Fugaku did not have to wait long for there to be signs of activity. Rumbles began to shake the ground. Tremors violently ripped through the land, causing landslides. Eventually a massive explosion ripped through the mountain, blasting a hole in it. Fugaku's eyes narrowed at the sight. That was certainly evidence of something.
The former Uchiha Clan Head shot forwards, eyes hot. He was a blur of motion through the land, undetectable by any nearby who may have dared to watch. He arrived at the opening of the newly formed crater. Crimson orbs peered into it, his chakra system roaring as he prepared for an attack by an enemy combatant. The sounds of violence could be heard below. Screams.
The smoke cleared, revealing scores of shinobi engaging in violent displays. This contingent of the Shiin Clan was fighting someone, although who Fugaku could not be sure from visual observation alone. Luckily, he was not limited in his information gathering abilities. He shot forwards, moving at speeds that far outclassed any of the shinobi below. He snatched one of the strangers, yanking him back to the top of the crater instantly. Before the victim had any time to say anything they were enthralled by the crimson beating orbs of the Sharingan and their enticing spin.
"Who do you serve?"
"Orochimaru..."
Fugaku smirked. Confirmation.
"He brought back two prisoners to this location, who were they?"
"Don't...know..."
"Where are the prisoner cells?"
"Deepest levels," the enthralled shinobi whispered.
"How do I reach them from here?"
"Six floors down. Follow the tunnels."
Fugaku snorted, kicking him from the top of the crater. The man fell backwards, their head smashing into a paste when they collided with the ground. Fugaku dropped into the opening not long after, eyes flashing with irritation. Six floors was a long way down. He didn't have time for that. He stabbed a kunai into the ground before leaping away as a massive explosion ripped outwards. The servants of the Sannin and the members of the Shiin Clan scattered as it shook the battlefield. Fugaku shot into the newly formed hole, eyes glistening.
He was close to his answers.
Kakui grunted after deflecting a strike from the kunoichi before him. She screamed, muttering something he could only vaguely hear under the tight shackles that bound his mind. He was more passenger than driver as his body spun, foreign chakra piloting it to kick that kunoichi in the chest and send her flying backwards with a painful scream. The Kumo shinobi lurched forwards unnaturally, dodging a blade that had been aimed at his throat.
A second later the threat was dismissed, courtesy of a series of vicious blows he unleashed on them. He didn't stop until he saw them collapse, the satisfying sound of broken bound still echoing in his ears. The battle raged around him, but he stood still, body still refusing to listen to his advice.
'That damn Uchiha,' the man thought as his body continued to engage in the battle. His force had descended a level in the Sannin's fort already. Candles lit the walls with interesting patterns of brick and stone forming intricate hallways that made it easy to get lost.
'He was stronger than I expected. I should have thought he'd use some genjutsu like last time. I let my guard down when I heard about Orochimaru.'
Kakui's body easily dodged another attack before his fist cracked his assailant in the jaw, sending them into the wall.
'He's got to be somebody in the Uchiha Clan, but I don't recognize him. A secret agent? Ah, I'll have to figure it out after this. I won't get the chance to run when I break out of this genjutsu until after this battle is over thanks to him. Especially if Orochimaru finds me.'
They had descended another level when Kakui saw it. The man cutting through the forces of the Shiin Clan like butter. Even his puppeteered body had to stop and watch and the majesty with which he moved. Kakui's eyes narrowed. He could tell that this shinobi was at least an A-class shinobi. Nothing like the riffraff that populated the rest of the halls. There was no way he would be capable of defeating him with his body not underneath his control.
The man shot forwards, glowing hands aiming for Kakui's throat. His body leaned backwards, desperate to avoid the damage. He managed to avoid the throat strike, but the man still touched his bicep. Kakui hissed as pain flared through his body. His left arm hung limply at his side. He shot back, the roar of battle filling his ears as he was roughly forced from the genjutsu.
The man stared at him.
"You avoided my attack. You're better than the others, although not by much."
Kakui paid him no mind, instantly placing his free hand on his injured bicep.
'He cut muscle without piercing flesh? The only thing that can do that is the Chakura no Mesu (Chakra Scalpel). But to do so in the heat of battle is-'
Kakui was given no more time to think as the man launched himself at him once more. Kakui winced, dodging the attack. The man's eyes widened, the shock behind the glasses evident. Kakui gave a baleful smirk as his free hand lashed out with a punch that smashed into the man's chest, sending him backwards. The Kumo shinobi pressed his advantage. He had to get rid of this threat before he could adjust to his real speed. A flurry of blows were launched, careful to strike out at the man's least vulnerable places. His glowing hands protected his vital areas and Kakui couldn't risk being struck by that jutsu again.
Eventually the man retreated, forcing his glasses to be still on his face as they shuffled from his high-speed movement.
"Maybe I misjudged you."
Kakui ignored him, allowing chakra to course through his system as he activated the ShÅsen Jutsu (Mystical Palm Technique). The man's eyes widened.
"You're an iryonin?"
"I know basic iryojutsu. You seem to be an expert with them."
The man gave a light smile.
"It is my specialty. I am Kabuto, servant of Orochimaru and personal iryonin of the Sannin."
Kakui smirked, stretching his injured arm. He could move it once more. The bicep was tender, but it was whole.
"You don't need to know my name," the Kumo shinobi pondered. "You'll be dead soon regardless."
Kabuto gave a soft smile, the glow around his hands intensifying.
"I doubt that, invader."
The two men disappeared into a flurry of blows. Kakui maintained his offensive, blows showering Kabuto's body and forcing him to defend. The few blows he could launch Kakui avoided like the plague, eyes tracking the dangerous weapons that his hands were. The slightest touch could cripple him. Even when throwing a strike, the Kumo shinobi was careful to ensure no part of his body made contact with the hands of the servant of Orochimaru.
Kabuto used that.
His abandoned all semblance of defense, letting Kakui's blows rain down on his body and focusing everything into offense. Suddenly the tide of battle shifted. What should have been a crippling defeat for Kabuto became his advantage as Kakui focused his entirety into dodging the dangerous attacks. A small smile danced on the shinobi's face.
"Where did all that confidence go, invader?"
Kakui cursed, kicking back and weaving through handseals. His hands shot out.
"Raiton: Jinraisen (Lightning Release: Thunderclap Arrow)."
The bolts of lightning shot forwards, cracking the ground as they rippled forwards. Kabuto leapt away, grunting as he lost track of Kakui. He landed on the ceiling, scanning the ground only for his senses to scream at him. The shinobi ducked, barely avoiding the nodachi that threatened to take his head. Kakui grunted, Raiton (Lightning Release) chakra glistening through the blade as he continued his offensive. Kabuto grunted; this time forced to keep his defensive composure lest he be killed by Kakui's assault. Kakui gave him no room to breathe. He couldn't even launch a counter.
Kabuto leapt away from another horizontal slash, weaving through handseals as he descended to the ground. He unleashed his jutsu just as he landed on the ground.
"Suiton: Suidan no Jutsu (Water Release: Water Bullet Technique)."
The torrent of water smashed into the ceiling, but Kakui was no longer there. Instead, he was on the ground, blade of lightning glistening as he slashed forwards. A wave of electricity shot forwards, slamming into Kabuto and causing him to seize. Kakui shot forwards, thrusting through Kabuto's heart.
"Like I said," Kakui muttered. "I win."
Kabuto grinned before he collapsed into a pool of water. Kakui's eyes widened.
