Saturday, July 2, 2016

After Pain Chapter 11: A Leaf on the Wind

After Pain 


Chapter 1: Wanted: Sasuke Uchiha

Chapter 2: For a Friend 

Chapter 3: Anbu 

Chapter 4: The Hidden Leaf Jounin 

Chapter 5: A Worthy Opponent 

Chapter 6: Kakashi Hatake 


Chapter 11: A Leaf on the Wind

Shikamaru was very aware of the cold, hard floor of the prison cell, the way the light of that single torch filtered in through the bars, the movements and sounds from the cells on either side of him. It was all too quiet and calm, like he was stuck in some kind of bubble while the leaf village erupted in flames all around him. The world outside this prison was a storm and he was at the heart of it, he was flying on the wind like a leaf, letting it hold him up and using it to ride to victory. It was unlike anything he had ever done before. 

This is your Jounin Commander, please report. 

We're in the hospital now, sir. We lost three Shinobi and several Anbu escaped, but we have managed to take control. There weren't that many Anbu in here. 

But apparently enough to make him lose three of his Shinobi. Why did they think he wanted to hear their interpretations of everything? Did they not realize that they were wasting both his chakra and his time. He shifted his position and willed himself to keep doing the chakra exercises. His reservoir had not increased much, but it was helping him maintain a steady stream of chakra to replace what he was depleting with this Jutsu. 

I'm sending you a unit of Jounin to take control, you are to maintain control of the hospital and keep careful watch on its surroundings until they arrive. Keep the patients safe. 

Shikamaru disconnected, there was no need to hear the reply. He needed to just trust that they were at least competent enough to carry out his orders. 

This is Shikamaru, please report. 

Your sensei would be very proud this day. You are truly living up to your potential now! Let your-

Gai sensei, I need an elite unit to go take control of the hospital - we don't have enough people there now and the Shinobi in charge is not very experienced. 

A worthy assignment, Gai sensei sounded like he was just getting started, but Shikamaru could not simply disconnect with him. That would be very rude. ... and the springtime of your youth! 

Shikamaru was starting to get confused. He just needed an opening to take hold of this conversation. Or maybe not. Maybe he could just interrupt Gai sensei again. He was, after all, the Jounin Commander. 

Please Gai sensei this is urgent. How quickly can you get over to the hospital? Do you need reinforcements? 

Right away, son, right away! Gai said in that not very reassuring confident tone of his. I have a splendid team with me here and we just finished-

Perfect, Shikamaru interrupted firmly. Then I'll leave it in your capable hands. 

Now he had to check on the people outside the village before that whole situation blew up. Apparently Sasuke was on some kind of rampage. He really hoped that Kakashi sensei had him under control. 

Kakashi sensei? This is Shikamaru, please report. 

We've taken all but two of the Anbu positions around the village. The last two are proving difficult to handle, but I have no doubt we'll manage them soon. You can confidently send teams in and out of the village now without worrying, just avoid the waterfall are until you hear from me. 

Thank you, Kakashi Sensei. And is it true that Sasuke is rampaging somewhere out there. 

There was a short silence. Sasuke is with me. Don't worry. 

Shikamaru wasn't sure what to say. Kakashi sensei wasn't exactly one of his soldiers to command - he was working on his own now, but he had a lot of people with him that Shikamaru could use. A lot of old friends whose abilities he knew well and could work with. 

Shikamaru, before you go you should know that I sent the Kazekage an official request to help bring Danzo to justice for his crimes in the leaf  village. I'm sure you don't have time now, but I've uncovered some pretty incriminating things here. 

Great. Now he would have to work with Temari again. 

Did you get an answer yet? 

I'm telling you now because I just received the answer. 

Of course. Shikamaru sighed and waited to hear it. Kakashi sensei was really bad for wasting his time explaining things in chronological order and trying to create suspense. 

There will be a trial for Danzo at the sand village in ten days. Provided we can capture him of course. All the Kage are on board, including the RaiKage who says he is in agreement as long as Sasuke is tried too. 

And is Sasuke going to be tried too? 

We'll figure that out when we get there. For now I have his cooperation to capture Danzo alive. We're awaiting your orders, Jounin Commander. 

He could say that all he wanted, but he had just created a troublesome situation for Shikamaru. Now was not the time to be getting ALL the Kage involved and worrying about holding trials. Danzo was still proving very difficult to catch. Shikamaru disconnected without saying anything more and took a minute to breathe. 

I wanted to ask if everyone was alright. Ino's voice sounded a little hurt. Sometimes Shikamaru forgot to that she was there, listening in to all these conversations. But she was there, none of this would be possible without her, so she should know he needed to get away from Kakashi sensei's problems for now. 

I'm sorry Ino. 

Well, we should check on Shizune and Lady Tsunade. 

