Crow's feathers - Naruto fanfiction

Chapter 49 Darkness of the heart

“Ao, please check to see it the Hokage’s powers aren’t currently in use,” the samurai guard spoke.

Ao shook his head. “He’s not using it now.”

“Don’t worry,” Danzou said somewhat annoyed, “it’s not something I can use multiple times a day.”

“I’ll be the judge of that,” Ao said, “you can’t be trusted.”

“I had no idea there was another Byakugan out there,” Danzou said, “we should have killed that traitor Hyuuga sooner.”

An icy silence crept through the room. Ao chuckled softly. “You’re probably planning to kill me now. But you won’t do so easily.”

“Hokage,” Mifune interrupted, “all jutsu are forbidden here. You didn’t have enough faith. I would have chosen you anyway.”

“Maybe,” Danzou mused, “but I couldn’t take that risk. I will do whatever it takes to protect the ninja world. This world must become one. Just as the First Hokage, Hashirama, gathered the clans to created a village, now we must gather the villages to make the ninja world one. That will never happen through discussion. Taking the time to do it morally won’t change a thing. Eventually Akatsuki will destroy the ninja world.”

“It takes time to make ideals onto reality,” the Tsuchikage countered, “if you’re hastily, you’ll lose sight of everything else and make mistakes. Just like now. Not that your ideas are realistic anyway. You may think you’re doing good, but the results breed mistrust, ill feeling and hatred. I can’t trust anything you say.”

“Whether you trust me or not, we need results,” Danzou said.

Gaara’s expression was thoughtful. “If that’s what this world and humans are… there is no future,” he said, “understanding and faith… if you take that away, all that’s left is fear. I can’t accept your lack of moral and how quick you are to give up.”

“Easy for you to say,” the Tsuchikage said, “you know nothing about running a village, boy. If you have any questions, now is the time to ask. We’ll give you advise. Hahaha.”

Kankuro flew up. “What was that old man?!” he growled.

“Calm down, Kankuro,” Temari hissed, “he is still the leader of his village.”

“I do have a question for you,” Gaara said calmly.

“Alright boy,” the Tsuchikage smirked, “I’ll answer every question you have. Go ahead.”

Gaara’s expression didn’t change and he looked at the Kage calmly. “When did you rise above yourselves?” he asked.

“What?!” the Tsuchikage gasped.

The Mizukage smirked to herself. ‘Such innocence,’ she smiled.

“Heh,” Kankuro smirked.

Temari looked at her younger brother. “What should we do, Gaara? We aided Konoha trying to rescue Uchiha Sasuke, but now he’s part of Akatsuki.”

“Sasuke huh,” Gaara mused. ‘If Sasuke is here, then maybe…’ “Let’s go,” he said.

Danzou’s guardsman Fu leaned towards the Hokage. “Danzou, let one of us go down to get the Sharingan.”

“You stay here, Konoha,” Ao called, “the Raikage told me to keep an eye on you.”

“Fu, Torune, stand down,” Danzou said to his bodyguards, “we don’t want a fight.”

Fu, who could feel chakra from a distance, leaned towards Danzou again. “They have a sensor with them,” he muttered, “they might make it here eventually. What do you suggest?”