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' Almost there, Hiruzen thought. With a sense of urgency coursing through his veins, Hiruzen's agile body propelled him from one towering tree to another within the vast forest, each leap bringing him closer to Minato's anticipated whereabouts. The Sensor Division had informed Hiruzen about Minato's location, and receiving the notification that Minato, accompanied by Kushina and Kyuubi, had been detected ten kilometers away only intensified his determination.
The gravity of the situation propelled his every movement. Without a second thought, Hiruzen committed himself to reaching Minato's location without delay, fully prepared to provide crucial assistance in the impending struggle. Marching alongside him, a formidable squad of elite Anbu warriors, fiercely loyal to the Hokage, trailed in his wake.
Despite not being a sensor Shinobi, he found himself acutely aware of the palpable pressure enveloping the air – an unmistakable consequence of Kyuubi's unrestrained chakra. The atmosphere had seemingly transformed into a suffocating blanket of scorching heat, resembling the sensation of inhaling searing hot air.
Such was the overwhelming strength and immense magnitude of the Nine-Tails' chakra that it appeared capable of physically elevating the temperature of the surrounding air, significantly impeding one's ability to draw breath smoothly; these phenomena usually happened with the four strongest Bijuus and rarely happened with a Shinobi, it happened only when the Shinobi had a bloodline, or his chakra was so powerful and vast that it caused the effect on the surroundings.
As Hiruzen gracefully landed on another sturdy branch of the towering tree, he couldn't help but notice a sudden and unexpected shift in the atmosphere. Out of nowhere, an inexplicable drop in both temperature and pressure engulfed the surroundings, leaving a lingering sense of relief in the air. It was as if an invisible force had swiftly whisked away the stifling heat and oppressive weight that had previously weighed heavily upon them.
Hiruzen's Anbu Team, initially caught off guard by the abrupt change, now found themselves able to breathe easily, their lungs gratefully inhaling the fresh, revitalizing air. However, this bewildering occurrence naturally prompted Hiruzen to delve into the question of why the atmospheric pressure had mysteriously vanished, compelling him to draw upon his extensive knowledge and expertise in search of potential explanations.
'Kyuubi has been sealed, but at whom?' Hiruzen thought, quickly coming to the conclusion that the only reason why the pressure disappeared was because Kyuubi was sealed once again; either that or Kyuubi was somehow killed, but Hiruzen highly doubted that even Minato had enough strength to pull that off.
As they steadily made their way toward the designated location, Hiruzen was acutely aware that the residual effects of Kyuubi's chakra would persist in the surrounding atmosphere. Understanding the vast power of the Nine-Tailed Fox, he foresaw that the lingering pressure from its immense chakra would endure for approximately one more month before gradually dissipating into thin air and completely vanishing.
Be alive, Minato, don't you dare die on me now, Hiruzen thought, concerned. Finally, their feet touched down on a vast open space, revealing a significant clearing. The colossal imprints of Kyuubi's enormous paws were imprinted on the earth, confirming that they had indeed reached the designated location. The sight of countless toppled trees and the debris strewn about provided a stark, undeniable sign that their arrival had not been in vain.
When Hiruzen rushed towards the motionless forms of Minato and Kushina lying on the ground, his eyes were immediately fixated on them. Overwhelmed with shock, he cried out Minato's name in disbelief. However, as Hiruzen reached their lifeless bodies, a twinge of fear and despair crept into his eyes. It became evident to him that both Minato and Kushina had suffered a severe blow, leaving a massive gash across their stomachs. Their once vibrant skin had now paled, resembling the delicate whiteness of freshly fallen snow. The absence of their life-sustaining breath confirmed Hiruzen's worst fear: they had tragically perished.
"Why? Why again??" Hiruzen almost murmured under his breath, his voice carrying a hint of desperation and confusion. A deep sense of sadness and sorrow threatened to engulf him, but he understood the importance of remaining composed in this critical moment.
Despite the overwhelming emotions weighing heavily on his heart, Hiruzen made a conscious decision to suppress his personal feelings for the time being. With great determination, he pushed the tendrils of sadness away, directing his attention towards the events that had unfolded. It was essential for him to maintain a clear and focused mind, to grasp the full scope of what had transpired, and to determine the necessary course of action.
