Mari Makinami
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Chapter 5. Wanted!
“Hokage-sama... The third ANBU search team has just returned.”
“And?” Came a usual, calm reply, but somehow it made Shizune frown. There was something in the tone of the Sixth that made her feel uneasy, even though she couldn't read his emotions properly.
“Nothing. Not a single witness, nor a trace of her in the whole Land of Fire.” The woman sighed, lowering her eyes.
Kakashi didn't reply, turning away in his chair and gazing at his village through the window, his hands clasped before his masked face.
After a minute of silence, the former copycat finally uttered:
“In other words, we can conclude that she was either abducted by an S-class shinobi who was able pass through the barrier unnoticed... Or that she ran away on her own, being very careful to not get caught or seen. But it's so unlike Hinata-chan...”
“I know of only one shinobi that could pull something like that, Hokage-sama.” She knew that he obviously realized who she was referring to. It couldn't be anyone else.
“Yeah... I know. But that's not him.”
“How can you be so sure?!” She suddenly yelped, covering her mouth with her palm right after the sudden outburst. “I apologize...” Even though it wasn't appropriate, she couldn't hold her perturbation. Of course, the boy was his former student and Naruto's friend, but he was also an international criminal who was only pardoned because of Kakashi's trust in him... Which was arguably baseless, in her opinion.
“What do you think, Shizune? I was there when he departed. He was alone.”
“Are you sure you weren't under Rinnegan genjutsu?” She snapped, feeling even more embarrassed because of her inability to keep her mouth shut. She would never allow something like that around Tunad-senpai... But then again, Hatake didn't seem to mind.
“No... But he had met Naruto later on his way out of Konoha. And Naruto confirmed that he was alone. And not only that... As far as I know, they barely interacted through all these years. Sasuke has absolutely no reason to abduct her, let alone even talk to her. Hinata-chan... She is kind and gentle, and despite everything... Despite how great of a person she is... Well, you know what I'm trying to say, Shizune. She's hardly suitable for being kunoichi. And the Sasuke I know has no interest in weak people... Especially in weak women. No, I'm positive that she's totally out of his interest.”
Clenching her teeth, Shizune sighed in frustration. Of course she understood what he was trying to say: but even like this, it didn't sound any better. Hinata was a beautiful, great person, an absolutely, amazingly kind girl... But it was true. As a kunoichi, she was weak. Yet still it didn't mean that she was weak!.. Still, he was right.
The Uchiha never payed attention to weaklings. They were dirt to him. And he only valued power in kunoichi.
Sakura told her as much.
“Fine... That's probably not him. But then who? Surely you don't think that she just ran away on her own?..” This thought alone was ridiculous, especially considering what kind of person the young Hyūga was.
“That...” He started twisting his pen with this fingers. “Is a mystery we have yet to reveal. I don't want to rush to any conclusions, Shizune. We did enough of this in the past. What I find weird right now is that the Hyūga insist on stopping the search operation... They want to hold the investigation on their own.”
That certainly didn't seem that weird to her.
“But this happened in the past. They treasure the Byakugan and everything concerning their clan secrets too much, so...”
“Yes, I thought as much, but not when it comes to Hiashi's own daughter. Last time she was abducted, the whole country was on the search task, and he demanded even more efforts back then.”
The woman frowned again. She wasn't in the village back then, and now that certainly seemed strange.
“You think they know something we don't, Hokage-sama?..” She asked carefully. It wouldn't be wise to make such accuses, even though it was a private speech.
The Sixth hemmed under his mask.
“Perhaps... No, they likely do.”
“But you won't accept their request, right?”
He looked at her over his shoulder with slight confusion.
“Obviously. It's not in their jurisdiction to decide on something this serious.”
“Hokage-sama!” The door to Hokage's office suddenly opened, interrupting them. Shikamaru Nara ran in, panting, holding a scroll in his hand. “Nami no Kuni has been attacked!”
“What?!” Both Kakashi and Shizune turned to the lazy jōnin who looked unusually worried at the moment. That was unlike him... Kakashi knew it too well. That could only mean that there was something to this event that made the boy so thrilled. Something extraordinary.
