Without Warning (Naruto Fanfiction)

Chapter 14: Bearer of Bad News

WITHOUT WARNING CHAPTER 14
BEARER OF BAD NEWS

"Kozuya-san was right. There was a faint glow of a crown-like halo hovering above the Hyuuga woman's head." Sai had been the one mainly speaking for Ino regarding the vision Kozuya had shared. Sai's steady presence kept Ino from spacing out as her head still swam with the vision's horrific scenes. "It most likely points to the Main family since the crown has always been a symbol of authority in a hierarchy." He added after a breath.

"Are you certain it was a Hyuuga?" Tsunade asked.

Ino nodded this time, still aware of the conversations that had rolled out. "The Byakugan she had is unmistakable. It was a Hyuuga."

"Was there any distinctive features that could narrow down whether or not it was Hinata or Hanabi in the vision?"

Ino and Sai shared a look before both their shoulders slumped at the absence of an answer. Tsunade's jaw tightened in frustration and she turned to face the window, deep in thought. It was troubling enough finding out that the Raikage may have found some inkling of a threat coming for the Shinobi world once more. Adding the potential destruction promised by a lone vision carried by a stranger to Konoha will certainly cause a panic, or even a divide among the people. Even worse is how the Hokage was deliberately acting towards breaking the trust of the other Kages and the Union by keeping such a potential threat a secret. It may be a dormant threat, or even just a ploy to avert their attentions from real threats but still... The Hokage could not risk it, could not risk telling the other Kages and send them in a flurry of dictating one of the two Hyuuga Head's daughters to alter her life on the basis of a "maybe". Even if Kozuya had proven a vision to have accurately come true from her personal experience, it was too great a gamble.

"Tsunade-sama, I may begin with my jutsu while the memory is still fresh." Sai offered, as he understood the Konoha leader may be trying to devise the best possible plan.

Tsunade gave a curt nod, her back still turned to the bunch. Kozuya now slumped in his chair, a sheen of sweat had formed on his forehead, and even more so Ino whose forehead glistened with sweat as she breathed heavily while leaning on the back of her chair. The exertion of dissecting and then expanding the vision from Kozuya drained her. Hinata kept a calm stance but the noticeable trembling in her hands betrayed her composure, her mind swirled between duty and emotion, what ifs and maybes, and the potential for danger so large it threatened destruction to the world.

Amidst the tense hush that fell on the group, Sai's hands were working expertly as he opened big a scroll of his and began painting. The group waited.

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"It is too much, and there is too much at stake for us to rely on a cryptic vision which may or may not happen. We must first be prepared for what is actually threatening us from the horizon." An elder voiced.

"That is true. Hiashi-sama had mentioned of the meeting. Even Hokage-sama believes it is necessary to prepare for the warning of the Raikage." The youngest among the council said, bringing up the situation that is keeping the Kages on edge.

"But there is still no proof of what the Raikage claims to have seen! And no evidence of a threat," Another voice insisted.

"Was there evidence of the vision being true in any way?" Someone replied sarcastically.

Hiashi then raised a hand, palm facing forward, asking for the Council's silence. When the voices died down, he opened his stern eyes to see all the Hyuuga elders watching him with mixed expressions.

"It will be difficult to allow a vision to control the fate and actions of our clan, especially members of the Head family." Hiashi spoke. "And as we speak, the Raikage and various shinobi from each of our 5 great villages are working on investigating the situation."