Hiruzen knew how devastated the village already was, and once they were informed that the Hokage was dead, Hiruzen knew it would take years for the village to go back to how it was. Hiruzen broke out of his thoughts. He remembered that Kyuubi was sealed somewhere, and neither Kushina nor Minato had a Seal on their stomachs; Hiruzen also remembered that Kushina was giving birth when the Kyuubi attack happened.
As Hiruzen's eyes scanned the place with unwavering attention, his sharp gaze fell upon a peculiar sight—a meticulously designed altar adorned with ornate carvings, its intricate details hinting at a profound significance. Resting atop this altar was an unusually spacious bed, tailored perfectly to accommodate a baby.
Observing the around it, Hiruzen's eyes gravitated towards the four elegantly lit candles meticulously positioned around the bed, their flickering flames casting dancing shadows upon the place. However, despite the visual cues evoking the presence of an infant in this sacred space, Hiruzen's penetrating gaze revealed an undeniable absence. In this distinct void, the cherubic occupant should have been, leaving him both baffled and intrigued.
Minato wouldn't have summoned this altar here for no reason; no, their baby was placed here; then, either Minato or Kushina sealed Kyuubi inside the baby and died, but...Hiruzen's thoughts trailed off, a deep sense of concern gripping his heart as he anxiously scanned the entirety of the clearing. His eyes darted across every blade of grass, every tree trunk, in a desperate attempt to locate the missing baby. The fear slipped into his mind - had the child somehow managed to crawl away? But no matter how hard he strained his eyes, not a single trace of the little one was to be found.
With a heavy heart and a mind now clouded with unease, Hiruzen's conviction grew stronger. The realization dawned upon him that this was no accident or coincidence. Someone had been here before them, cunning enough to deceive even their keen senses and powerful instincts. It became undeniable - they were dealing with an organized and determined individual who had ruthlessly stolen Minato's baby.
'
The same night following the devastating incident, Hiruzen swiftly organized an urgent emergency meeting encompassing every faction within the organization. The primary objective of this meeting was to assess the magnitude of their losses, both in terms of human lives and financial resources. This arduous task spanned an entire month, as every single corpse had to be meticulously located within the ravaged village.
The destruction wreaked upon the once-thriving community was immense, with numerous buildings reduced to rubble and debris strewn across the landscape. Amidst the chaos, it was discovered that countless individuals had been tragically trapped beneath the ruins, their survival chances dwindling with each passing day. In a remarkable display of resourcefulness, even the highly skilled canines of the Inuzuka clan were deployed to aid in the search for buried bodies beneath the decimated houses. As the exhaustive search progressed, a harrowing truth unfolded – men, women, and children lay lifeless, their untimely demise staining the melancholic aftermath of the calamity.
When Hiruzen was informed that his wife was found dead with a sliced throat, in that moment, Hiruzen had been convinced that someone had somehow known that Kushina was the Jinchuuriki; they had known she was giving birth and where she was giving birth. Hiruzen had mourned for his wife and still mourned for her to this day; she had been the bridge between him and Asuma. After her death, their relationship had gotten worse until Asuma decided to leave the village entirely for a few years.
Since they just received a huge loss, Jiraiya was ordered to return back to Konoha in case any of the enemy villages decided to attack. Konoha needed every shinobi to protect the Village. Hiruzen had sent letters and Anbu to locate Tsunade, but she had refused to return; Danzo had suggested that Hiruzen should threaten Tsunade with becoming a Missing Nin if she didn't return to do her job for the Village, but Hiruzen had refused to listen to his advice, saying Tsunade would turn against them if he tried that, Danzo then had said that Hiruzen was spineless.
When Jiraiya had finally returned to the village after his long absence, he was consumed by an overwhelming wave of fury. He could hardly contain his anger as he directed his blame towards Hiruzen, expressing his belief that the Hokage should have taken action to prevent the tragic events that had unfolded.
However, amidst Jiraiya's outburst, a sudden shift occurred within him, causing him to redirect his anger inward. He began to blame himself for the devastating fate that had befallen his dear friends, Minato and Kushina. Hiruzen, understanding the depth of Jiraiya's self-loathing, attempted to reason with him, emphasizing that he should not hold himself accountable for the tragic loss. Unfortunately, his words of consolation were futile, falling upon Jiraiya's deaf ears as he remained immersed in a sea of guilt and regret.
