When Sunday arrived and Seina made her way calmly to her teacher's office, she was surprised to find the entire "Team A" present—as she had mockingly started calling Konoha's top brass in her mind. It consisted of Tsunade-sama, Shizune, the Anbu commander, the Jonin commander, the head of the interrogation and torture department, Kakashi, and Jiraiya. Curiously, the seven trusted ninjas the Hokage was using to investigate Danzo and Orochimaru. All together.
"I was just thinking about you, and here you are. Coincidence?"
"Ha! I wish…" she muttered.
"I figured as much," the Hokage chuckled. "Kakashi was saying you have something to tell us, but he didn't get a chance to explain. Well?"
Seina recounted the story for the second time. The others listened attentively, occasionally asking questions to clarify certain points but allowing her to go into detail. There were plenty of exchanged glances as she spoke—serious, worried, angry, exhausted… What could they say to her? She had gone through that emotional cycle in the past few days. By now, she was almost indifferent to it.
"I see I wasn't too far off," Shikaku finally said. "I knew he'd try again, and now that Seina has done all this to buy us more time, I'm convinced he will."
"You mean to say?" Jiraiya asked with some scepticism. "How many times does a person have to fail at kidnapping someone before realizing it's not going to work?"
"As long as no one notices, they're not failed attempts. It's a process of learning and elimination," Commander Ryu interjected from the shadows. "Sooner or later, he'll find a weakness to exploit."
"Not to mention the other news," her teacher said before tossing her a short note. "Look at this. It was encrypted, but this is the message."
"Akatsuki is after the jinchuriki. The Two-Tails, Four-Tails, and Seven-Tails are already dead. Your jinchuriki has caught Akatsuki's attention by eliminating one of the organization's potential recruits."
A shiver ran down Seina's spine as she read those two miserable sentences. Just 27 words, but they represented a death threat to Naruto and herself. Kakashi draped an arm over her shoulders, silently comforting her.
"Do we know who sent this?" he asked.
"You mean, is it reliable?"
"We don't know who it was. The original note was just a series of numbers, so we can't compare the handwriting to our database. No fingerprints, no scents, nothing we can extract to identify the writer. The numbers are also the easiest thing to alter to prevent identification, so…"
"And as for whether it's reliable… We believe it is. We know Fu Sanada has disappeared, and according to our informants, Takigakure considers her dead. The Two-Tails' jinchuriki, Yugito Nii, also vanished from Kumo five days ago, and from what we've uncovered, there are signs of a violent battle at the last place she was seen. The only thing we haven't been able to confirm is whether the other jinchuriki is truly dead. Apparently, he likes to wander alone through the forests for long periods."
"When was this sent?" she asked again.
"A day ago," the Hokage informed her. "According to Shikaku, it was delivered to his house."
"They left it in my private office, and I even have some protections set up," he explained. "The only one home was Shikamaru, and according to him, the only thing he saw near the house all morning was a dove flying around. I spent the entire afternoon checking every inch of the house and its surroundings, but I found nothing."
"I wouldn't trust Shikamaru too much," Inoichi whispered to her with a chuckle as she jolted slightly in her seat.
"A what?" she asked again, quickly lifting her head from the note.
"A dove?"
"What kind?" she pressed.
"A turtledove, I think he said, with black and white feathers around its neck."
"Itachi sent it," she finally declared. "It's one of my summons. I only use it to send Sasuke's letters to Itachi. He never replies, but I told him in one letter that he could use it to respond to Sasuke if he wanted."
"Sasuke writes letters to Itachi?" Shizune asked.
"Just about everyday things," she waved it off dismissively.
"I see," Shikaku sighed, a bit more relaxed. "He must have deduced that your dove is capable of finding anyone as long as it's given a name."
Seina nodded thoughtfully. She hadn't explained to Itachi how her dove worked, with its locator spell in the form of permanent runes, but it was clear he had examined it. He might have even noticed it was indestructible. Besides, Shikaku was right—Itachi, being a genius, would have realized the dove could find him no matter where he was. He had undoubtedly figured out many things about what her summon could and couldn't do. She resisted the urge to smile when she realized Itachi had responded with a warning note. Despite all the letters he had ignored from Sasuke and herself, he had sent the stone with his memories, and now he had written a note that reached the Hokage unnoticed to warn them of the danger ahead. If that didn't prove that Itachi wasn't truly a bad person deep down, nothing would.
