Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, plot, characters, and all.
This story's content will be rated "T" until later chapters. In overall the story will be rated "M".
Secundum Bellum
Chapter 1: Date of Rebirth
復活の日
It was the dead of night when the shinobi forces of the Land of Fire arrived at Kohohagakure. The injured were taken by awaiting medical nin to the medical wards established at the village entrance, while the debilitated were received with thunderous celebration from a waiting crowd. Many shinobi's were accommodated by lovers, parents, grandparents, children, and the whole lot. Others went to sit at the sidelines to rest from the enduring journey from the Land of Lightning, where the conclusion of the war took place.
While the crowds continued to greet the incoming shinobi the Hokage took her place atop of the balcony of a two story building. A loud whistled echoed across the multitudes, a lingering silence followed as they all turned to face the Godaime.
"Today we stand here in victory!" proudly announced Tsunade with a strong fist in the air.
The crowd erupted in boisterous cheers, laughter, and embraces. As the celebration died out, Tsunade raised her palmed and the crowd silenced once again.
"Today we ridded the world from darkness. We proved to our enemies that the will of fire burns bright and stronger than ever. That together, as one, we are a force to be reckoned with! Today we begin a new chapter, not only in our history, but the worlds. This war brought as much blessings as it brought chaos. For a common purpose we put our differences aside and we became allies in order to prevent the world from falling into darkness. The Five Great Shinobi Nations became one and we are still one, we pioneer ideals that are not so different from the rest, we all strife for the same goals. Peace and Order. From this point on the world of the shinobi and of humanity takes a turn for the better, for the future generations!"
"Believe it!" yelled Naruto amongst the crowd with a fist in the air while watching as the Godaime stepped away from the balcony concluding her speech.
"This calls for a celebration with Ramen!" exclaimed Naruto at the top of his lungs as he limped his way to Ichiraku's, or what is left of it anyways. As he limped away in his merry way he failed to notice how the ground suddenly began to shake accompanied by the sound of heavy footsteps.
"Aaah!Ooomph!" Naruto cried as he was suddenly yanked backwards and dropped with bruising force on the dirt path.
"Naruto!" shrieked Sakura with fiery anger in her eyes. "What the hell do you think you are doing? You are in no condition to be parading around! Get your ass to the hospital, or so help me I will drag you there myself!" yelled Sakura while attempting to drag him by his collar as Naruto kept scurrying farther away from her.
"But...butbutbut Sakura-chaaan! I am starving! Exclaimed Naruto with a distraught look in his face.
"NO!"
He tried to make a run for it but because of his injuries Sakura caught up to him, tackled him, and without much effort began to drag away a wailing Naruto while murmuring curses under her breath.
"Na..Narrruto!" called out a worried Hinata as she followed after him and Sakura.
"What a drag. He never learns." Shikamaru said in an exasperated tone, while watching the scene.
"Come on, you are one to talk, you need healing as well. You too Chouji!" called out Ino as she walked towards the hospital as well, the two following behind.
"Lee, Neji, come on you are in no better condition than them!" said Tenten as she took hand of their wrists and hauled away.
"Tenten I require no medical attention I have other more important and pressing matters to attend to as of this moment" stated Neji while struggling to get out of her hold.
"Neji is right Tenten! I will run 500 laps in honor of our youthful victory! Exclaimed Rock Lee with great enthusiasm.
"I don't want to hear it! You are both getting medical attention and that's final!"
They bowed their heads and did not press the matter any farther. It was futile.
"Well that was interesting" an amused Kakashi looked on next to a brooding Sasuke.
"Come on. You have an audience with the Hokage." said Kakashi with a cool expression as he walked on towards the Hokage's Residence with a group of ANBU following along within the shadows. Sasuke reluctantly followed along.
"Lady Tsunade, Kakashi has brought in Uchiha Sasuke" announced Shizune as she held the door opened for their arrival.
"Let them in"
Shizune motioned for them to come in, Kakashi walked in first with Sasuke silently following behind. They both remained standing before the Hokage's desk, Tsunade with her back towards them looking on out the window towards the village with her hands clasped behind her back, fully aware of the ANBU squad stationed around the perimeter of her office.
"Shizune you are to remain outside the door. Do not let anybody interrupt this meeting. Do you understand" It was not a question.
"Yes. Lady Tsunade" with that said Shizune took her leave, silently closing the door behind her; a worried frowned adorning her face.
"Very well. I will be brief." She said as she slowly turned around her eyes locked on Sasuke.
Sasuke's eyes never straying from her.
"You understand that your actions entail consequences? She looked at Sasuke expectantly. "The following will apply; you will be reinstated into this village as a citizen of Konohagakure. You will be stripped of your status as shinobi indefinitely. You will be put under probation for two years. And finally, you will be place under house arrest indefinitely. During an undetermined period of time you will be under strict surveillance from an assigned ANBU squad, you are not an international criminal for nothing." She stated with a triumphant smirk, if dare he defy her.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at her mocking tone. "What about the Elders?" he spat at Tsunade.
"Easy, I will get to that. Now shut up and listen." reprimanded Tsunade with force.
Sasuke glared.
Tsunade walked around her desk and stood before Sasuke. "Under other circumstances I would have not been so lenient. But because you are…a special case, I will make an exception. In addition, the fact that the Council no longer is in cession, and you cooperated with our Allied forces during the war favors your present situation. And lastly as promised, the Elders will be dealt with, accordingly." She emphasized the last word. "What they committed is unforgivable. Whatever differences happened between the Uchiha Clan and the Council should have been dealt with diplomatically, not with such uncivilized methods and sacrifice. I am truly sorry for your loss I know that nothing could ever replace what you lost but I can promise you justice, closure to your clan, and your brother."
Sasuke looked on, let in it sink in. She was right nothing could ever replace what he lost. He could never bring back his family. The only thing left for him to do is to keep honoring the Uchiha name and their sacrifice, his brother's sacrifice. His whole life was one lie after another, and now that he finally knows the truth he finds himself with no purpose. Was his entire struggle worth it? Perhaps, but in the end he paid a high price. He was tired of a life of constant struggle, he just wanted silence.
Kakashi and Tsunade looked on in a contemplative manner. Would he accept what has been offer to him, or will he rebel?
"As long as the Elders are taking care of, I don't care" Sasuke said with a frown.
"As for your housing arrangements, for now you'll be residing at the hospital while you recover from your injuries. Our present circumstance only allows us so much. The village is still under construction as you can see, so we are limited in resources, particularly housing. I will summon you when I have better arrangements ready for you. Lastly, a sufficient monthly pension will be provided so you can begin to settle down. You are dismissed."
With that said and done, quietly he left the office, leaving behind a stunned audience. Who would have thought that Sasuke Uchiha would go in peace?
"Well that went better than expected" Tsunade said while walking around her desk and taking out a bottle of sake from the bottom drawer and pouring herself a drink.
"It's a new beginning for Sasuke, a better one. He is no longer alone, never truly was, now that he has somewhat accepted our help there is nothing more for us to do than wait and support him along the way, and then maybe someday he will truly find it in himself to be happy." Kakashi said while still looking at the spot Sasuke once stood.
"I'll take my leave now." With that said Kakashi disappeared without a trace.
"Lady Tsunade?" Shizune silently called out while stepping into her office.
"Seems like better times are to come, I just hope it last. In the world of the shinobi, fleeting peace is as close as we get to the actual meaning of the word. All we can do is hope."
"Hai, Lady Tsunade" Shizune agreed with a small smile.