Chapter 29: Many Questions few Answers

I'm not gonna make excuses while I do have many. I'm sorry its been such a long time. So I really hope you enjoy this chapter. If we were face to face I'd let you hit me as much as you want. Naruto would like that. BTW this chapter wasn't done but I decided you have waited long enough. Please review so I know people are still reading this and so I know to both continue this and set this as a higher priority in juxtaposition to The Living Wind: A True Legend.


Minato rubbed his temples gently a futile attempt to ease his throbbing headache. He couldn't help but think about Naruto despite the fact that he was surrounded by people yelling at him. In his office stood the heads of the different clans along with Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Anko.

"Have we finished the interrogations? Where is Ibiki? What will be his punishment?" Questions overwhelmed the young Hokage until he could no longer take it.

"Please!" He waited for silence to fill the room before beginning his short speech on what would be happening to Sasuke Uchiha the last of his clan. "He is in custody and will be under going question for the next three weeks before a decision on his punishment will be made."

"Your going to let him live!?" Hiashi and Hizashi said at almost the same time. "This goes directly against the rules of ninja conduct."

Minato felt anger an emotion which he rarely ever felt. "Hiashi you know as well as anyone here that as the sole user of the Sharingan and still a child Sasuke can not be treated as the law dictates. He left the village under circumstances which are still be investigated and as far as we know harbors no ill will toward Konoha."

"Always special treatment for the Uchiha clan." Hizashi said with disgust. "Even when it no longer exists." His brother suppressed a grin.

Minato looked at the two Hyuuga members fiercely. He turned his attention to the other clan leaders in the room. "Does anyone else feel the same way?" No one did. "Then it is agreed that my decision will stay?"

Hiashi was fuming but he maintained his composure. "Then we are at odds." Without another word he left the room followed closely by Hizashi.


"The Hokage is too merciful, his failure to act according to the laws will come back to haunt him." Hiashi said as he made his way to the lobby.

Hizashi smirked. "Perhaps, but brother do remember he could have obeyed the laws when you killed the ninja from Kumogakure and then you would be dead and the secrets of the Byakugan revealed. Even though you killed the man to protect Hinata, you killed a head ninja and Lightning Country demanded redemption. Kumogakure even threatened war no other Kage could have saved you life and you know it. The Fourth is an extremely powerful man. War is averted when the possibility of his involvement is announced."

"But by being so powerful he also creates conflict. Besides I have repaid my debts through my service to him. I, the head of the Hyuuga Clan, have assisted him personally in every major conflict of his administration. When will that story be forgotten?"

"When one of you dies."


Minato wearily turned his attention to the rest of the clan leaders. Lines plagued his forehead and his long blonde hair fell wildly around his face. "Do any of you have anything else to say?"

The clan leaders had a lot to say but they said nothing out of respect for their leader.

Minato almost smiled. "Thank you for your patience. You will be informed as soon as I make a decision regarding Sasuke." He stood up to walk the group to the lobby.


Naruto stuck his arm out of the shower and grabbed a towel off a hinge on the door. He dried his face and looked into the fogged up class. He stood staring back at himself. Naruto blocked out thoughts about the weeks events. He didn't have time to reflect on everything, yet, he had to deal with the most pressing concern of the moment. Sasuke.

Within fifteen minutes Naruto was at the Hokage's tower and Heiri was the first person Naruto saw Heiri's dark skin ostracizing him in the middle of the crowd of people in the lobby of the four story building. Naruto walked up behind his friend and put his arm around Heiri's shoulder. "How are we doing?" The blonde asked.

Heiri twisted his head and grinning put Naruto in a headlock. "We are doing great," Heiri answered, "where the hell were you last night? You made everyone worry."

Naruto slipped out of Heiri's hold and was caught off guard as a set of arms wrapped around themselves around him.

"You idiot." Ino said into Naruto's shoulder. "What were you thinking not coming straight here? You could have been dead for all anyone knew."

Suddenly the whole room was focused on the son of the Hokage. In the crowd were not only politicians waiting to talk to the Hokage but Ibiki, Sakura, and more of Naruto's friends. In an instant a cacophony of sound pillaged Naruto's senses. Questions and compliments were piled onto Naruto until Ibiki silenced the room with a singe word. "Enough!" Ibiki ignored all the pairs of eyes staring at him except for two. "Naruto and Heiri you both need to come with me. I have already talked to Ino and Hinata."

