Chapter 63

The Fire daimyō sat at the head of the large, ornate table, his elegant fan waving back and forth in a steady rhythm. Despite the gravitas of the meeting, his expression radiated nothing but boredom. The ruins of Konoha loomed just outside the window, casting long shadows across the room. Around the table, the remaining members of Konoha's governing body gathered: Danzo Shimura, his single visible eye fixed on the daimyō ; Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, their aged faces lined with concern; and an enigmatic Anbu figure, shrouded in a white cloak and porcelain mask, sitting silently at the far end.

Also present was Shikaku Nara, the ever-strategic jōnin Commander, his calculating eyes carefully scanning the room. Opposite them sat a group of impeccably dressed diplomats, their appearance immaculate despite the grim state of affairs. They represented the daimyō 's court, a detached reminder of the aristocracy that governed the Shinobi world.

The daimyō sighed dramatically, breaking the silence. His fan paused mid-wave as his gaze swept the room. "So," he drawled, his tone disinterested. "I assume we're here to figure out who will take over as Hokage." He leaned forward slightly, as if to feign enthusiasm. "Let's hear it."

Danzo wasted no time. "The village is in shambles," he began, his voice cold and clipped. "Our leadership must be decisive and unwavering. We cannot afford to wait any longer."

The daimyō raised an eyebrow. "And why not wait until Tsunade recovers? She's still the Hokage, isn't she?"

Koharu leaned forward, her expression sour. "Tsunade is... incapacitated indefinitely. There is no guarantee she will recover soon, if at all. And need I remind everyone," she added with a sharp glance around the table, "she is partially to blame for Konoha's current state of disrepair."

Danzo gave a curt nod, capitalizing on Koharu's words. "The village requires strong, stable leadership. Now more than ever." His tone was unyielding, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. "We need a Hokage who can bring order to this chaos."

"Well, then, who do you propose?" The daimyō , ever the picture of detachment, yawned lightly behind his fan.

Before Danzo could speak, Shikaku Nara interjected. His voice was calm, but his words carried weight. "I recommend Kakashi Hatake," he said simply.

The room fell silent. Even the daimyō seemed intrigued, his fan slowing as he mulled over the name. "Kakashi Hatake," he repeated, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Now that's a name with some renown. The Copy Ninja. Student of the Fourth Hokage." He turned to the others. "What do you think?"

"Kakashi is skilled, yes. But he is also young and untested as a leader. The kind of Hokage we need now is someone with experience and a clear vision for the future." Homura said with a frown.

"And I," Danzo's voice cut through like steel, "am that Hokage. I have served this village longer than any other candidate, defending it from the shadows while others basked in the light. I will bring a wind of change to the Shinobi world—a Hokage like none before me."

The daimyō tilted his head, seemingly impressed by Danzo's impassioned declaration. Homura nodded in agreement, adding, "Kakashi Hatake is a product of the old guard. A student of the Fourth Hokage, who himself was far too idealistic. Konoha needs someone willing to make the hard decisions, unshackled by sentiment." The daimyō paused for a moment, then clapped his hands together.

"Very well! I appoint Danzo Shimura as the acting Sixth Hokage," he proclaimed with a flourish. "At least until your village can organize a proper vote of confidence."

Danzo's visible eye gleamed with triumph. He inclined his head respectfully. "I will not fail you, daimyō -sama."

"See that you don't," the daimyō replied with a hint of humor, waving his fan dismissively.

Danzo wasted no time exercising his newfound authority. His first order, issued before the meeting had even adjourned, was sharp and immediate. "My first decree as Hokage is to declare Sasuke Uchiha a missing-nin. He has betrayed the village, consorted with its enemies, and represents a threat to Konoha's stability. From this day forward, Sasuke Uchiha is marked for death."

Shikaku's face betrayed a flicker of disapproval, but he held his tongue. The Anbu figure at the table remained silent, their masked face revealing nothing.

The daimyō waved his fan again, signaling the end of the meeting. As the diplomats rose and filed out, Danzo remained seated, his fingers steepled as he gazed out at the ruins of Konoha.

The shadow of the Sixth Hokage loomed large over the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

—

The heavy double doors of the hospital swung open with a loud bang, jolting everyone inside. Naruto, crouched beside a small child with a sprained wrist, looked up in alarm. Across the room, Sakura was in the middle of bandaging a shinobi's leg but froze at the noise. They turned toward the entrance to see Hinata standing there, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. Her Byakugan, faint but active, pulsed softly, and her usually calm features were etched with a mixture of urgency and distress.

