Author's note: I've read the site guidelines and I solemnly swear that I do not own Naruto. All rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

This is also my very first fan fiction that I've decided to publish. Many have told me that I should prepare for something once this goes online.

Changing Motives

Prologue – Bad Beginnings

An explosion started it all.

Konohagakure's Kage was doing her daily job when the low rumbling sound of the explosion had resonated from outside into her office, which made her look up from the papers and into the outside. Through the window, she looked impassively at the column of smoke that could be seen, its source coming from somewhere outside the village walls. It trailed to the sky, the black cloud dispersing into nothingness at its peak. As the village's leader, the Hokage knew that the happening required her to take some measures about it. Although in her mind was the accomplishment of the tons of paper works given to her, the village's safety must always come first.

"Falcon," Opening her mouth, her commanding voice sounded across the Hokage office, summoning an ANBU at her will.

The ANBU stared emotionlessly – due to the mask – as he waited for his order to come. Of course, he had the idea of what mission his leader would assign him, but he dared not to intervene with the Godaime's job.

Looking at the mask of the ANBU, Tsunade, Konoha's famed medic-nin and Sannin, inwardly thought to herself before speaking at the former. She was brought into a sudden trance of irritation, as she could not discern the emotion that was plastered behind the mask. She sometimes hated that she could not see the faces of the ninjas that served the village – even though she knew their identities. She knew that those people would do any missions that she gave, but there was actually a flinching feeling that came to her when she handed them their mission scrolls.

Will it hurt I have the slightest idea of how they reacted to the missions I give them? She asked herself, not minding if it would be answered or not.

Even though her sarcasm would always bring her to a point that she handed some missions to some ninjas not suited for the said mission just for her to watch the comical and priceless reactions of theirs, Tsunade had wanted to know – truthfully – if the ninjas approved of the tasks they received. It was just a thing that she and the whole world should have known from the beginning: if you like to do what you are doing, then you'll do your best to accomplish it. Since it was actually a principle at work, Tsunade had always wanted her ninjas to do their best, and that would be possible if she knew how the ninjas accepted their mission.

After reflecting for some very short time, she looked professionally at Falcon.

"I want a three-cell ANBU team to investigate that immediately. Report to me once it's done." Tsunade said, making sure that her order was simple, concise, and authoritative, for them to have the thoughts of finishing the mission in record time.

Falcon nodded and disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Tsunade looked at the spot where Falcon stood, now with tired eyes. She suddenly dropped her shoulders and leaned at the backrest of the chair she was sitting on. Sighing as she cleared her mind of irrelevant thoughts, Tsunade re-focused her attention back to the stack of papers on top of the table, wishing that her saké was just some arm away for her to reach.

Three hours after the explosion outside Konoha walls happened, hell broke loose just outside the village.

Tsunade had her eyes observing the fires that swallowed the forest just outside their safety lines. She swallowed; her thoughts were growing wild as she tried to send more people into the location. Although she was thankful at the very least; something had come as a reason for her to stop minding the stupid papers being handed to the Hokage. Shizune was now together with her in the room, watching the scene as if it was her who would be going to be swallowed by the raging fires.

"Tsunade-sama," she spoke, her mouth stuttering at the horror that was presenting outside their village. She couldn't help but to shake, since she needed to relieve herself of the nervousness that was growing bigger inside her. She was also afraid of the reaction of the Hokage, who was now in a full leader-mode for her to be serious in handling the threat. "I will now report to you the details of the ensuing fight just outside of the village walls."

When Shizune spoke, Tsunade actually tensed. The Hokage was in no mood to hear the reports, since she feared about the outcomes of the battle. She didn't want to hear more losses. She didn't want to hear about the deaths and sacrifices of the ninjas for the village. She didn't want to know how much the people had suffered, as this human events called 'war' continued to ravage their lives. But, even though how much she hated not to know those things, she was the Hokage, and she deserved to know those things. "Continue." Tsunade said even without looking at her apprentice.

"Approximately ten minutes ago, Team Kakashi had reported a stand down from the ninjas attacking from the western gate. Shikamaru, who had left an hour ago, reported the same thing from the teams that were guarding the wall at the right side of the gate. Information also came from Captain Yamato that after attacking in frenzy, ninja attacking the left side wall of the gate suddenly retreated for still unknown reason. Shikamaru had quickly ordered for our ninjas to strengthen the defense as time provided." Shizune reported the Hokage, feeling satisfied that her report came very brief. She knew the risk of briefing their commanders in a long time, since even the period in reporting was valuable to their part.

