Sealing Ido

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Tenjho Tenge

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This installment we introduce Hatake Kakashi to the story. Here's chapter 18, enjoy!

Last time:

Tenten sighed. "Damn, I hardly recognized Hinata. She even carries herself differently. She seems so much stronger now. I can't believe she can pull off the sixty-four palms strike like you Neji. I was always under the impression she wasn't as suited to juken as you are."

Neji nodded. "Hanako Obaa-sama said that Hinata-sama's body type isn't suited for traditional juken but she's flourished by using and alternate type that Obaa-sama uses herself. I meant to congratulate Hinata-sama on defeating the Uchiha but I didn't even recognize her when I entered her room. It was rather embarrassing." he said with a slight blush.

Tenten chuckled, "Well, Hinata didn't seem to hold it against you, so no harm done right?"

Neji nodded and said "Of course." but inside he was mortified that he'd been drooling over his cousin. 'That was just wrong.' he mentally sighed to himself.

…

Chapter 18

Konoha Hospital

While Sasuke was heavily doped up on pain meds and unconscious and Neji was considering shaving his head and taking an oath of celibacy, Nara Shikamaru was doing his best to remain bedridden in the hospital due to troublesome injuries to his privates. Alas, all good things must end and the scion of the Nara Clan was dragged back to the Academy by his equally troublesome Mother, Nara Yoshino…

"What a drag…" moaned Shikamaru as he entered the cafeteria. "Now I have to eat my breakfast in a rush." He saw everyone turn to look at him and noticed that Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke and Sai were all missing from the group. "This just has troublesome written all over it…" he grumbled as his classmates filled him in on all the gory details of Sasuke and Hinata's spar…The normally sleepy-eyed boy soon had his dark eyes opened wide in shock at what he was hearing…

…

Konoha Ninja Academy building roof

Naruto, Hikari and Tortoise appeared on the roof of the Academy via a body flicker and Hikari quickly donned her mask and became Gazeru. "Fox-sensei, don't forget your mask while on duty for the Hokage."

Naruto sweat dropped, 'Man; I'm never going to get used to this.' "Right." He quickly unsealed his smiling fox mask and placed it over his face. "Okay; ANBU Fox is on the job." he said as he took a heroic pose.

Gazeru giggled a bit and they body flickered away towards their destination: The Kurama Clan's mountainside Manor…

…

Natsume Clan Home

Hanabi was showing her friend Mito-chan around the Natsume clan grounds with an escort from a shadow clone of her Grandmother Hanako's. Hanako herself was in the study with Tsunade (with the silencing seals active)…

Hanako brought out some tea, sat down and motioned for Tsunade to be seated as well. "So, Senju Tsunade the Slug Princess has come to grace me with her presence. I know you didn't just bring your daughter over to play since you would have just sent Shizune-chan over to do that. Why don't you tell me the real reason for your visit Tsunade?"

Tsunade marveled a bit at the older woman. It seemed her rapier tongue and wit hadn't dulled a bit in the least in the past twenty years. "If you didn't already know, I'm going to be succeeding Sarutobi-sensei as the Fifth Hokage in a month's time." said Tsunade. "He has graciously agreed to become one of my two advisors and has my complete trust. Given we a building up towards another war I would like someone that the enemy fears and somebody who is experienced in conducting a war. You are both. Sarutobi-sensei has recommended you for the job ANBU Commander Raven and I couldn't agree with him more."

Hanako raised a delicate eyebrow, "Who is this enemy that supposedly fears me? There aren't that many people outside of ANBU circles that even have a clue as to who I was before I retired."

"The enemy is my ex-teammate Orochimaru." said Tsunade. "He has set up a new hidden village in Rice Country called the Sound Village and we are ninety percent positive that he has convinced Suna to join forces with him in attacking us in approximately seven months' time. They are both mobilizing for war so we have to also in order to counter them."

