"Shit, shit, shit!" Despite the lack of parental guidance, Haruto was generally very courteous and rarely resorted to profanity. The current situation was a definite exception that almost necessitated the use of curses. Currently in his Genji persona and decked out in ANBU gear, the twelve-year-old jounin was sweating like a pig and swearing up a storm. All his initial defense plans for the upcoming Chuunin Exam were left in shambles as a result of Team 7's "triumphant" return. If he was reading domestic sentiments correctly—and he was pretty sure he was
—then about half a dozen rookie and second year genin teams were going to be recommended for the Chuunin Exam. There was simply no way that any of these teams were going to be prepared for what would happen. It basically came down to either ditching the plans to hold the exam, or go ahead and allow rookies like Sasuke to get butchered.
Part of the frustrated blond really, really, really wished he had a good reason to hate the stuck-up Uchiha so he could in good conscience send the angst ridden genin out to be slaughtered like the sacrificial lamb he wanted to be. Either that or he could use some of the Kyuubi's general misanthropic malevolence so he would not care. That caused Haruto to recall some of the horrific images the creature had imposed on his mind and had commented on with great relish.
The young boy shuddered at the thought. Ok, so maybe that wouldn't be such a great idea, but what am I supposed to do here? Knowing when to persevere and when to seek help, Haruto was currently searching heaven and earth for the esteemed Sandaime Hokage, who for whatever reason, chose to disappear.
Where could he be?
"Genji-san!" Haruto tensed as he came face to face with two masked ANBU. He recognized them as belonging to the old man's personal guard. This did not bode well.
"Yes?"
"Your immediate presence is requested by Hokage-sama. There has been an assassination attempt."
"What? When? Is the Hokage alright?" The force of Haruto's fiery outburst caused the two ANBU to instinctively back away.
"Hokage-sama was not the target. But please follow us, you're expected." Alarmed and not just slightly disturbed, Genji only nodded numbly as he allowed himself to be guided away. He remained silent the whole way as the trio sprinted through the rooftops of Konoha and the emptied coordinators of Konoha's general hospital. He was then quietly ushered through a set of doors that were guarded by a phalanx of stoic ANBU warriors. Inside, Haruto saw a platoon of medic-nin and nurses working and two familiar figures, Tenzou-sensei and the old man. The elderly ninja wore an expression so grim and forlorn that left Haruto speechless.
At least the old man's safe. That was his first thought. The young jounin's breath of relief was short lived as he caught sight of a slight figure sleeping uneasily on a bed at the far end of the room. It was Moegi, a female friend of the Hokage's grandson and a full time member of the Konohamaru Corps. Alarmed, Haruto's eyes centered on the white sheet covering the bed just in front of the Hokage. It covered another small figure, but in this case, the person was not moving at all. Distraught, but still determined, the young ninja moved forward only to be halted by a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Hokage-sama's grandson is fine. He suffered only minor injuries. His friend, however…"
Haruto closed his eyes.
"Udon?" The young ninja's question was answered not with words, gestures, or expressions, but with silence, complete and utter silence.
"Hokage-sama." The old man shifted his attention just slightly towards the chief medical officer. "Your grandson and the girl will be fine. They just need some rest. I would recommend that they be kept here for a few days for observation, though. The experience must have been trying for them. Unfortunately, there was little we could do for their friend. Both of his lungs and one of his kidneys were punctured, and he suffered massive trans-vertebral injuries along both his ventral and dorsal flanks. He simply lost too much blood. If Tsunade-sama was here, maybe he could have been saved, but…"
"It's alright, doctor. Thank you for your help."
The medic-nin nodded in acceptance of his leader's sincere appreciation, but maintained his grim look.
"Doctor, if I may, I would like to inform Udon's parents myself. It is the least I can do." The offer caught the medic-nin off guard. The man, being the professional he was, tried to beg off, asserting that it was his duty, but the Hokage was adamant. In the end, the chief medical officer conceded to the village leader with a gracious bow. From the relief on his face, it was clear as daylight how much the good doctor did not want to be the bearer of bad news to the dead boy's parents.
As the group of medical professionals exited, Haruto marveled at the superhuman fortitude of the wizened old man, who was Konoha's shining example and his very own role model. What incredible and indomitable spirit; to assume burdens not one's own. Surely it would not be an easy meeting regardless of the old man's formal ranking.
"Why did you offer to do that?"
It was an admirable act, but also a perplexing one. What the Sandaime just did, no one would ever write about, no one would talk about, or sing about. In fact, the only people who would ever even know was the medic-nin, Haruto and Tenzou. So why did the old man do it?