"Hinata?" Naruto called, standing quickly and crossing the room in a few strides. His voice was tinged with concern. "What's wrong? Are you hurt?"

Hinata shook her head, trying to catch her breath as she clutched the doorframe. Her wide lavender eyes locked onto Naruto and Sakura, filled with something between fear and determination.

"I'm not hurt," she managed, her voice trembling slightly. "But... something's wrong. I need to talk to you—both of you."

Naruto and Sakura exchanged a concerned glance before Sakura stepped forward, placing a steadying hand on Hinata's arm. "What is it? What happened?"

Hinata hesitated, her eyes flicking between the two of them as though unsure of how to say it. Finally, she spoke. "It's Tsunade-sama. I think... I think she's being controlled."

"What? That's impossible. Tsunade-baachan's been in a coma since the fight with Pain." Naruto's face twisted in confusion.

"Not entirely," Sakura corrected, her tone more analytical. "She's in a recovery state, but she's not obtunded. Her chakra is still active—barely. But controlled? Hinata, are you sure?"

Hinata nodded, her breathing steadying now. "While I was patrolling the Hokage's Residence, I sensed something strange. At first, I thought it was just the residue of the barrier seals or healing techniques, but... there was a trail of chakra. It was faint, almost too faint for me to see even with my Byakugan." She hesitated. "It led from Danzo Shimura... to Tsunade-sama."

"Danzo?" Sakura's voice hardened, her eyes narrowing. "You're saying he's somehow connected to Tsunade's condition?"

"Yes," Hinata said firmly. "I didn't want to believe it at first, but the more I focused, the clearer the connection became. It's almost like... like he's feeding something into her through that trail of chakra. It's subtle, almost invisible, but it's there."

Naruto clenched his fists, his expression a mixture of anger and disbelief. "That old creep! What's he trying to do to her? And why?"

Hinata lowered her gaze slightly, hesitant to continue. "I've heard rumors—about Danzo's control over the old Root Anbu and his methods. If those rumors are true, then..." She looked up again, her voice firm. "He might be trying to manipulate her while she's vulnerable. To keep her from waking up."

Sakura's mind raced, connecting dots she didn't like. "If Danzo's involved, it makes sense why the council pushed to appoint him as Hokage so quickly. If Tsunade wakes up, she'd overturn his decisions in an instant. He must be doing everything he can to keep her incapacitated."

Naruto's anger boiled over. "We've gotta stop him! If he's messing with Tsunade-baachan, he's going to regret it!"

"Wait," Hinata said quickly, placing a hand on Naruto's arm. "We can't just storm in without a plan. If Danzo is controlling her, we need to find proof. Otherwise, the council will just say we're acting out of turn."

Sakura nodded. "Hinata's right. Danzo's not the kind of man who leaves himself exposed. We need to figure out how he's doing this—and why. That chakra trail might be the key."

"Fine. What do we do?" Naruto growled, clearly itching for action, but he forced himself to take a deep breath.

Hinata stepped forward, her Byakugan flaring to life. "I can track the chakra trail again and find where it leads. But I'll need your help. If Danzo is behind this, he'll have people watching. We'll need to move carefully."

Sakura glanced at the patients around the room, her sense of duty warring with the urgency of the situation. "Naruto, let your clones take over here. We can't afford to leave the village completely defenseless while we investigate."

Naruto nodded, already forming a hand sign. In an instant, a dozen clones popped into existence, ready to continue their tasks. "Alright," he said, his voice firm. "Let's go. If Danzo's messing with Tsunade, we're gonna make him pay."

The three of them hurried out of the hospital, their steps quick and determined. As they moved through the quiet streets of Konoha, Naruto felt a familiar fire igniting in his chest. He'd fought gods, monsters, and everything in between—but nothing felt quite as personal as protecting his village, and the people he loved, from betrayal within its walls.

—

Naruto stormed into the Hokage's office, the heavy oak door slamming against the wall with a reverberating crack. His chest heaved with barely suppressed fury as his blue eyes searched the room. For a fleeting moment, he expected to see Tsunade's stern but reassuring features, her sharp gaze ready to meet him with equal determination. Instead, he was greeted by the bandaged visage of Danzo Shimura. The older man sat behind the Hokage's desk, his single visible eye as cold and unmoving as stone.

