga is in possession of the Kiba blades," the young prince replied. "We have an interest in seeing them returned to the hidden village. However, there are also other matters to discuss. But I'm getting ahead of myself," Takeru smiled widely as he waved a hand at his fellow prince. "I am curious to hear why you sought to involve a foreign military in your affairs."

It was a jab and a thinly veiled one at that. The samurai woman at Ryoma's side hardened her gaze, her hand clenching her sword tighter.

"Easy," The shinobi next to her muttered. And she let out a soft breath.

"In other times, we wouldn't have considered involving outside help, but things have been... escalating, I'm afraid." The Rivers prince paused for a moment. "There was an incident a few years ago. I, my wife, and my friends here dealt with a rather 'unsavory' group of people on an island who dedicated themselves to performing terrible experiments. Things that make individuals like Orochimaru look tame and restrained by comparison."

Well... wasn't that a horrifying image, Naruto thought with a grimace.

"We thought we destroyed all their research, but it appears the rebels have absconded with it," Ryoma explained, his demeanor becoming more grave. "My cousin Daken is using that profane knowledge to bolster his troops."

Maiyuri frowned; "What... sort of knowledge?" She slowly asked.

"Mutagenics, body modifications, alchemical creations of artificial lifeforms." The prince explained. "We fought plenty of those monsters in the past, haven't we, Gabimaru, Sagiri?" He looked back at his aids.

"They were abominations," Sagiri grimly muttered.

Haku's eyes widened a fraction. That name... it possessed a large bounty in the Bingo Book, alongside the warning 'Flee on sight.' Gabimaru the Hollow.

And just looking into his eyes, so empty and distant, she could see why he was called such.

Chōjūrō kept his eyes on the samurai woman, Sagiri Yamada, from the Yamada Clan, renowned executioners. A grim occupation to hold but carried with honor and distinction in Sagiri's family as the young genin had read.

Beside his companion, Kouhei kept his eyes on the shadows around them. He was trying to find the woman who had kept herself concealed from the rest of the group at the meeting. He didn't sense any malicious purpose but rather mischievous amusement. The whip user frowned faintly as he couldn't seem to pick up just where that woman was.

Maiyuri's eyes narrowed. To call Orochimaru's morbid and nightmarish experiments tamed was not to be said lightly. Takeru also paid attention to Ryoma as he spoke, his gaze catching his fellow Prince's mannerisms as he spoke. The Water Prince kept his focus on Ryoma till Oryo turned to unnerving eyes towards him. As if she knew Takeru was staring.

Odd woman.

"So Daken is fully using this research already on his forces," Maiyuri commented.

Ryoma nodded, "We've been fighting the monsters he unleashed more and more. So far, it has not reached catastrophic levels like on that island, but enough to make this meeting important for us to be here." He paused and continued, "If that research is not destroyed, it could spread beyond The Land of Rivers and prove disastrous for all of the Elemental Nations."

"I already sent the forces I could spare to support you. Though the regiment is still to arrive in full, I've had some of my Guardian Twelve head out ahead of them to survey the situation," Maiyuri explained with a wave of her hand.

"I'm afraid the more time goes by, the more of those abominations the rebels will create," Ryoma replied before addressing the Water Prince. "My intel tells us that the rebels hired Raiga not only to occupy the gold mine but also to kidnap people and force them into those experiments..."

"Gods," Naruto knew he should have stayed quiet, but the thought of those poor people was too much to bear.

"So you came here to request even more aid, huh?" The amber-eyed prince said.

"My country's been recovering from a series of wars; on other circumstances, the soldiers we have now would have been enough to quell the rebellion. But with those monsters the Daken is creating, I fear that even in victory, the losses will be too high."

The shogun sighed; "I'm afraid that's all I can do at the moment. As of now, four countries have pledged themselves to me, yet I'm still organizing their integration into the empire. And not all of them have enough forces of their own, I can't exactly order their people to start fighting wherever I want them to right away. The most recent Land of Crows campaign was a prolonged one; the nation is still being pacified." She pursed her lips, "And you're not the only country that's requested my aid. The Land of Apples has been suffering territorial aggression by their neighbors for a while now, and yet the only way my troops can make it there is through the Land of Steel... who are not letting them pass."

Both princes could see that frustration in the pinkette. Takeru and Ryoma remembered their lessons on the Land of Steel being a rather... stubborn nation... which has proven to be true time and time again. And the newly made Shogun Maiyuri was now facing that stubbornness, and both felt their sympathy for her on that one.

Rubbing his chin, the Water's prince thought for a long moment, "Maybe this might work." Eyes turned to him, "While my nation is still in restoration after the... Bloody Mist Era..." His words carried a tense tone before clearing his throat, "We do have a substantial amount of soldiers at our command. I offer a proposal." Takeru looked to Ryoma, "We could aid against your cousin and his rebels while Maiyuri-Dono attends to her present affairs."

