Tortured Uchiha [CURRENTLY EDITING]

十一

W I L L  O F   T H E   H E A R T 

[Time Skip]

     "I understand that Danzo has you cornered, especially with the seal replicated on your whole body. . .so I'm not expecting information from you now," Hiruzen's expression was grave. "As for your concerns about your misplaced loyalties, I assure you that there are none with me. Your safety along with Shisui and Itachi's is paramount―but if you want to take the liberty to train Naruto until he gets his own Sensei, you must keep it from Danzo."

     We were back in the comfort of his personal study. As usual, he puffed on his pipe while I knelt awkwardly. 

      "I need to know what's going on with Itachi," I leaned forward and narrowed my eyes. "I know that his mission is dangerous, but for the sake of Itachi's life, I have to know. I believe he's in danger. Shisui saw Itachi converse with a masked man of unknown affliction about personal matters concerning the Uchiha. Please Hiruzen; I need to know what Itachi's gotten himself into."  

    Hiruzen thought for a moment and blew smoke from his nostrils. If he chose to tell me, it would break almost every code of conduct the Hokage had with his Shinobi, and since I was a part of the Root Ops, I could be interrogated by Danzo and tortured. If Itachi's mission was that top secret, I'd have to have so many seals placed on me that I wouldn't be allowed to leave the village.

      Ever. 

      "You care deeply for Itachi, more so than Shisui," Hiruzen sprinkled more tobacco into the pipe. "That being said, what you're asking me to do is sacrilege―it goes against every law my predecessors have set. Itachi is old enough to handle himself, especially with the task I've assigned to him. As for this masked man, there have been no reported unknown chakra signatures from the ANBU or at the border." 

      "I fear for his life. The man Shisui saw must've hidden his chakra presence!" I shouted. "You know that Shisui is your most loyal Shinobi, he wouldn't speak up unless it concerned him. Please, Hiruzen I'm begging you, tell me what mission you've assigned to Itachi."  

     Hiruzen removed his Hokage headdress and placed it on the red cushion to his left. His grey eyes flitted everywhere around the room except me. For once, he seemed at a loss as to what he should do―Hiruzen knew that I wouldn't leave without an answer.

      There are too many risks for me to tell her, Hiruzen thought. It was Itachi's wish after all...to keep her away from the brutality of the truth...

      "It isn't my decision to tell you about Itachi's mission. All Shinobi are bound by a code of secrecy. . .but if you are truly that worried for his life then you should confront Itachi about it instead," Hiruzen sucked on his pipe and expelled more smoke. "I may be the Hokage, but my authority should not interfere with missions such as his."

     As Hiruzen rose to his feet, I grabbed him by the sleeve. Nobody was allowed to lay a hand on someone as prestigious as Hiruzen, especially with the title of Kage.

      "You know that Itachi will never tell me," I tugged. "I'm desperate Hiruzen, whatever mission you've given Itachi, it's killing him. The physical and emotional toll is making him become an empty husk of his former self. All Shisui and I want to do is help . . .we just want our friend back." 

      Hiruzen muttered something under his breath and turned his head to gaze out the window. Karasu was conveniently perched on the window sill. From the way Hiruzen's expression soured, he wasn't impressed that Shisui listened to the entire conversation.