"As expected from Shikamaru…" Tsunade almost said in whisper, but making sure the other woman with her heard her. "What happened to the attacking ninja wasn't just a retreat. I know it." She gritted, not liking the aura that was littering just outside the western gate. "Maybe they are planning for a final push." She then whirled and looked at Shizune. "I want you to call more of our ninjas to be sent as reinforcement in the western gate. Make sure the medic-nins tend more injured ninjas; we need more people to fight off this last attack. Do the clans of Konoha want to help us?"

"The lesser-yet-formidable clans have already relinquished all of their ninjas, while the Hyuuga has relayed to us that they will be emptying their clan to help with the battle." Shizune answered Tsunade.

"I'm glad." Tsunade answered. "I'm glad that all of Konoha will be helping us in this fight. You know what defeat means to us."

"Yes, Tsunade-sama." Shizune answered, looking at her Hokage with courage. "Once Konoha falls against the Iwa Crusade, then the ninja world will be thrown into chaos."

Tsunade nodded. The Iwa Crusade, as it had been named, was one war that Konoha feared to fail. No matter what, Konoha must withstand the attacking forces of Iwa ninjas. That moment, the ninja world asked of Konoha to do the impossible. That time, the remaining ninja villages and countries had almost pleaded to Konoha to defend itself against the attack of Iwagakure. At that time, Konoha would be the last bastion of force that could go against the might of Iwagakure. At that instance, it would determine the ninja power that could take on the whole world.

Because at that very moment, Iwagakure was one ninja village away from dominance in the elemental countries; Konoha was the last village to fall…

Tsunade, with determined eyes, finally decided that it was not the Hokage's job just to observe the fight from a tower that kept her safe. She came to a decision that it was now her part to help the people to their safety. It was now the time for her to go out from the confines of the Hokage Tower and to march to the place of battle. After all, if it was the last – deciding – wave of that fight, she would be glad if it was her to personally rally the ninjas loyal to Konoha onwards to victory.

After thinking, Tsunade removed her cloak and threw them away from her, sticking to the clothing that she had grown to wear in her wandering years. Shizune tensed when her Hokage began walking to the direction of the door. "Tsunade-sama, where are you going?!" The distress could easily be discerned in Shizune's voice. Tsunade glared at her apprentice, looking curious as to why Shizune was not knowing what she was doing. When the eyes that settled into her began throwing some silent statements, Shizune's own widened in surprise. "You're going in there?"

"Shizune, I'm tired of watching." Tsunade said.

"But you're safer here!"

"Move it, Shizune! What kind of Hokage wishes to be safe when his people are sacrificing their lives just for the safety of their leader?! A Hokage was chosen to lead and to serve the people of Konoha! If Konoha needs saving, then I am more than willing to save the people from harm!" Tsunade shouted as she gave her reason to Shizune. Not wanting to have another moment of someone stopping her, Tsunade quickly trod and almost pushed Shizune away from the door. As the words get deeper into her mind, Shizune's mind open slightly, and then she said, "Wait, Tsunade-sama! I'm going with you!"

"What do you think, Shikamaru?" A deep but soft voice suddenly asked the late teen at his nineteen year-old age, bringing the latter into surprise that almost made him jump from atop the wall he was standing.

"Troublesome Kakashi." He was able to say, masking the tone of surprise in his statement. "You shouldn't be surprising me." He sighed, and returned his attention into looking at the distance. He was scanning the battlefield just outside the walls of Konoha, looking at the burnt trees that were included in the fight. He began to close his eyes for a moment, and thought deep once again.

"I forgot; you are thinking." Kakashi said lazily as he too looked at the area in front of him. He knew that beyond the still living thick groups of trees were the Iwa ninja hiding their presence from them. If he had just the capability, he was willing to attack all of those ninjas with all his force to finish that particular skirmish. Yet he felt so weak and disappointed to himself for not being able to stop the attack of Iwagakure. With that, he could only feel annoyed towards that ninjas that were, maybe, also looking at them. He hated them for the fact that they were confident to know enough that Konoha would not retaliate at the time they retreated; they knew that Konoha couldn't stage a counterattack because they had been inflicted a lot of damage. Kakashi growled under his mask, cursing their adversaries. And he hated the other villages for being so weak to stop the rampage of Iwa.

