"You really know how to make simple walks complicated," Genta muttered, rubbing his face, making me smile.
"It's a gift."
"For you, maybe." He moaned as he glanced toward the road Danzō had disappeared down, then toward me again. "Fine, but anything happening will not be my responsibility."
"I knew I liked you." I nodded, already following him.
"Renji," Minato caught my shoulder as we began walking.
"What?"
"You'd better know what you're going to say. Everyone important will be there."
"Well." I cleared my throat. "I'll improvise. Relax!" I added, seeing him twitch an eye, "I will be courteous."
However, that was the problem, wasn't it? I knew exactly what Danzō was, what he was doing, and I knew what Orochimaru was probably doing right now. Naturally, I knew about ROOT, future events that would result in human experiments... Albeit, I don't think that part was futuristic by now, but the actual reality. Unfortunately, there was one tiny flaw in all this: How the fuck would I explain knowing any of it?
I can't just go in: 'Hello, Hokage-sama. Funny story, you see... I died in another universe, where I watched your life as entertainment, and now I'm here to explain how your best friend becomes a walking eye collection! Fun, isn't it?' Yeah, that would go well. If I were lucky, they'd call me insane... Or Danzō would learn exactly what I knew, and I would be tested on after being whisked away.
"Renji?" Minato asked again, making me wave a hand.
"I'm thinking," I muttered, and I had to think fast, because we got there in about fifteen minutes.
The meeting was being held in an ancient council chamber, which was significantly more intimidating than I first expected. We climbed up to the higher part of Uzushiogakure, following a spiral road carved directly into the mountainside. Unlike the districts near the harbor, there was very little damage here when we reached a stairway. A very long stairway.
"You're kidding." I moaned, already out of breath.
"No," Genta said simply.
"I almost died three days ago." I inhaled as best as I could. "And you want me to climb MORE stairs?!"
"You wanted to see Ashina-sama; this is where they are."
"Can't he be somewhere downhill?" I asked while regulating my breathing, taking the first step.
"Renji," Minato walked past me just then. "Do you want me to carry you?"
"..." I immediately began climbing faster. "Fuck you."
"I'll take that as a no." He smiled, knowing exactly how to motivate me.
Ten minutes later, the stairs ended before a massive building partially buried within the mountain itself. The outer shell was built of dark stone, its enormous doorway framed by hundreds of spiraling characters that flowed upward like vines. Above the entrance, there was a red-and-white Uzumaki spiral large enough for a person to stand in its center. But that wasn't what caught my attention, because the truly frightening sight was the masks. Dozens of them were mounted around the exterior arch, of all kinds. Human faces, demons, animals, and creatures I couldn't identify.
Was this some weird circus or a macabre theater, or what? Some of those masks were smiling or screaming, with horns on their foreheads... Ugh... Others had no mouths at all, while one had six eyes arranged in two rows. Another looked disturbingly similar to... Oh... My steps slowed, because I recognized that mask; it was exactly the one Orochimaru used to resummon the Hokages' spirits. Great. Was it the same? Or one that had the same purpose? It didn't matter.
"What is this place?" Minato whispered, while Genta smiled slightly.
"The Hall of Masks. Most of what you see are ceremonial masks that contain our clan's ancient records. Some are for ritual focus or for master-level sealing jutsus. Not one is the same..." Genta said, looking at me. "Don't touch anything."
"I wasn't going to."
As we entered, my jaw almost dropped because the hall beyond the entrance rose several stories upward, carved directly into the mountain. Hundreds, maybe thousands more masks lined the circular walls at every possible point. They also weren't placed there randomly; they were arranged in sections, each surrounding carved names and spirals.
As far as I could read it, those had to be family branches, going back generations, containing entire bloodlines. The farther you went back in time, the more some masks were simply made of wood... and... bone? Please don't let that be human bone. As I looked, the ceiling disappeared into darkness, except for several massive sealing arrays glowing faintly overhead, and their interlocking circles converged around one gigantic spiral.
"Oh..." Minato whispered beside me, and yeah, oh indeed.
