Ch-10 Inoichi meets Hokage.
Shikaku's relaxed smile faded, replaced by a look of understanding. He knew Inoichi well enough to recognize when a matter was urgent. He nodded, standing up from his seat. Shikamaru, sensing the change in atmosphere, gave his father a questioning look but didn't say anything.
"Shikamaru, go inside for a while," Shikaku said gently. Shikamaru, though curious, shrugged and stood up, walking back into the house without protest.
Once the two were alone, Shikaku led Inoichi to a more secluded corner of the yard, out of earshot and well away from prying eyes. "Alright, Inoichi," Shikaku said, his voice quieter but more serious now, "what's going on?"
Inoichi glanced around one more time before speaking, his tone tense. "It's about Yamanaka Fu... and an attack on my son."
As soon as Shikaku heard Inoichi mention an attack on Inoiki, his normally calm expression shifted to one of deep concern. "What exactly happened? Tell me clearly," Shikaku asked, his voice more serious now.
Inoichi didn't respond immediately. Instead, he reached into his pouch and retrieved the scroll in which he had sealed Yamanaka Fu's ninja tools. With a flick of his wrist, the scroll unravelled, and Fu's kunai and sword appeared in front of Shikaku, gleaming under the fading light.
"Today, Inoiki was attacked by Yamanaka Fu, who joined the ROOTS three years ago," Inoichi began, his voice calm but laced with tension. "He was acting under Danzo's orders, trying to capture Inoiki. But Inoiki fought back—and defeated him."
Shikaku's eyes flicked to the weapons on the ground, his expression darkening further. The weight of Danzo's name wasn't lost on him. "So, you came here for advice on how to handle this... and you want me to come with you to the Hokage's office?"
Inoichi nodded firmly. "Yes. I can't just let this go. My son was attacked, and I need to ensure that Fu, and by extension Danzo, answer for it."
Shikaku's brow furrowed, and he asked, "Is Inoiki alright?"
Inoichi's face softened, a proud smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "He's fine. Not only did he defeat Fu, but he wasn't injured at all. He's tougher than I imagined."
Shikaku exhaled, a look of relief passing over him. "That's good to hear," he said, clearly reassured. He paused for a moment, considering the situation carefully before continuing. "As for going with you to the Hokage's office... I don't think that's the best approach. If we go together, it might look like we're trying to pressure the Hokage into action, which could be seen as disrespectful."
Inoichi frowned slightly but listened closely as Shikaku went on.
"Instead, you should go alone—as Inoiki's father. That will give you a better chance to discuss the matter directly with the Hokage. When the time comes for a formal hearing, when the Hokage calls Danzo, Fu, and Inoiki, then both Choza and I will accompany you and Inoiki. That's when we'll need to stand together."
Inoichi considered Shikaku's words, then nodded in agreement. "You're right. I'll handle this as a father first, and then we'll take it from there."
Satisfied with the plan, Inoichi resealed Fu's ninja tools into the scroll, his movements precise and deliberate. "I'm heading to the Hokage's office now," he said, his voice steady but determined.
Before leaving, he exchanged a brief look with Shikaku. The seriousness of the situation hadn't fully settled yet, but they both understood what was at stake. If Inoiki had been hurt, even slightly, Inoichi's calm would have shattered, and he would have gone to the Hokage's office in a blind rage, consequences be damned. But for now, his son was unharmed, and that allowed him to think carefully and act wisely.
With that thought in mind, Inoichi leaped from the backyard, heading straight for the Hokage's office, the evening shadows stretching long across the village as he moved with purpose.
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Inoichi stormed into the Hokage's office, his anger evident in the way he moved, but he still managed to hold himself in check. No matter how furious he was, he knew better than to disrespect the office of the Hokage. He bowed slightly in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, keeping his tone measured, though his rage simmered just beneath the surface.
"Hokage-sama," Inoichi began, his voice tight with barely restrained fury, "today my son, Inoiki, was attacked by Yamanaka Fu, who joined ROOT three years ago. Fu was acting on Danzo's orders. If Inoiki hadn't been strong enough to defeat Fu, he would have been captured."
The weight of his words hung in the air. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, regarded Inoichi with narrowed eyes. He had noticed the fire in Inoichi's expression the moment he entered the office, and now, hearing this news, Hiruzen felt his own anger rise. His face remained calm, betraying none of the storm raging inside him, but his thoughts were swift and sharp.
Danzo. Always Danzo.
Internally, Hiruzen cursed his old rival. He knew all too well that Danzo operated outside the boundaries of normal rules, but this—an attack on Inoichi's son, a member of the Yamanaka Clan, no less—was a blatant overstep.
Though Hiruzen believed Inoichi, he maintained the impartial demeanor of a Hokage. He couldn't afford to act rashly, not with so much at stake. "Are you certain of this, Inoichi?" he asked, his voice steady. "Do you have anything to prove it?"
Inoichi's jaw tightened, but he remained composed. "I sealed Fu's ninja tools—three kunai and a sword—which were left behind when Inoiki defeated him. These are the same weapons Fu used during the attack." He reached for the sealing scroll, ready to present it to the Hokage. "Additionally, Inoiki can testify to what happened. He recognized Fu, as he confronted him directly. And I'm confident Shikaku and Choza will corroborate this once we meet."
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