Standing Trial [Hiashiko, Ibiki, Kureno, Tsurude]
ooc: For the sake of the sanity of our mod who will gnaw on me through cyberspace if I wait on this anymore please assume this will occur right before meeting with Team 8 i.e. Tsurude'll break part of this to them personally
When Tsurude turned twenty-two, he asked his sensei whether it was worth it.
"What?" Sarutobi had asked.
"You know, the whole thing. Hokage. Ruler of all."
Sarutobi had raised an eyebrow. "Ruler of all?" She had huffed. "I don't think of it like that."
Tsurude had sighed. "Yes, I know, you're simply a custodian and protector. I had a few relatives in the job, you know."
"So then you should know everything you want to about being Hokage."
"Not really... they always said I was too young."
"You still are."
He had tried not to pout, but he always hated being referred to as a child. "I am not."
"If you think that Hokage is 'ruler of all' you are."
"Well, you are in charge."
"But that's not what Hokage is about. You are a custodian, you are a protector. Those are the things you hold on to. Because yes, you are also ruler of all, the absolute power, the final word. But if you think that's the judge of whether this job is worth it or not, then you don't understand the job at all.
"Who do you think they come to for approval on those zero-chance missions? Who do you think bears the responsibility of making that choice, of informing the families when ninja you do end up sending don't come home? Who do you think has to decide the fate of those who fail at their mission, who break the law? Who do you think passes judgment on captured enemies, who orders the executions or interrogations of friend and foe alike?
"If all my days as Hokage could be spent as a custodian and protector, I would be the happiest woman in the village. But there are times that all the days I do get to play those roles barely balance out the ones when I have be 'ruler of all'."
Tsurude held the red and white hat against his chest, breathing in once deeply. It occurred to him there was no trace left of his sensei anymore, not even the barest hint of the familiar scent. He ran his fingers around the edge of the hat, a silent mediation that mirrored in his words. Custodian and protector most and only sometimes this, he repeated, having learned all too well the lesson his sensei had tried to teach him all those years ago.
He took in one more breath and placed the hat on his head. He stood up, the regal red robe falling into place. His face was mostly shadowed by the rim of the hat but he took the extra second to make sure his face betrayed no hint of emotion. And only sometimes this, he repeated once more before answering the knock that had long since faded.
"Enter."
Ibiki had said nothing since collecting Yuuhi from his cell except for "The Hokage will see you now." Nothing remained to be said. Ibiki had already given her oral and written reports to the Hokage, as well as her own recommendations. The matter now was passed from her hands and into Hokage-sama's.
Not wanting to chance the possibility of Yuuhi behaving stupidly and attempting to escape despite being cuffed and shackled and another chain connecting wrists to ankles, Ibiki instead lead Yuuhi and Hyuuga Hiashiko through one of the underground nondescript tunnels that lead from T&I to various parts of the village. This particular tunnel went directly into the Hokage Tower, ending at an elevator shaft. (In the event the elevator was non-functioning, ladder rungs ran up three of the four walls.) Ibiki placed her palm against a metal plate to use chakra to call the elevator, then once inside she performed the same action to prompt the doors to close and the button-less elevator to rise. They rode in silence to the floor where the Hokage's office was, and in the hall, a seamlessly hidden door slid open noiselessly.
Ibiki's boots clumped heavily against the floor, not quite drowning out the jingling of Yuuhi's chains. The corridor was clear (one of her people in the Tower had seen to it) and she lead the three of them to outside the office. Lifting a gloved hand she rapped sharply on the wooden door, her face as bland now as it had been she had first left her office.
A minute ticked by before she heard the Hokage's voice reply. "Enter."
Still saying nothing, Ibiki didn't glance at Yuuhi before reaching to open the door.
Kureno was glad to be taking the secret route, as it meant he didn't have to be marched in public like this. While he had absolutely no intention of escaping, he wasn't insulted at being treated as such; protocol and all that. Being taken to see the Hokage was the first news Kureno had even heard of the village head being back, but Kureno didn't exactly expect to wait around for an appointment to be made once he had. He was to be dealt with immediately.
