Chapter 35: Discussion

Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...

A screen continued to monitor Izaya's heart rate and condition as he lay unconscious on a hospital bed while several people stood around the room. "Tsk. That bastard! It must've been Danzo!" Tsunade cursed.

"Hmm...If you were trying to gather evidence before you could convict Danzo in public, then I suggest you forget about it. This should be evidence enough already don't you think?" Jiraiya commented. Hiruzen narrowed his eyes in deep thought. "Then what do you suggest I do?" Hiruzen said as he stared out the window. Yamato clenched his fist as he said, "Please excuse me if I seem brash but this time Danzo has truly gone too far! Not only has he continued to keep his disbanded organization intact but he has even gone to the extent of attempting to murder one of the Leaf's very own shinobi! And all this just because Izaya refused to join his organization? I believe he should be removed from his position as elder and be imprisoned."

Kakashi had a look of contemplation as well before saying, "Danzo is too dangerous to be left alone. We already knew that he had hidden motives to move against Lord Fifth, but to act against Izaya like this so openly and within the territory of the Leaf shows that he has no more regard for the Hokage's authority."

"One problem just pops up after another. Aside from Danzo, apparently Orochimaru was killed by Sasuke. Most likely he's going after Itachi now as we speak. Not only that, but apparently Roshi, the Jinchuriki of the Four Tails is missing. Most likely the work of the Akatsuki." Jiraiya commented.

"Tsk. So soon? After the Three Tails was captured by the Akatsuki not that long ago. They sure work fast." Tsunade scowled. Kakashi turned to look at the unconscious form of Izaya and said, "It's already been a week but he still hasn't woken. What kind of poison did Danzo even use on him?" Everyone then turned to look at Izaya at that moment in silent contemplation.

"It was a new type of poison. He probably was concocting something up in the shadows. Most likely he had some help from Orochimaru making it. It was difficult to remove from his body. The poison affected him at the cellular level. Fortunately his body is unique and was strong enough to combat the degenerative nature of the poison ensuring he didn't die." Tsunade said as she turned to Hiruzen. "Which I think you owe us an explanation Sarutobi-sensei. It appears you weren't surprised about what I told you when I operated on him the day you brought him to me."

Everyone then turned to look at Hiruzen.

"Hm? What does she mean Sarutobi-sensei?" Jiraiya asked.

Hiruzen let out a sigh.

"The reason this kid Izaya survived Danzo's poison is because many of the cells in his body are from the First Hokage Hashirama Senju." Tsunade said.

"Huh?!" Everyone else but Tsunade and Hiruzen exclaimed in shock.

"Not only that, this kid even possesses the Sharingan." She continued.

"EH?!" Once again everyone became shocked. They all just stared at Lord Third for an explanation.

Hiruzen let out another sigh as he started his explanation. "Many years ago Izaya, Haku, and Kimimaro appeared in front of my doorstep and asked me to take them in. They were only 7 years old at the time. They travelled the distance from the Land of Water to the Land of Fire and ended up here in Konoha. As you all know by now, Haku is the last surviving member of the Yuki clan famous for their Ice Style Kekkei Genkai and Kimimaro is the last surviving member of the Kaguya Clan. Kimimaro can even utilize the rare Kekkei Genkai of his Clan that allows for bone manipulation. Izaya, however, was an experimental subject of Orochimaru."

"WHAT?!" Everyone was shocked at this revelation, although at the back of their minds they had already made a guess after hearing what Tsunade had told them just prior. Hiruzen continued. "According to Izaya, Orochimaru created his body with the unique trait of being able to easily assimilate various Kekkei Genkai. He infused many different bloodlines into his body and had all of them coexist with the help of Hashirama Senju's powerful cells. The cells of the First Hokage have such great vitality that they were able to not only give new life and energy to the other bloodlines in his body, but also harmonize those bloodlines into one. Orochimaru also implanted the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan in hopes to create an ultimate body for which he could possess. Izaya's body has probably already assimilated the bloodline of the Uchiha Clan as well, although to what degree I am unsure of. Once Izaya became conscious Orochimaru taught him various subjects and continued his experiments on Izaya's mind and body. His experiments on Izaya's body had to do with testing his bloodlines and his experiment on Izaya's mind had to do with torture in an attempt to awaken the Mangekyou Sharingan before he would possess the body. By the time Izaya turned 5 years old he could no longer endure the pain and torture on his body as his will power was too weak to handle everything. Orochimaru thought that Izaya had died and abandoned him at one of his remote labs in the Land of Water. Izaya, however, ended up surviving and escaped that lab. On his journey to the Land of Fire he encountered Haku and Kimimaro and that is how they all ended up here. I took pity on them and felt responsible for his fate. Orochimaru was, after all, my pupil. I helped conceal his Sharingan and acclimate those three into the Leaf. I have no regrets about my choices on this matter. To this day those three remain some of the most splendid shinobi of the younger generation of the Leaf."

