"Naruto. Naruto. It's me, Hinata."

Naruto slowly opened his eyes and found Lavender ones looking back.

"He recognizes you," came another voice, "He'll be alright."

Naruto looked around the room and found that he was in a hospital. The other voice was that of the attending nurse. Ino was also there.

"…Lee. I saw-" Naruto said, slight confused.

Ino took his hand and placed a beaded object into it. "Here."

Naruto brought his hand up and saw the object was a rosary.

"It was Lee's." said Ino.

Naruto had gotten hold of itself and he went into deep thought for a moment. After about a minute he spoke.

"How does God choose…one to live…and another to die?" He thought back to the day that Sasuke was taken and his father died, and Lee and the previous night, "How does He- Te-Temari. What did they do with Temari?"

"Naruto," said Hinata, "What matters is that you get out of here."


The next day, he left the hospital, as the Sand who deport him if he was found there. He could no longer go to his home, which was now occupied by soldiers, He had only on place left to go: The Archbishop.

He entered the residence of the Archbishop and made his way to the basement, where the make shift seminary was. When he entered, limping, he saw about ¾ of the seminarians were still there, the other, no doubt, were caught or dead. The first person who received him was the Archbishop, who embraced him.

"God is merciful." he said.


For the next four years, he remained within the residence of the archbishop, along with the other seminarians. Sunans were harsh. They shot or deported seminarians, but did not arrest the archbishop because of his reputation and influence in Rome. At times, Naruto and the others wore Cassocks(1) to disguise themselves as priests.

On day, Naruto was going from the Chapel to Archbishop's Sarutobi's office when he spotted military trucks out the window. But these trucks were different.

"Excellency, come quick!" Naruto shouted down the hall.

"What is it, Naruto?" said the Archbishop coming into view.

"Liberation." Naruto said pointing out the window. Archbishop Sarutobi looked out and saw soldiers waving large yellow flags with light blue streamers tied to the top.

Lightning.

The two continued to watch and as they did, two became three, which became four, which grew into a crowd of fifteen men in cassocks.

"Is it true? The Sunans have gone?" Said another joining them.

"The horror has lifted." replied the Archbishop, looking out, "But…I am not so sure what takes its place."

Naruto looked up to see the Archbishop with a less then excited expression. He understood why the Archbishop Sarutobi was less certain. He, too, knew that this new regime would create new challenges, especially for priests.


In the city capital building, a meeting was being held in the main hall. Men from different city organizations were present. In the front row of those attending was Archbishop Sarutobi, wearing a cassock, his purple scull cap, waist sash (known as a fascia), and a pectoral cross(2); he was representing the Church and those people in it, which was most of the village. At the head of the room, facing the group, was five men wearing the military uniform of the Lightning, which were black trench coats with large collars. This military force bore a symbol of a cloud, like that of the nation, but it was red. This special force was in charge of foreign territories, as Konoha was to become. They were known as the Akatsuki Marshals.

The one in the middle was a man with long brown hair and red eyes. He stood up and began.

"The Provisional Government of National Unity intends to remove what remains of the Suna population and reinvigorate the historic Leaf culture that has flourished for so long. My friends, the face of the new Leaf will be the Leaf." He paused, expecting applause, but continued momentarily, "More than this, just a few months ago, we signed an historic treaty of friendship, mutual aid, and cooperation with our brothers in Kumo." Again he stopped, awaiting applause, but none was given. "Any questions?"

Archbishop Sarutobi raised his hand.

"Excellence." The Marshal said.

The Archbishop stood along with his attendant, a priest. "As Konoha's representative to this…Provisional Government of National Unity, perhaps you can tell us what has become of the 16 leaders of the Leaf Underground, kidnapped by our brothers in the Kumo secret police?"

As the Archbishop asked his question, two of the other Marshals whispered to each other, one of which was a tall man who seemed almost to resemble a shark.

"These men you speak of," started the Marshal, "were arrested as Suna collaborators. They will stand trial in Kumo and if they-"

"Comrade Itachi," interrupted the Archbishop, "You were born in Konoha, but as I understand it, educated in Kumo?"

"That is correct, Excellence." replied Itachi.

"And now you have come home. The prodigal son." Archbishop Sarutobi stood with a small smile on his face. "You remember the parable? The son who was lost and then was found? The one who returned home and said, 'Father, forgive me. I have sinned against heaven and against you, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'" His smile faded and turned into a cold, serious look, "But this is not you, is it?"

Itachi waited a moment, "Thank you all for coming. This meeting is concluded."

As the people got up to leave, the Archbishop spoke with his attendant. While they talked, the shark-Marshal turned to Itachi.

