Kaito Akaden (Kaito)

Kaito Chapter 33

Just as Hiruzen was about to intervene, Kaito's hair had nearly turned half white. He looked at his mother, her breathing steady and her eyes closed. With a sigh of relief, Kaito collapsed, fainting from exhaustion.

Hiruzen and the other shinobi rushed towards them and quickly checked their vital signs. Hiruzen, a wave of relief washing over him, declared, "They're both alive! Quick, we have to get them to the hospital!" With that, they carefully carried Kushina and Kaito back to the village.

…

In a swift dash through the forest, the Third Hokage, accompanied by two other shinobi, urgently made their way back to the village. The real Hiruzen carried baby Naruto cradled in his arms, while a shadow clone shouldered the unconscious Kushina. The accompanying shinobi bore the heavy burden of Minato's lifeless body and the injured Kaito.

Upon reaching the village, they proceeded directly to the Konoha hospital. Instructing the medical shinobi, Hiruzen urgently commanded, "Quickly, get them the medical attention they need. Their survival is our top priority." He pointed emphatically at Kushina, Kaito, and the infant Naruto.

Reacting promptly to the directive, the medical shinobi swiftly took charge of Kushina, Kaito, and baby Naruto, relieving the With urgency in their steps, they rushed towards the emergency room.

As they entered the hospital, the weight of the situation became palpable. Hiruzen's heart sank at the sight of Minato's lifeless form, and the shock on the faces of those present mirrored the collective grief that enveloped the hospital. The Fourth Hokage's demise sent ripples of sorrow through the medical facility, emphasizing the gravity of the events that had unfolded in the forest.

As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, emerged from the Konoha Hospital,An ANBU operative materialized silently behind Hiruzen, awaiting orders. "Your orders, Lord Third?" inquired the ANBU with a vigilant stance.

Having safely delivered the Fourth Hokage's family to the hospital, Hiruzen pivoted to address the ANBU. "Send two ANBU squads to guard them. Their safety is our top priority. They are the only ones who can explain what happened today. Also, have an ANBU squad accompany me," commanded Hiruzen with a tone reflecting both authority and concern.

"Hai, Sandaime-sama," acknowledged the ANBU obediently.

The Anbu squad followed closely behind, their movements swift and silent, as they trailed the Third Hokage towards the site where Kushina had given birth. Upon reaching the location, they were met with a scene of devastation – the Anbu stationed there lay lifeless, their bodies scattered amidst the remnants of a fierce battle.

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the carnage, his heart sinking with a heavy thud. He raised his hand, gesturing towards the Anbu squad. "Search," he ordered, his voice barely above a whisper.

The Anbu scattered, their eyes scanning the surroundings for any clues that could unravel the mystery that lay before them. Hiruzen, unable to bear the sight of his fallen comrades, turned and made his way towards the Anbu base, his footsteps heavy with grief.

As he entered the base, a wave of sorrow washed over him. There, amidst the chaos and destruction, lay the lifeless body of his beloved wife, Biwako. Her eyes, once filled with warmth and love, were now closed forever, her face pale and lifeless.

Hiruzen's heart clenched with an agonizing pang of grief. "Oh, Biwako," he cried out, his voice choked with emotion. He sank to his knees, his hands trembling as he cradled her lifeless form.

After a while, the ANBU returned with their findings. Hiruzen, with a heavy heart, directed, "Lock down this base and investigate what happened here." Carrying the lifeless form of his wife, Hiruzen left the premises, leaving the ANBU to unravel the mysteries that had unfolded in the wake of the Nine-Tails attack.

…

Back at Konoha Hospital, Hiruzen gently placed Biwako's body on a gurney, his heart heavy with grief. Turning to the head of the hospital, he inquired about the condition of Kushina and the children.

"Lady Kushina is stable," the head of the hospital informed him, his voice somber. "However, her chakra coils have been severely damaged. Kaito has sustained a concussion, a broken wrist, and a severe case of chakra exhaustion. The baby, thankfully, is unharmed."

Hiruzen nodded, a hint of relief flickering in his eyes. "Good," he replied, his voice firm despite the turmoil within him. "Inform me immediately when they awaken."

