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  March 21 - 7:40 am

  Hiruzen internally sighed as he observed the Genihen looked at Mizuki ihe interrogation room who was slowly starting tle against his restraints. "Will he survive… After this?"

  Daichi was quiet for a few moments before he replied. "If he's subjected to the current stimution for about an hour and a half or more, his mind would be gone and no treatment would be able to heal him. For all is and purposes he'd be nothing more than a walking corpse…"

  Hiruze his attention on Mizuki and didn't show aion to hearing Daichi's answer.

  "But… If it's stopped in around just an hour or so, he still be saved."

  At Daichi's answer Hiruzen turo look at the boy and nodded. "What are you going to do now?" He asked the Genin.

  "I'm going home for a while. So many things happened in such a short time. I o clear my head."

  Just then Genma appeared and gave a small bow to the kage. "They're waiting for you at the office sir."

  Hiruzen nodded. He looked at Daichi and after a few moments of silence spoke. "Do what you think is needed. But you shouldn't fet Tsunade's words."

  Daiodded and soon both Hiruzen and Daichi went their separate ways while Ibiki and Inoichi observed the ges in Mizuki's behavior patterns.

  —-

  Hiruzen quickly made his way to his offid soon could sehe presence of his three former teammates waiting inside. He looked at the two guards and nodded. "Don't let anyone iil I'm finished with this meeting."

  "Yes Sir." The two ins statioood straight and replied.

  Hiruzeered the room and saw the curious gaze of the three. 'It seems they don't know yet.'

  "Why have you called us so suddenly Hiruzen? What happened?" Homura asked the man.

  "And why is the vilge still in the Level 1 emergency state? I thought the escaped prisoners were recaptured." Koharu also spoke.

  Danzo merely looked at Hiruzen with a stoic gaze and stood silently. 'Something serious must have happehat he's even asked for me to e… Does this have something to do with the Root agents that were caught.'

  Hiruzen's eyes roamed the faces of his three teammates and he soon took his chair. "A little over an ho I received credible intelligehat Orochimaru had attacked Tsunade and Shizune."

  The news was like a thuorm for the other three. Even someone like Danzo was surprised at this piece of information.

  "What? Hiruzen are you sure about this?" Homura couldn't help but ask.

  "Yes. The information is credible. And I've sent a team to iigate it." The kage replied.

  "This isn't good Hiruzen. Tsunade may not be an active shinobi but she is a deterrent against other nations. If they realize that she's missing or evehen it will create chaos." Koharu spoke with slight dread ione.

  "Did Orochimaru kill them?" It was Danzo who asked this question and Hiruzen became silent. A few moments ter he replied.

  "The truth is I don't know. Tsunade's pet came here this m with a message from Shizune saying they were ambushed st night he border. Whether they were killed or Orochimaru took them… I'm not sure… But I'm hoping it's the tter. That way there is still a ce to save them." The sadness and tiredness in his voice wasn't missed by his friends.

  "Why would Orochimaru do something like this now? He ignored her and never caused trouble for her all these years… So why now?" Homura knew Orochimaru wouldn't antagohem without a reason. He couldn't uand the man's motives.

  "If he took them then there might be a couple of reasons… He needs her help for something or he's pnning to use her in some way. Regardless… It's not good." Hiruzen replied.

  Danzo thought about the unusual movements Orochimaru exhibited during the st few months and he was also ed. Despite his displeasure at Tsunade, he khat she was an important part of the vilge. 'What is he thinking? I didn't even hear any wisps of an attaned on her… If he's avoiding evehen this isn't good.'

  "Hiruzen. This is no small matter. We o mobilize the forces and secure the border. This information 't get out." Koharu spoke and the old kage agreed with her.

  "I'm aware of that and I've taken the necessary steps."

  "What do you need from me Hiruzen?" Danzo suddenly spoke up. "You wouldn't have called me here otherwise."

  Hiruzen frowned as he looked at the man he ohought of as his closest rade. "Danzo. I know you've been in tact with him even after he's left the vilge."

  "Hiruzen, I haven't-"

  "Danzo. Don't waste my time a my patience. Right now my is Tsunade audent. So, I want all the information you have on Orochimaru, his associates, his hideouts and his work. Everything."

  Danzo looked at the man and saw the cold glint in Hiruzen's eyes and it made him nervous inside.

  The old Kage looked at Danzo with narrowed eyes. His mind was still on Daichi and what happened several minutes ago. 'He was willing to go that far and break his ideals and promise to Tsunade. Some might say that he was taking the easy way out but I saw it at the end. He really hated himself for choosing to go down that path. But he's willing to do that anyway to save her. If a Kage like me doesn't even have such strength to put aside my personal feelings then it's time I stepped down from my position.'

