It's Not Really A Date, but is sort of kinda (Boruto x Sarada)

Part 20

The sitting man stared in disbelief at how effortlessly his counter-measures had been rendered irrelevant. Then was forcefully turned around in his chair by Sasuke who was done with further interruptions. "We need to have a little chat Lord Daimyo."

The Feudal Lord of the Land of Water Sanzui Unabara swallowed, but otherwise showed no signs of fear before the imposing Uchiha. "I will not beg for my life, nor negotiate with convicted felons.", "I have no wish to take anything from you, depending upon your answers to my questions." Sasuke answered shortly, surprising the Lord but leaving no doubt how deadly serious he was in his objective. "Konohagakure's Security and Interrogation Unit have already apprehended 'Shojoji of the Corpse-Clone' and Shin 'Uchiha'... (Sasuke added Orochimaru's former test subject's assumed surname disdainfully) as well as Yudoku of the Outers Splinter Cell found operating of late in the Land of Fire, and his affiliates. All of whom have identified You as their benefactor, and one of the key figures in facilitating Shojoji's escape from Hozuki Castle. No small task I'm sure in using your political influence to gain access to the prison and arrange a meeting with the Warden as a distraction enabling Outer Insurgents hidden amongst your guard to locate and free the Bandit Leader, even after the standing you lost with that Treaty Signing Fiasco a while back. And I suspect it was also you that made the anonymous call to the Leaf's Science and Research Division warning them of a bomb threat, in a bid to divide Konohagakure's Security forces so that those three could accomplish their individual objectives unopposed.

"What I want to know is what you hoped to accomplish with the Mizukage's assassination in a foreign land, knowing it would lead to war between the Land of Fire and your kingdom? Haven't your own people suffered enough in Kirigakure's war with the Funato Clan?", "Those peasants know nothing of suffering..." Saizui spat bitterly without a shred of sympathy. "... And neither does that b1#[14& Chojuro."

The Feudal Lord closed his eyes, shaking with silent fury at the mental image of the subject of his rage. Then glared back into the red eye before him. "Araumi and his Clan, his brat... They took Awaji from me, my precious son......... And now, Chojuro is protecting that murderer!!!

"The Outer... He came here, invaded my home like it was nothing, and.. he made me an offer... With my help in.. freeing the Bandit Leader.. He could use his ability, to assume the Mizukage's face and his memories, to track down Ikada....... and finally avenge my son...."

Sasuke said nothing at first, regarding the man before him coldly. "You realise Yudoku was using you to suit his own purposes, right? And would have just as soon discarded you when you were no longer useful to him. And even if you could have trusted him, Shojoji or the Outers to keep their word, would it really have been worth it?... What happened to the man that would do anything for the sake of peace? What happened to your integrity? When did you become so petty as to sacrifice millions for the sake of one man-", "LIKE YOU NEVER DID JUST THAT UCHIHA!!!!" Saizui shrieked on the verge of an enraged frenzy. "BUT YOU LOST YOUR EDGE WHEN YOU GOT A WIFE AND A BRAT OF YOUR OWN!! WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF SOMEONE GOT AWAY WITH MURDERING THEM!?!?!!!"

The last word barely left the Feudal Lord's lips when he found a katana a millimeter from his throat. Sasuke's red eye glowing even more crimson with an If you dare lay a finger on my wife or my daughter intensity. Not daring to admit that deep down, he knew the older man.. wasn't wrong about him.

The silence that followed between the two men was defeaning.

Broken only by a platinum-blonde.

"Daimyo..." Buntan spoke softly, surprisingly without her usual aire of condescension. "...Consider the words of someone who spent her whole life finding value in nothing but murder... Someone who bathed in an ocean of blood before she even had anyone to avenge. Someone who would get so lost in the mindless bliss of killing that she could forget who she was fighting against or what she was fighting for, or even at times her natural skin colour under the crimson...

"Sure, you could go ahead, kill the Mizukage and start this war.. (the Feudal Lord turned around slowly while Sasuke looked at her suspiciously).. so long as you accept abandoning hope. Accepting nothing will ever fill that void in your heart but more violence, making everything else in your life just existence, until you die............ Or.. you could try starting over. We can leave your involvement with the Outers undisclosed to your citizens and the other lands. And you can try building for your people that land of peace that you once strove for... That land your son believed in."

A moment's stillness. And the kunoichi surprised them yet again. Removing her blades from the guards backs and resheathing them. A neutral expression on her face. Sasuke looked at her curiously, his Sharingan gradually becoming an ebony orb again. And he calmly followed suit with his katana. The two still conscious guards began to push themselves up, their weapons held tight in hand. Only for the Daimyo to hold up a hand, stopping them. He looked to the floor with a shadow over his face.

"Go...." he said quietly, but loud enough for Sasuke and Buntan to hear. "...Take your evidence against me and leave my house. My guards will not stop you." Sasuke and the kunoichi both held their positions a moment, unsure what to make of this development. And for a while there was silence once more.

"GET OUT!!!!" he shrieked furiously without lifting his head. Sasuke didn't need telling a third time. Looking ahead to the main doors of the chamber he boldly walked towards them. Walking past Buntan and the guards still on the floor, until he stopped and turned back 3 metres behind her. She remained where she stood a moment looking at the man in the chair, before turning around and following Sasuke's lead. They left the doors open as they departed the chamber, within which Saizui remained in his chair as he slowly reached across his desk to take hold of a small portrait. His eyes gazed longingly at the image of his son, before he covered them in a free hand.... and wept.

.........

The two Shinobi made their departure in silence for a long while.

"Gotta say, I'd've never imagined you being the first person in that scenario to choose the non-violent approach." Sasuke eventually remarked. Not condescendingly, rather somewhat amazed by her self-control. She offered him a nonchalant sideways glance. "Honestly, I'd've never imagined myself doing that either. Least until about two weeks ago when a bunch of kids and some exhaustingly open-minded people made me consider, that there might just be another way."

Sasuke kept looking ahead as they made their way through the mansion, reflecting on his own path of revenge against his brother Itachi and later on against Konohagakure all those years ago. And how much he'd changed since then into the man he is now. Thanks in no small part to Kakashi-Sensei, and to Naruto....... and Sakura.......

"That girl a' yours has got a good head on her shoulders. She could accomplish great things one day, especially with the Hokage's boy with her..." And Sasuke could swear he heard the kunoichi utter under her breath, "...In more ways than one."

"Sarada doesn't need a boyfriend and never will." the Uchiha Father announced automatically leaving no room for misconception. "Suuuure she doesn't..." Buntan answered slyly, the ghost of a smirk dancing on her lips. A smirk Sasuke sideways glanced before he looked back to their predetermined path and scowled, realising another reason why he didn't like the platinum-blonde.