"So, everything is ready, then?"
Baki, the jonin leader of the genin team from the Hidden Sand, nodded in response. Kabuto pushed up his glasses as he smirked. He gave a small scroll to the Sand Jonin.
"Then you have your orders. On our signal, we will begin. Nobody is to interrupt Lord Orochimaru and the Kazekage."
Baki nodded again. Kabuto's smirk dropped as he turned his head slightly.
"My apologies. We have a spectator that happens to be nearby and has likely been listening in for some time now."
Baki looked over in surprise as Kabuto threw a kunai backwards into a seemingly random area. Kabuto cursed when his target leapt out from his hiding spot, heading back towards the Hokage Tower. Baki stuck his hand out to stop Kabuto from pursuing their spectator.
"Allow me to take care of our little intruder. Take it as a sign of good faith from the Sand to the Sound."
Kabuto chuckled as he nodded.
"Very well. He's all yours."
Baki nodded before turning back to the direction his target was fleeing in and began his chase.
X
Hayate sweated as he tried to maintain his speed. It took all he had not to cough during his mission. Now, he had to escape so as to inform the Hokage of the plans from the Hidden Sound and Hidden Sand. He noted how it was rather stupid of Kabuto to not set up traps to make sure there weren't any unwanted guests. It was lucky for him, he supposed.
Hayate's eyes narrowed as he brought out his katana to deflect a volley of shuriken thrown at his back. He rolled to the side to avoid a flying kick from Baki.
"So, it was the proctor who followed us."
Hayate readied his sword defensively as he stared at his opponent.
"I will admit, your are much more stealthy than one would think. But you will go no further."
Hayate coughed in response, almost as if taunting his opponent. Baki paid it no mind as he entered his fighting stance. Hayate quickly made a hand seal. Next to him appeared two Clones, each with their own katanas. Baki narrowed his eyes in recognition before Hayate and his two clones circled the jonin. They rushed in with their swords drawn, aimed at the unmoving form of Baki. Baki looked up as the two clones faded, leaving the original falling from above with his sword swinging downwards.
"Leaf Style: Crescent Moon Dance!"
Baki grit his teeth as the katana just barely reached past his armor, managing to draw some blood. He smirked as Hayate tried to pull his sword back to no avail.
"That's quite a powerful technique you have there. One of the Leaf's strongest kenjutsu techniques, I remember. To master that at such a young age is an impressive feat."
Hayate's eyes widened slightly as Baki grabbed his katana, pulling it away while managing to keep it from cutting his hand and letting his opponent pull it back.
"But a blade like yours is no match for the cutting force of a blade of wind. As I said, you will go no further."
Baki raised his right hand, covering it in razor sharp wind. Hayate took a step back, not noticing as his opponent let go of his sword. He closed his eyes as he waited for the pain to come, his final moments being spent in shame at failing to accomplish his mission.
Hayate opened his eyes as he felt the pain he was expecting and Baki grunted, apparently also in pain. He was surprised to see a masked and cloaked figure standing in front of him defensively. Baki was holding his right thigh as it bled, his concentration on his wind blade being broken. The figure turned back towards him and the area went up in a large cloud of black, ember-filled smoke.
Baki looked up at where his opponent once stood. The smoke cleared and he fully regained his senses. He cursed as he couldn't feel the presence of Hayate or his rescuer, leaving him fully alone in the light of the moon. He sweated nervously as he hoped this wouldn't complicate the mission. If it did, though, he knew fully well that his allies would have a plan in mind. He cursed once more as he disappeared in a burst of wind.
X
Adrik landed in a crouch while trying to keep Hayate on his feet. To the jonin's surprise, they were already in front of the hospital.
"Hey, I know... you're still just a chunin, so... how did we get here so... fast?"
Adrik shook his head.
"No time for that. You need some help, and I'm not a healer."
Hayate looked at Adrik as he removed his mask and nodded in pain. He had still been injured by the blade of wind, but it was a lot better than it could have been.
Upon entering the hospital, medical staff immediately rushed over to help Hayate to a stretcher. Adrik let go of the jonin, giving him a nod as he was carried off to the emergency room.
X
The Hokage hummed as Adrik gave him the report. The teen had taken off his cloak as it had been stained with blood, his mask clipped to his utility belt.
"Well, then. Congratulations on completing your second official B-Rank mission, Adrik."
