A Naruto Fanfiction | Chapter 1
What Happened After
The People of the Allied Nations vs Uchiha Sasuke Part 1
The night was dark but the moon bright when he finally woke up. Together with his consciousness, soreness drifted towards him at full speed, making Naruto let out a groan. Damn, he felt like shit. It'd been just hours since his battle at the Valley of End and all the pain and fatigue garnered from that day were overwhelming him. He was awakened by the constant humming of machines that seemed to be his only companion. After a moment of adjustment from discomfort, it was actually quite surprising that he, the loudest shinobi of his era, found silence accommodating. That solitude was something he could appreciate, especially at that particular moment. After all, it was a reminder of the end of the Fourth Shinobi War.
He remained still, eyes closed, just feeling everything. Without truly realizing it, he started absorbing Nature Energy. Slowly. Calmly. Feeling a tad better than before, he at last opened his lids, eyes focused on the ceilings. As if programmed in his system, he began scanning his surroundings for chakra signatures. Some he recognized, but most not. He wasn't bothered, though, since it was the intent that matters. Not a minute passed until he noticed something wrong.
"Where is he?"
As if bolted by panic he sat up, not minding the jolt of pain that course through every fiber of his body, and continuously and carefully concentrated on the chakra signatures. He couldn't find him! He disentangled himself from the mess of blanket sheet and placed his feet on the floor. As he tried to stand up, what strength he thought he had left him and found his knees unable to back him. As he fell, he counted for his right arm for support, fully leaning his whole weight on it, only to find it non-existent and making him toppling and meeting the floor. And as if to make things worse, the dextrose rack and the tubes connected to him dragged the machines and they went down with him with a deafening crash. A few hours without limb and Naruto felt pathetic.
Hurried steps made themselves through the hallway towards him. He looked up and was blinded by the sudden turned on light. Through Sage Technique he recognized the people around him instantly without seeing them and heard himself asking them the question in his mind.
"Where is he? Where is Sasuke?"
"Where is he? Where is Sasuke?"
Naruto asked with a rasped voice. Never mind getting out of that tangled mess, he needed answers, now! Tsunade looked down at him with exasperation. Really, Naruto couldn't get any more selfless. She heaved a sigh and kneeled in front of him, avoiding eye contact. Deliberately proceeding in slow motion, she carefully helped Naruto untangled himself from the hospital equipment's wires and tubes. She could sense him getting impatient and sure enough, Naruto's aggravating voice cut through the silence.
"Old hag! Sasuke?"
"Water."
Tsunade muttered. Had Sakura been anybody, she would gave her an incredulous look. Fortunately, she was not, just anybody, that is. She was the Lord Fifth's apprentice and she understood her very well. From where she was standing she moved towards the bedside table and prepared a glass of water. She handed it to Naruto who was confused with Tsunade's answer up until that moment. He gulped everything down in a flash and before he could speak Tsunade hauled him up and settled him on the bed.
"Naruto" she started, examining his injuries with her experienced gaze.
"Sasuke's at the west side of the Allied Forces' camp. You should be able to sense him, you're in Sage mode."
She shifted her attention to his amputated arm, looking thoughtful.
"Yeah, that's why I'm asking you. I can't sense him even in this mode. Did you think I didn't try?"
Naruto replied dryly even though he closed his eyes as he directed his scan towards west intent on finding Sasuke.
"West… west…"
He repeated on his mind like a mantra.
"There! Found him!"
Naruto slowly opened his lids, eyes searching. Finally, he regarded Tsunade asking her silently his confusion.
"Naruto" Tsunade sighed his name, her voice with a hint of resignation.
"The west side of the camp is where… offenders of this war are apprehended. Uchiha Sasuke is being detained as per instruction of the Gokage of the Allied Forces."
Naruto looked at Sakura. Her face showed averse approval, yet she didn't say anything.
"Why?" Naruto asked almost inaudibly as he regarded Kakashi, as if accusing him. He had both his eyes now, and they were looking straight at him.
"Why?" He repeated, and then suddenly raised his voice.
"That was completely unnecessary and uncalled for! Is that why his chakra's so faint? Is he restrained with chakra chains?"
Kakashi stepped forward, calmly saying "What do you expect, Naruto? He's a denounced international S-ranked criminal. He's very unstable and – "
"Oh yeah?" Naruto cut him off.
"Did the Allied Forces forget that he fought side by side with us?" He asked sarcastically.
"That he brought the strongest reinforcements we could have, the former Hokages?" He added forcefully.