As we walked further in, we didn't get much farther. Four Konoha ANBU members stood before the inner doors, along with two Uzumaki guards. To my surprise, the Leaf shinobi immediately stepped into our path.
"No entry."
"You aren't the one deciding that," Genta spoke up. "I am Genta Uzumaki, and I need to speak with Ashina-sama."
"The meeting is not to be disturbed."
"I am aware." Genta nodded. "But this can't wait."
"This meeting includes the Hokage, and no one enters without authorization." They weren't budging at all.
"That's good," I interjected. "I also need to speak with Hokage-sama anyway."
"You can request an audience after the meeting."
"It needs to be now." I shook my head. "Because it concerns Konoha, Uzushiogakure, and Danzō Shimura."
"..." For a moment, there was a brief silence, but then he took a breath and repeated himself, "After the meeting."
"..." Seeing no other options, I looked toward the Uzumaki guards. "Can one of you tell Ashina-sama I'm here?"
"..." The older of the two raised an eyebrow, but then spoke up, "That would require interrupting him."
"I know. Pretty please? I saved your village after all. Why call me the Savior if it means jack shit?"
"What in the hell is happening out here?" A familiar voice came from behind the doors at that... Oh... I watched as the door slid open, and Jiraiya stepped through, looking tired. Actually tired, because his hair was slightly messy and his eyes had bags under them. "Whatever it is, the answer is no."
"I haven't even said anything, Sensei."
"Go back to bed," He said, very much annoyed.
"Sensei, I need to talk to the Hokage, because I just met Danzō."
"..." That stopped him for a moment, and he lowered his hand, biting his lip for a brief moment. "I know he is here. So... What did he want?"
"He said he is here handling security for the relocation... and prisoners," I added. "Apparently, 'his people' are handling the prisoners. Is that true?"
"..." That made his expression worse, so I guess it was not exactly... true.
"And when I asked if the Hokage-sama had sent him," I continued, "he said only that the Hokage is aware of his presence. That's why I need in."
"No."
"Sensei?!"
"No," he repeated. "You need to tell me what you're worried about, then I decide whether it reaches the old man. He knows Danzō is here, and he may very well be in charge of that part. We are in the middle of a critical meeting, and you are in the middle of recovery."
"I need to say this myself." I argued seriously, "To everyone."
"I can't let two thirteen-year-old Chūnin interrupt the most important political meeting in the Land of Whirlpools."
Just then, one of the doors behind him moved, and an Uzumaki elder stepped halfway through.
"What is the disturbance?"
"For the love of..." Jiraiya pinched the bridge of his nose. "Nothing. My students have mistaken their ranks. I'll get them back down."
"I need to speak to Ashina-sama," I repeated, speaking over Jiraiya, and I got an answer back from the Uzumaki old man, one that I wasn't expecting.
"Ah... Savior." Oh... Um... Okay?
"What does he need?" A second question came from farther inside, which surprised me even more, because it was super old and not the Hokage's. Did I hit the jackpot? Probably because the other elder turned around.
"Ashina-sama, Renjiro Uchiha requests an audience."
There was a long pause that almost made me nervous, but then I got the green light.
"Then why is he outside?" Even Jiraiya looked over his shoulder while the Konoha guards glanced at one another as Ashina's voice came again. "Bring him in." Jiraiya just sighed, already stepping away, while Ashina added: "And bring in Namikaze Minato as well."
Walking in, I found the inner chamber even more impressive. A circular table occupied the center, carved from a single piece of dark stone. Sealing formulas covered its edges, while maps of Uzushiogakure, the surrounding sea routes, and the Land of Fire had been spread across its surface. I quickly scanned everyone as Ashina sat at one end, Hiruzen at the other, facing each other. Between them were Uzumaki elders, Konoha military officers, and probably the most important decision-makers. I also noticed that Sakumo Hatake stood near the table with his arms folded, silently examining us.
Wonderful. However, I didn't look towards him too much, because Hiruzen slowly lowered his pipe, speaking to me.
"Renjiro."
"Hokage-sama," I said as I bowed, and Minato followed suit immediately.
"..." Silently, Hiruzen looked toward Jiraiya, who lifted both hands.