“By who? What happened?”
“By some thugs, apparently... The town itself was nearly destroyed. But by the time our guard squad has returned to their country, they only found the citizens repairing the damage caused by the attack. Basically rebuilding like half of the settlement.”
“So it's all good, then?.. Well, relatively...” Hatake still couldn't quite grasp the reason of Shikamaru's reaction. Surely such things happened here and there?.. Then why?..
“You could say so. But they've been saved. By a shinobi... Or a group of shinobi, to be more accurate.”
Now that was weird. None of the Leaf's shinobi was in the Land of Waves before he himself ordered the guard squad to return back to their position on duty previous to the war. Then it had to be someone else?..
“Judging by your expression, you already know who it was, Shikamaru-kun?” The Hokage asked, curious.
“Yeah... We've got a message from our squad. People there seem to be grateful to Konoha, again... Or not exactly to us.”
“Explain.” Now it was even more puzzling.
“Every single one of them claim that they were saved by the Uchiha Clan.”
Absolute silence fell upon the Hokage's office.
Now he could understand Shikamaru's emotions about these news. The Uchiha Clan... It had to be Sasuke. So he really intended to pay for his sins, just like Naruto assumed...
Kakashi was glad that they turned to be correct in their expectations of the Uchiha. His former student finally took the right path. It made Hatake feel true happiness at last: for once in his life the gray haired man didn't fail.
But then again... The clan?..
“So he wasn't alone? Did some of people tell who assisted him?”
Shikamaru smirked, nodding.
“Yeah, they did. Once again, all of them say the same, which is rather unusual considering the rumor mill. Yet still... Anyway, they say that he was with a woman, approximately his age, black haired, her eyes covered, so they assumed she was blind. However, she fought the thugs as well, equally to him. She was also dressed very similar to Sasuke...”
Kakashi's eyes widened as he turned to Shizune, who looked just the same way. He was a bit afraid to read something like “I told you so!” in her eyes, but, just like him, his assistant could see the deeper, and at the same time, more confusing meaning to the news.
If the girl was, in fact, Hinata – and it most certainly was her, who else could fight normally with their eyes closed? - then there were two possible options.
If it was the first one, then she followed him willingly. She wasn't captive, she helped him.
There were too many strange things to it which he couldn't explain. Why would she, of all people, leave leave the village? Why not tell anyone about her decision? Why follow Sasuke, who she was never interested in to begin with? And finally, why on earth associate herself with the Uchiha Clan?..
And if it was the second one, then Sasuke used genjutsu to control her... Why her, exactly? If he decided to leave the village and plot something bad again, why lie to them?
His judgement over Sasuke was based on his usual crystal honesty: the Uchiha never lied to anyone, probably considering it too low to his pride. If anything, he was almost equally blunt and straight in expressing his opinions and decisions as Naruto was.
A hideous and sneaky person doesn't simply announce that he is going to go and kill the Gokage in front of those who can stop him and will try it.
Furthermore, there was this strange behavior of Hinata's clan... Something was off with them.
He still missed something here, something important.
But what to do now anyway? He couldn't expect anyone to believe his last point. No one in the village, and maybe in the whole world aside from him, Naruto and Sakura really knew what kind of person Sasuke was. And they most probably believed that he was, in fact, capable of lying.
He was evil in their eyes, nobody trusted the Uchiha. Nobody cared enough to think more about it. Their judgement would be quick should they find out what happened.
He could see right there how easily Shizune came to his second conclusion, her face becoming furious as she was realizing what Shikamaru's words really meant.
Hakate had no chance to explain why he was going to go with the first conclusion. They would never listen.
Which was why he was going to use the power of authority, not words.
“Listen to me carefully, both of you. Shikamru, who aside from you saw this scroll's contents?”
The boy shrugged, putting his hands in his pockets.
“Nobody, if you count the guard squad out. But they won't be able to figure it out. At least not the Hinata part.”
Kakashi nodded, satisfied with Nara's reply.
“Good. But still, order them to keep this information hidden, their heads to be in line should they spill a word. And the two of you are to consider it an S-class secret for now, as well. Nobody is allowed to know it aside from those who already do.”
