Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Candle in the Wind ❯ Deals With the Devil ( Chapter 2 )

6 years ago…

The sound of breaking porcelain ripped through the silence of the sparsely furnished room. The single occupant of the room looked down at her trembling hands and pale wrists encased in chakra manacles. In a fit of rage brought on by another horrible meeting gone wrong, she'd chucked the whole bottle of expensive sake the despicable man had so graciously brought with him. From time to time, Danzou came to taunt her with the sordid details of his takeover of Konoha. He took pleasure in seeing her subtle distress, although Tsunade strived to never let him see her sweat. It didn't matter much to the man. She was still at a disadvantage even if she remained as stoic as possible.

In the months of chaos following Pein's invasion, the weakened Hokage had done all she could to stave of the Danzou's rebellion and tend to the needs of Konoha. Naruto managed to critically damage the maniacal leader of the Akatsuki before Pein pulled out of the leveled village. As the dust of battle settled, Tsunade was left stunned by the death toll. Expending the remainder of her chakra reserves to save her beloved village with the assistance of Katsuya, many had still met their end or sustained some major injuries.

Shizune was gone… The remaining member of the Legendary Sannin repressed a sob that stuck in her throat at the thought.

Kakashi remained in a sleep so reminiscent of death it was no point in considering him among the living. There was doubt that he would awaken. Naruto did not leave the fight with Pein unscathed; the damage left him in intensive care for nearly a week. Tsunade's lips tilted into a slight smile as she recalled how Sakura rallied the remaining shinobi to seek out those in need of urgent care, tirelessly healing the injured, and directing the medic ninjas as best she could. It took a full week to regain enough chakra to reinstate Tsunade's seal. During that time, Sakura carried out her orders in her steed as Shizune had done before her death. Both she and Sakura knew that it would not do to appear so frail and weak before a village badly shaken and insecure after the devastation.

Suna arrived shortly after Tsunade regained her strength enough to keep up appearances as Hokage. After negotiations with Gaara, Suna's Kazekage, villagers able to travel were relocated to Suna. The Hokage realized that the weakened city-state was far too vulnerable and the process of rebuilding would go more smoothly without the worries of finding immediate housing solutions for nearly all of Konoha's population. She sent a very reluctant Sakura, Team Guy, Team 8 as well as Shikamaru and Team 10 along with some seasoned Jounins to facilitate the move. Appointing Sakura as an ambassador to assist Shikamaru and ease the tension that the flood of Konoha citizens would undoubtedly cause in Suna. She would also be in charge of updating the medical facilities of the Suna, implementing seminars and training sessions for their lacking medical squad. Settling Konoha's refugees was no easy task and it would take months before Sakura and her team could return.

Recruiting Naruto to assist her as she oversaw the clearing of rubble and rebuilding process shortly after the village's partial evacuation, Tsunade knew the moment would come when the council would rear their ugly heads. She spared no time for the council and they wisely kept their peace while her moods became increasingly unstable and prickly. Danzou was suspiciously silent in all of this and she knew a time would come when she would have to fight tooth and nail. One very late night two weeks after the evacuation, her time came swiftly and without remorse.

***

After laboring over documentation of the dwindling coffers of Konoha, most of their expenses going towards rebuilding and defense, Tsunade ran her fingers through her blond bangs and then leaned back in her chair. All of her genin and chuunin were occupied with the construction. She managed to spare some Jounins for missions, but it would not be prudent to leave the village without proper defense. By now both allies and enemies must have been informed of Akatsuki's attack and its results. A sigh of frustration escaped her as she swiveled her chair to stare out at the landscape of Konoha.

Most of the rubble was cleared. To cut some cost, she ordered her task squad of shinobi and skilled tradesmen to salvage as much of the wreckage as possible for construction. Now thousands of tents and partially complete structures could be seen. The sight lifted her spirits just a bit and caused her to recall Naruto's antics for the day. The boy, no correction young man, had taken to summoning an unheard of amount of kage bunshin to get his tasks done faster. At one point, one of his mischievous clones triggered a paint war with a group of chuunin working on a neighboring house. She had no idea where that child found the energy to joke around in such a grim atmosphere. However his foolishness resulted in some much needed laughs and a terrible scolding from Tsunade.