"Not my idea."
"It was mine," I said without hesitation.
"We heard." And before Hiruzen could continue, Ashina spoke up again. "Come closer."
We obeyed and watched as the old Uzumaki leader turned out to be even older from up close. Still, he looked at me sharply, his eyes frighteningly clear, finally forming a smile.
"You wished to speak... Go on."
"Ashina-sama, with respect, this discussion concerns—" A Konoha member whom I had never even seen before spoke up, but Ashina just waved a hand, still only looking at me.
"The future of my clan. These boys crossed an enemy blockade to bring warning of our destruction, and they then fought above our village, without us ever asking them to do so. The ships carrying our children reached the Land of Fire because enough of our enemies were looking elsewhere... We survived because, even earlier, the same boy had brought an idea to our attention, one we had never considered. They did what Hashirama Senju did for us back all those days. They reminded my old bones of why we are the closest of allies. So... Renjiro Uchiha and Minato Namikaze will be heard whenever they ask it of us."
Listening to him, Minato looked deeply uncomfortable, while I felt... Fuck. Don't get emotional! While I heard Jiraiya clearing his throat, I quickly wiped at my eyes.
"They're still children," Sensei said, but then Ashina's eyes moved toward him, raising a brow.
"Why do you send children into battle then?" Ouch! That was a K.O. worthy hook, old man! Hah! "If the boy who warned me that death would come from the sky now tells me he fears something else..." His eyes settled back on mine, and he smiled again, "...I will hear him out."
Well... No pressure then. Thanks, old man, hah! As I was gathering my courage, Hiruzen took a slow pull from his pipe, diverting the topic back to why I interrupted them in the first place, probably hearing everything from before.
"So... What happened with Danzō?"
"Did you order him here?" I asked bluntly.
"..." Hiruzen's face gave nothing away before nodding. "I authorized Danzō to assist with security surrounding the relocation."
"Did you order his people to take charge of the prisoners?"
"No." He answered after a small pause.
"So when he told me that he is in charge of them and that he is here to help move the archives, I was told a lie?"
The atmosphere changed a lot, and I know I was probably looking very rude right now, but I didn't care. It was now or never.
"What precisely did Danzō say?" He asked me, so I repeated it, word for word.
"When I asked whether you sent him, he told me, 'The Hokage is aware of my presence.'" I finished explaining, "Which is different than being ordered to do anything. That's why I'm asking, Hokage-sama."
"That bastard."
"Jiraiya," Hiruzen warned him, but Sensei wasn't backing down now that I had already opened this nasty can of worms, and he was standing with me, which made me feel good.
"Am I wrong?"
"..." Hiruzen didn't answer him this time around, and I could sense that the Hokage was very much disliking the current situation.
"Hm..." Ashina folded his hands before him. "Your official has apparently taken a broad interpretation of his mandate."
"Danzō often does," I muttered, so Hiruzen's eyes snapped toward me. Maybe that was a bit too far, but I dared to look into the Hokage's eyes without flinching. I am not going to back down from this!
"He is one of Konoha's senior commanders," Hiruzen said, pulling his gaze away from me and towards Ashina.
"Khm," I inhaled, clearing my throat, deciding to embellish it a little, "I'm not saying Danzō-sama is guilty of anything, because I can't prove that. However," I turned towards Ashina, "my clan has had misgivings about him for a long time now. That's not proof either; I know that. The Uchiha and Danzō-sama disagree on a lot of things, and we know that he doesn't trust us, so we don't trust him. You could dismiss everything I'm saying as clan politics."
"Could I?" Ashina asked. "When we are just about to become another clan inside Konoha?"
"..." I looked at him for a brief moment, considering my answer. "You could... But you probably shouldn't, but you could." Then I turned back toward Hiruzen. "The problem is that my clan can't investigate him."
"Renjiro... Uchiha..." Hiruzen's eyes narrowed. "Be very mindful of what you are saying now, because when this gets back home, your Clan may be unhappy about your words. What... Do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said." I straightened my back and spread my hands. "He is one of the most powerful men in Konoha, and he commands people who operate under the ANBU, but not under your command, Hokage-sama. How's that work? How's that even possible?" I asked, and I saw Hiruzen flinch and sensed Sakumo's body tremble once. This was not something anyone knew, and maybe not even Hiruzen... ROOT was still not something... established, or maybe it was only in its infancy. I was unsure about that part.
