The next day, a rested and rejuvenated Haruto found himself back in the Hokage's office. Rested in the physical sense, of course. His mind was still caught in a whirlwind of jumbled thoughts from recent events, but it did not look like he was going to catch a break anytime soon.
Tenzou, his Captain from ANBU Team Alpha went on with his report.
"We ran a material analysis on the instrument and found one peculiar aspect. The tests picked up trace fragments of a very rare metallic compound. The only source of this compound comes from a mineral deposit located deep inside the Land of Earth."
Haruto's fists tightened. Captain Tenzou's report regarding the flute he had recovered from the enemy came as no surprise to the blond. After all, he had seen the redhead pull off A-rank elemental techniques like they were nothing. Like the First Hokage once said, the simplest answer was usually the correct answer.
"This confirms what Jiraiya-sama's intelligence network has been saying. Iwagakure is on the move once again."
"Ah, but this time, they are not alone." The Third Hokage adopted a solemn expression as he gazed serenely out of his window.
"Orochimaru's involved as well, isn't he?" Haruto's young eyes hardened. It was plain as day that the young prodigy had yet to overcome the sting of his previous tactical blunder. Sarutobi nodded sadly in agreement.
"Given recent events, that is very likely." Orochimaru, Iwa and Suna, all at the same time. Things did not bode well for Konoha. "And given the level of activity and chaos in the last few weeks, we can assume that our enemy intends to act soon. In fact, I'm certain that fighting will break out within a month unless we do something."
A month? What's happening in a month? Haruto racked his brains for ideas, but came up mostly empty. There was some sort of fire festival in about a week where the Fire Lord would likely travel a bit, but only within domestic borders. He would need to be close by so he could prepare for the upcoming Chuunin Exam.
Of course!
"They intend to attack during the Chuunin Exam, don't they?" The idea made perfect sense. The upcoming Chuunin Exam would be a perfect opportunity for enemy agents to sneak into Konoha with minimum difficulty. The sheer number of foreign ninja present would make careful surveillance all but impossible.
Sarutobi bestowed a small prideful smile, which Haruto heartily returned. The lighthearted bartering of information was a ritual of sorts between the esteemed Hokage and his young advisor. The scholastic aptitudes and willingness of the former to teach was perfectly complimented by the voracious appetite of the latter to learn.
"That's what we believe." Tenzou handed Haruto a packet of files. "There has been a huge jump in the number of genin applicants from almost every participating nation. It's too much of a coincidence, but we can't find much that was unusual about them. They don't fit the profile of undercover assassins."
"That's because they aren't." Both adults looked at the blond with interest and waited patiently as he collected his thoughts.
"It would be impossible to hide, much less coordinate such a large number of disguised veteran ninja right under our noses. Orochimaru must know this. No, using genin examinees as assassins isn't the point, not with a group this large."
"Then why?" Haruto ignored the question in favor of concentrating on a large spread out map of Konoha. The answer was obvious, of course, and Tenzou quickly came upon the answer without prompting from his prodigal student.
"Of course, to sow chaos and confusion." Indeed, if even half of the new additions were part of the invasion plot, the consequences could be dire.
"What? The second part of the exam is supposed to take place in the old battle arena!?" Haruto cried out suddenly with concern. According to the map, the original battle stadium was situated in the dead center of town and literally within walking distance of the Hokage tower, the main ANBU field office, and half a dozen other key installations. Alas, the blond was not the only one disturbed by the implications.
"Haruto is right, Hokage-sama. The Grand Fire Arena is less than two miles away from three of our emergency deployment centers. That's a very serious security risk." The emergency deployment centers, or EDCs, were rallying points used to mobilize Konoha's general ninja population and were absolutely critical in the event of an invasion. It would be an unmitigated disaster if the enemy were to seize or disrupt the functions of these locations. Sarutobi sighed grandly, adopting an air of resignation.
"You are, of course, correct, Captain Tenzou. It seems that we have no choice but to cancel the exam and alert—"
"NO!" Both adults arched their eyebrows at the loud outburst from the flamboyant blond.
