Alms I

(布施 I.)

"I suppose it to be expected from those who does not understand filial piety," said the dreary voice of an old man.

Naruto wondered if he went to Hell. The last thing he remembered was an indescribable pain, looking down at his stomach, and seeing a dagger inside of his gut. A gush of red, and that was when he went black. Opening his eyes and groaning awake, Naruto saw an elder with robes and a wide-brimmed hat.

"Old man Hokage!" Naruto thought he fainted and was on the ground, and it was his first impulse to spring back up to his feet. His limbs, however, wouldn't move; he was bound to a chair like a prisoner. Aside from the Hokage, Naruto noticed he was in a low-lit room surrounded by other figures. A crystal sphere floated around the Hokage.

"Hey old man, why am I here?" Naruto grimaced, looking around. He was completely confused.

"Oblivious are you, thief?" The same voice from before did not come from the Third Hokage, but from a taller man standing next to him.

"What did you say?! Doesn't that mean I stole something?"

"Do you not know of the scroll that you held?"

"This has to be a game. I was doing my trial and I'm quite sure that isn't a crime. And, who do you think you are!?"

"You could say that I am an old friend of the Third Hokage."

"I wonder how I knew? You look the part."

"Cheeky. You fit a fox well, a trickster with a provoking tongue. Sacrificing you to the Gods will probably end up best." This stranger's smile looked stiff upon his aged, crooked face. A true veteran, the old man talked about death in the same manner as a daily stroll. His forehead and right eye were draped in bandages, and he held a long walking stick that reached above the height of his chest. He looked like a wanderer.

"Excuse me?! Sacrifice?!"

"I believe in consequences, Naruto Uzumaki."

"I didn't steal it!"

"We saw you do it. You knocked out the guards at this tower, and took the scroll from the ancient vault. And you dare say that you respect the Hokage title?"

"That's bullshit! You damn look near dead and have one eye. What did ya see now?!" Veins popped out of Naruto's forehead as he insulted the bandaged elder, rejecting any word, and looking back at the Hokage. "Old man, you got to say something! Do you really think that this is okay? I didn't steal the scroll!"

The Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi had been gazing at Naruto quietly as if to observe him. He pitied the boy's behavior for many years, knew of his bizarre personality combined with both kindness and impishness, and followed his actions carefully. He sighed, closing his eyes.

"Special treatment, Hiruzen?" Bandaged elder gave the Hokage a look of discontent.

Who is that guy anyway, Naruto noticed that spoke to the Third Hokage like a close associate.

"Indeed. Naruto, we saw you break into the vault via this crystal ball." The Third lifted his hand and grasped the ball floating around his head. Naruto's eyes widened; there were few people in the village believed to be both the most conscious of Naruto, not to mention very patient with him, and the Hokage, the one Naruto looked up to, was one of them. The old man was aware of the boy's tricks and dreams, but despite that, wanted him in careful and reliable custody. He even sat down and listened to Naruto's stories about his nightmares.

"There is something that you'll face that'll reveal your crime." The Hokage nodded his head. "At the time of your execution, you will understand."

"Is this a fuckin' joke?!" Naruto shook his head, his voice rising from being frantic. "Yeah, you're not the type to joke at all, so you really must think I did it! But how is that so if I didn't do it!? Your ball is broken! Did you even think about this?! All for a scroll you'd kill a child!?"

There was a sigh, and a different voice intervered. "Hmm? Lord Hokage, doesn't he not know of his destiny? If not, then he must know. Surely this is too harsh."

"It is the law of the village. It is the same as to desert it. Still, Lord Hokage, it is harsh. Please reconsider and punish him differently." There were other voices, further behind the two elders. In the low lit room, it was understood that they were the shadows of adults. They sounded younger than the Hokage and Bandage; the latter looked over his shoulder.

"Scarecrow and Enma," he called to the others, "it has been decided."

"No need to say our nicknames," said one of the shadows. "and if I'm the scarecrow, then maybe I have the most wisdom?"

"Not today I'm afraid. It's far too dangerous to let him live, and you already know why. We just need to find another capable person.

"I don't know what you're talking about you wrapped up bundle of crap! Aside from you wanting to kill me, using only evidence from looking into that cheap ol' ball shit. Why would I want to fuck up before I'm Hokage?!"

The Bandaged old man cupped his chin, and thinned his eye. "You tell me. The Hokage Monument, years and years of mischief, and you can't pass your classes? Do you have any devotion? You are demon incarnate. Anyways Naruto Uzumaki, no one will know about your death. Besides, executions are done in secret."

Naruto still couldn't believe it. His mouth quivering in both fear and anger. He still couldn't believe that there was a death penalty. "No one?"

"That includes your aide, and if they were around, your parents."

"You mother fucker!"

"Naruto, you have a chance to atone," The Third Hokage said drearily. He opened his eyes, and from his dry, creased face, even his eyes showed an intense ferocity. "That is when you'll know. I promise you, it must be up to you."

When the talk ended, Naruto Uzumaki was wrapped up in a black fabric and escorted out of the tower by five cloaked figures. He was still bound, and his mouth was tied by a sash. He tried to scream, even if muffled, but was knocked out. If any civilian saw the preliminary steps of an execution, such as the transportation of a bound convict, it may provoke a debate on a breach of humane conduct and civil rights. It already looked like a kidnapping. Usually, these killings didn't happen in the light of the sun, nor did it take many bodies to get it done. There were smelly, underground chambers for that. However, this was a special occasion.

Naruto was taken far outside of the village walls, and when he opened his eyes again, he was in an open forest edging a river. The hood-and-cloaked figures surrounded him. Four of them wore animal masks, while the fifth pulled off a simple mouth cloth to reveal his entire face. Naruto's only cloth was taken off, where he immediately blurted out the first thing that came to his mind.

"What?! M-Mizuki-sensei?!"