"You know we need to talk about this." Tsunade said as Orochimaru and she made their way to the Hokage Tower. She was upset with her friend and disappointed.
"If I hadn't ressurrected them I would be dead. However angry you are at me, at least acknowledge that."
"Of course I wouldn't want you dead but I have a feeling you didn't find DNA samples of my grandfather and uncle as a means of self-defense."
"You're right. I planned to use your Great Uncle's jutsu to kill sensei. Plans changed and an invasion was no longer necessary." Tsunade's eyes went wide.
"Orochi, you were going to invade Konoha? You know how many people you could have hurt, killed?"
"Thousands. And they would have been worth it to kill sensei. You know I don't care. And since I didn't do it, you shouldn't either."
"I know you can care. Oto would be a completely miserable place if you simply couldn't."
"Care is overstating it. I don't need my shinobi to live in squalor, if they are comfortable they are more productive. Indifference isn't malice, you know that. I don't care but unless it becomes necessary I also see no value in causing harm."
"But sensei was? Years after you left? No, that doesn't make sense. Orochi, what aren't you telling me."
"I have my reasons and once again, I didn't do it so it doesn't matter."
"It does if you still plan to kill him."
"You mean like he tried to kill me today?" Tsunade looked surprised but waited for her friend to expound. "He's had a specific ANBU watching Naruto and I for the entire time I've been training him. Except, yesterday and today. And it just so happens we get attacked by Pein with no back up in sight. He planned to have me die before his plan to stop Pein was enacted."
Tsunade grimaced. Some of that could be chalked up to coincidence but the problem is, ninja don't believe in coincidence. Sure, they've heard about them but have never seen them. Dig deep enough and you'll find someone pulling strings. There was a lot of missing information but she couldn't reject Orochi's conclusion. Tsunade didn't know if her former sensei believed she'd turn a blind eye to his dealings similar to how he did for Danzo but she had no intention of doing that. He needed to be unseated, his age and bias against Orochi was leading him toward ruin and he'd done nothing to change that.
The two legendary kunoichi arrived to the Tower and headed toward the Sandaime's office. They could overhear him speaking to the Shodai and the Nidaime. The two women entered, causing the discussions to stop. The Sandaime immediately narrows his eyes at his once favorite student. That she would use such an abominable jutsu and bring back former Hokage while she were at it, he considered it more evidence of how rotten she was to the very core of her being.
"I assume you have come to release us?" Tobirama asked.
"Yes, I have. Unless Sensei has something else to say. Have you said all you wanted to, Sarutobi-sensei?"
"Get out of my office, Orochimaru. Now!"
"Kukuku, I'll give you two a moment with Tsunade, I'll be outside." She said and then exited the office.
"Saru, remember what I told you."
Hiruzen grimaced but nodded at his teacher's words. Hashirama was too busy crying and hugging Tsunade to care about much of anything else, embarrassing Tobirama greatly. The three Senju said their final words and the first two Hokage went to meet Orochimaru, to return to the pure land. Tsunade wiped the unshed tears from her eyes before leveling a glare at her sensei.
"You hoped Orochimaru would be killed in the attack today." It wasn't a question nor an accusation.
"She's evil and will corrupt Naruto-kun along with who knows how many others. She's a threat, I wish you could see it. I'm not just some paranoid, old man."
"If you make her your enemy she will be your enemy. And nothing she's done has harmed Naruto, can you say the same?" When Hiruzen didn't answer she continued, "I'm not going to turn ignore people operating behind my back sensei, not even you. You wanted me to be Hokage but I won't be a puppet nor am I too tired to meet any challenges to my authority."
"I consider myself warned."
"Good." Was the last thing the Senju Princess said before departing for the night. Hiruzen waited several moments before doing the same but his destination was not home, not yet. He entered a secure ANBU facility, the operatives bowing in respect as he walked the halls. It didn't take him long to reach the interrogation room he was seeking. Ibiki had clearly been hard at work, the subject looked as if he was nearing his breaking point. That was fine, he was a disposable piece in this game. Hiruzen entered, instantly gaining the attention of his top interrogator and the man's latest subject.
