Becoming Hokage Main story

Itachi waited patiently as more and more people arrived at the gates of his former village. The 5th, Tsunade, was obviously a desperate bitch. Opening a club and letting this many foreign ninjas wander around in the hidden village proved it. Naturally, she was only allowing in young people and one or two “teachers” to baby-sit them. As if that would stop a determined group. His contempt for the Leaf Clan grew.

A momentary thrill rushed though him as he recognized a leather clad form. So, Orochimaru had finally lost patience and sent his pet Blood to take care of things. This might just get interesting. How would the wimps in Leaf deal with such a killer? Were certain ninjas the target or all the fighters? He had no doubt this apparently harmless individcoulcould kill even the great Kakashi; not that the man had been much of a challenge last time. Perhaps his whining brat of a brother finally reached the end of Orochimaru’s ability to wait. It might be fun to watch Sasuke struggle and weep as his very soul was consumed and replaced.

He looked around. The Blood would not be allowed out without a keeper. Even he had one; his “Master,” and he used the word mockingly, sent someone to watch over him. Itachi found it amusing and so never killed his shadow. And his true partners would frown on breaking his cover for something so trivial. What would the snake think when all realities were revealed? How would he react if the Blood failed?

Ah. There.

A single man trying very hard to look like a merchant, and failing more miserably than Sasuke at beating him. Why did Orochimaru allow such fools to enter Sound?

Fortunately, those guarding the gate were less perceptive than Gai; the man got in easily. The pair would meet up later and discuss how to carry out their mission. However, based on how the Drain was dressed, the attack had to planned for the new dance club. Perfect place for someone with that particular Blood Gift.

Perhaps he could put off his little visit for a day or two? Just to see how events progressed. He knew his presence might disrupt everything, but it was such fun to watch people react as those near them dropped dead for no apparent reason. Itachi laughed softly, imagining the looks of panic and almost hearing the screams of despair.

The Drain Blood Gift was so named because a single touch, skin to skin, created a chakra bond between the Blood and the victim. Through that bond, all chakra could be drained from the target’s body, causing instant, unavoidable death. This Drain could kill over a dozen people at once, or so Orochimaru said. Personally, the cold Uchiha had witnessed but one fight and then more than fifty simply dropped dead while a terrible smile lit a dark visage. He’d almost gotten sexually excited. Especially upon hearing what else this brat could do.

All people formed connections to things; items they valued as highly as their own lives. What most did not know was that those connections were real. A tangible, traceable bit of chakra linked people to what they loved the most. It was why many were able to find lost items instinctively. This particular Drain had learned how to tap such a bond and use it to kill. Bring Orochimaru something personal, anything, and he could assure you of the target’s death. The number killed in this manner proved to be enormous.

However, he knew nothing lasted forever. Sooner or later, Orochimaru would lose his hold on his brat; let too much of the truth slip. What happened then should be a great deal of fun. Perhaps Itachi might get a chance to kill the little Drain. Already the creature feared him more than Orochimaru. Fitting really. Nothing the snake could do compared with the things he could do. For all his bluster and power, the head of the Sound Ninja Clan was an amateur.

Watching both targets of his interest vanish, the renegade decided to slip into the village earlier than planned. Where those two went, something was sure to happen and he despised being bored.

Getting inside was too easy. After five years with no attacks from anyone, the villagers had gone back to being complacent. Pathetic. How had they survived so long? No doubt due to the Uchiha clan’s help.

He quickly caught sight of his targets and silently followed a winding path. Ah this place brought back memories. They passed the place he had defeated Kakashi, later he saw the building where Naruto almost became his victim. Five years wasn’t a very long time, but those of the Hidden Leaf found themselves changed a great deal even if their homes remained the same.

Orochimaru kept a spy active to make sure Sasuke didn’t disappear; despite having to wait to use the Immortality Jitsu, he was not going to give up on the boy’s body. Although, the Blood could mean a change. Still, the reports were something Itachi enjoyed. Knowing how much chaos he helped cause made him smile.

Kakashi became more and more withdrawn; though the spy following him noticed thpy Npy Ninja spent every free moment watching over Iruka, the gentle teacher Orochimaru wanted broken and dead. Iruka, for his part, hardly left his house except to teach at the school. Not that Itachi could blame him. He knew the Sand and Water technique. Combining in the blood, the chemicals created such pain most died from shock before the torture ended after three hours. The kind dolphin had managed to maintain part of his personality through it all. Or so his spy said. Impressive for one so weak and it made him often consider visiting Iruka to discover just where his limits were and what Kakashi saw in the attractive man. Orochimaru, on the other hand, was far less interested.

For months after the attack which left the Third dead, Iruka went on missions; only when Sound Ninjas began deliberately stalking him did Tsunade recall the pretty man and allow him to teach again. Better to have a good teacher than a dead ninja.

Gai and his student Lee practiced everyday and the bushy-eye-browed youth advanced impressively. His speed was unbelievable if the spy was reliable. Strangely, Gaara of the Desert and his family no longer returned to the Sand Clan home. Temari spent time chasing after a young ninja named Shikimaru while her brothers watched over Lee and Kiba. Only Shikimaru in the Leaf knew of the odd guardians they had acquired and he remained silent for fear of what the three would do if challenged. Orochimaru knew, though, and so Itachi knew, as did those he worked with. Of course, no one was foolish enough to interrupt the family’s vigil.

Sakura and Ino were paired up with Hinata and Tsunade herself taught them medical skills. They would provide the majority of the healing ability of the clan should it be attacked again. So far as he knew, the girls were going to be incredible; especially Hinata who appeared to be a true savant.

No further ninja exams had been held by the Leaf as just about every powerful fighter was busy making sure everyone understood the clan was still a power to be reckoned with and not to be taken lightly. A few students continued training by accompanying their former teachers on missions. Neji and Chouji among them. Those young men were becoming quite powerful. And interesting. Enough so that Orochimaru had plans to mark them as well as Shikimaru.

Sasuke had been brought back by Naruto but neither alloallowed to leave the village again. They received limited training by Jiraiya and Kakashi at times. Unfortunately, Tsunade deemed them to dangerous to be allowed to reach their actual potential. In fact, both carried further curses to prevent them from ever accessing full chakra. It was cruel yet the Hokage felt it was the only way to keep them from being used against the Leaf. All the others of their class had attained higher ninja statuses while they remained Genin. He came to a sudden halt.

His prey were split up but the Blood was stopping to admire a bush covered with red and purple flowers. Most wouldn’t find it all that remarkable; there were thousands of such bushes around the world, however, color wasn’t something this particular ninja was used to. Orochimaru made sure his most powerful ace in the hole was kept far from any temptation to flee. Not that such precautions were needed. A tie that could not be broken was what really bound the Drain.

“Hello,” Itachi smiled as he appeared beside the awestruck ninja.

“I-I-Itachi,” the Drain stuttered, absolute terror lighting up startlingly blue eyes, pale skin becoming even paler.

“It’s been a long time, Aoi. Want to play?”