KONOHA

In the days following the attack, Konoha's population dwindled further. Some fled the village out of fear, and some simply had nowhere else to go. Still, others with ill intent looked to take advantage of the chaos and slip in during the night.

Not many succeeded.

The situation in the village was not ideal, and with a significant number of council seats suddenly vacant, the upper echelons were at a loss as to how to deal with the crisis.

The Hokage had been confined to a bed for the better part of the week at Princess Tsunade's vehement behest, his wounds deemed too extensive for any sort of physical activity. The only reason the Sandaime was able to retain the position at all, was that the council was still reeling from the attack and the Fire Daimyo's court was unsure as to how to proceed with the matter as delicate as it was.

As such, the First Hokage and his spouse were tasked with handling the aftermath, tirelessly rebuilding the village. The pair had spent the last few days working together, their efforts focused on repairing infrastructure and expediting the reconstruction process with their unique Jutsus.

Against her will, Tsunade had been given the unenviable task of acting as interim head of the Council during this time of great peril. She had been assigned the task as both Jiraiya and Tobirama were busy upholding border integrity in the face of an increasing number of hostile incursions from bordering states and, as a result, did not have the time to waste on meetings.

In the midst of all this, Asuma found himself saddled with temporary leave from his duties that he did not desire. With the deaths of Kurenai, his unborn child, nephew, brother, sister-in-law and many other family members, he grew increasingly vengeful, burning with hate... but lost and confused as a sense of helplessness overwhelmed him.

And so, the Jonin sat there in a quiet corner, a cigarette dangling from his lips as he contemplated what his life had become.

"Mind if I join you?" a voice called out, distracting him.

Asuma looked up, a bit of smoke escaping his nostrils as he exhaled. A tall figure was standing a few feet away, his hands crossed over his chest. The man had a high ponytail with the ends styled into what resembles horns, and a small goatee and faint lines framed the border of his mouth.

"...Suzaku?" Asuma mused contemplatively before replying with a shrug. "Not at all. Come, sit."

The newcomer flashed him a grateful smile as he took a seat.

"It's been a while," Suzaku commented, pulling a cigarette from his vest pocket.

Asuma nodded his head. "It has ... Why are you here, Nara-san?"

Suzaku said nothing as he retrieved a small scroll from his pocket and tossed it.

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"What is this?" Asuma asked, catching the scroll before unfurling it to read its contents.

"Someone managed to track the assets used to fund Kirigakure's intervention in the attack," the Nara whispered as he took a deep drag from his cigarette. "It led back to some Jinrui Tanaka fellow; a shinobi-turned-shipping-magnate who had managed to turn an abandoned Gatō Company into an international trade conglomerate within a few months."

"...But why?" Asuma asked as he skimmed through the brief.

"We are unsure, but we intend to find out."

"We?"

"A few of comrades had grown tired of the manner with which the Council have been handling this insult to our way of life; more than a few had grown tired of fearing for the lives of their loved ones...

"...While some are just in it for revenge."

At that, Asuma looked up from the scroll, something glinting in his eyes.

"I want in," he said.

Suzaku smiled in response. "I knew I could rely on you; Welcome to the Brotherhood, Asuma-sama."

***

In the depths of Waterfall's deepest bowels, a lone figure stood atop the edge of a precipice overlooking the chasm that had been formed ages ago. The cavern was wide, and the ceiling was high. It had a large hole in the top, through which the light from the moon poured, illuminating the entirety of the place.

The cavern was massive.

It was also cold.

It was quiet.

Too quiet.

"Do you regret it?" a voice asked out, the first disturbance in the otherwise silent cavern.

"No," came the reply.

Kabuto melted out of the shadows to join Sasuke at the edge of the steep drop. "Good. For a moment there, I thought you were losing your spine, Uchiha-san. That would have been rather disappointing."

The Uchiha cast a side eye at the shinobi before looking back at the bottom of the cliff. "Why are you here?" he asked.

"I have always liked to stick to the background," Kabuto replied. "I once imagined you to be the same as me; an introvert who despised the spotlight. Regardless of what all evidence contrary to the opposite might suggest, you always seemed to dislike being the centre of attention. Now, I am not so sure ... It intrigues me."

Sasuke allowed one of his brows to rise in inquiry.

"You've inspired me, Uchiha-san," Kabuto continued. "I had learnt much about the world under Lord Orochimaru and once believed you would do the same. But now, it seems I was wrong all along... You have shown me that living life serving others has prevented me from making an identity for myself. So, I am here to thank you..."

The older Shinobi gave a deep bow. "Thank you, Uchiha-san. I now know what it is I must do to find my true purpose in life."

Sasuke watched as Kabuto rose and straightened his vest before flickering away.

"Uhn," the Uchiha mused.

"I wonder what that was about."