Chapter 66
Kakashi was concerned. Last night, the Hyuga clan increased its security in its residence. Even Kakashi wouldn't have been able to sneak up on them without being seen, so he stayed close by, just outside the range of their vision.
So far, he had only watched them, waiting to see if they were planning something. But as night deepened, he could hear something going on inside. It even looked like the other clan members were concerned about it, as they lost their concentration while looking out for intruders.
It was enough for him to slip in. He had to know what was going on. Even if he was caught later, he had to take that risk. If there was even the slightest potential danger to the village, he had to confirm it.
"Who goes there?" Even distracted, the Hyuga clan was able to discover him.
"Nobody." Kakashi's Sharingan flashed for a second as he put the Hyuga member under genjutsu.
"Oh, just a cat," he said, returning to his position.
Kakashi quickly reached the source of the noise he had heard from outside. But by the time he arrived, it had quieted down. Carefully, he approached, ready for anything that might come his way.
The doors to the building suddenly opened, making Kakashi tense as he was now faced with the Hyuga clan leader and his brother. Two powerful shinobi could pose incredible danger to him.
"What happened?" Kakashi couldn't believe his eyes as he looked at the Hyuga clan leader limping, blood dripping from his hands, and holding his brother on his shoulder.
"Kakashi," Hiashi Hyuga seemed not too surprised to see him. "Go back. There is nothing to see, nothing to report back to the Hokage."
Kakashi glanced at the bodies behind Hiashi. There were about a dozen of them, completely wrecked, but still alive. He couldn't understand what was going on, but he also couldn't question them, as he was already trespassing and should be happy that he was let go so easily.
He couldn't do anything for now. But he would continue to watch, and even if nothing happened, he would have to report to the Hokage about it. Whatever the Hyuga clan was doing, they were hiding something, and Kakashi didn't trust them.
…
Kakashi wished to know what the hell was going on. All he could do now was watch over the arena. Seeing Hiashi with his family, joining the others to watch the Finals, made it hard for him to believe he would try anything, not with his daughter on one knee and his nephew on the other.
Shizune was by the Third's side, keeping her eye on the Raikage and his entourage. It was hard to think any of them would manage to do anything to the Third, but one couldn't be too careful.
Maybe they had overreacted. But he couldn't help but worry. Something in the air made Kakashi tense. Many things could go wrong, and if they did, he would be here. He wouldn't allow anyone to die, not anymore.
"First match, Shisui Uchiha from Konohagakure and C from Kumogakure. You two stay behind; the rest, please leave the premises and prepare for your match."
Kakashi looked down as Shisui and his opponent were left alone. Just as the fight was about to begin, Shizune landed next to Shisui and whispered something to him before leaving just as quickly. A few whispers went around the spectators, but it didn't go any further.
With no more interruptions, the proctor started the match. Yet, nothing happened, and neither moved. A second later, Shisui simply walked up to his opponent and tipped him over. He fell to the ground, not getting up or showing any signs of even trying.
Not many understood what had just happened, but the shinobi who saw it knew. Shisui had used a genjutsu to destroy the Kumo shinobi, a genjutsu that a genin shouldn't have been able to use.
Kakashi looked at the Third, only to find him smiling without the slightest bit of surprise, while the Raikage glared at Shisui. What had the Third done to the genin? Surely it would only be Shisui who showed such a skill. Otherwise, it would be quite a terrifying sight to see.
"Winner, Shisui Uchiha," the proctor announced. "Next, please. Kotetsu Hagane and Darui, come down."
Blade users. Both of them came armed, though Kotetsu Hagane's blades looked like giant kunai with one razor-sharp, curved edge. And both were connected by a chain. It was quite an original weapon, something that could catch someone off guard.
But it wouldn't mean much against someone extremely skilled. Shinobi were taught to adapt quickly to any situation. Darui looked confident as he faced his opponent, but not arrogant, just calm and prepared.
Unlike the previous match, once the proctor began the match, both opponents moved. Darui was the faster one, forcing Kotetsu to defend himself against Darui's quick and heavy sword swings.
But while those two fought, Kakashi looked over the other Kumo shinobi, especially the jonin and the jinchuriki. It didn't look like C's defeat had shaken them much; maybe it only made them more determined, if anything.
The Suna shinobi calmly watched the fight, but their attention was on Shisui and the other genin. Kotetsu's skill wasn't anything to scoff at, but it was nothing compared to what Shisui had shown. Most of those genin probably still didn't understand what had happened and didn't know how they could ever face him.
…
Damn, these kids were amazing. If only he weren't trying to pretend to be the Third Hokage, he could enjoy this show to the fullest. Blades clashing, feet moving, dust settling. Any and every attack could be the end of it all. And here he was, sitting next to the Fourth Raikage, unable to even show that he had any interest in this child's play.
"It seems this one will be my victory," the Raikage said.
Hiruzen tried to ignore him, as he would rather enjoy the fight. It sure pumped his blood in the right way to see Kotetsu manage to gain distance and throw one of his blades, only for Darui to jump over it and close the distance once again.
