Life in Konoha's ANBU by Shezza

Chapter 7: Chains of Hatred III: Sabotage!

Chains of Hatred III: Sabotage!

Konoha burned.

Great plumes of greasy, black smoke rose up into the sunny sky. The streets were cracked and littered with thousands upon thousands of kunai. Windows had been smashed, walls had been knocked over- entire buildings had collapsed in on themselves. The shattered husks of homes and businesses roared with flames as shinobi desperately worked together to put out the terrible fires. A powerful technique had been set off over the Naka River, which trailed from the beyond the Uchiha Clan grounds and through the middle of the village. Not only had a key bridge been destroyed but the river had been diverted into parts of the village and shinobi struggled to fuel their water techniques with the available water.

Konoha's warriors burned.

Grim-faced shinobi, their faces stained with ash and soot, retrieved headbands and ninja identification tags from the corpses of their comrades. Bodies were covered with grimy blankets. Protocol dictated that a Konoha Shinobi was to be cremated after death so that the secrets and techniques of the Village were kept hidden. A large mound of bodies blazed with fire as super-heated chakra reduced flesh and bone to ash. It was a horrible and messy task, usually suited for the specialised crematoriums in the hospital- but they had been damaged and there were far too many casualties. Secrets needed to be kept and the disease could not be allowed to spread amongst the living- so the bodies of their friends and families were put to the flame.

Konoha was hurting- but by no means was the blow that had been inflicted fatal.

No later than ten minutes after the last Sky Nin had disappeared over the horizon then had Konoha's Village Council convened. The Hokage and his advisors, the ANBU and Jonin Commander and selected Jonin Squad Leaders and Clan Heads met in a small but secured room underneath the Hokage's Tower. The Hokage sat there in silence, his eyes hidden from behind his hat, as the council listened to a report given to them.

"...ANBU medical squad has been dispatched to locate survivors trapped in the rubble," the dragon-masked ANBU said quietly. "The hospital is nearing full-capacity and we have erected temporary tents to take care of the wounded. All medic-nin have reported in for duty and non-essential personnel are assisting."

"There was a visiting team from Taki who were caught in the battle," Homura informed them. "They have left behind several shinobi with medical training to assist us while they inform their leader of what has transpired."

Sarutobi remained quiet. His eyes were fixated on the three vacant seats around the table- seats that had been filled with some of his top Jonin less than an hour ago. Two were receiving medical treatment, one critical, while the third had been killed during the invasion. He closed his eye with a sigh and listened to his men and women converse.

"We need to decide on our next course of action," Yamanaka Inoichi said firmly. The blonde-haired man sat next to his two former teammates.

"I have sent a message to the Fire Daimyo," Koharu said, her voice somewhat wavering. She coughed twice and shook her head. "The Twelve Ninja Guardians will see to his protection. The Sky Ninja will not find an easy target at the capital."

"All Shinobi in the vicinity of Konoha have been recalled," Nara Shikaku, the Jonin Commander, said. His scarred face was deep in thought. "We are rebuilding our defences and rotating our shinobi force. What we do next is a matter for the Hokage."

Eyes turned to Sarutobi, who kept his head bowed. There was an awkward pause before the ANBU Commander broke the silence.

"If I may ask," he murmured politely. "What losses did we sustain during this attack?"