"He's close" Announced pakuun

There they were Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, Kakashi Hatake, Hinata hyuuga, Kiba Inuzaka and Shino Abarame.

Their mission was simple, yet quite possibly the most difficult they had faced yet.

Find and confine this mysterious man by the name of Zakushi. Apparently he had some kind of connection with Akatsuki and he had to be taken down.

"Prepare yourselves we're getting close" said pakuun as he leapt from tree branch to tree branch.

"There!" Kiba shouted pointing into a clearing up ahead.

They all landed into the small clearing and were stunned at what they saw. There sat A lone man, no boy no older than the rest of them cross-legged hands together in meditation. He was clad In long blue robes with torn off strips of black hanging down and blowing in the breeze were his long brown locks which seemed to fit around his face perfectly just staying out of his eyes.

Sakura and hinata nearly blushed at this site. But no there was no time for that attractive or not this was an S ranked criminal and he was sure to be dangerous.

They stood there for a few Moments waiting for something to happen when suddenly a Voice rang out

"What are you doing here?"

"We are Shinobi of Konohagakure an we're here to take you in for questioning... Zakushi!". Exclaimed Kakashi

"So you know my name? Very well then I will go with you"

"WHAT? You're just going to come with us? No running? No fighting? You're just going to put your head down and accept defeat like a sad puppy?" Shouted kiba

"That's enough Kiba!" Kakashi replyed. "he does have a point though what kind of game are you playing here?"

"No games. There are 7 of you and only one of me, I don't stand a chance."

"Fine if that's how you're going to play it then we'll happily oblige. Subdue him Hinata!"

Hinata struck all of his chakra points rendering him completely useless. He simply flopped over without a sound. Kakashi threw him over his shoulder and they were off.

They set up camp that night about 20 miles outside of konoha, they would leave for home in the morning. Zakushi had recovered his chakra but was now completely subdued by chakra enhanced chains.

Sakura couldn't help but feel bad for him he had come with month fight, he hadn't complained a single time and yet they were treating him like trash. Maybe he was a missing nin, and maybe he was classified as a dangerous criminal but for what reason? Did they really even know that he was associated with Akatsuki?

Everyone was asleep except her and Sakura decided she needed some answers.

She walked over to the tree where he was tied up and tossed him a piece of bread which he caught in his mouth, and seemingly swallowed whole.

"Hmm. I see you criminal types don't have any manners" Sakura exclaimed

"Excuse my rudeness umm... Girl its just that I haven't eaten in over a week" said Zakushi

"For your information 'Zakushi' my name is Sakura Haruno. And why the hell haven't you eaten for a week?"

"Well I... Guess I got a little caught up in my meditation. I didn't realize I'd been out here for so long" Zakushi said with a sad smile on his face

"Hmm."

"So what's your story then Sakura?"

"My story? That isn't really any of your concern right now. But if I knew yours then maybe I could help you"

"Why would you want to help me? You've been told I'm some horrible criminal who betrayed his village right?"

"Perhaps. But I think there's more to you than meets the eye, you don't seem like the criminal type.

"Well maybe you're right, maybe not. But it doesn't really matter. The village is already planning my execution"

"Why? What gives them the right?"

"Well Sakura Haruno I am a missing ninja yes but from where?"

"you don't mean..."

"Yes I am a former shinobi of Konohagakure"

Sakura sat there stunned for a moment. How was he from konoha? He couldn't have been much older than her yet he was a missing nin and an S ranked criminal?

"How old are you?" Sakura asked

"I am 16 years of age"

"Then why did I never see you in the academy? You should have been there the at the same time as me!"

"Ahh I suppose so but the real question, Sakura is how long have I been 16?"

"Wha..."

"Hey Sakura! What are you doing talking to this guy? He'll fill your head with all kinds if nonsense!" Exclaimed naruto as he walked towards the tree where they stood

"Bu..."

"No buts Sakura c'mon we need to get rested up for tommorow."

"Okay naruto"

there they left a smirking Zakushi.

Morning came and went for the group and they arrived at the gates of Konoha early in the afternoon.

And now here Zakushi was before the council.

"The decision is unanimous" Said koharu... "Death"

Everyone nodded their heads in agreement except Tsunade who still wasn't convinced

"Actually I am still undecided" Tsunade exclaimed

Groans were heard All throughout the room. Inoichi was the first to speak

"How can you say such a thing? There have been multiple reports of his involvement with Akatsuki, on top of that he abandoned the leaf village which is a crime in itself!"

"Perhaps. But explain this inoich, why doesn't anyone remember him being in the academy? Becoming a Shinobi? He isn't even on any records!"

Shikaku spoke up this time.

"You have a point Tsunade but he could have easily changed his appearance. And who's to say Zakushi is even his real name?"

"This is true but how can we condemn him to death without even giving him a chance to speak? We don't even know for a fact that he is in league with the Akatsuki" replied Tsunade

"Hmm... Perhaps he does deserve a chance to speak" Koharu suggested

Most agreed and Koharu signaled for him to speak.

"Hmm. Well I guess I should start with my name... My full name"

"Zakushi Uchiha"