Chapter 578: Where Leaves Dance, Fire Burns
Hinata, though graduating two years younger than in the original timeline, was already a genin. She checked Hanabi's injuries and immediately carried her to the Konoha Hospital.
Meanwhile, Kakashi was in the Hokage's office, handling the aftermath. He had convened a meeting of the high command.
Genma Shiranui, one of the newly appointed advisors, was reporting on Konoha's current status.
Kakashi was respected by the ANBU and regular ninja, but he lacked a true inner circle. After some thought, he had appointed Genma, Minato's former guard, as an advisor.
After Hiruzen's death, Kakashi also appointed Mori Sarutobi, a distant relative of Hiruzen, as an advisor. The Sarutobi clan had voluntarily disbanded, so Kakashi needed to make a gesture. Mori had average prestige and skill, which would placate the Sarutobi without allowing them to regain too much power.
The third advisor was Anko Mitarashi. As Orochimaru's disciple, she was technically tainted, but Kakashi knew she was loyal. Plus, with Orochimaru becoming a major player again, Anko was useful for potential communication.
The last advisor was Yamato, who possessed Wood Release thanks to Hashirama's cells. His combat power wasn't top-tier, but his ability to suppress Tailed Beasts was crucial after the Seven-Tails incident. Most importantly, Yamato was an orphan with no clan ties; he would be loyal only to Kakashi.
When Genma finished reading the casualty and damage report, the atmosphere in the room froze.
They knew there were deaths, but the property damage was staggering. "Vitality greatly damaged"—that was the phrase in everyone's mind.
Kakashi was prepared. "What about Kumo and Kiri?"
Mori Sarutobi reported, "The Mizukage has returned to Kiri. He sent word. Their army stationed near the Land of Lightning was ambushed by Iwa's main force. Kiri suffered a major defeat, losing thousands."
"Afterward, the Kiri Jinchūriki, Mei, and Mangetsu joined forces with Kumo. But the Kumo army was also routed."
Mori took a breath. "Nagi Minazuki of Kiri and the Raikage, Darui, were killed in battle!"
Hiss!
Everyone, including Kakashi, sucked in a cold breath.
"What about Kumogakure?" Kakashi asked immediately. "Where is Killer B? Was the village attacked?"
Mori smiled bitterly. "There is no intel. Zero."
Everyone's heart sank. Two days had passed. No news meant Kumo was likely finished.
Kakashi frowned. If Kumo was gone, Konoha, already weak, would be even more vulnerable to Iwa.
"Send scouts to the Land of Lightning. Find out Kumo's status. Especially Killer B's location. If Kumo has fallen... try to bring any survivors to the Land of Fire."
No one objected.
Genma asked, "Lord Hokage, what about Suna?"
Suna had used a Jinchūriki to attack Konoha. Although Guy had stopped Gaara before he could do much damage, Suna had clearly chosen sides.
Kakashi sighed. "We don't have the strength to deal with Suna right now. Wait until things stabilize."
He looked at Mori. "What does the Daimyō say?"
"The Daimyō claims he knew nothing of Kazuma's actions. He says Kazuma stole his seal to mobilize the guards. To apologize, he will disband the Twelve Guardian Ninja and cover all reconstruction costs."
Kakashi thought for a moment. "Iwa will likely demand reparations again. Tell the Daimyō he has to pay those too. Then we'll consider the matter settled."
Mori nodded.
"What about Asuma?" Kakashi asked. "Is he back?"
"He's at the Fire Temple. I've sent word for him to return."
Kakashi nodded. Finally, he asked, "Did we gain anything from this battle?"
It was a strange question, but valid. Konoha had technically won the battle inside the village. They had defeated the Sky Ninja, Danzō, the Guardians, Orochimaru, and Suna. Even Ishiro had been driven off (sort of).
There should have been spoils. Danzō's Sharingan, Sora's Nine-Tails chakra, the Sky Fortress, the Zero-Tails...
But Sora's chakra had dissipated upon death, and everything else had been destroyed in Kanako's final explosion.
Konoha's only "spoils" were the wreckage of the Sky Fortress... and one White Zetsu clone.
"About that final explosion," Kakashi said. "Do we know the cause?"
Genma said, "Intel suggests it was explosive tags. Massive amounts of them. Shikaku Nara believes Iwa has developed a way to remotely detonate their own tags."
Anko asked, "Evidence?"
"The captured Sky Ninja said the Tsuchikage gave Shinnō many tags. We assume Danzō got his from Iwa too. Ishiro set them both up as human bombs. The first wave of explosions in the village came from ninja Danzō had bribed... with those tags."
Kakashi waved his hand. "It was definitely the Tsuchikage. Only he would come up with something that twisted."
Genma continued, "Also, about the Seven-Tails. Fū losing control wasn't an accident. We suspect someone overrode his control. Most likely the Tsuchikage. He's used Bijuu power before... specifically the Seven-Tails."
Kakashi rubbed his temples. These were problems he couldn't solve.
"Prepare a negotiation team," he said. "The Tsuchikage will send someone to demand reparations. Our bottom line is giving up the Land of Wind base and paying money."
