His heart beating fast and his breathing tempo accelerated as little Hayato prepared to open the door of his room.There was another name on the tag outside the room "TANAKA JIN:STATUS-RECOVERY".What would that person be like,what did he suffer from,would he be the same age as him,would he be friendly?Questions passed through Hayato's mind,spiking his anxiety.
Of course , he knocked before entering the room,he had manners!But before he could even raise his hand to knock,the door automatically opened,a nurse standing before him.
"Oh hello there!You're Hayato,right?"the nurse spoke with a merry voice "Come,this is gonna be your room for the next 2 days" she patted his head with her bionic arm,the cold feeling of metal touching him made him shiver.He entered the room,witnessing a youngster around 16 years old on a bed besides his,with many kinds of monitoring equipment on him.He had black bandages wrapped around his head.
The youngster didn't speak,he simply raised his arm to greet him.Hayato didn't even react to this gesture,passing besides him.
"This is the Hokage's kid?This the patient that is going to be operated?"the young man on the bed thought.
"Heh,who am I kidding!"he thought when he laid eyes upon Hayato'a dead gaze. "The look on his eyes testifies that his mind is under torment.Just like mine…"
"If you need anything just…No,we will be right by your side when you need anything!"the nurse assured him and turned towards the man on the bed.
"Mr Tanaka,you don't need anything else,right?"the man simply shook his head negatively.
"Good" and just when the nurse was about to leave the room,Sakura barged in,almost bumping heads with the nurse.
"Oh goodness,excuse me!"Sakura abruptly halted ,so did the nurse.
"Professor!Do you remember me?"the nurse's eyes widened upon seeing Sakura.
"Kawajiri Motoko?Does this name say anything to you?I graduated 3 years ago,do you remember?"
"Well…It doesn't ring any bell…"
"I failed your subject 3 semesters consecutively!"
"Ohhh…!Yeah…I kinda remember your face."Sakura did her best to hide her resentment with a profoundly fake smile.
"Oh goodness!Out of all my students why is she in charge of my grandson!"
She let the nurse pass besides her and entered the room,greeted the man on the bed with a single nod and put Hayato's backpack near his bed .
"Honey,if you need anything,as minuscule it might be,don't hesitate to call me or your mother ,okay?"she placed her arms on his shoulders and stared directly in his eyes.Even though Hayato's emotions were rarely noticed by the average person,Sakura could easily distinguish terror in Hayato's eyes.
"Mom's also going to come by the afternoon.Also-"she then noted that the youngster on the bed had an expression of discomfort on his face,he'd obviously prefer absolute silence in the room in his condition.
"I'm sorry,sir…I know you'd wish for some peace right now so…I'll be going!"she gave him an awkward smile.
"It's okay"he answered with a tired voice."Boy's probably nervous as hell,hospitals are a terrible place,let alone psychic wards!"Sakura then hastily strolled towards the door ,yet the young man's voice sounded behind her.
"Hey Doc!"
"Yes?"she turned around
"I do remember your face in Kumogakure's tundra,after the raid against the cartel.The medic corps saved some my buddy's,I appreciate that!"
The man's words caught Sakura completely off guard.
"Oh I…I appreciate your service as well,sir!"she gave him a small bow and left the room.
The youngster,Jin as was his name,slowly turned his head towards Hayato as it was difficult doing so.
"You aspire to be a shinobi,little bro?"
"Well,yeah…I…I do.But,I can't become one with this condition in my head."he spoke reluctantly,avoiding eye contact.
"That's why they're doing the surgery to you?"
"Well,maybe…I guess so."
"DONT do it!"
Hayato then raised his gaze,his blank gaze pierced Jin,as he had seen numerous shinobi on the battlefield bearing this look.The look of pure apathy,detachment.
"The surgery?"
"No,becoming a shinobi."
Jin paused for a second,letting of a sight of discomfort.
"It's not worth sacrificing your childhood to roam in random third world,conflicted countries for 'peaceful intervention'.Getting yourself involved in wars between factions that you don't know they even exist.Seeing your fellow shinobi dying in a pool of blood screeching the name of their mama."Hayato noticed the difficulty that Jin faced saying those words.