His posture remained subdued for the trip, half purposely and half because he genuinely felt weighed down with the guilt of his decision--a decision he wasn't always sure was the right one. It would help him find out if he only knew the condition of the team sent to Oto. So far, with no word, he'd figured they'd returned safely and successfully (he didn't doubt Hiashiko would take advantage of letting him know otherwise), and that he was only awaiting the Hokage's return. There had been no sign to cause to believe otherwise.
Until he was led into the Hokage's office and saw the sannin adorned in the full formal robes. Tsurude-sama disliked those robes and only wore them for very official occasions--usually only official public occasions. There was no crowd to carter to here.
Kureno had told himself all the way to the site they found Asuka in and several times since that the Hokage was going to have him killed for his actions, but this was the first time the red-eyed man found himself really believing it could be true.
"The prisoner, Yuuhi Kureno," Ibiki announced in a colorless voice that prodded Yuuhi to step forward. The Hokage (Ibiki didn't miss the ceremonial robes) nodded once and dismissed her along with Hyuuga. Bowing at the neck in acquiescence, Ibiki waited until Yuuhi had cleared the door before closing it again. Her job finished for the moment, she chose to linger outside and lean against the wall. She was as curious as anyone else as to what would be said, so she let her eyes lose focus while she concentrated on hearing.
Tsurude let the silence linger for nearly two minutes. His thoughts were collected, his next few words had already been chosen but he still needed the time to find his voice. For once he was thankful for the clumsy long sleeves of the robe, they covered his hands well enough so the steady rhythm of clenching and unclenching his fists were not visible. He took the time to examine the man in front of him and wonder exactly where things had gone wrong.
This was a promising Jounin, one of his best. Enough so that when he requested a mission, despite his own misgivings, Tsurude had eventually agreed. At first he had hoped that this was a horrible mistake, that Yuuhi had been ordered by a superior who simply hadn't understood the gravity of the mission to Sound. But no, Ibiki's report was clear. Yuuhi had never informed those who tried to recruit him to the mission that he had another one. That meant, in the end, that the entirety of the crime lay with him alone.
"Explain your actions."
Every word was enunciated clearly, the voice Tsurude used was strong and direct with no hint of the normal amusement. Gone was the jovial man who attempted to escape from paperwork via the window and who preferred a drink to a meeting with the elders. In his place was the very thing that Sarutobi-sensei had hated most of all, that Tsurude found himself coming to hate as well.
Kureno knew this moment had been coming for a long time. Among the thoughts and worries and guilts that had occupied him in those many hours alone was the realization that he was going to have to put some of them to words. The Hokage was going to want to know everything, and he'd have to know where to begin. Over the passing days, Kureno had thought long and hard about what he was going to say. ...He still didn't know what that was going to be.
What could he say? What did he have the right to say? He couldn't rationalize any of his actions to be justified, save for how they helped save Asuka's life. ...But even he knew that wouldn't be enough. Someone else could have gone, it didn't have to be him. Asuka was a very valued shinobi of the village, but she was still a shinobi, and soldiers die for their country all the time. Her loss would have been great and grievous, but--for most--an acceptable loss. If she had arranged that encounter as he was suspecting, then most would have said she met the fate she created herself and must have wanted it that way, or at least been prepared for it. ...But Kureno had not been prepared for it.
He hadn't been prepared for the panic that had gripped him when Rin and Chiriku finally had him convinced. He hadn't been prepared for the way his sensibilities were so easily pushed aside by a need for action that burned just under the surface of his skin and took hold of his nerves. He hadn't been prepared at all for how much he suddenly was willing to compromise for her sake. And he certainly hadn't been prepared for the confusion and uncertainty left in the wake of those feelings.
...He deserved this. Whatever was to come, to follow...he deserved it. That much, if nothing else right now, was his one certainty.
After a moment to gather his courage, he looked up into the Hokage's eyes and opened his mouth. His throat was dry, and he couldn't hold contact with the brown accusation, disappointment, and anger staring back at him. He kept his gaze just under Tsurude's eyes, swallowing and running his tongue over the roof of his mouth a few times before forcing the words out in obedient but rasped tones.
"I have no excuse fit for justifying my actions. Six hours before my former assignment to Sound I left with Rin heading west in search of As--Sarutobi Asuka. ...Knowing I would not return in time for my scheduled departure. I left word for Hiashiko-sama of my departure but otherwise gave no further priority to my former assignment. I acted out of selfish reasons and put my other teammates in great peril and conditions with a now higher fatality risk. ...I have lost any and all right for leniency and will accept whatever punishment you wish to sentence me with. If the Hokage wishes, I am prepared to write my resignation as a jounin and ninja."