Hanako pondered aloud, "Just in time for the chunin exams when our doors are flung wide open…" The Hyūga matriarch looked very calculative suddenly. "The White Snake Orochimaru…Hiruzen should have killed him when he had the chance years ago. You want to play on that aversion that he got to me after I swatted you three brats around. It never hurts to stack the deck a bit in your favor. Hmmm...with you as the new Hokage and both Hiruzen and I as you advisors it would certainly make Orochimaru second guess himself. Even the tiniest bit of doubt in a military commander's mind can be exploited by his foes. No doubt your husband Jiraiya helped you come up with that."

Tsunade was surprised. "How did you know that Hanako-sama?"

Hanako sat back looking pleased with herself. "Unlike you and everyone else I saw through Jiraiya's facade of a perverted simpleton decades ago. He's always been clever and cunning as opposed to being touted as a genius like Orochimaru or a prodigy like yourself. I'm guessing that it finally dawned on you when you decided to marry him, yes?"

Tsunade blushed. "You knew all this time it was an act? Why didn't you tell me?"

"Do you really need an explanation? It is because you wouldn't have believed me if I had told you." said Hanako in a lecturing tone. "He is a pervert and is childish but not nearly as much as he lets on. Besides, if you can't fool your friends then how can you expect to fool your enemies? I don't know what changed between you two and frankly it's none of my business but obviously he was able to fix the broken Senju Tsunade that fled this village twenty years ago. I'd imagine you've changed him for the better as well." Hanako sipped her tea for a few moments and said, "Changing subjects, have you done an autopsy on Danzo's remains? I think that arm he had has Orochimaru's work written all over it."

"Yes I have and I have no doubt it is an experiment of Orochimaru's." said Tsunade. "That aside it's obvious that your instincts are as sharp as ever Hanako-sama. Will you become my advisor? I know you are retired but Konoha needs strength like yours again."

Hanako took a long, deep look into Tsunade's amber eyes. "Well, I can tell you are being sincere. If the situation with my grandchildren and the Hyūga Clan wasn't so precarious right now, I would accept your offer. I've been a hermit for a bit too long you see so I actually do like the idea of being active again. On the other hand, I've neglected my grandchildren and they've suffered for it."

"I read the report on Hinata, Hanako-sama." said Tsunade darkly. "It is a wonder her spirit wasn't broken. You must be very proud of her to have gone through that trial and came out of it stronger."

"Then you understand why I'm hesitant to leave her and little Hanabi-chan by themselves Tsunade." said Hanako.

Tsunade nodded thinking of what she'd do if Mito-chan had been hurt that way. She'd probably have gone on a killing spree…consequences be damned.

Hanako sipped some more of her tea. "Give me two weeks and I will have an answer for you Tsunade. It's the best I can offer you right now. Is that acceptable?"

The head of the Senju Clan said, "I will do everything in my power to help you with your granddaughters whether you accept the position or not Hanako-sama. Two weeks is fine."

Hanako raised an eyebrow. "That sounded like the Fifth Hokage. Your ancestors would be proud of you Tsunade."

Tsunade gave a genuine smile. "Thank you Hanako-sama."

Hanako returned her smile. "What do you say we hunt down those two little seven-year-old girls and see what mischief they've gotten into?"

…

Kurama Manor

The ANBU had the Kurama Manor surrounded but it was covered by a massive dome of flame that was actually a powerful (and lethal) genjutsu projected by Kurama Yakumo who was the heiress of the Kurama Clan. Naruto (ANBU Fox) was talking to Yūhi Kurenai about the situation. He'd met her before because she taught genjutsu to certain members of the Advanced Genin Class as an afternoon elective course. Haruno Sakura had excelled in that area under Kurenai's tutelage. Naruto figured Kurenai saw right through his ANBU Fox disguise (she was obviously a very intelligent woman) but she was keeping up the pretense that he was 'Fox.'

"So let me get this straight." said ANBU Fox. "Kurama Yakumo has a second, malicious personality that the Third Hokage had sealed up because it used genjutsus so dangerous they could actually kill?"