Oryo narrowed her eyes. "You want something in return from my husband." Her voice was melodic and soft, otherworldly in a way. But the way she spoke sounded more like a threat than a question. Namika and Miharu tensed when River's prince's wife's words were uttered.

Takeru pushed down his unease as he spoke again, "The Land of Rivers was once part of the Land of Water."

"Until the era of the Bloody Mist and my father broke off all ties with your nation."

"Indeed, Daimyo Kiyomizu was smart to do what he did to save the Land of Rivers. So my proposal is this: We aid you in dealing with this civil war with Daken, and the Land of Rivers returns to the Land of Water."

The brows of many shot up from many, with others showing visible shock.

Ryoma blinked a few times, looking at his wife, who looked back at him and returned to the Water prince, "This part of the restoration efforts?"

"Yes, yours is not the only nation that left Water, and we have been reaching out to the others to bring our lands whole again. Of course, most of them have been island nations, the Land of Rivers was one different with it being a foothold in the mainland" Takeru pursed his lips, "It has been a slow process, but it has been working. We have healing the isles and our territories, we're all prospering from it. Just recently, the Land of Waves fell under our banner, and its people could not be better." He gestured a hand to Ryoma, "So how about it? We help you; your land returns to our nation."

The reactions among those present were varied, but shock and surprise were paramount. Given the looks of the Kiri team, they, too, were just as surprised as the others.

Naruto didn't know much about politics, but even he could tell the prince had pulled a sneaky move there. Ryoma came here with open requests for further aid, and Takeru outright placed conditions for that aid, whereas the empire had already promised its support. Of course, the issue was that said support wasn't as numerous or as swift as the Land of Rivers needed. All he needed to do was give the offer.

Maiyuri's eyebrows shot up at the bold offer. It was open disrespect towards her and the empire. The Land of Rivers had come to her for aid, and in turn, she hoped to gain an ally. But here was the prince of Water seeking to actively take their land for themselves right in front of her. The gall...

Ryoma's entourage felt the same, given the insulted looks on their faces. And was his wife growling? Yet the prince remained silent and thoughtful. Was he actually considering his offer? To hand out his lands like that... but if the situation had truly deteriorated so-

"We're good," He suddenly said with a shrug, "We'll put our trust in Maiyuri-dono's troops; they'll have to suffice."

The prince looked taken aback, "Are you sure? You understand I can deliver more troops than Maiyuri-dono?"

"I do," Ryoma smiled, "I just trust her more."

Naruto was certain he saw sparks flowing from the Water Prince's eyes.

"With that said, I think my side will retire from this meeting." Ryoma spoke politely before looking to Maiyuri, "Unless you require any further need for us here?"

"You are welcome to relax here at the palace if you wish, Ryoma-Dono," The pinkette spoke with a kind smile.

The Rivers prince nodded, "Thank you. A day's rest before heading home. My people need me and my wife at our best." Sitting up, his wife followed suit, bowing to those present. Oryo parroted her husband, but her eyes were back on Naruto and Soujiro. Her gaze was intense and piercing. "You can stop playing around, Yuzuriha."

Gabimaru gave a blank, deadpan look, and a roll of Sagiri's eyes followed when a female voice was heard whining playfully. Turning her head, Namika blinked to see Miharu being hugged from behind by a flawless, fair-skinned woman in her twenties with purple hair in a bun. She was dressed in a dark purple traditional kunoichi outfit, with the blouse loose and open to show off her medium-sized cleavage that was pressed against Miharu. The woman's eyes were full of mischief. "Can't we look around~?"

"We have our orders," the white-haired shinobi of Ryoma quipped, "and I'd rather get back to my wife sooner rather than later." A few did a double-take at the wife reference. Gabimaru looked no older than eighteen!

"But think of all the souvenirs you can get, Yui-chan!"

"Stop hugging that oaf and listen to my husband's order," Oryo droned in a dry monotone. Yuzuriha stuck out her tongue in response: "I'll bite that off."

Did she say she'd bite her tongue off?

"Yuzuriha," Ryoma glanced over with a lighthearted grin.

Much to Miharu's relief, the kunoichi detached herself from him with a defeated sigh and followed her companions before cheerfully waving out of the door. Maiyuri sighed at the antics, and once Ryoma and his group had fully left, she soon turned a glare at the Water Prince. "That was a rather audacious stunt to pull here."

"Was it? I merely took the initiative that was presented to me," Takeru responded unbothered.

"You sought to swoop into my affairs, to get the nation who came to me for help to favor you instead," She accused with a scathing tone.

Once more, the Water Prince did not look particularly perturbed by his actions. "Please, don't act so high and mighty. We all do what we have to do to ensure our nations prosper; we seize the advantage we can. You are helping their country benefit yours."