"Kakashi-senpai." Another voice called from behind them, earning the newcomer Kakashi's lethargic look. "I don't want to disturb you, but I just want to relay that the teams placed in my post have been reinforced back to their earlier strength. They are now just waiting for another wave to come." Captain Yamato – but Tenzo for Kakashi – had a neutral look on his face. In that particular moment, Captain Yamato's ANBU instinct had told him to wear an impassive face, as his ANBU mask would show. That day he needed some seriousness, and he was glad that he was ANBU in real life. "How goes the ninjas of Konoha?"

"The western gate ninjas were the ones facing the greatest attacks from the opponents, so many damages was reported from them. However, we have planned to put our strongest ninjas there, so I doubt that they would be weak to go through another attack." Kakashi told his fellow shinobi. "Shikamaru had been always ordering the other ninjas in his side from the beginning until the end of the last wave, so I'm pretty sure that the ninjas in his post are still prepared to handle more attacks." He gave a weak glance towards Shikamaru. "Can I ask you know?"

"I can offer no more thoughts but that Iwa ninjas are getting ready for the final assault." Shikamaru told the adults with him.

"That is what I also think, Shikamaru." A female voice sounded from behind them, which gathered the attention of the three shinobi. They were surprised to see Tsunade in the place of battle, but they didn't forget to give respect to her by simply bowing to her.

"Tsunade-sama, what are you doing here?" It was Kakashi who asked first.

"To help; are there any other reasons beside from that?" Tsunade sounded pissed when she instantly discerned the underlying message in Kakashi's question. She knew that Kakashi meant 'You-should-be-in-the-Hokage-Tower-and-protecting-yourself, right?' and it irritated her much. Keeping her patience a lot higher than normal, Tsunade evaded the single looking eyes of Kakashi and looked at Shikamaru who stood in hunched shoulders. "What are we going to do now, Shika?"

"Defend, of course." Shikamaru replied. "If this will be the final assault, then they will give us their all. It's up to us to accept that 'all' and to fight for our success."

"A simple plan you have."

"Most of the thinking will come in the middle of the battle, Hokage-sama." Shikamaru responded.

After some seconds, Shizune appeared just beside the Hokage. She was taking deep breaths and was holding a clipboard. "Tsunade-sama," she was able to call the Hokage and began looking at the papers that were attached at the hard-enough board. "I've looked at the medical tents as you requested. It seems that there are very few deaths among our ninjas."

"What do you mean?" Tsunade asked, not understanding the point that a skirmish between two ninja villages getting a few death toll.

"I've seen the patients myself; it seems that the Iwa ninjas just incapacitated our ninjas for them not to be rendered hostile enough to be dealt with. The worst injuries were highly life-threatening to civilian's point of view but can be handled easily with more concentration from a medic-nin. Most of them are conscious and reported almost the same thing." Shizune said, a frown forming in her face. A sweat dropped from Tsunade's head, rolling into her cheeks as she interpreted Shizune's frown into something that meant bad.

"What did they say?"

"The Iwa ninjas are holding themselves back; meaning that they weren't in a serious attitude when they were fighting our ninjas."

Tsunade gasped in what Shizune told her. Holding back? She began to ask herself. But they were able to let me assign more reinforcement to help the first defenders and there were still holding back? He looked nervously at Kakashi, who quickly saw the anxiousness in Tsunade's eyes. He too was surprised to know that the Iwa ninjas weren't in their full force when they attacked. Tsunade tried not to stutter when she talked to Shikamaru. "Shika, you do know about that, don't you?"

"No, Tsunade-sama. I wasn't able to know that they were holding back." Shikamaru said apologetically, looking stunned at what Shizune said. If it was true, then it was indeed troublesome for them.

"Messenger bird from the enemy!" One of Konoha's ninja shouted, garnering the attention of the ninjas talking on top of the walls. Their fear of what could happen next upon the knowledge of the strength of Iwa vanished suddenly when they heard a peculiar warning from one of the ninjas. Of course, no one tried to kill the bird as it flew towards the people atop the walls. Tsunade and the group looked apprehensively at the flying bird, their thoughts of a second attack crumbling into nothingness as no new thoughts came to replace the former.

