Chương 60: Shikaku's Warning to the Hokage

Hiruzen looked at Shikaku who had stayed behind to give him the full report of the mission while the others had left to rest.

"I imagine the mission was a success?" Hiruzen asked.

"Yes. But we would have to regrade the mission to a higher rank at least A rank just as we suspected," Shikaku said. Shikaku continued speaking without rushing, making sure the Hokage understood the complete picture.

"We managed to secure the alliance from Land of Claws and their Daimyō." Hiruzen nodded with a smile.

"Good job. How did the genin perform?" He was genuinely curious about the young team members and wanted to know if they had shown promise during the tests and fights. The Hokage always paid attention to the next generation because they were the future of the village. Especially a team with a child that had the power to alter Reality itself.

"They performed exceptionally considering what the Daimyō told me. His samurai were all praise about both Guy and Shunsui. He himself had to say something about Shunsui," Shikaku replied.

"And what did he say?" Hiruzen asked with raised eyebrows. He leaned forward slightly in his chair, eager to hear more about the boy who carried such unique powers.

"That the boy threatened him and his country if they secured an alliance with Iwa and called Iwa allying with losers," Shikaku said with a straight face. Hiruzen almost dropped his pipe in shock. He caught it quickly and said, "Seeing he gave us this alliance, the Daimyō must have not taken this to heart." The Hokage was relieved that the threat had not ruined their chances with the new ally. He knew that leaders of small countries could be sensitive about such direct words from visitors.

Shikaku said, "On the quite contrary he was quite impressed by the subtle way Shunsui delivered the threat without looking even a little worried of him being surrounded by Daimyō's private army. He quite liked his guts." The Nara explained that the Daimyō saw courage in the young shinobi instead of disrespect. It was rare for someone so young to speak with such calm confidence in a room full of armed guards.

"Guts huh... Jiraiya would quite like the kid," Hiruzen mumbled to himself. He thought about his old student and how the toad sage enjoyed bold and lively personalities. A small smile appeared on the Hokage's face as he imagined Jiraiya meeting Shunsui one day. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"Our negotiations that we held previous month also helped," Shikaku said. Of course the genin tests were not the only part. Some backdoor conversations had already been held to see what both villages would be providing to help the small country as well as the cost of hunting bandits. The Daimyō had also taken that account before making the decision. He would not only make such a big decision on the basis of tests between genins. Hiruzen asked, "So who did Iwa send?"

"They tried to ambush us from even reaching Land of Claws. We encountered a scouting team which were not much trouble. As for who they had sent to Iwa, they had sent Han with a negotiator jonin and a genin team," Shikaku answered.

"They did not quite like the fact that we managed to get the alliance. So they attacked us on our way back. The Iwa genin and the other jonin had died. Our genin killed their genin. Inoichi with a little help from me managed to get the other jonin. As for Han, his status is unknown and Iwa might have a big diplomatic problem on their hands," Shikaku said. Hiruzen immediately realised what Shikaku was talking about.

"The five tails went loose did it not? Oh Onoki is so not going to like it. It would be a good distraction for us. They would have to divert some of their shinobi from the battlefield to either take down the five tails or to find it again and seal it in a new jinchuriki if Han had died." The Hokage understood the bigger picture and how this event could help Konoha in the ongoing war.

Losing control of a tailed beast was a serious blow for any village, and it would force Iwa to focus on their own problems for some time.

"Well then I would say that was a mission well done. So now tell me about the abilities of Shunsui and his swords," Hiruzen said. His tone became more serious as he shifted the topic to the mysterious powers the boy had shown. Shikaku's expression immediately went serious.

"Before I tell you what the boy's abilities are, I would need a verbal confirmation that you will not tell this to the Konoha council or even other elders of the village."

"You are asking me to hide things from my own council? Why would I do that, Shikaku?" Hiruzen asked with raised eyebrows. His voice carried a clear warning tone. He stood taller and looked directly at the Hokage.

"I have got permission from my father to say that if you do, Nara Clan, Akimichi Clan and Yamanaka Clan would think that the Hokage has lost allegiance to the village and focusing on helping his friends."

"It's not like I don't have a good reason for doing this, Hokage-sama. The boy needs protection from internal threats as much as from outside enemies. Revealing his full powers too early could bring unwanted attention from those who might want to use him or control him for their own goals. Our three clans stand united on this matter and we hope you understand the seriousness of keeping this information limited to only necessary people." Hiruzen laughed lightly at first.

"You have thought this through huh Shikaku. I also know your concerns about the boy..." His face turned serious as his chakra pressure fell on Shikaku who held his ground but sweat dropped from him.

"But you are forgetting something..... I am the Hokage of the village and it is my responsibility to protect every young sprout of the village especially one like Shunsui that could grow to a tree whose shade would protect our village." He continued speaking with strong authority in his voice.

"You also underestimate Danzo and his information network. He would find the boy's abilities even with me not telling him but you do not have to worry about him. I will be the shield the boy needs against him. He would not get his hands on the boy." The pressure disappeared completely after Hiruzen finished talking.

"Now if you would tell me the boy's abilities," the Hokage said in a calmer tone. Shikaku let out a sigh and mumbled, "Troublesome troublesome troublesome day." His voice sounded tired as he complained in his typical Nara way. It was the kind of situation that made him want to take a long nap under a tree, but duty kept him standing in the Hokage's office.

"Very well Hokage sama," he said and began recounting Shunsui's abilities.