Kitsune no Ken GAIDEN Chronicles

by Neon Majestic

During the periods of time skipped over by official records, people did not sit in a vacuum. They continued living their lives, being who they were, doing what they were best able to do. These chronicles tell tales of people who lived at the same time as the Kyuushingai. SUPPLEMENT to "Kitsune no Ken: Fist of the Fox." GAIDEN 41, "Justice vs. Punishment," now up!

14. Perspective

Kitsune no Ken GAIDEN Chronicles

Written by Neon Majestic

(DISCLAIMER: The Naruto franchise and the characters therein belong to and were originally created by Masashi Kishimoto.)

OoOoO

GAIDEN 14 – Perspective

(N.B. This Gaiden chapter takes place during Year 10 of the main story's 15-year time-skip before the finale.)

The emerald-green Mazda CX-5 pulled up outside the white-washed walls of the government facility, at the security checkpoint near the main gate, and the guard on duty took up his clipboard and approached the car even as its driver-side window was wound down. "Morning, sir," he greeted the driver. "How may I assist you?"

The driver nodded. "I've come to see the inmate you have here. The National Security Minister gave me clearance to come here today."

"Your name?" the guard asked.

"Uzumaki Naruto."

Poised to start writing on the clipboard, the guard paused. "Uzumaki?" He lowered his head a little so as to take a better look at the driver. "Oh, I see…you're that guy."

"Mmm-hmm." The visitor nodded. "I'm that guy."

The guard nodded back. "All right. I'll phone the warden."

OoOoO

"Are you sure it's all right for you to come here to see that person, Uzumaki-san?" the warden asked ten minutes later, as he guided Naruto along the corridor of the facility.

"If the Minister said it's fine, then I imagine it should be fine with you, too," Naruto answered. "Plus, you've only got one person to guard, here. It shouldn't be too difficult if your people are diligent."

"Well, we can't afford not to be, as you know," the warden answered. "Round-the-clock surveillance, confinement to a cell for twenty-three out of twenty-four hours of the day, with strict guidelines for handling of the inmate during that one odd hour…exactly as we were instructed. To that guy's credit, though, he's behaved himself for the last ten years since he's been housed here…"

"I'm sure," Naruto said coolly.

Presently they came to the end of the corridor…and there was a large iron door there, with two stone-faced guards at attention on either side of the doorway. The guards now moved aside as the warden pulled out a bunch of keys and fitted one into the door's lock, then turned the knob and pulled the door open…

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "I see."

On the other side of the door was a finely decorated and well-furnished room, with a bookshelf off to one side, a flat-screen television at one end, a bed in one corner, and a small toilet and bath that were walled off from the rest of the room by sheets of hard plastic. Notably, there were no windows or other doors to the room, but Naruto noted a cool breeze that he guessed was coming from an air-conditioning unit installed somewhere in the ceiling. And…sitting cross-legged on the bed, a book in one hand, was the room's sole occupant, a red-haired young man with dark rings around his eyes and a scar on one side of his forehead that vaguely resembled a kanji-mark…and he was giving his visitors a critical eye. "Well, well," he spoke up. "Good of you to come and see me, warden…and Naruto, it's been too long."

Naruto's brow furrowed very slightly. "Hello, Gaara."

The warden cleared his throat. "As per safety protocols, Uzumaki-san, the guards will be on standby and will be observing every moment of your meeting. If our lodger here tries anything suspicious, we will step in right away."

"I understand," and Naruto nodded.

"Hmph. Well, at least we can't say they're not doing their jobs." Gaara lay back on the bed, his head hitting the pillow, though he kept the book in his hand and on the page he'd been reading. "In any event, make yourself at home, eh, Naruto?"

"Right." Naruto looked around the room. "For an inmate, you've gotten quite a few liberties."