They knew the moment that when a messenger bird was flown into them from the enemy, an impending attack would be immediately stopped; what ninja village would warn their enemy that they were going to attack them soon?

The messenger bird dived from the sky and landed in one of the post that line the passable parts of the wall, waiting for the people to get hold of the paper tied in its foot. Kakashi, since he was the one nearest to the bird, quickly snatched the rolled paper tied to it and let the messenger fly back into safety. Stopping the urge to be the one reading the content, Kakashi hurriedly handed the paper to the Hokage. Tsunade grabbed the paper from Kakashi and opening it as if the paper was going to be ripped because of the sheer force the sannin was using just to read it.

Tsunade scanned the paper, seeing the symbol of Iwagakure – a smaller rock in front of a bigger one – at first then finding that it was just two sentences and the sender's name that were written in it. As soon as she was able to put her concentration into the simple statements, her eyes widened in surprise, as the meaning of those words penetrated her mind. Too shocked from reading, Tsunade wasn't able to relay the message to the other people waiting for her to speak up. Not minding if the Hokage was going to shout to her for what she was going to do, Shizune snatched the paper from Tsunade and read the contents loudly for the other ninjas with them to know.

"Meet me at the center of the battlefield. Alone." Shizune looked curious at first and then went in bewilderment as she read the last word in the paper. "Tsuchikage." As Shizune read the name of the sender, the trio of men with them looked distressed. They all shot a look to Tsunade, still waiting for her to do the final decision for all of Konoha's sake. Tsunade saw the eyes that were almost scrutinizing her; she adjusted herself and stood straightly again, making her face looked stern.

"We'll comply."

What Tsunade said brought the other ninjas to their feet.

Tsunade waited for the visage of the Tsuchikage to appear from the distance before she did her walk too. She was standing just in front of the western gate, still being guarded by Konoha shinobi. Actually, a vein was popping in her head, an urge telling her to punch and crush the Tsuchikage once the two of them were in the center of the field. She wouldn't care about the sudden retaliation of the Iwa ninjas if they saw their Kage being hurt; all what she caring for was that she could destroy the man that brought the Iwa ninjas into their strength.

But she hated it that she was a proud shinobi of the leaf; she would only attack the enemy if the latter was the first one to do so.

The Tsuchikage was now out of the shadows of the trees, his figure now seen from afar. Tsunade snarled when she found out that the kage was wearing a cloak that hid most of his face. And then she went curious. No one was able to know the identity of the Tsuchikage who replaced the retiring Ōnoki, she thought as she watched how slowly the Tsuchikage walked into the clearing. Iwagakure went too much distant as well when the new Tsuchikage arrived to replace the older one. The train of thought continued. Not even some of our allies and spies near the Earth Country have any idea as to the identity of the new kage. She started walking as well and she didn't know how many worried eyes were looking at her.

Some ten steps after she started her stroll, Tsunade stopped suddenly when he saw another cloaked Iwa ninja appeared behind the Tsuchikage.

What the…? I thought he was coming alone. Tsunade growled as he saw how distrustful the enemies were. As she observed from afar, she saw the Tsuchikage turned to his back and looked at the ninja who followed him. Even though she could not discern any words from that distance, Tsunade knew that there were some bickering happening with the kage and the ninja, as he saw that the former were almost throwing his hands in some kind of disappointment. Even though she didn't want to believe her thought, Tsunade let the impression form inside her mind. Maybe the Tsuchikage was true that he wanted to do this alone.

After a minute after the Tsuchikage dealt with the ninja, he returned walking the centers as he flashed his hands in front of him. Tsunade saw that the kage was flashing a single finger in his hand, and she knew the implication as soon as she saw it. He wanted me to bring with me a ninja too, she thought. Although, I must also only bring one, just like him. She shot a gaze at the tall wall of the village of Konoha, scanning the faces that looked at her to find for the features of the man she knew could protect her when needed. When she finally saw the image, she called out in a loud voice, "Kakashi, come with me!"

With no more questions asked, Hatake Kakashi – known as Sharingan Kakashi to his enemies – abide the call and quickly jumped from the wall and landed softly in front of the Hokage. He stood up and placed a hand in his kunai holster, preparing himself to protect the Hokage when the threat comes. As motioned by Tsunade, the two of them started walking to meet up with the Tsuchikage.