"Haruto, we can't risk allowing so many hostile enemy ninjas to enter our village. We could increase security, but that would only tip our enemies off."
"Not if we do it right," the young ninja insisted. "Look, the old arena was built during the early days of Konoha, right? That means that its basic infrastructure was mostly made up of wood, which was reinforced later with rock and concrete. Well, this is Fire Country, right?"
"Haruto, you can't seriously be suggesting that we burn—" Tenzou gave a half incredulous look at his student.
"Why not?"
"Haruto, you are aware that that arena is one of the symbols of Konoha? Much like the Hokage Monument."
"So?" The two adults shared another secretive exchange, much to Haruto's irritation. "Look! Three—four, counting Rain—neighboring ninja villages are allied against us, two of which are major powers. They have us outnumbered and can attack us along multiple axes. We might hold off an assault temporarily by canceling the Chuunin Exam, but they'll just come back some other time. And when they do, we might not be lucky enough to know about it beforehand." Haruto took a deep breath before continuing, "We need to do this. We won't get another opportunity where we can prepare for an invasion like this. If we cancel the exam, Orochimaru would realize there was a leak somewhere and tighten security or whatever. You know this as well as I do."
That was true. Sarutobi was very much aware of the merits of the youngster's words. Still, it would be a massive gamble to allow the Chuunin Exam to proceed. Seeing the Hokage's continued hesitation, Haruto decided to up the ante.
"Plus, we don't even have to win. We just have to make sure that they don't win." The perky blond cracked a wide smile, seemingly satisfied with his subtle wordplay. He then went on to elaborate. "Suna and Iwa are not allies, and Rain has always been somewhat xenophobic. So long as the invasion is not viewed as a victory for them, their ad hoc alliance will fall apart and we will win by default."
Score! From the way Tenzou and Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly, Haruto knew he had hit on something the adults had not considered.
"It seems to me that it comes down to which scenario is preferable. Four different enemies with four different agendas, or four different enemies with the same agenda?" Tenzou interjected.
"I would prefer that we live in peace with no enemies around us," the Hokage muttered, "but then again, we don't always get what we want." The elderly leader smiled genially at Haruto.
"Haruto does make some good points. The Grand Fire Arena… can you arrange for an accident, Captain?" The Hokage adopted a mask of impeccable severity as he probed his ANBU chief on the possibility of sabotaging one of Konoha's very own historic monuments.
"It's certainly possible. I'll have to look into it. But in the meantime, where would we move the combat match phase of the exam to? There is the official chuunin training ground, but I'm afraid that the condition of the grounds might offend the dignitaries. There's also tactical training arena 23, which is a semi-secret area dedicated for jounin use. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that the entire facility needed renovation after one of Mitarashi-san's training sessions."
Mitarashi? Didn't Orochimaru have a female student by the name of Mitarashi? Haruto filed the thought away.
"Those won't work. They are too close to Konoha proper. The battle arena is going to be ground zero of the invasion. We'll need to put some distance between that battle and the village itself so that our reserves will have time to mobilize. The only location I can think of that will do that is the battle arena in Area 44." Area 44 was a vast region of primeval forestry outside of Konoha village that included old facilities once used by the reserve ANBU corps.
"The Forest of Death?" There was a fascinating, albeit dark history as to how Area 44 acquired its nickname, a most apt one as a matter of fact.
"Haruto, should anything go wrong, could reinforcements reach such a remote location in time? Amongst others, Hokage-sama, who'd be in attendance, would be left defenseless."
Whatever protestations Haruto might have had, they died in his mouth. The fiercely loyal youngster would rather eat his own tongue than suggest that the village leader be put in harm's way. Sarutobi, on the other hand, was quick to wave off the potential dangers to his own person.
"Now, Tenzou, I'll be fine. I might be getting on in years, but I still have a few aces up my sleeve. My main concern is for the civilians that would be in attendance. If a fight is to break out…" the Hokage trailed off, leaving the rest unsaid.
"Then I promise you that when I'm done, no Konoha civilian will be harmed." Haruto's confidence, while admirable, elicited skepticism from his elders. To their credit, they did not dismiss his boisterous declaration out of hand. After all, the young blond prodigy was an apt pupil in the art of working miracles.
