45 Calm Before The Storm (1)

"They did a real number on this place, especially if you add on all the damage you caused." In one of the largest rooms of the central building were Rei, Haku, Zabuza, and Shisui. This was by far the largest room in the entire place, with a large strange looking stone table in the centre surrounded by chairs, with one being specially designed as the central one.

Rei had this room made just for when he had to talk about important decisions or announcements to anyone he trusted. It had been roughly a day since he had dealt with Kabuto and the ROOT. In that time, he did what he healed Fuyumi, Seiki, and Ren now, he just had to wait for their bodies to start healing the rest of the way.

With the others seating in seats around the table, everyone had a rather strict look on their faces. "It's fine. It can all be repaired and rebuilt. You three have already felt it, but the air here is perfect for spiritual beings and constructs. Even without my help, everything will start rebuilding itself in a matter of days."

Speaking with a sense of absence, it was obvious Rei's thoughts were elsewhere. "So I assume you're going after Danzo?" Shisui looked at Rei from his seat as he got a nod in response. "As frail as Danzo would appear, I would still be careful. Danzo is considered a rival to the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. Although not as powerful as his prime, he's still strong."

"That's not what you're really worried about." Rei brushed past the majority of what Shisui said as he focused on the real point. Shisui heard Rei point that out as he looked down at the table for a moment before speaking. "I understand that you're angry. Especially after all that has happened, however rushing into this isn't a good idea."

Both Haku and Zabuza glanced over at Shisui as Zabuza spoke up. "What do you mean by that? If you're suggesting that he should let this go, then you must be joking. If this place is to be all it's cracked up to be, then attacks should be returned with force." Shisui looked up at Zabuza and nodded.

"And I agree, except for the fact killing Danzo could spark a war. Even that guy Kabuto and the ROOT were able to do so much damage with over a hundred ninja. Imagine if thousands come in droves with the intention to kill and not just destroy you." Rei listened silently as he directed his gaze upwards slightly.

"I have given Danzo a chance and being too patient is what got me into this mess. This is no longer going to be a political issue. If they want to spark a war over killing trash like that, then the Leaf mustn't be that bright or all it's cracked up to be." Rei's words were ruthless and cutthroat as Shisui listened to him and sighed. He couldn't blame Rei. He would probably react similarly if he was in his position.

But still taking such a risk was dangerous, and he couldn't help but worry about the after-effects. 'Living in the moment is fine up until the actions of the past get you in bad situations in the future.' Closing his eyes for a moment, Shisui rolled his head slightly. "Alright, I wont say anything else. I promised to join you, and that includes my loyalty. Just try not to be too reckless."

Rei remained silent before standing up from his seat. "I've given my warning's, and I've drawn a line between my friends and my enemies. As for the rest, if they only want to react to threats and danger, then I'll give them one they can't ignore." With that, Rei left the room through the main entrance, which led to a branch of hallways.

Taking the one that led to his room, Rei tried to sort out his priorities. As he did so, he heard a voice he hadn't heard for a while now. "Despite outwardly appearing so confused and unhinged, your mind is becoming quite sharp." Glancing down at Ryujin Jakka, Rei looked out of the nearby windows at the sun.

'And here I thought you would tell me I was going down a worse path or something.' Continuing to walk undisturbed, Ryujin Jakka replied. "My previous Master was quite merciless and cruel in his early years. However, as he grew old, he grew softer and more compassionate. And despite growing wise, it was that softness that ended his life."

Hearing that brief story, Rei narrowed his eyes slightly. 'Is this your way of telling me to be colder or something?' Not understanding the point, Rei heard Ryujin Jakka say something that actually surprised Rei more than he had expected. At one more time, Rei even stopped walking as he stared at Ryujin Jakka.

"I have been around for longer than you could ever imagine. And as I started, my only requirement was for you to become a Shinigami and create an Afterlife for this chaotic world. In the end, you have held up your end well, and I mine. Just know no matter what happens in the future, my power and alignment shall be with you no matter the decision."

Hearing word's that, in all honesty sounded like Ryujin Jakka trying to act kind, Rei was taken back. 'Well, that's the nicest thing a sword has ever said to me.' Smiling to himself slightly, Rei didn't hear a response from Ryujin Jakka as it went back into its quiet state. Rei had his mood lifted slightly as multiple developments began to occur across the different nations and the village in question.