"That he helped in dispelling Infinite Dream Technique?" He screamed that last one hysterically.
"Naruto, calm down!" Sakura soothed him, alarmed. "It's fine! He's Fine! He's just locked up until – "
"Sakura, you don't understand."
Naruto's voice sounded dangerous, automatically bringing the three people in the room guarded. Comrade or not, his killing intent was so clear they couldn't help but be anxious of him. Naruto stood up abruptly, pulling the dextrose tube needle off his wrist. There were clothes provided for him that were neatly folded on his bedside table. They were a black shirt, black pants, and a black-hooded jacket placed beside the pitcher and had he been his usual self, he would've whined for the dull color. He snatched them using his good arm. Funny how emotion could bring absent strength back to him. He held their gazes warily as he proceeded on making himself dressed.
"You don't understand, Sakura. Sasuke's chakra signature is so faint it's like he's on the verge of dying. Answer me honestly, old hag Tsunade…"
Naruto had zipped closed his jacket as he heard Sakura gasped. At least she didn't know. It'll be a problem if she did and just let Sasuke be.
"Did you, or any medic nin, at least healed him?" When Naruto didn't receive a reply, Sakura stared at her, unbelieving.
"Lady Tsunade! How- Why- You can't do that! It is within our oath that – "
"Don't start reciting the medic ninja oath on me now, Sakura." Tsunade warned. She knew Sakura was talking to her not as the leader of the village but as a medical ninja like herself. "I very well know every line of it."
"Oh yeah? You know… You know yet you didn't do anything!" Naruto shouted, outraged. "He's dying, old hag! Sasuke's dying! I can feel it. You know but you couldn't find the time to patch him up? Was that too much to ask?"
"Naruto!" Kakashi reproached him.
"Don't speak to Lord Fifth like that! Need I remind you that the instant the war was done, he declared his plan for world domination? He planned to kill the Five Leaders of the Allied Forces after he had supposedly killed you! He very well made us informed of his intentions! The conclusive evidence just right there."
Kakashi gestured to his right arm, or its absence, so to speak.
"Kakashi-sensei, you know Sasuke's changed his – "
"Naruto, you know Sasuke is very unstable. Admit it. He's dangerous. With all the power he acquired under Orochimaru and Sage of the Six Paths, we aren't taking any chances." Kakashi explained to him like one would to a child.
"He helped us!" Naruto said as if that'd acquit Sasuke from everything.
"The very reason as to why he's still alive." Kakashi replied. "That act let him be prisoner instead of a dead man, Naruto. And you know above all that wounds like that won't kill him. He was left in that state with the purpose of weakening him. It was a precaution. It wasn't personal."
"Let me see him." Naruto sounded desperate that in spite of herself, Tsunade acquiesced.
"I know you'll insist on it once you wake up. I just wished you had slept longer. Come with me, the Gokage are meeting in five." Tsunade turned towards the door, her strides hurried yet purposeful.
"Lord Fifth, you spoil him too much." Kakashi frowned.
"I know, Kakashi. I know." Tsunade muttered feeling sorry for herself.
Tsunade walked through the Allied Forces' headquarters' hallway with Yamato, Kakashi, and Naruto in tow. All of them were too silent for Naruto's liking. He didn't dare break it, though. He knew Tsunade would be treading on thin ice for him later. His silence was proof of his appreciation.
As they neared a dual-doored room, Tsunade turned to him with a stern expression. A warning.
"Naruto. Let me handle the talking. I want you to behave and hold your temper or else."
She left the threat hanging. Naruto didn't feel a bit intimidated. He'd known Tsunade and been attached with her too long to know that her threats meant caring.
She opened the door confidently and proceeded towards the other Kage in the room. Yamato and Kakashi stood behind her seat calmly but alert, nonetheless, while Naruto decided it'd be better to stand on the corner, out of anyone's way, but within everyone's sight. He leaned on the wall, ankles crossed. Once again he searched for Sasuke's presence to ensure that he was alright, or that he wasn't in worse condition, at least.
Mifune cleared his throat and started his usual preamble.
"Please remove your hats and place them on the table before you. I, Mifune, the moderator of the first Gokage Summit Conference held in decades, thank you for your participation in the Fourth Great Shinobi War."
Mifune bowed, making the other Kage do the same.
"We will now commence on detailed discussion with regards to the aftermath of the war." Mifune said. "The table is now open to hear any concerns."
"May I request to speak first?" The Hokage asked in a clear, authoritative voice.
