The Butterfly Effect

"My pack? You make it sound like I'm some kind of leader. I am not a leader. I merely know what I value in this world, and to keep it safe I will weather any hurricane, hunt you down, and kill you. Questions?" Continuation of 'Butterflies'. Character death, Anbu operations, gratuitous violence and some adult situations. May change to M rating.

Arc 5: The new path – Chapter 67 – The first step

8-8

"The tiger and the lion may be powerful… but the wolf doesn't perform in the circus." – Anonymous

8-8

Entering the council chambers, I already know what to expect. So I make sure to enter with a sense of annoyed poise. All eyes are on me. I smell the fear of the civilian council. I see the respect of the shinobi council.

I don't react to either notion.

"You sent for me?" I intone. Daddy nods, sitting in the Hokage seat as his current station demands.

"It has been brought to our attention that you singlehandedly thwarted this invasion," daddy begins, no small amount of pride swimming in his eyes.

"I did no such thing. I received intelligence of the incident, and I acted upon it. Furthermore, I've been informed that the civilians were evacuated long before I even showed up," I correct, knowing exactly what is about to be said. "And no, I'm not interested in hearing a different view on the matter."

"Not different, Namiki-dono, factual," Utatane Koharu –the she-elder– corrects. "Your people singlehandedly evacuated the entire village for the second time in a row. You saw to the bulk of the threat for the third time in a row. And you spend the rest of the invasion tending to the wounded, for the third time in a row." Wow. She's being respectful. That's new.

"Koharu-sama is correct," Mitokado Homura –the he-elder– adds. I sigh.

"I will tell you now what I told you then: I do my duty, nothing more," I say, sighing in annoyance. "Now, what did the council need me here for?"

"We believe it's time for a change," Shimura says, his visible eye close.

"Oh?" I look at him, sizing him up. I know what he wants. He knows I know what he wants.

"Senju Tsunade is no longer the threat she used to be. Her name doesn't make people tremble. We need a strong Hokage, to ensure there will be no more invasions. And if there are, that-"

"That's nice. A point would be nicer, though," I cut him off. His eye opens, his focus solely on me. "I still have patients to tend to, and I believe we still have three entire districts to clean up? So, sometime today, please."

"Tsunade-sama is no longer fit to be Hokage," he cuts to the chase. There's murmurs, especially from the civilian side. I glare in their direction, and the murmuring dies instantly. "As such, I believe it is in Konoha's best interest that you take the hat. That you remind the Elemental Nations that Konoha should never be trifled with."

"Correct me if I'm wrong… but you don't have the power to do that," I intone, unimpressed.

"Alone? No. However, I do have the power to motion that you become the Hokage and put that to a vote," he says, sure of himself. "As such, I motion to-"

"Hold," I cut him off. "We are not-"

"Namiki. We were invaded by three different countries," Shimura isn't giving up. "Even had Tsunade-sama been able to participate, what could she have done?"

The murmuring starts up again, both from the civilian and shinobi councils.

"I put it to you, that they lured you to Ryuuhou to ensure they could lay siege to Konoha with you away," he presses on. "And had you not made arrangements even while there dealing with yet another threat, they would have been successful."

"May have been," I correct. "But I don't deal in idle speculation, Shimura."

"Nor do I. So tell me, how long did it take you to get from Ryuuhou to Konoha?" he asks, eyeing me even closer than before.

"Four hours, ten minutes," I answer evenly, wondering what he's getting at. I know he's not asking out of curiosity, but I can't figure out his approach at all!

The room is suddenly so silent I can hear people's heart skipping a beat.

"Nara-sama, how long after the first sign of invasion did Namiki-dono arrive?" Shimura presses.

"Four hours, twenty minutes," daddy answers, pride shining in his eyes.

"Idle speculation is foolish. Calculating that you left immediately after being informed of an invasion? That's connecting the dots, Namiki-dono," Shimura presses. He's really working the crowd for this. "So, if you don't mind a few calculated guesses. I will offer my views."

"Spare me. I know your views, Shimura. What I don't enjoy is being patronised," I say, glaring at him dully.

"Tell me, Namiki. You look like you've barely slept. Why?" he isn't giving up, either.

"I'm in no-"

"She was in the hospital until dawn," daddy cuts me off. "Shizune had to call in Chouji to force her to go home."

"I'm aware of what happened. But I am also aware that we are dreadfully short of medics. As such there was little choice. Don't patronise me for this," I argue, wondering why I bother. They won't listen.

"You are not only a deterrent Namiki. You are the most valued kunoichi in our village," Shimura insists, ignoring my point entirely – like I knew he would. "As such… I motion that Senju Tsunade step down as reigning Hokage. And the hat be passed onto Namiki Aya."