With that, Hiruzen turned and left the hospital, his mind consumed by the task at hand – restoring order and peace to his beloved village. The recent events had plunged Konoha into chaos and despair, but Hiruzen, the steadfast Third Hokage, was determined to guide his people through the darkness and towards a brighter future.

…

The atmosphere in the Hidden Leaf Village was heavy with grief and sorrow. The aftermath of the Kyubi attack had left indelible scars on the village, both physically and emotionally. The once lively and vibrant village now bore the wounds of destruction, and the mourning faces of its inhabitants reflected the pain they felt.

In the village's cemetery, a solemn gathering of shinobi had assembled to pay their respects to the fallen and honor the heroic sacrifice of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. The air was thick with sorrow as the village mourned not only the lives lost but also the loss of their beloved leader.

Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood at the forefront, addressing the somber crowd. His voice carried the weight of the collective grief as he spoke words of tribute to Minato. "Minato, you gave your life to protect the Hidden Leaf Village and its future," he said, his tone reflecting both admiration and sorrow.

Amidst the mourners stood Kakashi Hatake. His Sharingan eye hidden behind a mask, Kakashi grieved silently, his thoughts filled with memories of his late sensei. The words of the Third Hokage resonated in his mind, and he couldn't help but think, "Minato sensei..."

As the village buried its fallen comrades, the legacy of Minato Namikaze lived on in the hearts of those who remained. The Fourth Hokage's selfless sacrifice had become a symbol of unwavering devotion to the village, and his memory would forever be etched in the annals of the Hidden Leaf's history.

After the funeral ceremony, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, convened the village's Elder and Jonin Council to address the dire situation. The meeting room was filled with tension and grief, the weight of the recent tragedy hanging heavy in the air.

"We repelled the Nine-Tails," Hiruzen began, his voice heavy with sorrow, "but the sacrifice was much too great."

As Koharu Utatane, an influential member of the Elder Council, interjected, "This is no time for lament. The Hokage's seat is vacant. We must decide on a successor quickly."

Shikaku Nara, the Jonin Commander, suggested, "Perhaps someone from the generation after Minato?"

Koharu countered, "We have nurtured fine Jonin, but they all lack the experience to rule over a village."

Shikaku asked, "Is there anyone else?"

Danzo Shimura, another influential figure, stepped forward, but Hiruzen abruptly stood up, silencing him.

"It cannot be helped," Hiruzen declared, his voice resolute. "This is a critical time. I shall take over as Hokage."

Koharu nodded in agreement, "If you are willing..."

Danzo, however, was not so easily appeased. "You stepped down once," he scoffed. "Are you up to the task? Truth be told, even though you went after the Nine-Tails, you failed to save the Fourth Hokage."

Homura Mitokado, another member of the Elder Council, defended Hiruzen, "That is uncalled for."

Koharu added, "And where were you at that time, Danzo?"

Danzo glared at Koharu, his eyes burning with resentment.

Hiruzen chuckled softly, breaking the tension. "Just indulge this old man," he said, his voice laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Let me fill in as Hokage until we can groom the next one."

Danzo's glare intensified, his ambition for the Hokage position burning brighter than ever. He knew that Hiruzen's appointment was merely a temporary solution, and he was determined to seize the opportunity when the time was right.

The meeting concluded with a sense of uncertainty, the future of Konohagakure hanging in the balance. Hiruzen, despite his age and weariness, had stepped up to lead once again, but the lingering question of succession remained unanswered.

…

Following the meeting with the Jonin Council, where the Third Hokage was reinstated as the village leader, he convened with the village elders in the Hokage office to address the pressing situation.

"Hiruzen," Koharu inquired, her voice laced with concern, "how could the Nine-Tails attack the village? I thought everything was under wraps."

Homura nodded in agreement, adding, "Yes, the Nine-Tails was Summoned within Konoha's."

Sighing heavily, Hiruzen replied, "I discovered Biwako and the ANBU assigned to guard Kushina dead at the scene. I suspect a third party's involvement, which would also explain Minato's not helping till the end."

Taking a drag from his pipe, Hiruzen continued, "But these are merely speculations until we can gather concrete evidence. Unfortunately, both Kushina and young Kaito remain unconscious, and the doctors are unsure when they will awaken."