  "Danzo." The cold hardened voi Hiruzen's tone and the dangerous i surrounding the mahe old warhawk on edge.

  "Hi-Hiruzen-" Homura didn't know what had been going oweewo but before he could say anything further Hiruzen's eyes stopped him. The old kage looked at Koharu and Homura and then turned his attention back to Danzo.

  The old kage leaned forward and csped his hands as he looked at the one eyed man. "I realize that in all these years, I haven't really made myself clear to you Danzo. Never really said these words out loud. So here it is so that there is no misuandiween us… You will never bee Hokage of this vilge. Ever. I have already put tingencies in pce for when I die. You will ake this seat, even after I'm dead. So your only choice is to obediently follow the iven or else I'll have you executed for treason."

  Danzo stood silently and could only look solemnly at the Hokage.

  Koharu looked at the two and couldn't believe there was suimosity between them. "Hiruzen… That's going too far. Danzo has served the vilge-"

  Hiruzen nodded as he looked at the old woman. "He has. I'm not denying that. But he has also operated beyond his authority multiple times and even crossed the lines a few times. I won't allow it anymore. I 't have a rogue element in this vilge with their own agendas." 'Not anymore.'

  Hiruzen looked at Danzo and crossed his arms. "What do you say Danzo? Do you want to resist or do you want to ply?"

  Danzo closed his one eye and sighed. He then looked at the man and nodded "I will obey your orders… Lord Hokage. You'll have everything I have on Orochimaru in an hour."

  Hiruzen looked at the man and slowly he four discussed the measure to be taken and were soon dismissed. Hiruzen looked at Danzo's figure and recalled the information his Anbu had sent him. 'It's time I used that.'

  —-

  Nara . Shikaku's House.

  The Jonin ander was in his yard feeding a small deer that wandered in. He soon heard slow footsteps and turned his head to see Shikamaru looking at him, still sleepy.

  "M Shikamaru. Had a good night's rest?" He asked with a small smile. After hearing about everything that happened yesterday he roud of his son for standing up for his friends.

  "Not really." He looked at the deer and very slowly walked towards it. "Where did he e from?"

  "Must have wandered away from his herd."

  Shikamaru took a handful of grass from his father and slowly fed the small creature.

  "Do you have any pns or are you just going to stay here and sleep all day?" Shikaku asked his son.

  "I was thinking… sleeping. I got nothier to do. And after being a Genin I'm pretty sure my free time will be a lot less."

  The Jonin ander just nodded as he listeo his son. After a few moments of silence Shikaku spoke. "Are you satisfied with the answers you got?"

  Shikamaru knew what his father was asking about. 'The ails. When I first saw Naruto in the academy I never would have guessed that there was more to him. That there was such a story.'

  "Mostly." Shikamaru replied with a slight yawn.

  "Mostly?" The older man cocked an eyebrow as he looked at the boy.

  Shikamaru seeing his father's gaze crified. "There are still some things that don't make sense. But for now I'm mostly satisfied."

  The Nara turned his head back for the small deer and spoke. "Till you reach a suitable rank and attain suffit strength, the answers you have now will have to do."

  "I uand." The Genin sighed and nodded his head. 'It'll be too much of a headache if I still keep poking my o this… Guess it's time to just let it go… For now…'

  As they were enjoying the m fresh air an Anbu suddenly appeared nearby, startling the Genin.

  "ander Shikaku. Your presence is urgently required at the Hokage tower."

  Shikaku sehe tone in the Anbu ninja and he immediately knew something . "I'll be right there."

  Receiving the reply the masked ninja nodded and vanished.

  "You don't think this has anything to do with st night do you?" Shikamaru asked his father. He was slightly ed siheir group art of the ihat happened with Mizuki and the prisoners.

  "It shouldn't be. You don't o worry." Shikaku soon vanished in a pile of leaves reassuring his son.

  Shikamaru fed the small deer and soon it licked the boy's hand as a thank you. At that moment a rge deer came he yard with its eyes fixed owo.

  "Looks like your mom's here. See ya squirt." Shikamaru stood and watched the deers leave and he made his way baside. He got ready and was soon in his usual attire.

  'I want to sleep in but it's better if I go check up on those guys…'

  "Mom, I'm going out."

  "Don't be te." Came the reply from inside.

  When the Genin reached the streets of the vilge he could sehe stramosphere. He saw several shinobi running on rooftops and he felt the gaze of multiple patrol ninjas. 'What's going on? I thought dad said the emergency alert would be lifted by now. So why is it still in pce?'

