Chapter 16: The Decision to Stay or Go
Chapter 16: The Decision to Stay or Go
Shikashin, full name Nara Shikashin, was the current head of the Nara Clan, an esteemed advisor to the Hokage, and a Konoha elite jonin.
Behind him stood three young shinobi, freshly graduated from the Academy: his son, Nara Shikaku; Akimichi Chōza of the Akimichi Clan; and Yamanaka Inoichi of the Yamanaka Clan. Together, they were the children of the famed Ino-Shika-Chō trio.
As newly minted genin, the three had started taking on missions, eager to prove themselves.
Shikashin, having just returned from the grueling campaigns of the Second Shinobi War, had taken it upon himself to guide and train the trio. When a merchant caravan from the Land of Fire delivered an urgent letter, Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen had tasked Shikashin with investigating, bringing along his young charges to expose them to the complexities of fieldwork.
What should have been a straightforward task turned into something far more troubling.
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"Shikashin, I trust you completely," Sarutobi Hiruzen began, his voice laced with concern. "But this… this boy…"
Even the Hokage, who had faced countless trials, seemed at a loss for words.
Shikashin offered a wry smile, knowing full well the gravity of the situation. "I understand, Lord Hokage. The stakes here could not be higher."
The presence of a rogue jinchūriki—especially one with ties to Cloud Village—was enough to ignite another war, even as the wounds of the Second Shinobi War were still fresh.
The tension in the room thickened as another figure stirred.
Thud.
A cane struck the floor as Shimura Danzō, clad in his signature loose robes, rose to his feet. The "X"-shaped scar on his chin seemed to deepen as his stern gaze bore into Hiruzen.
"Lord Hokage," Danzō began, his voice gravelly but firm. "What do you intend to do with this boy?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, irritation flashing briefly in his expression. Danzō, ever the opportunist, was making the situation even more complicated.
"What do you propose?" Hiruzen countered, taking a deliberate puff from his pipe.
Danzō didn't hesitate. "The boy's background is clean. His identity checks out. Everyone my Root has vetted is beyond suspicion.
"Hand him over to me. Let the Root take charge of him. I will craft him into a weapon, a perfect tool for Konoha. A jinchūriki we can control. A weapon that will crush all who oppose us."
His confidence was palpable, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
"A jinchūriki who can suppress the Two-Tails' rampage and revert to human form… even the Uzumaki Clan couldn't boast such control. This child has the potential to become Konoha's ultimate weapon."
Danzō's words carried weight, and the Hokage knew it. The boy's innate ability to control the beast within him, even to a limited extent, was extraordinary.
Hiruzen fell silent, weighing the possibilities.
Danzō seized the opportunity to press further. "You hesitate, Hiruzen, but you know I am right. The Root will mold him into what Konoha needs. You need not dirty your hands."
But before Hiruzen could respond, another voice cut through the room.
"This isn't the time to argue over who claims the boy!"
The speaker was Mitokado Homura, one of the Hokage's advisors, known for his calculating demeanor. Adjusting his glasses, he continued, "The question isn't which department he should belong to—it's whether we should keep him at all."
Turning to Hiruzen, he added, "You know the state of Konoha after the war. We've already lost too many resources and lives in the Rain Country. If the Cloud Village learns we've taken their Two-Tails, the consequences could be catastrophic."
Homura's sentiments were echoed by Koharu Utatane, another of Hiruzen's advisors. "He's right, Hiruzen. We cannot afford to provoke the Cloud. They've been our allies during this war. Losing their trust now could destabilize everything."
Danzō scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Allies? Don't make me laugh. The Cloud has used us to weaken Iwagakure, exploiting the Rain Country battles to further their own agenda. They're not friends; they're opportunists."
Striking the floor with his cane again, he continued, "Their forces are just as battered as ours. If they could only spare a single Anbu team to pursue their jinchūriki, they're in no position to retaliate.
"By the time they regain their strength…" He allowed himself a cold smile. "We'll be ready to crush them."
The advisors fell silent, their arguments hanging heavily in the air.
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Hiruzen took another slow drag from his pipe, the faint crackle of burning tobacco filling the room.
Finally, he stood, the tension in his posture dissipating as he made his decision.
"Let's see the boy before we decide anything," he said. "If he has the strength to suppress the Two-Tails, then he must be extraordinary. I want to understand him first."
Turning to Shikashin, he added, "Take your students home. Make sure they understand the gravity of this situation and keep their silence. The future of Konoha depends on it."
Shikashin nodded solemnly. "Understood, Lord Hokage."
He led the young Ino-Shika-Chō trio out, his mind racing with thoughts of the burden they had unwittingly stumbled upon.
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Moments later, Hiruzen and his advisors arrived at Konoha's secure medical facility. The building was heavily guarded, with Anbu stationed at every corner. Only those of utmost importance to the village were treated here.
Tonari lay unconscious on a hospital bed, his features pale but peaceful. The intricate seal on his abdomen, containing the Two-Tails, stood out prominently.
"This is the boy?" Hiruzen asked, stepping closer to inspect him.
"Yes, Lord Hokage," answered the lead medic. "His injuries were severe when he arrived—his body was covered in lacerations, and his skin showed signs of severe strain.
"But…" The medic hesitated, glancing at the boy in awe. "His recovery has been astonishing. His body is already fully healed. The only reason he hasn't woken yet is because his consciousness remains weak. He could wake at any moment."
Hiruzen's gaze lingered on the seal. Memories stirred within him, memories of Uzumaki Mito and the immense power she had wielded.
The boy's potential was undeniable.
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(End of Chapter)