"Lady Tsunade Team Kakashi has successfully returned, and under careful surveillance, it seems Naruto Uzumaki has begun undergoing training. In this time, our search was successful, and we have located two Akatsuki members." Tsunade listened silently to the report she was being given by Shizune in her office.

"Though that ends the report, there is something strange which we have taken notice of." Tsunade raised her head slightly in her chair. "Oh, and what would that be?" Shizune flipped the page of the report they were holding in her hand. "We have detected strange movements by Danzo. Not only that, but apparently there has been a leak on Rei's existence."

Hearing Shizune, Tsunade almost shot up. "What! How?" She had kept that information classified to the highest degree. "Not sure, however it's only a matter of time before it reaches the Kage of the other nations. The only possible person who could have leaked information like this was either someone inside the Anbu or…"

Shizune's voice trailed Tsunade's eyes widened. "Someone who has had previous and close ties to the Anbu to the point they could insert a mole… Danzo!" Slamming her fist on the table, the surface shook as the wood cracked, and Tsunade bit her lip. "We should've never taken our eyes off of him. No matter the reason he did it, we still need evidence against him if we are to act."

With that being the case getting evidence on Danzo would be nearly impossible. He's too careful to leave a multitude of loose ends. "Increase surveillance on him and begin background checking all the Anbu twice if need be. I don't him causing any more issues from this point forward until we can deal with him for good."

Shizune nodded towards Tsunade as she left the office. Walls were closing around Danzo, blocking his escape path and he surely noticed that. From the fact, Sai and the ROOT never returned, nor was their word from Kabuto, only two options remained. One they were all killed, or two Kabuto betrayed him and killed his ROOT.

At first, he had considered Rei killed them all but decided it was unlikely. As powerful as Rei was, he didn't believe he had those kinds of capabilities. So that left him the concept that Kabuto had betrayed him. "This entire ordeal has become a mess and a burden." Having his power stripped away and a good majority of his ROOT apparently dead, Danzo was in a bad situation.

'If Kabuto has betrayed me, then he will come after my life soon enough. I must acquire some way to hold him at bay.' Only one name and face popped up in Danzo's head as he thought back to Kabuto's interest in Sasuke. Having Sasuke under his control would be essential, but he would have to remove the obstacles in the way.

"Looks like I'll have to personally meet with the boy if any progress is to be made." Turning in his chair, Danzo looked out of the office window behind him. He was truly on the rope at this moment, and the hurricane that is Rei was only going to make it worse. At the same time, inside of the Leaf Village, a coincidental encounter.

"I mean, we do need to take breaks every now and again." Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino were walking down the road in the leaf while talking to one another. "I mean ya, but I still feel like we should be doing something." Both Choji and Ino were talking amongst one another as Shikimaru pitched in.

"I still don't get how you can keep up with your current schedule seems like a drag to me." Shikamaru had a lazy look on his face as Ino laughed. "Of course you would say that. I've been passing all the tests Lady Tsunade has been giving me. And on top of that, I-" Ino was cut off by Shikamaru as he rolled his eyes.

"Ya, ya developed your own Jutsu mixed fighting style. You've been bragging about it a lot." Ino frowned slightly as she heard someone talking to the three of them. "Hey Ino, Shikamaru, Choji, I haven't seen you guys all together in a while." Walking by herself, Sakura waved to the three of them before walking up closer.

"Oh hey, Sakura!" Looking around, Ino seemed confused as she asked a question. "I'm surprised Naruto and Sasuke aren't here with you." Sakura sighed as she gave off a weird look and breathed in. "Ya… Naruto started training, and because he didn't wanna be left behind, Sasuke followed suit. That plus Kakashi Sensei being busy means I'm only own today."

Hearing that, all three of them laughed. "Well, you're free to join us. We're heading to a restaurant so we can hear more of Ino's bragging." With Shikamaru taking a quick jab at Ino, she hit him in his side. "Sounds good to me besides, I heard you three with Asuma Sensei went on a pretty important mission."

The three of them gave off awkward looks as Ino replied to Sakura. "Ya, but sadly most of it is classified, so we can talk about it." With Sakura joining them, they continued to make their way down the road towards the restaurant, walking past dozens of people along the way. "Well I have to admit excluding the Akatsuki and Gaara things have been pretty calm lately."

Listening to Sakura, Choji and Ino agreed while nodding with only Shikimaru saying anything. "Ya well lets just hope it can stay that way. I don't think I can go on another stressful mission anytime soon."