Adrik raised an eyebrow. The Hokage shrugged in response.
"We had the mission to Wave reclassified."
Adrik nodded. He looked down slightly as he spoke.
"I'm sorry, Lord Hokage."
The old man raised an eyebrow.
"What for?"
Adrik shrugged.
"I didn't take my training weights off until part way through the recovery mission."
The Hokage nodded, still confused.
"And why was that?"
Adrik looked up.
"I wasn't sure if it would work."
"By 'it', you mean..."
Adrik tilted his head slightly.
"The release seal."
The Hokage's eyes widened.
"You mean you have already discovered your sealing language?!"
Adrik shook his head.
"No, sir. I have only figured out specifically how to apply and release my weights."
The Hokage nodded, still surprised.
"Even so, this is an incredible bit of progress for you. Weight seals are hard to make for beginners in fuinjutsu. I cannot even imagine how it is done in your own version of the art. And so soon into your training and studies, as well."
Adrik scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
"Well, I can't go to Guy every time I'm called in for a mission."
The Hokage nodded with a sigh.
"Yes, I suppose so. Now, I will need to go to the hospital. I want Hayate's report as soon as possible. Again, thank you for taking on this emergency mission so late into the night."
Adrik shook his head.
"I just woke up not too long ago anyways."
The Hokage nodded.
"I see. Well, then, let's get going."
Adrik nodded as he followed the Hokage out of his office, the three Anbu guards following close behind.
X
Hayate looked up and had to fight against the instinctive urge to bow to the Hokage.
"Lord Hokage..."
The old man put a hand up to stop Hayate as he coughed.
"It is alright. Take your time. You are still freshly wounded, after all."
Hayate nodded as he slowly and painfully sat up, being careful with the needle in his arm.
"Now, just the essentials. What have you figured out?"
Hayate nodded before speaking, periodically coughing.
"The Sound and... Sand. They plan to invade on... the day of the finals. Kabuto gave... plans to the Sand Jonin... Baki."
The Hokage nodded sternly.
"I see."
The old man looked down as he began thinking of a plan.
"I'm sorry, I... didn't catch what their... signal is."
The Hokage nodded with a small sigh.
"It is quite alright, Hayate. This information is already enough for us to work with."
Hayate nodded. The Hokage stood up to leave.
"Thank you very much, Hayate. Now, rest up. I believe we will need your help during the battles to come."
Hayate nodded with a cough. He spoke again before the Hokage opened the door.
"And give my thanks... to Adrik. I don't think I'd... still be here, if he didn't show up..."
The Hokage nodded with a small grin as he left, closing the door on his way out.
The Hokage looked to Adrik standing against the wall outside of Hayate's room.
"So, will he be alright?"
The Hokage nodded with a smile.
"Indeed, he will be fine. He is a tough young man, no matter how he may appear."
The Hokage called over his shoulder to one of his Anbu.
"Cat."
In the blink of an eye, an Anbu with long purple hair and a sword strapped to her back wearing a mask shaped like the face of a cat appeared, bowing to the Hokage.
"You are to guard Hayate Gekko until he has fully recovered."
The Anbu, Cat, nodded before disappearing once again. Adrik raised an eyebrow, to which the Hokage responded.
"While I doubt anyone would attack the hospital to get to one jonin, I do want to take precautions. We may have more enemies present within our walls than we know of."
Adrik nodded with his questions answered.
"You are dismissed, Adrik. Remember to rest easy for the finals, and stand by for your orders when the time comes."
Adrik nodded as he and the Hokage, along with the two remaining Anbu guards, left the hospital.
X
Naruto entered Hinata's hospital room and was immediately suspicious. He saw a cloth covering Hinata's forehead, but she appeared to be running no fever. Even if she was, he felt that a hospital would have better ways of helping to treat a fever.
Naruto's eyes narrowed as he saw bits of green below the cloth. Walking over to Hinata's bedside and pulling the cloth away, his eyes widened. On Hinata's forehead were two horizontal lines on either side of a diagonal cross shape. As far as he could tell, it was a seal. But he had no idea what it was. He grit his teeth as he ran out of the hospital room, going to find someone who knows more about seals than him.
X
Jiraiya squinted as he looked at the seal on the sleeping girl's forehead.
"Yeah, kid, calling me here was the right idea. I've seen this seal so many times I'm basically an expert on it."