'When he launched his jutsu!'
"You are indeed formidable," came the call. Kakui turned to see Kabuto, standing behind a horde of Orochimaru's minions. He frowned, glancing behind him. Some of the Shiin Clan were still here, but they were outnumbered heavily.
"But I'm afraid I don't have time to spend on you. I have to get Orochimaru-sama out of here. You're more trouble than you're worth, invader-san."
"You think I'll just let you escape?"
Kakui meant it. No matter the opportunity it would provide for him to escape the fact of the matter was that if Orochimaru found out who he was his entire career as Kumo's premier spy would be ruined. He had to kill the man before him. The Uchiha knowing about his existence was bad enough. He had only agreed to it due to the circumstances.
"It doesn't matter what you think," Kabuto muttered, forming a handseal. Suddenly a trap door opened, revealing some monstrosity that roared. Hordes of them charged forwards, attacking anything in sight, be it the servants of Orochimaru or members of the Shiin Clan.
"Because I'll be long gone by the time you're finished here."
Things could not have been going worse for Itachi. The clan was constantly patrolled by very visible ANBU at all times, provoking tensions between the village and the Uchiha Clan even higher. The sudden influx of Uchiha back into the Clan Compound had left many struggling to look for a place to live or living with older relatives. Overcrowding. They simply didn't have enough houses after the clan had expanded like it had. Children in the Academy had been isolated in their classes both by their classmates and their teachers. Stores weren't even accepting Uchiha customers any longer.
The once royal, founding clan of Konoha had been reduced to a social pariah once more.
And now he was called back into another Clan Head meeting as Fuu Yamanaka had apparently found new 'evidence'. Itachi doubted the claims significantly. It was likely false evidence carefully selected by Danzo. He would have been able to disrupt the man's plans had the ANBU not watched him like a hawk especially. Sure, he could have escaped from their gaze, but in so doing he would have alerted Danzo and put the clan in a worse position.
Itachi sympathized with his father's secrecy when planning the coup more than ever before.
Itachi stepped into the room, eyes widening as he saw Emi, Nairo, and Yashiro chained to the ground.
"What is this," he hissed, anger in his tone. "Unchain them at once!"
"No," Danzo stated plainly. "They are people of note for this meeting."
"And what is this meeting about," Itachi cried.
"The Uchiha Clan of course," Hiashi hissed, smugly looking at his opposing Clan Head. "Your clan is not as pure as you make it out to be, traitor."
Itachi's eyes narrowed.
"Enough. Sit all of you. With Itachi Uchiha's presence here we can begin."
"You said Fuu Yamanaka had found evidence Hokage-sama," Shino stated in the room. "What would this evidence be?"
Danzo gestured to the Yamanaka in the center of the floor. Fuu approached, dragging something on a chain behind him. It wasn't long before it was revealed. A man stumbled forwards out of the darkness, bound by the chain. Itachi's eyes widened with horror as he saw the man stumble forwards. This was not an imposter. Before him stood a real Uchiha.
Naka Uchiha, a young shinobi who had quickly risen to Chunin after graduating the Academy. There were rumors that he would join the ANBU in a few years. Fear rested on his face as he walked. He found Itachi, his eyes pleading for some type of help but were met with only shock and horror. The Uchiha was forced to kneel before the Hokage.
Yoshino and Inoichi looked at Itachi, but the Uchiha Clan Head was far too focused on the man before him to do anything.
"Fuu has captured one of the assailants," Danzo began. "He found this man sneaking out of the Uchiha Compound and preparing an assault on a health clinic where shinobi are recovering from their injuries in the war. He searched his mind. Fuu, tell them what you found."
Fuu nodded.
"Evidence of treason, Hokage-sama. Upon searching his memories, I could find that he was under orders by the elders of the Uchiha Clan to attack the clinic. Kill as many shinobi as possible were his orders. And then, his orders were to stage the attack as if they came from a foreign invader, Kumo in particular, given their recent intrusions. It was said to be more...believable."
"Nonsense," Itachi stated. "The Uchiha Clan Elders would never authorize-"
"Oh, but they did," Fuu stated, looking at Itachi. "And that is not all. After taking those three into custody I searched their minds to find out more information. And all three of them believe they were acting under orders from the Uchiha Clan Head. You, Itachi Uchiha."
The words rang out like a bomb in the room, instantly drawing accusatory glances. The only allies Itachi could find in the room were Yoshino and Inoichi, although both looked worried about the state of things.
"Well, what do you have to say for yourself Uchiha," Danzo questioned.
"It is a lie," Itachi stated.
"You accuse Fuu Yamanaka of treason then?"
"No," Itachi clarified. He had to choose his words carefully. "Simply that the memories he saw were incorrect."
Itachi looked at Naka, looking at the fear in his clansmen's eyes. He had no idea of the veracity of the claims. But he knew what them being believed meant. The Clan Elders and he would be executed. The Uchiha Clan would be thrown into prisons and forced to take purity tests where Danzo could more easily harvest their eyes.
He was almost trapped.
The Uchiha looked to the Clan Elders, his eyes meeting Yashiro's in particular. The man had a cold look in his eye.
Itachi emulated it.
There was an out after all.
"I gave no such order. I will permit you or your father to search my memories as proof. I have shown my loyalty to Konoha once, I am prepared to do so again."
Yashiro smiled.
Danzo's eyes widened.
'Throwing them away...how cold. I did not know you possessed that trait, Itachi Uchiha.'
Itachi stood, dropping down gracefully to the center of the room from his elevated position. Fuu eyed him.
"Do it."
Fuu stepped forwards, placing his hand on Itachi's head. The Uchiha opened up his mind to the Yamanaka, careful to not intentionally guard aspects of his mind and draw attention to them like he had with Inoichi. Fuu was Danzo's henchman. Letting him in his head at all was a risk, but it was the only one he could take that would allow the salvation of the Uchiha Clan.
Yashiro watched, the smile on his face growing more pronounced.
Fuu lifted his hand and Itachi stumbled backwards. Inoichi's presence in his mind had been gentle, like a mothers. Fuu was the opposite. He had stormed in, ripping his mind to pieces as if it were his personal playground. The Yamanaka had torn his privacy asunder.
"There is no evidence of Itachi Uchiha being a traitor. There is no recollection of what the elders believe they saw."
Yashiro grinned. Danzo, mouth hidden by the shadows cast by the Hokage hat that sat on his head, frowned.
"I see."
Itachi eyed Danzo. The man was not as arrogant as he let on. If Fuu had claimed he was lying Itachi would have demanded Inoichi search his mind, and it would have revealed Fuu's lies. Danzo was willing to let his trap go it seemed.
"It is as I said Hokage-sama. Whoever ordered this was not me. The elders have been led astray. I ask that we commute their sentences and instead search for the one truly responsible."
"And what of Naka Uchiha," Choza questioned.
Itachi frowned.
"He had no power to resist his Clan Elders, especially if they told him that this was an order coming from myself. You put him in an impossible position."
"A position not unlike the one you were placed in twenty years ago," Danzo stated. The raspiness in his voice was audible for all. His age was showing. "You passed that test. He did not."
"Being that as it may, I was far more advanced than he was. It is possible for him to grow."
"You speak rashly Uchiha," Hiashi interrupted. "Under false pretenses or not, your Clan Elders encouraged an attack on Konoha soil. Against their own. If they had reported such an outrage, then they could have been spared. We would have searched you and found any malpractice on your part lacking. Then we could search for the one truly responsible with no lives lost. But that is not what occurred. They either agreed with the attack or were too cowardly to stop it. The same goes for this child."