Of course. Another set of new problems. Shikamaru already knew what had happened there, but he didn't tell Ino this, just focused on making the shadow trace on Shizune larger. 

Lady Shizune? 

I told you to stop calling me that. Her angry tone confirmed all his suspicions. 

Lady Tsunade is still alive. He told her, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. 

What do you mean? Ino interrupted. What's happening. 

Shizune's chakra became even more disturbed, messing with his ability to maintain his shadow trace and putting a lot of strain on his chakra. Why did Ino always have to be so thoughtful? You didn't get a Shinbo depressed during battle. That was why he was avoiding checking in on Choji's team. 

I let them take her. Shizune's voice sounded anguished. I let them-

Lady Shizune you are an elite Leaf Village Jounin. I need your skills in order to win this war and make sure Lady Tsunade remains safe. She is still alive. I have a shadow trace on her. Please tell me if you've recovered from your injuries enough to receive your next mission. 

My next mission is to go get her out of there. 

I am the Jounin Commander. Your next mission is what I decide it is. That's not negotiable. 

Listen, kid, I don't care what title you have- 

No. Shikamaru said forcefully. I'm the commander of this battle right now because I have a line of communication with every team leader. You don't have to trust me, but you will follow my orders or you can stay in that tent being fussed over by medics. 

I need to save Lady Tsunade. The desperation in her voice indicated that she had given in. 

Your mission is to go join Gai Sensei in the Hospital and take control of its medical operations. Gai Sensei will take care of keeping the hospital and its patients secure. I'll start sending injured Shinbi there are soon as you're in position. 

But- 

I will make sure that Lady Tsunade is brought in to the hospital so you can continue looking after her. Please head over to the hospital now. Goodbye. 

Shikamaru spent a minute thinking, with only Ino's voice in his head. What he really wanted to do was check on Choji's team, because they were closes to Sasuke's rumored rampage and because they had a clear line of attack to one of the buildings where Danzo was rumored to be hiding. But he knew that would be a mistake. He decided to check on Tenten instead. 

This is Shikamaru, please report. 

You sound bored. Tenten's voice was tense. Did she have new information? Why couldn't she just tell him what was happening with her quickly? 

I'm only bored when I have to go through lengthy conversations just to get a report from people. 

Sounds like you've been talking to Gai Sensei lately. 

You are his student. 

It's not easy to look like you're in a coma while having important conversations in your head. 

Are they trying to get you awake again? 

Desperately. They're zapping me with Chakra and it's hard to keep from screaming. And they've called in an interrogation specialist to get the information they want out of me while I'm still in a coma. 

Only a Yamanaka can do that. Shikamaru said. Don't worry. 

But they have a Yamanaka. Ino said. They mentioned him at the meetings, one of Danzo's bodyguards. 

That means Danzo is in the same building you're in! Shikamaru told Tenten. He could almost feel the chakra they were zapping into her. If Danzo went to see her himself he might be able to see her Chakra flow. That would be a disaster. Tenten you can't let them see that you're conscious. Danzo has a Sharingan. You have to keep your chakra suppressed somehow. 

I'm trying, I've been channeling it into the bed I'm lying on, but-

He'll see that. 

They needed a medic. Shizune was out of the question. Shikamaru activated the trace he had placed on Sakura. 

Sakura, this is Shikamaru. 

Weren't you just talking to Kakashi Sensei? Sakura sounded exasperated. Look, Sasuke really is under control right now. Don't worry. 

That's not what I wanted to ask you. If someone is in a coma and they try to revive them with Chakra shocks what happens to them? What happens to their chakra? 

Well, they only use that in extreme situations, because having foreign chakra in you is dangerous, like chakra pills it can seriously mess up your body and cause strain on your organs. But it can be used to keep someone just barely alive until further medical help arrives. And it can, sometimes, make someone wake up from coma. The risks are high, though, too much chakra and they could die. 

Ok, Shikamaru said, trying to imagine what Danzo could see with his sharingan. So if they are zapped with chakra and they stay in a coma, what would that look like? 

What do you mean? 

I mean to someone with a Sharingan or a Byakugan, what would it look like. 

There was a moment of silence as she considered this. Well, the Chakra gets absorbed by their organs and a lot of it dissipates. The Byakugan users I worked with use to just say that the extra Chakra was gone too quickly. What is this about, Shikamaru? If there's someone you're thinking of using this on, then don't. It's very dangerous. 

Thanks for the advice, Sakura. 

He cut Sakura off as she began another protest. You heard that, right Tenten? 

Yes, I did. They've been shocking me with it on and off all day. I need to tell you all my information before-

You're going to be fine. Shikamaru said calmly, focusing on his chakra exercises and taking deep breaths. You just need to get rid of that extra chakra. 