"Please." Mifune encouraged.
"Uzumaki Naruto is requesting for Uchiha Sasuke to be medically tended and is asking for permission to see him." Tsunade informed them. "Now." She added as an afterthought.
All eyes turned towards him but he didn't pay them any mind. It doesn't mean that he was not attentive of their response. After making sure that Sasuke was fine, he shifted his focus on the chakra signatures before him. All of them were understandably low but calm. Until Tsunade spoke. Naruto could sense clearly the immediate spike of chakra by the Raikage, even by the Hokage, herself.
"It seems even the old hag is against it."
The Kazekage's chakra were quite disturbed, like he had split opinion regarding the matter. He probably had. Gaara wanted what Naruto wants, but as a leader he knew the consequences that action might lead to. On the other hand, both the Mizukage and Tsuchikage were quite calm despite hearing the… outrageous request from the Hokage.
"Good! The Mizu- and Tsuchikage are both all ears to my request! I just have to play it right." Naruto concluded.
"Uzumaki Naruto" the Raikage started "it seems to me that you bring your foolishness to the extreme! Not even a day passed after he tried to kill you yet now you face us with a request regarding his well-being?"
"Naruto, I perfectly understand where you're coming from." Gaara assured him. "But face the facts. We can't ignore Uchiha Sasuke's… tantrum, to put it very mildly."
Had the situation been not completely serious, everyone would be having a laugh trip at Gaara's ridiculous choice of word.
"Really? Tantrum?" Naruto snickered mentally. There was actually no better word more fitting to call for Sasuke's actions. It was all a tantrum.
"I am not asking much, Gokage. Even…" Naruto found himself unable to call Sasuke that way, but forced it, anyway.
"Criminals have their rights. I was just asking for his wounds to be tended, and well, I just want to talk to him."
"We perfectly know that, Naruto." The Mizukage said. "By all means prisoners should not be treated that way, but you must have forgotten that Uchiha Sasuke can be regarded as dangerous as Uchiha Madara. He is very powerful to the extent that you barely managed to… subdue him, notwithstanding the fact that you did with very serious injuries and a missing limb, and a change in topography, might I add."
"He helped us defeat Madara, and Kaguya. He brought reinforcements!" Naruto reasoned.
"We already considered that, brat." The Tsuchikage said. "It's the very reason as to why he's – "
" – still alive. I know but – " Naruto cut off but was cut off.
"I'm afraid that's all we can afford to do for now, Naruto." Gaara said sadly.
"It was a mutual decision of the Gokage to let him live despite his earlier attempt to threaten not only your life but our lives as well. Imagine a scenario where you failed to stop him, Naruto." Tsunade finally spoke. "All of the Gokage would be dead by now, and the Shinobi world dominated by Sasuke. We are perfectly aware that he could have done it have you not been around to stop him. He's that powerful."
Naruto stood before them, speechless. He knew they were right. Of course, they were! But how about Sasuke? All their accusations applied to the former him. He'd changed! How could he make them understand it? Naruto was so frustrated it took all his will not to shout and beat some sense on them, like what he did to Sasuke. Maybe that'd work, after all, he managed to get through to him that way.
"Then? What will happen to him?" He inquired in a surprisingly calm voice.
"That, actually, is supposed to be part of today's agenda." Mifune answered. "I, as a neutral party of the Allied Forces, would like to recommend a suitable action as to how we should deal with Uchiha Sasuke."
The Raikage looked at him "Let's hear it."
"It would be wise, considering both his assistance to the Allied Shinobi Forces in the war and his betrayal afterwards, that Uchiha Sasuke be subjected to a court trial. It is only fair and right to at least give him that privilege."
After two heartbeats, the Raikage agreed. "I see your point, Mifune. No matter what his underlying objectives are… were… Uchiha Sasuke still played a significant role in the Shinobi world's victory."
The Raikage affirmed. The other nodded their agreement. Naruto looked at Kakashi, as if asking as to how he should proceed. Kakashi, however, was not a tad interested in meeting his gaze.
"I see." Naruto said to no one. "I… understand." He finally said. Everyone in the room was waiting for his but. They knew he won't give up that easily. And they were right.
"When will the trial be held?" He asked. O…kay. What came was quite unexpected. But welcomed, nonetheless.
"It will have to wait. The shinobi world needs to be stable first before sparing the time for the trial." Mifune said.
"When will exactly that be?" Naruto's voice was deadly calm that even Kakashi looked up at him. Mifune seemed to be a bit reluctant, though he answered "I believe it will be in a month or so."