"Renjiro..." Jiraiya tried to break the atmosphere, but I already continued.
"Hokage-sama, if any of us try to investigate Danzō, we become a suspicious Uchiha, yet we are supposed to be the Police Force inside the village, upholding the law. We can't do it, because somehow... He is protected? Fine. Then I, as an Uchiha, would request the Hokage, here and now, to swear to us that he will investigate Danzō Shimura and his doings."
There was... Utter. Silence. For a very long minute at least.
"And on... what terms?" Hiruzen finally asked, breaking the silence, exhaling the smoke of his pipe through his nose.
"People disappear," I said simply.
"And what are you suggesting?"
"Nothing. I just know that people disappear, and our Police Force cannot find any reasons or clues as to why or where to. There is not even a pattern to it," I continued, lying a little. "Yet, some of the disappearances are... children."
"Children?" Ashina's eyes narrowed.
"Orphans, civilians," I nodded, now talking to him, "Low-ranking shinobi without families powerful enough to start breaking down doors while looking for them. There is a clear pattern if you look into it... You see, if an Uchiha disappeared," I continued, "the Police Force would tear apart half the village looking for them. Same as if a Hyūga disappeared, their clan would do the same. But if someone without anyone disappears?" I shrugged. "My Clan hasn't got a strong enough reason to start asking questions without someone starting to brand us as... being the actually suspicious. Yet we are the ones noticing the suspicious events and trying to bring it out of the shadows."
Hiruzen had become very still by then, and I caught how Sakumo's arms had unfolded as he was looking directly at me... However, I couldn't find any animosity in his gaze, quite the opposite. What I was sensing was excitement. Did I just... provide an opportunity for some powerful people to make their moves? I hope so.
"I'm not saying Danzō took them." I continued, only to be interrupted.
"Then why bring this up in connection with him?" Hiruzen asked.
"Because today he told me his people are handling prisoners, and because he appears to have expanded what he was authorized to do before the dead are even buried or asking you for permission. I have a hunch he will formally ask for it, expecting you to give him the position. So don't believe me, but remember my predictions. And..." I inhaled again, putting on my most serious face. "Check the number of prisoners leaving and arriving in Konoha and the buried. Check if the graves are disturbed or not." Now several people reacted, and I let some talk break out before adding my last few thoughts. "You're the Hokage; you don't need to trust me... However, for once, someone should actually check. Even if it is about your old friend, or your own disciple."
Jiraiya closed his eyes at that, because I finally threw Orochimaru out there too.
"Renjiro," Hiruzen spoke up, his voice the opposite of what I would count as friendly, but I wasn't really interested in what excuses he may want to bring up.
"I know," I shrugged, having the balls to interrupt him in turn, "An Uchiha boy walks into a meeting and starts accusing two of the Hokage's closest people of... something he can't even name. If I were sitting where you are, I'd probably wonder if Fugaku sent me or if this is some kind of post-traumatic outburst, but no, neither of it's true. My Clan doesn't even know I'm saying this. I am here because I believe in what I can see." I added, even bringing my Sharingan online for a brief moment, my eyes twitching and stinging painfully, "I did the same when I first came here, and my warnings were heeded." With that, I bowed towards Ashina. "I just hope my predictions are heeded once again."
"I believe the boy." Ashina suddenly spoke up as everyone turned toward him. "I do not say that your Danzō is guilty or that whoever is involved with him is. But I believe when Renjiro Uchiha says he senses danger. We have survived for this long because we learned long ago that not every warning arrives with evidence attached. Many of our seals are built around things ordinary senses cannot perceive. This warning," he continued, looking directly into the eyes of the Hokage, "Will not influence our talks about moving into Konoha. However... The moment when everything is settled, I will back Renjiro Uchiha's request to investigate the man named Danzō Shimura. With the Uzumaki Clan's full authority."