But if I keep channeling it into the things around me Danzo is sure to see it with his Sharingan. How on earth did he get a Sharingan anyway. She wounded panicky. Very unlike the Tenten he knew. 

It just so happens that I really need more chakra, Shikamaru explained. 

He focused on the shadow trace that was on Tenten, making grow larger and larger and larger until it was exactly as big as the shadow her body was making on the bed beneath her. Without needing to be asked Ino activated the visual part of the jutsu. Both their Chakra levels were getting seriously drained by using both the visual and mind-connection Jutsu at the same time, but the anticipated new Chakra would be worth it. And it would keep Tenten alive. And it would allow them to see Danzo and see where Tenten was being held. 

Shikamaru felt the shadows of Gai Sensei and Lady Shizune connect as if from a great distance. Good. He lay down on his back and that made it easier for his mind to reconcile the mental image of lying there in Tenten's hospital bed with his new surroundings. All the Anbu around her were wearing those red armbands just like she'd described. That particular piece of information had helped his Shinobi a lot in the past few hours. 

Listen, Shikamaru, I heard them say something about being on standby to help with the transplant subject again. 

Same one they were talking about before? 

Yes, but this time they used a number - some kind of code. 

Doesn't Danzo use numbers for all his special Anbu? Shikamaru asked calmly. He felt the chakra that they zapped into Tenten's body and, by focusing on his chakra training exercises he was able to absorb most of it into his shadow and through that into his own body. He felt suddenly more alive and awake than he had ever felt before. Danzo entered the room. Tenten continued the conversation, her voice very panicked now. 

No, it sounded like there were a lot of them, and I heard someone say that it wasn't going to work and it would be just like last time with Orochimaru's freaks. 

Are you saying that Danzo worked with Orochimaru? 

I'm sure he did. Tenten said as they zapped her with chakra once again. Danzo stayed in a far corner by the door, but Shikamaru could feel his gaze on him, as if he was being dissected with that hidden Sharingan eye. He stuck to the plan, absorbing all the new chakra into himself and reveling in the abilities it gave him. Just because he could he expanded the shadow traces on his father and Lord Hiyashi, allowing them a peek at what was happening in that room. 

"Try it a couple more times," Danzo said. 

"But sir, she could die." one of the Anbu protested. "And then her information is gone forever." 

"Her information is no use to me unless I have it now. Proceed." 

The Anbu nodded and zapped Tenten again two, three, four more times. Every time, Shikamaru absorbed the chakra. Danzo's unwavering gaze did not leave them the entire time. Shikamaru counted the Anbu in there. He took in every inch of the room. He was sure that his father and Lord Hiyashi were doing the same. 

"It's no use," the Anbu said. "We've been at this all day." 

"Keep at it," Danzo said, turning away. "I want to know what Kakashi's planning and what he knows about us tonight one way or another. One of you follow me, subject I-45 needs some attention." 

"Sir," one of the Anbu said as he followed Danzo out of the room. I heard that Yamato's been captured by the Akatsuki. They say that a huge army of his clones is marching our way... do you think we should terminate subject S-76 just in case." 

"No," Danzo said. And then the door was shut. Yamato captured? And what were these subjects? Maybe he should have paid more attention when Tenten tried to tell him about them. 

Another zap of Chakra. Shikamaru made a new shadow trace and pushed it along the shadow of Tenten's bed, through the shadow of one of the standing Anbu and towards the shadow of the far wall. He focused all the energies of the visual jutsu on it, leaving Tenten with his large Chakra-absorbing shadow and their mental conversations. 

The small shadow trace slid along the hallways with ease, showing them this underground world where Tenten and a bunch of others were being held. There were injured people in rooms as well as test subjects that were being experimented on. One poor girl was screaming and thrashing as they poked at her eyes. 

Another room had one of the captured Hyuga in it and he was also resisting as someone operated on his arm. 

Bring us closer, please Shikamaru. Hiyashi's voice said gently. Shikamaru could not deny him or his own curiosity. As the shadow slipped closer Shikamaru could see, quite plainly, that there were two red Sharingan eyes embedded in the man's arm. And the Anbu around the man were taking a third one out of the man's arm, apparently having already learned what they wanted from that experiment. They removed it and dropped it into a jar of liquid, recording some kind of results. So this was what had become of Sasuke's clan? Was this why they had been killed? 

They injected the Hyuga with something and the man went limp. They then extracted the other two eyes from his arms and moved in on his head, extracting the Byakugan eyes as well. Shikamaru was not sure if the burning rage and bubbling chakra he felt was his own or Hiyashi Hyuga's. 