The Hokage said nothing, let the silence drag out once more. His hands were no longer clenched tightly, instead they hung limply under the sleeves. By all appearances, he seemed to be a bit more relaxed then he had been at the start of this meeting. But that was far from the case. He had expected an explanation. Yuuhi was intelligent, he knew that there was no way this could go unpunished. But to hear him speak, to say what he did...
"You think your resignation is punishment enough?" the Hokage replied, voice still firm though a bit quieter this time around. His hand had tightened into fists again and he tried to take a moment to try to relax.
"You..." he started again, trying to maintain his even tone but unable to contain the anger that leaked through. "You, who decided that one life was worth more than three!"
He brought his fist down and the desk crumpled underneath the force of the blow. Immediately, the Hokage held up his hand, stilling the ANBU that had just started to react to the outburst. He let the arm drop and concentrated on his breathing, forcing his heart to return to a normal pace.
In the end, Tsurude could never be the Hokage his grandmother or great aunt had been. They had been more military generals then political figures. This sort of insubordination was rare and harshly dealt with. And he could never been the compassionate leader his sensei had been, who would have found a fair way to deal with this and still never shown weakness as a leader. And he most definitely would never be the hero Minako had been.
At his core, Tsurude would always be a medic-nin who valued life above all and fought so hard to save it. He had been too soft for this role in the beginning, having to be bullied by the Elder Council into allowing low chance of survival missions to proceed. It took time but eventually he could find some solace that even if the worst happened, losing one life to keep the entire village safe... it was almost acceptable. He built his tenure as Hokage around that idea, that he would continue to do as he always had as a medic-nin, worked his hardest to save the lives of those around him, though these days it was more with covert missions and diplomacy then medical procedures.
And that was also why this act of disobedience angered him so much. To have someone go against that principle, to chose to save one life knowing that three were reliant on you...
"How dare you stand there and insult me with an offer for resignation!"
Kureno's face tightened a good fraction in what could resemble a wince when Tsurude spoke. The desk breaking immediately after brought him a back to a more grounded awareness of the "now" and he watched the furniture splinter and collapse with a dark sort of fascination, wondering if his body would do that under such a blow. ...It should be his body there and not the desk. Then again, it probably wasn't too late for that.
His head involuntarily hung, and while his honor and dignity (what was left of it) demanded he face this unafraid and accepting of whatever fate he'd created for himself, there was a shame and guilt he'd never known in his life on his shoulders, bending him with a force he was unable to overcome. He concentrated on at least keeping his voice strong.
"I deeply and humbly apologize, Hokage-sama. I didn't mean it to insult you or the lives of those I endangered. I merely wished to make known I have absolutely no intention of running away or fighting my punishment, whatever it is you decide it to be. ...Whatever you decide."
"Then you will make enforcing this punishment remarkably easy," the Hokage snapped before shifting into a stiff stance, hands clenched together behind his back.
"Yuuhi Kureno, you are guilty of mission abandonment in the first degree, dereliction of duty in the first degree, insubordination in the first degree and conduct unbecoming a shinobi in the third degree. But most of all you are guilty of complete disregard for your fellow shinobi and their lives. I can not have you or any other shinobi ever repeat this mistake. Konohagakure, indeed the entire Fire Country, relies on the brotherhood among our ninja. Our strength is from that bond and you have broken it completely.
"Your punishment is this. You will spend the next two weeks in the jail cell you were first assigned. Anyone who wishes it will be allowed to visit, to see you as you are now in this deplorable state so that they can see the result of your crimes. After which, you will be assigned to the Academy janitorial crew where you will scrub the floors each day on your hands and knees. Every Academy student will look down on you and wonder why one of the most prominent jounin in the village has been reduced to such menial work. And the Academy teachers will explain the reason to them and describe exactly what you did and the consequences of your actions. When I am satisfied that every student understands the severity of this disobedience then I will relieve you of your academy duty so that your true punishment begins."