"I have to agree with his assessment," Tsume stated plainly. "The Inuzuka Clan Elders would never support such a decision. You may be loyal Itachi, but members of your clan clearly are not."
"If the elders are not loyal who is to say any of the rest of the clan are," Shino questioned. "In an effort to find the one who is orchestrating all of this we must search the entire clan. Bring them all in for questioning and weed out those loyal and those not."
Itachi stared at Shino, frustration building inside of him.
"That is rid-"
"A good idea," Danzo spoke, his voice drowning out Itachi's. The Uchiha stared at the man, outrage burning deep in his chest. "Fuu. You and the Aburame Clan Head are to lead this effort. You shall search all of them yourself."
Itachi's eyes widened, glancing between Fuu and Shino. Both were shells of a person, lacking any emotion at the order. They simply acknowledged it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Then, something clicked in Itachi's mind.
'Shino...he works for Danzo.'
Itachi wanted to laugh. It was so painfully obvious and yet he hadn't noticed. There was no possible way for him to avoid the subjugation of the Uchiha Clan without blood being spilt. This was not like it was years ago. He had no help. He had no allies. And the man who sat in the Hokage seat was only interested in their complete subjugation or eradication. The Uchiha's eyes trailed over the room, measuring the worth of every shinobi there. If Danzo went through with this plan, he would have no choice but to go on the offensive. He would have to become the traitor his father had just barely avoided becoming. It was only through a psychotic amount of control that no killing intent left his body as he eyed the Clan Heads and Danzo.
Who could he kill?
How fast could he kill them?
How could he escape?
"Hokage-sama," Inoichi said speaking up. "If I may, I would like to search their minds myself."
Fuu looked at his Clan Head.
"I do not doubt Fuu's capabilities but searching the entirety of the Uchiha Clan by his lonesome would be an ardous process. Draining. If the issue is as urgent as you say, I would like to assist, along with my daughter Ino Yamanaka."
"Fuu is more than capable-"
"I would trust Inoichi's word," Yoshino called out. "That is not to say Fuu is untrustworthy, but...I have known Inoichi for years."
Itachi and Yashiro both glanced at the two Clan Heads, noticing how their eyes flickered to them. Itachi felt joy course through his body for the first time today.
'You two...'
Inoichi wasted no time, dropping down to the center of the room.
"With you permission Hokage-sama," Inoichi muttered.
Danzo stared at the duo. Itachi turned to look at him. The man would be well within his rights to say no and that would be the end of it. Itachi would have to go to war. The Uchiha could only hope the status of the Yamanaka and Nara Clan Heads would force the man into such an awkward position that he had no choice but to acquiesce.
It was unlikely.
"You may."
Itachi's eyes widened. Danzo had yielded. That was not the man he had grown up fearing. That was not the man he had been prepared to kill two decades ago. Something had changed in him, fundamentally. But what?
Inoichi, unaware of the questions his fellow Clan Head was pondering, moved forwards. He rested his hands on Naka before turning and placing his hands on each of the Uchiha Clan Elders. Finally, he came to rest on Itachi, placing a hand on his head. Itachi suddenly felt words that he could not describe. If this was what it was like communing with a Yamanaka reading his mind, he found that he hated the feeling.
"Yoshino and I believe you," said the words. "But we need evidence to turn the other Clan Heads. Find it, Itachi. Fuu is not lying with what he says."
Inoichi lifted his hands and Itachi barely maintained his posture. His eyes met Inoichi's and the two stared solemnly at one another before Inoichi spoke.
"I can confirm what Fuu says," Inoichi stated sadly.
"In that case, all Uchiha are to report to the prisons by the end of the day with the exception of Clan Head Itachi Uchiha. Their minds shall be read and analyzed by Fuu Yamanaka, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Ino Yamanaka." Danzo stated with authority. "If they refuse, they shall be branded as traitors and marked for death."
The Hokage stared down at Itachi, and the Uchiha Clan Head swore he could see a smirk form on his face.
"Dismissed."
Yahiko stared at the businessmen in the room. They had made his life nothing but hell. Always demanding more and more from the leadership in Rain, as if they had a bounty of resources to give up whenever it came time to negotiate. All this because they controlled the ease of transportation throughout the country with their monopoly over the railways. The trio of men formed the board of Densha Railways.
The first. Komori Hitsu. He was a petite man. Unimposing on the best of days, but he had a vicious nature to him. He had undercut many to reach his high position in the firm. The only thing the man responded to was increased revenue and profit, particularly for himself. He held the least shares of the company, and as such had the least amount of voting power within it. If it were not for the leader of the trio, he would be the hardest to deal with. Unfortunately, Higuroma Kaminaka existed.
Higuroma sat center the large table, basking in his presence as the head of the company. He held the most shares, and as such commanded the most power in these discussions. He was a plump man, with a beard that stretched to his elbows. A devious grin constantly hung on his face. If Komori was selfish, Higuroma was the embodiment of greed itself. The man would never agree to any deal that was not in his favor without being forced into it. Yahiko would have been more than glad to do so, but Nagato had promised they would not wield their might as shinobi against the civilians in the discussion of economic matters. A handicap that had caused more problems than it was worth in Yahiko's opinion.
And then there was the last man, who held the second most shares in the company. He sat to Higuroma's right, a polite look on his face as always. Kagane Jihoin. He was the only one Yahiko respected. The man was wealthy, and certainly cared for making a profit, but he was not so blind as to not realize the benefit a strong Rain provided. He was the only one Yahiko trusted to work with in good faith. If only it were only him they were dealing with. The deal would have been done long ago and Rain would not have to suffer from the crippling lack of resources it did now.
"Bah, what took you so long," Komori insisted, glaring at Yahiko. "We've been waiting! You think you can come and go as you please?"
Yahiko's eyes cut to the man.
"My apologies," he ground out. "I should have been faster."
"Mah, mah, forgive him Komori," Higuroma stated. A mischievous grin formed on his face. "Yahiko must have been very busy to not arrive on time. After all, shinobi are so much faster than civilians. There's no way we could have reached this place first, even if we work in the building."
Yahiko looked out the window, watching as the rain smashed against Amegakure. The magnates owned the tallest building in Ame, not including the Tower of course. A hodgepodge of pipes, it was a repulsive design. It was an eyesore. But large amounts of wealth flowed through these railways. Wealth that everyone in Rain, shinobi and civilian, poor and rich alike needed.
"Cease your teasing," Kagane stated plainly. "My apologies, Yahiko-san. Please, you asked us to come here?"
"Thank you."
Yahiko sat down before the men, eyes washing over them.
"We have attempted negotiations with Densha Railways, and we have failed to reach an agreement to satisfy both sides...repeatedly."
"Yes, it seems the leaders of Ame are too cheap to give into our demands," Komori muttered. "Give us a small plot of land, say...slightly smaller than Ame to designate as our own personal city, free of taxation of course, and remove the Kaminarimon Company. You'd think such a request would be easy to fulfill if the fate of Rain was so important to you."
Yahiko wanted to rip his tongue out.
"A personal city is off the table, as I have stated repeatedly."
"Then our negotiations are over," Higuroma interjected. "We will not yield on this position. Why do you continue to waste our time, Yahiko?"