Disrupting the somber silence, Danzo interjected with a snort, his eyes fixed on Hiruzen, "It had to be the Uchiha. Many witnessed the Nine-Tails' eyes, and they bore the unmistakable pattern of the Sharingan. The Uchiha were never content with Minato's ascension to the Fourth Hokage position."

Hiruzen hummed in response, thoughtfully contemplating Danzo's accusation. "Danzo, you must not let your suspicions cloud your judgment. The Uchiha have suffered just as we all have during the Nine-Tails attack. They too are victims of this tragedy."

Undeterred, Danzo pressed his point, "While that may be true, we cannot overlook the historical tension between the village and the Uchiha. They have long felt marginalized, and recent events have only exacerbated their grievances. We cannot dismiss the possibility that one of them may have orchestrated this attack."

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled beneath his chin. "Danzo, I share your concerns, but making unfounded accusations without solid evidence will only further divide the village. Unity is essential now more than ever. Accusing the Uchiha without proof will only deepen the rifts within our community."

Danzo's gaze hardened, his voice laced with conviction, "Hiruzen, unity cannot come at the expense of our safety. If there's even a smidgen of doubt, we must investigate. The well-being of the village is paramount."

Hiruzen let out a weary sigh, understanding the precarious balance he had to maintain. "Danzo, I will not disregard the possibility, but we must proceed with caution. We will investigate discreetly, without causing undue alarm. The last thing we need is internal conflict tearing the village apart."

…

Once the initial cleanup of the extensive damage was underway, the Third Hokage convened a meeting with the department heads and clan heads to address the village's reconstruction. Danzo, spearheaded the meeting, while the Third Hokage and his advisors listened attentively.

With a grim expression, Danzo outlined the devastating impact of the Nine-Tails attack, emphasizing the need for significant revisions to the village boundaries to facilitate the reconstruction efforts. "In light of the recent destruction," Danzo declared, "we have decided to implement a number of changes to the village layout. As part of this plan, we request that the Aburame clan relocate to this designated district."

He gestured towards a specific area on the map spread out on the table. The Aburame clan head, known for their mastery of insects, nodded in acknowledgment of the request.

Danzo continued, his voice firm and unwavering, "The Nara clan's territory was spared from the Nine-Tails' rampage, so they will remain in their current location." His gaze shifted towards Shikaku, the leader of the Nara clan, who nodded in understanding.

"The Leaf Police Force headquarters, which sustained significant damage, will be rebuilt in this area," Danzo continued, pointing to a spot on the map near the village's outskirts. "And the Uchiha clan will relocate to this new district, alongside the police headquarters."

However, his words were abruptly interrupted by Fugaku Uchiha, the captain of the Konoha Police Force and the head of the Uchiha clan. With a stern voice that echoed through the room, Fugaku challenged Danzo's proposal, "Lord Danzo, the Uchiha clan forms the backbone of the Leaf Police Force, safeguarding the Hidden Leaf from all threats. Relocating us so far from the village center would severely hinder our ability to respond swiftly in times of crisis."

The other clan heads murmured in agreement, their voices resonating with Fugaku's concern. The Uchiha clan's proximity to the village center had always been crucial for their role as protectors, and moving them to a distant location would undoubtedly compromise their effectiveness.

"We have the ANBU Black Ops for such emergencies," Danzo stated, his gaze fixed on Fugaku.

Fugaku's expression hardened as he turned his attention to the Third Hokage. Hiruzen Sarutobi, ever the diplomat, responded to Fugaku's unspoken question, "The Leaf Police do need to commute to the training grounds, do they not? This location is conveniently situated near an ideal training area... you can consider it your exclusive Uchiha training grounds."

With that, Danzo continued, pointing to the map, "In conjunction with the reconstruction of the Leaf Police headquarters, the Uchiha will also relocate. Homes and buildings that were spared will be..."

The meeting continued with the various adjustments and relocations proposed by Danzo for the village's reconstruction. Despite the tension, the leaders present begrudgingly accepted the necessity of these changes, understanding that the village needed to adapt to the aftermath of the Nine-Tails attack.

If you wish to support this story, please join me at patreon.com/Tilct