Naruto and Heiri glanced at each other and followed Ibiki out of the room. It didn't take Naruto long to realize that Ibiki was taking them to Sasuke in the Torture and Interogation center. When they arrived the guards did not wait for a signal from Ibiki to open the doors it was clear to everyone the importance of using the time they had effectively. Kabuto had made it clear that he intended to steal Sasuke back from Konoha and Ibiki wanted all the information he could get out of Sasuke in the chance that Kabuto did manage to break in to Konoha and escape with his prize. Inside a number of anbu interogation agents were waiting along with Jiraiya. Without a word they all followed Ibiki down a narrow corridor and into a small dark room. In the center of the room was a stone table and around it was a circular stone bench. As Naruto sat down he could feel chakra being emitted from the stone.

Ibiki did not waste time with questions as the door shut he began rapidly listing off answers to unasked questions. "This room is completely sealed off from the outside world. The only way in is through that door and when it closes nothing leaves here. the stone you are sitting on was long ago infused with chakra by a seal master whose greatness has been matched only by our current Hokage. The stone's chakra is spreading through our bodies and if anyone speaks falsely electrical currents will be shot through the liars body. We have met here to discuss how to deal with the traitor Sasuke. Jiraiya and I have agreed to move Sasuke in here to interrogate him he will need constant supervision for the next 48 hours. Naruto and Heiri are here to assist me in finding out Sasuke's intentions and his feelings toward the village. Does everyone understand?"

The group responded in affirmation. Ibiki nodded, "Very well I want an update on his condition." He pointed to the group of agents who had met them at the door. "Begin!"


Kabuto looked at the group he had assembled. "It wasn't as large as he had hoped but it would do. The Sound village's government had collapsed upon Orochimaru's death. What order their had been among the scum of the earth had been produced by a fear of Orochimaru and with their worst fear and powerful leader dead much of Sound had not been cooperative with Kabuto's attempt to establish order. Kabuto had managed to acquire a force of particularly violent individuals always lusting for blood and those who feared him and knew the capabilities of Orochimaru's right hand man. Kabuto small army was resting inside the lair closest to Konoha.

But the force was only meant to be a distraction he expected nothing more than to create panic and confusion in Konoha for a few minutes while he and Sasuke's loyal team members retrieved Sasuke and perhaps accomplished their more ambitious objective. His years of waiting had ended he would finally see the fruit of his labor and the result of his great experiment. "Come Suigetsu-kun it is time."


Minato entered the Torture and Interrogation Center with hesitation and reluctance. A fear of what lay inside embedded deep in his chest. He left this part of the ninja world to Ibiki and men he trusted but who he didn't understand. But he didn't have a choice and as the steel doors shut behind him he was submerged in darkness. Solemnly he walked past countless doors behind which lay the most vile of all creatures plotted and waited. For a moment he thought of turning back but the thought was quickly thrown away. Sasuke had to be dealt with carefully to say the teen was unstable would be an understatement.If Ibiki pushes Sasuke too hard... who knows what would would happen?

Finally he came to the narrow hallway that led to the room Ibiki and his hand picked team discussed their course of action. The guard in front of Minato stepped aside recognizing the Hokage thanks to the flickering of a broken light bulb the only one in the passageway. Minato moved down it quickly and knocked on the door. The door recognized his chakra and swung open revealing only Ibiki, Jiraiya, Naruto, and Heiri.

"Greetings Lord Hokage" Ibiki said, "Heiri was just telling us what he witnessed in the battle versus Sasuke and Itachi."

Minato nodded, "Of course. Don't mind me I do not wish to interfere in your domain Ibiki but I fear I must supervise the happenings that take place here. The clan leaders expect my guidance over your work but again please ignore me I will not meddle with your plans."

Ibiki gave Minato a hard look before nodding, "I suppose it can't be helped. Naruto I will finish with Heiri here, you can proceed to Sasuke's cell and begin with non physical questioning."

Naruto left in a subdued silence.I wasn't supposed to go first Ibiki is just messing with dad. But why? Now isn't the time for rivalry... Ibiki better get a hold of himself.

It took some time for Naruto to reach Sasuke's cell. The most important detainees were always kept the furthest from the entrance and farthest under ground. Naruto held out his hand and formed a rasengan to prove to the guards who he was and while the demonstration lacked actual importance- due to the fact no one would have been able to break into the building without brute force and their had not been a breech- the action put the guards at ease and allowed Naruto into Sasuke's cell. Naruto liked the cells here there were no cameras no windows not even a slide on the doors to check on the prisoners. No matter what he did at that moment no one would ever know and Naruto used that opportunity to do something he never would have if someone had been watching. Naruto walked over to Sasuke and pulled off the bag that covered Sasuke's head.

