CIATB Chapter 290: The Hokage's Ultimatum
Chapter 290: The Hokage's Ultimatum
Chapter 290: The Hokage's Ultimatum
March 21 - 7:40 am
Hiruzen internally sighed as he observed the Genin. He then looked at Mizuki inside the interrogation room who was slowly starting to struggle against his restraints. "Will he survive After this?"
Daichi was quiet for a few moments before he replied. "If he's subjected to the current stimulation for about an hour and a half or more, his mind would be gone and no treatment would be able to heal him. For all intents and purposes he'd be nothing more than a walking corpse"
Hiruzen kept his attention on Mizuki and didn't show any reaction to hearing Daichi's answer.
"But If it's stopped in around just an hour or so, he can still be saved."
At Daichi's answer Hiruzen turned to look at the boy and nodded. "What are you going to do now?" He asked the Genin.
"I'm going home for a while. So many things happened in such a short time. I need to clear my head."
Just then Genma appeared and gave a small bow to the kage. "They're waiting for you at the office sir."
Hiruzen nodded. He looked at Daichi and after a few moments of silence spoke. "Do what you think is needed. But you shouldn't forget Tsunade's words."
Daichi nodded and soon both Hiruzen and Daichi went their separate ways while Ibiki and Inoichi observed the changes in Mizuki's behavior patterns.
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Hiruzen quickly made his way to his office and soon could sense the presence of his three former teammates waiting inside. He looked at the two guards and nodded. "Don't let anyone inside until I'm finished with this meeting."
"Yes Sir." The two Chunins stationed stood straight and replied.
Hiruzen entered the room and saw the curious gaze of the three. 'It seems they don't know yet.'
"Why have you called us so suddenly Hiruzen? What happened?" Homura asked the man.
"And why is the village still in the Level 1 emergency state? I thought the escaped prisoners were recaptured." Koharu also spoke.
Danzo merely looked at Hiruzen with a stoic gaze and stood silently. 'Something serious must have happened that he's even asked for me to come Does this have something to do with the Root agents that were caught.'
Hiruzen's eyes roamed the faces of his three teammates and he soon took his chair. "A little over an hour ago I received credible intelligence that Orochimaru had attacked Tsunade and Shizune."
The news was like a thunderstorm for the other three. Even someone like Danzo was surprised at this piece of information.
"What? Hiruzen are you sure about this?" Homura couldn't help but ask.
"Yes. The information is credible. And I've sent a team to investigate it." The kage replied.
"This isn't good Hiruzen. Tsunade may not be an active shinobi but she is a deterrent against other nations. If they realize that she's missing or even dead then it will create chaos." Koharu spoke with slight dread in her tone.
"Did Orochimaru kill them?" It was Danzo who asked this question and Hiruzen became silent. A few moments later he replied.
"The truth is I don't know. Tsunade's pet came here this morning with a message from Shizune saying they were ambushed last night near the border. Whether they were killed or Orochimaru took them I'm not sure But I'm hoping it's the latter. That way there is still a chance to save them." The sadness and tiredness in his voice wasn't missed by his friends.
"Why would Orochimaru do something like this now? He ignored her and never caused trouble for her all these years So why now?" Homura knew Orochimaru wouldn't antagonize them without a reason. He couldn't understand the man's motives.
"If he took them then there might be a couple of reasons He needs her help for something or he's planning to use her in some way. Regardless It's not good." Hiruzen replied.
Danzo thought about the unusual movements Orochimaru exhibited during the last few months and he was also concerned. Despite his displeasure at Tsunade, he knew that she was an important part of the village. 'What is he thinking? I didn't even hear any wisps of an attack planned on her If he's avoiding even me Then this isn't good.'
"Hiruzen. This is no small matter. We need to mobilize the forces and secure the border. This information can't get out." Koharu spoke and the old kage agreed with her.
"I'm aware of that and I've taken the necessary steps."
"What do you need from me Hiruzen?" Danzo suddenly spoke up. "You wouldn't have called me here otherwise."
Hiruzen frowned as he looked at the man he once thought of as his closest comrade. "Danzo. I know you've been in contact with him even after he's left the village."
"Hiruzen, I haven't-"
"Danzo. Don't waste my time and test my patience. Right now my concern is Tsunade and her student. So, I want all the information you have on Orochimaru, his associates, his hideouts and his network. Everything."
Danzo looked at the man and saw the cold glint in Hiruzen's eyes and it made him nervous inside.
The old Kage looked at Danzo with narrowed eyes. His mind was still on Daichi and what happened several minutes ago. 'He was willing to go that far and break his ideals and promise to Tsunade. Some might say that he was taking the easy way out but I saw it at the end. He really hated himself for choosing to go down that path. But he's willing to do that anyway to save her. If a Kage like me doesn't even have such strength to put aside my personal feelings then it's time I stepped down from my position.'