Kurenai nodded sadly. "I failed her as an instructor and now that malicious personality named Ido has broken out of the seal and has taken control of Yakumo's body. Ido killed Yakumo's parents in a genjutsu fire and somehow placed the blame on the Third Hokage and I."

ANBU Raccoon was there and said, "Can you reseal this malicious entity in her psyche Fox-sensei?"

Fox shrugged and said, "Sure I can but why? It would be better to extract the entity from her mind and seal it up in a scroll for destruction later."

"You can actually do that Fox-sensei?" asked Tortoise in disbelief.

Fox stared at Tortoise from behind his mask and said, "Did I not tell you that seals can do anything student of mine? Keep an eye on the Kurama heiress so I can make a practical sealing array to do this with. Shadow clone jutsu!" Seven Duplicates of ANBU Fox appeared and each took a scroll from the original and started painting seals on their scrolls.

"What are you creating Fox-sensei?" asked Gazeru while she watched in fascination as his brush flowed artistically across the scroll. Racoon and Tortoise were watching bedazzled as well at the sheer complexity of the design.

Fox didn't take his eyes off what he was doing and said, "This is an advanced eight-point seal anchoring point. Once all eight points are anchored then we will use it to trap Ido and we can extract her from Yakumo. It will also disrupt her chakra so the genjutsu should drop. I'll need the ANBU to help me place the seal anchors and keep them charged with chakra."

"Wouldn't a six-point seal do the job Fox?" A tall, white-haired man asked as he walked up.

Tortoise looked up from his sensei's work and saw the Toad sannin standing there. "Jiraiya-sama, are you here to take command?"

"No, I think I'll just observe." said Jiraiya. "I believe ANBU Fox has this business well in hand, so I'll assist if I'm needed. I do wonder why you aren't just using a six-point seal Fox. They are so much easier to make and should be sufficient."

Fox said, "A six-point seal won't contain and explosion in a worst case scenario and the extraction process will be made much easier because the entity Ido will be totally immobilized with an eight point seal Jiraiya-sama." 'So this is the man Jiji wanted me to meet.'

"Far be it from me to argue against overkill." said Jiraiya as he admired his godson's seal work. 'He's doing an eight point multi-layer seal so effortlessly. Naruto is definitely your son Kushina-chan.'

Within five minutes eight very complex anchoring scrolls were completed and all seven copies of Fox said, "Seal!" in unison with the original which finished the process.

Jiraiya said, "Very impressive work; how can I help Fox?" Fox looked up at Jiraiya and handed him a scroll which the toad sannin promptly unrolled and whistled as he studied it. "A combination extraction and containment seal. Is this another invention of yours?"

"Yes." said the blonde seal master. "Why use two seals when you can use one?"

"Where do you need me to be to activate it?" asked Jiraiya looking impressed. "Does it need to be in physical contact with the girl?"

Fox shook his head. "No; as long as you are within twenty feet and in a direct line of sight of the Kurama Heiress it should work. Once the eight-point field is up and the genjutsu drops it's a simple matter of getting in position, activating the scroll and letting it do its job."

"You do know anyone of us here could do that don't you Fox?" asked Jiraiya with a smirk.

Fox nodded. "Yes, but the gleam in your eye told me you would want a front row seat to watch that seal at work."

…

Konoha Ninja Academy

Hinata was welcomed back to class by everyone about an hour after breakfast was over. Normally Yūgao would have been irritated that her students completely broke ranks and forgot they were in the middle of a lecture so they could socialize. But the ANBU sword mistress decided that a little unity in the class would help ease the tension that was so apparent in the classroom. It had been a very rough day. Everyone but Naruto and Sasuke were accounted for now and the class seemed to have completely shunned Sasuke for what he did.

"Hinata-chan, are you okay?" asked Maya with great concern in her voice. "We've all been really worried about you."

The Hyūga heiress smiled and said, "I'm just fine Maya-chan. There isn't even a scar. I just am limited to light sparring the rest of the week." Hinata rotated her shoulder around showing she had a full range of motion. "See? Everything is fine and it doesn't even hurt."