Jiraiya stayed in the village for a month after a lot of talking. Still, after the month ended, Jiraiya told Hiruzen that he would go out there and find Naruto, saying he wouldn't come back to the village until Naruto was found. Apparently, that was the name Minato and Kushina had chosen for their boy.
After Jiraiya left, Hiruzen stepped up as the Hokage since there was no one better to do the job, and Minato didn't have a 'Hokage in waiting,' Therefore, Hiruzen, despite his old age had decided to do the job until he draws his last breath.
Hiruzen had initially held high hopes for Jiraiya when he entrusted him with the crucial mission of locating Naruto. Aware of Jiraiya's extensive network of spies spread across various regions, Hiruzen had been confident that finding Naruto would be a matter of mere years. He had faith in Jiraiya's exceptional skills and relentless determination, leaving no room for doubts regarding his ability to locate the young boy.
However, as time passed, the initial estimation of a few years gradually extended into an entire decade. The once-promising search for Naruto, the vessel of the Nine-Tailed Fox, had now stretched for a bewildering fourteen years. Jiraiya's departure from the village marked a turning point as he ventured into the vast world, tirelessly pursuing any leads and following every piece of information, hoping to find Naruto.
Despite Jiraiya's extensive knowledge and tireless efforts, the signs of finding Naruto remained frustratingly absent. The passage of time had only deepened the mystery surrounding Naruto's whereabouts, leaving Hiruzen and Jiraiya equally perplexed and anxious about the young boy's fate.
Hiruzen hated to admit it, but he held little to no hope that Jiraiya would find Naruto.
Now
"What precisely was so peculiar about this genin?" the Hokage inquired, his voice laced with a mix of urgency and intrigue. Leaning further forward, he sought to draw out every morsel of information, determined to unravel the enigma before him.
Asuma hesitated for a brief moment, his eyes meeting Hiruzen's unwavering gaze. "He looked very similar to the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze."
The words spoken by Asuma caused Sarutobi's eyes to widen slightly as he processed the weight behind them. However, the years of rigorous training and experience as a Shinobi had instilled in him a remarkable level of self-control. Despite the jarring impact of the words he had just heard, Hiruzen remained composed and seemingly unfazed.
With an almost imperceptible change in expression, Hiruzen calmly placed his pipe between his lips, drawing in a deep breath that intricately mingled with the swirling smoke. As the smoke momentarily enveloped his mind, he allowed himself a few seconds of introspection before gently removing the pipe from his lips, exhaling a puff of smoke that seemed to carry away any lingering distraction. It was only after this meditative pause that Hiruzen addressed his beloved son with utmost seriousness, conveying the gravity of the situation through every word and gesture.
"What was his name?"
"Naruto Yotsuki,"
The moment he heard that name, Naruto Yotsuki, it caused his heart to skip a beat. The name held a profound significance. Despite the overwhelming emotions that threatened to overwhelm him, Hiruzen mustered all his strength to maintain a stoic facade, as if the name meant nothing to him.
"Describe him. I want to know everything," Hiruzen commanded, his tone firm and authoritative. Asuma, taken aback by the seriousness in his sensei's voice, swiftly dropped the half-smoked cigarette from his fingers, causing a soft thud as it hit the floor. In a swift motion, he stomped on it, extinguishing the remaining trail of smoke that lazily curled from the tip of the cigarette. The faint aroma of burnt tobacco lingered in the air as Asuma's attention returned to his father.
Hiruzen did not comment and simply listened to Asuma. It took ten minutes to tell him everything, but Hiruzen kept asking more and more questions. From what Asuma described, this Naruto sounded very similar to Minato, but the one thing that convinced Hiruzen was Naruto's last name.
"You said his last name is Yotsuki," Hiruzen said with a professional voice. Asuma, again, simply nodded, affirming it; Asuma could tell his father seemed deep into his thoughts.
Yotsuki, that's Raikage's clan; from what Asuma described, Naruto's skin tone is white. While it is possible that this is all just a little coincidence, after all, A has blonde hair, Hiruzen thought, already convinced that the Naruto that Asuma's team had encountered was Minato's son, and if that were true.
As cold sweat began to build on his temples, Hiruzen came to a chilling conclusion: Kumo had kidnapped Naruto. Deep within his heart, an ever-growing fire of anger ignited, consuming him with questions and disbelief. How did Kumo come to possess such crucial knowledge regarding Kushina's pregnancy?
