Chapter 16
Sasuke Uchiha
They all walked out of the school silent. The day had been a bad one and the interaction they had in the office was no better. They walked for a while, off the campus into the streets of Asamachi. The group stayed silent. Jugo still rubbed his hand, covered in pink scars. Sakura walked next to Sasuke like she did yesterday but this time, she didn’t attempt small talk. However, unlike yesterday, Sasuke yearned for the awkward small talk. He yearned for anything but silence. He did not want to think about today.
He did not want to think about what happened implies.
It was a fox, he kept thinking. He was a fox. Unless Naruto was lying about what his quirks were. Unless Naruto just went insane randomly...
“What the fuck do you think that was all about,” Sakura whispered to Sasuke. They were almost at Goro’s shop by this point. “That whole thing with Jiraiya and Tsunadae in the office.”
“I think it was about the fight,” Sasuke responded.
“But what was with all the…weirdness? And why was Jiraiya only looking at you the whole time?”
“Let’s talk about something else.”
“What are you guys whispering about,” Suigetsu asked.
“Suigetsu,” Sakura said. “What do you think what happened in the office was about?”
“Not gonna lie, I was wondering the same thing this entire time. Especially the part where he brought up Jugo’s mom. That was so weird, and fucked up, I think. Jugo, what do you think?”
Jugo didn’t say anything. He just looked at his hand, almost in a trance, fascinated by his scars.
“Did they say if those scars will go away, Jugo” Karin asked. She was finally speaking in her normal voice.
“I… don’t know,” Jugo responded.
“Scars are cool as hell though, Jugo. Even if they don’t go away, they look sick,” Suigetsu said.
“You’re right Suigetsu,” Jugo said. “It was weird they brought up my mother.”
“Yeah, what the fuck is the matter with Jiraiya,” Karin said. “I get that the president is doing some shit at your school or whatever but come on. That’s too far. Just to not have bad press?”
“Seriously, that’s what I don’t get,” Suigetsu said. “It’s what I’ve been thinking about. Why go out of your way to say something like that for something as simple as a fight? What the fuck was all that about?”
They continued walking until they reached Goro’s shop. Sasuke felt relieved. It was place of comfort. Protection from having to keep thinking about what he saw. About what it implies.
“Sasuke,” Goro exclaimed as the gang walked in. Today he was wiping down the windows of the store from the inside. Every time Sasuke walked into the shop, that old man was doing something.
Everyone except Sasuke and Sakura dispersed into different corners of the store. Sasuke and Sakura stayed at the front just like yesterday.
“How was your second day of high school,” Goro said.
Goddammit, Sasuke thought.
“It was fine,” Sasuke said.
“Fine is being really generous, Sasuke,” Sakura said. “A fight happened at school.”
“Is that why everyone kind of looks a bummed out today,” Goro asked Sakura.
“Kind of. The fight was brutal, but what happened afterwards is what really bothers us. The teachers pulled only us to the office, even though they were so many people there who saw the fight, just to tell us that we can’t go around telling people about what happened and stuff. It was so weird. Like the teacher brought up Jugo’s mom and said he could help her if he stayed quiet.”
“A teacher brought up a child’s parent as a way to bribe them? What in the actual hell?”
“Yeah, we think it’s cause they don’t want people knowing that fights happen at the school days before the president speaks there.”
“Still, that is very messed up of the teachers to do that,” Goro shook his head. “But speaking of the president, did you know that our boy Sasuke is going to be speaking at his rally?”
“Really?!” Sakura looked at Sasuke shocked.
“Not by choice. I really don’t want to speak at his stupid rally,” Sasuke said. “How’d you find out Goro?”
“Your uncle in an interview today mentioned it. He seems really happy about it too.”
“I honestly think it’s cool that you’re going to be speaking at Madara’s rally, Sasuke,” Sakura said.
“I honestly think we should talk about something else,” Sasuke said.
“Honestly, you shouldn’t stress yourself too much about speaking in front of large crowds,” Goro said. “I remember back in my political days, I used to get so nervous when speaking in front of big crowds-.”
“Political days,” Sakura asked, confused.
“I was a bit of an activist back in my day, Sakura. When I had a full head of hair and was a hell of lot younger,” Goro chuckled. “Back in those days, with all the wars and stuff, politics consumed this country. And I was a young, quirkless, passionate man who thought that I should jump into the middle of this country’s political turmoil and become an activist. I used to organize marches, protest in the streets, and participate in riots here and there. I actually became somewhat of a local big shot. People knew who I was, the issues I fought for. Hell, I even started planning on running in some local elections in this city.”
“What happened,” Sakura asked.