"And you expect him to be still alive in a month or so, how?" Naruto said sardonically. The Kages' guards – Ao and Chojurou for the Mizukage, Akatsuchi and Kurotsuchi for the Tsuchikage, Temari and Kankuro for the Kazekage, Darui and Shi for the Raikage, and even Yamato and Kakashi for the Hokage – became alarmed at the sudden change of tone.
Naruto was very aware of the turmoil he was causing if the sudden spikes of chakra from everyone was any indication. But he didn't care. Let them be threatened for all he care. Maybe that was what he wanted.
"You refuse Sasuke to be tended until the end of the trial, am I correct?" Naruto asked looking at the Hokage.
"Yes, we do." Tsunade answered since he was looking at her.
"The trial is a month away or more?" Now he asked Mifune.
"Yes, it is."
"You expect Sasuke to be alive until then, how?" He asked again dryly. No one responded. One wrong word and they could face the wrath of the strongest shinobi at present. They weren't afraid of him, not in the slightest. They knew him well enough to know that he wouldn't harm them, not harm them to death, anyway. But they couldn't helped but be intimidated. Naruto's aura of suppressed anger was overwhelming everyone.
"Naruto" Kakashi spoke for the first time. "I told you, wounds like that won't kill Sasuke." He assured him.
"Kakashi-sensei, Sasuke's chakra is so faint it's like his dying. I would bet my eye that the only medical attention he's been given was the one Sakura performed. And that was first aid. Normally, the power given to him by Rikkudou Sennin gramps would have healed him by now, like what it did to me. But I am assuming he was given chakra chains, so he can't heal normally. Hell, he won't even heal like a non-shinobi individual would because of the restraints. Had he been anyone but Sasuke he would have died by now. And you expect him to last a month?"
"We can't risk healing him!" Tsunade slammed her wrist on the table. "Do you see us as some heartless leaders, Naruto? Do you think we're that cruel to leave him in that state? Believe me, we've considered! But whatever compassion we feel for him is clouded by his nasty reputation! You can't intimidate us to bow on your whim, Naruto. You only care for Sasuke, but we have the whole Shinobi Force at hand."
Naruto was hurt by what she said. Of course he cared for the Shinobi Force! He just knew that Sasuke was no longer a threat.
"You would find me impertinent for saying this, Gokage. I am strong, stronger than all of you." All of them looked at him incredulously. "Please consider the fact that I actually did stop Sasuke. I lost a limb, not my life. If ever Sasuke became a threat again, I assure you, this time, I will end his life. I am confident that you know me enough to see the conviction I have in that statement. I do not go back in my word, it's my Ninja Way."
"Ho, you're actually confident in your power that you can manage to kill Uchiha Sasuke, brat?" Ohnoki bait him.
"No, Lord Tsuchikage." Naruto said in a too polite manner.
"I am confident that Uchiha Sasuke had become a true ally of the Shinobi Force, that he's no longer threat, and that he finally understood that people can truly understand each other despite their differences. That together people can experience not only the same pain but also share the same hope. That there will be no need for me to kill him."
"It is because of this confidence, Gokage, that I respectfully request you to reconsider your decisions involving Sasuke. Is it really that hard to believe that a man could change from what he was used to be? I don't think so. For years, the thought of an alliance between the Five Great Nations sound as ridiculous as the idea of it, but looked at us now. I asked of you once again, is it really that hard to believe that a man could change from what he was used to be?"
Naruto finished. He studied everyone's faces, taking in every furrowed brows, every frown, and every blink.
Once again, silence descended on the room. It was quite amazing how a loud ninja like Naruto could make powerful shinobis speechless.
Mifune raised an arm to get everyone's attention. "Those who are in favor of allowing standard prisoner rights to Uchiha Sasuke?" Nobody moved for a while. Slowly, the Kazekage raised his hat, followed by the Tsuchikage, Mizukage, Raikage, and finally, the Hokage. Naruto broke out a grin. Yes! Finally!
"I appreciate your efforts, Gokage. I uh… pray that the meeting uh…" Naruto blabbered. Anyone could see that his anxious to get out of the room and go to Sasuke. "- be done right away?" he finished reluctantly. Where did his formal manner of speaking go to? Probably left him due to overload.
"Just leave already, brat! Damn, can't believe you…" Tsunade muttered.
"Right away, old hag! Later!" Naruto dashed out of the room. He could swore he heard Damn brat being yelled at him, but, who cares? What the hell, he get to see Sasuke now.