Elle Candel : The Mystery of The Seer (Naruto fanfic)

Chapter 20: The Invitation

We were walking back to leaf after Naruto's over dramatic goodbye. I felt lighter than I did the past two weeks. It was great to have this mission finally over with. I was able to save both Haku and Zabuza. A slight smile made its way to my face at the thought. "What's got you smiling to yourself?" Haku asked from next to me. I looked up at my team. I could see Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke walking at the front with Zabuza and Kakashi slightly behind them. I finally looked over at Haku, my smile getting bigger at the sight of his calm expression. "I'm just glad it all worked out at the end. This mission was hell for me you know. Do you know how hard it was to constantly have to prevent you guys from killing each other?" His lips curved at my remark, "It might be over for you, but for me and Zabuza, it's just starting." I shoved him to the side laughing, "Don't say that like it's a bad thing. It's a fresh start! Besides, it's not like I'm going to let you go through it by yourself. I'm going to be there every step of the way." Our smiles were evident on both of our faces. Every now and then, we would burst into laughter, making the rest of the team look at us like we were psychopaths.

-time skip-

Even though, I was enjoying my time with Haku, I needed to get serious now. The village gates were going to come into view in the next couple of minutes, so I needed to tell them how this was going to work. "Zabuza, Kakashi, can you come here for a second?" They both slowed down, coming into pace with me and Haku. "I need to discuss with you what's going to happen next." They nodded, gaining the same serious look I had. "I'm going to run up ahead and talk to the Hokage before you guys arrive just to make sure everything is sorted out. I need you, Kakashi, to stay with them until I come back. Haku and Zabuza, stay on your best behavior and head straight to the Hokage once you enter the village. That would be it." I said as they nodded and started to walk up ahead. I held onto Haku's arm, stopping him. I pulled him close and whispered in his ear, "If you feel my chakra, I need you to get away from the hidden leaf as fast as you can." He nodded at me and with that I jumped on the trees and rushed up ahead.

