Third Person POV
After the final decision made by the Uzumaki-Namikaze family, Minato and Amaya headed to the Hokage building where the meeting with the Sandaime and his Council would take place that morning.
The blond had been invited to attend as well, since all the decisions made at that moment would affect his charge, and as her guardian alongside Kushina, he would answer and speak for her during the meeting.
And even though she couldn't actually participate in the meeting, the Uzumaki chose to accompany and wait for Namikaze until the conversation with the Council and the Hokage was over.
Minato was the last expected attendee to enter the room and quickly observed the familiar faces there, besides Hiruzen: Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, and Danzou Shimura.
All present had been teammates under the orders of the previous Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Kagami Uchiha had also been part of the team that served alongside the Senju.
And given the degree of knowledge and field experience of Homura, Koharu, and Danzou, when Hiruzen took the position as the Nidaime's successor, the three were appointed as his Councilors.
Without waiting for any order, Minato settled closer to the others around the medium-sized table in the room.
– Now that we're all here, can you explain the reason for this last-minute meeting, Hiruzen? – Koharu asked the Hokage bluntly, setting aside formality with the man.
Like the others, Minato turned his eyes to the woman she was the only female figure who was part of the Hokage's Council.
– Well then – The Sandaime said calmly, as usual – I gathered you here and called Minato because of a discovery related to the investigation mission at the laboratory from which Amaya Uzumaki was rescued.
Everyone's attention was already on Hiruzen when he started speaking, but upon presenting the reason for the meeting, they all recalled previous meetings they'd had with the theme "Amaya Uzumaki".
– A mission in which the participation of children was authorized, being rank A... – Homura spoke, displeased – And where an enemy infiltrated among them as one of our own – He turned his gaze to Danzou.
– We've already had many discussions about that, and the reason we're here isn't to argue tirelessly about it again – Hiruzen quickly regained control of the conversation, making the others look at him.
– As your Lordships know, we were not successful in capturing any enemies alive or recovering their bodies – Minato said in a focused manner, aiming to steer the subject towards the main topic of the meeting – However, along with the information skillfully gathered by the former team 7 assembled for this mission, we gained access to the weapons used by some enemies.
– So the forensics team finally finished their analysis? – Koharu asked, and Hiruzen nodded.
– And its members confirmed that the weapons used were similar to those from the Village Hidden in the Stones, as well as the Land of Lightning – Namikaze continued.
– All this suspense to say the enemy is obviously from one of the villages we're at war with – Danzou spoke carelessly – We should have been expecting something like this.
– And that's exactly what someone wanted us to think – Hiruzen took the floor again, which made his Councilors stare at him.
– What do you mean? – Homura questioned his former teammate, as did the others, curious.
– To put it briefly, those weapons we got from the enemies were forged to look like they were from other villages – The Hokage explained.
– If they're not from the Stone or the Cloud – Koharu said – Then where are they from?
– Konoha – Minato said simply, and all the looks in the room fell upon Namikaze.
Incredulity, confusion, and disbelief adorned the expressions of the Councilors, except for Danzou – but that didn't seem strange to the others, since the man very rarely expressed anything.
However, internally Shimura was restless. Preparing his men to destroy their own bodies so the Leaf couldn't identify them if the plan failed had gone as expected.
But Minato's intervention along with Tsunade and Jiraiya had been the first unforeseen event, as was the success of the forensics team's discovery about the tampering of the ninja weapons.
– Are you saying someone from the village could be responsible for that laboratory, as well as the experiments done there? – Koharu asked, her tone slightly higher, given her disbelief at that information.
– It's the most likely thought with the information we have – Hiruzen continued in his mild tone, since he expected his companions to react that way.
– And what information is that, besides the fact that the person responsible for the lab is from Konoha? – Danzou asked.
His curiosity about it would never seem strange there; after all, as a Councilor, his job was to assist the Hokage for the village's well-being, and for that he needed to know what was happening.
At the same time, that gave him all the information they had about his own movements and those of his associate, Orochimaru, so they could avoid bigger problems and suspicions.
– There's a possibility that two people are responsible for everything done in the laboratory – Minato informed, his attention turned to the Councilor.
– And what exactly is this theory based on? – Homura asked, which spared Shimura from having to do so.
– Based on what Amaya remembers from her time in the lab – Namikaze said simply.
Having participated in the search conducted by Inoichi in the Analysis Team when the girl arrived in the village, the blond knew some fragments of her memories, as well as what she told him when questioned.
And due to the closeness father and daughter shared, she ended up telling him about the hypotheses she had formed about what she went through and remembered from the lab – that two people were responsible for those tests was one of Uzumaki's certainties.
– So we're basing ourselves on the words of a thing produced in that lab to conduct an investigation... – Danzou said without much enthusiasm and clearly with disgust directed at Uzumaki.
But at the same time, that worried him. The girl could remember, even if not completely, that two people were responsible for the lab.
What else could she remember?
