049 - Trust Issues
KONOHA
As Tsunade stepped on the threshold of the inner council hall the world suddenly fell silent, sound-repelling seals bleaching the air of all unwanted disturbances. Crossing the threshold, however, the voices came to her, loud and angry. She ignored them as she navigated her way to her seat across the room. The meeting room was almost the same as it was in her memories; mostly unchanged if one ignored the additional furniture. Lanterns sat on the new, large circular table set before twenty-two seats; Lord Third sat solemnly on the seat directly facing the door.
The meeting was rather rowdy, though Tsunade found that she was not surprised. It was hard to be when she could clearly see the distrust shading the faces of half the clan heads present. Everyone of importance was in attendance. Shibi Aburame, Chōza Akimichi, Hiashi Hyuga, Shikaku Nara, Daiki Fuma, Jiro Hatake, Tsume Inuzuka, Amagi Izuno, Mitokado Homura, Utatane Koharu, Stone Lee, Asahi Onikuma, Biwako Sarutobi, Danzo Shimura, Inoichi Yamanaka, Yamato Izumo, and Ichiro Suzumeno. Even Yakumo Kurama—the very young heiress to her clan—and that former Suna Kunoichi—Hakuto, representing the Hōki Family—were both present.
Both girls sat watching the meet in silence; the former appearing entirely disinterested in the argument that was going on with the latter's face set in an uneasy grimace.
Tsunade said nothing as she made her way to the empty seat beside Lord Second.
"You are late," her undead granduncle stated, his tone devoid of emotion.
"This is a shitshow," Tsunade whispered in response.
Tobirama grunted, his eyes narrowing as he looked around the table. "True."
The atmosphere in the room was rowdy and palpably tense, as the clan heads all tried to voice their differing opinions. Steel gazes bore into Hiruzen and what was left of his council; faces etched into rictuses of anger and suspicion. Tension hung in the air like a storm cloud, heavy and oppressive. The accusations, backed by irrefutable evidence, loomed over them like an impending tempest, and Tsunade couldn't help but hold her breath as the village's future hung in the balance.
"Perhaps," Choza suggested, his loud, but calm voice cutting across the racket, " we should postpone the exams."
Hiashi nodded in agreement. "I agree. Postponing the Chunin exams until this matter is fully resolved might prove wise."
"...To urge we postpone the exam, is the boy really that much of a threat?" Ichiro the Suzumeno patriarch asked.
"He fought Lord Second to a standstill," came Inoichi's tired reply. "He is dangerous."
"I know," Ichiro replied, "I know. But, perhaps we are overreacting. The boy can't possibly be that—"
Tsunade winced as her granduncle's baleful gaze swivelled to reduce the man into a stuttering mess. His terrifying, chakra-infused aura descended on the entire meet silencing everyone in attendance.
"That boy," Tobirama hissed, "effectively killed me three times. Three times I would have died had I been truly alive. All in a span of fifteen minutes. He was able to match my speed. Despite being down one arm, he was able to contend with me in Taijutsu. I fled that battle in the end, fearing he would terminate my existence permanently.
"Aside from Hiruzen, how many of you could claim to the able to do the same?"
The room remained silent. No one spoke, most still frozen by the Second Hokage's baleful aura.
"To underestimate Sasuke Uchiha would be the most foolish decision we could make."
His piece said, Tobirama withdrew his aura and shut his eyes in a vain attempt to fade into the background.
"...How certain are we that Sasuke would attempt to attack the village during the exams?" Shibi asked. Tsunade felt a slight shiver run down her spine as she picked up the faint noise of the Aburame's bugs chittering in the gourd he wore by his waist after being rattled by Lord Second's display.
"About thirty per cent," Shikaku replied. "An informant in the Coliseum sent a priority message back informing us of sighting the Uchiha at one of their events seemingly in the employ of Orochimaru. Afterwards, the pair had a private meeting with the enigmatic arms dealer, En Oyashiro. Hours later, ANBU sleeper agents in Kirigakure also spotted the pair at the village demanding to speak with the Fifth Mizukage; they left a few hours later. Unmolested and apparently in a jolly mood."