"Damn it, Itachi… You're a genius," she thought to herself.
A squeeze on her shoulder brought her back to the conversation. She silently thanked Kakashi, not wanting to miss anything.
"Let's assume Seina is right and that Itachi sent it… Do you consider this information reliable?"
"The details match what we already know from our informants, so Itachi, being part of Akatsuki, is obviously even more informed than our spies," Shikaku said. "That the note came from Itachi would explain how it contains so much insight into Akatsuki's plans."
"So, you believe this information is accurate?"
"Yes. The only new information here is that the jinchuriki are definitively dead, not just missing, and that Seina has killed a potential recruit, drawing Akatsuki's attention. Who? We don't know, but I'd bet he's talking about Deidara. According to Seina and Mokure's reports, Deidara himself admitted to willingly stealing Iwagakure's kinjutsu and seemed ready to abandon his team. In fact, he let his teammates die at Mokure's hands without lifting a finger… If that's not betrayal, I don't know what is."
"You don't think Deidara planned to stay in Iwagakure much longer," Inoichi stated.
"No. Everything suggests he was planning to flee soon, maybe even during that mission after killing our ninjas."
"Luckily, that plan failed," the Hokage sighed.
"And how does this Akatsuki situation affect Naruto and me?"
"We don't know yet… We're still discussing it, but until we reach a conclusion, it's best that you both stay in the village."
Seina left shortly after that, sighing. She headed straight home. Naruto and Sasuke were waiting impatiently. They both knew she had gone to see the Hokage to report what had happened, so they were expecting an answer. Tired, she sat on the couch and explained everything—the details of her mission, Itachi's note, the news about Akatsuki…
"Fu is dead?" Naruto asked, his face pale.
"Worse. She was definitely murdered," Sasuke said, frowning. "It looks like they're going after the jinchuriki, which means you two are in danger now. Not just me."
"What do you think is going to happen?"
"I have no idea, but this doesn't look good," she admitted. "Not long ago, they sent us away from Konoha for our own safety, and now they're locking us inside Konoha for our own safety."
"But that means we're not safe anywhere!"
Seina didn't know how to respond to that. Naruto was right to think that they weren't safe either inside or outside the village. The question was, where were they in more danger? At this moment, she wasn't sure she had an answer to that question either. Tsunade-sama was meeting with the higher-ups more and more frequently, so she could deduce that the situation was worsening. There would come a point when something would be the trigger for… she didn't know, an even worse situation, perhaps. It would be the last straw. But what would they do when that point came? Because it was going to come.
Danzo was growing increasingly irritated because his ninjas kept failing. Orochimaru wasn't giving up, eager to have the Sharingan for himself. Akatsuki, on the other hand, seemed to have started hunting the jinchuriki. Fu had probably been caught off guard while traveling with her genin team to the Chunin Exams, whereas the other jinchuriki… Apparently, she had put up a fight, but according to what Kakashi had told her some time ago, Akatsuki always attacked in pairs, and they were all S-rank ninjas.
She had killed one of Akatsuki because she caught him alone and off guard with her magic. Deidara, who was also an S-rank ninja, had been worn down beforehand by Konoha's team led by the other jonin, Mokure, and he still hadn't mastered the kinjutsu he had stolen—the one he tried to use to kill her. She had been very lucky, but she was not an S-rank ninja, no matter what they believed in Iwagakure. It wasn't false modesty. She knew perfectly well that she still had a lot to improve and that part of her growth would come with the development of her body. If she seemed so dangerous, it was because of her magic, nothing more.
When Kakashi returned home a while later, he looked tired and somewhat worried. Coming from him, who always tried to maintain a neutral expression, it had to be worse than she imagined. Naruto and Sasuke, unable to sleep, were still awake, lying on the couch. For a while, silence filled the room—no one wanted to break it and acknowledge that they were screwed. No matter how they looked at it.
"What's going to happen?" Naruto finally asked, the most impatient one.
"Honestly… we don't know. With each passing day, Tsunade-sama is getting closer to giving up and attacking Danzo head-on. The problem is that it could go very badly for her. Danzo has the support of the council, and he has recruited many people—at least the ones we know of, and possibly more we don't. Not to mention that we don't know what he has done with what he has… stolen," Kakashi said, glancing briefly at Sasuke, "or whether he has contacted Orochimaru in any other way."