"But…Being a shinobi helps you build your strength through training!Mental and physical!"Hayato retorted with an answer that someone could say was pretty innocent.
"Pfff,don't make me laugh,kiddo!I mean,I know that you can't do any ninjutsu nor genjutsu,yet your agility,speed and taijutsu are phenomenal for your age.Yet even those attributes are not enough in this era.Someone that trains half the time as you can achieve these feats by simply implanting shinobi-ware on them,hell,they may even sarpass you!Unfortunately,getting yourself chipped is the only way to survive."
"But I don't want shinobi-ware in me!I'll prove that I can become a great shinobi,like my ancestors,without any of these stuff!"Hayato's tone intensified,since he despised the fact that cyberware could give anyone an advantage without training.
"Heh,look,there are tons of people,with a shitload of money that are investing and researching on the sector of military implants.And guess what,even with your exceptional physical attributes your are no match for them.Moreover,being the son of the Hokage makes you a precious target,I bet your head worths a lot in other countries' Bingo Book!"Hayato shivered when he heard the word "Bingo Book",he almost detached from reality.This statement felt like a punch in the stomach,as his innocent mind never thought of the possibility of him being featured in an enemy Bingo Book.
Jin noticed how Hayato's eyes widened in terror.Maybe he should have gone a lot easier in giving out these facts.
"Look lil bro,I am sorry"his tone softened "But these are facts that you should accept"
"Just…Give up on that shinobi thing!You lose much more on this job than you earn."
After listening to Jin's preaching,Hayato couldn't say or do anything but lie down on his bed and relax,taking deep breaths.
"The stuff I witnessed and felt…Damn!They were carved deep into my mind."Jin's gaze was nailed at the bland wall in front of him.
"I may had left combat,switched on a calmer life and reunited with family,but my mind never left the battlefield.My mind always tried to bring me back this shitty lifestyle ,given any stimulus that could resemble anything from my previous life.I mean,I…I couldn't even hold a knife to cut my goddamned food…All I saw in my hand was a kunai…"his eyes remained still,his voice toned down to the point were his words sounded like mumbling.
"That's why I took the surgery.Prolonged psychological pain had altered my brain,damaged it,and the only ones that fix me were the Yamanaka clan."
"That's what I'm telling you kiddo.It's not worth it!"Instantly then,someone appeared in front of Hayato.A figure,an illusion,that had the form of a grown-up version of him,bearing all different kinds of shinobi equipment,yet he was covered by blood.The illusion grabbed Hayato from his collar and waved him back and forth.
"It's not worth it."the illusion said and it instantly disappeared.Hayato flinched,as the illusion caught him off guard,halting his breathing for a moment.
"Are you ok fam?"Jin couldn't oversee Hayato's alarming behavior.
"Y-Yeah…"he open and closed his eyes and took a deep breath,relaxing his heartbeat.A minute of silence passed and Hayato decided to ask a peculiar question,a question no one would expect from him.
"Do you have any kind of shinobi-ware,mister?"he asked hesitantly.
Jin smirked and chuckled behind the bandages .He pulled his arm out of the bed's futon and held it high,notable were the surface wirings on his hand and forearm,indicating the existence of shinobi-ware underneath.Instantly then ,the skin of his hand mechanically folded back,unveiling a series of artificial muscles and 5 short yet sharp claws sprung from his fingers.
Chakra then was moulded and concentrated at the edge of the blades,fire chakra to be precise,giving a red glow at the blades.
"So?Fancy type of equipment,isn't it?"
Hayato stared with his eyes widened in amusement,as the red glow was illuminated in his eyes.Even though he despised shinobi-ware, he couldn't help but admire the combination of science and ninjutsu.
"Interesting how much humanity invests into killing itself,doesn't it?"
Hayato slightly nodded,as Jin's arm folded back into it's original form.The boy then pulled something from his pocket,a playing card for a popular children's game,with a golden frame around it.