The kunoichi were all gathered around Hinata and making sure she was okay. "I'm so glad Hinata." said Ino. "I was so afraid for you."

Emi and Sakura expressed their thankfulness as well. "I'm glad there's no scar Hinata." said Sakura. "I just can't believe what happened."

After about twenty minutes Yūgao said, "Alright everybody, let's all settle down. Hinata is okay and that's the main thing. You all can socialize over lunch. Let's get back to class." Hinata raised her hand. "Yes Hinata?" asked Yūgao.

Hinata said, "I couldn't help but notice that Naruto-kun and…the Uchiha are missing. I see Hikari-san is missing too. Did something happen?" 'Gods, I hope Naruto-kun didn't try to murder the Uchiha and got himself locked up!' Hinata thought worriedly.

Yūgao deduced what was going through Hinata's mind pretty quickly and smiled. "The ANBU needed help in Naruto's area of expertise and he and Hikari left to deal with that. He may be gone the rest of the day but hopefully not." Seeing Hinata let out a visible sigh of relief Yūgao said, "Let's all be seated now class; we have a lecture to continue."

…

Kurama Manor

Naruto and his seven shadow clones were each 200 meters from the manor's center where Yakumo was and were equidistant from each other. Each shadow clone had an ANBU with him. Gazeru was with the original and everyone was waiting for the seal to be activate. Naruto activated his radio and said "On my signal…Three, two, one, mark!" Naruto and his seven shadow clones all said "Fuinjutsu, eight-point seal!" as they channeled chakra into the eight anchor points simultaneously.

Gazeru and Naruto's other students on the ANBU sealing team watched in amazement as the anchor seals lit up and shot a line each towards the center. The genjutsu shattered as concentric rings formed around the entire manor with complex symbols along every line in the seal pattern. Within a minute the glowing seal was complete and stabilized. "The eight-point seal is complete." said Fox over the radio. "ANBU take over charging the anchor points from the shadow clones. Jiraiya-sama, you are clear to enter the Manor."

"Roger that Fox; nice work." radioed Jiraiya as he entered the manor with Kurenai following along to help with Yakumo. As the two entered the manor they saw all manner of paintings, most of them disturbing and showing images of death –many of them Kurenai's death. "Well, this is rather unsettling." said Jiraiya to which Kurenai just nodded sadly.

They soon got to the room that Yakumo was in and found the girl immobilized lying on the floor and crying. Above her seemingly suspended in the air was the grotesque, semi amorphous form of Ido who was screaming for vengeance against Konoha in general and Kurenai in particular. Yakumo's eyes turned to look at Kurenai and she said in a broken tone, "Kurenai-sensei; I…I killed my parents. I remember everything now. Please kill me sensei! I just want to die…"

Kurenai wanted to rush to Yakumo's side but Jiraiya held her back. "Stay calm. We have to get rid of Ido first; then you can help her Kurenai."

Kurenai said, "We're going to get rid of Ido for good Yakumo. Just hold on and I'll help you."

"Sensei please…" said the crying heiress.

Jiraiya slapped down the scroll Naruto gave him and said, "Extraction seal!" Ido started making even more noise as seal emblems shot across the floor and then formed around Ido in the air and started spinning around it rapidly. Ido was entrapped in a tornado of sealing energy. Jiraiya then took his hand off the scroll and said "Containment!" Ido's form was immediately sucked into the scroll which rolled itself up and entrapped Ido for good. Seeing Kurenai waiting Jiraiya said, "Now you can help your student."

Kurenai shot forward to comfort the crying girl as Jiraiya radioed the ANBU, "Extraction and containment complete. Drop the seal ANBU." Within seconds the seal lines that had Yakumo imprisoned vanished and the girl was crying openly and apologizing repeatedly in the arms of her sensei. Kurenai held the distraught girl close to soothe her.

"It's going to be alright Yakumo." said Kurenai. "Ido's gone for good and we can make a new start of things."