"Yes, sir."
After the meeting, Kakashi sat alone for a while before going to the hospital.
He visited Itachi Uchiha's room. It was guarded by ANBU.
"Itachi, how are you?"
Itachi was sitting up in bed. "My dōjutsu was heavily drained. I should be blind. But... I feel like I can still use the Mangekyō."
Kakashi was puzzled, but relieved. "Sasuke is fine. He's mostly recovered from Neji's attack. He'll be discharged in half a day."
Itachi nodded. He already knew. He was silent for a moment. "Lord Hokage, do you know how to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan?"
Kakashi shook his head. He didn't even know how he got his own.
"It requires extreme emotional trauma," Itachi said. "Like killing the person closest to you."
Kakashi held his breath.
"I hope," Itachi continued, "that you can help Sasuke awaken his Mangekyō as soon as possible. The Mangekyō can evolve further. If two pairs of related eyes are fused... they become the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
Kakashi looked into Itachi's eyes and understood. Itachi wanted Sasuke to awaken his eyes, take Itachi's, and become an Eternal Mangekyō user to protect the village.
Kakashi didn't want to hurt Sasuke, but it was his brother's request. He nodded.
"I hope to remain in the village for a while," Itachi added.
Kakashi sensed Itachi's concern for the village and Sasuke, and agreed.
Leaving Itachi, Kakashi went to Sasuke's room.
He found Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata there. In the bed next to Sasuke lay little Hanabi.
"Hinata, what happened to Hanabi?"
Hinata looked up. "Kakashi-sensei... she was injured. But the medics say she'll be fine." She didn't say who hurt her.
Kakashi paused.
Hinata had changed. Her voice, her demeanor... the timid girl was gone. She seemed mature, like a real ninja.
Naruto, oblivious, pestered Kakashi for training. Sasuke, head down, was wallowing in shame over his loss to Neji.
The humiliation of losing to someone his own age... especially after hearing Neji defeated Hiashi Hyūga... was unbearable.
And then there were Neji's words. Sōkai and Izumi are alive... in Iwa.
Why were they there, and he here? Why hadn't they told him the truth?
Sasuke had made a decision: he would investigate the truth himself.
Kakashi dealt with Naruto, then looked at Hinata. He sensed something different about her chakra.
He closed the door. "Hinata, are you okay?"
She looked up at him.
Kakashi froze. Her white eyes... had turned pale blue.
He took a breath, remembering Neji's eyes. The Tenseigan.
They looked different from Neji's, but the color was similar. Just like the Mangekyō has different patterns, maybe the Tenseigan does too.
Naruto and Sasuke also noticed.
"Hinata! You have pupils now?!" Naruto shouted.
Kakashi slapped him away. "Hinata, focus on your training. You and Hanabi will move into my house."
Hinata nodded silently.
Naruto immediately demanded to move in too, convinced Kakashi was teaching her secret moves. Kakashi relented.
The old Hinata would have fainted at the thought of living with Naruto. This Hinata didn't react.
Looking at silent Hinata, brooding Sasuke, and noisy Naruto... Kakashi suddenly felt hope.
Where leaves dance, fire burns.
Hiruzen's favorite phrase suddenly felt very real.
Land of Water, in a mountain hideout.
At the same time as Konoha's meeting, Kiri was holding one.
Kiri had evacuated their entire village before the army left, scattering the civilians into the countryside. If Iwa attacked, they would find an empty village.
Only Kiri, having been destroyed once before, could pull off such a move.
Mei looked at Kisame's white right arm and the missing Samehada. "Mizukage-sama, you fought the Tsuchikage?"
Kisame nodded. "Yes. If my guards hadn't sacrificed themselves, I'd be dead. Even so, I lost an arm and Samehada. This arm is from a white monster in Konoha."
"Is it true that arm grants Wood Release?" Genshi asked.
"I can feel it," Kisame said. "I can't use it yet, but eventually. But it won't be strong. The Hokage has one too, and his Wood Release... I'll never reach that level. Konoha is hiding something."
Hearing the Wood Release would be weak, the others lost interest.
Mangetsu Hōzuki said, "Nagi-senpai died saving me."
Kisame sighed. "Mangetsu, live for him. Get stronger. He died because he knew he had reached his limit, but you still have potential."
Mangetsu lowered his head. "My Hydrification Technique was broken by a simple handheld tool. Every Iwa ninja knows about it now. Next time... I'll be useless. Maybe I'm worth less than Nagi-senpai."
Kisame shook his head. "It's just one jutsu. So it was broken. Learn others. Don't rely only on your clan's jutsu. This is a good wake-up call. Change your style."
Mangetsu looked up at Kisame and nodded.
In that moment, he realized Kisame was truly the better Mizukage. Kisame had lost Samehada and an arm, a massive blow to his strength, yet he bounced back instantly. Mangetsu had fallen into self-doubt and needed comforting.
Kisame was wild-caught; he was used to setbacks. Mangetsu was domestic; he had talent, but lacked Kisame's resilience.
(End of Chapter)
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