The card depicted a silhouette,standing triumphantly over a pile of dead bodies.A fiery kunai illuminated the silhouette's face,noticeable were the two horns on his head,the two lavender pupils, the cybernetic tengu mask that covered his face and it's hairstyle that resembled that of Hayato's
"The Masked Man, the pinnacle of Kara's technology that was forged with cyberware and Otsutsuki DNA,turned against his creators for mysterious reasons.Use this card to nullify opponent's attack potential for a single turn." That was the text inscribed underneath the image.
"Do you think that…I dunno…can something that is considered evil by everyone be used to do good?"Hayato asked Jin,his eyes still scanning the card.
"Maybe…"he reluctantly replied.Silence fell for a second.
"Do you like this card,kiddo?Anything in particular?"
"Well…This 'Masked Man' turned against his creators at his will.This card makes me wonder,can machines have free will?"Jin was surprised that such a young kid could ask such a question.He himself wasn't able to answer.How could he anyway?
"The Masked Man."he said and sighted,he felt a strong discomfort in his gut."Heard stories about this guy,yet his motives are still surrounded by mystery.Even the idea of his existence brings shivers down my spine,to even think that such a technological marvel could happen.Mixing up the DNA of the gods with technology…Damn!"he said to himself.
Hayato then put the card in his backpack,he pulled the futon and covered himself fully.He thought it was time for a quick nap,his mother probably wouldn't want to see him with dark circles underneath his eyes,as he had probably slept less than two hours the night before.
Jin stared at Hayato's bed,since he found it strange that he abruptly ended the conversation and went to sleep without any word.Yet,he decided to follow his example,as Jin felt exhausted from the surgery.Even this small chit-chat with the kid was tiring ,let alone the activation of his scientific ninja tool.
"Poor kid.Can't even imagine how he will feel when he learns about the public's opinion about him.How his father bit the hand that fed him ,him having that alien monster inside him and all the havoc it caused.Damn!What if this monster influenced genetically his children?! If I was this bastard I would have never let myself have kids,I'm pretty sure he knew that his offspring wouldn't have the privilege to live as normal human beings."and with these thoughts he closed his eyes that were fixated on Hayato'a bed.
_______________________
Hayato woke up early in the afternoon sweating, as the phone bracelet that his mother gave him rung abruptly,functioning as a violent reverie.
"Grandpa?"he answered,panting swiftly from shock.
"Oh hey!Sorry If I woke you up,I'm just letting you know that your mum won't come.Hokage stuff,y'know?But,me and your sister will pay you a visit in her place.Well,Sayako didn't want to join me at first,'cause …she hates hospitals y'know and…understandably so.We'll be there in a few minutes,see ya!"Naruto's extremely eager voice sounded from his bracelet and before Hayato could even say a word,he hung up on the phone.
Hayato lowered his arm and let it fell on the mattress,letting a long sight,as the adrenaline caused from that rude awakening dropped rapidly.He turned his head towards Jin,who had seemingly already waken up.
"I assume that we are going to have visitors?"he asked calmly.
"Well uh…I hope you don't mind."
"No problem"
A few minutes passed uninterestingly, as both of them stared at the holographic TV in front of them.A boring,soap opera was playing,almost making both of them fall asleep again.And suddenly the automatic door opened and Naruto appeared at the doorstep and entered the room.Behind him stood Sayako,following him in a more hesitating manner.Her eyes rolled left and right,up and down,as she gazed at every aspect of the Neuroclinic in disgust.
"Why do I have to enter a goddamned hospital,like,couldn't I video call him from house like…I FUCKING HATE HOSPITALS!"she thought,as she purched her lips,sickened.
"Oh come on,don't give me that face"Naruto noted on Hayato's dead gaze."Everything is gonna be fine!Look!"he put his hand into a grocery bag and pulled a few cups of instant ramen. "I brought ramen,since the clinic's food probably sucks,y'know."he then pulled out something else out of the bag,something that looked like a cup of coffe,yet it had a heating mechanism on the base.
"Also bought this…pocket boiler.I dunno.It was on sale."his eyes narrowed as he held it near his eyes ."But hey,we can now eat ramen on the go!"
Apparently,Naruto never noticed Jin's existence in the room,who stared at him with his eyes widened in excitement and shock.
