Namikaze Naruto always felt a huge wave of relief and pleasure when the gates came into sight. One more tour completed, once again he was coming home after having served Konoha and the Hokage. And this time he had the added satisfaction of bringing his team back in. In his four years of active service he'd gone to just about every land that Konoha ruled. There were much larger cities in the world. And places that could boast interesting and cosmopolitan atmospheres. But to him Konoha was special. It was where the Hokage lived and the heart of the empire. Ninety nine percent of all ninja lived here. It was the last true ninja village. Mist still stood of course, he'd been there once. But no ninja lived there anymore. It was becoming just another rural backwater. Konoha was the political, economic, and cultural heart of the empire. What happened here mattered.
He brought his team to a halt at the guard station. "I'm really proud of all of you. This was an excellent first tour. Take the rest of today and tomorrow off. We'll meet at training ground twenty five at ten a.m. the following day." His students all nodded happily, even Sasuke.
As they approached the two Jonin at the guard station one of them spoke. "Team Naruto we've been expecting you." As if from thin air four ANBU operatives appears around Haku.
"Momichi Haku, by order of the Hokage you are under arrest." One of the ANBU spoke. Haku did not hear the words as was immediately knocked out by a different operative. The operative quickly tossed him over his shoulder.
"What the hell is this?" Naruto demanded. He took a step and was about to create a rasengan.
One of the ANBU turned towards him. They all had on the black robes and death masks. "Do not interfere! It is the will of the Hokage!"
"Do you know who his father is?"
"I know who he was. Haku is the son of a traitor and under arrest."
"But…" A part of him wanted to interfere and help his student. But he'd always been taught that his duty was to obey the orders of his Hokage.
"Enough!" Their apparent leader boomed. "We are the personal weapons of the Hokage! Do not interfere or you will know the Hokage's wrath." With a signal the four of them disappeared with Haku.
Naruto stood there stunned. Sasuke shrugged. "Oh well. See you the day after tomorrow sensei." With that Sasuke put his hands in his pockets and walked away.
"Good bye sensei." Sakura hurried after him. "Sasuke-kun want to get something to eat?"
Naruto was surprised by the casual reaction of Haku's teammates. They had only been a team for a couple of months but they had all known each other in the academy. He would have expected more concern for a friend. Frowning Naruto decided he had to do something.
XXXXXXXXXX
"You want what?" The secretary behind the desk just stared at him as though he were insane. The two ANBU in the room had masks on but he suspected they might have had similar expressions.
Naruto ground his teeth and at least tried to sound patient. "I want to speak to the ANBU Commander, Uchiha Itachi." He repeated for the second time.
The woman continued to stare. "In all the years I have worked here I don't believe I've ever had anyone voluntarily come here wanting to speak to the Commander."
"First time for everything I guess."
The woman shook her head sternly. "The Commander does not see people unless he sends for them."
"I'm not leaving here until I see him."
The way she was looking at him now he might have sprouted a second head. The phone on her desk rang. She picked it up before the second ring. "Yes sir." She listened a moment. "Yes sir I will send him in." She put the phone down. "The Commander will see you now." The way she said it he might have been waiting for an appointment.
"So where's the camera?" He tried to joke.
She stared at him without a trace of humor. "Do not keep the Commander waiting."
Nodding he went into the office. Sitting there behind a large desk Uchiha Itachi waited for him. He had on the black robes of the ANBU but no death mask. He was wearing his Circle hitai-ite. Leaning forward in his chair the ANBU commander gave him a slow and thoughtful smile.
XXXXXXXXXXHeHhh
The Hokage was alone in his vast and opulent bedroom. Leaning back in a padded chair he detached the gem of the kitsune from its chain. Holding it in his hand it looked and felt like nothing but a glass marble. Despite the shards he had removed the surface of the gem remained perfectly smooth. The gem was a deep and lustrous red, very much like the heart of a flame. It was not a solid red. Looking close one could see the color and shade surge and flow. Like a small river of fire forever in motion. With a word he had the gem expand. It grew from the size of a marble to that of a crystal ball.