But this time, it was Darui on the receiving end, as Kotetsu pulled the chain back, bringing his other blade around. Only for Darui to drop to the ground and let it pass above him, as if he had eyes in the back of his head.
It took a lot of self-control not to lean forward to observe the fight better. Not knowing what would happen next, as both opponents tired themselves out. Though Hiruzen suspected that while Kotetsu was giving his all, Darui's mind was on other things.
"Winner, Darui."
Darui finally managed to get through Kotetsu's defense and cut his arm before going for the finishing blow, only to be stopped by the proctor at the last second. The Raikage smirked annoyingly.
"A fine shinobi in the making," Hiruzen finally commented, waiting for another match. "But even against a lesser opponent, one should not be distracted. That kind of mistake might cost him his life one day."
"He still has much to learn," the Raikage replied. "But it seems you already expected such results since you didn't suggest a bet this time."
"Hmm? Have you not learned from your mistakes already?" Hiruzen could barely contain his smile. "Well, if you insist, why don't we make one on the next match?"
"Yamato and Mabui," the proctor called the next opponents to face each other.
"That boy seemed a bit too relaxed," the Raikage couldn't help but comment.
Hiruzen had to agree, as Yamato was just finishing his walnuts, putting the empty bag into his pocket as he walked up to his opponent. All smiles and waves to his friends before finally looking at his opponent.
"Maybe there is reason for his confidence," Hiruzen replied. "We shall see."
"Discipline is what nurtures talent," the Raikage said. "Mabui was not born with talent. Average at everything she did. But there is no one I would trust more to lead a team."
"Why is that?"
"In war, what gets you killed most of the time is emotion." The Raikage spoke with so much confidence that it was hard for Hiruzen to refute his words. "Mabui knows how to control her emotions. How to see things from others' perspectives and make decisions that are most beneficial not only for the moment but also for the future. She will never be the strongest, but she will be one of the few who lead armies in the future."
"Against who?" Hiruzen asked. "Who do you want them to fight?"
"Everyone who stands in my village's way."
"Stands in the way?" Hiruzen chuckled. "It is nice to be young. To see everyone as an enemy or a bystander. But what is your way? Do you see clearly the path you want to walk? Maybe those who stand in your way aren't there to stop you, but to direct you to another path."
"There is no other path," the Raikage replied.
Hiruzen lifted his eyes from Yamato, who was exchanging punches with Mabui, and looked around at the spectators. They cheered, they laughed, and they enjoyed their time watching two kids fight each other. But just like him, they would have been horrified if they saw them killing each other.
If what the Raikage said was true, then he wouldn't be sitting here watching two representatives of their villages test each other's strength, but a slaughter that wouldn't end until one side was completely killed off.
"I bet there is," Hiruzen said, turning his eyes back to the match. "I bet my life on it."
"Your life?"
"Yes," Hiruzen answered without hesitation. "If there really is no other path, if there is no way to avoid war, to stop the conflict, then I will be the first one to die. Not them, not anyone else. Before anyone else, you and your village would have to face me. I will be the one to block your path. And until I die, I will not let war reach those kids."
The armrest on the Raikage's chair splintered as he gripped it in anger. But he didn't turn to look at Hiruzen. His eyes were also on the match. It was Yamato's victory; there wasn't much to say. He was faster, stronger, and far more durable. He let Mabui use every skill she knew, but it wasn't enough.
"Don't make me laugh." The armrest was destroyed as woodchips fell to the floor. "If you are so adamant against war, why are you preparing them for it? Those kids of yours shouldn't have reached such a level if you weren't preparing them for a war."
"I didn't prepare them for anything," Hiruzen said. "They chose to walk this path, and they can walk back on it at any moment they want. They chose as many detours as they wished, saw the world, and what other paths had to offer. Something that I can't do anymore. But not something you can't do."
"Winner, Yamato," the proctor announced.
Next was Izumo Kamizuki vs. Samui, a match that Hiruzen was looking forward to. There had been no real feeling in Yamato's fight. And there had been literally nothing in Shisui's match. But this one held promise; a fight is worth nothing except what they stake on it.
"You say you want peace," the Raikage said.
"Of course I do," Hiruzen replied without hesitation. "I would never give up on it. But it isn't only up to me to achieve it. To have it, I need the other party to agree to it too."
"There are many reasons that I can think of not to sign it," the Raikage said. "But there is one reason I could sign it. Retire from the shinobi world, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Put down your hat as Hokage, and I shall sign it and uphold it, until the moment you decide to break your word.
A.N. Sorry for my absence in the past week, I had some health problems. I am mostly fine right now, and after resting for a bit, as long as I take my medication, I will continue to be fine. From today onward, I will continue to post regularly and with the stories I am writing, almost every day.
As always. Thanks for reading and supporting me. If you want more 7 more chapters of this story and 42 chapters in total with all my current stories, please consider supporting me on pa treon ironworlf852. Thanks in advance.