"I suppose the fact that, until now, he hasn't attacked us with the intention of harming us also makes Tsunade-sama hesitant to act more decisively," she acknowledged with a grunt. "Because of what might happen..."
"Exactly."
"And so what? How long are we going to keep dodging him?" Sasuke hissed. "Besides, anyone would realize that something is going on! Every time he tries to kidnap one of us, he fails! Even an idiot would see that it's not a coincidence!"
Seina fell silent again. Sasuke was right. In fact, she wondered why Danzo still thought it was just a matter of 'bad luck'—if he really believed that. The boy from the last mission had been a mere recruit, someone who hadn't been ready for a mission, and yet, Danzo had sent him in an almost desperate move. She had to admit that it was clever to attack them head-on and swap their client's son with one of his ninjas to strike from within when they let their guard down. But looking at it that way, she realized he was becoming more… anxious.
"You should get some rest," Kakashi finally said.
Sasuke stood up, clearly frustrated and full of pent-up energy.
"Rest for what? We're going to be stuck here until further notice. Again." Still, he stomped up the stairs, angry.
She couldn't blame him for his frustration. Naruto shook his head and left as well. Seina let out a deep sigh when she was left alone. Hands gently grabbed her, and Kakashi pulled her onto his lap, hugging her close without her having to lift a finger.
"Everything will work out somehow," he assured her.
"Do you really mean that, or is it just empty comfort?"
"I mean it. You know Tsunade-sama won't let Danzo or Orochimaru get away with this. And I'll do anything to protect you all," he swore.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that," she murmured, not wanting him to risk himself for them.
Just the thought of Danzo harming Kakashi made her want to rip his eyes out. She didn't want to destroy her teacher's plan, so she could only hope Danzo wouldn't hurt their loved ones… or she would kill him without hesitation. That would complicate things regarding Itachi, the stolen eyes, and other unresolved matters only Danzo knew about, but she would kill him.
"You should rest," he told her, stroking her hair. "I know the situation isn't ideal, but you think more clearly after a few hours of sleep."
"I know."
She kissed his cheek and stood up. She wasn't sleepy, but she felt strangely exhausted.
The next day, they didn't even go to the training field to train with their friends. Nor did they go on Tuesday to train with the Anbu. They stayed locked inside the house as if serving some kind of penance. The only person they visited on Wednesday was Karin. Even Sasuke wanted to go see her—more to get out of the house than to bond with her.
There was no one waiting for them at home after Kakashi left for a mission, so they spent a couple of hours talking with Karin.
"Your trial period is almost over, isn't it?" Naruto asked with a somewhat empty smile.
"Yeah! At the end of October! I can't wait to do something more than working part-time at the flower shop. I'd love to have my own salary and stop receiving your allowance, to be honest," Karin beamed so brightly it nearly blinded them. "What about you?"
"We're doing missions together, which is what we wanted, so we can't complain," she answered, noticing Sasuke keeping his mouth firmly shut.
"One of these days, we could keep practicing with the adamantine chains if you want."
"That would be great."
"Maybe you'd be interested in learning how to use them too, Naruto."
"Maybe."
The rest of the week passed more or less the same, except that she went to work at the hospital to avoid raising suspicions. When the weekend arrived, just three days before her thirteenth birthday, they started to regain their spirits. They spent the whole weekend training alone, since their teacher was still on a mission. On Monday, they went to see their friends, who greeted them without noticing anything unusual.
"You were missed last week," said Tenten. "Without Naruto, Lee has no one who can keep up with him."
"Hey! I can!" swore Kiba, having heard her from afar.
"Only for a while, Kiba!"
"By the way, we're going out to dinner for your birthday, right?" Lee chimed in with a smile.
"Of course! It's a two-for-one deal."
They started discussing where to go that would fit everyone, including Akamaru, and in the end, they decided on a restaurant that no one had tried before but had a good reputation.
"Besides, we'll definitely all fit. It's a bit out of the centre, so we can reserve a big table."
"I'll take care of that!"
While they were finalizing the details of the birthday party, Seina could have sworn she felt someone's gaze on her face. It was such a fleeting sensation that she thought she had imagined it. When she tried to check if someone was nearby or spying from a distance, she found literally no one. She was really becoming paranoid.