“B-but, Hokage-sama?!..”
“I know what you're thinking, Shizune. But you're wrong. Don't be so hasty to judge. I'm going to send Sasuke a message with the hawk he left here for an emergency contact... Too bad the time to use it has come so fast.” He took a paper and started to write, carefully choosing words to not make the situation any worse.
Sasuke.
Our intelligence provided the information about the recent events in Nami no Kuni. I'm grateful for what you did there, thank you for the great job.
However, after receiving this message, you should already realize why I'm sending it.
Your cover wasn't good enough. Our shinobi that arrived to the town right after your departure asked the citizens who saved them, and they said it was the Uchiha Clan. However, they also described the two of you, and it's not hard enough to figure out that your female accomplice is no one other but Hyūga Hinata.
You've sided with Konoha again, and I trust you, I truly do. But others don't, at least not yet. And while I know that you wouldn't do something like this, those who know what happened in Nami no Kuni and who don't know you personally, they think you've abducted Hinata. I don't know why she had joined you, but I think you should tell me what happened. As your former teacher, teammate and as your Hokage, I must know it. Even if it's Hinata's secret, only I can ensure the safety of your journey right now. Like I told you before you left, I won't be able to hold the storm should the news break out. Nobody will even care to listen, and you'll be labeled nukenin again.
And this time nobody will be able to save you from their wrath.
Hopefully you'll send me a reply as soon as possible.
Please, Sasuke. This is a very serious issue.
6th Hokage,
Hatake Kakashi.
Looking over his writing again as he was very careful to not leave the threatening impression on Sasuke when the Uchiha would read his letter, he finally sealed the scroll and wrapped it around Sasuke's hawk's leg.
“This should make it... We'll wait for his reply before deciding what to do next. For now, follow my orders and be quiet about what happened. I feel that there is something bigger under it, we just can't see it yet. Hopefully Sasuke's word will be able to spill some light for us.
Nara nodded, smirking.
“I wonder why Hinata decided to follow him of all people, though. You're right, something dramatic must have happened, and I think this has something to do with the Hyūga clan.”
Shizune gasped, getting up from her table.
“What are you saying, Shikamaru-kun?!.. The Uchiha captured Hinata with a genjutsu, enslaved her mind, didn't he?!”
The shinobi shook his head, interrupting the woman.
Kakashi smiled under his mask. Now that the Nara came to the same conclusion as he did, the gray haired Hokage was sure that his decision was correct.
“Not really, Shizune-san... Sasuke is not an idiot, I doubt he would do something like that. Such strategy has too many flaws and holes, it's too easy to read. And the guy, even though I don't really like him, is damn smart. If he wanted to abduct Hinata for whatever reason, and I can't see any reason for him to do so, he would come up with a more clever plan, for example, he would've waited for an opportunity to take her when she'd be out of the village, on a mission. This way, he'd never be suspected, especially considering that by that time we would already think that he's far away from Konoha.” He met her incredulous gaze, giving her a light smile. “When some conclusion seems obvious to you, always reconsider it right away, because you're most probably wrong. Things are never that simple, especially when we're talking about a genius like him.”
The Sixth had to admit, he didn't expect Shikamaru to have such high opinion on Sasuke. But then again, Nara was the smartest person in their village as far as he knew. If Shikamaru wouldn't be able to brush away the stereotypes, then who on earth could possibly do it?
“He's right, Shizune. That's why I want to wait for his response before making a move. Until then, we're to wait and pretend that we know nothing. Shikamaru, I want you to put the ANBU on constant watch over the Hyūga clan. Gather as much information about their inner dealings as possible. Shizune...” He turned to the infuriated woman, giving her an eye smile. “Please, trust your Hokage. I know that I'm new to this seat, but still... Trust me. It is necessary to me, to all of us. If my closest people will doubt my judge, then how can I rule this village?”
She sighed in defeat, sitting back.
“You're right... I will. I'm sorry, Hokage-sama.”