He tore his shadow trace away and slipped out of the room. He did not go into any more rooms after that, just up the stairs and through more halls, trying to find an exit. It was a long process in which he continued monitoring Tenten's situation, continued having other conversations with the odd group leader to keep the battle going, and became aware that Darui's group was watching his actual body through the bars of his prison cell. But all that was background noise, distractions from his real work. He was finally exploring Danzo's hideout. It was dizzying, a maze-like underground dungeon, and it was very well guarded, but that would mean nothing if Shikamaru could get the right teams in through the right openings. 

Stop for a minute, son, his father said. Do you see that old Shinobi there with the sword? The third Hokage sent him to investigate Orochimaru years ago and he disappeared. Put a trace on him, but don't let him fell it or get any access to your thoughts. It might come in handy. 

Shikamaru did as his father told him and continued on the way, letting his plan develop as he saw more and more of this place. Tenten suddenly screamed. Was it a real scream or one inside her head. He hoped it wasn't real. 

Are you OK Tenten? 

I'm fine, but I had to let it out somehow. You'd better get your trace off me. They're discussing using the Yamanaka techniques now because I'm not responding to physical injury or chakra shocks. They might be able to sense your presence. 

Listen, Tenten. Shikamaru said. I want you to give them the information they're looking for. Let them think they're reading your mind and reveal that Kakashi sensei was trying to get into the village so he could use Naruto and Sakura to kidnap Lady Tsunade and use her to control the village. 

What are you thinking Shikamaru? 

Just trust me. Make them think that Kakashi's target was Lady Tsunade all along. 

Ok. Tenten said. I'll try. So that's why those Anbu attacked Lady Tsunade and then disappeared. 

Exactly, Shikamaru said, pleased that Tenten was catching on. When they failed to take Lady Tsunade that first time Kakashi sensei took them to his side and tried using them against the village. He got them out from right under all our noses because Lady Shizune's been working with him all along. 

Right. I hope this works, Shikamaru. 

She didn't say I hope you know what you're doing. Neither did his father or Hiyashi. Shikamaru was sure that those two experienced men had already figured out at least part of his plan. He shrunk the trace on Tenten, trusting in her ability to do her part and shrunk the trace that he had been using to explore, leaving it in a corner on the highest floor of Danzo's secret hideout. 

Ok, Shikamaru said. Now it's time to get Danzo. Can either of you get over to the hideout within the next half hour to take charge of that battle? 

I'm too far away and I can't leave my compound, Hiyashi said. I can't let them take a single Hyuga after this moment. 

And they've intensified their attacks on your compound, haven't they? Shikamaru asked. 

Yes. I'm trusting you to put an end to this horror tonight, Jounin Commander. 

Shikamaru disconnected the man, leaving him to his own anguish and his own duties. Dad, can you make it? 

Kakashi's position is closer, isn't it? 

I don't want to put Kakashi in charge there. He's going to have a hard enough time keeping Sasuke under control. 

I'll be there as soon as I can, but give me an hour. I didn't expect his base to be outside the village. 

Dad, Shikamaru said, On your way can you send Choji's group to the east side of the village for me to help Kiba and his mom. 

Are they alright? 

Yeah, they're fine, they're going to need help taking and keeping that prison, though. 

I'll get a message to them right away. 

Shikamaru disconnected from his father and pulled himself to a sitting position. Darui looked even more impressive than he had sounded as he stood outside Shikamaru's prison cell with the rest of the Cloud Ninja. 

"You sure you want us to leave you in here, kid?" 

Shikamaru nodded. "I don't have enough energy to be running around and doing all this at the same time. Let me describe the location you're going to next before you leave." 

"Alright, but do you want us to leave someone to guard you?" 

Shikamaru shook his head. "My shadow paralysis should do the trick. We're almost there. If you leave without being noticed like  you came I should be fine." 

When they were gone, leaving him alone in that underground prison cell Ino finally spoke up. 

Choji's injured isn't he? That's why you're not contacting him. 

He's fine. His Chakra is stable. I just don't want to know how bad his injuries are right now. Danzo's about to massacre the Hyuga, Ino, we need to end this battle tonight. 

I'm right here, Shikamaru, just tell me where we're going next. 

I need Temari to witness the battle at Danzo's hideout and I need them to send someone capable of restraining a lot of powerful prisoners for the trial. This was all Kakashi sensei's fault. If he hadn't got the Kage involved in this whole trial thing they could have just let Sasuke kill Danzo and rid the world of his evil without having to figure out how to restrain him. He needed to talk to Sasuke too. Shikamaru told himself not to panic and just let the wind of this storm carry him where it needed to. 

Temari, this is Shikamaru. 

Finally. I've been waiting for you to report for hours you lazy idiot. 

I heard about Kakashi's request and the trial, does the Kazekage realize how hard it's going to be to capture Danzo alive? 

Relax, we're on our way to help. Now get out of my head so I can focus on running fast. 

Actually, I'm going to need you to observe and witness this battle for me. 

You really are tiresome, Nara. 
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