He took a moment and a few deep breaths before continuing. "You will be relieved of your genin cell and they will be reassigned to another teacher. You will not be allowed to go on missions with them, practice with them nor teach them anything. And while I cannot restrict your social contact with them, I have my doubts that their parents will support them associating themselves with you in any manner.
"You will never be assigned another cell. You will never teach a class in the academy or have any contact with the students there. You will never be assigned to a team that contains anyone below the age of twelve so that you will never taint the younger generation with your insubordination.
"You will never be assigned anything above a C-rank mission unless a situation arises in which no one else can fulfill the role necessary. These special cases can only be approved by me and up until the time you leave for said mission, you will be monitored by an ANBU team to make sure you do not abandon your team again. If I can, I will have at least one ANBU on the team to watch you during the actual mission.
"You will be barred from all exams and you will never advance from the position you hold now. You will never be granted access to new jutsu. You will never lead a team. You will only be given enough missions to sustain your current standard of living but nothing more then that.
"In short, the day you decided to disobey my orders and put at risk the lives of your comrades is the day any hope of advancement in your shinobi career ended. You will stagnant and spend the next few decades knowing that you can never be more then you are right now. Eventually what friends you have left will surpass you and you will be left behind.
"You will not be allowed to resign or leave your position because I want every person in this village to see you and lament about the promising career that was ruined. You will serve as a living reminder that no one is allowed to quantify the worth of one person’s life against another.
"And once your life is over, you will be forgotten by this Village. Your case may be discussed in academy textbooks but your name will never be used. Eventually those around you will only remember the lesson of your punishment but not the person itself. You will, from this day forward, exist only as an example to other shinobi of exactly what they should strive to avoid becoming.
"You truly are a tool of Konoha now. But your only purpose will be to sit in the open and rust so that the people of Konoha will learn this lesson and come to understand that a person who would so blithely turns his back on his comrades is without honor and does not deserve anything but disdain.
"Everyone but me," the Hokage finished. "I already know you are completely worthless."
.......Losing his team was the hardest part; losing all contact with his team was the hardest part. Ironically it was something he'd tried doing himself about a year or so ago, but they'd been so persistent that he'd just given in and eventually...
It was all hard. The Hokage's words struck deep, fully justifying and goading the guilt in him, pushing down any former thoughts of even the slightest heroism his part in saving Asuka might have held. He could see now how his offer of resignation truly came across as an insult. That would have been getting off easy compared to this. Being allowed to keep his rank but unable to even use it... Being denied progression and meant to suffer humiliation on every level... These would have been an insult to him if he didn't know he was already deserving of it.
"You truly are a tool of Konoha now."
A tool. Yes. He really had forgotten that, hadn't he. Only a tool. It's what he'd been raised for; it's what he'd been born for. His father had warned him long ago about the foolishness of aspiring to be more, and all his life he'd listened to that advice. ...Until recently. And now he was learning the hard way--no. Now he was paying the consequences he'd always knew existed; that he'd always been smart enough to avoid before.
A tool that's only purpose now is to rust, huh. .........Very well. This tool would remain what it was now however and nothing more, and fulfill its new duty--no matter how pathetic--faithfully to the end.
"I understand, Hokage-sama." 'I really do.'
The Hokage looked at the younger man and wondered if he really did. A great tiredness overtook him suddenly and he found no desire to continue the discussion further. "Ibiki," he called out, not surprised at all when the door open immediately and the scarred woman walked in. "Transfer the prisoner to Detention Cell C-34, I'll send further instructions later."
He turned his attention back to Yuuhi. "If you ever think this punishment is unfair, then know this," the Hokage said, anger suddenly coming back into his voice. "If even one of those shinobi on the Otogakure mission had died, then I would have given you a six hour head start before sending the Hunter-nin after you. They wouldn't have been sent to kill you though, simply chase you wherever you went, never giving you a moment of peace until you died by your own hand to escape them."
He let the last words echo in the room. There was nothing left to say after that. He turned around so his back was facing them. That final non-verbal message should be clear enough.
Ibiki bowed respectfully anyway. "Understood, Hokage-sama." The destroyed desk didn't faze her, but it did explain the crash. She had only heard the yells, but they along with this current action of the Hokage were enough to guess the severity of the punishment. Curiosity as to the future instructions gnawed though it didn't ruffle her unflappable exterior. One gloved hand gripped Yuuhi's elbow tightly. "Come along, Yuuhi."