"This priest has got to be removed."

"Kisame…it wont be that easy to remove the Light of Konoha." Itachi replied.

Kisame looked menacingly at the Archbishop, who looked back neutrally before leaving.


For a seminarian, the fifth and final year in seminary is the most eventful. Naruto realized this as he stood before the altar and received his blessing from Archbishop Sarutobi and became a deacon. All of his friends were there, even Hinata, who could not contain herself and broke down crying.

That year was his last year before his ordination to the priesthood. During that year, Archbishop Sarutobi went to Rome and returned as a Cardinal, wearing red where there was once purple. Over that year, Naruto studied hard and before he knew it, it was the eve of his ordination.

As is the norm, Naruto spent his last day as a Layman alone in prayer, as this was his last chance to back out. He walked the halls of the Archbishops residence, passing several priests and seminarians, who became silent once they knew he was present, as Cardinal Sarutobi had instructed. He made his way to the chapel and fell prostrate before the altar, just as he would tomorrow.

"Come, almighty Creator. Let me be the bridge to the land of grace You will lead Your people to."

He remained there all night in prayer. As the son came up, Cardinal Sarutobi entered the chapel for his private prayer when he came across the form of a young man before the altar.

"Naruto."

"I beg your pardon, Your Eminence," Naruto said not looking you, "But you should not speak to me the day before my ordination."

The Cardinal laughed, "I bet your pardon, Naruto, but today is the day of your ordination."

"Already?" Naruto asked getting to his knees, "Have I been here so long?"

"Yes." replied the older Cardinal, "Have you prayed enough?""I think so."

"Have you found any reason why you might not want to become a priest?"

"No."

"Then…?" The Cardinal held out his hand to the deacon, who looked rather drowsy. Naruto took it and got up. "Maybe you should get a few hours of sleep before your ordination."

"Yes, perhaps you are right." Naruto said with a yawn.


As Naruto processed into the Cathedral with a gold-colored stole over his left shoulder down to his right hip, he was overcome by a feeling of peace. As he took his seat with the congregation, he saw the threshold before him and imagined how he was about to cross it and take his place by the Altar of God. He listed closely to the readings. The first from Isaiah, the second from the letter to the Hebrews, and finally a reading from the Gospel of John, when Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection. He listen to the Cardinal as he preached on what is expected of a priest. He listened in full confidence that he could take up this role.

Now, as the homily(3) of Cardinal Sarutobi ended, the time came for his ordination.

"Relying on the help of the Lord God and our savior Jesus Christ, we choose Naruto, our brother, for the order of priesthood." Proclaimed the Cardinal.

Naruto next took his vows and then fell prostate before the Altar. As he did so, the Cardinal and all others gathered knelt towards the altar. The Litany was sung in Latin as each Saint was asked to pray for the candidate. As the litany ended, Naruto got to his knees as the Cardinal came forward, and laid his hands upon his head, blessing him. After Cardinal Sarutobi, all other priests present each placed their hands on his head, blessing him. After all had done so, the Cardinal again prayed for a spiritually profound life for Naruto. As the last part of the ordination rite, Naruto removed his deacon's stole and vested in a priest's stole and chasuble(4).

All of his friends watched this with different emotions. While many of his friends looked on him with pride and happiness for his dedication, one did not. Hinata looked instead with great pain and regret. Though she did not cry like a year ago, she was loathsome inside. Hating Naruto for walking down this path and cursing herself for not being stronger.

Finally, as Naruto finished putting the chasuble over his shoulders, it had come to pass. Leaving the area in front of his friends, he came up to the Altar sanctuary and stood by the Cardinal and looked at the congregation. He had crossed from the Laypeople to the clergy.

He was now Fr. Naruto.


As the mass ended and the people gathered outside, Fr. Naruto emerged from Church doors, having shedded his vestments. He was wearing all black, slacks and a suit jacket, roman collar worn proudly on his neck. One by one, his friends came to him to congratulate him. Even Hinata had found the courage to approach him and give him a farewell hug.

For the next few months, he lived and worked in his childhood church. He had married Ino and Chouji and baptized their daughter. Months went by. He remained happy with his life as a priest. He was so happy with the great things he did every day.

He saw many of his friends on a usual basis. Most would show up on Sunday when he said mass.\Hinata, however. distanced herself from Fr. Naruto, when she did come to mass, they would make eye contact before Hinata latched onto he new boyfriend, looking away from Fr. Naruto. This made Naruto uncomfortable. He wanted to remain her friend and priest, but she wouldn't let him. He felt sad that she wouldn't accept him now that he was a priest. He felt worse because he blamed himself for her loss of Faith. Though it did not stop him from being happy with his ministry, it saddened him on her behalf.