Jiraiya soon got a radio call from Naruto. "Were there any complications Jiraiya-sama?"

Jiraiya replied, "The seals worked perfectly Fox; I think this young lady is going to get another chance at life thanks to your abilities. Well done."

The ANBU all sighed in relief once Jiraiya gave the all clear signal. It had been a taxing day…

…

Konoha Hospital

Sasuke was in really bad shape. When he woke up he virtually hurt from head to toe. Memories went through his mind of blood flying from Hinata's shoulder when his shuriken hit her and the feeling of elation he felt when she cried out. Then Sasuke remembered the completely feral smile on her face before her hands turned into two blurs…Her fingers struck like twin vipers and said Hinata something he didn't understand...Time seemed to slow down in his mind then…The last thing he remembered was a feeling of weightlessness and pain in his groin so bad that he blacked out. It all flashed before his eyes in an instant. Had the little Hyūga witch kicked him in the balls?!

"How are you feeling since your successful orchiectomy Uchiha-san?" asked a nurse as Sasuke came back into the world of consciousness.

"W-what?" moaned Sasuke in pain. He opened his tired eyes and saw he was in a white room. "A-am I in the hospital?" He saw the nurse in front of him come into full focus and his entire body shuddered from the pain hitting him full force. "Uuuugh…" he moaned pathetically. "What the hell happened to me? I hurt all over."

The nurse quietly started checking his vitals and said. "You were badly injured Uchiha-san. I'm not sure of the events surrounding it as the medic nins were sworn to silence. I'll inform the ANBU that you are awake." She stepped out of the hospital room and then came back a few seconds later to finish taking the rest of his vital signs.

"How badly am I injured?" asked the last Uchiha. 'This pain is unbearable…I've never hurt so much in my entire life…It's like my entire body is bruised inside and out.'

"Your chakra system has been severely damaged and several of your internal organs were injured so seriously that we had to perform an orchiectomy on one of them." explained the nurse.

"An orky-what?" asked Sasuke.

Two ANBU came into view. It was the medic Dove and her partner Bear. "What nurse Fukuya is telling you in layman's terms is you were badly internally injured and your left testicle was ruptured so had to be removed Uchiha." said Dove rather darkly.

Sasuke's mind flashed back to the beginning of the spar…"You may not be able to have children when I'm done with you Uchiha…" is what Hinata had said to him with a cold smirk on her pretty face…

Sasuke reached down very painfully and felt an absence of a certain body part. "OH MY GOD ONE OF MY NUTS IS MISSING!" Sasuke screamed in a high-pitched voice as reality hit him in the face like a freight train.

Thus, the legend of 'Old One Nut' was born…

…

ANBU Headquarters

Naruto was writing out his formal report to the Hokage with Hikari helping him. She was giggling in amusement that her brilliant fuinjutsu sensei could do something like sealing psychic demons away so easily and yet had a hard time with written reports. The very idea seemed ludicrous to her. To Naruto's credit though; he got it right on the third try. "Excellent Naruto-kun; this report is well written and concise. I can't believe on your first report you referred to Hokage-sama as Jiji though!" the girl laughed.

Naruto grinned covering his embarrassment. "Go ahead and laugh it up Hikari-chan. I've always known Hokage-Jiji as Jiji though. It was just automatic."

Hikari smiled. "Since you were one of the cornerstones of that operation, we'll need you to present your formal report verbally to Hokage-sama as well." She put her mask back on and said, "I'll body flicker us to the Hokage Tower. Don't forget your mask Fox."

Naruto sighed and got his mask on. "Okay, let's go Gazeru. We can't keep Jiji waiting."

…

Hokage Tower

Ten minutes later after talking to the Hokage's secretary; Gazeru knocked on the Hokage's door. "Remember to address him as Hokage-sama Fox-sensei…this is a formal report." she whispered.

"Yes Gazeru; I'll remember." Fox whispered back as they were given permission to enter the office Naruto was so used to just entering nonchalantly without bothering to knock.