"At ease, Ibiki." he ordered and the bear of a man complied. Hiruzen took a seat at the table, beside Ibiki but across from the subject. "You have exactly one chance to save your life."
"H-how?"
"You will be my spy, you will inform me of everything Orochimaru does, where she goes and who she meets."
"No."
"Kabuto-san, I don't think you understand. I could have you killed right now for leaking my shinobi's whereabouts to Sasori. That's treason. But instant death would be a mercy. I could turn over the signed statement of Ame's new leader to Orochimaru directly and let her do as she pleases. How many weeks do you think you'd spend dying under her care?"
Kabuto paled as a great deal of fear entered his eyes. Orochimaru would make him suffer for as long as she could. But worse than the torture, she'd lose all respect and fondness for the medic she saved from Sasori. He didn't want to continue to betray her but he wasn't self-sacrificial. He agreed to work with the Sandaime, hating himself more with every word spoken. Hiruzen, by no means, trusted the boy. If he provided good intel then it would be a plus but if he faltered or attempted to obfuscate for Orochimaru Hiruzen would show her the confession and plant a seed of mistrust in her other assets. Hopefully, she'd turn cruel and alienate more and more of them; people that would welcome Hiruzen's kindness and grandfatherly charm. Kabuto may not be enough to take her down but he'd be a start, the tipping point to her downfall.
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Baki and the Sand Siblings made their way toward the Hokage Tower. While the three younger ninja were not accustomed to war preparation they all found it odd how relaxed the Konoha ninja seemed, as if they hadn't a care in the world. Once they arrived in the tower the squad was granted immediate access to the Hokage. The man's visage was vastly different from that of his ninja, he seemed deeply concerned about something. They all gave a respectful bow to the Hokage and he nodded in return.
"I thank you for being here, I have much to discuss and not all of it will be easy." Hiruzen started. "Three days ago the leader of the Akatsuki attacked two of my shinobi, Orochimaru of the Sannin and Uzumaki Naruto. I was warned beforehand of the attack by the leader's second in command. She planned to betray the leader for her own reasons and wished to form a nonaggression treaty with Konoha. The double-crossed work, for all intents and purposes the Akatsuki is no more and our invasion is no longer necessary.
The new leader of Ame informed me that the former head, one called Pein, sent two of the remaining Akatsuki members on a mission and did not give her any details. Just last yesterday I received information on what that secret mission was. There is no correct way to say this but those two Akatsuki, Hidan and Kakuzu were sent to Suna and killed the Kazekage. I am sorry for your loss."
None of the ninja present had an outward reaction, which didn't surprise Hiruzen. They were well trained and in front of a foreign leader, they wouldn't show any signs of weakness in front of him. After a moment to gather his thoughts, Baki spoke.
"Did they know in which direction they were headed, Hokage-sama?"
"Yes, toward the Land of Rivers but they weren't tracked beyond your borders." Baki nodded.
"I'll inform the forces here and they'll head back immediately. May I make a request?"
"If it is within my power, Baki-san."
"I would request a team to back us up. One of Rasa-sama's mistakes was not doggedly pursuing Sasori when he was suspected of killing the Sandaime. I won't repeat that mistake, his murders will be brought to justice."
"Are you thinking a tracker squad?"
"Yes, possibly one familiar with our targets and containing a heavy hitter to match our own." Hiruzen nodded and flared his chakra, an ANBU in a boar masked appeared.
"Summon Team Kurenai for me."
"I need you three to step out," Baki said to his students and they complied. Now alone, he had some information he needed to share with the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, there is something you need to know concerning one of your shinobi, one Uzumaki Naruto."
"And what would that be, Baki-san?"