Excellent," said Kisame sitting at his desk, "University of Konoha. You're a hard working man." Kisame looked at some papers on his desk, "Very impressive academic scores." He thumbed through the papers, "And during the war?"

He looked up Shikamaru, who stood before him with an emotion-less, passive expression. He straightened up upon hearing the question but gave no answer.

"Oh yes, then my information is correct. With the resistance? The Leaf Home Army?"

"Well, I-" Shikamaru began."No, no, no, no, no, no, no." Kisame put his hand up reassuringly, "You should be proud, comrade. Brave men are hard to find." He got up, "Welcome to Akatsuki."

"Thank you…comrade." Was all Shikamaru said.

Kisame motioned to his right, where a large-man was standing, "Processing." He said with his smirk.

Shikamaru received the message and followed the man down two flights of stairs. As they walked down a long hall, the man in front of him motioned to go ahead of him. Shikamaru complied. As they walked a little further, he heard a click: a click of loading a gun. He turned around to see the man holding a pistol, business end pointing straight at him.

"No, wait, wait, wait, wait." Shikamaru said, his hand up. The man did not move, but paused to let his speak, "I'm not your enemy."

"Today, no." said the man, "Tomorrow, perhaps you are."

The trigger was pulled, the shot was heard. and Shikamaru fell to the ground.


The Akatsuki Marshals held a meeting in the Capital building to discuss a new project. After the formalities were over, Kisame brought in a large model of what appeared to be a town.

"This, Itachi, is the design of the project." said Kisame.

Itachi examined the model of the new city. It had a residential district, work places, places for days off.

"What do you think?"

"Beautiful renaissance," Itachi said, eyeing the buildings, "I have to say, your Lightning architects are excellent." He said not only to Kisame, but to the other Marshals in the room.

"There'll be no city like it in all of the Land of Fire. Built from dust, unblemished by history," Kisame said, "A modern steel mill, thousands of spacious apartments, parks."

Itachi looked at his partner, "How will you convince people to move there?"

Kisame only smirked, "Guaranteed jobs, housing included. Who can resist a worker's paradise?" He made his way around the twenty square foot model, marveling at his work, "We call it Arata no Gaiku, New Town.""Kisame…" Itachi said looking at the model, "There's no church there."

"It's not necessary," Kisame looked up at Itachi.

"A paradise without a church, comrade?"


Cardinal Sarutobi was walking in the gardens outside his residence. With him was another Archbishop from the neighboring diocese of Myouboku. He was a tall man, bore white hair, and had a deep voice. He wore a cassock, purple scull-cap and fascia, and pectoral cross. The Cardinal wore similar clothes, but his scull-cap and fascia were scarlet. As they continued to talk, Fr. Naruto came into view.

"What's his strength?" asked the Archbishop to the Cardinal.

"He's awaiting a professorship in Social Ethics." replied the Cardinal.

"Eminence." Naruto said, now in front of the two. He, too, wore a cassock, but did not have the other articles. He took Cardinal Sarutobi's hand and kissed his ring and did the same to the Archbishop.

"Just what we need," The Archbishop said with sarcasm, "Another intellectual priest."

Naruto could only smile, "With all respect, Archbishop Jiraiya, there are many of us who-"

Naruto did not finish as the Archbishop presented him with a photograph. On it, a body of a man in a dumpster. The face was easily recognizable for the priest, it was Shikamaru.

"I understand you…knew him?"

Naruto nodded.

"One by one, they are hunting down the members of the Home Army," Archbishop Jiraiya said, "They know that they will go underground again, anyone who was a part of it, and try to spoil their plans for Communist Konoha."

"There are many ways…" Fr. Naruto looked up, "…to spoil such plans."

"If you wish to survive, you have to understand how careful you must be." said the Archbishop.

"Yes," Naruto cleared his throat, "Thank you, Excellency."

"I also tell you this because I am told that there are many young people in Konoha who count on you." Naruto nodded at this and a small smile returned.

Archbishop Jiraiya then turned to Cardinal Sarutobi. "Where does he go next?"

"I've assigned Fr. Naruto to St. Florian's." Cardinal Sarutobi answered.

Jiraiya smiled approvingly, "Ah, a school. Students. Very good." He said with a nod.


The appropriate name for the priest's robe

A gold cross about three inches long, hung from around the neck on a gold chain and resting on a bishop's chest or stomach. Like the scull-cap and fascia, it is only worn by bishops, cardinals, and the Pope.

Another word for Sermon or Preaching.

It looks kind of like an expensive poncho.

If anyone has any questions, I will answer them next chapter.