"Uncle Yashamaru's influence," Gaara said simply. "Even after his role in my actions came to light, he was able to retain a few friends…mostly people who were already not fans of the governing party even before we unveiled the attempted cover-up of the circumstances behind my parents' deaths. They were able to pool their influence and resources together to make my stay here a bit more comfortable."

"Good for them," said Naruto.

Gaara eyeballed him. "So, Naruto…what brings you here to see me? It's been a very long time since last we saw each other…I honestly wouldn't expect you to pay me a visit at this or any point, considering you testified against us during the hearings that led to the LOVE members' convictions."

"And under other circumstances, I wouldn't have even considered it," Naruto admitted. "However…certain things I've noted since LOVE's plans were stopped ten years ago…I can't help but be curious about them, hence my coming here today."

"Like what, for instance?" asked Gaara.

Naruto leaned against the wall and pushed his hands in his pockets, his eyes half-closed. "During the weeks immediately after the Parliament incident, the government got put through the wringer on several platforms—not just the officials complicit in the cover-up about your family, but everyone in government, right up to the Prime Minister himself. The pundits were demanding to know what other dirty secrets the government was hiding in its collective closet, how could we expect to trust our elected officials after the revelation that they'd likely throw their own people under the bus to protect their own skins, like what happened with your parents' military unit…"

Gaara said nothing, but watched Naruto keenly.

"A number of trade agreements got put on hold while the prospective partners from other countries debated whether to do business with us—the very thing the government wanted to avoid," Naruto went on. "The argument was that, while most governments have their own dirty linen, it wouldn't look good to—how did they put it? Oh, yeah—it wouldn't look good to 'make an open alliance with a country that would callously smear the names of its own servants just to save its own face.' And then when you add in the numerous conspiracy theorists who were digging for any tangible proof that Jiraiya and his co-conspirators wanted to use us Kyuushingai to assassinate that Shimada Yachi lady just because she wouldn't fall in line with the cover-up…yeah, the government took a battering from that."

"Heh. I remember that." Gaara chuckled. "It led to the ruling power losing the election the following year. The opposition party really did its work, taking advantage of the bad press. But then again, that's what all political powers do, whether in the ruling seat or in opposition."

"And the former opposition party is now in government…for three terms so far," said Naruto. "They've had their fair share of scandals over the last decade, though…"

"But I'll be generous and acknowledge that the stuff they've done isn't anywhere near as damaging as what the other party pulled…and the current Prime Minister seems like an honest person, if not wholly a saint," said Gaara. "Do you know what he did, after his party won its first term in office?"

OoOoO

"Omono Dokku…leader of the former opposition party…now the new Prime Minister…" Gaara eyed the stout, bespectacled man standing at the doorway to his room. "To what do I owe this unexpected surprise?"

Dokku looked gravely at the younger man. "Kazahana Sousetsu, the former Prime Minister…he informed me of everything that befell you and your family…everything that motivated your group's actions at Parliament last year."

"Yes. And?" Gaara cocked his eyebrow.

"It cannot be denied, Gaara-kun, that you have committed some serious atrocities over the last few years. However…" Dokku cast his gaze to the floor. "All of that happened only because our country's government did you and your family a massive injustice. And even though we were in the opposition benches, we were—and still are—just as responsible for it. Even the fact that our party is now in power…the victory is hollow because the shadow of that great shame still hangs over us. Which brings me to why I am here."

Then, as Gaara watched, Dokku went down on his knees and prostrated himself face-down on the floor. "Ishida Gaara-kun…on behalf of myself, my party, and everyone who has been elected to serve this country both past and present…I wholeheartedly accept the responsibility, as the new Prime Minister, concerning the wrong that was done to you and your family, and I humbly ask for your forgiveness for same, even if it is unrealistic at this point to expect you to give it. Please pardon us."

Gaara stared at the Prime Minister for a long moment. Then he closed his eyes and turned his head to one side. "Get up, old man. Prostrating in such a manner isn't becoming of a Prime Minister."