"Danzo." The cold hardened voice in Hiruzen's tone and the dangerous intent surrounding the man set the old warhawk on edge.
"Hi-Hiruzen-" Homura didn't know what had been going on between the two but before he could say anything further Hiruzen's eyes stopped him. The old kage looked at Koharu and Homura and then turned his attention back to Danzo.
The old kage leaned forward and clasped his hands as he looked at the one eyed man. "I realize that in all these years, I haven't really made myself clear to you Danzo. Never really said these words out loud. So here it is so that there is no misunderstanding between us You will never become Hokage of this village. Ever. I have already put contingencies in place for when I die. You will never take this seat, even after I'm dead. So your only choice is to obediently follow the orders given or else I'll have you executed for treason."
Danzo stood silently and could only look solemnly at the Hokage.
"Right. By the way, what are you guys doing here?" Ino asked the two boys.
"The village is still on high alert. I don't know why I thought you'd have an idea. Seeing your dad is the head of the Analysis department and all." Shikamaru replied.
"I don't know what's going on. Dad came home for a couple hours and had to leave again." Ino spoke up. She saw the worry on her father's face and was concerned.
"You don't think this has anything to do with last night or us do you?" Choji suddenly asked.
Ino and Sakura looked at each other as they had no answer to his question.
Shikamaru shook his head. "I don't think so. We caught Mizuki and everyone that helped him I don't believe this has anything to do with us."
Sakura nodded. "You're probably right. Well, we better get going. I'm sure Sasuke has woken up and is probably preparing for his training."
"Ohh we can go to Daichi's home after. Oh this is going to be fun." Ino said excitedly.
"Don't you have to manage the store?" Shikamaru asked with a questioning look.
"No. Mom can manage it MOM I'M GOING OUT WITH MY FRIENDS." Ino yelled and quickly left her position without waiting for a reply.
"You sure?" The Nara asked again and Ino gave him a flat look. "You got a problem Shikamaru?"
"Nope." Shikamaru quickly replied and sighed in relief when he saw Ino turn her attention to pick some flowers for Daichi. 'What a troublesome girl.'
"I thought that was you guys." A voice came from nearby. Shikamaru and Choji who were standing near the door saw Kiba, Akamaru, Hinata, Shino and Naruto coming towards them.
"Hey. I thought you all would be home." Shikamaru spoke.
Kiba shrugged his head. "Nay. I figured I'd go for a walk. I came across Naruto and we picked up Shino and Hinata." "Arf arf."
"So what's guys talking about?" Naruto asked excitedly.
"Well, we were on our way to see Sasuke and Daichi" Ino replied.
"You wanna tag along?" Shikamaru asked Naruto.
"Since you guys are going sure." Naruto replied.
As they walked to the Uchiha's home they noticed the patrolling ninjas roaming the area and less civilians than usual.
"Man. I can't believe they still haven't caught all those prisoners who got out. Guess there must be some strong ones who escaped." Naruto spoke looking at the ninjas quickly moving about.
"You might be right about that, Naruto." Kiba replied.
"What do you mean Kiba?" Shikamaru asked.
"An hour ago a Jonin came to my mom for a mission and told her something. It was the same Jonin who came to help us last night. I don't know what they talked about but mom was really pissed off by the end. I can't remember the last time she was so mad." Kiba shivered as he saw the angry look on his mom's face.
"Strange. Something similar happened this morning at my home too." Shino spoke up. "I think it was the same Jonin who came and talked to my father. I could sense that his Kikaichu became restless after hearing the news."
"Um... What do you think is going on?" Hinata asked in a timid voice.
"I don't know the whole deal but I do know one thing. I heard them mentioning Daichi's name."
"What!?" Kiba's answer startled the whole group.
"Daichi? Are you sure?" Shikamaru asked the Inuzuka Genin.
"Yeah. I heard them saying Daichi's name. But I don't know much more." Kiba replied.
"Do you think he's in trouble? Or maybe something happened?" Ino spoke and no one had an answer.
"There is no point in standing here and worrying. Let's go to his house and see for ourselves." Shino spoke and they all agreed.
But then came a problem.
"Does anyone know where he lives?" Naruto asked and they all looked at each other.
"We could go find Sasuke. He might know. I know they're training partners. So he might know." Sakura spoke and the group nodded with that logic.
And so the group of 8 new Genins quickly began making their way to the Uchiha's home
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Author's Note:
If you like my story and want to read ahead, then check out my P.a.T.R.E.0.N page. I've uploaded up to 30 additional chapters there.
Patre /MonkWithAPen(No space)