“I was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison for speaking against the government,” Goro said. “They let me go early, but only after I had served 10 years. By then, I was older and realized how much of my life I had missed. During their twenties, my political friends started families, moved away, or even became the same politicians we protested back in the day. During my twenties, I was locked up behind bars. Things like that will defeat the fire in you.”
Goro sighed. He stopped wiping down the front windows of his store and proceeded to wipe down the counter.
“That’s terrible,” Sakura said.
“Child, my story is not unique. It’s the story of most actvists,” Goro responded.
“Do you regret it,” Sasuke asked.
“You can never regret fighting for what you believe in,” Goro said. “No matter the consequences. And I knew what those consequences were. I was prepared to give up my entire life for what I believe in. Luckily, I only had to give up 10 years.”
The kids walked out of the store. They walked a couple of blocks down in silence before everyone except Sasuke and Sakura parted ways. Those two continued to walk together for a couple of more blocks till they reached Sasuke’s street and stopped.
“I’m guessing you need a ride home,” Sasuke said.
“Sasuke…” Sakura started. “I….”
“What?”
“Yeah, I do… My home is too far to walk to,” Sakura sighed.
“One of my maids will drive you home,” Sasuke responded.
He was going to continue walking home when Sakura grabbed him.
“Sasuke, what was going on between you and Jiraiya in the office earlier today?”
“I don’t know,” Sasuke shrugged her off. “Let’s not think about it.”
“Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“What’s there to tell?”
“Sasuke…”
“I-…I don’t know, this whole thing seems so fucking weird.”
“He was only staring at you, Sasuke,” Sakura said. “I noticed when he’d talk, he’d never look at anyone else. Do you and Jiraiya know each other.”
“No…It’s just…I-…”
“What is it? Why don’t you just say it?”
“I’m afraid too.”
Sasuke sat down on the curb. His home was only a couple of houses down. He was so close to making it home without having to think about what happened. Now he has to talk about it.
“Afraid of what,” Sakura asked.
“Of getting involved.”
“How would you get involved?”
“Because an ex-Sanin member does not want me telling my uncle about what happened today.”
“That’s what this is about? Telling your uncle about what happened?”
“I’m afraid it’s more than that. Sakura, do you know who Jiraiya, Tsunadae, and Naruto’s guardian Sarutobi used to be?”
“They were the Sanin, everyone knows that.”
“That’s right, the most feared military group this country has ever had. Responsible for single handily ending the Second Great War. They don’t want me to tell my uncle about a fight that happened at school today.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know…” Sasuke sighed. “I have a bunch of guesses, but what I know for sure is that they’re up to something.”
“So tell your uncle then if that’s the case.”
“Sakura, I told you I don’t want to get involved. Plus, you don’t know my uncle. He’s… not a good person.”
“Why, cause he’s making you speak at his rally? You’re just going to let these guys possibly plot something against the president because you don’t want to make a small speech?”
“Yes. I am.” Sasuke said, rolling his eyes. She didn’t understand who his uncle truly is.
“That’s crazy, Sasuke. This is your uncle we’re talking about here. What if he gets hurt from this?”
That’s when Sasuke made his decision.
He got up from the curb and started charging home.
“Sasuke,” Sakura said, walking right behind him. “Are you going to tell your uncle? He could seriously get in trouble for this.”
“I don’t give a fuck if he dies.”
When Sasuke got home, he made Sakura wait outside as he went inside to call for a butler to drive her home. As he opened the front door, he could already hear the voices of a dozen men coming from the living room. When he walked in, he saw Madara surrounded by his campaign team in the living room.
“Sasuke,” Madara exclaimed. “How was school, boy?”
“G-Good,” Sasuke responded. All the confidence fueled by anger had been driven out by the sight of Madara and Tobi.
“That’s great to hear, I believe you recognize my campaign team. Fellas, this is my nephew, Sasuke.”
“Oh, is that the Fugaku’s son,” One of them said. The man looked to be in his 40s and had orange hair. He was probably an Uzumaki. “Child, your father was an inspiration to me. I didn’t know him personally, but I know he was a great man.”
“So he’s heard a thousand times,” Madara said. “Menma, you don’t have to remind the boy of his loss.”
“Sorry Madara,” Menma responded.
“Where are your friends today, Sasuke” Madara asked.
“T-They…went home,” Sasuke responded.
“Oh that’s terrible, I wanted them to see you practice your speech today,” Madara grabbed a sheet of paper and handed it to Sasuke. “We worked on it all day, but this is the speech you’ll be making at your school.”
“I… I d-don’t…” Sasuke stuttered.