"Because that is what a Hokage does." Of course, Haruto should have expected that to be the answer. Suddenly, the slight he received earlier today from people working in this very same facility seemed so utterly irrelevant and inconsequential.
"Who was it? Who was responsible?" Haruto detected just the slightest hint of a conspiracy when both adults remained silent. Under the circumstances, the youngster suppressed the urge to vocally demand for information.
"Who was responsible for the attack? Just tell me. I'm a big boy. I can handle it."
"Can you, Haruto? Really?" The words coming from the old man were serious and solemn and utterly lacking in their usual warmth. The young ANBU actually pondered for a minute before firmly asserting his request once again.
When the Sandaime Hokage remained silent, Haruto thought his request had been denied. He was not happy, but he certainly was not about to push his luck. Before he could say or do anything else, Tenzou walked forward and produced a foreign forehead protector, covered in dirt and blood. Under the artificial glow of hospital lights, Haruto could clearly see the four perfect vertical slashes engraved into the metal.
It was the official ninja symbol of the Village Hidden in the Rain.
"The assailant is currently in Ibiki's custody. He did not even attempt to deny allegiance to his home village."
There were many times in the past when Haruto often wished that his captain did not sound like a robot whenever he talked. Here and now, however, the blond was grateful for his mentor's oratory aloofness.
"Hokage-sama, this was clearly a reprisal, though a surprisingly public one. It's as if Rain wanted to flaunt their deed in front of us. Are you alright, Haruto?"
Of course not! Instead of screaming his frustration and anger, the blond uttered a simple, "Yes, I'm fine."
"What are we going to do?" With clenched white fists and set jaws, it was clear what Haruto wanted to do.
"Nothing." In answering, the Hokage finally turned to face the youngster. The twelve-year-old gasped at how frail and vulnerable the venerable leader looked. Simply put, the old man looked like death incarnate. "Is that such a surprise, Haruto? As much as I wish to react, there's nothing I can do, not without revealing our plan, correct?"
Haruto had no good answer for such a question. Ducking his head and refusing eye contact, the blond spoke without his usual confidence.
"Hokage-sama, I know I deserve blame for—" As Haruto's voice trailed off, Sarutobi gave him a questioning look before turning to the ANBU captain.
"Thank you, Tenzou. That will be all. Please take care of the things we discussed."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Tenzou nodded in acknowledgement. The veteran ANBU gave Haruto a near sympathetic look before exiting the room.
"Tell me, Haruto, do you think I blame you?" Haruto looked hesitantly into the elderly man's eyes, afraid of what he would find there.
"I-I don't know. Do you?" Haruto asked in an almost inaudible voice. Certainly, he had reasons to expect the old man to be angry. Even though logically, this assassination attempt was not Haruto's fault, his killing of the Rain Lord's daughter had nonetheless prompted this reprisal, which very nearly claimed his own grandson's life.
"No, Haruto. I suppose I don't blame you. Then again, my grandson is alive. Would I be able to say the same had the outcome been different? I don't know."
Fair enough, Haruto thought as he swallowed his discomfort. He certainly was not expecting complete absolution. Konohamaru was the Hokage's very own flesh and blood grandson, and not just a pseudo surrogate like Haruto. The blond genius was perfectly aware of that distinction.
"This was a grave incident. Remember it well, Haruto, but also remember to move on. There is actually a reason why I called you down here." Haruto instinctively straightened himself. Sarutobi gave a small smile.
"I will most likely be preoccupied with affairs of the village in the coming days and weeks. To make sure that we are prepared for the upcoming Chuunin Exam, I'm granting you and Tenzou extraordinarily powers to act in my name. Please coordinate your defensive efforts together. Into your capable hands, I leave the fate of Konoha." The Sandaime Hokage offered a formal looking and ornate scroll, complete with the Hokage's seal. Haruto gingerly accepted the honor and responsibility of being his village's protector.
"Do what it takes to ensure victory, Haruto. Konoha can't afford to lose." Of course. The blond knew that. "You can go, unless there's something else?"
There definitely was something else. The whole affair with Sasuke and the possibility of the rookie genin teams being drawn into the Chuunin Exam was definitely a disaster waiting to happen. Haruto would have to adapt big time if Asuma ended up recommending Team 10 for the exam as well. But, was it something Haruto needed to bring up to the Hokage's attention right then and there? One look at the old man's solemn expression told him the answer.
"No, there's nothing else. Just leave everything to the captain and myself. I promise not to fail you again, old man." Sarutobi only nodded slowly as he returned to holding vigil over his grandson and his friends. Haruto, meanwhile, was already mapping out what he needed to do. His resolve now strengthened by the knowledge of what defeat would entail, the Genius of Konoha set out to complete his given task.