Naruto's fists clenched at his sides, his nails biting into his palms. "Danzo!" he growled, his voice low and brimming with anger.

Danzo's lone eye flicked up from the scrolls on his desk. His voice was measured, calculated, and devoid of any warmth. "Naruto Uzumaki. Your lack of decorum is noted. I would kindly ask you to wait for an appointment next time. Your insubordinate behavior is a breach of protocol."

Naruto felt his jaw tighten. The sheer arrogance in Danzo's tone made his blood boil, but he forced himself to take a breath. He couldn't lose control now—not when so much was at stake. "Why did you mark Sasuke as a missing ninja?" he demanded, his voice barely restrained. "You put a bounty on his head!"

Danzo leaned back in the Hokage's chair, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "You will address me by my title, jōnin Uzumaki," he said, his tone cool and condescending. "I am Hokage now."

Naruto's fists shook, his teeth grinding together. He knew Danzo was baiting him, daring him to lose his composure. But he couldn't afford to play into the man's hands. "Hokage-sama," Naruto spat through gritted teeth, forcing himself to comply.

Danzo nodded, his expression impassive but his satisfaction unmistakable. "Good. Now, as for Sasuke Uchiha…" He leaned forward slightly, placing his hands on the desk. "He has been AWOL for months. There have been no open lines of communication between him and my predecessor. Furthermore, our intelligence indicates that he has established himself as the leader of the Village Hidden in the Sound. Tell me, Uzumaki-san, do these actions sound like those of a loyal shinobi of the Leaf Village?"

Naruto's lips parted, but no words came out. He averted his gaze, his anger momentarily overtaken by uncertainty. "Tsunade-baachan would never—"

"Tsunade is not here," Danzo interrupted sharply, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "I am Hokage now. I suggest you remember that."

Naruto's shoulders tensed, his entire body trembling with the effort of holding back his frustration. "Sasuke wouldn't—he'd never betray the village like that."

Danzo sighed, the sound heavy with condescension. "Your loyalty to your former teammate is admirable but misplaced. Sasuke Uchiha is a rogue ninja. He abandoned his comrades, his village, and his duties long ago. Do not let your emotions blind you to the truth."

Naruto felt his breath catch in his throat. He wanted to shout, to argue, to defend Sasuke, but he couldn't deny the mounting evidence. The rumors of Sasuke's alliance with the Akatsuki, his apparent subjugation of Killer Bee, the escalating bounty placed on his head by the Raikage—it was too much. "The Raikage tripled his bounty?" Naruto asked, his voice cracking slightly.

Danzo's eye gleamed with something akin to satisfaction. "Indeed. The Raikage has called for a Five Kage Summit—the first of its kind in history—to address the growing threat of the Akatsuki and their accomplice, Sasuke Uchiha."

"That's a lie!" Naruto burst out, his voice echoing through the room. He felt as though the ground had been ripped out from beneath him. "Sasuke would never… He'd never join the Akatsuki!"

Danzo tilted his head slightly, his expression one of cold pity. "You are naive, Uzumaki-san. Sasuke Uchiha is no longer the boy you once knew. He is a danger to this village and the world at large."

Naruto took a step forward, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. "You don't know anything about him!"

Danzo raised a hand, silencing Naruto with a gesture. "I understand that this is difficult for you. Your attachment to Sasuke clouds your judgment. For that reason, I am placing you on paid leave, effective immediately."

"What?!" Naruto shouted, his voice a mixture of disbelief and outrage. "You can't just—"

"I can," Danzo said, his tone final. He stood, his presence looming over the desk. "You are dismissed, jōnin Uzumaki."

Naruto opened his mouth to protest further, but the sharp glint in Danzo's eye stopped him. The Hokage turned away, already dismissing him from his thoughts. "You are dismissed," Danzo repeated, his voice cold and unyielding.

Naruto's hands trembled at his sides as he stared at the man before him. He felt powerless, trapped in a situation he couldn't fight his way out of. With a heavy heart and a burning fire of defiance in his chest, Naruto turned on his heel and stormed out of the office, the door slamming shut behind him.

Danzo watched him go, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Such potential," he murmured to himself. "But too reckless. He'll learn in time—if he survives."