"What I am proposing to you will not waste your time," Yahiko muttered. "Your trains, they are under constant threat, no? They must travel through multiple countries to operate effectively. Fire, Iron, Rain, and more. You face a variety of threats from both bandits and shinobi, especially since the war started. You've suffered more attacks since its outbreak. You've seen a decrease in revenue of what, ten percent, all due to theft?"
"Be that as it may, we have ways of addressing that problem," Higuroma muttered. "We have hired our own personal shinobi to defend our trains."
"Clearly they have been ineffective," Yahiko said. He leaned back in his chair, a smug look forming on his face. "I suppose refusing Ame shinobi to be your guardians was a poor decision?"
"You dare," Komori hissed.
"You wanted us to pay you for the service," Higuroma stated. "You want us to pay you to protect our trains, while we also give a discounted cost to Rain leadership? I think you yourself know why such a deal is preposterous."
"From your perspective it is preposterous, from mine it was a fair trade. Surely you cannot deny it. After all, the rates of theft have not slowed despite your supposed guards."
Higuroma's eyes narrowed.
"What are you getting at?"
"We propose a new deal," Yahiko stated, raising a finger. "Just because you all are too...recalitrant...to listen to our old one. We will offer you Ame bodyguards for free."
Komori's interest was piqued at that. He immediately began writing on a piece of paper, clearly trying to figure out how much money they would save should they accept such an offer. Yahiko could practically hear his inane mutterings as he looked at the numbers on the page with a hunger that no human should have.
"What is the catch," Kagane stated plainly. "I think I speak for everyone here when I say I am...receptive to the idea. But in business deals are not done for free. The Amekage cannot afford to give out free services, especially given the recent events with Konohagakure."
"The catch is the same as always," Yahiko stated plainly. "You give us discounted prices to allow us to move in more resources and goods into the country. In so doing, we bolster Rain's economic power so that we can eventually pay you back the amount of money you have lost from giving us discounted prices. Say, twenty percent off. The growth of Rain's economy will encourage other nations to sign trade deals with us, in turn making us, and you, richer."
Komori looked at Higuroma.
"Getting a free protection detail from them, especially if they pay us back, would be cheaper than what we're doing now. Quite significantly. Even if they do not pay us back, we would be saving money."
"Be that as it may, there are several flaws in this plan," Higuroma muttered. "I do not doubt that having more resources flood Rain would help its economic position. I am no fool. But twenty percent is a rather generous discount considering the amount of time it will require for Rain to develop into this economic power. Additionally, this economic power would be directly tied to our own trains. Effectively, we are the economic power of Rain. As such, I see no reason to give you such a steep discount. We hold the cards; we should be favored in the agreement. Ten percent off."
Yahiko groaned. The man had constantly been going on and on about that ten percent. It was clear he was not going to budge on it. He hadn't since the deliberations had begun.
"The second problem of course is the very state of this war. Rain does not have the manpower to give us a free protection detail, at least not with competent shinobi. A war with Konoha is likely. They will need their shinobi to fight it. No trade agreement will be done with a Great Power while the continent is enraged in this violence, which means you are limited to only minor powers. Minor powers that are allied with Great Powers. Where do you believe you will find these trade agreements?"
Yahiko smiled, leaning back in his chair.
"Ah, you doubt our capability, Higuroma," Yahiko stated. "But you shouldn't."
"What are you suggesting Yahiko," Kagane muttered. "How can we help you?"
"The question is how we can help you," Yahiko stated plainly. "Konan is currently working on securing an alliance with Rivers. I'm sure their influx of fish and rare minerals would be quite the boon. And their ports would be much easier to reach for your trains. Uniting the land and sea trade lanes would provide you with a large influx of money."
"Are you trying to provoke Konoha to anger? Rivers is one of their most prized allies."
"They have failed to protect it," Yahiko muttered. "Who is to say Rivers will not join us of their own volition if we do what Konoha has failed to do?"
Higuroma's eyes narrowed.
"Even if I were to believe that, it further stretches thin Ame's meager military. It solves one problem and worsens another."
"That is where Naruto Uzumaki comes into play," Yahiko stated. "He shall garner allies with minor shinobi villages and train our current number of shinobi. What we will lose in quantity, we will make up in quality."
"A bold claim," Kagane stated, leaning back in his chair. "And you're sure they both will achieve this?"
"Konan assisted in the liberation of Rain," Yahiko stated. "And Naruto Uzumaki has defeated a Bijuu in single combat. Do you truly doubt those two?"
Higuroma was silent, eyes washing over Yahiko.
"We would need evidence of these claims success."
"Oh? But what if I sweetened the deal?"
Higuroma leaned in and Yahiko knew he had him. He had expected his bold proclamations to pique their interest but fail to convince them. But Rain could not afford to wait until Konan and Naruto held up their end of the bargain. He needed to be proactive. He had not run this idea by Konan or Nagato. But sometimes to create change one needed to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.
"What if I ensured you would never have to deal with a bandit problem or the Kaminarimon Company ever again?"
Higuroma stared at him.
"And how would you guarantee that? Bandits are a problem everywhere, and the Kaminarimon Company is based in Fire."
Yahiko smiled.
"I shall go as a protector for your next train ride. A select few shinobi and I. I will deal with these problems, free of charge. Take is as a token of my good faith. You needn't agree to any other part of the deal for me to do this."
Higuroma smiled.
Fugaku grunted as he smashed through the final floor of the building. He landed on the ground, crimson eyes easily seeing through the thick darkness that covered the hallways. Behind him dropped a contingent of Shiin shinobi, having followed him into the center of the base. They had been chased by a pack of wild animals, savage beasts that were doubtlessly trouble for much of the clan. The Uchiha had lost count of how many had died in the slaughter. He had ignored it for the most part. His concern was not the lives of the clan. They were simply bodies to allow him the ability to find the prison cells.
Hiraku had seen to protecting his clan. He had arrived, gathering members of the clan to form a more solidified assault squad. The Clan Head dropped to the ground behind Fugaku, mind still foggy with the Uchiha's genjutsu.
"Find the prison cells," Fugaku ordered.
Hiraku nodded, rushing out with a squad of Shiin Clan shinobi behind him. Fugaku turned to look at the rest of them.
"The rest of you with me."
The Uchiha moved through the halls, crimson eyes glowing in the darkness. The sounds of battle could be heard from every direction, joined by the sounds of the savage beasts roaring.
"What the hell is going on out there?"
Fugaku's head snapped to the side at the voice. He rushed towards it, holding a kunai in hand. The Shiin Clan followed closely behind. Another call came in the direction.
"Someone's fighting."
Fugaku's eyes widened. He knew that voice!
He leapt forwards, the room suddenly brightening as he saw them. Two shinobi locked in cells, chained to the ground. The Shiin Clan followed behind him closely, all prepared for battle. Fugaku could not take his eyes off the duo that lay before him.
Konohamaru Sarutobi...and his son...Sasuke Uchiha.
He had found his son!
"Sasuke!"
Sasuke's head snapped up, an awkward look on it. He couldn't see clearly, bandages wrapped around his eyes.
"That voice?"
"It's your father Sasuke," Konohamaru called. "With other shinobi. What are you doing here Fugaku-sama?"
Fugaku glanced at the two of them.
"I came here in search of Sasuke and Mikoto. After your disappearance..."
"Father," the Shiin Clan members behind Fugaku questioned. "But that is an Uchiha? I thought you were Kumo shinobi?"