Naruto stared down at Hinata in concern.
"What does it do?"
Jiraiya frowned.
"It's a seal that has been in use for almost as long as the Hyuga Clan has been around. It's a seal that keeps the secrets of their dojutsu, the Byakugan, from falling into enemy hands as it destroys it upon the seal bearer's death. And it's only ever given to members of the clan that are part of the Branch Family."
Naruto looked up.
"But, having that seal isn't that bad, is it? I mean, it keeps your clan's secrets from getting out."
Jiraiya shook his head as he pointed to the seal.
"No. This seal, the Caged Bird Seal, is just a loyalty seal hidden by what you think are the Hyuga Clan's best interests."
Naruto raised his eyebrows as Jiraiya continued.
"A loyalty seal is basically a seal that prevents the bearer from disobeying the people who know how to activate it. In this case, it prevents Branch Family members from disobeying members of the Main Family. Upon activating the seal, it causes immense pain in the seal bearer. In a rare case, a Branch Family member was even killed by the activation of this seal."
Naruto's eyes widened as he looked back down at Hinata.
"Do you know how to get it off of her?!"
Jiraiya nodded.
"It's pretty easy for me, actually. There's a problem, though."
Naruto looked back over at Jiraiya, noticing as his teacher gained a dark look.
"I can only take it off with permission from the Clan Head, Hiashi Hyuga."
Naruto nodded with a hopeful grin.
"Well, that's great! Let's go and ask him if-"
"-Naruto."
Naruto stopped and what little hope was left in his expression faded.
"The person who applies the seal is the Clan Head. And their decision is usually backed up by a council of Elder Hyugas."
Naruto glanced back down at Hinata. He couldn't help but stare at the seal on her forehead with disdain and anger. He looked back up at Jiraiya with a fierce determination.
"Where is that Clan Head guy? I wanna talk to him."
X
Jiraiya and Naruto stopped as the two Hyugas guarding the entrance to the Hyuga Clan compound blocked them.
"Lord Jiraiya, may we ask why you have come to visit the Hyuga Clan on this day?"
Jiraiya nodded.
"I need to speak with Hiashi."
Jiraiya took a quick glance at his student, who was growing increasingly anxious.
"It's urgent."
The two guards nodded before they looked down at Naruto.
"I am afraid he must wait outside while you-"
"He is with me."
Jiraiya stared down the guard that spoke. Said guard stared back, though he was obviously beginning to have second thoughts.
"I see. Follow me, then."
Jiraiya and Naruto nodded as they followed the guard into the compound.
X
Naruto stared out at the gravely yard of the compound. Across from where he, Jiraiya, and the guard were walking was a small pond with beautiful flowers on the other side of it. He thanked the sight for the distraction it provided from how nervous he was.
The Hyuga Clan compound had large, flat buildings in a traditional Japanese style. No building had more than a single floor. Naruto noticed many Hyugas watching him and his teacher from behind corners. Some even stared at the two of them out in the open as they went about their day. They all looked away when Naruto stared back challengingly. He knew very well that this entire clan was made of people who know exactly who he is.
Naruto looked back to the guard as he knocked on a sliding door.
"Enter."
The room was rather large. Inside sat Hiashi Hyuga. To his left and right were ten elderly Hyuga Clan members in total. They all stared in irritation as it appeared their meeting had been interrupted. Their eyes all narrowed as they saw Naruto standing next to Jiraiya.
"Lord Jiraiya. May I ask that you give us a minute to conclude our meeting?"
Jiraiya's eyes narrowed slightly.
"I'm afraid not. It would be best to have the entire council here, anyways."
Hiashi stared at the man for a few seconds before sighing and nodding. He motioned for Jiraiya to sit at one of the cushions in front of the table the Hyugas all sat at.
"I must ask that your... companion... leave us."
Jiraiya shook his head.
"My business here coincides with his."
Hiashi stared for another moment before nodding. Naruto walked over and sat down on a cushion next to Jiraiya, trying to match the way everyone else was sitting.
Hiashi and his council stared at Naruto and Jiraiya for a long while. Naruto crossed his arms and tapped his biceps as he waited for someone to speak. He raised his eyebrows when he realized he was the one who was supposed to speak. He scratched the back of his head before he made his worries heard.