Everyone remained quiet for a while as they took in everything Lord Third just said. Kakashi was the first to speak up. "No wonder you asked me to look after these three. Turns out they had such a history. Well, I'm glad that they're in this village as Leaf shinobi. This is all the more reason why we can't just let Danzo be." Yamato spoke up next. "That's right. They are my precious students. I've watched them grow up since they were young. I won't let Danzo get away after what he's done to my pupils."

Jiraiya let out a sigh. "That old fogey. Seriously, is the only reason he's going after Izaya's life because he refused to join Danzo's organization? I feel like there's something missing. If it was just refusal I don't think Danzo would go as far as to try to kill him." Tsunade furrowed her brow in deep thought. "True. Although Izaya can use the Wood Style and Danzo covets that ability the fact remains that Yamato was once a member of Root, but in the end he was able to gain freedom from that dark place and join under Lord Third. What's the real reason behind Danzo's actions this time?"

"Perhaps only Izaya knows." Kakashi said in contemplation.

"I have a pretty good guess." Hiruzen said as he mulled over his thoughts.

"Oh? Are you going to elaborate Sarutobi-sensei?" Tsunade inquired with curiosity. Hiruzen nodded his head. "Mn. Over the last two and a half years I had Izaya, Haku, and Kimimaro perform Anbu duties for me. After reading over the handwritten details of their missions I can guess why Danzo is so adamant about killing Izaya. During one of their missions Danzo attempted to recruit Izaya into his organization. After being refused Danzo utilized the power of the Sharingan he stole from Uchiha Shisui to influence Izaya's choices. What Danzo did not anticipate, however, was that Izaya had already suspected a plot from Danzo and outwitted him. Danzo casted Shisui's Genjutsu on someone else and this allowed Izaya enough time to remove Shisui's eye from Danzo. He then successfully fled before Danzo could retaliate. Most likely Danzo is angered by his failure to not only recruit Izaya, but the loss of Shisui's eye which would grant him control over anyone he wishes. It is for this reason that he sees Izaya as a threat and a thorn in his side and hopes to be rid of him once and for all. He fears the power that Shisui's eye can grant Izaya and believes that eventually Izaya would use its power against the Leaf. He believes no one other than he would know how to use it for the greater good. That is why he tried to steal Shisui's eye in the past and attempted to kill him. He also hopes he can recover Shisui's eye, although Izaya has not said anything about what he has done with it. It's possible that he has already destroyed it. It is my fault for giving Danzo too much power in the past and being too indecisive on important matters that has led to this. I had always wished to have everyone be able to live in peace and harmony but it appears that it is not possible."

Everyone became silent again as they thought deeply about the matter.

"Tch. That bastard Danzo. Oi, Sarutobi-sensei. If you and I work together we can convince the other two elders Homura and Koharu to join our side and impeach Danzo from his position as elder. This will remove any official power he has in the village. After that we can openly move against him without causing any major political damage. He has already disobeyed your orders to disband Root. He is plotting to remove me as Hokage. He has worked together with Orochimaru. And now he has severely injured and attempted to kill one of our very own Leaf shinobi. I haven't even had the chance yet to tell Izaya that he has been promoted to Jonin." Tsunade said in frustration.

Hiruzen sighed and said, "Very well. I will help you convince Homura and Koharu to join us in removing Danzo as an elder. By the way Kakashi, Yamato, you both went to the site of the attack to investigate, what did you discover?" Kakashi and Yamato looked at each other with a complicated gaze before Kakashi spoke up. "There wasn't much we could find. The site where this battle took place in was a large forest between the remote training grounds Naruto was using for his new Jutsu and the Leaf village. The thing is, there's only a giant crater left where the forest used to be. It must have been an insane battle to cause such damage to a forest that large. After seeing the state of the battlefield I'm surprised that Izaya managed to make it out alive at all."

"Oh? That incredible of a battle huh? That kid truly must be something then." Jiraiya commented as he took a good look at Izaya's sleeping form. Kakashi nodded and said, "Aside from Naruto, Izaya reminds me of Lord Fourth. Not only can he use the Flying Thunder God, he can even use the Rasengan."