"Wait,Lord 7th just nonchalantly walking in the room?Is he the kiddo's grandpa?I mean…his father was 7th's adoptive son,yet how does he sees those kids as his own grandchildren after what their father did to him.But…something's wrong."Jin thought,his eyes nailed on Naruto,who had just noticed him and awkwardly tried to fix his lack of manners.
"Oh hey sir uhm…Sorry for the inconvenience we didn't mean to disturbed you.Please pardon us."his tone changed into a more formal ,slightly bowing towards Jin.
"Did Lord 7th just apologized to me?"
"Lord 7th!Wow!I could've never thought I'd speak with a living legend!It's my pleasure,sir!"
"Living legend?Pffffft!"Naruto scoffed jokingly and gestured with his hand ."Currently I'm just a regular man marching into his 60's while trying to be a good grandpa,y'know!"
Jin couldn't help by continuously switching his gaze between Naruto and the kids.Even though the public thought that he was paranoid for believeing that they were his grandchildren,the uncanny similarity between them and him said otherwise,especially the fact that Sayako shared the same eyes as him.Nevertheless,the children didn't bear Naruto's distinctive characteristic,which was his whisker marks.
"I've actually brought more than three ramen cups,would you like one Jin?"Naruto suggested with a smile.
"Oh uh…"he attempted to say flattered "Nah,thank you."
Naruto then shrugged ,grabbed his groceries bag and went to the bathroom to fill the portable boiler.
Sayako the jumped onto Hayato and hugged him,catching him off-guard.
"I hate this place."Hayato spoke near her earpiece with a cold tone.
"I fucking hate it too!"she answered in a similar way.She let go off Hayato and raised her right arm.
"Look!You may not care but I got my old arm back!And my old strength,of course!"she moved her fingers slightly,a metallic whirring resounded.
"Cool,I guess."an awkward silence followed.
"The room looks comfy at least."Sayako scanned the room once again.
"It's good."he replied monotonously.
Suddenly then,uplifting music sounded from the holo-TV,indicating the broadcast of breaking news.The reporter appeared rather calm,contrary to the news that she was about to announce.
"Good afternoon to all our viewers from all around the world.We interrupt our program to share ground-breaking news from Amegakure and the Lightning Nation."
"A huge rally occurred in rain-soaked Amegakure,as over 30 thousand people gathered in unison to protest about the Elemental Nations' intervention in small countries' local affairs.Apparently,the rally was nothing more than a usual nationalistic outbreak in Ame,as videos and photos on the Net picture citizens burning and destroying symbols belonging to the Elemental Nations,such as headbands and flags,while hate slogans were inscribed upon banners."
Hayato stared at the TV,noting the terrifying appearance and behavior of Ame's citizens.Almost all of them bore cyberwear to a significant extent,altering completely their original human appearances.Sayako took a close look to their cyberwear with her eyes narrowed in suspicion, as some of them appeared to be shinobi-ware.
"Why?Why are they doing this to themselves."Hayato thought to himself terrified.It was the first time witnessing such a negative depiction of Konoha.
"Regular citizens getting military cyberware?What the hell?Aren't there no regulations at all?"Sayako seemed complete indifferent about the point of the rally,yet she seemed suspicious about the technology that regular citizens had on them.
"They are preparing for war…"she spoke silently,yet everyone in the room paid attention to the TV.
"Up until now,only Konohagakure's Hokage broke her silence and commented on the incident."the scene shifted the Hokage office,where several journalist held microphones in front of Sarada.
"Oh hey!"Sayako exclaimed excited. "There's mom!"
"It would be great if you stated your opinion about last night's incident."a reporter said.
"I mean-" Sarada replied rather hastily and paused. "Why would I even care what happens in Amegakure,why would I even care what they say about me?We got no business there!"
"So why do you think that there was a radical anti-Konoha climate in the rally?" another one asked.
"It's no secret that we are an obstacle to their owner's plans-"
"What do you mean by that?"an other journalist rudely interrupted her,her discomfort visible in her face.
"Now tell me,which village's banks bought Ame's land years ago when it was worth nothing in order to invest?Which village's industries rushed to Ame in order to rebuild it and re-industrialised it.Which village's diplomats are seen having friendly meet-ups with Ame's Supreme Leader?It's non other than Kirigakure!."