"How's it going Sasuke?" Naruto asked calmly.

Sasuke's eyes looked to the floor; the last Uchiha was in a pitiful state. "I can't use sharingan."

Naruto nodded, "The chains you're wrapped up in keep your chakra from being molded. You couldn't even henge if you wanted to."

Both teenagers were quiet. The silence was piercing. Naruto grabbed his head as a dull throbbing pain began to pound away at his brain. "Fuck this Sasuke, why the hell did you come back? If you really cared about Itachi you would never have left the village. If you really cared about anyone here you wouldn't have left the village. Do you even have anything to say for yourself?"

Sasuke lifted his head up and smiled. "I'm sorry."

Suddenly the room was cold. The tension at dissipated and they both realized how different they had become. They couldn't understand each other.

"What do you plan to do Sasuke? Rejoin Konoha as a ninja or-."

"Leave again? Yes, I think we both know I can't stay here. Even if I returned, accepting punishment and probation the village would never trust me. I am the student of Konoha's legendary traitor and brother of the other... Besides their is nothing I want from Konoha."

"Itachi would never betray this village and you know it. Stop dancing around the question I need an answer. Are you planning to attack Konoha in the future or do you plan to protect your home country? Or will you ignore us?"

"I haven't decided."

Naruto waited. "What?"

"I'm the first one to admit power has changed me. I no longer have free will Naruto. I will go wherever I can find power and do whatever it takes to gain it. I live for one reason to become stronger than you. You can become powerful in Konoha and I can not."

Frustration was all Naruto felt. "You have to be kidding me? What's the point of getting stronger without a purpose? Why do you need to be strong Sasuke?" It was clear Sasuke would not come back to the village. But what would he do? That was the real question.

"To prove to myself that I could have saved Itachi if I was stronger. To prove that I'm stronger than you, even if you don't care. I am an Uchiha and am born with a thirst for power, its in my blood. Naruto I'll always view you as my brother, but as brothers we're rivals and I can't compete with you if I stay in Konoha. You thrive protecting people. I don't. We were always opposites and even though right now our strength is almost the same we have different strengths."

"Ibiki is going to kill you." Naruto was solemn. Ibiki would not have a choice Sasuke claimed he could be a possible threat to the village.

"He'll definitely try Naruto."


Kabuto opened the iron gate. The plan was in action the sound ninja were moving out. Suigetsu was ready for the operation he was in a glass tank, water all around him, seals on his chest and his back. It was up to Kabuto to carry out Orochimaru's final plan. The plan that had been started years ago.

"I'm coming for you Konoha," mumbled the white haired medic pushing his glasses back into their rightful place.


Running down the dark corridor to Sasuke's cell a young sentry breathed hard. Without acknowledging the guards to either side of the door he entered the room. "Naruto-san a large force of Sound ninja have been spotted approaching the village you assistance has been requested by Lord Hokage".

Naruto clenched his fist. "Do you know anything about this Sasuke?"

"No. But I'm not surprised."

"Fuck you Sasuke." Naruto said through clenched teeth as he left the room and disappeared in a smoky cloud.

Naruto appeared in the Hokage's office in the same smoky cloud he had disappeared in. "Hey dad what's happening?"

Minato sat solidly in his chair. Elbows weighing heavily against the table his fingers tightly folded over themselves. Even his head hung heavy as his chin pressed down on his interlocked hands. He eyed the guards in a manner most umbecomest of him. They understood immediately- they were dismissed.

Minato shifted his gaze slowly from the place the guards had been to Naruto. "Hey buddy."

Naruto was unnerved by his father's demeanor. He was acting unusually like a typical parent. "What's the matter down?"

"Well Naruto." Minato sighed. "Do you remember when you were kidnapped by the Rock?"

"Not much. Just Kabuto, the seal, and a few other things."

Minato nodded. "Well Naruto as you have heard Kabuto is on his way to the village and Jiraiya's gathered intelligence has led him to believe that he is here for you. While we don't know what will happen we think its best if you stayed out of the action."

Naruto frowned, "Dad you can't expect me to stay out of the action people are going to die out there and I can stop some of it. Worrying is pointless!"