***
It was a rainy, gloomy day in the Hidden Village of the Leaf, both metaphorically and literally. Of course, all the active shinobi on duty knew that Hyūga Hinata was missing for almost two weeks by now. Not many of them really cared, though: sure, Hinata was a nice girl, but aside from her former classmates and a few clansmen, nobody considered it a big deal. People died here and there in their world, that's how things worked for centuries.
Nothing special happened.
Just one girl was no difference, especially after the disaster they all suffered. The Infinite Tsukuyomi left quite a few scars that weren't quick to heal, and, well, people had more important things to worry about. Nobody could judge them for that.
Nobody aside from Uzumaki Naruto who was sitting at Ichiraku's, eating his second bowl of ramen this day, but doing so unusually slow and reluctantly.
The indifference of people about Hinata's disappearance frustrated and infuriated the hero of Konoha. Of course, he knew that the Hokage was doing everything in his power to find her, but somehow it seemed to him that Kakashi-sensei could do more if he wanted.
Even though he and Sasuke saved the world, the so-called “elders” still kept him in the dark about what was going on. Wasn't he mature enough to know?.. Hasn't he proven himself trustworthy enough to them? Gaara, who was his age, was a bloody Kage already! Why nobody told him anything again?!
He clenched his fists, putting the chopsticks away.
Perhaps Sasuke was right to leave the village, after all?.. Maybe he, Naruto, was the one who was wrong from the very beginning? Nothing seemed to change yet, even though he had united the world... He was still a pawn in his senior's hands.
And maybe Hinata somehow realized it, too? They didn't seem too put enough effort in searching... Perhaps the old farts knew she left on her own, just didn't want to announce it just yet for whatever stupid ass reason they could come up with?! Now, come to think of it, they didn't really try to catch Sasuke when he had left years ago... The situations were oddly similar.
If it was like this, then he, Uzumaki Naruto, failed another friend. Right after he was able to save Sasuke.
****ing great...
Stop rambling, Naruto... You don't know anything just yet. Don't allow your doubts and fears to cloud your mind!
Yeah, I know, Kurama... But what am I supposed to do now?.. Things are easy when you have an enemy to fight that's facing, it's all just about who's going to win. But now that I have nobody to fight, I don't know what to think and do... It's all so messy and stupid!..
You're indeed stupid if you didn't expect it. Peace is always more complicated than war. But you're the brought this peace, and worked damn hard to do so. Now you must maintain it. Or did you think it would last just as it was on the day Kaguya was sealed? Dumbass.
He knew that Kurama was right. He never thought on how to deal with things once the Fourth Great Ninja War would be over, and he was naive to assume that everyone would be satisfied with what they had by the end of the conflict. At least he, Naruto, was.
But people were quick to forget their past, and only future interested them now. He didn't agree with Sasuke's methods, but apparently his friend was right: this current system was corrupted and needed to be changed, and nobody was going nor even intended to change it now. They were too tired of fighting and simply wanted their usual life back, no matter how flawed it was. If things were to be kept this way...
Then another Madara would appear soon.
And he even knew his name.
Even though Ashura and Indra had a truce at last, Indra was still alive and well.
He promised to him that he'd change the world without violence. And he couldn't break this promise, no matter what. That was his ninja way.
Indra... No, Sasuke put his trust in him. Naruto wouldn't fail his brother and friend.
Never again.
But how could he do it if they weren't allowing him to do anything at all?..
You'll have to deal with it for now. Until you become Hokage, you won't be able to do anything, accept it for a fact. And to become Hokage, you need to go through this system to get on the very top of it. There is no other way. Well, there is one, but you and your predecessors declined it.
Naruto sighed, taking another piece of meat from his bowl.
You're probably right... But what if I break this promise? What if I fail?
And since when failure is an option for you?! Stop whining, collect yourself! Or I'll call for Sasuke to beat some sense into your stupid head!
For the first time that day, the blond smiled. His bijuu mate was right, as always. He allowed depressing thoughts to overwhelm him, and that was wrong.
“Ayame-chan, I'd lke another one!”
“Sure, Naruto-kun! Right away!” The always friendly and optimistic woman, Teuchi's daughter, gave him a wide smile before she started cooking for him. There weren't any other clients at the moment, which was no wonder considering the weather.