"Yet it is the only appropriate thing. And we deserve to be brought this low." Dokku remained in his prostrated position.

OoOoO

"Hmm." Naruto studied Gaara. "I've done my research on Dokku…he's always been a hard-as-nails type when it comes to enforcing the law."

"Of course. He served three tours of duty in the Army, after all," said Gaara. "So for a decorated veteran like him to bow down like that, especially to a criminal like me…it was honestly pathetic to see."

"Well, what did you say to him when he did that?" asked Naruto.

Gaara waved a dismissive hand. "I told him that if he really wants to make amends, he should stamp out every ounce of corruption from the government, and that I'd be watching to see that he does. So far he's been trying his best…gotta give him points for that, if nothing else."

"And old man Sousetsu?" Naruto wondered aloud. "Has he ever come to visit you?"

"Right after the Parliament incident, when I was first housed here in preparation for the hearings," Gaara acknowledged. "He wasn't as demonstrative, but he definitely showed some remorse for what my family went through. And I had to give the guy some credit—he honestly didn't know anything about the situation before it got broken open at Parliament. Jiraiya and his fellows really went to a lot of trouble to make sure Sousetsu knew nothing of the real circumstances behind my parents' deaths."

"Uh-huh," said Naruto. "But still…this brings me back to what I was saying before…"

"Yes?" Gaara looked at him again.

Naruto took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "The public scrutiny of the political figures, the fallout from other countries over the scandal, the breaking of trust in the government…even if you never got to carry out our assassinations like you'd planned when you launched those missiles from Kira's island, you still got what you wanted in the end, didn't you? To see the government shamed and broken—that was your aim all along."

One corner of Gaara's mouth curved upward. "You think so? Well…I won't say you're wrong, Naruto…but I'm more inclined at this point to think of it as a consolation prize. After all…I'm not the one running the show, as I'd wanted."

Silence reigned for a moment. Gaara broke it. "So, how's your family?"

"Mom and Dad are cool." Naruto glanced to one side. "And Hinata sends her regards."

"Tell her thanks." Gaara reclined more into his pillow. "I saw your wedding live on TV two years ago. It was on all the networks. The daughter of noted business mogul Hyuga Hiashi marrying a former Kyuushingai…why wouldn't it make the news, right?"

"Except the press didn't really focus so much on that part of my life," Naruto responded. "These days, they're more interested in how much my next book will make in profits. They say I'm a genius author despite having started at age 22."

"An author and a motivational speaker…to think, you make money just to run off your mouth…" Gaara grinned. "It suits you."

"…right." Naruto rolled his eyes. "Well, since we're getting all personal, how's Yashamaru doing? I haven't heard anything of him since he stepped down as CEO of Sabaku Limited."

Gaara shrugged. "He's doing pretty well, all things considered. He still has a few stocks in the company that he hasn't sold off; he lives off the returns he gets from those. Plus, like I said, he's still got a few friends here and there who he can turn to for help when he needs a few favors."

"Okay." Naruto nodded.

Again silence reigned between the two. This time Naruto broke it. "Out of idle curiosity…what're you having for your supper tonight?"

"Supper?" Gaara glanced in Naruto's direction. "Hopefully something better than what you're having."

"Well…" Naruto indulged a smirk. "I know what I can look forward to: barbecue-fried chicken, mashed potatoes with green peas, collard greens, and cinnamon pie for dessert."

"Let me guess—your mother's handiwork?" asked Gaara.

"Hinata's, actually," Naruto clarified. "She's good enough to give Mom a run for her money."

"What, you have her staying in the kitchen? Very traditional," Gaara remarked.

"Nah, not really. She punches in decent hours at Hyuga Corp, like any good company executive, but she makes time for family." Naruto nodded. "She knows how to strike that balance, what with being a mother now and all."