"I have to be pragmatic about certain matters, yes," The shogun replied. "But that doesn't mean I do not believe in what I'm doing."

"Gogyou-koku's unification, yes. I've heard it before," Takeru said with a dismissive wave of his hand. "Whether people like it or not."

"Excuse me?"

"The Land of Lions was a completely unprovoked attack," He said, leaning forward with his hands on his knees. "Oh, the daimyo had it coming, no doubt. But it doesn't change the fact you showed up with your army and began attacking."

"I had the chance to liberate an oppressed people, and I took it," Maiyuri replied, firm in her convictions.

"And in so showed the world you're not afraid to get your hands dirty for your 'ideals.' Now, countries weary of you are likely to attack first and give you plausible deniability. It looks much better on the papers when territorial aggression becomes defensive action, doesn't it?"

The princess took a deep breath, reigning in her anger as she clenched and unclenched her fists. All the while, their respective bodyguards could only stare between them in worry that a fight might break out.

"What does antagonizing me get you?"

"Me?" He shrugged, "I'm not seeking to antagonize you; I'm just being honest regarding what I see." His amber eyes narrowed at her. "And what I see is someone who will one day be coming for my country."

"You make it sound like I want to conquer and subjugate your lands."

"The Land of Crows kind of proved that."

A growl came from Naruto, "She's trying to stop a damn system that has been killing us for years!" Maiyuri sighed, glancing at the blond; Namika and Miharu faintly groaned as well.

Haku and her team paled at the Uzumaki's outburst at their prince, who regarded the boy evenly. "Naruto Uzumaki, yes? Son of Kushina Uzumaki and the late Minato Namikaze?" The blond only kept his glare, "I applaud your dedication to your leader." His words surprised the blond and others, "It shows character and loyalty, and I can respect that. But the world around us is not so black and white."

"Believe me, I know that," Naruto admits before continuing, "And yeah, I know next to nothing about politics and doubt it won't be my area of things. But surely something else can be better than what we have been dealing with now, right?"

Takeru shrugged, "There can always be something better. But does that mean it is good for everyone?"

That made the blond pause, "Wouldn't it be?"

"It would depend on how that change would affect that nation. Their culture, way of life, and their people. All aspects have to be taken into account of what a change your shogun is bringing."

"And what's so bad about-?"

"Naruto," Maiyuri firmly called out, a reproaching look in her eyes. "Enough, please."

Great, he overstepped again. Ugh, damn, this motormouth of his. He was lucky Maiyuri was so patient with him; anyone else would have him scrubbing toilets for breaking etiquette like this.

"I'm... sorry, my lady," he said apologetically. With a slight, subtle nudge from Miharu, he realized he still had one more person to apologize to, even if he really did not want to. "I'm sorry, Prince Takeru."

Takeru laughed out loud, and his entourage visibly deflated; Haku, in particular, looked both exasperated and relieved. "Still better etiquette than what we had in Water. But if your dainin is done speaking for you," No one missed the jab, "I will reiterate. The Land of Water and the Hidden Mist Village have been used, manipulated, controlled, and ruined for generations. It was not only our flaws that paved the way to the Bloody Mist period; we know our country has been meddled with by outside forces for a long time."

The only people who did not look surprised were the prince and princess, who looked like they understood perfectly what he meant, while their guards all looked surprised and confused.

What did he mean by this? Kouhei pondered as he took in his prince's words.

Takeru continued, "I grew up a prisoner in my palace; Yagura's loyalists kept a very close eye on all of us. It was not until Mei-dono's rebellion I finally tasted what freedom was like. I got to experience my country for what it really was, beyond the blood and barbarism, the flowing hearts of our people, their passions and aspirations, and our desire to be a free people again, truly. Free from the fear and the needless bloodshed." He leaned in ever so slightly, and with a low voice, he intoned his next words with absolute conviction. "We are not going back, not to the bloody tyrants who ruled us through fear and violence, nor do I intend to bend the knee to someone who claims she'll save us all by plunging us into more war."

Absolute silence reigned.

"With that said, I will join in this mission in the Land of Rivers alongside my shinobi team here presently since the Kiba swords are the property of my nation." Takeru's words surprised more than a few once more, and even his Kiri team looked equally shocked as the others. "And Raiga is a criminal of our lands as well. I will see to it personally he is brought to justice or executed."

A low frown graced Maiyuri's lips. She was about to speak against it when someone knocked on the meeting room doors, "Enter." The doors opened, revealing a youthful woman around the princess's age with the purest black hair pinned in the back, flat bangs on the right side of her face, and rimless glasses over her violet eyes dressed in courtly robes.

If Naruto remembered right, her name was... Nanao, niece to one of the Regiment Captains.