“That idiot…” She muttered to herself and turned back to her desk. Reaching into one her hidden compartments of her desk, the Hokage pulled out a bottle of expensive sake and her favorite cup.

After pouring herself a cup, she sipped leisurely and glanced over the financial report once more. Wracking her brain in an effort to cut costs, she barely noticed the door of her office swing open. Looking up abruptly, she glared as recognized the intruder.

“Isn't it a bit late to make personal call, Danzou?” Tsunade inquired sarcastically as she took a long sip of sake. She needed all the sake she could get before he opened his mouth.

“It is indeed, Tsunade.” Danzou replied genially before his tone hardened, “But you must know this is far from a personal visit.”

Tsunade knew as soon as Koharu Utatane and Homaru Mitakado, the remaining members of the council, walked into the room she was headed for trouble.

Keeping a cool countenance, Tsunade leaned back in her chair, “To what do I owe the pleasure of this impromptu council meeting?”

Not one to hash words Homaru spoke bluntly, “It is time to step down Tsunade.”

Rising from her seat with deceptively calmness, Tsunade hissed threateningly, “You overstep your bounds. I am the Hokage and you are merely my advisors. My word is final in Konoha…”

“Tsunade, be reasonable. You've become incredibly weak since Pein's attack. You know you are no longer fit to serve as Hokage. Step down. Please do not make us force you.” Koharu implored.

“You and what army? I put my life on the line for this village and will continue to do so until the day I die. There is no way I plan on rolling over and playing dead for you bastards. Go to Hell!” Tsunade roared before switching her battle stance.

“Such a temper you have… I have never been a fan of yours, Tsunade. You are far too soft and emotional for my tastes. Such hot-headedness in times of trouble can prove rather fatal, don't you think?” Danzou chastised before stepping aside casually. “As far as me and what army goes…”

The crippled leader of Root stepped aside as the office flooded with members of his task force. In the end, the Hokage put up a valiant fight but was unfortunately outnumbered. Ironically it had been Sai, Sasuke's replacement in Team 7, who finally restrained her. Slapping the chakra draining manacles on her wrists before shoving a note folded so many times it appeared miniscule into her clenched fists. She did not read it until she was unceremoniously shoved into the small suite of rooms that would serve as her prison cell.

She would later unfurl the note to find a short message scrawled elegantly in black ink, “Please be patient. I am on your side.”

***

Since being overthrown, Tsunade sat in her minute quarters, enduring visits from Danzou and on occasion receiving a messenger from Sai. Apparently the story presented to the remains of Konoha was Danzou ascended to title of Hokage after she fell ill. The despot even went so far as to plant a comatose clone of the Godaime in the medical facility. Most of the Konoha's faithful shinobi were suspicious but could not question this mysterious and sudden turn of events because Danzou brooked no arguments. Those who spoke against him were arrested on suspicion of treason. According to Sai, pockets of rebellion were quietly brewing in the village as more people disappeared. Much to her frustration, none of her medics had discovered that the comatose Tsunade was a fake even as they continued to run a myriad of tests on the human clone to discern its condition. The former Hokage figured that Danzou kept her alive merely as his trump card. Should his ruse unravel, he had a hostage to keep the wolves at bay. While he had some supporters from the older generations, the rest of Konoha were apathetic to their new Hokage because of his heavy handed and tyrannical methods. Naruto had to be restrained when Danzou and the council forbade him to travel to Suna to inform Sakura and the rest of the relocation party of Konoha's recent events.

The imprisonment of Naruto infuriated her the most. The council refused to see the Jinchuuriki as anything more than a pawn in their war games. In the past, Tsunade fought the judgment of Danzou and the council so that he might have a normal life and an opportunity to achieve his dreams of becoming Hokage. Waiting was all she could do now. For what she had no clue. She hated feeling so helpless and powerless. Time seemed to crawl by so slowly and she could not be sure of what day it was. Her chakra draining manacles only allowed the smallest trickle of chakra, not enough to perform any jutsu to assist her in escape from her windowless prison.

