Chapter 22
The Preparation
The weather was warm with a slight, cool breeze that would come in every now and again. The signs of fall were already starting to reveal itself onto the city of Asamachi. The city’s residents awoke all at similar times because the entire city was ready. Prepared. For the rally that was to take place at Sarutobi High. Every member of the city was almost in sync in their wakening. Many of the members thinking they were smarter than the other inhabitants of the city because they’d woken up earlier and were going to beat traffic to the rally. Each citizen thinking that they’d get good seating because of their early awakening. But, alas, most would not get even decent seating for the entire city was coming to that rally. It was the first time in years that the city had even hosted an event for its inhabitants.
The city’s mayor spent most of his time outside of the city he was supposed to run. The mayor would rather stay in The Capital, praying to make decent political connections. But Asamachi citizens did not mind for the city was mostly run on goodwill and federal funding anyways. Asamachi was a city forgotten, regardless of its history, to the rest of the country. A city forgotten by everyone.
Except Madara.
The Uchihas were not in sync with the rest of the city. Sasuke was awakened by Tobi poking him.
“Hmmm?” the child groaned. He looked at the time on his phone. 5 fucking 30 AM. “Five more minutes, Tobi,” he muttered.
Madara peered into the bedroom and knocked on Sasuke’s open bedroom door.
“We don’t have all day, the rally starts at 9! Get up, Sasuke!”
The president walked out, whistling down the hallway.
The piece of shit was born for this, Sasuke thought. He loves this.
Sasuke slowly crawled out of his bed and sat on its edge. He looked up at Tobi, still in his room. Tobi stood in the corner; hands clasped together. The two stared at each other for a second.
“I need to get changed,” Sasuke said. “Unless you want to see me naked…”
Tobi walked out of the room and shut the door. Sasuke collapsed back onto his bed.
“Just five more minutes,” he muttered.
BANG BANG BANG.
“Sasuke, it’s been 10 minutes, are you ready yet,” Madara asked on the other side of the door.
The loud banging on the bedroom door startled Sasuke awake.
“I uh… Almost!”
Sasuke rushed to his closet. He rummaged through the clothes to find the suit that Madara had asked him to wear. A black tie suit. He put it on quickly, ignoring his button down’s desperate need to be ironed. Once he grabbed the tie, he attempted to tie it around his neck. After a couple of tries, Sasuke deemed to tie it like a shoelace, put on his socks, and walked out the bedroom.
His home was packed with advisors, campaign managers- even some people who clearly were from a different political party. The Uzumaki that was at his home the other day when Sasuke had confessed to Madara about Naruto was there.
And so were the drivers. Sasuke looked for the driver that had kicked him and laughed at the boy but could not find him. During his search, he was pulled away into the living room by Tobi.
“What the hell, kid,” Madara said, walking over to Sasuke. He kneeled to Sasuke and fixed his tie. “Did none of the butlers teach you how to tie a tie? They are getting fired for sure. Especially Dahlia.”
Dahlia was only a couple of feet away when Madara said this. She heard it but said nothing, it would guarantee her severance if she were to make a scene in front of all these important people.
“Ok kid, you remember what you have to say,” Madara asked, still kneeling.
“Thank you for this opportunity to attend this school, Principal Sarutobi. It has been an amazing experience and my uncle’s plan is to make more schools like this one across the nation. I hope everyone listens to my uncle,” Sasuke recited.
“I hope everyone cooperates with my uncle,” Madara corrected. He then leaned in towards the boy and whispered. “And with our other plan, do you remember what to do?”
Sasuke nodded, but in his heart, he felt terrible. He wasn’t sure what was going to happen but what he did know was that Naruto was not going to be happy about it. Ever since he told Madara about Naruto’s secret, Sasuke has regretted it. He’d wish he’d kept his mouth shut. But now they’re here, today, at the rally, and today, whatever his uncle had planned to do with Naruto was going to happen in a couple of hours.
After an hour of discussion and planning, the Uchihas along with everyone else in the house (except Dahlia the maid), left to enter their own cars and head out to the school for the rally. However, before they entered their car, Madara stopped Sasuke.
