Putting Some Pressure on You

The Nara had a long history. They had been allied with the Sarutobi since the Warring States era, and after Konoha was founded, they had remained neutral, loyal only to the Hokage.

More importantly, the Nara never stood alone. Together with the Yamanaka and Akimichi, the Three Clans were no smaller than the Uchiha.

Tsukimi had no intention of approaching the Third Hokage himself. He was still a newly graduated Genin, however talented he might be. It would be different if Nara Shikaku spoke for him.

Danzo, you dared to attack the Nara's finest young talent—the future hope of the Three Clans—right in front of Officer Monkey... no, the Third Hokage. Were you going to wipe out all three clans tomorrow?

You thought you were above the law!

Before long, three ninja soldiers carried the bodies back to the Nara Compound with Tsukimi. He went straight to Shikaku's home without stopping at his own.

Nara Shikaku was reading through some files inside. At the sound of footsteps, he looked up and saw the ninja soldiers behind Tsukimi—and the three bodies they carried.

Shikaku's pupils contracted. Frowning, he hurried over, shut the door, then turned to Tsukimi.

"What happened?"

Tsukimi gave a small wave. The three ninja soldiers set down the bodies and melted back into the shadows. He resumed his lazy air, dropped into a seat, and spoke at his leisure.

"I ran into them at the edge of the forest on my way back from dinner with Asuma and the others. Three Chunin from Root. They invited me to see Danzo, the Hokage's advisor, and said they'd kill me on the spot if I refused. I refused. So here we are."

Shikaku crouched down, his expression grave. He carefully examined the three bodies' clothing and the curse marks on their tongues.

"No mistake. They were Root ninja."

"Speaking of which, what is Root? Anbu? And who's this Danzo? I don't remember doing anything to him."

At Tsukimi's puzzled question, Shikaku sat down beside him and considered his words before answering.

"Danzo was the Third Hokage's teammate. He's now an advisor to the Hokage and commands an organization called Root. It falls under the Anbu, but it answers only to him."

"So whose orders does it follow—Danzo's or the Hokage's?"

Amusement flickered in Tsukimi's eyes as he gave Shikaku a knowing look.

Nara Shikaku glanced at him and said gravely, "Danzo was allowed to establish Root because of certain circumstances in the past. But he must have acted on his own this time. The Third Hokage likely knew nothing about the ambush."

Setting aside the ties between the Sarutobi and Nara, Hiruzen Sarutobi would never have approved of this as Hokage. Of that, Nara Shikaku was certain.

Of course I know. You've probably already had your famous "you'll regret this" and "I'm the Hokage" exchange. Danzo wouldn't have acted so openly otherwise.

After that private jab, Tsukimi said seriously, "Whatever Danzo's position, it gives him no reason to attack me!"

"What do you want to do?"

"I was going to ask the clan elders to step in."

"No!" Nara Shikaku looked helpless, his voice growing urgent. "You know how they feel about you. If they hear about this, they'll make sure the whole village knows."

"I know," Tsukimi said evenly. "That's why I came to discuss it with you first."

Having the elders intervene would certainly benefit Tsukimi personally. Public pressure would force the Third Hokage to punish Danzo severely and compensate him.

But it would be a poor move for the clan. They would be using public opinion to force the Hokage's hand without first speaking to him, despite being allies of the Sarutobi. There might be no immediate consequences, but over time, the Nara would inevitably be pushed away from the village leadership. Tsukimi did not want that unless he had no other choice.

Nara Shikaku paused, then caught on and laughed. "You little rascal. You want me to put some pressure on Lord Hokage?"

"Exactly. From what you've told me, Danzo holds considerable power and is close to the Third Hokage. Even if we prove what he did, the Third might not be able to bring himself to punish him harshly."

When it came to Danzo, Hiruzen Sarutobi seemed bewitched. In the original story, Danzo had even tried to assassinate him, and Hiruzen still hadn't punished him.

Case closed. Danzo was a goddamn monkey-seducing demon!

"I'm only eight years old. I shouldn't be the one talking about political calculations." Tsukimi blinked and put on an innocent, earnest expression.

Nara Shikaku didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he didn't argue. He had planned to use this incident to put Danzo in his place anyway. Attacking Tsukimi—did Danzo think the Nara would simply take it?

"Come on. Bring the bodies. We're going to see the Third Hokage."

Nara Shikaku took a Sealing Scroll from the bookshelf and sealed the three bodies inside. Midway through, he paused and looked at Tsukimi. "This was your first time spilling blood. How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine. I'd prepared myself for it long ago." Tsukimi hesitated for a moment before answering casually.

This cruel Shinobi World was hard to like. It almost made me want to create a new world myself.

Nara Shikaku studied him for a while. Once he was sure Tsukimi wasn't unusually shaken, he put away the scroll, patted him on the shoulder, and set out with him for the Hokage Building.

The Hokage's office was brightly lit. Shikaku knocked softly and entered after receiving permission.

Hiruzen Sarutobi was bent over his work. He looked up in surprise at Nara Shikaku and Nara Tsukimi, but asked gently, "Shikaku, Tsukimi, what brings you here so late?"

Nara Shikaku stepped aside and ushered Tsukimi forward. "I'll let Tsukimi explain what happened."

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his attention to the boy. Tsukimi bowed slightly and gave a clear account of the night's events.

He told him how the three ninja had identified themselves as members of Root and tried to take him away on Danzo's orders, how they had been ordered to kill him when that failed, and how he had been forced to fight back.

"The three of them said Danzo was an advisor to the Hokage. But I only graduated today. I've never even met him, let alone offended him. I don't know why he'd attack me."

After hearing him out, Hiruzen Sarutobi rose and took the scroll. He released the seal and saw the Anbu uniforms, then the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seals on their tongues. His expression turned cold.

Two years ago, Danzo had asked him to hand over Nara Tsukimi. Hiruzen had refused on the spot and warned him. He had never expected Danzo to persist, much less grow bold enough to attack Tsukimi outright.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat back down, slowly exhaled a plume of smoke, and rubbed his pipe with his right hand.

"Danzo has gone too far this time."

He could not suppress the anger in his voice. Attacking a young member of the village had crossed a line.

Nara Shikaku stepped forward. "This is serious. Several clan elders were furious when they heard. I managed to calm them down before coming here."

Hiruzen Sarutobi understood what Shikaku was implying. Mishandling this could damage his relationship with the Ino-Shika-Cho clans.

He looked back at Tsukimi, his expression softening. "I understand what happened. You needn't worry. Go home and rest. First thing tomorrow, I'll give both you and the Nara a fair answer."

That's what I was waiting to hear. Ready, Danzo? Enjoy what I have in store for you.