– With all due respect, Danzou-san... – Minato said quickly and more seriously – She is not a "thing," as you offensively called her. Her name is Amaya Uzumaki, a kunoichi and resident of Konoha, my daughter, and a person like everyone present here.
The Councilor kept brief eye contact with Namikaze out of the corner of his eye. Although he said that out of habit since the time the girl was in the lab, he knew it would bother the blond.
– Minato is right, Danzou – Hiruzen intervened – Amaya is one of us and deserves to be treated as such.
– Treat her however you want – Shimura said – But it doesn't change the fact of what she is: A little demon in human form.
And if Namikaze's gaze could physically affect someone, it was likely Danzou would lose his head at that moment.
Minato's look at the Councilor showed a side of the blond that few people knew: one of relentless fury, only seen on the battlefield.
And although Namikaze hadn't said or physically expressed anything, someone who could sense his strong chakra would notice its fluctuation and intensification.
– Enough, Danzou! – Koharu spoke in a softer tone to her former teammate.
– Having your own opinion about the girl is one thing, but you've gone too far now – Homura also said, reprimanding Danzou.
Hiruzen sighed softly with all that. He already expected there to be arguments among his Councilors, but not so soon and without even having reached the point of real discussion.
– Let's set that aside – Sarutobi spoke in the calmest tone he could, trying to show the others they should do the same – Due to the information Amaya brought us, as well as what we gathered with our own investigation, Minato and I think we need to take some action so a situation like the return of the lab investigation team doesn't happen again.
– You mean, do something regarding the surveillance over the Uzumaki girl, right? – Homura asked, and the Sandaime nodded.
– If our theory about those responsible for the lab is correct, and at least one of them is in Konoha, that means they may be aware of everything she does – Hiruzen explained.
– Like in the investigation mission, where they infiltrated in place of your subordinate – Homura said and glanced momentarily at Danzou.
– We should restrict the girl to staying in the village then – Koharu said, and the others stared at her – That way we'll always know where she is, and it will reduce the chance of the enemy reaching her.
– But she's a jounin-level kunoichi, right? – Homura asked rhetorically – She's participated in many missions outside Konoha, assisting the village in the war efforts. We can't keep someone with her skills here forever, especially with the intensification of the conflicts unfolding.
– And who will guarantee that this enemy who is here in the village won't act when she's with some team outside? – Koharu argued – Or that they won't use any method, like they tried with Shisui Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake, killing whoever is with her, just to get her back?!
– The same risk will exist by keeping her restricted to the village! – Homura defended his point – Regardless of where Amaya Uzumaki is, it's certain the enemy will be watching her!
– Can't you think beyond that?! – Koharu began raising her tone again, irritably.
– Seems not, just like you! – Homura replied in the same manner.
– That's enough, both of you! – Hiruzen intervened, raising his voice for the first time that day.
The two Councilors who had been arguing until then stared at him and took a deep breath, trying to return to a neutral state to continue the meeting.
– As Amaya's legal guardian, I'd like to speak directly for her now – Minato took the floor shortly after observing the others' tempers had partially calmed down – And I'd like to present what she thought as a solution to this impasse.
– You told the girl this whole situation? – Koharu asked Namikaze.
– I wasn't going to do it until we had decided or at least reached a consensus – The blond explained as calmly as possible – But with the conversation I had with her early this morning, I decided to do it – He let his eyes scan the faces of those present, seeing they all had their attention on him – Just as we reached the information that one of those involved with the lab is, probably, a resident of our village, somehow Amaya deduced the same – Koharu and Homura opened their mouths to speak, but Minato continued before they could – She said she couldn't go into details about how she reached that thought, but that she was sure of it.
The people in that room were curious, like Minato himself, to know how Amaya had reached the same deduction as them, especially on her own.
However, the only one who deduced how the girl had done it was Danzou, since his Foundation members reported last night about the clash they had with Uzumaki, her brother, and Itachi Uchiha.
She must have been able to assimilate the postures and combat methods of the two groups, both the ones that attacked her outside the lab and the trio from yesterday..., Danzou pondered.
– And already foreseeing that we would want to find a way to keep her under surveillance, she asked me about a way to receive your permission, Sandaime, to join the Anbu – Namikaze finally revealed.
Although surprised by the information, as well as by Uzumaki's mental organization to handle the whole situation, the Sandaime and his Councilors were astonished by the girl's choice.
Koharu and Homura shared the same opinion, that this was clearly the best option.
Hiruzen was a bit surprised that Uzumaki herself had suggested joining, since the Hokage knew the girl's personality and knew she avoided many of the behaviors adopted by Anbu members, though she could fulfill them.
As for Danzou, he felt uneasy again. Placing Uzumaki in the Anbu would almost completely cut off the surveillance he had over her, as well as give the girl a suitable space to freely investigate him and the Foundation.
– A well-thought-out choice for someone as young as her – Homura praised – And I agree we should place her under the care of the Anbu.