"What are you trying to imply with that?"another reporter questioned,his words were poured with ominous intent.
"Simple!"Sarada exclaimed assured. "Ame is a dog on a leash with Kiri as it's owner.They sold their freedom years ago as an exchange to rebuild the village!Maybe the Mizukage can enlighten us about their intentions there and why they build up an hostile climate in Ame!"and then,the image shifted back to the news anchor.
"Well…harsh comments someone could say."the nes anchor sighted.
"Yay!Go mom!"Sayako cheered quietly,respecting Jin's condition.Hayato just stared at the TV,apathetic.
"And our second and last topic;Effective was Kumogakure's counteroffensive against the 'Zankoku' cartel north of the Lightning country.900 cartel members were overrun by a surprise charge at the cartel's northern sector,led by Kumo's elite armored force, the 'Thunder Division'.After a 2 hour brutal close-quartered combat,the cartel members were annihilated by the Thunder Division,as they stood no chance against their Lightning Power Armor.Survivors were held as hostages and they were executed."
"However…"the news anchor continued "Many were those that criticised this decision,as many stated that it opposed the Lightning Nation's laws regarding POWs rights.Nevertheless, the Minister of Defence,or simply Raikage,stated that no empathy will be shown towards any member of the Zankoku cartel."
Suddenly,Naruto barged into the room,holding three pots of hot ramen in his arms.He put them on the holo-TV's table and then channeled a tiny bit of chakra on the tip of his index finger.The holo-TV detected Naruto's chakra signal and switched the channel.Most of the TVs at that era could be controlled through the individual's chakra network.
"Yeah…No…We have a stressful operation tomorrow,we don't need any negative thoughts in our mind,don't we?"Naruto said in a serious tone.
"Actually it was fine…I didn't really mind it."Hayato answered reluctantly then grabbed his BBQ flavored ramen and a pair of chop sticks and dug in the pot.So did his sister who was certainly irritated that her grandfather changed the channel so abruptly.
"So Jin,you definitely don't want a cup of ramen?I still got two salt flavored pots in the bag?"Naruto asked once again yet Jin shook his head negatively.No one would have an appetite after such an important operation.
The afternoon passed calmly.Jin,even though nervous and excited,asked Naruto a ton of questions about his past and especially about the Great Ninja War,yet the siblings preferred not to listen to them for a billionth time.
"So pal…"Naruto said as the clock hit 9pm. "Y'know it's time for us to leave.Come on!Dont worry!Just think that tomorrow evening you'll be here ,in this room, a completely different person."he tried to lift his attitude.
Naruto then raised his arm towards Hayato and formed a fist.
"Fist bump?
Hayato raised his arm in a dull manner and slightly tapped his grandfather's fist.
"Well uhm…"Sayako then placed her hand on his shoulder ."Surgeries aren't as bad as they sound like…Can definitely say that.It's probably because they've performed dozens on me,like I've gotten used of them…"she shrugged awkwardly.
"Come,it's time to go."Naruto faced towards the door,and the troubled look on his face testified that he knew about Hayato's view about the whole situation.He was frustrated with everyone in his family,as he believed that they were responsible for his pitiful,at least in his view, condition.For him,being locked up in a psych ward was a testimony that he failed to face his psychological condition alone.
Naruto could not overlook his grandson feelings.His appearance definitely lighten up Hayato's gloomy day,yet Naruto hated himself for not being able to do anything else in order absolve him from his inner pain.
As he spent the early years of his life yearning for someone to call "friend" or "family",he cherished his family a lot,perhaps he valued them more than anything else in the world,even the village.Thus,Naruto could never forgive himself for every time he had failed his family and unfortunately,there were many instances where viewed himself as an insufficient father and grandfather…
__________________
The only sound that resonated in Inozen's dark room was the consecutive beeping and wiring of the machinery that was set up.Machinery that had a sole purpose,a double purpose.Monitor and control everything in the village through the shadows. That was the essence of the Yamanaka clan at that period.