"ANBU Gazeru and ANBU Fox reporting Hokage-sama." said Gazeru as they both bowed respectfully. It was quite obvious she held the Hokage in very high regard to Naruto (Not that he didn't. His form of respect was just different towards the old man).

…

Academy Cafeteria 1 P.M.

All the kunoichi were sitting together at the far table conversing about the day's events. "Well, to be honest we were all sick with worry about you Hinata-chan." said Emi. "None of us really gave a damn about the Uchiha so I don't have any idea what kind of damage you inflicted on him. I think the consensus is whatever you did to him he probably deserved worse. He was rushed out on a stretcher though; the bastard."

Ino nodded. "We were all just so stunned that he went totally psycho on you Hinata. I think Maya and Naruto-kun were going to rush after you to the hospital and probably murder Sasuke but Yūgao sensei made them swear not to."

'Since when has Ino called him Naruto-kun?' wondered Hinata. "When did Naruto-kun and Hikari-san leave to go on their mission then?"

Maya answered, "Naruto-kun left with Hikari-san and ANBU Tortoise right in the middle of breakfast. He said to tell you he was thinking about you if he wasn't here to see you when you got back."

Hinata gave a soft smile knowing Naruto was thinking about her. "I just hope he's being careful." said Hinata. "It's just like Naruto-kun to the first Academy Student to be on an ANBU mission."

"Now that you mention it you're absolutely right Hinata-chan." said Emi with a chuckle as she stood up. "I'm sure he can handle it. He's a big boy you know. Anyone want to join me for fourths?"

"We're all stuffed on our firsts and second servings Emi-chan. I wouldn't survive a third round." said Maya as Emi dashed off. "Man that girl can pack the food away! Where does she put it all I wonder?"

The kunoichis all watched as Emi and her cousin Choji got back in line for more food…

…

Hatake Kakashi's residence

Yūgao slipped out of the Academy during the lunch hour and went to see Hatake Kakashi who used to be her superior in ANBU. The sword mistress wanted his input about how she should present her case to the Hokage about Uchiha Sasuke's actions. Kakashi had his Sharingan removed years ago when he found out his supposedly late 'best friend' Uchiha Obito was the one responsible for the Kyubi's attack and the death of his beloved sensei Namikaze Minato and his beautiful wife Kushina. The idea of having Obito's sharingan eye implanted in his own body disgusted him to the core once they positively identified Obito's remains. After that Kakashi became increasingly bitter about life and the Uchiha Clan in general. There had been suggestions for him to take Sasuke in after the massacre of the Uchiha Clan since he could help with training Sasuke in using his sharingan (though he no longer possessed one) but Kakashi said he wanted nothing to do with the brat and that Uchiha Itachi made a mistake in letting Sasuke live…

"So, after all this time the kid finally snapped huh?" asked Kakashi after hearing Yūgao's tale about the spar between Hinata and Sasuke earlier today. "I recommended back when the massacre occurred that he shouldn't become a ninja and should be dropped from the program because of psychological issues but the Elders all claimed Konoha 'needed him as a show of strength.' I wonder what they'll say now."

"I don't know Kakashi-senpai but that's why I'm asking for your advice on the matter." said Yūgao. "Unlike you I've never initiated the equivalent of Court Martial proceedings."

Kakashi looked at Yūgao with his one eye (he had an eye patch over the other socket) and said, "How would this be dealt with if it was any other student Yūgao? What would you recommend if someone else tried to murder the heiress of the most prestigious clan in Konoha as opposed to the Last Uchiha?"

Yūgao answered, "I'd recommend they drop him from the Ninja Program citing mental instability and being a danger to others, then seal off his chakra and lock him up for as long as possible. His potential teammates in the class could never trust him after he tried to murder a comrade. He's a lost cause as well as a waste of resources in my opinion regardless of whether he possesses talent or not."