"You don't say." Gaara sucked on his lower lip for a moment. "Well…my supper tonight will likely consist of cheeseburgers, fries and some random soda. Or maybe it'll be hot dogs and fries…or something remotely sandwich-like. All at the warden's discretion, of course, and all prepared here at this facility."

"Well…I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume that if you want something other than what they serve you here, you could easily break out the moment you see one tiny flaw in the security arrangements." Naruto eyed Gaara carefully as he said this.

"Theoretically, it could happen…if the guards were as lazy as that. Which, by the way, they aren't. Points to them for that." Gaara nodded. "Besides, even if I could break out, what would be the point? My whole reason for activity is completed, even with the higher-ups in the LOVE organization being dead or in prison—as you rightly pointed out, the government was thrown into chaos and faced a lot of harsh criticism both domestically and internationally, and the current administration will have to be on its Ps and Qs from now on or else they'll go down in shame. Plus, the food here's not all that bad—it actually reminds me of the cafeteria food from Uncle Yashamaru's company."

"There's always the Gold Sand trafficking…and the fact that I kicked your butt last time we fought," Naruto pointed out.

"Where Gold Sand is concerned, I'm content to just watch and see where the trade goes from here, whether it'll evolve or wither," Gaara waved him off. "As for our rivalry…we'd have to have a tangible reason to fight again. The last time, you stood in the way of my goal. But with the truth out there in the public eye now about what happened to my family, there's no immediate reason for you to oppose me further, nor would it profit me anything at this point to try and kill you. So, at least for now, it's water under the bridge for me."

"I see." Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Well…you've always been a man of your word, as warped as your so-called code of honor may be. So I'll take your statements at face-value…at least for the time being."

"You do that," said Gaara.

Presently Naruto straightened up. "Well…it's been fun and all, Gaara, but I have to go now. I've a speaking engagement in Shimo City later today, and it won't do for the guest of honor to be late."

"What's the engagement—some kind of awards ceremony?" Gaara wondered.

"Close. It's a ribbon-cutting for a youth center they refurbished in that city," Naruto replied. "You'll likely see it on the news tonight, or tomorrow at the latest."

"Hmm." Gaara cocked his head to one side. "I'll look out for it."

Naruto nodded once. "See you around."

With that, the blond-haired man walked out of the room, and in a few moments the door was securely shut and locked. Shrugging, Gaara turned his attention back to the book he'd been reading: Through the Eyes of the Fox: The 365 Days from a Terror's Perspective. "And while you go to your speaking engagement, Naruto, I'll continue going through this best-seller you put out the other day…maybe get around to doing an in-depth critique of it," he muttered under his breath as he turned a page in the book.

OoOoO

END GAIDEN 14

00000

NEON MAJESTIC: And another Gaiden chapter is down, giving us an opportunity to see exactly how Naruto and Gaara relate to each other following the events of the main story's final arc.

To explain the title of this Gaiden chapter—it's referring to the two characters' views on whether Gaara was in fact the real winner of the conflict in the aforementioned final arc. As Naruto explained, Gaara got what he wanted all along; but as Gaara also explained, he saw it as more of a consolation prize than an outright victory, since he didn't quite get everything he wanted to achieve. So…make of it what you will.

On a lesser note, concerning the character of Dokku: in canon, he didn't have a surname to speak of, so the surname Omono is what I have given to him for the purpose of the Kitsune no Ken universe.

Oh, and I did a bit of a retcon to a note I made at the end of Chapter 221 in the main story. Originally, I had indicated that one of the LOVE agents who'd been unidentified by their real names in-story was Yamashiro Aoba, a Konoha jonin in canon; however, in writing a previous Gaiden chapter, I actually used him as the replacement Justice Minister after the character of Ishikawa died in that Gaiden. Therefore, I have made alterations to those notes to reflect that, instead of Aoba, the LOVE agent in question is now Tatami Iwashi, who was a Konoha chunin in the canon series.

All right—more Gaidens to come!