Ichiraku Ramen was always like this to him. When it was so bad outside, sitting here, in this welcoming and lighted place, he felt better, even despite the strong rain, heavy clouds that covered sun completely, despite everything that was going on in the village for the last week.
“Naruto! Is that you?! Oh, who else would it be...” A familiar voice called for him, making his smile even wider. Turning his head, he instantly spotted Sakura who walked under the eatery's roof, a red umbrella covering her from the downpour.
“Hey, Sakura-chan! What's up?”
She sighed, watching as he put another portion of noodles in his mouth. The blond idiot still had no sense of tact what so ever...
“Not much... Just got out of the hospital. Didn't do anything interesting there, since the missions are mostly peaceful nowadays... Not many shinobi come back injured. So I just chatted with Tsunade-sama the whole day, well, mainly...” She sat down the seat to his left, putting the umbrella away. “I haven't seen you a lot these days... What you've been doing?” The pink haired girl asked, curious.
“O-oh! Sorry 'bout that, Sakura-chan! I was, eh, busy... A bit... Well...” He winced, seeing as his green eyed crush frowned. “I-I was helping Konohamaru with his training! Y'know, he's taking it all very serious now... Much unlike I did when I was of his age...”
“No wonder. He's much smarter than you, loudmouth...” She smiled, turning away to make an order.
It was a close one. Surely you don't plan on telling her...
“By the way, Sakura-chan, have you heard anything 'bout Hinata-chan? Any news?..”
...about your worries of another girl that's in love with you?.. Oh, well... Now you're doomed, you retard. I'm out.
Shit... I didn't think about it this waw!..
Sakura squinted at him, searchingly. Of course, she knew that Naruto didn't feel that way about Hinata. She also knew that he cared about his friends dearly. But still, his question made something in her chest twitch, causing her discomfort. Was she jealous?..
“No... Nothing, really. You should better ask Kakashi-sensei, if someone gets the fresh news, it would be him, for sure.” Her tone was much less cheering than before.
Naruto felt how sweet went down his spine. Kurama was right: he was an idiot.
“N-nah, I'm more interested in you right now, Sakura-chan!”
The girl blushed, looking down at the table before them. The stupid and blunt blond could be amazingly cute sometimes...
“I'm glad to hear it, but I'm worried about Hinata-san as well. I hadn't even seen her at the fest before she disappeared... Had you?”
“Wha? Oh, yeah... We talked a bit, I think...” He frowned, as if he remembered something unpleasant, which made Sakura feel a bit worried. Did something happen between the two of them that night?.. Maybe he was the reason why she left?!
“And what did you say to her?” She asked carefully, watching his reaction. Naruto always was very easy to read and sincere, much unlike Sasuke. But his eyes didn't give away anything suspicious at the moment: in fact, he simply looked confused now.
“Not much... We talked about some stuff, I don't remember what exactly... I guess... Nothing interesting?..” He scratched his nap wonderingly.
If Naruto said there was nothing interesting to him, it meant nothing for a girl, of that Sakura was sure. Especially for a girl that was in love with this dumbass.
“And Hinata-san... Was she any weird back then? Did you notice something suspicious?” She asked, looking him in the eyes. But Naruto simply shrugged, starting eating again.
“Not really... She was just, you know... Hinata-chan?” He smiled uncomfortably, unsure why Sakura started questioning him all of sudden. She didn't blame him for Hinata's disappearance, did she?..
The medic nin sighed in defeat. Even if Naruto made something foolish, there was no way of getting it out of him now, considering that he likely didn't even realize what he'd done... Whatever it was.
“Fine... Let's eat and go somewhere? I'm bored...” She suggested, giving him a reassuring smile.
It worked: the jinchūriki forgot about their awkward dialog that instant.
“Sure, Sakura-chan! Wherever you want!”
***
Hyūga Hiashi was anything but a patient man. He wasn't kind and forgiving, either. His life was simple, to some degree: all he did was for the sake of the clan, just like his father taught him. Just like he taught his own younger daughter, the clan's current heiress, Hanabi.
Just like he tried to teach his older daughter, Hinata, and utterly failed at that.
