An Orchestrated Coup [Exemplary]

[Kakashi Hatake]

By the time morning broke, Minato and Kakashi had already dressed and begun preparing for the day. They sat in silence, assembling what supplies they would need, should there be yet another assault on Mokugakure. Kakashi sat upon freshly tucked bedding, his gloved hands pressed against an unfurled scroll. His eyes were closed as if in meditation, a dim glow emanating from the glyphs stenciled upon the paper. Some moments later a handful of kunai appeared between his hands, soon deposited into a pouch of the man’s belt. Satisfied that his supply had been restocked, the scarecrow rolled the scroll back up and slipped it into a pocket on his thigh.

“Summon take a long time here,” the ANBU captain noted, breaking the silence. His mentor opened his mouth to respond, only to be cut off by the abrupt entrance of a familiar face.

“Kakashi, Lord Fourth,” the bearded shinobi said, bowing toward the direction of the latter. He appeared somewhat out of breath, his skin flushed. “Lady Tsunade needs to see you.”

“Why?” Minato answered, crossing the room to meet the man at the door. “Has something happened?”

Asuma paused, as if unsure how best to answer his senior. “Yes,” he said finally, nodding. “We need to get to the Morikage--and fast.”

Without another word, the trio fled the infirmary, dashing down the long hallway and into the morning light. They had sprinted for a few minutes before any of the three spoke up. “This isn’t the way to the Morikage’s office,” Kakashi noted, spying the telltale edifice in the distance. They were turning away from it.

“We’re not going there,” the chain-smoking ninja grunted. His eyes were locked on another building, this one all-too familiar.

“Another meeting?” Minato inquired, surmising the same thing that Kakashi had realized. “Isn’t it a little early?”

“If they’d had it their way, it it would’ve happened midnight last night.” Asuma said, catching the former Hokage’s glance. His eyes were stern, focused.

“Who?” Kakashi inquired, asking the question on both if their lips. 

“Everyone.”

---

As the trio worked their way up the same stairs Kakashi had seen just the day before, they could already hear the sounds of squabbling. The multiple floors of thick wood muffled the noise and garbled the speech, though the silver-haired shinobi knew well enough the tones of conflict. He found his hand reflexively reaching to his side and drawing a freshly-summoned kunai, palming the eyelet and holding the blade parallel with his arm. He’d have to be ready for anything. 

“This is unacceptable!”

The newcomers reached the landing, striding through the open door. The same familiar conference room greeted Minato and Kakashi, filled with a few more people than last time. The same leaders were gathered, though each seemed to have brought additional personnel with them this time around. They were locked in debate, scarcely noticing the new arrivals.

“A major attack on the village, dozens of casualties. And what do we hear from the ‘Morikage’? Silence!”

Tsunade sat at the far end of the table, the windows to her back, just as she sat in hew own office. Her chin rested in her hands, elbows propped against the table, looking up at the nigh-hysterical Makhel elder as she plead her case. The kunoichi’s face was stoic, eyes locked on the woman addressing her.

“What does our leader have to say for herself?” the heavy set woman demanded, rising from her seat to point a finger at Tsunade. Her eyes were intense, appearing almost animalist. 

Silence hung in the air for a moment before the Kage made her response. “I responded to the best of my ability. No one could have seen the attack coming.”

A smile spread across the Makhel elder’s face for a moment before she took her seat. “And your best got villagers killed,” she said, shaking her head slowly. The same mocking smile remained painted on her face, somewhat inappropriate under the circumstances. “The only reason the village didn’t fall completely into ruin was the arrival --and late, I might add-- of your two subordinates.” She jabbed a thumb toward the group at the doorway as she spoke, keeping her eyes trained on the Morikage.

Chatter broke out among those gathered, worried expressions passing between them. Kakashi saw the blonde kunoichi share a fleeting glance with Galan Windforge before she returned her gaze to the woman addressing her. “You,” she spoke, staring intently at the Makhel elder before pausing, shooting a glance at Kakashi and Minato. A second later, her eyes were back on the burly clan-head. “You know as well as I do how fast these creatures strike. Minato and Kakashi saved lives.”

Kakashi heard his mentor’s feet shuffle briefly beside him. He could tell without looking what was on the man’s mind. In a way he felt the same. Could they have done more, had they been at the peak of their abilities? The answer, he thought, went without saying. They had done their best, but it hadn’t been enough.

“Say what you want,” the Makhel leader said, tapping her fingernail rhythmically on the table before her. “You know why we’re all here. We asked for this meeting.”

“I’m aware,” Tsunade replied, her emotion unchanging. “You each expressed concern with me privately and I felt it only fair to address it. An open forum is the easiest way to do that.” She spoke plainly and evenly, as if she had encounters like this on a daily basis.

“I can’t speak for the others, but my main concern here is your leadership.” The heavy-set woman took a deep breath, adjusting her kimono. The same savage look was in her eyes once more as she spoke again. “It is my intent to announce here the desire to replace you as head of Mokugakure. The Makhel clan are to become the ruling clan.”

All at once the room erupted into a maelstrom of sound. Each respective clan spoke over the next, attempting to get their opinions heard despite the steadily increasing volume and decreasing clarity. Tsunade sat silent, her eyes focused on the trio at the door. As if taking the Morikage’s gaze as a sort of signal, Asuma took a deep breath. “ENOUGH,” be boomed, glaring at the squabbling elders. The room fell silent for a moment before the next person spoke.

“I feel,” the deep, noble voice of Galan Windforge announced. “That village leadership changing hands during such a trying time would bring nothing but trouble. We need to remain strong for the villagers.”

“Ah, yes. Galan, speaking of peace. I suppose you’ll wait until everything has calmed down before you make your move, hmm?” The loquacious Makhel woman had spoken up once more, defying the elf’s wisdom. 

The Windforge clan-head’s eyes narrowed, his lips thinning as he considered his reply. “I can assure you, I have no desire of that kind.”

The burly woman rolled her eyes, turning to the remainder of the table. “And what of you? Do you not wish to depose the woman responsible for so many deaths?”

The Miu clan head spoke first, her face expressionless. “It is our wish that the village remain fruitful and safe. Whoever heads the village is immaterial.” Those gathered at her side nodded sagely, each bearing the same emotionless countenance. 

“We Aplistio also strive to keep the village stable and profitable,” Sergei Aplistio said, shrugging his shoulders. "If we can offer any help to keep the power balanced and the coffers full, that is our desire.” 

“Well,” Tsunade said, rising to stand at her end of the table. She looked relaxed, even confident. “If we have issues, let’s settle them. I can assure you, we won’t leave here until the issue is settled.” Her eyes strayed to Kakashi and Minato as she spoke. Though the look was brief, they understood her meaning in an instant. 

The silver-haired shinobi carefully slid the kunai back into his pocket as he and Minato turned to exit. Kakashi tapped their bearded guide on the shoulder as he left the room, fixing him with a meaningful stare and nodding. Asuma nodded, closing the door behind them.

“I guess you probably know where we’re headed, huh?” Minato asked, taking lead. His brow was furrowed, eyes intent. 

“I have some idea.”