Within a couple of seconds I was running into the village, sprinting for the Hokage's office. I need to finish this before they arrive. I could feel my heart beat getting faster and faster that by the time I actually reached the Hokage building I felt like I was having a heart attack. I caught my breath before I knocked on the door. "come in." Haku and Zabuza are depending on me. I can do this! I opened the door and made my way in front of the Hokage's desk. He looked at me with a smile but I could tell there was something hidden behind it. "Elle, good thing you're back. I've been meaning to talk to you." I nodded choosing to remain silent until I knew where he stood on this. "I have received a visit from Shikamaru about a week ago regarding your letter." I nodded again urging him to go on. "How about you tell me all about that in person?" I took a deep breath and put on my serious voice. "It came to my knowledge that we would encounter two powerful possible recruits on our mission. Knowing that, I placed a plan that would either end in their death or recruitment. That's when I sent the letter to Shikamaru." He had his hands intertwined covering his face, his smile now gone and suspicion evident on his features. "and how did you come to know that information?" It's better if I wait for Kakashi before telling him. After all, I will sound insane if I don't have evidence. "I will tell you that once Kakashi arrives. For now, I need to ensure the recruit's place in the village." He sighed, rubbing his temples. "listen to me Elle, you can't just invite people to join the leaf village. I know you're still new to all of this but you should know better, child." I sighed and shook my head. "its because I know better that I came to this decision. Don't you at least want to know who I recruited before saying no?" curiosity glimmered in his eyes, but he stayed quiet. This could either make it or break it. "the first one is an ex-jonin from the village hidden in the mist. A master at the silent killing technique and the most powerful assassin of our age. The second one is a child with no affiliation to any village, the last ninja with the rare ice style kekkai genkai. I was able to recruit Zabuza Momochi and his apprentice, Haku." His eyes widened as he looked at me with disbelief and a hint of anger. "you mean to tell me that you promised an s-ranked criminal and his apprentice a place in this village." His words came out sharper than before, anger now evident on his face. "Hokage-sama, I'm not asking you to fully trust Haku and Zabuza. I also agree that they shouldn't be allowed to take residency in this village or be placed in any team without going through a security check and an interrogation. I'm just asking for you to give them a chance. If not for me, do it for the village. They both can be great assets and can strengthen the leaf's strength greatly." He stood up and looked out of his window, turning his back to me. "let me tell you child, you know your way with words." I smiled internally at his compliment but kept a straight face on. He sighed deeply, "I want to hear what happened on the mission first before I make my decision." I wonder if the rest of the team is here yet? I closed my eyes, focusing on their chakras. A smile made its way to my face. "You will be able to hear a full report in a couple of minutes. As we're speaking, Kakashi is making his way here with Haku and Zabuza." He turned to me and nodded, sitting back down in his chair. Less than 5 minutes later, we heard a knock outside the door. The hokage said a come in and the door opened, revealing Kakashi, Zabuza and Haku. I smiled at them, "Hey guys." Haku returned my smile, while the jonin remained stoic. "now that everyone is here, I can finally give you the mission report." I looked over at Kakashi, not wanting to undermine his authority. "Can I give the report for this mission?" he nodded at me and I turned back to the hokage. I took a deep breath and let it back out, getting ready to spill everything. "Team 7 was sent on a c-ranked escort mission to escort Tazuna, the bridge builder, to the land of waves and watch over him till he finishes the bridge. While, we were still in the land of fire, we got attacked by 2 rain ninjas, who were targeting Tazuna. Turns out, Gato, the business man, has taken over Tazuna's home island and has cut off all trade routes. The only way to restore the island was to finish building the bridge which Tazuna was responsible for. That is why he was a target. Since we would be fighting other ninja, the mission was promoted to a b-rank but after consultation with the team we decided to continue on. When we reached the land of waves, Kakashi and the rest of team 7 encountered Zabuza and fought him. Since I already knew this was going to happen, I was off talking to Haku to gain his trust. The only way to do that was to warn him about my team fighting Zabuza. Haku saved Zabuza, and my team went to Tazuna's house mostly unharmed. Sadly, my chakra was depleted and I was out for the next 28 hours. This put a delay on my plans and forced me to act rashly in order to be able to send a letter to the leaf about Haku and Zabuza's arrival on time. After the letter was sent, team 7 used the next week to train. In that week, I developed my shield jutsu which I placed on both jonin, Kakashi and Zabuza, before the fight to ensure both of their safety. During the final fight on the bridge, I stayed behind to make sure that Tazuna's family was protected and dealt with the attackers that were sent to kidnap them. After that I headed to the bridge to finish my plan. Sasuke and Naruto were fighting Haku, Sakura was protecting Tazuna, and Kakashi was fighting Zabuza. I jumped in once I saw that my teammates were starting to get hurt, restored their chakra, and stopped the fight between the two jonin. You see, I already knew that Gato was going to betray Haku and Zabuza and turn against them. While the fight was stopped, Gato showed up with a group of thugs to kill all of us, including Zabuza and Haku. The thugs were easily dealt with, Gato was killed and I finally offered Haku and Zabuza a place in the leaf's ranks. Ultimately, they agreed to come see you. For the next couple of days, we protected Tazuna while he was finishing up the bridge and headed back. On our way back, I rushed ahead to talk to you and my team followed. Mission duration was 3 weeks and mission status is a success." I finished my report and released a breath, happy to be done with most of the explaining. My eyes were focused on The Hokage, who was looking at me suspiciously again. "If I may ask, how did you know that you would encounter Zabuza and Haku, and How did you know Gato would betray them?" I sighed and looked over at Kakashi. He nodded at me telling me to go on. If I tell him everything, I give him all the cards. "I will tell you this once Haku and Zabuza are sent to the interrogation core." His eyes hardened, glaring at me, waiting for me to crack. Hah! That won't work on me old man. I glared back, just as forcefully. This was a game I wasn't willing to lose. The silence was intense and everyone stayed as still as stone. Kakashi seemed to be done with this silence so he broke it, clearing his throat. "I will take Zabuza and Haku to the interrogation core. Seems like you guys are going to be busy." When the Hokage stayed silent, the 3 exited the room abruptly, happy to get away from that situation. I sighed and dropped my glare. "Finally ready to talk?" he asked his distrust clear in every word. This is so annoying. I'm protecting the village you idiot! Uffff. I sighed again trying to keep my frustration at bay. "It's all simple really. I get visions when I'm around certain people. I saw it all in one of my visions." He looked at me with a disbelieving face. Like he was waiting for the real explanation. When he saw that I wasn't going to add anything more, he sighed. "Do you have any proof of what you're saying?" I nodded slightly, trying to recall things about the hokage. "When I first met Sasuke, I got a vision about Itachi Uchiha. I know about his mission." His eyes widened, "What else do you know?" I sighed again. You're missing the point old man. "I know more than you can ever imagine." He sighed and dismissed me, but not before he promised to let Zabuza and Haku join if they pass their interrogation.