Fugaku turned, irritation on his face. It looked like the Henge (Transformation) he had been using to conceal his eyes from the Shiin Clan members would no longer be effective. He quickly made eye contact with all of them before giving an order.
"Fan out. Cause as much destruction as you can."
"Understood!"
The Shiin Clan members dispersed, leaving the trio alone.
"What's going on," Konohamaru questioned. "How are you here? Why is the Shiin Clan here?"
"I can explain later," Fugaku stated, quickly cutting through the cells and chains that bound the duo. "Can you both move?"
"Orochimaru sealed off our chakra," Konohamaru muttered, rising to his feet. "I'm afraid we're not anything more than luggage at this rate."
Fugaku frowned, helping Sasuke up.
"I see. Sasuke, where is your mother?"
The two captive Konoha shinobi froze at the question, unsure how to answer. Konohamaru opened his mouth as if to speak but found the words were unwilling to follow. Instead, he could only stare at Sasuke who stood, shaking violently as his father assisted him.
"Orochimaru," Sasuke hissed. "He..."
Fugaku's face fell, if only a fraction. His hair covered his eyes. For a moment he too stood frozen, as if the implication was too much for him to bear. Konohamaru could have sworn he saw a single tear fall quickly to the ground before it was replaced with a mask of steel. Fugaku's head snapped up and Konohamaru's eyes widened as he saw the same look, he had seen on Sasuke's face the day Mikoto had died.
A look of all-encompassing hatred.
"I see," Fugaku stated, his voice as calm as ever. "And these bandages?"
Sasuke bit his lip.
"After mother...died...Orochimaru he...he took her eyes father. He placed her eyes in his skull as if they belonged to him! He placed juin on Konohamaru and I! He violated us. He...he saw my Mangekyou and..."
Sasuke may not have finished the sentence, but Fugaku could finish the rest himself. The Snake had swapped their eyes. Orochimaru must possess an Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan.
"Do you still possess your eyes?"
"I was taken into surgery earlier today," Sasuke spat hatefully. "I feel...something."
Fugaku nodded. It seemed Orochimaru had implanted Mikoto's old eyes into Sasuke. Only time would tell if the two eyes were compatible.
"You have to kill him father," Sasuke pleaded. "For Kaa-san."
If Fugaku had any reaction to the news Konohamaru could not tell. The former Uchiha Clan Head gently rested his son against the wall. He quickly bit his finger before unleashing a string of handseals.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Jutsu)."
Two horse sized cats filled the room, taking up almost all the available space. They hissed, clearly uncomfortable in the damp, dark environment.
"What are we doing here Fugaku?"
"What dump have you-"
"Take these two and go."
The cats looked at Fugaku, quiet as they felt his killing intent.
"Get them back to Konoha as fast as possible. Stop for no one."
"No," Sasuke hissed. "Orochimaru has mother's sword! I might not be able to fight him like this, but I am not leaving here without Kogarasumaru."
Fugaku stared at his son. His heart broke to deny his son the satisfaction of reclaiming something, anything, from this nightmare he had endured, but he had no choice. Orochimaru was far too powerful and elusive to risk his son being captured again. If Sasuke could withstand the psychological pain of awakening his eyes, he could withstand this. It pained both of them to lose Mikoto, and it pained them both more to lose the clan sword, but they could always retrieve it later.
They may never be able to escape with their lives, an opportunity that was already fleeting as it was.
"I'm sorry Sasuke. You need to go home."
The illusion Fugaku placed on his son banished the thought from his mind, at least for now. The cats gave curt nods, quickly forcing the two shinobi to mount them.
"What about you?"
Fugaku paused to turn to look at Konohamaru.
"Where are you going?"
Fugaku turned away.
"I must regain my wife's eyes."
"You can't," Konohamaru called. Fugaku turned and Konohamaru instantly regret his words. The pattern of Fugaku's Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan stared back at him with such a loathing that Konohamaru almost mistook it for being directed at him. Almost.
"He has the power of the Sanbi," Konohamaru quickly followed, not willing to draw Fugaku's ire. "He is a perfect Jinchuriki who wields an Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. You stand no chance against him alone."
Once more, Konohamaru could not read Fugaku's reaction. Instead, he simply felt a fog cloud his brain before he slumped over.
The cats disappeared in bursts of speed.
Meanwhile Fugaku stalked down the hallway.
Orochimaru was not a happy man. He had been recovering from the operation conducted to transplant Sasuke's eyes into his when the attack had begun. Suddenly, his warning systems were blaring through the base and the sounds of battle had erupted through his base. At first, he had thought it was a trivial matter. Some rogue who had managed to escape his defenses.
He came to realize it was a more serious threat when they had started advancing into the depths of his base. He had sent Kabuto to deal with them, having sent the Sound Four and all other capable shinobi to other bases only a few days ago to prepare for relocation. If only a few more days had passed this problem would not exist! Whoever had found him would have been far too late to have found him ever again. He would have made the interlopers suffer himself if he could, but alas he was in no condition to fight. He still could not see, nor utilize the abilities of his eyes. He had sent Kabuto to deal with whoever the intruder was, but his right hand had not yet returned.
It was when Orochimaru heard the explosion that rippled through the entire base that he decided to make his escape. Whoever the assailants were they had not been stopped by Kabuto, at least not yet. More so, they were far more capable than he had initially thought to make it to the bowels of the base. The Sannin would have to grab his two prisoners and detonate the base. Kabuto would find his way back to him. He was hard to kill.
However, just as the Sannin opened the door he was beset in a flurry of violence. He was no stranger to it. He had been surrounded by violence his entire life. Raised in it. He thrived in it.
But fighting blind was an experience he never wanted to repeat.
Wounds covered his body as the Kusanagi snapped around wildly, the success of his blows only known through the howls of pain of his assailants and the familiar feeling of a blade cutting through flesh. It was only thanks to his superb senses and experience that he had managed to fight as he had thus far. He had hoped the sight would ward of the rest of the intruders, but unfortunately their incessant prattle continued.
"We will kill you Orochimaru!"
The Sannin groaned at the sound of Hiraku Shiin's voice. The man just wouldn't shut up.
Orochimaru hurled himself in the sound of the voice, frowning as he felt himself collide with the ground instead of flesh and bone.
"You missed!"
Orochimaru heard whistling, deftly deflecting the pair of kunai that shot towards him only for his eyes to widen as he felt a tug on the Kusanagi. The blade was yanked from his grasp before he felt the presence of two people beside him. He cursed, snakes flooding out from his clothes, snapping at his assailants with fangs dripping venom. The two near him were too slow, screaming in pain as the snake's pumped toxins into their bloodstream that killed them quickly.
"That will be you soon enough Hiraku."
"Fat chance," Hiraku stated. "I've got allies this time snake. You cut our funding, and we're getting payback."
"You think allies can save you from me," Orochimaru spat, as if the very idea was an offense. "I am Orochimaru of the Sannin. You'd best have brought down the full might of a Great Power if you believe yourself capable of killing me this day."
"Oh, but I have," Hiraku stated with confidence. For a moment Orochimaru paused, as if considering the truth of Hiraku's words. It became clear on what he had decided when he bit his finger and quickly ran through a string of handseals. Hiraku leapt at him, desperate to kill the Sannin but despite his speed he was far too slow.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu."
The base erupted as a massive snake filled the halls, destroying the structure and ripping itself through the stone and solid earth as it reared itself to its full height. A deafening hiss shook the foundations of the mountains, resonating with the earthquake the snake's presence had brought. Slowly it looked down through the debris and dust.
