Chapter 16: Dana's Weakness
The "Nine Samurai of the Thundercloud" was not a particularly subtle move, but it was undoubtedly effective.
A report had come in earlier about the Hidden Cloud's frequent contact with a small bloodline clan in the Land of Birds. At the time, Konoha didn't know the reason, but they operated on a simple principle: if you want it, we'll make sure you don't get it. They had sent agents to interfere.
Danzo had been in charge of that operation. His initial plan was a false flag: his agents would disguise themselves as Cloud ninja and attack the clan. That way, even without knowing the Cloud's true objective, he could ruin their plans.
As luck would have it, the fake Cloud ninja ran smack into the real Cloud ninja. When the imposters met the genuine article, a battle immediately broke out. The fight was a draw, but the very next day, the small bloodline clan packed up their entire clan and left with the Hidden Cloud.
It was only after extensive investigation that Konoha's agents learned the truth. That small, previously unheard-of clan, which had never been on Konoha's radar, possessed a Kekkei Genkai that was rumored to be a perfect counter to the Byakugan. The locals called them the "Red Eye" clan.
Although the clan's numbers had dwindled over the years and their ninja traditions were nearly lost, their bloodline was the real deal.
The revelation was enough to make Hiruzen want to curse out loud.
The Byakugan was the most valuable strategic Kekkei Genkai in the ninja world; its importance to Konoha was immeasurable. And now the Hidden Cloud had gotten their hands on a clan that could nullify it. How could he not be furious? If the Hyuga clan ever found out, several of the main family elders would probably die of apoplexy.
The incident was taken with the utmost seriousness by Konoha's leadership. They immediately launched a full review. Following the breadcrumbs of various minor intelligence reports, the analysis division managed to piece together a disturbing picture.
The Red Eye clan was likely not the first bloodline the Cloud had absorbed in recent years; there were signs of other, earlier successes.
The Cloud also appeared to be searching for Uzumaki survivors. In fact, Konoha's own future Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Kushina, had almost been found first and taken to the Hidden Cloud.
Furthermore, the Cloud was secretly collecting various ninjutsu scrolls scattered across the ninja world and the underworld, with a particular emphasis on sealing jutsu and medical ninjutsu. While all the major villages engaged in this practice to some extent, the Cloud's efforts in recent years had been unusually focused and aggressive, adopting an almost obsessive "leave no stone unturned" approach to these two fields.
These weren't solid facts; some were more speculation than evidence. But when put together, they painted a picture Hiruzen could not afford to ignore.
The most frustrating part was that while Konoha could copy the Cloud's "Nine Samurai" idea with their own "Twelve Guardian Ninja," they couldn't simply start absorbing outside bloodline clans.
Their own clans would never allow it.
It felt as though the Cloud was quietly accumulating strength for a future burst of power, and Hiruzen was still struggling to understand the full scope of their ambitions.
He took a long drag from his pipe.
Under his leadership, Konoha was flourishing.
In the First Great Ninja War, Konoha, the Cloud, the Stone, and the Mist had all lost their Kage. The devastating losses had forced a temporary peace. This was now a time for the villages to compete in terms of development and growth. Hiruzen knew he couldn't match the First or Second Hokage in combat, but he was confident in his ability to govern. In this, he had no doubt.
He believed that as long as there was peace, his skilled administration, supported by his trusted friends, would allow Konoha to grow and soon surpass all the other villages.
But while focusing on his own growth, it was also wise to trip up your rivals.
After a moment of contemplation, Hiruzen tapped his desk.
"Send for Torikaze."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
For the past few days, Dana had been spending his time at the orphanage. With an intellect far beyond his years and a financial power that was simply overwhelming, he had quickly become the leader of the other children.
Playing their simple, clumsy games with them had also filled a void in his own life, making up for a childhood devoid of friends his own age.
According to unofficial reports, all the boys at the orphanage now wanted to be Dana's brother, and all the girls wanted to marry him.
Dana was learning that being popular meant you could get away with anything.
All of this was dutifully reported back to the clan elders and the Third Raikage by Ume.
Keiko Morita was also performing exceptionally well, exceeding all of Dana's expectations. She had proven to be a natural headmistress, managing the orphanage with meticulous care while also providing the maternal warmth the children so desperately needed. They had accepted her completely. She had already moved her daughter into the orphanage, which saved her the daily commute and gave her daughter a host of new playmates. She was even able to rent out her old house for extra income. It was a win-win-win situation.
The initial phase of the orphanage reform was a resounding success. The children were not only well-cared for but were also beginning to genuinely see the Hidden Cloud as their home. Even if the plan stopped here, Dana could proudly say he had done a great thing. But this was only the beginning.
There was still much more to do.
Today, however, Dana went home early. His brother, Arashi, was back from a mission, and his mother had sent a message asking him to be home for dinner.
Arashi was growing up fast, a perfect inheritor of the Third Raikage's talent. He excelled in both ninjutsu and the clan's secret arts. At thirteen, he was already an elite Chunin and had begun leading his own squad. Of course, as the Raikage's eldest son, his Chunin squad had a Jonin "squire" assigned to it for his protection, though the Jonin was under orders to only display Chunin-level abilities. The Third Raikage was going to great lengths to groom his heir.
For Dana, the most important part of Arashi's return was the gifts. His brother always brought him something back from his missions—sometimes local specialties from other countries, sometimes strange trinkets he found along the way. Many of the books in Dana's library had been gifts from Arashi.
"Arashi's back? Where is he?"
"Ambush!" A figure lunged at Dana from behind, trying to hoist him into the air. But Dana was no longer a three-year-old. His superhuman reflexes allowed him to dodge with ease.
"Too slow, Arashi! You'll have to be quicker than that to—" Dana began to gloat.
"You fell for it! Double ambush!" another Arashi appeared from behind him, this one successfully grabbing Dana and lifting him high into the air.
At twelve, Arashi was already well over five and a half feet tall and built like a tank. He looked like a short but fully-grown, muscular adult. (The fact that he looked older than his years was also a major factor.)
The first Arashi disappeared in a puff of smoke and a crackle of lightning. It had been a Lightning Clone.
Being held aloft, Dana's good mood instantly soured.
The techniques of a ninja were truly formidable. Without chakra, he had no way of distinguishing the clone from the real thing. For all he knew, the real Arashi had been hiding nearby with a Transformation Jutsu the whole time, and he wouldn't have noticed. Even if his physical abilities became ten times greater, he would still be blind to clones and transformations, and helpless against genjutsu. And that wasn't even mentioning higher-level arts like barriers and sealing jutsu. He could be completely outplayed.
It was a long list of tearful realities.
He wondered when he would ever fill his "soccer field."
Seeing Dana's pouting face, Arashi didn't tease him any further and set him back down.
"Did you bring me anything good this time?" Dana asked, brushing off his clothes.
"Not this time," Arashi said, his expression turning serious. "But I have something very important to tell you. It's about you."
Instead of heading to dinner, Arashi created a sense of suspense. He told their mother they would be a little late and then led Dana towards the Raikage's tower.