I don't own Naruto, and please read and review. I will not be going over the top with Japanese naming structure. I don't know Japanese that well and I'm not gonna pretend. Thank you for your time. Enjoy :)

Chapter 1- Prologue

It was never supposed to be like this. This abhorrent life in a once beautiful world that has slipped into desperate despair. A once beautiful world full of trees and luscious greens replaced by a vast wasteland of brown and decay. The wind blew dry, hot, and acrid. One could pray for the sky to weep, but even rain had gone wrong with its black opacity and harbinging of sickness. Even the tears from the heavens were deadly.

"We're going to have to resort to the final option." Sakura rasped. The dour mood darkened. The silence between the two only giving way to the sounds of sickness in the distance as they both got their breath back. The tall blonde figure turned to the slug sage. Their chakra overflowed and was coating their bodies keeping them warm. Keeping them alive. His eyes squinted as he peered at her with a calculating and measured look. He thought to himself that she looked halfway between pale and death.

"I told you that we won't resort to that." The grizzled figure responded. Naruto ran his hands through his hair matted with grime. He didn't care if he was dirty anymore. No matter how hard he washed he'd never truly feel clean again.

"We both know that it could work. If we wait too much longer, if we don't have enough people left..." Sakura trailed She felt so horrible convincing her best friend to do the unthinkable. Even if they won they would loose. It would be like tarnishing the sun.

"I don't want to pay that cost. They've done enough, taken enough. I won't add to their tally." Naruto exclaimed.

"But if it goes right, it won't... it won't have mattered." Sakura whispered.

"It will have mattered to me."

Naruto's reply smacked of weariness. The silence reverberating throughout the entire strewn battlefield. The stillness of the bodies unnatural and as unnerving as the cacophony of battle had been. So many lay strewn across the muddy and bloody earth. So many that could have done so much good. This sight that would make many anguish simply made the blonde's eyes turn cold.

"You'd have to force me to use that abomination."

Just then an explosion rippled across the horizon awe inspiring in its scope, horrifying in its purpose.

"I won't force you to use it Naruto, but I think he is. Fate shouldn't trump justice." She implored.

Their eyes meet. He sees where her hair has begun to fall out and sighs. The situation had been deteriorating for so long. Naruto used to be called a hero and inspired hope. Now he was simply known as the last kage, and the years had worn away at his very core. With tired eyes he spoke.

"I will not slaughter those innocent people that I love with all my soul for merely a chance."

"Actually Hokage, we're willing." A weak and scarred man said.

Naruto looked out over and behind the man at a crowd of civilians that had gathered the foot of what remained. Naruto had thought them simple individuals concerned for their future, but he realized that they were so much more than that. Many of them have the sickness, and all looking malnourished. But the thing that surprised him was the look of determination set on all their faces.

"We've all lost someone, if you can stop this then we'll do whatever it takes."

"It would mean your lives." The response from Naruto fell upon the crowd. No one flinched at the fact.

"We know." Was the man's short reply filled with pride and hope.

The Hokage turned eyes downtrodden in contemplation. The unnaturally warm breeze blew through what was left of the trees as the Hokage closed his eyes and sighed.

"Fine, we will do what must be done. I am sorry for your sacrifice."