Supercomputers,wires ,data scrolls and screens were few of the machines in his room.Upon first glance,Inozen's place seemed more like a laboratory rather than your average teenager's room.He was sitting in front of a monitor and his bionic right arm was split into hundreds of cables etched into what appeared to be a supercomputer while his chakra flowed through it.
On the monitor there were 2 different views,one from inside Hayato's room in the clinic and one from the doctor's office.Suddenly then,space around Inozen warped and glitched while he felt that his head was on the verge of explosion.
It was none other than the Elders causing all of this.Using the microchip in his brain to cause discomfort.Then,the space around Inozen shifted once again and he found himself in the Elders' room. They were using communication genjutsu apparently.
"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!WHAT DID YOU DO AT THE YAMANAKA NEUROCLINIC"one of them screeched.
"You dropped parts of your bionic arm into the Neuroclinic to use them as cameras?You weren't authorised to do so,weren't you?"another one exclaimed ,yet profoundly calmer than the other.
"THAT'S IT!"the middle elder spoke,who appeared to be the leader."We are disposing you right now,Yamanaka Inozen!"
As the pain in Inozen's head intensified to the maximum in order to kill him from shock,the Elders noticed that one of wires that Inozen left in the Neuroclinic started wiggling,specifically the one in Hayato's room.
"If…GAH!"Inozen gasped in agony as he was writhing in pain,falling on the floor."If you continue this madness the…wire in the room will shoot itself towards Hayato's head and blast his head like a watermelon…" he felt blood dripping from his nose.
"Then I…will release every info saved on the Electric Eye's data…Everything!"upon hearing Inozen's last sentence,the Elders halted the microchip's explosion process.
"Every piece of the Yamanaka's database will be released into the public,every classified information,everyone will know what we are doing in the village…Even the rock-bottom villagers will know that the Yamanaka clan is spying on everyone in the name of security…"as the pain eased completely,Inozen gathered his composure and picked up his glasses from the floor.
"With Uchiha Hayato dead and the info about our conversations leaked…"a smirk formed on Inozen's face "…every fucking authority on the village,let alone the Hokage herself ,would be at the Yamanaka's throat.Would that be my problem?No!Because I'd be dead,you fucking bozos!"
"YOU SELFISH PIECE OF SHIT!THE ELECTRIC EYE SHOULD HAD NEVER BEEN ENTRUSTED TO YOU!"another elder roared in fury.
"Well,too late!"Inozen shrugged sarcastically."And selfish?I mean come on!I just wanted to oversee the surgery,that wouldn't be a problem right?"Inozen coughed and blood drips were spilled from his nose.
"Except if you have something else to hide from me…"
The Elders gave no answer to his final sentence,they pretended he never spat those words.
"Fine…You can oversee the surgery."the middle elder declared in a cold tone.
"But if we notice anything suspicious from your side we will terminate you!No negotiations!"and with those words,the space around Inozen shifted once again and he found himself back in his room.That smirk though would soon disappear from his face.
As he continued monitoring the Neuroclinic from his room,he felt a sudden change in his mood.He felt drowsy,incredibly drowsy,as if someone snuck gas in his room.
"What the…"before he could even react,Inozen fell on the floor ,unconscious.The chip in his brain functioned quite differently this time,like a drug,a function Inozen never knew about.
"Heheheheh…"the middle Elder laughed as he witnessed Inozen dropping on the ground.
"This idiot …he really thought that I'd let him watch?Of course we have stuff to hide from him!A lot in fact…".
At that moment,at that moment ,a mysterious figure entered the room.This man was an ambassador of the company that was going to implant the cyberware in Hayato's body.
"Greetings,ladies and gents."the man said softly as he passed below the room's door.
"Perhaps you know why I am here.We are going to witness a miracle,the revelation of divine intervention.Perhaps we're gonna witness the revelation of truth in front of an innocent child…"the Elders replied nothing to this nonsensical exclamation.
"So today night,3 am.Ready your coworkers.We don't have time until morning." one of the elders said uneasily,in a hasty manner.
"Certainly…"the ambassador replied."I understand your impatience regarding the 'spectacle'.But first…we have to prepare the relic…"