As they walked, Kakashi was just focusing his attention to the ninja that accompanied the Tsuchikage. He knew that Tsunade would be able to deal with Iwa's kage by herself, and so it was his job to protect her from the assault of the enemy's companion. Actually, it was a risky action that the Hokage had chosen – it was just like the theory that Shikamaru put up, that a final wave was going to be the decided point. At that moment, the same imagination would apply, only that the resolve would be decided by the villages' leaders themselves.

It's the head against the head, Kakashi thought, still eyeing the companion to the Tsuchikage, and we will finally know who has the harder one.

Finally, the two kages met in the center of the battlefield, an aura of killing intent flew around them. The stillness of the scene had made the ninjas in both sides swallow in nervousness. Would that be the point where the fights were to end…?

"Tsuchikage, I ask of you to stand your forces down." Tsunade was the first one to talk, wanting the banter to end as fast as possible. "Even though how much you try, Konoha will not fall because of you."

"I see." The Tsuchikage answered. The voice of the former had brought some kind of awkwardness to both Tsunade and Kakashi. When they heard his voice, they knew something was different about it. "Still have the capability to ask of us to stop when it's obvious that you can't handle more." The Tsuchikage told it flawlessly that he was able to put doubt into the feelings of both the Hokage and the ex-ANBU beside her. The Tsuchikage chukled darkly. "You know, I should be the one asking you that."

Tsunade sent him a glare of murderous intent.

"Hokage, please surrender for the sake of the good citizens of Konoha." He said and continued. "Believe me; we don't want to hurt you anymore. We just ask you to stand down, and I promise you that the bloodshed will end instantly." The Tsuchikage told the Hokage.

"A war is not made without the idea of hurting the enemies." Tsunade replied sharply, disbelief forming on her mind. She couldn't believe that the Iwa wished not to harm anymore the people of Konoha. For what? She thought. In replacement for surrendering to them?

"Then we will gladly reshape that idea of war, dear Hokage." The Tsuchikage answered. "As you can already see, we are now talking diplomatically and I don't want to involve weapons of destruction anymore."

"The more blatant the intention is, the more we should distrust it."

"Very well... I feel that you don't believe me since you have no idea of who I am." The Tsuchikage finally realized, looking at Tsunade under his cloak.

Tsunade just looked at the Tsuchikage as the latter slowly removed the hood that covered much of his face. He actually bowed so that he could pull the cover easily. When he knew that edges of the hood touched his forehead, he quickly pulled them and revealed some color of hair that was almost of rare feature in the elemental countries.

As soon as his visage was finally revealed, Tsunade and Kakashi could gasp in deep surprise. The scenario never appeared in their mind. Tsunade finally dropped into her knees as soon as she saw the true image of the man who was just known as the Tsuchikage. Kakashi was just able to drop his weapon to ground, a loud 'clang' from the metal brought Tsunade slightly back to her consciousness.

"N-Naruto…?" Her voice was hurt, and so as her face.

The man with the blond hair and cerulean eyes stared impassively at the woman whose knees met with the ground. He then shifted his gaze to the grey-haired man who was just gaping at him as if he was a ghost from the grave. He shrugged off the surprised stares from the two and continued talking. "As I said earlier, Hokage, will you surrender for the sake of the people of Konoha?" He approached the woman closer.

Even though still astonished with the Tsuchikage, Kakashi was able to discern a threat when the man started walking nearer to Tsunade. He quickly got a kunai from his holster and placed himself between the Hokage and the Tsuchikage. "Stand back! I know you are not Naruto! So drop the stupid henge and get back!"

The Tsuchikage was startled when the ninja stood at his way to defend his kage. Before he could open his mouth to speak, someone from behind him began to spoke words.

"Kakashi, get away from Tsuchikage-sama." The voice was stern. "This is a talk between kages, and you musn't intervene. Slowly, the companion removed the similar hood the Tsuchikage wore. "Or do you want to fight with me?" After saying that, pure black orbs stared at Kakashi, his long black hair dancing with the wind as it howled through the battlefield. His face was emotionless.

"Sasuke." Kakashi could not discern the emotion he must have.

"Now, Hokage." Naruto talked to the woman. "Shall we let the talk to continue or do you want Konoha destroyed?"

- End of Chapter -

This story took me days just for me to formulate a simple sentence that will be part of the plot. I will be honest: updating this story will take me a very long time because I chose to create this story in the light that my days are going to be busy as... hell (?).

Thanks for taking time to read this stuff.