"Orochimaru," the snake hissed. "You'd better have corpses for me to eat."
"I have plenty Manda," Orochimaru muttered. "Kill anyone you see, and they are yours to devour."
Manda gave a dark hiss, looking down at the ruins of the Sannin's base. There were shinobi everywhere. Orochimaru had summoned him to a feast. The snake wasted no time to enjoy it, diving into the fray to devour any in its way. Whether or not they served Orochimaru was of no difference to either. They wanted chaos and death and that was what they were aiming to receive. It was all Hiraku could do to avoid being killed in the chaos. He avoided Manda as well as he could, but with every Shiin Clan member he saw devoured by the mighty snake fear set deeper into his heart.
What was he doing here?
Fighting Orochimaru?
He would never have thought of this before he met those Kumo shinobi. He wasn't foolish enough to challenge the Sannin. The gold mine was already risky. Orochimaru was one of the most powerful men on the continent. To challenge him was suicide by stupidity. To bring all of his clan members of fighting age with him was a genocide. He would never have agreed to it. So why did he?
The genjutsu placed on the Shiin Clan member shattered like glass at the realization, and suddenly the crimson eyes solidified in his memory. Those shinobi, they weren't Kumo shinobi at all!
'Uchiha!'
Hiraku felt a new target of his hatred bloom in his chest. An Uchiha had sent him on this suicide mission. Konoha had utilized his clan to try to kill their own rogue shinobi. It was an outrage, one that would not be forgiven.
The Clan Head screamed out for all his clan members to hear.
"Shiin Clan retreat! We must flee the battle and regroup!"
"Going so soon?"
Hiraku turned only to feel Orochimaru's foot crack against his chin. He shot into the air, the Kusanagi slipping from his grasp. Orochimaru caught the blade with ease, a smirk forming on his face. His sense of smell was pristine thanks to his bodily enhancements. If the Clan Head was going to stand there, he would be easy to find.
"I wouldn't go anywhere Shiin Clan," Orochimaru howled. "After all, if you run who will save your Clan Head?"
"The better question is who will save you."
Orochimaru turned, shocked at the existence of a new voice. His senses screamed at him to dodge, and he only just barely brought up his hands to stop the kunai from piercing his throat. Blood flew onto his face, and he quickly realized the gravity of this new threat as they pushed him back and off of Manda. The snake continued its trail of destruction as if he were never there to begin with.
"Who are you," Orochimaru hissed.
"You don't even know my name!"
The man violently ripped the kunai from Orochimaru's hand. The Sannin tried to slash with the Kusanagi blade only to feel the swing be stopped at the wrist before a kunai pierced his heart. However, Orochimaru's mouth ripped open, a copy of himself flying outwards with no injuries. A shocked looked stained his face as he held out his hand, the Kusanagi flying into his grasp.
"The Shiin Clan possess no shinobi as strong as you," Orochimaru muttered. "What is your name? Are you this ally they've brought?"
Orochimaru's answer was a torrent of killing intent that threatened to drown any on the battlefield.
"My name? You should know it traitor."
The man raised his kunai.
"My name is Fugaku Uchiha. Husband of the woman you killed. And father of the boy you kidnapped."
Orochimaru paused, shock reverberating within. Fugaku Uchiha was here! How had he found him? He had left no trace when he joined the battle between Fire and Lightning and yet here he was, facing the patriarch of the Uchiha Clan. These were poor circumstances. He had wanted to test the limits of his eyes when he had healed, not now.
"Fugaku..." Orochimaru muttered. "It's such a shame we met under these circumstances. I'd have preferred to have met with you once my eyes had adjusted so I could measure them against yours."
"Your eyes," Fugaku hissed. "You make a blasphemy of my clans Kekkei Genkai. Of my wife's eyes. Of my son's eyes! I will not tolerate this sacrilege. I will end this abomination, today."
Orochimaru grinned. The bandages that covered his eyes crinkled at the action.
"You may try."
Despite the Sannin's confident tone, internally he was much more concerned. Fugaku Uchiha was not a weak opponent. He was a Kage-class shinobi, not someone Orochimaru could hope to defeat blind. He could not afford to be cautious. Wanton destruction would be the best bet he would have. He felt the Sanbi's chakra bleed out from him, forming the thick red miasma that replaced his skin. His blade hid itself in a seal on his wrist.
"Come."
Fugaku hesitated, letting his eyes soak in the vile chakra that surrounded Orochimaru. It was a thick miasma emanating from his core, pulsing violently. He wouldn't need the Sharingan to see it. It wafted in the air, clear to the naked eye, malevolent tendrils of chakra. Chakra that dense would be a toxin to the environment.
Meaning they would be a toxin to him.
Fugaku carefully drew another kunai. He had to test the defensive capabilities of that form. He shot forwards, lashing out with a kunai only for the weapon to shatter when it touched the thick chakra that had replaced the Sannin's skin.
A ghostly white smile ripped the red creatures face before it slashed out. It was only due to Hiruko that he managed to avoid his face being pulverized. Instead, his head snapped back violently, only receiving a gash on his cheek that bled deeply. The Uchiha leapt away before Orochimaru followed up, hands slashing aimlessly at empty air.
'Traditional shinobi weaponry is useless against him.'
The Uchiha landed, hands clasped tightly together in a handseal. His chakra system screamed as he quickly ran through handseals. Rat, dog, tiger.
"Katon: Zukokku (Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work)!"
The firestorm erupted, quickly engulfing half the mountain in blistering hot flame. Orochimaru was given no quarter, standing in the epicenter of the ninjutsu. Flames and heat washed over him like a current, causing him to groan in irritation. The Sannin's head snapped from side to side like a savage beast, desperate to try and find Fugaku in the flames but it was impossible. He couldn't hear or smell in this blaze.
'I can't just stand here in this heat,' Orochimaru thought to himself. Even in this state a jutsu of that level would deal some damage. Coral erupted from his feet, spreading outwards wildly, and drowning out the devastating flames. Faster than the flames had spread across the mountain a forest of coral replaced it. Orochimaru rose from underneath a particularly large growth.
"Your wives flames were stronger."
Orochimaru was suddenly flying through the air, courtesy of a kick to his chest from Fugaku. He grunted, arms elongating as he dug trenches in the ground to slow his momentum. Fugaku grunted, launching himself after the Jinchuriki. If Katon (Fire Release) was useless against this foe he would utilize other methods. A kunai slipped into his hands, electricity coating it in a flash. The stream increased, forming a brilliant flash of bold, blue electricity that Fugaku thrust forwards.
"Raisen (Lightning Flash)!"
The blow landed, rippling through Orochimaru. The kunai shattered on impact, but the surge of electricity locked the Sannin's body for half a second. That was long enough for Fugaku to slap an explosive tag to the Jinchuriki's body, suffering burns on his hand for the brief moment of contact. He detonated the tag, sending Orochimaru flying even further away. Fugaku's eyes spun, desperate to see if his attacks had done anything.
Orochimaru stood not far away from him, a mass of coral falling off of his body.
"Your wife was more impressive," was all Orochimaru said before he shot forwards. It was only thanks to the predictive powers of his eyes that Fugaku managed to avoid the strike. Orochimaru's punch shattered the air where his head once was, sending a wave of force outwards. However, the Sannin persistant. He lashed out with a series of combinations, forcing Fugaku on the defensive. It was all he could do to avoid getting struck. He simply wasn't fast enough to compete with the Sannin's level of speed. Even with his Sharingan his motions were blurs, only avoidable due to the minutia he could see in the thinnest of muscle fibers.