  The Nara quickly made his way to Choji's home. He was surprised to find that Choji's dad had left on a mission several minutes ago as well. The two quickly found I.

  They found the Yamanaka Genin behind the ter of her flower shop with her best friend.

  "Sakura? Why are you here so early?" Shikamaru asked the pink haired girl.

  "I just wao buy some flowers for Sasuke. You know… as a thank you." She replied with a small blush.

  "Right." Shikamaru clearly recalled the se where the Uchiha jumped in front of Naruto and Sakura, saving their lives. 'I always thought he only cared about himself. I never would have guessed he would do that for Naruto of all people…'

  There was a small smile on the Nara's face. He may not like Sasuke's attitude but he has great respect for his fellow Genin.

  "We see him on our way. That was a serious injury he had st night. I guess it's no problem cheg up on him." Choji spoke at that time.

  "Right. By the way, what are you guys doing here?" Ino asked the two boys.

  "The vilge is still on high alert. I don't know why… I thought you'd have an idea. Seeing your dad is the head of the Analysis department and all." Shikamaru replied.

  "I don't know what's going on. Dad came home for a couple hours and had to leave again." Ino spoke up. She saw the worry on her father's fad was ed.

  "You don't think this has anything to do with st night… or us do you?" Choji suddenly asked.

  Ino and Sakura looked at each other as they had no ao his question.

  Shikamaru shook his head. "I don't think so. We caught Mizuki and everyohat helped him… I don't believe this has anything to do with us."

  Sakura nodded. "You're probably right. Well, we better get going. I'm sure Sasuke has woken up and is probably preparing for his training."

  "Ohh we go to Daichi's home after. Oh this is going to be fun." Ino said excitedly.

  "Don't you have to mahe store?" Shikamaru asked with a questioning look.

  "No. Mom ma… MOM I'M GOING OUT WITH MY FRIENDS." Ino yelled and quickly left her position without waiting for a reply.

  "You sure?" The Nara asked again and Ino gave him a ft look. "You got a problem Shikamaru?"

  "Nope." Shikamaru quickly replied and sighed in relief when he saw Ino turtention to pie flowers for Daichi. 'What a troublesome girl.'

  "I thought that was you guys." A voice came from nearby. Shikamaru and Choji who were standihe door saw Kiba, Akamaru, Hinata, Shino and Naruto ing towards them.

  "Hey. I thought you all would be home." Shikamaru spoke.

  Kiba shrugged his head. "Nay. I figured I'd go for a walk. I came across Naruto and we picked up Shino and Hinata." "Arf arf."

  "So what's guys talking about?" Naruto asked excitedly.

  "Well, we were on our way to see Sasuke and Daichi…" Ino replied.

  "You wanna tag along?" Shikamaru asked Naruto.

  "Since you guys are going… sure." Naruto replied.

  As they walked to the Uchiha's home they noticed the patrolling ninjas roaming the area and less civilians than usual.

  "Man. I 't believe they still haven't caught all those prisoners who got out. Guess there must be some strong ones who escaped." Naruto spoke looking at the ninjas quickly moving about.

  "You might be right about that, Naruto." Kiba replied.

  "What do you mean Kiba?" Shikamaru asked.

  "An ho a Jonin came to my mom for a mission and told her something. It was the same Jonin who came to help us st night. I don't know what they talked about but mom was really pissed off by the end. I 't remember the st time she was so mad." Kiba shivered as he saw the angry look on his mom's face.

  "Strange. Something simir happehis m at my home too." Shino spoke up. "I think it was the same Jonin who came and talked to my father. I could sehat his Kikaichu became restless after hearing the news."

  "Um... What do you think… is going on?" Hinata asked in a timid voice.

  "I don't know the whole deal but I do know ohing. I heard them mentioning Daichi's name."

  "What!?" Kiba's aartled the whole group.

  "Daichi? Are you sure?" Shikamaru asked the Inuzuka Genin.

  "Yeah. I heard them saying Daichi's name. But I don't know much more." Kiba replied.

  "Do you think he's in trouble? Or maybe something happened?" Ino spoke and no one had an answer.

  "There is no point in standing here and w. Let's go to his house and see for ourselves." Shino spoke and they all agreed.

  But then came a problem.

  "Does anyone know where he lives?" Naruto asked and they all looked at each other.

  "We could go find Sasuke. He might know. I know they're training partners. So he might know." Sakura spoke and the group nodded with that logic.

  And so the group of 8 new Genins quickly began making their way to the Uchiha's home…