"Hey punk, don't argue with dad." Anko smirked as she emerged from the wall of the Hokage's office. I'm going to watch you to make sure you don't do anything stupid. Ino volunteered to stay with you too." Anko winked at him.

Naruto blushed. "Well it's nice of you Anko but dad isn't keeping me out of the fray. I'm too old for you to be worrying about me like this. I'm a ninja."

"And as a ninja," Minato began more forcefully, "you must respect the orders of the Hokage."

Naruto tightened his fist. "Very well Lord Hokage." Brusquely he exited the office.

Anko caught up with him in the hallway and put her arm around his shoulder. "Hey kid dad's just doing what he would do if any other ninja was in your position. Don't think its cause he underestimates your abilities. We all know how strong you are. Besides Ino is waiting for you at home so cheer up." Anko smirked, "You know kid I don't know why but she really has a think for you."

Naruto said nothing but the thought of Ino waiting for him at his house did make his dad's decision more understandable.


Kabuto looked at his amassed force from behind tinted glass. He had stopped to rest his troops before they began their suicidal assault. Two hundred regular soldiers with a couple dozen of Orochimaru's monsters unleashed for the first time. Kabuto was holding back nothing. Orochimaru's forces had been completely emptied and blown up. Important documents and recorded information on experiments were kept in a vault in the Sound Village deep under ground they were safe. For now.

"Karin get ready. I'll need you to locate Naruto first before you go get Sasuke." Kabuto gave her a reproachful look.

Karin nodded barely suppressing the desire to shudder. Kabuto was the spitting image of Orochimaru now. Not in looks perhaps but the feeling of their chakra. Their were subtle differences however the most noticeable as well as the most shocking was that Kabuto was even more disturbed and evil than Orochimaru but fortunately much less powerful. Where Orochimaru had conducted experiment's to increase his knowledge of chakra and increase his power Kabuto conducted experiments to see the range of human tolerance for suffering and manipulation.

As Karin examined Kabuto's chakra she determined that Kabuto had not stayed with Orochimaru for the same reasons has his other followers. Kabuto had to a certain extent been grateful to Orochimaru for rescuing him from Akatsuki but Kabuto also loved Orochimaru's capacity for evil. Almost as great as his own.

Juugo hid behind Karin. While he couldn't see the chakra as Karin could he could feel it like any other ninja and it was the only thing keeping him sane. His cursed abilities kept at bay not by Sasuke's blood lust but by Kabuto's.

Kabuto looked at Juugo and smiled causing the mentally unstable youth to turn away.

"Master Kabuto!"

"Yes?" Kabuto said impatiently to the messenger who skidded to a halt before him.

"Your spies have just got word that Akatsuki may offer its assistance in attacking Konoha. Their leader claims to have similar interests as you."

"Well this is indeed good news. Are we still in contact with Akatsuki?"

"Yes in fact Akatsuki is here now."

Kabuto whirled around. "Hello Zetsu."

Zetsu stood only a few feet in front of him the white side of his face smiling pleasantly while the right side of his face was contorted in a look of contempt. The large Venus fly trap like creature had known Kabuto when he was still a subordinate of Sasori. "It's been a long time." The white half of the face said, "I'm impressed to see that your still alive."

"Shut up we have more important matters to discuss."

Kabuto had never got used to Zetsu but he did not let his feelings get in the way of business. He looked over his shoulder and addressed Karin, Juugo, and the messenger in one word, "dismissed".

The medic waited until they had left before speaking. "Any assistance you would be willing to offer in the battle against Konoha would be most appreciated. What were you thinking?"

The black half of Zetsu answered quickly, "Our leader has decided your force would be enough to weaken Konoha for him to employ the next stage in our plans. He offers you the assistance of the Akatsuki spies in the village. They understand the situation and will be awaiting your orders."

The white half of Zetzu eagerly handed a folder to Kabuto. "Good luck Kabuto-san."

Zetsu dissapeared into the earth without another word. Kabuto grinned. Zetsu's Mayfly jutsu was second in teleportation ability only to the Fourth's and only because the Mayfly jutsu only allowed Zetsu to travel to destinations on the ground. Kabuto opened the folder flipping through its contents. There were nine names. Nine Konoha jounin at his disposal. If quickly employed they would be able to open the gate and assassinate some more powerful foes that could have been foils to his plan. As Kabuto walked to the exit he pushed his glassed back into place letting the glare of the dim lights conceal his eyes twinkling shown in excitement.