Kureno managed a bow of his own before letting himself be led away obediently. Like a good tool.
When Tsurude turned twenty-two, he asked his sensei whether it was worth it.
"What?" Sarutobi had asked.
"You know, the whole thing. Hokage. Ruler of all."
Sarutobi had raised an eyebrow. "Ruler of all?" She had huffed. "I don't think of it like that."
Tsurude had sighed. "Yes, I know, you're simply a custodian and protector. I had a few relatives in the job, you know."
"So then you should know everything you want to about being Hokage."
"Not really... they always said I was too young."
"You still are."
He had tried not to pout, but he always hated being referred to as a child. "I am not."
"If you think that Hokage is 'ruler of all' you are."
"Well, you are in charge."
"But that's not what Hokage is about. You are a custodian, you are a protector. Those are the things you hold on to. Because yes, you are also ruler of all, the absolute power, the final word. But if you think that's the judge of whether this job is worth it or not, then you don't understand the job at all.
"Who do you think they come to for approval on those zero-chance missions? Who do you think bears the responsibility of making that choice, of informing the families when ninja you do end up sending don't come home? Who do you think has to decide the fate of those who fail at their mission, who break the law? Who do you think passes judgment on captured enemies, who orders the executions or interrogations of friend and foe alike?
"If all my days as Hokage could be spent as a custodian and protector, I would be the happiest woman in the village. But there are times that all the days I do get to play those roles barely balance out the ones when I have be 'ruler of all'."
Tsurude held the red and white hat against his chest, breathing in once deeply. It occurred to him there was no trace left of his sensei anymore, not even the barest hint of the familiar scent. He ran his fingers around the edge of the hat, a silent mediation that mirrored in his words. Custodian and protector most and only sometimes this, he repeated, having learned all too well the lesson his sensei had tried to teach him all those years ago.
He took in one more breath and placed the hat on his head. He stood up, the regal red robe falling into place. His face was mostly shadowed by the rim of the hat but he took the extra second to make sure his face betrayed no hint of emotion. And only sometimes this, he repeated once more before answering the knock that had long since faded.
"Enter."
Ibiki had said nothing since collecting Yuuhi from his cell except for "The Hokage will see you now." Nothing remained to be said. Ibiki had already given her oral and written reports to the Hokage, as well as her own recommendations. The matter now was passed from her hands and into Hokage-sama's.
Not wanting to chance the possibility of Yuuhi behaving stupidly and attempting to escape despite being cuffed and shackled and another chain connecting wrists to ankles, Ibiki instead lead Yuuhi and Hyuuga Hiashiko through one of the underground nondescript tunnels that lead from T&I to various parts of the village. This particular tunnel went directly into the Hokage Tower, ending at an elevator shaft. (In the event the elevator was non-functioning, ladder rungs ran up three of the four walls.) Ibiki placed her palm against a metal plate to use chakra to call the elevator, then once inside she performed the same action to prompt the doors to close and the button-less elevator to rise. They rode in silence to the floor where the Hokage's office was, and in the hall, a seamlessly hidden door slid open noiselessly.
Ibiki's boots clumped heavily against the floor, not quite drowning out the jingling of Yuuhi's chains. The corridor was clear (one of her people in the Tower had seen to it) and she lead the three of them to outside the office. Lifting a gloved hand she rapped sharply on the wooden door, her face as bland now as it had been she had first left her office.
A minute ticked by before she heard the Hokage's voice reply. "Enter."
Still saying nothing, Ibiki didn't glance at Yuuhi before reaching to open the door.
Kureno was glad to be taking the secret route, as it meant he didn't have to be marched in public like this. While he had absolutely no intention of escaping, he wasn't insulted at being treated as such; protocol and all that. Being taken to see the Hokage was the first news Kureno had even heard of the village head being back, but Kureno didn't exactly expect to wait around for an appointment to be made once he had. He was to be dealt with immediately.
His posture remained subdued for the trip, half purposely and half because he genuinely felt weighed down with the guilt of his decision--a decision he wasn't always sure was the right one. It would help him find out if he only knew the condition of the team sent to Oto. So far, with no word, he'd figured they'd returned safely and successfully (he didn't doubt Hiashiko would take advantage of letting him know otherwise), and that he was only awaiting the Hokage's return. There had been no sign to cause to believe otherwise.