"I second the motion!" Some idiot from the civilian council announces.

"I concur!" Great. One more brainless idiot and it goes to a vote.

"I agree," Naru-nii announces, his eyes on me. I see the pride, the hope for the future.

"Very well," daddy is in exactly the same boat as Naru-nii. "Then we will vote. All who agree that Namiki Aya should be appointed as the Sixth Hokage, effective immediately?"

Hands start going up almost immediately. Dad, uncle Inoichi, uncle Hiashi, Naru-nii, Sasu-nii, Kashi-nii, Iki…

Sengo, Ono, Itayouri…

One by one, hands go up.

All hands go up.

It's unanimous. Actually and factually. No one disagrees. I narrow my eyes at the idiots. Then my eyes fall on Jiraiya.

"And you? Will you stand up for her?" I intone, glaring at him.

"I advise this council, I cannot vote," he says, his eyes twinkling with mischief. Uh huh…

In other words, he's happy she's stepping down and would gladly get on my bad side.

"Namiki Aya," daddy announces, his tone solemn. "The council has voted. What say you? Will you accept your rightful role as Sixth Hokage?"

"I leave that up to Tetsuhiko-dono. If he agrees, I will accept," I say with a lopsided grin. I know the answer. I know they would have planned for this. But this is what I would have said – if Kannon hadn't warned me well in advance this would happen.

"Funny you should mention that," daddy says, his eyes twinkling even brighter. "What say you, milord? Is Aya to be your new Hokage?"

"He's on speakerphone… isn't he…" I intone. I hear Tetsuhiko-dono's laughter booming from near daddy.

"Quite right, Aya-chan. And yes, I believe Aya is just the woman for the job," Tetsuhiko-dono announces.

… "I walked right into that… didn't I…"

8-8

'Effective immediately', means 'starting right now', apparently. Because after that meeting, I get called into another with Mitokado, Utatane and Shimura. They start badgering me about this and that, but:

"I'm in no mood for any of you," I tell them in no uncertain terms. "You knew before voting me in that I would not bend to you, so don't come here hoping for a mystical change."

"Hokage-sama, I assure you we are merely here to inquire what Konoha's official response will be to the three invading countries," Mitokado soothes.

"An answer I cannot give you," I remind him. "You know what my stance is. If it were up to me, I'd be in their capital today leaving nothing but corpses in my wake. But this is Tetsuhiko's call to make. So I will contact him, and hear what he has to say on the matter."

The three of them smile. Actually smile. They know I'm serious. And they know I'd be in doing just that, personally. Without wasting so much as a single Ryou from Konoha.

"Very well," Mitokado says, suddenly very agreeable. "Per-"

"In fact. I think I'll call him, see what his stance is on the matter. He should just be finishing up with his tea," I murmur, getting up and walking around my new desk and dialling Tetsuhiko-dono's number from memory.

I get a kindly sounding woman on the phone, so I ask if he's available. It's not five minutes later I hear him.

"Ah, Aya-chan. Already getting settled in, are we?" he teases, a smile in his tone.

"Trying to get the biggest problems out of the way quickly," I assure him. "Our official response to the invading countries and hidden villages? What do you think we should do?"

"Hmm?" he noises, thinking about that. "What's the death toll?"

"At present, zero," I answer without thinking about it. I know, I've been working my ass off to make sure not so much as one person dies.

"Truly?" he sounds surprised. Pleasantly surprised.

"Of course, milord. If there were any casualties, the automatic response is sending a team to return the favour, is it not?" I tease. He laughs, knowing I'm serious and that he'd have new territories to call his own as a result.

"Yes, yes. You're quite right. Well, I must say this is a wonderful start to your reign," he's still thinking about it, in other words.

"You don't need to answer me now, milord. If you wish to speak to your advisors, or simply contact the daimyos of those countries to see if you can come to a peaceable solution, I am willing to wait," I assure him. "After all, with no casualties, there will be no pressure from the council. Though I would ask you happen to mention me being the new Hokage? It might expedite a more… welcoming response."

He laughs. Good, long, and hard. He's probably thinking how much he's going to love these little chats.

"That sounds like the wiser course of action. I will contact them this week, and I will let you know by Monday morning," he says, seeming most agreeable about it.

"Alright. How is lady Shijimi, by the way?"

"She is well. In fact, she's is quite busy training the newest generation of Toras to terrorise your fresh genins," he teases. I find myself laughing this time. I knew that was a setup. There's no other way EVERYONE knows about that hellcat. "Oh, that reminds me. I'll be coming to Konoha sometime next week. After all, it wouldn't do to not visit my new Hokage, would it?"