It's been two weeks since their faithful speech that night when he found her in her room, crying. Back then, he didn't consider it anything serious: Hinata never was a toughie, and even little things could make her cry from time to time. Considering how strong was her love for her deceased brother Neji, it was only natural to find her in such condition shortly after his nephew's death.
Of course, he didn't make her grief any better, telling her that she was going to be sealed just like the said Neji, which always bothered her. Oh, the irony...
He had little choice, and he certainly didn't feel like making her feel better. The girl failed him so much and so many times that he started to despise his own daughter.
She was weak. She never listened. She always failed...
He cursed fate for making Neji his nephew. He should have been his son. He was perfect in so many ways, more than suitable for becoming a glorious head of their clan... Just like the Uchiha boy.
Even though many of the other Konoha's council members voted for executing him, Hiashi always was against the idea. Uchiha Sasuke was the prime example of a strong leader to him. Neji had his weak spots, but the Uchiha didn't. In secret, Hiashi dreamed to have a son like him.
Unfortunately and ironically, his only hope for his clan died at war, protecting his foolish failure of a daughter. Giving him more reason to despise her, the one who poisoned the whole clan with her weakness.
Why couldn't it end up the opposite way?.. Why couldn't she die protecting him?
He didn't feel any sympathy for Hinata. If anything, the only thing he regretted now was that she was able to run away before he put the seal on her, and now the whole clan, as well as the Hokage, had to bother looking for her in order to protect his clan's secrets.
Such a waste... Always making their lives more complicated than it was necessary, doing absolutely nothing useful to them. Even when he thought he was done with her, she still brought only trouble.
Hiashi was absolutely sure that she wasn't abducted. That's why he tried to not take any resources of the village to find her: Hinata's idiocy shouldn't waste other people's time and efforts.
The chaos she's caused to his clan was more than enough as it was to embarrass him.
They could deal with her on their owns. After all, she was just a failure of his...
“Hiashi-sama.”
He turned to see the young Branch House member that came to him to report some news. He was a decent boy: the clan's leader didn't notice how he came to his apartment.
“Speak.”
“The third ANBU search team has just reported to Hokage-sama.”
“And?”
“They found nothing. According to Sixth's words, not a single trace of Hinata-sama in the whole country.”
Hiashi squeezed the wooden railing of his house's balcony. So she could be good at least at hiding , after all... Ironically, even in these rare moments all she did was spoiling his life.
“Understood. Dismissed.” The young man nodded, turning away and leaving the room.
He had absolutely no idea where she went. And it was quite an enigma for him.
What was she thinking anyway?
What were her chances to hide when she'd get labeled a nukenin? When she became wanted in every country of their world?
But then again, it was too unlike her.
He either underestimated his daughter and she was much smarter than he originally thought...
Or somebody helped her leave. And covered her, too.
But she didn't have any contacts outside the village, hell, she barely talked to anybody aside from the members of her clan through her whole life. Was it possible that there was an outsider intelligent and powerful enough to fool them all?
And what were his intentions, then?..
The only two things Hinata was capable of doing were either giving her dōutsu away, or giving birth to a child with their kekkei genkai.
So it had to be one of these things.
Yet either way, they needed to find her as soon as possible. Find and... Terminate.
Although the Hokage didn't need to know of the last part of his plans, she still needed to die.
He will end her life on his own.
But she was just a sheep anyway. Being garbage to them, she still was treasure that someone has stolen from them. The real problem would be the one who planned all this. The one who apparently held her now, and Hiashi could only hope that it wasn't too late just yet.
His ancestors wouldn't forgive it... He'd become a disgrace to the Hyūga.
It was absolutely not an option for him.
Getting out of his big, spacious, yet ascetic room, he went down the wooden stairs and walked out of the house, ignoring the slowly empowering rain. He needed to attend the Hyūga council to share the news, and to make a decision on what to do now that it was obvious that she won't be found with their currently assigned power.
Entering the big hall of the clan district's main building, he walked to his spot at the head of the big, round table. All the murmurs and talks stopped the moment his foot crossed the entrance to their residence.