Sitting down her small, uncomfortable bed, Tsunade sighed. Perhaps she shouldn't have tossed that sake. Being drunk right now seemed a great deal better than being sober, worried and frustrated. Shaking her head she tried to consult her internal clock and figure out how long she'd been here. Time was so hard to discern in this windowless room. She would have to ask Sai the next time she saw him, which was rare. The last she'd made note of her imprisonment was the three week point, two months after Pein's attack. Staring absently at her manacled wrists, she almost didn't see the ink mouse frantically squeezing its way under her door.

“Sai…” Tsunade whispered.

The tracker mouse looked up at the woman and then exploded, ink splattered onto the floor forming script before fading into nothing.

“Sasuke is attacking Konoha. He has found ROOT's base. Koharu Utatane and Homaru Mitakado are dead.”

Her amber eyes widened when she read that message. `Sasuke has finally come for his revenge.' Anguish washed over her as she imagined the devastation the last Uchiha was probably reaping in the already weakened village. `May the Gods protect Konoha…'

She heard the commotion going on outside her cell. The thick walls did not completely blot out the sounds of screams, yelling and the huge explosion that rocked her cell. Tsunade came to terms with the fact that she most likely would die in this cell. However, she was not afraid. As a kunoichi, death followed her throughout her life and she was not so naïve to think that she could continue to best the odds. She would most likely die in the midst of completing another Creation Rebirth jutsu. Besides, her shackles prevented her from utilizing such drastic measure should the time come. She barely had enough chakra to make a spark.

After what seemed like hours, an eerie silence descended on her cell and the medical specialist impatiently awaited her fate. Rather than take it all in sitting down, she begun to pace in anxiety. Danzou made her wait more than a month and now her future lie in the hands of a sole Uchiha who was dead set on avenging the death of his clan. Tsunade was well aware of the circumstances of his return. She managed to pull all of confidential files and discovered the council's preemptive decree against the Sasuke's clan. She knew of Itachi Uchiha's true role in the massacre. He'd been a mere pawn of Konoha's ruling powers. She would not be surprised if Sasuke saw fit to eliminate her as well if he knew she was here. What was one more death when vengeance was involved?

Her door burst open and a distinct smell she remembered from her travels through the Land of Lightning hit her nose. It reminded of the sharp smell that filled the air when lightning struck. `Either Kakashi has risen from his coma and come to my rescue or...”

She had little time to ponder as a Sasuke Uchiha stepped quietly into her room. Dressed entirely in black save the purple rope holding up his hakama pants, the composed young man emanated a menacing aura. This man barely resembled the traumatized adolescent she healed after he survived the effects of Itachi's Tsukiyomi. He was much taller with a proud bearing and wide shoulders. His face had matured, losing its baby fat and leaving behind his refined bone structure. His eyes were dark and soulless. She could see how Sakura had fallen for this pretty boy when they were genin. Adolescent girls were foolish that way. Despite his cold demeanor and perpetual frown, she could see his appeal.

Pinning Tsunade with his bleak gaze, Sharingan activate, he spoke, “Tsunade...”

“Uchiha...” she replied tiredly. “Have you come to finish me off? I've been waiting a while to be done with it. I hate waiting.”

Sasuke seemed unfazed by her brash words, “I have no interest in killing innocents.”

“I see...”

“I believe we have business to attend to, Tsunade...” he sighed.

Tsunade frowned before questioning hesitantly, “Do we?”

“But not here. Let's go.” Sasuke appeared behind her so quickly her eyes did not catch the movement. Then she felt an arm wrap around her waist and the distinct pull in her abdomen that could only originate from a teleportation jutsu.

One minute she was in her dismal cell and the next she found herself in the Hokage's office. The place was empty and there was no proof that a struggle had taken place between her and the council. Trailing her fingers over the wood grain of her desk, Tsunade walked over to window to peer out at the village she loved so much. All seemed quiet. Abruptly, she turned back to the Uchiha.

“I thought you led a full out attack on Konoha?” she questioned.

“Konoha has already met its ruin. There is no point in adding to the devastation. Besides, I have no taste for killing innocents. Making too much noise would have alerted my quarry and gotten too many bystanders involved.”

She shuddered at Sasuke's coldness. He was far too young to be so soulless. “So what will you do with me?”

The young came to sit before her, leaning forward so that he could brace his elbows on his knees. Intertwining his fingers before resting his chin against them, Sasuke struck a contemplative pose as he thought over his next words. “I have a proposition for you.”