"Do tell me lady Shijimi is coming as well? I miss hearing her stories over tea," I say, meaning it. She tells good stories, and she enjoys a good meal as much as I do!

8-8

Yeah. Wonderful. Great. Fantastic.

I deal with the elders and Shimura, and what do I get?

Another meeting. With Dragon, daddy, and Jiraiya. At least these are all people I deal with all the time anyway.

Daddy starts asking me about our official response, but I tell him I already called Tetsuhiko-dono about it, he'll have an answer by Monday. I also tell them about the visit next week, and that I'm going to want Dragon to have this village locked down tight to ensure there are no scenes during his visit. Luckily she fully agrees with me on that, but…

"Most of my teams are out on patrol while we're busy with repairs," she informs me. I nod, figuring keeping potential threats away from Konoha while she's licking her wounds would be far more important. "Should I recall them?"

"No," I shake my head, no. "Patrolling the surrounding area is far more important now that our defences are weakened. I'll arrange a few teams from my clan to patrol the village for us. And I'll talk to the other clans to lend a hand in this as well."

"Hmm… that makes sense," daddy agrees with me. "And it would show that having you as Hokage truly is a boon for Konoha."

"Not going there," I intone, rolling my eyes. "However, I do have a suggestion you may wish to look into, Dragon."

She narrows her eyes slightly, wondering just what I'm getting at.

"I want you to start working with Itayouri-san from the police station. Yes, her forces are not military, but in times like these, we need to use every resource available. As such, I'd like you to discuss how the regular police forces can aid us in securing Konoha and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Especially with a high-profile guest coming soon."

"Alright. I'll see to it," she assures me, sounding impressed with the suggestion. "As well, my compliments on suggesting we use the foreign Anbu trainees during the invasion. They weren't too happy about only helping with evacuating the injured, but it saved lives."

"That was the plan," I say, grateful she accepted the suggestion at the time. After all, I was little more than an advisor. "As well, I would like you to start recruiting shinobi for a specialised battalion. We need a team that is always in Konoha, one that can aid in emergency situations. Of the highest calibre, obviously. Preferably ex-Anbu. And I'll be inquiring about specialised weapons for them."

"… You mean to start a Seven Swordsmen of Konoha?" she asks, curious.

"Yes, but one that is always here. A team that can help train Anbu Ops, keep them at the highest level. And a team that answers only to the Anbu Commander and the Hokage. They would each be given a specific role, a facet of Konoha's security they must guard jealously," I explain. It's still not a fully baked plan, but it's one that would benefit Konoha greatly. "As well, it would make things easier for everyone. I mean, if we have a specialised team that can coordinate all our troops during emergencies like an invasion? Can you imagine how much that boosts our defences?"

"Hmm?" she thinks about that, but doesn't sound too sure about it yet.

"Think about it, Dragon. One in charge of the medics? Organizing a team to evac our wounded? One in charge of the evacuation of the civilians? Organizing a team for that? One in charge of the offense, so that those that would attack us are also being dealt with? And perhaps have the jounin commander there to oversee them? To coordinate everyone? We could keep our people moving, even if there is no warning," I explain.

"That makes sense. And if you include a comms seal to the captain of those teams?" she thinks about it some more, nodding approvingly. "Yes, that sounds like an excellent idea. But… that would weaken our normal forces?"

"Not really. If these are teams that only need to act in extenuating circumstances? Why not recruit shinobi that don't want to be out on missions anymore? Offer new positions to those we can trust, those who have proven their loyalty to Konoha. It would offer them an income, honour, and a position worthy of respect within our village. And that's ignoring the fact that we have people itching to climb the ladder, but aren't able to because there aren't enough high-ranking positions available. It could offer an easy out for people like Kashi-nii, who have the experience, but love the village too much to step down, which then opens their currently filled position for someone else to climb up into."

The three of them stare.

"What?" I ask, uncomfortable with the weird reaction.

"You've been hanging out with samurais too much," Jiraiya teases, laughing. I roll my eyes, suddenly all too aware of Keito, who's a step behind me, just in case. "I mean, 'honour'? Not too many shinobi focus on that."

"Maybe, but if we were to show our people that there is honour in serving our village, while also allowing them a means to provide for their family?" I point out, not backing down. "If they feel they can do both? Truly find their place among us? Wouldn't that decrease the rate of people going rogue?"

I don't even have to look. I know Keito is smiling, just as surely as I know he approves of my views and approach.