"And how do you intend to do that, Haruto?" the Hokage enquired.
"We definitely can't simply increase security, not enough to give us the decisive edge at least, because that would tip our plans to the enemy. But we can manipulate the exam to be in our favor. I don't know how, yet, but I'll think of something. What I can say is that we'll need proctors who can keep quiet." Tenzou quickly came to full agreement with Haruto's assessment. Given the likelihood of Orochimaru having other Konoha agents around, it was best if information was kept on a strict need to know basis.
"Ibiki, then?" Sarutobi looked at Tenzou, who acquiesced.
"I can make discrete inquiries, but it'd be better if Haruto could approach the ANBU division chief himself." Tenzou's words earned him a strange look from Haruto. The ANBU captain turned to his subordinate. "You're planning this operation, so it would make sense for you to interact directly with him and others."
"I somehow don't think senior ninja and clan leaders are going to be very eager to hear what an unranked rookie ANBU has to say." Crossing his arms, Haruto proceeded to sulk in mock imitation of a spoiled brat. Sarutobi chuckled lightly before turning serious.
"Area 44 is a restricted area for a very good reason. The area would be used for one thing and one thing only. Are you absolutely and completely sure, Haruto? Succeed or fail, Konoha will be drawn into war by the end of all this." The blond youth hesitated for a very brief moment.
"With all due respect, Hokage-sama, we are already at war. It's just that we've only become aware of that fact now." Blunt and correct as usual, but it remained to be seen if such resolve would hold.
"Very well, then. You have permission to draft an operation plan in anticipation of the coming Chuunin Exam. Here's a little something to help you in your task." The Hokage tossed the blond a small metallic pin.
Is this what I think it is? Haruto eyed the object in wonderment.
"Congratulations on your promotion, Genji. You are now officially a full ranking jounin of Konoha and carry all its associated privileges and responsibilities." Sarutobi beamed with pride while Tenzou looked on with amusement. It was not everyday that they had the chance to witness a completely bewildered Haruto.
"I-I don't know what to say. Ahm, thank you, but how? I thought a promotion to jounin rank required a security and background check?"
"The normal requirements were waived in your case. It'd seem that your name was mentioned to some very influential people on the village council." The Hokage's careful choice of words dampened the room's celebratory mood and caused a hint of shadowy suspicion to appear in Haruto's crystal blue eyes.
"Who?" Some very serious backroom politics must have occurred since not even the Hokage had the authority to override the strict requirements for jounin promotions in times of peace.
"An Uchiha, the Hyuuga representative and council elder Danzou."
"Is this the same Danzou who campaigned against you for Hokage?" Sarutobi nodded, once again impressed by the blond's deductive ability and attention to detail. He was fairly sure that he had never used a single ill word to describe the other man while in Haruto's presence, but the youngster had clearly been able to read the subtext.
"What are you doing?" The Hokage looked at the newly promoted jounin in astonishment as the boy symbolically tossed his jounin pin back.
"I won't accept this." As the adults were absorbing the full shock of his declaration, Haruto moved to clarify.
"I can't accept the promotion if it meant turning my back on you, old man." For once, Tenzou did not begrudge his student's crude reference for old time's sake.
"Was this another one of your tests? Did you really think that I was going to be bribed by one of your political enemies? Geez, I thought you knew me better than that." A touch of anger entered Haruto's voice as he scowled darkly. As capable, dedicated and even ambitious as he was, the young Konoha genius's dominant characteristic was, is and always will be loyalty.
Sarutobi was noticeably amazed and touched by the response. How many grown adults would have resisted such an offer so forcefully and with such conviction? How many honest, morally upstanding men and women would have turned a blind eye and simply accepted the promotion quietly? The Hokage did not live to his age by being naïve and stupid. He knew the score.
"Haruto, you misunderstand. No one's trying to bribe you." Certainly not directly, at least.
"Yeah, and since when is failure considered a promotion worthy achievement?" Haruto's suspicion was not without merit. There was a certain level of bitter irony in the entire affair and it did look as if the young ninja was being congratulated for taking part in the disastrous Rain mission. Completely untrue, of course, but deeply held perceptions were notoriously hard to shake off.