This is bad. Not only do they have Minato's legacy, he has officially become their Genin, but they also have Kyuubi, Hiruzen thought, trying hard to calm his head. This was getting worse the more Hiruzen thought of it.
While Hiruzen never liked the whole Jinchuuriki thing, he understood the importance behind them, to keep the Bijuus under control and as a weapon to be used as a last resort for a village, but for fourteen years now, Konoha had no Jinchuuriki, and the strongest Shinobi of the Konoha was an old man who was way past his prime.
Hiruzen had no doubts that the small council knew that Konoha didn't have the Kyuubi anymore, but they didn't bring it up for the same reasons as Hiruzen; if the word spread through the enemy nations that Konoha didn't have Kyuubi anymore; then Iwa would be more than happy to send their two semi-perfect Jinchuurikis to Konoha and destroy the entire Konoha.
Hiruzen felt dread at the thought; while he felt confident enough to take on both of them if necessary, Hiruzen knew he wouldn't be able to win if he also had to fight Ohnoki on top of that, that would be too much.
Hiruzen knew he needed to send a message to Jiraiya as soon as possible. They needed to return Naruto back to his home as soon as possible. Jiraiya would be able to do that without drawing too much attention, and Jiraiya was more than capable of dealing with any possible problem along the way.
Hiruzen's eyes briefly went to the window of his room that showed the panoramic view of the entire village, a picturesque sight that often brought him a sense of tranquility. As his gaze wandered over the peaceful surroundings, Hiruzen's thoughts drifted towards the countless families residing within the village, their laughter and joy echoing through his mind.
The image of children, their innocent smiles, and their playful nature filled his heart with warmth and a profound desire to protect them. He couldn't bear the thought of their smiles fading away forever, snuffed out by the merciless hand of an enemy village. A haunting vision gripped Hiruzen's imagination, as he could almost see his beloved village engulfed in a raging inferno, the billowing flames consuming everything in their path, leaving behind a harrowing wasteland. The streets, once bustling with life, now became solemn graveyards, each body a poignant testament to the horrors of war.
.A flash suddenly passed through Hiruzen's eyes like lightning, momentarily blinding his senses with its intensity. In that split second, his world shattered into a haunting nightmare. As the blinding light subsided, the devastating scene before him slowly came into focus, sending shockwaves of despair coursing through his veins.
Konohamaru, lying motionless in a pool of crimson, his youthful innocence lost to the mercilessness of tragedy. Nearby, Asuma and his beloved wife, consumed by the same cruel fate, lay lifeless, their dreams and aspirations forever silenced. Hiruzen was overcome by a crushing weight in his chest, as if an invisible hand had tightly grasped his heart, squeezing it with relentless anguish. The profound sorrow washed over him like an unyielding tide, leaving him gasping for breath.
No, I will die before that happens, Hiruzen thought with determination. His thoughts echoed loudly as he made his way towards a hidden compartment within his table, carefully opening a concealed drawer that housed his most treasured possessions. Among them, he discovered a coveted scroll that held immense significance to him. Gently placing the scroll onto the smooth surface of his desk, he adorned his hand with a slender quill, its ink poised to capture the words that would flow from his thoughts onto the parchment.
It didn't take Hiruzen very long to complete the task of writing his scroll. Once he was done, an ANBU member swiftly materialized right in front of his desk. Recognizing this person as one of the elite operatives of Konohagakure, Hiruzen handed him the carefully crafted scroll and murmured one name, 'Jiraiya.' The ANBU accepted it silently, his expression unreadable behind the mask, and seamlessly vanished into thin air as if he had never existed in the room.
"Asuma, tell me, how was Naruto's relationship with his team?" Hiruzen questioned, looking back at Asuma, who seemed slightly confused.
"Father, you think this Naruto is really related to the Fourth Hokage?" Asuma questioned, understanding that something was happening, and his father was making moves, and his father seemed genuinely concerned about something.
"What I think doesn't matter. I will need proof first," Hiruzen answered before clearing his throat. "Now, answer the question," he ordered, his tone quickly switching from fatherly voice to Hokage voice, serious and commanding.
"What was his relationship with his team?"
"They seemed close; obviously, I barely spend time with them, but from what I saw, Naruto is a good friend with them," Asuma answered right away as he pulled out another cigarette from his pack. From what he remembered, Naruto seemed to get along with his Kumo team and even with Asuma's team until they needed to fight at the Ship.