"As well, I want to start a new branch in Konoha's military. A branch geared specifically towards guarding our village," I say, getting three curious looks. "One where the sole goal, sole purpose, is patrolling our village. So if you apply to this branch, you know you're staying in Konoha. Not to be sent out on missions."

"Hmm? Like a cosy desk job?" Dragon teases.

"If we have a battalion training for the sole purpose of patrolling the village, and there's an invasion? They're already here. They're always here. That way, you don't have to focus so much on balancing Anbu teams to be here, while still sending out teams on missions. Yes, you can do so anyway, and yes, there will still be the leeway to allow downtime, but this way? We always have a military presence within the village to ward off idiots who think invasions are a smart idea," I say. "I mean, they'd also have to be trained to weed out potential spies. And they'd have to get to know the regular forces so well that they can instantly tell when something is up. But in time? We would be able to have one of the most secure villages in the Elemental Nations."

"Isn't that what the police forces do?" Dragon intones.

"Please. Police?" I try my best not to sound disgusted. "The only way they'd be able to compare, is if they hired nothing but shinobi. And they don't. That hasn't been the case since the Uchiha ran the police. And they don't have the numbers to do so anymore."

"And that's completely ignoring the idiocy of how they police our citizens. I mean, if someone is caught stealing? They get a fine and a note in their public record. Nothing more. Nine times out of ten, people who steal are doing so because they cannot survive otherwise. So they are making a bad situation worse. Which just leads to sneakier thieves. Which they would then coin off onto Anbu because they aren't getting caught anymore," I say, getting three stunned gazes. "Don't tell me this was never brought to your attention?"

"What do you suggest?" Dragon asks instead.

"I'm going to be overhauling the police force entirely. Their job is to help and guide our citizens, not make those scraping the bottom of the barrel's lives harder. Not to mention I'll be dealing with the biggest source of future problems… the bullshit way Konoha's been treating orphans," I explain. Daddy and Jiraiya smile, but I'm sure Dragon is smiling as well.

"I guess that means the Tower's paper pushers are going under the microscope as well?" Dragon asks, a teasing smile obvious in her tone. I grin.

8-8

After that, another meeting – Itayouri of the Konoha Police Force. I tell her the changes I want to see, give her one month to come up with suggestions on how she's going to make it happen. Then another – Ono Masao of Konoha General Hospital. We go over the medic training itinerary, the changes we'd both like to see, and how we're going to make it happen. Then another – Umino Iruka. We go over the itinerary of the Academy, and the changes I want to make to it. Then another – Shimura. We go over the 'we didn't do it' missions I want him to do. He seems quite pleased that I want Grass monitored so closely that I'll know every time their daimyo sneezes. And he's doubly pleased that I demand he has a team at all three gates to monitor traffic coming and going in Konoha.

And now? Another meeting. Kakashi, Sasuke, Asami, and Naruto.

I seem to be having nothing but meetings.

We go over a few details. Like me wanting Kakashi to oversee this new branch I told daddy, Dragon, and Jiraiya about. And talking about the twins' training. And talking about the having three teams of each of our clan's samurai to patrol the village to make sure everything is alright. And… perhaps the most important thing – to me.

"Naru-nii, Sasa-nee. I need the two of you to start working on your reputation. I'm not going to tolerate being the reigning Hokage forever. So I need one of you to take over," I tell them plainly. They share a surprised look, then burst out laughing.

"Jeez, imouto-chan. You're never going to change," Naru-nii teases. I just roll my eyes. "We're already working on it. But I'm glad you're considering us."

I humph. "If you two had been given more time, I wouldn't have to be Hokage at all," I remind him. He just grins, shaking his head in amusement. "Anyway, I'm basically going to be giving the two of you all the missions I can to make sure both your reputation in Konoha and internationally is as good as possible. Obviously, I want Naru-nii in Konoha as much as possible to keep him close to Boruto and Hina-nee. So I'm going to have you as one of my guards for any and all meetings with high-profile guests. Including Tetsuhiko-dono, who will be coming next week."

"So I get all the traveling gigs?" Sasa-nee teases.

"If you're willing, yes. I don't want you to feel there's favouritism going on here, but as far as I know you aren't pregnant or have a young child to mind. It would also do wonders for the public relations of the Uchiha clan, and show that Konoha relies on you as much as we have in the past," I explain, teases a proud little smile from her and her husband. "And logically, if Mei or Kisame comes to Konoha, I'm going to have Ichi-nii as their… what's the word… liaison?"

"I'm sure they'll approve," Sasuke says, smiling his little smile again. Then his eyes harden, his smile fades. "What about your own guard?"