The Hokage studied the now much larger gem. Holding the gem in the palm of his hand he laughed. "Oh Kyuubi great and terrible, will you not come and talk to me?" He mocked. "Will you not tell me again all the punishments you will inflict upon me for daring to use you as my tool?" Orochimaru thrilled at the feel of murderous desire rising up all around. Two vertical slits appeared within the coursing red. The slits expanded and took on the form of a pair of orange fox eyes. The eyes glared out at their tormentor.
Arrogant little snakeling! Yet again you dare to mock me! Know you who I am?! A thunderous voice rang out within the Hokage's head.
Orochimaru smiled with delight. "Of course! You are my tool like all others who serve me."
I am the nine tail demon fox! I am all knowing and all powerful!
He lifted the gem closer to his face. "Then kill me all powerful one!" There was a screaming howl. Orochimaru felt the pleasure he always did when the powerful were forced to admit they were under his control. "I am still living. I still hold you in the palm of my hand. It seems that though you are all powerful you are also powerless. Quite the interesting contradiction."
The orange eyes seemed to narrow a bit. I am never powerless mortal not even now. I am eternal and this prison you have encased me in is not. One day I will be free. I will destroy everything that you have built. I will take you with me to my realm and there I will spend a hundred thousand years teaching you your folly.
"That threat grows boring. Can you not come up with something new at least?"
The fox eyes stared out at him. Laugh snakeling. Laugh and revel in your brief moment of power over me. It will end soon enough. The eyes closed and were gone.
Orochimaru did laugh. He enjoyed hearing the Kyuubi's threats. The Kyuubi was like a rabid dog held back by a leash and steel chain. Whatever the nine tail fox believed he would never escape. Orochimaru allowed the gem to return to its normal size and reattached it to the chain. He was the greatest genius this world had ever seen and he had put all that genius into devising the perfect prison to hold the Kyuubi. Some fools like Zabuzza might believe that simply holding the gem was enough to use its vast powers. Fool! As if he would ever be so careless with such a treasure! The gem held dozens upon dozens of jutsus created and know only to Orochimaru. Layers of security that prevented escape from within or control from without. He had no fear of the Kyuubi's childish threats. He would live and reign forever.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Welcome Naruto-kun." He paused for a bit. "May I call you Naruto-kun?"
"If that will make things easier then sure."
"Very well, and to what do I owe the honor of this visit?"
"One of my students was just arrested by the ANBU. This has got to be a mistake. I want Haku released immediately."
"I am very sorry Naruto-kun, but I am afraid that would be impossible."
"But his father is a Circle member! How can you arrest Zabuzza's son?"
"His father was a Circle member." Itachi answered in precise clipped tones. "That was before the Hokage learned he was guilty of treason and executed him."
"Zabuzza is dead?" Naruto was shocked.
Itachi calmly nodded. "He is. You should learn the facts before charging off to make demands. I might have saved you a good bit of time and energy."
"But Zabuzza was a part of the Circle! He was immortal!"
Itachi shrugged. "The Hokage giveth the Hokage taketh away. But now I trust you understand why Haku was arrested and why nothing can be done for him."
"No I don't! Even if Zabuzza was guilty of treason I'm sure Haku had nothing to do with it."
Itachi was surprised to see Naruto still arguing. Perhaps he was not as clever as he'd been led to believe. "It is the will of the Hokage that all members of a traitor's family suffer. Haku is the only son of a traitor. Therefore he will suffer. The matter is closed."
"But…" Naruto tried to think of some way to help. He hadn't known Haku long but he was sure that he was a good kid, and an innocent one.
"The matter is closed Naruto-kun." Itachi looked the youngster over. Definitely not as intelligent or sensible as his father. "He has been condemned by the Hokage. There is nothing more to be said. Now if you will excuse me I have work to do." Itachi opened a folder on his desk.
Naruto was not used to be dismissed, but there was nothing to do about it. As he left ANBU headquarters he was still determined to try and help Haku.