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, “I believe I'm in no position to...”

Pinning her with a blank stare, he interrupted, “Danzou and the council are dead. My revenge is complete. You are now free to continue your reign as Hokage.”

“Fine... That may be true but what is it that you want of me?”

“As I said I'm here to make a proposition. I want you to rescind my status as a missing Nin.”

Tsunade gave a sharp bark of laughter, “Are you serious? Whether or not I liked the bastards, you killed the council. That's a serious offense. If there was a council to try you, you'd be executed.”

“Understood... However, the council rose to power by overthrowing and holding the Hokage hostage. I'm sure that is a punishable offense. Not to mention, they ordered the annihilation of my entire clan. Did you expect me to roll over on my back and simply accept that regardless of the circumstances?”

“No but...”

“I'm not asking for reacceptance into Konoha.”

“Then what is it you want? You are an S-class missing Nin. The last time I was privy to such information, you were in cahoots with the Akatsuki. Has that changed?”

“I have been affiliated with said organization but I'm not a member. They recruited me to capture the Hachibi of Kumo. That attempt failed and the Jinchuuriki escaped. Akatsuki's objectives are unknown to me as well as being completely unrelated to what I seek to achieve.” Sasuke sighed.

“Sasuke, this is impossible...”

“I will submit to whatever interrogation you feel is necessary. In my time away from Konoha, I have not revealed any of your secrets nor killed an innocent.”

Tsunade paused, not knowing how to answer.

“What I desire is exile status from Konoha.”

Tsunade sat up in her chair in surprise, “What?”

“I have no intention of reviving my clan in the land where they were slaughtered. I want your permission to live my life without the threat of ANBU or Naruto scrambling after me to drag me back here.”

The Godaime emitted another dry laugh at the mention of Naruto.

“Think about it. In my absence, I have defeated Orochimaru, Itachi, and Deidara. I disbanded several of Orochimaru's test sites. While my leave-taking from Konoha may have been unfortunate, I've done more for you in my absence than I could have ever achieved here.” Sasuke said with a shrug.

“You do not know that...” Tsunade rejoined gruffly, “The remainder of Team 7 has not been idle while you were off gallivanting with S-class villains.”

“Aa...”

“Sasuke, why did you even bother to consult me? It's obvious that you could have run back into the darkness from whence you came. ”

“I do not see the point in running. I want my name cleared in atonement for my clan's demise. Besides, I do not want any of my future dealings with Konoha and other villages to be affected by my status as a missing Nin.”

“Future dealings,” she echoed skeptically. “Don't tell me you're going to Oto.”

“I absorbed and overpowered Orochimaru which technically makes me...”

“The Otokage...” Tsunade sighed. Sasuke Uchiha presented a difficult but valid case.

“Sound will prove a difficult enemy without a leader... Konoha has been weakened considerably by Pein. The last thing you need is a more attacks.”

“Is that a threat Uchiha?”

“No, just a prediction...” the sinister young man shrugged yet again before replying, “I have no sway over Sound's Ninja at the moment. I prefer to make allies if it can be helped. You have resources here that could prove useful to achieving my goals... ”

Tsunade frowned at that last cryptic statement, “I will do what I can. It will be nothing short of rewriting the law.”

“Aa...”

“Do you promise to cooperate fully with ANBU's interrogation squad?”

“Aa...” he replied as he stood approaching the desk and holding out his hands.

Tsunade watched him warily for a moment.

“Your wrists...” he sighed impatiently.

Rankling a bit at his tone, she raised her wrists and he took hold of the manacles. She felt the surge of electricity flow the heavy metal cuffs before the fell from her wrists. Her suppressed chakra rushed through her system. “Now into fire we go then, eh Uchiha?”

She received no response. Sasuke said all that need be said for now it seemed. Tsunade shrugged and summoned a messenger hawk, relishing the way it felt to use her powers once again. “This is going to be fun...”

Needless to say, the fray and the complete confusion that ensued on ANBU's arrival to the Hokage's office was quite a sight to see. There was quite a lot of explaining two concussions and a broken desk, Tsunade's doing, and one Sasuke Uchiha taken into custody.

Top of Form

 

Bottom of Form