– Placing her among the Anbu members will only incite what she really is – Shimura commented with a slightly irritated tone – It's like unleashing the leash of a dog that's barking ferociously at someone.
– You have an important point, Danzou – Koharu said – But you're forgetting that, just as being in the Anbu might make the Uzumaki girl act wildly, the ninjas there will be the leash to control her if things get out of hand. There's no safer place than that to let her act – The woman turned her eyes to Hiruzen – I also agree to make her part of the Anbu.
– What about you, Minato? – Hiruzen turned his attention to Namikaze.
– I had thought the same as Amaya, that the Anbu would be the best place for her to act given this whole situation that has arisen – The blond explained calmly – And when I questioned her about her will regarding this, she clarified it was truly her wish to join the organization. So, I have no reason to oppose.
– So everyone is in agreement, except you, Danzou – The Hokage said and turned his eyes to the Councilor – By majority vote, Amaya Uzumaki will begin her activities as a member of the Anbu – Homura, Koharu, and Minato nodded in agreement – With that, we can consider this meeting adjourned.
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Koharu and Homura were the first to leave the room that served for the meeting with the Sandaime. Both passed by Amaya in the hallway, where the girl was leaning against one of the windows, her gaze outside.
She moved her eyes from the landscape for a brief moment, just to greet them with a faint nod.
Danzou was the next to leave the room, and when Minato was about to do the same, Hiruzen asked the blond to stay a little longer to sort out with him the details of where he should take Amaya to arrange her Anbu entry – to get her tattoo and prepare her equipment.
Shimura walked slowly down the hallway outside the meeting room. He was bothered by the decision made by Hiruzen, his former teammates, as well as Minato.
However, when the Councilor turned his single uncovered eye to the female figure standing before one of the building's windows, again the feeling of discomfort and irritation hit him.
At any other time he would avoid being near her, but at that moment he simply didn't care anymore. He passed within a few centimeters of the girl, looking her up and down out of the corner of his eye.
Unlike when the other two Councilors passed, Amaya didn't look at him purposely not to disturb the man.
Thanks to her sharp hearing, even from outside the meeting room, Uzumaki could hear everything the Councilors, the Hokage, and her father had discussed there as well as sensing the fluctuations in their chakra during moments of tension.
And she had mentally recorded very well the fact that Danzou seemed to despise her still not quite understanding why and deducing it would be like the other villagers.
However, when Shimura passed by Uzumaki, as had happened at the end of the Chunnin Exam when the redhead was leaving with her parents, her entire body shuddered and a bad feeling struck her.
Having taken two steps past where Amaya was, Danzou abruptly stopped his slow walk, still keeping his gaze forward.
– Whoever doesn't want to get burned or start a fire shouldn't play with fire – Shimura said to Uzumaki in a somber tone, clearly sounding like a warning to the girl.
And unlike what she was going to do, the redhead turned her eyes to the man. Her surprise didn't come from his ultimatum, much less from remembering how he had referred to her, but from the resemblance.
Resemblance to the memory of the day of her near-death.
A man of medium stature, short dark hair, and bandages covering part of his face. One of her creators and tormentors...
And in that second she understood why she had felt what she felt moments ago when the man passed by her.
At any other time Uzumaki might have simply frozen, shuddered, or even lunged at the man in the midst of the rage she held for him. However, she did none of that.
She pushed off from the window guard where her arms had been resting until then and turned her body completely toward him. Uzumaki turned her eyes directly to Danzou's, with a courage and determination she didn't even know she possessed.
– Only demons can play with fire without getting burned – The redhead confronted him with a soft but firm tone of voice.
A response that showed Danzou two things:
The first was that the redhead had heard his comment in the meeting about her, when he openly called her a 'demon'.
And the second was that experiment 122, the most passive of all, had just directly confronted, and consciously so, the one who created her.
Uzumaki turned on her heels and walked in the opposite direction from where Danzou was going, leaving the man behind.
Physically, at first glance, no one would say anything was out of the ordinary with Amaya, but if someone got close enough to the girl's chest they might hear her heart pounding a mile a minute.
She could have expected anything that day, except having one of her creators come to confront her and herself having countered his threat with a clear declaration of war on the man.
Amaya was now certain that Danzou Shimura was one of those involved with her creation and the lab she came from. She and her body felt it.
(Although it was a confession, that wasn't real proof that could be used against Shimura to accuse him it would be Uzumaki's word against the Councilor's. At least not at that moment. For that reason, that brief dialogue between the two would remain guarded until the right moment arose...)
However, it served for Uzumaki to confirm the theory she and her brother had formed: The Foundation was linked to the lab she came from. Or rather, the leader and creator of the Anbu Ne was one of those responsible for the lab itself.
And although her heart was beating heavily, there was also a strange lightness and calm in the redhead's chest. It was a tranquility from finally being certain about something she hadn't been until then:
She finally had the courage she needed to face her past without shrinking back from it.