“I have a surprise to show you,” Madara said, smiling. “Bring him Tobi.”
Out from the house came Tobi and the driver who had kicked Sasuke and laughed. Tobi with one hand gripped the driver’s collar and seemed to almost be pulling him towards the Madara. The driver’s energy was depleted. His feet dragged and his arms flapped in the wind as he walked towards the group. When the two reached Madara and Sasuke, Tobi yanked the driver’s collar down to the ground. The driver followed suit.
“Recognized him,” Madara asked.
The driver was shaking. He was clearly scared.
“Look at him, driver. Look at my nephew,” he growled.
The driver looked up at Sasuke. Sasuke could not tell earlier but the driver’s face had bruises on it.
“I-I-I’m s-s-sorry,” the driver let out.
At first Sasuke felt bad for the driver. He had been beaten badly. For a moment, he felt that his attempt at having some sort of control ended up having unforeseen consequences. He wanted revenge but now seeing it, he regretted having wanted it in the first place.
But when then he remembered again what the driver did to him. He remembered again the helpless he felt and the feeling that he had now. Though there was regret, he now possessed all of the power here. That at his word, the driver’s fate could be decided. For once, he didn’t feel helpless. For once he felt like he was in control. And that pleased him.
“I accept your apology,” Sasuke said piously.
*******
The Sarutobi family rushed to get ready. Both Naruto and Hiruzen woke up later than usual.
“Naruto,” Sarutobi called from downstairs as he buttoned up his shirt in front of the mirror that hung in the living room. “Are you ready yet? We were supposed to be there when the president arrived ten minutes ago.”
SLAM
Naruto collapsed down the stairs, his pants around his ankles.
“Oww,” he said, getting up. He’d tried to put on his pants as he came down the stairs.
“Oh kiddo,” Sarutobi said rushing to him. He brushed his son off the dirt and helped him tie Naruto’s tie. “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, I am a lot tougher than a flight of stairs,” he smiled. That same big, wide smile that he had. Sarutobi always loved that boy’s smile.
“Alright, let’s get going,” Sarutobi said, scratching his son’s head. As they were about to walk out the door, Sarutobi rushed to his bathroom to grab a comb. He then recombed Naruto’s hair that was just messed up from Sarutobi scratching it.
They entered the car and drove off. Sarutobi drove quickly. He did not want to disappoint the president.
“So am I going to meet the president,” Naruto asked halfway into the trip.
“I’m sorry son but no. You’re going to hang around the school while I talk to him. I don’t want you getting near him to be honest. Just for now. Maybe later you can take a picture with him.”
“At least I’ll get a picture then.”
The two arrived at the school and standing outside was the president and his crew, waiting at the front door. Sarutobi parked.
“Stay here,” he told the boy. He then rushed out of the car and towards the crew.
“Long night, huh,” one of the president’s advisors said when Sarutobi approached. He looked to be part of the Uzumaki party. “We’ve been waiting a long while, is this what Asamachi has to offer this country’s leader?”
“I’m so sorr-,” Sarutobi started.
“Menma, that is Hiruzen Sarutobi you’re speaking to. Have some more respect when addressing him, a legend in this country’s military,” Madara scowled. He then reached out to Sarutobi and shook his hand. “We’ve only waited like a couple of minutes. No pressure.”
“T-Thank you, Mr. President,” Sarutobi said as he struggled to find the key to the front door.
“I’m sorry Madara,” Menma said.
“That’s President Uchiha to you,” Madara responded.
Sarutobi finally opened the front door and let the president and others inside.
“I can escort you to unlock all of the classrooms and gymnasium if you’d like sir,” one of Madara’s drivers asked Sarutobi. The principal noticed that the driver looked to be a little rough compared to the others, like he had gotten into a fight the day before.
“It’s fine,” Sarutobi said. “I can handle myself. The gymnasium is unlocked already anyways so you won’t have to worry about that anyways. Go stick with the president.”
“Ok,” the driver said, almost sounding disappointed. The driver did not want to be back with those who had just beaten him.