"Haruto, didn't you encourage Yuugao to accept the vice-captaincy post just days earlier?" Tenzou's calm voice of reason made the blond frown.
"That was different!"
"How so?"
"Because it just… was." Unable to come up with an appropriate defense, Haruto sighed in defeat. "I guess I see what you mean."
"Life is rarely fair, Haruto. Accept the breaks now when you get them since they don't come often." In making such a statement, Sarutobi was speaking from experience.
"This is not a test or a trick. I've been pushing for Genji's promotion for some time. It just so happens that in this case, my interest and the interest of Danzou and others are aligned. I bring this up only as a warning to you. Be aware of your surroundings, Haruto. The internal politics of any hidden village is always volatile. I was hoping to keep you hidden for a while longer but…"
"Like you said, life is unfair, right?"
"Right." The Hokage smiled as he offered Haruto the jounin pin once again. Slowly and with far more deference, the ANBU rookie accepted the prize. As pledges were made and oaths recited, Haruto found the whole affair a whole less glamorous and exciting than he once imagined. After all, all this promotion meant was more duties, more responsibilities and less free time. And because of certain political realities, he was not even going to be accorded the proper credit for his deeds since any and all praise was going to be transferred to his alias.
For my grand dream of becoming Hokage. For whatever reason, the thought did not elicit the usual warm and fuzzy feeling in Haruto. Maybe he was just tired.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, Tenzou-san. Can I leave now?"
"Sure. If you have time, I know that my grandson would be most grateful if you could pay him and his friends a visit sometime in the next couple of days."
"Oh right, ok." Haruto nodded, promising himself to play "ninja" with his rival in training either tomorrow or the day after. Konohamaru and his gang never failed to cheer him up.
"But be sure to take some time off. You definitely deserve it, based on what my son told me."
"Those kunoichi were pretty tough and definitely experienced. I have a feeling that we'll see them again in the coming invasion." For a moment, Haruto considered informing the adults about the other feeling he, or rather the Kyuubi, experienced. His mind quickly vetoed the idea. Even though he was fairly certain that the adults knew that he knew, the Kyuubi remained a proverbial invisible elephant that no one wanted to talk about.
As Haruto turned around to leave, Captain Tenzou stopped him.
"Haruto, here!" Haruto accepted the slender porcelain-like object. It was the flute he picked from the Iwa kunoichi. "Our analysts are done with it so it might be more useful to you in the future."
Definitely. The genjutsu genius was always looking to expand his knowledge in his area of expertise. Compared to taijutsu, ninjutsu, and kinjutsu, genjutsu was much more limited in terms of known techniques, fighting styles and accessories available to Konoha ninja. This alien flute was a veritable goldmine.
"Thanks a lot!" With that, Haruto left with a happy smile on his face. As the day was still young, the blond figured he should drop by the hospital to check up on Hinata, to see how she was doing. From what he had seen, the poor girl took quite a beating from those Iwa assassins.
The ANBU captain waited a good two minutes before making a statement.
"Should I start making appropriate arrangements?" If this plan was going to go down, he needed to start feeling people out, reorganize the deployment schedule, etc. At the very least Tenzou needed to make sure that the personnel that were to guard the Hokage and other illustrious dignitaries were trustworthy.
"Not yet. I want, no, I need to know that Haruto's absolutely prepared for this." Sarutobi slumped back in his chair.
"You think he's not?" There was a slight intonation in the ANBU captain's voice, indicating a note of surprise.
"I think he instinctively knows what fighting this battle would entail, what it'd cost us and him, but whether he has accepted that or not… No, not yet." Sarutobi slumped back in his chair, his face a mask of grim resolution. Part of him suddenly lamented the loss of his prized students, particularly Tsunade, the renowned miracle worker. Something told the elderly Hokage that his student's extensive medical expertise would be missed.
Seeing the distracted look in his leader's eyes, the ANBU captain quickly made his exit. The Hokage was subsequently left to wander down memory lane, as he contemplated the events to come.