Until he was led into the Hokage's office and saw the sannin adorned in the full formal robes. Tsurude-sama disliked those robes and only wore them for very official occasions--usually only official public occasions. There was no crowd to carter to here.
Kureno had told himself all the way to the site they found Asuka in and several times since that the Hokage was going to have him killed for his actions, but this was the first time the red-eyed man found himself really believing it could be true.
"The prisoner, Yuuhi Kureno," Ibiki announced in a colorless voice that prodded Yuuhi to step forward. The Hokage (Ibiki didn't miss the ceremonial robes) nodded once and dismissed her along with Hyuuga. Bowing at the neck in acquiescence, Ibiki waited until Yuuhi had cleared the door before closing it again. Her job finished for the moment, she chose to linger outside and lean against the wall. She was as curious as anyone else as to what would be said, so she let her eyes lose focus while she concentrated on hearing.
Tsurude let the silence linger for nearly two minutes. His thoughts were collected, his next few words had already been chosen but he still needed the time to find his voice. For once he was thankful for the clumsy long sleeves of the robe, they covered his hands well enough so the steady rhythm of clenching and unclenching his fists were not visible. He took the time to examine the man in front of him and wonder exactly where things had gone wrong.
This was a promising Jounin, one of his best. Enough so that when he requested a mission, despite his own misgivings, Tsurude had eventually agreed. At first he had hoped that this was a horrible mistake, that Yuuhi had been ordered by a superior who simply hadn't understood the gravity of the mission to Sound. But no, Ibiki's report was clear. Yuuhi had never informed those who tried to recruit him to the mission that he had another one. That meant, in the end, that the entirety of the crime lay with him alone.
"Explain your actions."
Every word was enunciated clearly, the voice Tsurude used was strong and direct with no hint of the normal amusement. Gone was the jovial man who attempted to escape from paperwork via the window and who preferred a drink to a meeting with the elders. In his place was the very thing that Sarutobi-sensei had hated most of all, that Tsurude found himself coming to hate as well.
Kureno knew this moment had been coming for a long time. Among the thoughts and worries and guilts that had occupied him in those many hours alone was the realization that he was going to have to put some of them to words. The Hokage was going to want to know everything, and he'd have to know where to begin. Over the passing days, Kureno had thought long and hard about what he was going to say. ...He still didn't know what that was going to be.
What could he say? What did he have the right to say? He couldn't rationalize any of his actions to be justified, save for how they helped save Asuka's life. ...But even he knew that wouldn't be enough. Someone else could have gone, it didn't have to be him. Asuka was a very valued shinobi of the village, but she was still a shinobi, and soldiers die for their country all the time. Her loss would have been great and grievous, but--for most--an acceptable loss. If she had arranged that encounter as he was suspecting, then most would have said she met the fate she created herself and must have wanted it that way, or at least been prepared for it. ...But Kureno had not been prepared for it.
He hadn't been prepared for the panic that had gripped him when Rin and Chiriku finally had him convinced. He hadn't been prepared for the way his sensibilities were so easily pushed aside by a need for action that burned just under the surface of his skin and took hold of his nerves. He hadn't been prepared at all for how much he suddenly was willing to compromise for her sake. And he certainly hadn't been prepared for the confusion and uncertainty left in the wake of those feelings.
...He deserved this. Whatever was to come, to follow...he deserved it. That much, if nothing else right now, was his one certainty.
After a moment to gather his courage, he looked up into the Hokage's eyes and opened his mouth. His throat was dry, and he couldn't hold contact with the brown accusation, disappointment, and anger staring back at him. He kept his gaze just under Tsurude's eyes, swallowing and running his tongue over the roof of his mouth a few times before forcing the words out in obedient but rasped tones.
"I have no excuse fit for justifying my actions. Six hours before my former assignment to Sound I left with Rin heading west in search of As--Sarutobi Asuka. ...Knowing I would not return in time for my scheduled departure. I left word for Hiashiko-sama of my departure but otherwise gave no further priority to my former assignment. I acted out of selfish reasons and put my other teammates in great peril and conditions with a now higher fatality risk. ...I have lost any and all right for leniency and will accept whatever punishment you wish to sentence me with. If the Hokage wishes, I am prepared to write my resignation as a jounin and ninja."