“We’ve really got to work on that stutter of yours,” Madara said. “Anyways, go upstairs and get changed. I also bought you a suit to wear, go ahead, try it on, and see if it fits. You’ve got a busy next couple of days, Sasuke, so no more lollygagging. After school, I want you to come straight home-,”
That’s when Sakura burst into the house. She then stopped when she saw everyone in the living room.
“Sorry, I was just looking to talk to Sasuke,” Sakura said.
“Sasuke,” Madara said. “I thought you told me that all your friends went home already. What else are you hiding from me.”
“N-Nothing…”
“Nothing?” Sakura asked, surprised.
“Nothing,” Madara said. “Sure doesn’t sound like it.”
“I-It’s… not a big deal,” Sasuke said.
“Could be,” Sakura said.
“What is it,” Madara asked.
“N-Nothing,” Sasuke said.
“Nothing?”
“Mr. President, sir…”
“Please young lady, call me Madara, I told you this yesterday.”
“Ok, Madara… Something happened at school today.”
“Uh oh, that doesn’t sound good,” Madara said.
“Well you see-.”
“Young lady, I want to hear Sasuke tell me what happened. I can’t have my nephew hide things from me. Why don’t you wait outside, I’ll have Dahlia drive you home,” Madara turned to the campaign team. “Let’s take five everyone.”
The campaign team and Sakura hurriedly exited the living room. It was now just Sasuke and Madara and Tobi.
“You can leave too,” Madara told Tobi. A whoosh, and Tobi was gone. He teleported out of the room.
“I swear, that man barely walks anywhere,” Madara said, pouring himself a drink. “If he could, I bet he’d never walk again, only teleport.”
He sighed and sat down on the couch.
“You know you can’t hide things from me.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“What happened?”
What should I say, Sasuke thought. His confidence now gone, all he could think about was what Goro said and how he served ten years in prison. All he could think about was the consequences that man got for his actions.
He was a fox, he thought. Naruto was a fox.
Goro didn’t regret his actions. You can’t regret fighting for something you believe in according to him.
What do I believe in? Is it worth spending years in prison for? Or my life?
“Sasuke…” Madara leaned in closer, his eyes cold, his tone stern. “I don’t have all day.”
He was a fox. He was a fox.
Itachi disobeyed Madara, what did he get for that.
He was beat by Tobi and then disappeared.
Goro disobeyed the government, what did he get for that.
10 years in prison.
If I disobey now, what do I get for that?
If I obey, what do I get for that?
That’s when Sasuke truly made his decision.
“I don’t want to s-speak at my school.”
Madara looked at him shocked.
“We talked about this already.”
“I-If I tell you this, I don’t have to speak at your rally.”
“This is not how this works. You don’t have any leverage here, Sasuke.”
“What if I do?”
Madara leaned forward in his chair. He looked angry.
“Spit it out, boy.”
Stand your ground. You’ve got this.
“N-No… Either you never know what I’ve got to say, or I don’t speak at your rally.”
They both stared at each other in silence. Sasuke was scared but he stayed calm. He knew that Madara wouldn’t harm him with his campaign team there, especially an Uzumaki. He knew how important the Uzumaki party’s endorsement was. Madara wasn’t going to ruin that today over this.
Madara leaned back.
“Fine. But, if this isn’t good, you’re still speaking at the rally.”
It worked.
“A fight broke out at school.”
“And…?”
“And Jiraiya and Tsunadae told me not to tell you about it.”
“Why?”
“Because…”
Should I tell him?
“Because….?”
“B-Because… It was Sarutobi’s adopted child.”
“That’s it?”
“No… Naruto, Sarutobi’s child, his quirks are cloning and morphing. But, when he got into a fight today, he went crazy, and… Turned into a fox.”
Madara laughed. “So that’s what you were hiding from me? A kid who got into a fight and morphed into a fox? Go upstairs and review your speech while I figure out your punishment for trying to disobey me.”
“He didn’t morph into a fox. He turned into the fox spirit.”
Madara’s eyes opened wide. Immediately, all the wheels in his head started spinning. He was piecing together the pieces that Sasuke had pieced together before coming home.
“Red flamelike aura?”
“Y-yes,” Sasuke responded.
“Fangs for teeth and claws? Whiskers?”
“Yes…”
“And ex-senin members told you not to tell me this. And this Naruto is in the care of the senin leader, Sarutobi himself…”
Madara walked up to Sasuke.
Here comes my punishment, Sasuke thought.
Madara hugged the boy. It was the first time he’d ever been hugged by the president.
“Sasuke, my dear nephew. You’ve given me something so important today. You won’t have to speak at my rally.”
Madara then leaned down and looked straight into Sasuke’s eyes.
“But don’t ever try to hide something from me again.”