"Do you think he'll be back before our birthday?" Naruto asked, referring to Kakashi.
"He's been gone for quite a while," Sasuke shrugged. "At this rate, he's going to miss it."
Seina frowned while they rested that afternoon for a while. Unfortunately, he didn't return on Monday either. They had dinner together and then went to watch the stars in the backyard, using some conjured lounge chairs.
"Do you think I'll ever be Hokage?" Naruto asked suddenly.
"Why do you say that?" she asked, completely surprised. "It's always been your dream, Naru. Why wouldn't you be able to become Hokage?"
"When I used to say it, I had no idea what it actually meant, you know?"
"Hn. And now you're realizing the responsibility that comes with leading the village," Sasuke concluded. His tone wasn't mocking, but rather filled with understanding. "That's how I felt when we found out about Itachi… Like the rug had been pulled out from under my feet."
"But… do you still want to be Hokage?" she asked. "Because if you do, we'll support you. You know the Hokage doesn't carry everything alone."
"I know, I know… but I don't even feel like studying all those books for the jonin promotion exam. How am I supposed to be Hokage when I'm just a chunin?" Naruto sighed sadly. "How am I going to learn everything needed to be Hokage without screwing up? You guys know I'm not exactly the most academic person in the world!"
"You really are a dobe. That's why Hokages have advisors, and Tsunade-sama would definitely teach you what you need to know."
"Even if that's true, haven't you seen how I mess up in missions because I let my emotions take over?" Naruto admitted reluctantly. "That's not what the village needs. How am I supposed to take care of everyone if I can't even get serious, if I can't make tough decisions? Even when Seina told me not to trust Kabuto—who, now that I think about it, looked pretty suspicious—I was in shock when I found out he was a spy! Half the time, I only react correctly because I'm with you two, and you actually think things through! I'm not capable of that most of the time."
"Naruto," she called, seeing that he was completely serious. She needed to stop his self-criticism immediately. "Listen to me when I say that I, more than anyone, understand you. Don't you remember my memories? The times I messed up? And I was older than you! Do you know how I matured and stopped screwing up, as you say?"
Naruto shook his head. Sasuke was listening silently, paying close attention. A year ago, he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from mocking Naruto's vulnerability, and now he was trying to comfort him in his own way. At the same time, a year ago, Naruto wouldn't have been able to analyse himself and acknowledge his weaknesses. She was proud of how much they had matured in just a year.
"Through experience and support. And you have support. What you need is more experience. You're only twelve, almost thirteen. I don't think you're planning on becoming Hokage right this second, right?" she asked rhetorically. Naruto shook his head. "That means you have plenty of time to mature, to mess up, to learn what you need to become Hokage… The only thing you need is time and determination to grow as a person and as a ninja. The only way you'll truly fail is if you refuse to accept your mistakes, refuse to learn from them, and stop progressing."
"Your sister is right, Naruto," said Kakashi, leaning against the doorway. Sasuke and Naruto both jumped slightly in their seats. "If you truly want to be Hokage, if that's what you really want and not just some childhood dream, we'll support you. If you give it your all, you'll reach that goal—but only if you put in the effort."
Naruto nodded, looking back up at the stars. She conjured a lounge chair for Kakashi, who stretched out beside them to gaze at the night sky. They sat in silence for a long time, each lost in their own thoughts. She could smell the humidity and the mineral salts from Kakashi's bath, meaning he had washed up before coming to see them.
"How was your mission?"
"Fine," he sighed, exhausted. "Long, but pretty boring."
"We almost thought we weren't going to see you the day after tomorrow," Naruto said, referring to their birthday.
"Actually, we've already made dinner plans with the others," Sasuke admitted.
Seina nodded with a bit of guilt when she saw the amused expression on Kakashi's face.
"It's okay. How about after your dinner, we do something together?"
"I know!" Naruto shouted with a laugh. "Let's go to karaoke!"
"What?!" Sasuke yelled in horror. Yes, he actually yelled. "No way!"
"Oh, come on! It's our birthday!"
"Seina!" Sasuke called out in desperation, but Seina was too busy crying with laughter at Kakashi's poker face and Sasuke's pale expression.
"I'm not missing this!"