The Hokage said nothing, let the silence drag out once more. His hands were no longer clenched tightly, instead they hung limply under the sleeves. By all appearances, he seemed to be a bit more relaxed then he had been at the start of this meeting. But that was far from the case. He had expected an explanation. Yuuhi was intelligent, he knew that there was no way this could go unpunished. But to hear him speak, to say what he did...
"You think your resignation is punishment enough?" the Hokage replied, voice still firm though a bit quieter this time around. His hand had tightened into fists again and he tried to take a moment to try to relax.
"You..." he started again, trying to maintain his even tone but unable to contain the anger that leaked through. "You, who decided that one life was worth more than three!"
He brought his fist down and the desk crumpled underneath the force of the blow. Immediately, the Hokage held up his hand, stilling the ANBU that had just started to react to the outburst. He let the arm drop and concentrated on his breathing, forcing his heart to return to a normal pace.
In the end, Tsurude could never be the Hokage his grandmother or great aunt had been. They had been more military generals then political figures. This sort of insubordination was rare and harshly dealt with. And he could never been the compassionate leader his sensei had been, who would have found a fair way to deal with this and still never shown weakness as a leader. And he most definitely would never be the hero Minako had been.
At his core, Tsurude would always be a medic-nin who valued life above all and fought so hard to save it. He had been too soft for this role in the beginning, having to be bullied by the Elder Council into allowing low chance of survival missions to proceed. It took time but eventually he could find some solace that even if the worst happened, losing one life to keep the entire village safe... it was almost acceptable. He built his tenure as Hokage around that idea, that he would continue to do as he always had as a medic-nin, worked his hardest to save the lives of those around him, though these days it was more with covert missions and diplomacy then medical procedures.
And that was also why this act of disobedience angered him so much. To have someone go against that principle, to chose to save one life knowing that three were reliant on you...
"How dare you stand there and insult me with an offer for resignation!"
Kureno's face tightened a good fraction in what could resemble a wince when Tsurude spoke. The desk breaking immediately after brought him a back to a more grounded awareness of the "now" and he watched the furniture splinter and collapse with a dark sort of fascination, wondering if his body would do that under such a blow. ...It should be his body there and not the desk. Then again, it probably wasn't too late for that.
His head involuntarily hung, and while his honor and dignity (what was left of it) demanded he face this unafraid and accepting of whatever fate he'd created for himself, there was a shame and guilt he'd never known in his life on his shoulders, bending him with a force he was unable to overcome. He concentrated on at least keeping his voice strong.
"I deeply and humbly apologize, Hokage-sama. I didn't mean it to insult you or the lives of those I endangered. I merely wished to make known I have absolutely no intention of running away or fighting my punishment, whatever it is you decide it to be. ...Whatever you decide."
"Then you will make enforcing this punishment remarkably easy," the Hokage snapped before shifting into a stiff stance, hands clenched together behind his back.
"Yuuhi Kureno, you are guilty of mission abandonment in the first degree, dereliction of duty in the first degree, insubordination in the first degree and conduct unbecoming a shinobi in the third degree. But most of all you are guilty of complete disregard for your fellow shinobi and their lives. I can not have you or any other shinobi ever repeat this mistake. Konohagakure, indeed the entire Fire Country, relies on the brotherhood among our ninja. Our strength is from that bond and you have broken it completely.
"Your punishment is this. You will spend the next two weeks in the jail cell you were first assigned. Anyone who wishes it will be allowed to visit, to see you as you are now in this deplorable state so that they can see the result of your crimes. After which, you will be assigned to the Academy janitorial crew where you will scrub the floors each day on your hands and knees. Every Academy student will look down on you and wonder why one of the most prominent jounin in the village has been reduced to such menial work. And the Academy teachers will explain the reason to them and describe exactly what you did and the consequences of your actions. When I am satisfied that every student understands the severity of this disobedience then I will relieve you of your academy duty so that your true punishment begins."
He took a moment and a few deep breaths before continuing. "You will be relieved of your genin cell and they will be reassigned to another teacher. You will not be allowed to go on missions with them, practice with them nor teach them anything. And while I cannot restrict your social contact with them, I have my doubts that their parents will support them associating themselves with you in any manner.