"Hoshie, Keito, Tsu and Sumi after their pregnancy leave," I recite, knowing exactly who I trust watching my back. "And mama and Tomi-nee are going to be my advisors. So auntie can keep her usual guards and advisors. Frankly, if auntie thinks she's sticking me with this gig solo…"

Naruto bursts out laughing. What's so funny? I'm being serious.

8-8

"I don't want to hear it, Tokara. You are on mandatory leave," I grind out, glaring at the idiot. He actually dared to burst into my office, talking shit about how Dragon is being unreasonable. "Furthermore, I'm giving you two weeks to marry that woman. Or I take matters into my own hands."

He stands there, eyes wide, jaw hanging low. It barely lasts a second before he catches himself, but it isn't something I would miss. "Doc, come on, be reasonable! Konoha needs manpower, especially now!"

"Your fiancée needs you more," I argue, not broking any stupid shit from him. "This isn't a discussion. You are on leave. And you had better not let me hear about you trying anything either. You know Hana would never hide that from me."

He balls his fists, his eyes hardening considerably… he's getting emotional?

"Is there some reason you're acting this way?" I ask, trying to be somewhat more sympathetic to his situation.

"No, Ho-"

"Don't lie to me," I cut him off. "You are upset about something, and I would rather you talk freely about it." His eyes soften again, then all emotion drains from his face. He's hiding something. "You have need of money?"

"Nothing you need to worry with, Hokage-sama," he answers evenly.

"Then we have a problem, Tokara. You are acting like a petulant little shit when I am trying to give the love of your life all she begged me while you were in Ryuuhou," I explain. He flinches – obviously I hit a nerve. "Now, you have two choices. You can either let me dictate how this plays out, which is well within my power. Or you can level with me, tell me what the problem is, and we can come to a peaceable solution that benefits all parties… It's your call."

He stands there, at attention, mulling over the situation. He knows I'd take Hana's side in a heartbeat. And he knows I'm willing to work with him if it's in her benefit.

A minute goes by, not a word from him.

…

Another minute. Still nothing.

He sighs, his shoulders slumping ever so slightly. "I…" he begins, tensing up. "How do you do it?" He can't seem to make sense of whatever it is going on in his head. "How do you stand tall, when the woman you love is…?"

"You think she looks down on you?" I ask, trying –and failing– to make sense of him.

"No, Aya. I… It's…" he stumbles over his words, trying to find the right way to explain it.

"Is this about wanting to support her?" I guess. He looks away from me, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Alright, that I can work with." His head snaps towards me, shock plainly obvious in his eyes.

"It just so happens I asked Dragon to select a team meant to be permanently stationed in Konoha. Primarily for patrol, but also for spy-hunting and other situations like that," I explain. He thinks about it for a brief moment, before a little smile peeks out. "Talk to her about it, see if the two of you can come to an agreement. After all, you would still be working. And you would be in Konoha, and therefore close to her."

He nods, his face softening, his joy just barely not dancing in his eyes. "Do me a favour. Next time you're in a stupid situation, try telling me what the actual problem is. I might be able to solve it, instead of taking constant stabs in the dark."

8-8

More meetings. More meetings. And just to shake things up…? You guessed it: meetings. I haven't even been able to take so much as a glance at the paperwork Yuya keeps bringing in.

"Aya-dono," Yuya comes in, after the fourth team in a row leaves from their verbal report – mission complete, no one died. "Your two o'clock appointment is here. He says he won't wait a minute longer."

I sniff, already suspecting who it is. "Alright, show them in," I say, smiling for the first time all day. A minute later, little feet start trampling into my office, and a bright smiling face and smiling violet eyes greet me.

"Mama!" Okichi runs around my desk, she I push back my chair to let her jump up into my embrace. Before I can even hug her properly, she's already telling me about how much she missed me, and how her day's been going, and how her grandma all but demanded we she and her papa come to kidnap me before I drive myself up a wall.

It's music to my ears.

"Hey, love," Chou comes in, the biggest smile on his face. I stand up, carefully holding Okichi to make sure she doesn't fall or hurt herself in any way, and tippy-toe as I tug my hunk down for a proper kiss.

Well, a few proper kisses.

"I'm here to kidnap you for a few hours," he murmurs. I nod, kissing him again… and moan a little when he grabs my bum. I kiss him again, just for that.

"Let's go," I say, without even giving it a second thought. I don't want to know why – I don't care. I'm his, and we already agreed to this.

"Shadow clones?" he reminds me. In a second! I'm enjoying this…

8-8

End Chapter 67

8-8

A/N: Like I said... The next chapter was already done. Enjoy ^_^