Even that wasn't enough after a time.
A coral spear shot from Orochimaru's palm, ripping through Fugaku's throat and spraying his blood into the air. Orochimaru grinned as he felt the familiar sensation of finding a target.
"You were pathetically easy, Fugaku Uchiha!"
"Your overconfidence will be your downfall."
Orochimaru's eyes widened as he felt two tags slap against his head before eruptions deafened him. The Uchiha had lived? But how? He had no time to think about that as he felt himself lifted into the air, courtesy of a kick from Fugaku. He was dazed, left completely senseless in the air, as unaware of the world around him as a newborn. Fugaku leapt to meet his foe, a magenta-colored arm and ribcage forming around him that he used to smash Orochimaru into the coral forest below. The impact shattered the coral, sending shards flying in every direction and impaling any overconfident servant of Orochimaru or Shiin Clan shinobi that dared to watch the battle between the two titans.
Fugaku landed, the spectral form of the Susanoo continuing to grow. Another arm, a head, and then something akin to flesh clothed the armor as Fugaku stared at his foe.
Orochimaru emerged from the crater he had been placed in. The Sannin hissed, steam billowing out from his mouth.
"Your persistence is a nuisance, Fugaku Uchiha! You cannot kill me! Neither could your wife. You possess no technique capable of it! If so, you would have already used it!"
Fugaku's eyes narrowed. Even the Susanoo failed to effectively cripple the Sannin. He wondered if it was even possible for the traitor to feel pain as he was. He certainly had seen no signs of it. Perhaps he did, but the damage was healed too quickly. It wouldn't be the first time he had seen a Jinchuriki with uniquely powerful restorative abilities. Fugaku clicked his teeth. This was problematic. He didn't have lots of hard-hitting techniques, that wasn't his specialty. Mikoto was far more geared to that sort of battle than he was, and she had lost to the Sannin. The Jinchuriki would be unable to kill him so long as he utilized Hiruko, but he needed some way of landing a decisive blow against his foe.
Unfortunately, whatever idea the Uchiha was planning was quickly quelled by the overwhelming realization there was nothing he could do on his lonesome to harm a foe of this magnitude.
Orochimaru's body bulged, as if ripping itself apart, before a massive shadow, even larger than Manda, ripped itself into the battlefield as if summoned. The mountain crumpled underneath its weight, and it was all Fugaku could do to avoid being crushed to death in the ensuing chaos. Scores of shinobi died in the chaos, and even Manda himself quickly left the battlefield in a plume of smoke lest he be crushed underneath the weight of the titan. This beast towered above the snake.
Fugaku would never forget this sight, and it was not due to the perfect vision or everlasting memory the Sharingan could bestow upon its wielder. He would never forget it even if his eyes were as normal as a Nara's. No, he would never forget this sight because it was the second time in his life he had seen one of these calamities up front. And it was no less terrifying than the first.
The Sanbi stood above him, in all its glory. It bellowed out a cry to the world, the shockwave of its voice alone almost enough to send the Uchiha flying. The Uchiha grit his teeth, looking up at the beast.
'Who's in control? The Bijuu or Orochimaru?'
The Uchiha couldn't tell. Cursing he launched himself forward, crimson eye spinning. He couldn't fight this monstrosity. A Bijuu was an otherworldly creature. Only a select few in history could defeat such a foe. As loathe as he was to admit it, Fugaku was no Minato Namikaze. He could not defeat this creature in direct combat. But he had another weapon, a skill that the Uchiha Clan possessed that could force a Bijuu to submit.
He may be no Minato Namikaze, but maybe he had the illusive powers of one Madara Uchiha?
The Uchiha cast the most powerful genjutsu at his disposal, his chakra lancing out upon making eye contact with the beast. Briefly he felt a tug, a familiar sensation given when a genjutsu rooted itself. Then the beast roared, and the spell was shattered, a tail swinging out and smashing against his Susanoo. The armor shattered, sending the Uchiha flying into the ground. Fugaku howled as his arm broke on impact, blood flying from his mouth. Pain was the only thing he could focus on, the laughter emanating from the beast above falling on deaf ears.
"You failed Fugaku!"
The tails rose up, shelled forms ready to crash down and crush the environment.
"Enjoy seeing your miserable wife again. I'll be sure to send the rest of your family to join you soon!"
The tails crashed down.
Kakui had first tried to hunt down the man who had seen him. To say it was successful would be a lie. He had carved a path through the monstrosities that the man had released. The creatures were numerous, but they weren't significant threats to him. His nodachi cut through them. The Shiin Clan members had congregated around him, and it had taken quite a bit of effort to break away from them.
The monsters had quickly devoured the rest of the members of the Shiin Clan that stay with him. The Kumo shinobi didn't care. He hurried through the hideout, looking for the man but he had no luck. Whoever the man he had engaged was, he was long gone.
Then Kakui's goal had shifted to escaping the place. Orochimaru knowing his face was a disappointment, but not inherently something that would ruin his career. The important thing now was to escape and report this information to the Raikage. Orochimaru had conquered Rice and apparently had unofficially ruled it for some time. That was an important piece of geopolitical information that neither Kumo nor Konoha knew about. The Sannin had all but disappeared off the map following his defection from Konoha. Then of course there was the knowledge that Konoha was not behind their force's disappearance, but rather that Konoha had also lost their forces due to the interference of Orochimaru.
Kakui had accelerated these plans when he saw the boss summon of the snakes appear, the creature ravaging the lands. The snake had served as a particularly useful ally by killing much of the Shiin Clan and completely destroying the fortress. Kakui was escaping through the trees, undetected by the dangerous summon when he felt the crushing weight of the intense chakra. He dropped to his knees, barely able to breath. Whatever this chakra was he did not recognize it. It was intense. He had no idea what could produce such an overwhelming aura. The air had become almost too dense to breath. He scrambled desperately to avoid falling down with the ongoing rockslide from whatever had unleashed this devastating chakra. He rolled against the ground, gasping for air as he finally came to a place of solid ground. He took a moment to gain his composure before he looked over, curious as to what could cause such overwhelming pressure.
His stomach dropped at the sight.
The Sanbi.
A thousand questions ran through Kakui's head. What was the Sanbi doing here? Who had unleashed it, Orochimaru or Fugaku? Perhaps there was a Kiri shinobi here he was unaware of? Was this the beast fully unleashed or a Jinchuriki in control? If so, who was the Jinchuriki of such a monster? If either Konoha or Orochimaru had access to a Bijuu Kumo had gravely misjudged their foes power. More questions than answers filled Kakui's mind until something solidified as he saw the Sanbi's tails rise up.
He had to flee.
Itachi stared from on high as he watched his clan be taken in by Konoha authorities. Anger burned in his chest as he saw them be given no quarter as they were led into Konoha's prisons. Children, active shinobi, the elderly. No one was sparred. They were being rounded up throughout the city. The prisons couldn't even hold this many people, forcing many to be relocated to hastily built temporary housing for the supposed traitors. Tears streamed down the faces of children. Adults tried to calm them, reassure them that nothing would happen to them, but the damage had been done. Lasting damage. These children would be traumatized for life by the very Konoha that they were to grow up and serve. Paraded through the streets in front of civilians as if they were criminals.
The thought infuriated the Clan Head.