-time skip-

I was sitting in bed, enjoying the comfort of being alone. I was lost in my thoughts when a knock came on my door. Who could that possibly be this late at night? I closed my eyes for a second and felt for chakra but I didn't sense any. That's weird. Even civilians have chakra. That must be someone suppressing it. The knocking came again, this time harder. I got up from my bed with a kunai in hand and went towards the door. I opened it to see two anbu standing infront of my door. I smiled at them putting on the innocent act. "what can I help you guys with?" I was sensing around for any familiar chakra nearby, hoping to find back up. "Lord Danzo has summoned you." Oh shit! That damn hokage. I knew I shouldn't have told him anything! There was no one around that I could ask for help and I couldn't take out two anbu members by myself. I had only one choice. "Sure, let me just change first." I closed the door back up and changed into my ninja gear, making sure to hide some weapons on myself in case I needed them. I opened the door back up and left the apartment. Hopefully, if I leave the door slightly open, somebody would know something is up.

We walked into a far corner in the village until we reached a dark looking building. They led me from hall to hall till we finally reached a room buried in the middle of the building. We walked in and Danzo was waiting there. He was sitting behind a desk with an empty chair in front of it. The anbu walked me to the chair and I sat down. "Are you lord Danzo?" I asked, playing the innocent act again. He nodded at me with a creepy smile on his face. "That would be me child. I have called you here to offer you a position in the foundation, an organization of elite ninja created to protect the village." This can be bad. Like really bad. I scratched the back of my head sheepishly, "No offence lord Danzo, but I think you got the wrong person. I'm barely a genin. I don't even belong to any significant clan." He responded quickly, eager to shut down my attempts at backing out. "indeed, we usually only accept ninja of jonin rank or higher but you weren't chosen for your rank or your clan. You were chosen for your...special abilities." Fuck... "I'm sorry lord Danzo but I don't know what you're talking about. I only know a few simple jutsus and I don't have any special kekkai genkai." He sighed and shook his head at me, gaining a disappointed look. "child, child...there is no use denying it. I know all about your gifted sight. With your abilities, we can make sure that the leaf's future becomes bright. Join me, child, and I will grant you anbu status. I will even train you myself." Damn it! How am I supposed to get out of this. I can't join him but I'm pretty sure he is not giving me a choice. He wouldn't kill me though. He needs me for his plans. "I'm sorry lord Danzo, but I will have to decline your offer. I'm flattered, I really am, but I would rather stay on team 7." His face hardened and he released a sigh, "If that's your answer then you leave me no choice." Before I knew it the two anbu were holding my arms, placing chakra restraints on them. "Lord Danzo, lets be civil about this. Doing this will not lead you anywhere." I said glaring at him. He grew an amused look on his face and let out a dark chuckle, "we'll see about that." I felt movement behind me and a sharp pain on my neck and, just like that, my consciousness left me.

I woke up to the feeling of tugging on my arms. Panic started to rise in me but I tried to keep it at bay. I was tied up with my arms and legs each connected to a corner of the room. The chakra restraints were still on me, leaving me defenseless. I could hear movement coming from outside and the door open, letting in a bit more light into this barely lit room. "so you're finally awake. Good then we can start." I glared at the stranger standing in front of me. "let me go right now or I promise you, you will regret it." I growled deeply. He simply laughed in response. He walked over to a table at the corner and grabbed one of the weapons. "I guess this will do." Weapon in hand, he walked over to me and put the weapon in front of my thigh. "how about you reconsider lord Danzo's offer?" the smirk on his face made my blood boil in anger. That son of a bitch! I swear I will teach not only this bastard but everyone who follows Danzo a lesson they will never forget! In anger and disgust, I spit on him, making him drop his smirk. "All of you can go fuck yourselves." He growled at me, pissed and slashed my thigh open. "you bitch! We'll see that attitude of yours after I'm done with you." I was biting the inside of my mouth, preventing myself from screaming out loud as he went on, slash after slash, ripping my flesh apart. They will all pay. I will make them pay...