"Isn't the Coliseum on the side of the Chigiri sea from the Land of Water?" Ichiro asked. "To be able to traverse between both locations within a few hours should be improbable, right?"
The room buzzed with whispers of agreement from the other clan heads.
Tsunade hesitated for a moment before deciding to interject. "...If Sasuke is indeed allied with Orochimaru then it isn't completely improbable. A reverse summoning could easily solve the issue of distance. Rather than that, I am more concerned that Sasuke is associated with the Snake Sannin at all. More concerning in fact is how quickly their unlikely alliance seemed to come to fruition. Has there been any recorded instance during which the two came in contact?"
"None that we are aware of," Inoichi said, shooting a pointed glance at Lord Third.
Sarutobi picking on the insinuation shook his head. "There has been none," the wizened old man said, his tone fatigued. "It is worrying that Sasuke is associated with Orochimaru in any way; that is a proposition that does not bode well for the future of the village. Both are powerful, possess immense potential, and bear a grudge against Konoha. For this reason, I have deemed it unwise to postpone the Chunin exams."
The room fell into a contemplative hush as the gravity of the Third Hokage's words settled in.
"...What?"
Hiruzen turned to face Tsunade who had just spoken. "If we can predict with some accuracy that he and Orochimaru would stage an attack on the village during the Chunin exams, then isn't this an opportunity to deal with both before they have time to become a greater problem than they are now? He has proven to act rather impulsively when it comes to matters regarding avenging his clan. His altercation with his brother proves that much, meaning we have some guarantee of forcing a confrontation on our own terms. Sasuke is still just thirteen. How dangerous do you think he would be when he is just a bit older and mature? We must act now if we are to safeguard Konoha's future."
"...Respectfully, I don't think you have the right to speak on this matter, Lord Third," Tsunade replied, ignoring the one-eyed glare her granduncle shot at her as a hum of agreement rippled through the meet. "You and your council made the very decisions that culminated in this mess. Might I add, apparently, Danzo—again—would walk away with a barely smack on the wrist it seems after masterminding this entire debacle. Please, why is he permitted to attend this meeting?"
"I am here representing the Shimura Clan, just as you are for the Senju, Tsunade," came the creep's bland, unremorseful reply. His voice irked Tsunade in a manner that she could barely comprehend.
But before she could launch a scathing reply, a soft, calm, slightly bored feminine voice spoke up, preempting her. "Ignoring the matter of this villainous Uchiha and his equally terrifying, new-found ally, a possible invasion from another village an entire sea away, or Danzo's unethical presence in this meeting," Yakumo, the young heiress from the Kurama clan interjected with a slow blink of her eyes, "I am more concerned as to whether or not any more clans are slated to be killed off anytime soon?"
The meet grew deathly silent at that.
For minutes now, it had been obvious to Tsunade that the clan heads were unsure how to broach this very topic without violently overturning the boat. Though, apparently, the young heiress had no problem doing just that. In fact, it seemed to Tsunade that was exactly what she wanted.
The uneasy silence remained until the girl spoke again. "Lord Third, perhaps it's time for a change. You've served this village well for a long time and it is time for you to rest. Let the clans choose a new leader, one we can trust. One who can unite us and lead Konoha into a more stable future, rather than wallowing in a pit of distrust as we are doing now"
Tsunade felt an uneasy premonition bud in her heart as the girl looked around at the other clan heads gathered. Something about the way the child stared at the Third Hokage made her very uncomfortable.
Seemingly oblivious to this, Hiruzen instead nodded slowly, a heavy sigh escaping his lips. "I am willing to consider stepping down from my position if that would appease the clans. I fully acknowledge my faults and my involvement in the atrocities committed during my tenure and have no excuse.
"But first, we need to decide what must be done about Sasuke Uchiha. That is of utmost priority."
Tsunade ignored the wave of arguments that erupted afterwards. For some reason, she just couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling she felt in her heart as she stared at Yakumo staring silently at the Hokage, a shade of loathing darkening the girl's visage.
Just what is going on?...