Uchiha disappeared, moving in a burst of speed that spat in the face of even most Jonin. His motion did not slow when he reached the Uchiha Clan Compound. Konoha shinobi were already there, but it didn't matter to Itachi. He was the only one not being taken in, evidence of his innocence being confirmed by Fuu and Inoichi Yamanaka. He slipped into the Clan Head house. The Konoha shinobi hadn't yet searched the house due to his aforementioned innocence.
"Itachi what's going on," Izumi questioned, eyes wide. Fear was etched on her face. Itachi was silent. Instead grabbing her by the hand.
"You need to go," he whispered. "Konoha is throwing Uchiha in prison."
"What," Izumi questioned, panic in her voice. "Why? That doesn't make any sense! We didn't do-"
Itachi pressed his hand to her mouth. His eyes met hers and conveyed a thousand emotions he couldn't verbalize. But Izumi settled on the one she recognized the most in his eyes.
Love.
Itachi removed his hand, and his wife was silent. Nodding, Itachi quickly slipped out the house with her in toe. Before any could react, he was a blur of motion once more, disappearing into the wilderness that surrounded Konoha as the evening sun dipped just below the horizon.
"Where are we going," Izumi questioned.
"One of the old Uchiha Clan hideouts," Itachi muttered. "It's the only place you'll be safe from Danzo."
"Why is he doing this," Izumi questioned. "What did we do to him?"
Itachi was silent. He had no answer for the woman. The Uchiha Clan had closely followed the tenants of the Accords and they had been rewarded with nothing more than further isolation and persecution. They had only known peace when Hiruzen was alive. Danzo hated them, that was all he knew. The Uchiha bit his lip. He wished Shisui was here.
'If Shisui was here we could do the same thing we did with the Accords.'
Itachi landed on the ground, frustration in his eyes. No. Danzo would be much more cautious than Hiruzen or his father had been. He knew of Shisui and Itachi. While he did not know the details of their abilities, he would be careful to take them off the board.
Itachi opened the door of the hideout, quickly placing Izumi there. The woman got comfortable in an uncomfortable place. The hideout hadn't been used in years. Meanwhile Itachi lay there, deep in thought.
This was not a situation he could resolve the same way they had with the Accords. The realization of that dashed any dreams of a nonviolent ending in Itachi's mind.
'What we got Sandaime-sama and father to do...was at least believable. Danzo would never be believed to have made peace with the Uchiha Clan. Not now. Not after the Accords were leaked.'
Itachi clenched his fist as he thought his clan being marched away like prisoners of war.
"Stay here."
"Where are you going?"
"To Konoha."
"Why," Izumi questioned. "The entire village is united against us. You claim we may have allies in the Nara and Yamanaka Clan but look what that has gotten us. They cannot do anything to help us! We should go get your father and come back. He'll know what to do."
"Father would make the situation worse," Itachi muttered. "He is branded a traitor."
"But he isn't one! Inoichi could read his mind-"
"Father is a traitor," Itachi countered. "He abandoned his post. What do you think that looks like to the Clan Heads after news of the Accords were leaked? Once a traitor, always a traitor, you can't change that. It doesn't matter what Inoichi says. After news of his attempted treason Danzo has every excuse to put him to the sword. I must be the one to handle this, Izumi. I have done what I can as a husband. Now I must do what I must as Clan Head."
"How?"
Itachi turned back to face his wife. The two stared at each other for a moment before Itachi embraced her in a tight hug, as if scared he would never see her again. They pulled back briefly only to share a passionate kiss. When they separated Itachi stared into her eyes.
"How," Izumi repeated, desperate for some form of assurance, some form of plan that her lover would put into practice. Itachi stared back.
"We need evidence of Danzo's treachery," Itachi muttered, approaching the door.
"I intend to go get it."
Danzo stared as Ensui appeared before him.
"Were you successful?"
"Indeed, Danzo-sama."
The Hokage nodded as Ensui raised a vile of blood. The Hokage gestured to Blank, the scientists quickly taking the vile of blood and placing it in a container. Ensui nodded back to his Hokage before he marched off.
"I assume this is enough of a sample."
"It is indeed, Hokage-sama," Blank stated. The man turned to look at the attempt at creating the clone of the Shodai, the small body sitting in a vat filled with a strange, clear liquid. He placed a hand on the container before his head shifted to the left.
"With her here as well...I can replicate the Mokuton (Wood Release) just like I did with the Sharingan. It is only a matter of time."
There, slumped against the wall, was Tsunade Senju chained and enthralled in a genjutsu she would never escape.
It was a cold night in Konoha. Many sat in their homes, reluctant to go outside. There was an ominous energy about the village after seeing the Uchiha Clan thrown into prison. Even the agitated clans like the Inuzuka and Nara had watched the sight with morbid thoughts. It was a dark day in Konoha history when a founding clan was thrown in prison. The Uchiha were the closest thing to royalty since the Senju had died out.
However, it seemed that the legacy of Madara Uchiha had not been wiped clean.
A ghost slipped through the village, crimson eyes glowing in the night. Waves of killing intent hurried civilians to bed, and even many shinobi hesitated to go outside. By the time they had finally gathered their courage, the presence was long gone.
Danzo Shimura stood in the Hokage's Office, staring out the window at the village he ruled. His eye carved a path through the village, resting on the gates far in the distance. Figures slipped from it, easily detectable with his eyes.
And then they crumpled to the ground, as if their strings were cut. Danzo's eye did not move as he saw their bodies appear much closer, held aloft by the hands of one man who stood on a large light post far above the rest of the buildings in the city. Danzo stared at him.
Crimson eyes stared back.
Danzo smiled.
"You cannot stop this, Itachi."
The man disappeared, bodies in toe. Danzo need not hear him to know what his response would have been.
"Watch me."
Fugaku awoke with a start, eyes wide as he saw a massive spread of trees sprawling out before him. A hand went to his chest, only for his body to scream in pain.
"Be still Fugaku. You are hurt. You need time to recover."
Fugaku's head snapped to the side to see the boss summon of the cats standing over him.
"Nekomata...what am I doing here?"
The feline rolled her head, getting a satisfying crackle from them as she moved.
"Titi came back after you summoned her," Nekomata stated, tongue stroking her long white fur. "At the urging of one of those boys you rescued. The Sarutobi. He seemed adamant that we utilize the Gyaku Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Reverse Summoning Technique) so you did not die. It seems he was correct."
"I..."
Fugaku paused, shaking his head. He had wanted to argue but he knew it was foolhardy. He had lost to Orochimaru, overwhelmingly. If not for Konohamaru's insight he would be dead now. Even Hiruko would not have been able to save him from that attack.
"Thank you...Nekomata," he finally stated.
The large cat mewled, resting her head against the ground.
"Yes, well, when you're ready please leave. You know how you humans are. You scare all the mice away."
Fugaku snorted, rising to his feet with grunts of pain. His arm was in a sling, the wrappings covered with pictures of adorable kittens. Nekomata opened one of her eyes.
"I said be still."
"You also said to leave."
"You are hurt Fugaku."
"And my son needs me," Fugaku muttered. Fugaku clenched his fists, ignoring the searing pain in his body as he did so. Tears fell from his eyes at the words. His son needed him.
But he needed his wife.
Nekomata stared at the Uchiha, a frown forming on her face not that it was very visible underneath her long fur.
"As you wish, Fugaku. Just...be careful."
And with that Fugaku disappeared in a puff of smoke.