"EH? Truly?" Everyone said in shock except Yamato and Kakashi. Tsunade let out a sigh and said, "Alright. I think we spent enough time dawdling around here. I've already stationed highly skilled Anbu to keep guard over this room. Haku and Kimimaro included. We need to discuss Uchiha Sasuke. Kakashi, put together a team and go after him and Itachi. If we can capture Itachi then perhaps Sasuke will return to the village." "Yes." Kakashi saluted as he accepted the mission. "Jiraiya...You…" Tsunade hesitated to speak further.

"Pwahahaha! What's wrong Tsunade? I told you already. I'm going. Infiltration and information gathering is my specialty. Don't forget, I am one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin!" Jiraiya said as he attempted to lighten the mood.

"Hm? What is it?" Yamato asked.

"Heh. I found information that says the leader of the Akatsuki is in the Village Hidden in the Rain. Whether or not this is true I'm going to verify the information before we decide to make a move." Jiraiya said. Everyone else's eyes widened in shock while Tsunade had a complicated and worried look.

"Are you sure about this Jiraiya? Perhaps I should accompany you. If this information is true then it will be truly dangerous." Hiruzen said with concern. Jiraiya had a serious look on his face as he said, "Sarutobi-sensei, you're very old now so you won't be able to move about as easily as I can. My techniques are better for espionage type missions. Not only that but we don't have the manpower to spare for all the current issues arising. We need Kakashi to put together a team to go after Sasuke and Itachi. We need you and Tsunade to remain in the village and hold down the fort to prevent Danzo from doing anything too drastic. This is why I'm the best bet at going to verify this information. The border regulations are very strict in the Hidden Rain Village so it's best if I go alone."

After a few more rounds of discussion everyone slowly left Izaya's room. As Tsunade walked out of the room she took a good look at the hallway and saw Naruto, Shikamaru, Neji, Hinata, Sakura, Ino, Choji, Kiba, Shino, Sai, Haku, Kimimaro, and Hanabi either sitting, sleeping, or pacing back and forth as they all waited for the higher ups to finish their discussion. Everyone has been coming to visit Izaya's room ever since they heard about what had happened. A few of them even come everyday, especially Kimimaro, Haku, and Hanabi. Hanabi had to either sneak out of the Hyuga residence or play some sort of clever trick to avoid getting found out by her father. The moment Hanabi saw Tsunade walk out of the room she ran over as her eyes watered, but she held back the tears. "I-Is Izaya awake yet? It's already been a whole week! He's getting better right?" Hanabi asked emotionally.

Tsunade just let out a sigh. "Don't worry. There isn't any danger to his life anymore. I just don't know when he'll wake up. The poison affected his mind as well as his body. While I can heal the physical damage I can't do anything about his current unconscious state. When he awakens will depend on him now." She then placed a comforting hand on Hanabi's shoulder and smiled at Haku and Kimimaro and said, "You should all know how strong Izaya is. Don't worry, he'll pull through. Believe in his strength." Tsunade then walked off. Everyone in the hallway immediately crammed inside Izaya's hospital room as they each talked to his unconscious form in hopes he'd wake up. Lord Third had also replaced Izaya's blindfold with a new one a while ago to help protect his secret.

After a few hours the sun began to set and the only ones left were Haku, Kimimaro, and Hanabi. "I'll guard the roof." Haku said as he disappeared and stood guard outside. Kimimaro nodded as he walked out in the hallway and stood guard outside the door. Hanabi sat alone next to Izaya's bed as she held onto his hand and finally let some tears fall. Sniff. "You idiot. You said that I didn't have to worry about you because you were strong. Now look what happened. I even fought back against my father for you. Wake up dummy. You already went away for two and a half years without saying anything to me. Now that you're back you aren't allowed to sleep like this. It doesn't feel any different than when you disappeared on your mission. You're so close but how come you're still so far away." Hanabi said as her voice quaked. She attempted to wipe away some of her tears as they fell down...They fell slowly and softly and dripped down on Izaya's hand before rolling down the side of his palm leaving behind a trail of warm wet salty water filled with deep emotions of fear, worry, fondness, sadness, hurt, anger, compassion, and yearning. Perhaps Hanabi was still too young to know what love really was, but at this moment, she thought maybe, just maybe, she might have begun to fall in love.

Is this how Hinata feels about Naruto. Is this how Sakura feels about Sasuke? She thought silently to herself as she attempted to calm down her emotions and finally wiped away all of her tears. She then sat in a comfortable silence as she watched Izaya's chest rise up and down and listened to his steady breathing as she began to tell him about her day.