Kakashi nodded. "And Uchiha Sasuke is no different from anyone else in the Ninja Program. That's how you should deal with him as well. Go for the jugular like you always do Yūgao; public opinion be damned. Talk to the Hyūga Clan if you need political support. I'm surprised they haven't stormed the hospital on their own accord personally. Rumor on the street has it the Hyūga heiress damn near killed him anyway. Did that girl actually pull off a sixty-four palms Juken strike on him?"

"I saw it with my own eyes Kakashi-senpai." answered Yūgao. "I honestly have never heard of an Academy Student pulling that move off before. It's rather unprecedented. When I asked her about it, she told me she was learning from her Obaa-san, Hyūga Hanako-sama."

Kakashi's one eye widened. "Well, no wonder she's so strong then. Hanako-sama is a living legend."

Yūgao raised an eyebrow. "I hadn't heard of her before Kakashi-senpai."

Kakashi hand signed [ANBU] and then said, "Trust me, she's a legend."

Yūgao smiled and her eyes glittered. "It sounds like she might make a good ally if things get ugly in this situation."

Kakashi gave her an eye smile. "That she might Yūgao."

Yūgao soon bid her old senpai farewell and headed back towards the Academy before the lunch hour ended…

…

Hokage's Office

"And that concludes my report Hokage-ji, I mean Hokage-sama." said Fox.

Hiruzen smiled. "Well, you get a nine out of ten for effort Fox. You still slipped up and tried to address me as Jiji twice though." the elderly Hokage chuckled. "By the way, Jiraiya gave a glowing report on your conduct in the field. Just remember to maintain that same field discipline when giving reports to your superiors in the future."

"Yes Hokage-sama." answered Fox.

"You two are both dismissed." said Sarutobi as he heard Naruto's stomach roar in hunger–which in turn made Hikari's stomach growl (much more quietly) as well. Her body language showed embarrassment unlike Naruto's. "While you're at it; both of you grab some lunch before you go back to class; dismissed!"

Both Gazeru and Fox saluted before Gazeru whisked them away in a body flicker.

…

Konoha Ninja Academy 2 P.M.

Yūgao arrived right on time and saw her students filing back into the classroom in from lunch. She noticed Hikari and Naruto had yet to return though. She went through her notes and said, "Jonin Yūhi Kurenai won't be available to teach genjutsu today Haruno and Yamanaka so just use your first hour for study until your med nin sensei gets here. On another note; it doesn't look like Uzumaki's going to be back today so I'm trusting you to give him a copy of the class lecture notes for today's classes Natsume."

"Yes sensei." answered Maya. Though the Natsume heiress hadn't ever been told about it she assumed her sensei knew about Naruto's current living situation though he still technically had his own apartment. 'I'm going to have to get with Hinata-chan so we can convince Naruto-kun to get rid of that drafty old apartment and move in for good. Maybe Hanako-Obaa-chan could give us a hand too.' thought Maya to herself.

…

Akimichi Barbeque Restaurant

"Are you sure this is okay Hikari-chan?" asked Naruto as he and Hikari were seated. "We could have just gone back to the Academy cafeteria for a quick bite."

"Of course, I'm sure." quipped Hikari. "You did an amazing job out there today sensei, so you deserve a big lunch with good food!" 'More importantly: alone with me!' "Besides, there's only an hour left of the school day anyway."

"There's two hours left Hikari-chan." corrected Naruto after he checked his watch.

Hikari shook her head 'no.' "Nope; our last class hour is cancelled today so you might as well relax Naruto-kun. It's the Hokage's orders after all."

Naruto shivered. "I hope Yūgao-sensei doesn't murder me for skipping out like this."

Hikari giggled at his terrified look. "I've got you covered with Yūgao-senpai. Just order whatever you want; it's my treat!"

…

Hyūga Clan Compound

Hyūga Suzu was concluding her report to Hiashi-sama. "Hinata-sama comported herself with dignity and grace. She is a true credit to our clan. It is not my place to say Hiashi-sama but I would think the entire clan would be elated to hear of Hinata-sama's progress. Putting the Uchiha in his place so effectively has proven once again why the Hyūga are the premier clan of Konoha."