“Greetings, my fellow clansmen. We're here to discuss the latest news concerning my daughter's disappearance. It won't take much time, since I've already made the decision that the majority of you will surely support. Since it's become obvious that Hinata ran away of the village on her own free will, thus impertinently denied our will, I hereby order to capture her with all it takes. Her eyes and body must not get into bad hands. I'd prefer capturing her alive, but all the searching teams that currently are and will be assigned are allowed to eliminate the threat to our clan on it's spot. Therefore I want to double the amount of Hyūga shinobi that are going to... Look for her. Any objections?”
There was not a single one, and it was hardly surprising: those who were present shared his ideology, and would never go against his will... He was a respected leader, and he feared horribly to lose this status. Not because of his pride, but it would ashame his deceased father.
His whole linage.
He nodded.
“Then it's settled. You have your orders, execute them right away.”
“Yes, Hiashi-sama.” Came the discordant chorus of voices.
***
Next morning, Kakashi and Shizune were sitting in their office, doing the usual boring paperwork, yet both of them were, in fact, waiting the one and same thing to happen any second, although they weren't sure if it's going to ever happen. At least Shizune wasn't.
They wanted a word from the Uchiha, and even though Shizune doubted it would come, she really hoped the Hokage was right. Not only because it would make her worries for Hinata vanish, but more importantly because she'd rather have someone as powerful as Uchiha on their side than against them.
She suddenly noticed something behind the window. The same little hawk that Kakashi sent away yesterday has returned, patiently waiting for them to let him in. A scroll was attached to his right leg, and it looked different from the one the Hokage sent.
“Hokage-sama, it's!..” He turned his head to the window and gasped. Of course, he knew that Sasuke would reply and some point, but he didn't expect it to come this fast.
So the Uchiha actually cared...
And he wasn't that far away from Konoha yet. Or rather... They weren't?
Kakashi smiled, opening the window and letting the bird fly onto his shoulder, stretching it's leg for him to pick up the letter.
Carefully taking it off, the Hokage unrolled the small scroll, looking at it's contents.
Not really surprised she got spotted so fast, but I'll put things in order for you, Kakashi.
First, I obviously couldn't care less about the Hyūga. However, shortly after we said our goodbyes, she approached me on the road and asked to allow to join me. I found it rather strange, so I used my left eye on her.
Second, with this, I was able to read some parts of her memories, and, as far as I could get it, quite a few nasty things happened to her before she decided to leave the village, and these things caused her to do so.
And third: she wouldn't have left if not for her father. He served as the trigger: she's been banished from the Main House of their clan, and he told her that he was going to get that Hyūga special seal for slaves on her. I'm not really familiar with their customs, you should know better how it's usually done. Regardless, she didn't want to get sealed, and that's why she'd left. If you ask me, that's totally understandable.
Which leads us to the final part. During some recent events, she did something to convince me to start teaching her, which I reluctantly agreed to. We'll be back to the village in approximately two years: I want to prepare her for the possible clash with her clan, and I promise that she'll be able to stand up for herself should it ever be needed. I also promise that she'll get back alive and well.
I'm asking you to not tell anyone about this, not even the dobe. No, especially him. There was something between them that also partly served the reason of her leaving, I'm not sure what exactly, but he better stay oblivious to what I've written here.
Be sure to tell me if something worthy of our attention happens or if the village needs my help.
Uchiha Sasuke.
He smiled under his mask.
He was right about his student. He didn't betray them. He still wanted to protect Konoha.
But then he frowned. For the Hyūga to do something like this... It needed to be dealt with. But how? He didn't want another coup d'etat in his village, especially not when he's just become the Hokage. And trying to interfere with Hyūga's dealings would most certainly lead to it.
“Here, Shizune... Read it. And after you do so, please call Shikamaru. We have quote a few things to discuss...” He threw the scroll at her table, looking at the celling of the room.
They needed to come up with a plan. He had no doubt that Sasuke would prepare Hinata for any possible fight. By the time of their return, she would probably be able to fight the whole clan on her own if he had anything to say about it, knowing the Uchiha and his methods of training.
But perhaps they could avoid the inevitable conflict?
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