When the driver walked away, Sarutobi head back to his car to check on Naruto.
Naruto was peacefully asleep, looking to be completely cozy in the back seat of the car. The sun was just starting to rise. Outside in the parking lot was dark with just a hint of light starting to rise just above the horizon. Sarutobi opted to leave the boy in the car so the kid could rest for a little while longer. It was going to be a long day.
He went back inside and headed to the teacher’s lounge. Before unlocking all of the doors, he decided to get a coffee to keep him company while doing it. After grabbing that coffee, he exited the lounge just for him to bump into the president, his coffee exiting the cup in the principal’s hand.
Sarutobi may have been old but his reflexes were not. He immediately used his wind quirk to avoid the coffee spilling on Madara.
“Wow, that was a close one,” Madara said, smiling. “I see your reflexes are still there huh?”
“Luckily for me.”
“And for me as well, right,” the president laughed. “I guess if you were to get into a fight at this age, you’d still be a formidable opponent.”
“I’d hope so,” the principal smiled. It was then that he noticed that even he’d let the coffee spill, Madara had actually moved out of the way to avoid getting splashed on. It was a subtle movement that Sarutobi didn’t pick up on it but now realizing this, he understood that Madara’s age did not affect his reflexes as well.
“Hey, I know you’ve got an adopted son though,” Madara said when Sarutobi went back inside the teacher lounge to make another coffee.
“Well uh-,” Sarutobi hesitated. “…I do.”
“Where is he?”
“He’s coming later,” Sarutobi said. “With his friends.”
“Oh really? Like the Tana or Tada or whatever friend group or gang my nephew hangs out with?”
“Excuse me,” the coffee water started to boil.
“Yeah, I’ve heard from my nephew that your son and him are actually close friends.”
“That’s surprising,” the coffee started to drip.
“Yeah, I’ve arranged it that I’ll have my personal drivers come pick up his friends from their house. Why don’t you let me send one of them to do that for your son. It’ll be in a very nice car- luxurious sports car- and I bet your son would enjoy riding in one of those. How’s that sound?”
“Oh no… that’s okay.”
“Who’s even picking him up anyways? In fact, how about I go over there myself.”
“You would do that for my son?”
“Of course, a military legend like yourself. Leader of the ferocious Sanin- the greatest covert ops military group this country has seen since… well since the beginning! You deserve grand treatment. And what happened to your group was terrible.”
“Oh really,” the coffee was almost done.
“Yes! They never should’ve shut down your crew. Listen, I know you’ve got a good thing going here with this school, but I was thinking there might be a job for you. In the government. And trust me, it’ll pay waaayyy better than what you’re getting here.”
“Well that’s very generous of you.”
“Of course it is. For a legend like yourself-.”
“Too generous,” Sarutobi eyes pierced into Madara’s.
The coffee had finished dripping and a cup of hot, black coffee sat inside of Sarutobi’s mug. But the principal did not even reach for it, his eyes still on Madara.
The president’s face changed from the warm mask he was wearing into his true, cold, cruel face. The two stared at each other. Sarutobi wasn’t sure what he was waiting for, but he knew he needed to be on guard. The president was clearly a formidable opponent, and he was younger too, 58 to Sarutobi’s now 60 years of age.
“It was just an offer,” the president finally said, attempting to break the tension. He then backed away and headed towards the door to the teacher’s lounge. “I want you on my side, Saurtobi. These days I need more men like you. But I need you to want to be on my side…”
He reached the doorway.
“… or else.”
The president exited, and walked towards the gymnasium. Sarutobi finally let go of his breath. He grabbed his cup of coffee, hands shaking. It had been almost 20 years since he’d been in a situation like this. He took a sip and then paused for a couple of minutes to try and think.
Madara knows, Sarutobi thought. Fuck, he knows about Naruto. Shit! That’s why he was so adamant to pick up my son. He really offered to pick up my son himself?!
He wanted to pace back and forth around the room, but he needed to act calm. There was no telling who was watching.
Calm down, Saurotbi, calm down. As far as he knows, Naruto is still at home. He doesn’t know he’s in the car right now asleep.