"You will never be assigned another cell. You will never teach a class in the academy or have any contact with the students there. You will never be assigned to a team that contains anyone below the age of twelve so that you will never taint the younger generation with your insubordination.
"You will never be assigned anything above a C-rank mission unless a situation arises in which no one else can fulfill the role necessary. These special cases can only be approved by me and up until the time you leave for said mission, you will be monitored by an ANBU team to make sure you do not abandon your team again. If I can, I will have at least one ANBU on the team to watch you during the actual mission.
"You will be barred from all exams and you will never advance from the position you hold now. You will never be granted access to new jutsu. You will never lead a team. You will only be given enough missions to sustain your current standard of living but nothing more then that.
"In short, the day you decided to disobey my orders and put at risk the lives of your comrades is the day any hope of advancement in your shinobi career ended. You will stagnant and spend the next few decades knowing that you can never be more then you are right now. Eventually what friends you have left will surpass you and you will be left behind.
"You will not be allowed to resign or leave your position because I want every person in this village to see you and lament about the promising career that was ruined. You will serve as a living reminder that no one is allowed to quantify the worth of one person’s life against another.
"And once your life is over, you will be forgotten by this Village. Your case may be discussed in academy textbooks but your name will never be used. Eventually those around you will only remember the lesson of your punishment but not the person itself. You will, from this day forward, exist only as an example to other shinobi of exactly what they should strive to avoid becoming.
"You truly are a tool of Konoha now. But your only purpose will be to sit in the open and rust so that the people of Konoha will learn this lesson and come to understand that a person who would so blithely turns his back on his comrades is without honor and does not deserve anything but disdain.
"Everyone but me," the Hokage finished. "I already know you are completely worthless."
.......Losing his team was the hardest part; losing all contact with his team was the hardest part. Ironically it was something he'd tried doing himself about a year or so ago, but they'd been so persistent that he'd just given in and eventually...
It was all hard. The Hokage's words struck deep, fully justifying and goading the guilt in him, pushing down any former thoughts of even the slightest heroism his part in saving Asuka might have held. He could see now how his offer of resignation truly came across as an insult. That would have been getting off easy compared to this. Being allowed to keep his rank but unable to even use it... Being denied progression and meant to suffer humiliation on every level... These would have been an insult to him if he didn't know he was already deserving of it.
"You truly are a tool of Konoha now."
A tool. Yes. He really had forgotten that, hadn't he. Only a tool. It's what he'd been raised for; it's what he'd been born for. His father had warned him long ago about the foolishness of aspiring to be more, and all his life he'd listened to that advice. ...Until recently. And now he was learning the hard way--no. Now he was paying the consequences he'd always knew existed; that he'd always been smart enough to avoid before.
A tool that's only purpose now is to rust, huh. .........Very well. This tool would remain what it was now however and nothing more, and fulfill its new duty--no matter how pathetic--faithfully to the end.
"I understand, Hokage-sama." 'I really do.'
The Hokage looked at the younger man and wondered if he really did. A great tiredness overtook him suddenly and he found no desire to continue the discussion further. "Ibiki," he called out, not surprised at all when the door open immediately and the scarred woman walked in. "Transfer the prisoner to Detention Cell C-34, I'll send further instructions later."
He turned his attention back to Yuuhi. "If you ever think this punishment is unfair, then know this," the Hokage said, anger suddenly coming back into his voice. "If even one of those shinobi on the Otogakure mission had died, then I would have given you a six hour head start before sending the Hunter-nin after you. They wouldn't have been sent to kill you though, simply chase you wherever you went, never giving you a moment of peace until you died by your own hand to escape them."
He let the last words echo in the room. There was nothing left to say after that. He turned around so his back was facing them. That final non-verbal message should be clear enough.
Ibiki bowed respectfully anyway. "Understood, Hokage-sama." The destroyed desk didn't faze her, but it did explain the crash. She had only heard the yells, but they along with this current action of the Hokage were enough to guess the severity of the punishment. Curiosity as to the future instructions gnawed though it didn't ruffle her unflappable exterior. One gloved hand gripped Yuuhi's elbow tightly. "Come along, Yuuhi."
Kureno managed a bow of his own before letting himself be led away obediently. Like a good tool.