"Rasa-sama knew of his parents' identities and planned to use that in the renegotiation of our alliance. If something were to happen to him, he arranged for the information to be sent to Kumo, Kiri, and Iwa. I knew only of his general plans but not where he stored the information nor who he would use to deliver it."
'That fool.' Hiruzen thought, filled with the desire to kill the Kazekage. It would be difficult to plan for their reactions. Onoki and Ay could simply not care or use it as a pretext to act against Konoha. The Sand Siblings reentered with Team Kurenai and Hiruzen informed them of the mission. It was dangerous but he believed them capable of it, having been so thoroughly prepared to fight the Akatsuki. They left and Hiruzen once again summoned an ANBU agent.
"Hare, retrieve the Elder Council."
"Actually, Hokage-sama, they are awaiting your arrival in the large conference room along with the Clan heads and the Sannin."
Hiruzen dismissed the agent and made his way to the room wondering what this meeting could be about. Upon entrance, Hiruzen saw a collection of hard looks aimed at him, though Homura and Koharu simply looked sad. He simply couldn't deduce what this could be about.
"Thank you for joining us, Hokage-sama," Hiashi spoke as the Sandaime took his seat. "I requested this meeting today to discuss what I believe to be an alarming trend, namely your treatment of the Uzumaki Clan. Throughout your reign, several of your decisions have cost the Uzumaki greatly. The refusal to render aid promptly when they had been a long time ally of the Senju and Konoha being the clearest example. Then there was the decision to wear their crest but to not teach about the Uzumaki in our Academy, simply allowing subsequent generations to believe it is a Konoha symbol of pride instead of the mark of dishonor it was meant to be.
Finally, we have Uzumaki Naruto. Not only did you ignore the law passed down by previous Daimyo, you embezzled funds from a clan account he denied the sole heir access to, instead of requiring he live on public assistance. You denied him his heritage. You denied him a fair path to promotions and success. You allowed your friend to also steal and reveal Naruto-san's identity as a jinchuuriki. Finally, you intended to have a Konoha kunoichi seduce Naruto-san and potentially become the matriarch of the Uzumaki Clan, one that was indebted to you.
These violations against the Uzumaki, against the notions of clan autonomy and against the Daimyo have led me to one conclusion; I, Hyuuga Hiashi, as clan head of the Hyuuga clan have lost faith and confidence in your leadership of the village and request you stand down immediately. I understand this declaration has no legal authority and is purely symbolic but I press on knowingly."
Hiruzen felt like he'd been slapped in the face. He could see Orochimaru smirking at the corner of his eye and realized this was retaliation for the Akatsuki assault. He thought about to his sensei's words, how her past and future sins didn't resolve him of his. He couldn't be absolved by condemning her. Hiruzen couldn't deny the wisdom but couldn't accept it entirely, either. Tobirama-sensei didn't know her, how black her soul truly was. No compassion, no empathy and a willingness to do anything to achieve her goals. He felt if he were the only sane man on an island with lunatics.
"Do the rest of you feel this way?" The clan leaders nodded. They looked disappointed but somehow sorry to be doing this. Hiruzen knew what he had to do, no attempts to justify his actions would change what those actions were; nor the reality that he'd played into her hands once again. Trying to focus on everything meant some things had to slip, he couldn't discover her plans while still being the village leader. He had to accept the momentary defeat.
"Then, as my final act as Hokage, I name Senju Tsunade my successor and the Godaime Hokage. I will not deny the actions listed by Hiashi but it was never motivated by a bias toward the Uzumaki, especially not Naruto. However, intention doesn't always matter and I have wronged that young man time and time again. It has been my sincerest honor to serve as your Hokage. I tender my resignation, effective immediately."
Hiruzen vacated the room, two of his students and the Elder Council following close behind. The clan leaders also departed, leaving only Hiashi and Orochimaru left.
"This makes us even," Hiashi stated, disgusted with having drug the Sandaime through the mud.