—

Naruto paced in the clearing of the training ground, his arms flailing in frustration. "He suspended me!" he blurted, his voice loud and indignant. "It's humiliating!"

Ino knelt by his side, her hand slipping into his, squeezing it gently. "We know, Naruto," she said, her voice calm and reassuring. A teasing smile played on her lips. "And you're cute when you're flustered."

Naruto froze mid-pace, his cheeks flushing. "I–you–ahh!" He sputtered, throwing himself onto his back in mock defeat. His head hit the grass with a soft thud, and he stared at the sky in exasperation. "I don't know what to do," he admitted quietly.

Ino crouched next to him, her free hand brushing a strand of blonde hair out of his eyes. "We have to wait," she said softly.

Sakura, sitting cross-legged a few feet away with Hinata, nodded. "Danzo's leaving the village. Once he's gone, we might have a chance to help Tsunade-sama."

Before Naruto could respond, the sound of footsteps rustling through the trees drew their attention. Shikamaru and Choji emerged from the foliage, their faces a mix of curiosity and concern.

Choji waved enthusiastically. "Hey, guys!" he greeted warmly, while Shikamaru gave the group an unimpressed glance.

Shikamaru's sharp eyes narrowed at Sakura. "Troublesome," he muttered. "Why do you look like you're plotting something?"

Ino hopped to her feet, her ponytail bouncing. "Glad you made it," she said, brushing off Shikamaru's pointed question.

"Of course," Choji replied with a grin, clapping his friend on the shoulder. "When you said the whole Konoha Twelve was meeting, I knew it was serious."

"Seriously troublesome," Shikamaru sighed, crossing his arms. "Last time we had one of these, we ended up with Naruto telling us he had a demon fox sealed in him. Do you know how hard it was to manage everyone's emotions after that?"

The sound of more footsteps made the group turn. Kiba and Shino stepped into the clearing, Akamaru at Kiba's side. Hinata jumped up to greet them, pulling her teammates into a warm hug.

Moments later, Lee, Neji, and Tenten appeared, their presence rounding out the group. For a moment, the clearing felt alive with the energy of their reunion. But the absence of Sasuke hung over them like a shadow, a silent reminder of what had been lost.

"Yosh, Naruto!" Lee greeted his longtime friend with his characteristic enthusiasm, bumping fists with him. "It is good to see you after so long. We must resume our training soon!"

Naruto chuckled but was cut off by Tenten nudging Lee in the ribs. "We can catch up later," she said, her expression serious. "I think we're here for business, not pleasure."

Naruto took a deep breath, his expression unusually somber. He turned to face his friends, his peers, the people he had grown up with and fought alongside. "We have a problem," he began, his voice steady but grave.

Kiba snorted, leaning against a tree with Akamaru at his feet. "I'll say. What is this, a war council? I saw your perimeter of shadow clones. You wouldn't take those measures if this wasn't serious."

Naruto nodded. "It's serious, Kiba. We have reason to believe that Tsunade-sama is being kept in a coma… by Danzo."

The clearing fell silent.

"What?" Tenten's voice was sharp, cutting through the stillness.

Hinata stepped forward, her hands clasped tightly together. "I saw it," she said, her voice trembling slightly but firm. "I was passing by Tsunade-sama's chambers when I noticed a faint trail of chakra—so faint that even my Byakugan barely caught it. It was linked to Danzo's concealed eye."

Neji frowned, his sharp eyes narrowing. Hinata was never one to exaggerate, and her observations were always meticulous. "If that's true," he said slowly, "then Tsunade-sama isn't just comatose—she's being controlled."

Naruto clenched his fists. "Danzo leaves the village tonight. He's going to the Five Kage Summit. But Hinata's right—he wouldn't leave her unguarded. He's doing something to keep her under."

"So," Shino's voice broke the tense silence, his tone calm but commanding. "Our goal is to plan an unsanctioned mission to rescue the Fifth Hokage, who is being held prisoner by the interim Hokage. This conclusion is reasonable. There is both motive and opportunity."

The group turned to Shikamaru in unison. He groaned, holding up his hands in surrender. "Fine, fine," he muttered. "I'll plan your little heist."

Naruto grinned for the first time since entering the clearing. "I knew I could count on you."

"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered again, though there was a faint smile on his lips. He scanned the group, his sharp mind already piecing together a strategy. "We'll need to act fast. Once Danzo has left, he'll likely put someone he trusts in charge of guarding Tsunade. This isn't going to be easy."