"Oh, um... I'm Naruto Uzumaki, and-"
"-We know very well who you are, boy."
Naruto nodded to the elder that spoke with a gulp.
"Right, sorry. Well, I am, uh... I'm Hinata's friend and, when I went to check on her in the hospital, I was confused. She was asleep at the time she would usually be awake since she first came to after... after her fight."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow as he nodded for Naruto to continue. He hadn't heard any mention of the boy from Hinata nor her guard before.
"I noticed this cloth coverin' her forehead, and I was worried she might've gotten a fever. When I went to check on her, I saw the uh..."
Naruto glanced up at Jiraiya who whispered back. He nodded as he continued.
"Right, the Caged Bird Seal. Uh, I was wonderin'... if you could, maybe... take it off..."
The entire council glared at Naruto as he finished speaking, Hiashi included. Hiashi shook his head slightly.
"I cannot do such a thing."
Naruto looked at the man in surprise.
"Huh? Why not?"
Hiashi's glare lightened ever so slightly.
"It has been ordered that Hinata be moved to the Branch Family."
Naruto nodded, though he was clearly confused.
"Okay... Why, though?"
Hiashi sighed, letting out some of his frustrations.
"Hinata has proven time and time again that she is not worthy of becoming the Clan Head. Her younger sister, Hanabi, on the other hand, has shown great promise. And, as is tradition, one of my two daughters would be branded with the seal at some point in their lifetime, taking the other's place as the heiress."
Naruto grit his teeth.
"What? But that's not fair! Hinata's barely even started her ninja career!"
Hiashi nodded.
"Perhaps. But her skills in our clan's arts are severely lacking compared even to her cousin of the Branch Family, Neji."
Naruto narrowed his eyes.
"And what does that matter?! That Neji guy is a jerk anyways! I mean, he almost killed Hinata in a preliminary match!"
One of the elders scoffed.
"Which is yet another reason why she does not fit the position. We cannot have a weak Clan Head leading us."
Naruto snapped his head in the elder's direction.
"She ain't weak, you old shithead!"
Naruto stood up, along with several of the elders including the one that had just spoken.
"Watch your tongue, boy. We will not hesitate to throw you out of our compound for such disrespect."
Naruto growled angrily.
"Try it! I'll summon a giant toad to come and crush your god damn compound if that's what you want!"
Hiashi looked over at Jiraiya, who thanked the Branch Family servant who had brought him a cup of tea.
"Will you please control your companion, Lord Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya set his cup of tea down and shrugged.
"I think you've got it wrong. I'm here as his companion, technically speaking."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow before looking back over at Naruto and the elders. He slammed his fist on the table with a shout.
"Silence!"
The elders complied quickly, though it took a convincing look from Jiraiya for Naruto to do the same. He sat back down with his arms crossed, glaring daggers into the elders and Hiashi.
"Naruto Uzumaki, your rudeness is unfounded and we will not tolerate it further. Speak calmly or not at all."
Naruto went to say something but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He looked at Jiraiya before nodding and staying silent. The man sipped some more of his tea before speaking.
"Well, I believe we should get on with the reason why we're here."
Hiashi nodded and Jiraiya continued.
"We are here in hopes of ridding Hinata of the Caged Bird Seal."
Hiashi nodded again.
"As your companion has stated. Once again, I must say that we cannot do such a thing. It is against the laws of our clan to permit the removal of a Branch Family member's Caged Bird Seal."
Jiraiya nodded, though Naruto looked more irritated than before.
"Then, what would permit it?"
Hiashi shook his head.
"There is nothing that would permit it."
Jiraiya nodded solemnly as he sipped the last bit of his tea. He stood up and bowed to Hiashi and the elders.
"Then, our business here is concluded. Naruto, let's go."
Jiraiya made to walk out of the room but turned around when Naruto stayed seated, staring angrily at Hiashi.
"Naruto."
Naruto didn't even flinch, perhaps not even noticing Jiraiya call his name.
"What can I give you to change your mind?"
Hiashi shook his head.
"I will not break my clan's laws, boy. Now, you may leave-"
"-The Chunin Exams' Finals."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow as he listened to Naruto.
"My opponent in the first match is Neji. If I beat him, will that do it?"
Hiashi stared for a few moments before shaking his head.
"We would receive no gain if the opposite were to happen."
Naruto nodded.