All eyes took notice of the letter in her dainty hand as she bowed and came over to Maiyuri, leaning in to whisper in her ear, "From the Land of Steel, Maiyuri-sama."

The pinkette's brow rose as she took the letter and opened it to read its contents. Takeru saw his fellow noble's eyes narrow before she stood. "Prince Takeru, I accept your assistance with the matter of the Land of Rivers." Her voice was neutral but steely; whatever was in that letter lit a fire in her. "You will be with my Dainin, Team Gai, and your Kiri team to deal with Raiga. Forgive my haste, but a matter has come up that needs my immediate attention."

"Very well."

Maiyuri nodded, "This meeting is adjourned."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

"Was it wise to withhold that particular piece of information?"

Ryoma let out a soft sigh as he sat on the couch of his luxurious guest room; his wife was idly leaning against his shoulder with her usual expression. Gabimaru stood by the window, his neutral look hiding the fact he was ever alert, while Yuzuriha had monopolized all the sweets provided to them. He stared at Sagiri, concerned etched in her expression. "I'm not happy about it either, but trusting the others with the truth..."

"You said you trusted Maiyuri-dono."

"Her, I got a good feeling about... I'm not sure about that Mizu prince or those with him," the long-haired man mused, crossing his arms.

"Waste of time," Oryo droned. "Could just head back home, I can eat all the people making trouble."

"Heh," he chuckled. "That would not be a long-term solution until we can find Daken's laboratories."

"Hmph" Gabimaru grumbled, feeling his professional pride as a ninja insulted that they needed to get reinforcements from a foreign country to track down the traitor... But most of their shinobi were busy supporting the soldiers in combating those abominations.

"Withholding that information might hurt us in the long run," Sagiri added.

"Perhaps. But it's a risk I'm willing to take rather than let knowledge of that accursed elixir spread," The prince mused heavily. "You know what it did to those people on that island, what greed turned them into..."

A chill ran down the spines of everyone from Sagiri to Yuzuriha as they recounted the horrifying nightmare they faced a few years ago. However, a faint hint of annoyance came to Gabimaru, "I know we were thorough in destroying all that research. How the hell did Daken find anything?"

"My cousin has always been resourceful. And we didn't know that Daken had loyalists at the time."

Oryo frowned, "You were too trusting with him. I could smell his jealousy and ambition a mile away."

"I do take the blame for not noticing it sooner. Daken was always an ass, but he was still family. Guess I never thought he'd do what he did." Ryoma lamented, grunting, leaning his head against his wife's. "We stop him and destroy all that research for good this time."

The white-haired shinobi turned his head to his leader, "And if the truth of that stuff comes out to our allies?"

Ryoma looked over, "Then we tell the truth—all of it—and see what happens. And pray they understand that substance must never be used again." A growling grunt came from Oryo, "I know, I know."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Haruka Hyuuga's face was grim as he walked through the outskirts of the Leaf. His stony expression was marred with frustration and anger. So much was being changed before his eyes. Stripping away long-held traditions, pillars that held strong for their clan and the village itself.

It was... wrong, what Maiyuri-sama wanted is wrong.

That idealistic, ambitious, self-righteous girl.

Did she understand the consequences of her actions? The chain of events she set in motion caused the complete upheaval of the carefully maintained balance of power. She alienated the clans, forcing shinobi to fight in her wars instead of letting them keep the nation safe as they had for generations.

It would all be crashing down upon them.

...Unless they did something about it.

The elder Hyuuga let out a shuddering breath, looking up at the bright moon ahead. His family always felt a kinship with the moon; perhaps it was its bright, pale glimmer that reminded them of their eyes. Moon-watching was a favorite pastime among many Hyuugas; he would always feel at peace and comfort when looking at the starry heavens.

But not tonight. No, tonight a choice weighed heavily upon Haruka's soul... but it had to be done.

"You were right..." He muttered, seemingly at not one. "You were always right."

He heard the faint sound of footsteps behind him. "The fact you did not report me when I first contacted you told me you would eventually see things my way."

Haruka pinched his nose, "She'll doom us all, the clan, the village, the country..."

"A naive girl with delusions of grandeur, a disaster we must avert if Konoha is to survive." The old, grave voice spoke with firm conviction. He heard the sound of a cane banging on the ground. "The question is... are you willing to do what it takes to save this village?"

The elder swallowed a heavy lump in his throat. "For my clan, for the village... I am ready to sell my soul,"

The figure approached, and from the corner of his eye, Haruka saw the heavily bandaged face looking back at him. "Then get ready," Danzo said, "There is much work to be done."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Hey! Hope you enjoyed this chapter!

We're experimenting with a new way to approach arc, that is, go through multiple plotlines at once

We know that may sound not very clear, but this way, we approach multiple plot elements we want to advance.

That, and as the chapters continue, you'll realize all these plots are actually related. Everything plays a role.

Hope you enjoy it!