"When has it ever been easy?" Sakura asked, her voice laced with determination.

Shikamaru sighed but nodded. "Good point. Let's get started."

Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji made their way through Tsunade's chambers, their movements careful and deliberate. The tension in the air was palpable. The skeptical housekeeper who had questioned their visit watched them leave through the corner of her eye, her suspicion thick in the air.

"That was too close," Choji muttered under his breath as they slipped past her and finally entered Tsunade's private quarters.

"Stay calm," Shikamaru said, his voice low and composed. "We can't afford any mistakes."

Tsunade's once-youthful figure lay still on the bed, her face pale and wrinkled, her body unnaturally still. Ino felt a pang in her chest. Tsunade was the Fifth Hokage, a symbol of unshakable strength and resilience. Seeing her like this was a bitter pill to swallow.

Ino knelt by her bedside, her hands trembling slightly as she prepared to use her Mind Transfer Technique. She turned to her teammates. "Keep the guards distracted. I'll need time."

Shikamaru nodded and gestured to Choji. The two exited the room and began arguing loudly, their feigned bickering echoing through the halls.

Ino closed her eyes, her fingers forming the necessary seals. She felt her consciousness ripple outward, reaching for Tsunade's dormant mind. The connection was faint, like a flicker of light in a storm.

'Hokage-sama,' Ino projected her thoughts telepathically, her voice soft but firm. 'Can you hear me? We need you. The Leaf needs you. Danzo… he's taken control.'

For a moment, there was no response. The darkness within Tsunade's mind was suffocating. But then, faintly, Ino felt it—a ripple, a faint awareness stirring within the depths.

'Please, Tsunade-sama,' Ino urged, her psychic voice trembling with urgency. 'You have to wake up. The village needs you. Naruto needs you.'

A faint surge of panic and resistance flowed from Tsunade's mind. Ino pressed on, her resolve unyielding. 'I know you're in there. You're stronger than this. Fight back.'

Then it happened. A single toe on Tsunade's left foot twitched.

Ino's heart skipped a beat, her eyes snapping open. She glanced at her teammates outside the door. Shikamaru and Choji had frozen for a split second, but quickly resumed their exaggerated argument, shouting over each other to maintain the illusion.

Ino took a deep breath, her hand resting gently on Tsunade's face. "That's enough for now," she whispered. She stood, her heart heavy with hope and worry.

The three exited the chambers, their expressions carefully crafted into feigned sadness. The Anbu guards stationed at the door exchanged glances, their suspicion evident.

"Hey, you!" one of the guards called, his voice sharp.

Before Ino could panic, a cheerful voice cut through the tension. "Me, Anbu-san?"

The guards turned to see Tenten, her brunette hair tied into her signature buns, standing with an innocent smile. Behind her, Neji and Lee waited, their presence exuding calm authority.

"We've come to see Tsunade-sama," Lee said, his smile bright and unwavering. "May we sign in?"

The guards hesitated but ultimately allowed them through. Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji seized the opportunity to slip away unnoticed, their mission accomplished.

Back in the secluded Nara compound, the atmosphere was tense yet focused. Team Eight patrolled the perimeter, their sharp senses on high alert. Shikamaru sat cross-legged in the center of the main room, his shadow stretching lazily across the floor as he planned their next move.

A sudden flash of pink light illuminated the room. Sakura appeared, standing gracefully beside a three-pronged kunai embedded in the floor. In her arms was Tsunade's still body, carefully cradled as if she might shatter.

Sakura wasted no time, gently placing Tsunade onto the prepared bed. Green medical chakra enveloped her hands as she began to work, her focus unshakable.

Ino stepped forward, her own chakra flaring to life. "I'll help," she said, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation. She pressed her fingers to Tsunade's temple, her psychic energy merging with Sakura's medical ninjutsu.

For a moment, the room was silent except for the hum of chakra. Then, suddenly, Tsunade's eyes snapped open. She gasped, her chest rising sharply as if she had been underwater and had finally broken the surface.

Her amber eyes darted around the room, taking in the concerned faces of the young ninja who had risked everything for her.

"Fill me in," she commanded, her voice hoarse but resolute.

Sakura and Ino exchanged a look before nodding. "It's a long story, Hokage-sama," Sakura began. "But we'll start from the beginning."