Naruto laid fast asleep in the backseat of Sarutobi’s car. The principal figured that there was no reason anybody had to check his car. He figured that Madara was probably sending someone over to his home to kidnap the child.
He put his coffee mug down as gently as he could, but his shaking hands made that task almost impossible. He then shut the door to the teacher’s lounge and locked it.
Afterwards, he pulled out his phone and called Jiraiya.
“Pick up the phone…” he muttered very quietly.
“Hello,” Jiraiya groaned on the other end. He’d clearly sounded like he just woke up.
“Madara knows,” Sarutobi whispered into the phone. “About Naruto.”
“He what?!” Jiraiya now sounded wide awake with five cups of coffee in him.
“Come to the school now and bring Tsunadae with you. That kid is in danger.”
“Is he with you at the school,” Jiraiya asked. “Why not take him home or better, bring him to my house?”
“No that’s not going to work. Madara thinks that Naruto is at my home right now so after finding out he’s not there, the next place he’s sending someone to check is your home or Tsunadae’s. Or heavens forbid, Orichimaru’s. But here, he’s limited because of all these witnesses here. He can’t try anything as long as there’s people watching. Right now, the safest place Naruto is going to be at is right here beside me. So come now and bring Tsunadae!”
He hung up the phone and was grateful that he decided to bring Naruto to the rally. A dumb decision at first seemed to work out.
For now.
But the question became what does he do when Naruto wakes up. Should he rush to the car now and try and wake the boy?
He thought of everything he’d have to explain. Naruto’s true heritage and claim. That he wasn’t a forgotten orphan, but son of the greatest president this country’s had.
He also weighed in the risk of being seen with him. There isn’t nearly enough witnesses yet and Sarutobi was doubtful that he could fight off Madara on his own. The subtle dodge that the president on top of the allies that Madara would make a fight with him undesirable and utterly lost.
If I was younger, he thought, yearning for the years to be subtracted from his age. Yearning for a younger body. A younger him wouldn’t be nervous. A younger him could take 20- no 30 Madara’s and the drivers and whatever allies. Younger him would’ve killed Madara right then and there in the teacher’s lounge and take the boy out the country. Make it to the neighboring countries and live out a peaceful life after a couple of years on the run.
But he was old. Sarutobi was doubtful if he could even survive a fight with even Madara on his own, much less the drivers and Personal Guard that the president had with him.
What do I do, Sarutobi thought. Do I go out to the car to try and hide him now. Do I wait for Jiraiya to come with Tsunadae and figure it out from there? Which is more risky, leaving him in the car risking him being found? Or worse, leaving him there and him waking up and leaving to look for me? Or do I go to the car and risk being seen by the drivers? If they knew Naruto was here, they’d make their move now for sure.
He stared out the window of the teacher’s lounge and at his small car in the parking lot. A modest red car. From here, it looked empty. Nobody can see that someone’s inside from here.
Can I run fast enough, he thought. If they see me, I can run down the street and hopefully reach a store.
He knew he wouldn’t make it.
What should I d-
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK.
“Excuse me, Mr. Principal sir?”
It sounded like the beaten-up driver Sarutobi saw earlier.
“Coming,” Sarutobi called from within the room. He opened the door.
“Sorry sir, but I’ve been assigned to escort you to unlock all of the classrooms.”
“Oh really, I’m fine. I don’t need-.”
“Unfortunately, this isn’t a courtesy like before, but rather, now I have been ordered to do this. I’m sorry sir. The president said he is on a tight schedule and doors have not been unlocked yet.”
“Oh yes, of course. I understand, you’re just doing your job, right?”
He exited the lounge and proceeded down the hallway. For now, it seems he’ll have to hop that Naruto stays in that car and nobody finds him.
In an hour the rally will start. Sarutobi made sure to keep track of the time. When the people arrive, that’s when he’ll run to his car to grab the boy.
In an hour, the rally will start and Sarutobi will have the boy right by his side, in the safety of Sarutobi, Tsunadae, and Jiraiya.
But he’ll have to wait.
For one hour.