"Kukuku, fix your face, Hiashi-kun. Nothing you claimed was a lie. So, you added an alternative interpretation; isn't that a small price to pay for your nephew's career? "
Hiashi didn't respond, choosing to walk away. There was no pride in what he'd done but it was the least painful way to get out of debt with the Snake Sannin. It was safer for his clan to be free of her. It offered him little comfort, no matter how many times he repeated the justification.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen sat at his desk for the last time. He didn't have time to muse on the bittersweet experience or get lost in a fog of memories. Tsunade needed to know exactly what she was inheriting so she could be prepared and lead her people.
"Tsunade, there has been a development, one I had planned on telling you before that farce took place. The Kazekage had information ready to send to Kiri, Kumo, and Iwa should he die unexpectedly. It contains Naruto's heritage and who knows what else. His former second, Baki, informed me before he left with Team Kurenai."
As three of those in attendance were focused on Hiruzen, and Hiruzen on Tsunade none saw Jiraiya tense for the briefest of moments. He had not known the Kazekage was dead, his sensei leaving him out of that little reveal.
"Who killed Rasa, Sensei?" Jiraiya asked.
"Kakuzu and Hidan. It was Nagato's final act."
"We need to start preparing." Homura cautioned.
"Preparing how and for what? We can't possibly believe Iwa will mobilize because Minato has a living son." Koharu observed.
"We have to assume both, if for nothing else than a pretense, especially Kumo. They were the most reluctant to demobilize and in all likelihood they haven't." Hiruzen said.
"Then why haven't they attacked?" Tsunade questioned. After the Kyuubi attack, it would have been ideal.
"I may be old but I still have enough kick to put Ay in his place should the need arise," Hiruzen answered.
"It's fortunate we've been training for an invasion. We'll just have to keep our ninja working hard." Tsunade observed.
"Harder, especially any young high-value targets. Gai's, Asuma's, Kakashi's teams will attract special attention. And of course, Team Kurenai" stated Koharu.
"How long do we have to prepare?" Tsunade asked.
"Can't know. We should consider ourselves in a Cold War with Kumo and Iwa. It would be wise to warn our forces of increased skirmishes. Ay will want time to truly ramp up but a single incident can spark open hostilities. Oonoki might be moved to initiate an all-out war but it'd still take time unless the hatred for Minato simply overwhelms his shinobi." Hiruzen answered.
"I'm still taking the kid on a training trip. Kumo won't want to waste the amount of ninja they'd need to send to kill us both and I'll stay far away from Land of Earth."
"Then you're going to need to be serious, Jiraiya." Jiraiya bristled at the jab.
"We've been over this, Sensei. You led me to believe I shouldn't train him harder during the Chunin Exams, you sent me out in the field as we were preparing for Ame and you gave him to Orochimaru as a student. I'll make sure he can face whatever anyone can throw at him and I would have if I'd been allowed to carry out my responsibilities."
"This isn't the time-"
"This is the perfect time. Why were Orochimaru and Naruto facing Nagato alone? It doesn't take a genius to figure it out, you were hoping she'd be killed and banking on them needing Naruto alive. But he could have been maimed or injured in some other way that ended his career. Or, Nagato could have killed him. All because of your obsession and look what it got you. How did Hiashi even know about a mission you never officially assigned?"
"Jiraiya, you aren't wrong but this isn't the time. We have an advantage, Ay is predictable and we won't be taken by surprise. Your issues with Hiruzen must wait." stated Koharu. Jiraiya simply huffed in response.
"Speaking of Orochimaru, we need a Danzo," Tsunade observed.
"You want to give her leeway to perform off the book operations?"
"We already have Oto, Sensei. Seems like a good use and given they hadn't caught your attention until Orochi wanted them to, I think they are up for this. Besides, I wasn't asking permission and while I agree with Koharu, we'll also be having words about that stunt you pulled."