"If I lose, I'll become a Branch Family member, seal and all."
The elders' eyes widened as Hiashi's narrowed.
"You know what you are betting, do you not?"
Naruto nodded.
"A lifetime of servitude to our clan all to remove Hinata's seal? While I am inclined to accept such an offer, I cannot ignore the fact that you would forfeit your own life to us."
Naruto shook his head slightly. Hiashi raised an eyebrow.
"If you think Hinata isn't worth all that, then how about this. If I lose, I'll be branded with that seal and whatever other seals you wanna put on me. If I win, Hinata goes free from your entire clan, and none of you can do anything to her ever again."
Hiashi's eyes widened.
"You would dare suggest that we give up one of our own?!"
Naruto nodded, unbothered even with the Killing Intent that began to set in.
"I've talked with her enough to know that she doesn't like it here anyways. The only reason she hasn't tried runnin' away is because she'd just end up captured, either by you or someone else. You people aren't her family. You're just the people she happens to share some blood with."
One of the elders spoke up, taken aback.
"You... Why would you make such a claim?"
Naruto snapped his head towards the elder that spoke, his slitted pupils startling them slightly.
"Because she means more to me than you mean to her. The only people here she still cares about are Ko, Neji, and her little sister, Hanabi. She's scared of her dad and the rest of the people in charge. She's not even confident enough to think it, if I had to guess. It's not hard for me to tell."
Hiashi stared angrily at Naruto before looking up at Jiraiya, who was still at the door just as stunned as everyone else.
"You brought this boy in here for what? To try and make fools of us? Lord Jiraiya, I hope you know just how you have insulted us on this day."
Jiraiya looked back at Hiashi.
"And I have nothing to apologize for."
Hiashi raised his eyebrows. Jiraiya continued, completely unbothered.
"I'm just here because Naruto wouldn't have been able to speak with you otherwise. You and your clan have a rather noticeable bias against him."
Jiraiya raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms. Hiashi looked back at Naruto as he thought over what the teen was offering.
"... While the offer is tempting, I must refuse. The only way Hinata would be able to leave our clan without disobeying our laws is if she is married off. And I have no intention of doing such a thing to my daughter."
Naruto narrowed his eyes even further at the man, having much to say. He stood up, making the Hyugas present think he was about to leave.
"Hey, Clan Head guy. Do you have a private office or somethin' so I can talk to just you?"
Hiashi raised an eyebrow as he glanced over at Jiraiya.
"I thought you said my council would be best present."
Jiraiya shrugged.
"Things change."
Hiashi looked back at Naruto with uncertainty.
"I do have a private office. Follow me."
X
Naruto and Jiraiya sat down across from Hiashi.
"Before we begin again, Lord Hiashi, there is something I need to do."
Hiashi raised an eyebrow before nodding for Jiraiya to go ahead. He was surprised when the man slammed his hand on the ground, making seals cover the room. He was even further surprised when the man checked the crevices in the table, under the cushions, and even in the bookshelves, potted plants, and drawers.
"Lord Jiraiya? What is it that you are doing?"
Jiraiya glanced around the room before nodding to himself and sitting back down.
"Sorry, Hiashi. I just had to make sure for myself. Not to say that I don't trust your clan, but I really don't trust your clan. No Byakugan can see in here. I checked for any listening devices as well, as what I believe Naruto is about to discuss requires it."
Hiashi raised his eyebrows at what Jiraiya had told him.
"It's not about the Fox, is it?"
Both Jiraiya and Naruto shook their heads immediately. The teen was slightly surprised as Hiashi dropped to a much less formal tone than before after hearing about the privacy seals.
"Then, what can I do for you, Naruto Uzumaki?"
Naruto was further surprised at the lack of both anger and suspicion that was present in the Clan Head's tone.
"Uh, first, I guess... What's with the tone shift?"
Hiashi raised an eyebrow before shaking his head.
"My usual formal tone is quite a pain to put on, you see. Now, please tell me, what can I do for you?"
Naruto stared for a few more moments before he shook his head. Hiashi raised his eyebrows, watching as Naruto pulled out a small sealing scroll and unsealed two letters. His eyes widened when he saw the names on the letters. One was from Kushina Uzumaki while the other was from Minato Namikaze. Both were people he knew quite well. Perhaps not as much as the teen and his teacher in front of him, though...