Upon hearing that, Hiruzen suddenly had a different thought. He wasn't sure if Naruto would even want to return to Konoha. For all he knows, Kumo is his home, and the Raikage is his family. Jiraiya telling him that his whole life was a lie, Naruto would either not believe Jiraiya or simply not care for Konoha. Hiruzen felt a headache growing. He pinched the bridge between his eyes, trying to ease the annoying pain.
"Asuma, this is an order. What we discussed here is to remain secret until I tell you otherwise," His tone left no room for negotiation or debate. The Hokage's gaze pierced through Asuma, conveying the weight of the secrecy that now burdened him. A small cloud of smoke escaped Asuma's lips, a telltale sign of his quiet acquiescence. With a subtle motion of his head, Asuma confirmed his understanding and commitment to upholding their clandestine agreement.
????????
A black cat ran across the forest ground, her golden eyes staring at the approaching foreign Shinobis. They were wearing no emblems, but that mattered little to her.
Poor fools, she thought as she stepped into the shadows of a tree. Tonight, there was no moon, and the black cat was slowly engulfed by black smoke. A woman stepped out of the smoke, holding a blade over her shoulder. She licked her lips and decided to play a game of Cat and Mouse.
*
*
"We should start back," Gared urged as the woods began to grow dark around them. "We are chasing ghosts and myths."
"Do the ghosts frighten you?" Royce asked with just a hint of a smile.
"We have no business with ghosts. They are ghosts. Let them rest."
"Is she dead?" Royce asked softly. "What proof have we?"
"Will saw her jump into the abyss," Gared said. "We used to throw rocks in that hole. It took over thirty seconds for it to be heard back. She's dead or bleeding out."
Will preferred remaining silent; he didn't want to be part of their little squabble. He looked up as the forest grew darker and the trees reached for the heavens. Will felt like they were watching them, as if creatures of the night were hiding on top of trees, waiting for them.
Something was different tonight. There was an edge to this darkness that
made his hackles rise.
A cold wind was blowing out of the north, and it made the trees rustle like living things.
All day, Will had felt as though something was watching him, something
cold and implacable that loved him not. Gared had felt it, too. Will wanted nothing, so
much as to walk back to his house, but that was not a feeling to share
with your captain.
Especially not a captain like this one.
Twilight deepened. The cloudless sky turned a deep purple, the color of an old bruise,
then faded to black. The stars began to come out. A new moon rose. Will was grateful for
the little light.
Somewhere off in the woods, a panther howled.
A Gasp... Will turned around, and his heart froze. "Gared!!" He screamed out his name, his shivering fingers went to the pommel of his little sword, but it slipped from his fingers like water. Gared was gone!!
"Quiet, Will, she's-" Will watched, appalled, all words and screams stuck in his throat as Royce leaped from the ground, being pulled behind, before reaching higher, he could hear him struggling to breathe through the darkness, he could see his body shaking as he gripped his throat as he remained floating.
Will ran... Please don't kill me, please don't kill me, please don't kill me... He heard his scream echoing through the forest, hunting him, but Will cared not to look back as he ran away.
Before he knew it, he was outside of the border, his body burned, his legs shaking, but he knew he was safe inside his own borders. Will stopped in front of a tree, breathing heavily. He was tired, his limbs burned, but he was safe.
"You are safe now," Will turned around, but all words died on his throat as golden eyes looked back at him, and a sharp pain engulfed his throat. He tried to speak, but no words came out as a warm liquid ran down his collarbone and chest, but he realized he couldn't breathe.
"Shhh, just close your eyes." Will's eyelids felt heavy as he looked down, and confusion filled him. Why is a blade coming out of my neck?
*
*
"Poor fools," She murmured, cleaning her sword with a wet napkin, turning on her heels, when a burst of smoke nearby let her know that she was no longer alone. She recognized the red eye crow of the Raikage, a letter on its leg.
"What does he want now?" she murmured, removing the scroll from his leg and spreading it across her palm. She quickly read the context and arched an eyebrow.
"Another Purple Lightning user! Well, this can be fun." She thought out loud, before gripping the piece of letter, a burst of purple lightning evaporated the letter into ashes in the air.
"Naruto Yotsuki, I wonder if he likes cats." She murmured with a grin, her body turning back into a black cat and disappearing into the forest.