Haishi looked troubled. "As happy as I am to hear that Hinata-chan is doing so well; I am incredibly disturbed and angered at the Uchiha's actions against our beloved heiress. Have you told anyone else of this?"

"I informed Neji-san while I was at the hospital." said Suzu. "He was very concerned for Hinata-sama's welfare and insisted on seeing her to make sure she was alright despite my assurances. I believe Neji-san wishes to make amends with Hinata-sama and I am thankful for that."

"That is good news." agreed Hiashi. "I will be discussing this matter with Hokage-sama and Hinata-chan's sensei. One way or another the Uchiha will pay dearly for this. The village may give him special treatment but he's gone too far this time. I will have his head for trying to harm my Hinata-chan!" 'I will head to the Natsume residence to see my little girl whether Kaa-san approves of it or not!'

…

Hokage Tower 4 P.M.

Having dismissed her class a few minutes early Uzuki Yūgao went over to the Hokage Tower and immediately sought to present her report. Hiruzen called her in a few moments after her arrival given he had a good idea as to why she was there to begin with. Upon her entry the elderly Sarutobi said, "Sit down Yūgao; bad news travels fast so I'll need to hear your report on the situation between the Hyūga and the Uchiha. Hiashi's already been here and the Hyūga Clan is already baying for Uchiha Sasuke's blood."

The gears in Yūgao's mind spun quickly at this news. 'It must have been that Hyūga medic that took care of Hinata. Good, that will make my job that much easier.' "Hokage-sama, I apologize for not coming directly to you first. I did not think the Hyūga Clan would find out so quickly."

"It is of no concern Yūgao." said Hiruzen as he seated herself. "If there is anything I've learned over all my years it is the fact that the best kept secrets in a ninja village are usually the fastest to hit the rumor mill. Am I to understand that Uchiha Sasuke attempted to harm or possibly kill Hyūga Hinata with both kunai and shuriken in a taijutsu only spar?"

Yūgao nodded. "Yes, sir. I attempted to intervene but I was a second to late and Hinata defended herself first. The Uchiha said quote; 'I'll butcher that pretty face of yours!' to Hyūga Hinata. At the least he attempted to do grievous bodily harm to her; at the most he attempted to murder the Hyūga heiress. The truth is probably somewhere in between. If he were a full ninja I would recommend a full tribunal be appointed for a court martial. Given he is still technically an Academy Student I would at the very least drop him from the Ninja Program."

Hiruzen nodded and jotted a few notes down. "Noted; now tell me how you personally feel about this situation ANBU Cat. What do you think his punishment should be?"

Yūgao took a deep breath and said, "Academy student Uchiha Sasuke is a danger to himself and those around him. He is psychologically unstable and though I do not believe it was premeditated I do believe he was trying to kill his fellow student Hyūga Hinata. He should have his chakra sealed and be locked up for attempted murder. He is a waste of valuable training resources to the Ninja Program and by my evaluation should have been dropped from it long ago. It was not until this incident that I realized how truly bad it was."

"Would you be willing to stand by that statement in a court proceeding?" asked the Hokage.

"Yes Hokage-sama, I would." stated Yūgao.

The elderly Hokage nodded at her display of resolve. "This is classified ANBU Cat but under my authority as Hokage; Uchiha Sasuke is to be tried in a Court Martial as a full ninja would. This village will not tolerate these actions by anyone. The fact he is the Last Uchiha does not make him above the law. A thorough investigation will be taking place but rest assured that Uchiha Sasuke is no longer a student in the Ninja Program. He is a criminal and will be punished as such."

Yūgao let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Thank you, sir."

…

POSTSCRIPT:

Well, it seems that Sasuke's virtual immunity to prosecution due to his social status has just come crashing to an end. As you can see, Hatake Kakashi has a completely different outlook thanks to Obito's actions. He may or may not become a sensei for the advanced class. Hiashi seems to have taken the initiative and perhaps this might close some of the gaps between him and his estranged daughters. See you next time. Blue out. 6/14/23