The Konoha Elders -

Homura Mitokado - male

Koharu Utatane - female

For your convenience. Enjoy. :)


Homura Mitokado quickly returned to his seat. He was the announcer now. He would speak his mind regarding the Uchiha later.

The witnesses were to be questioned. Mei Terumi was the first one to step in front of all gathered. She eyed the chained man for a moment, her expression sad.

"Ah, it's such a shame for such a handsome man to be wasted like this..."

The Utatane stood up, seemingly ignoring the remark regarding Sasuke. "Terumi-sama, will you tell us of your first encounter with the accused?"

The woman sighed, taking one more peek at the Sharingan user. "It was about four years ago, back when the war had not yet begun. On the Kage summit."

"And what happened then? As far as we know, he attacked you."

"Well... I can not say that he attacked us. He was after Danzo. We were the ones that attacked him. He was just defending himself while trying to follow the Hokage."

The people in the Great Hall started whispering. This was not the answer that they were expecting.

"So you are saying that the Uchiha is not guilty?"

The Mizukage looked away for a second, searching for the right words. "Are we all not guilty in something? We have all led fights, all of us had killed."

"You can not possibly compare a mission objective to the murder of the Hokage."

Mei gave the old woman a bad look and sighed again. "Itachi Uchiha killed hundreds of men, women and children, but he was excused because this was an order. However, we are proclaiming this young man for a criminal because he killed the single man that was at fault for his family's death? I saw the report, I know about Danzo and the way he was using Sharingan eyes. If I was an Uchiha, I would have killed him as well. Danzo was a criminal. I have nothing more to say." With these words she returned to her seat with her head held high. The Hall became very noisy for a moment. No one had expected such a testimony. Kakashi stared at the woman for a while. Her green eyes were intriguing. So was her character. He was glad the trial had started in this way. There could be some hope for Sasuke after all...

Everyone watched as Gaara stood up and slowly walked in front the gathering. His piercing eyes stuck to the Uchiha. He waited for people to stop talking. When it was finally silent, he moved his gaze to the Konoha Council. Koharu Utatane opened a piece of paper and started reading.

"Gaara-sama, can you specify, when was the first time you met the Uchiha?"

The man exhaled and closed his eyes for a moment. "I met him back when we were attending our chunin exams, here in Konoha. Back when I was a killing maniac, and he was a clever and strong young shinobi. I lost my fight to him."

"And can you tell us what happened at the Kage summit? We understand that he fought you as well."

"I was actually the one that battled him. He was looking for someone and I tried to stop him." The silence in the room was unbearable. "I tried to reason with him, but couldn't really."

"Did he refuse to listen to you?"

"No. We talked enough. But how could I ask him to stop with his objective, when I would have personally done the same?"

A burst of whispers followed his words. In the end, Homura had to ask the attendants for silence.

"Kazekage-sama, can you please elaborate on your words?"

The red-haired man sighed. "I will be short. I have killed too many people back when I was a Jinchuuriki. And with no reason. This man chased after the one directly responsible for the death of his clan. He had stolen their kekkei genkai, stumping over the Uchiha pride."

"So you are claiming that he is innocent?" The Mitokado jumped up, slamming the paper he was holding on his desk.

"No," continued Gaara, his voice completely calm. "I am just looking at things from his point of view. Honestly, I understand the grounds on which he is being prosecuted, but can not understand your proof. He killed a killer. Danzo did not deserve to be the Hokage."

Following this, the man took his place as well. The Hatake couldn't miss the smile that Mei gave the young Kazekage.

As soon as the order in the room was restored, the Raikage went in front as well. However, he walked to Sasuke and leaned in, staring straight at his covered eyes. A few of the ANBU guards took positions, but he quickly stepped back.

"I will not wait for your ridiculous questions. I will simply tell you why I want him dead. This bastard attacked my brother, trying to kidnap him so the Hachibi can be stolen. Later on he attacked me as well. I had to remove my arm to evade his deadly fire." The man raised his crippled left hand, demonstrating the damage. "I want him dead and am willing to personally handle this. He is a maniac, a menace and a danger for the whole shinobi world. What you Kages said is ridiculous. He can not be pardoned in any way. I think that the idea of eliminating all Uchiha was genius. These people are freaks. They can't think straight!"

"You can not put all Uchiha under the same line," the Mizukage interrupted.

"Of course I can! No member of this clan has ever shown anything else than their madness!"

"This is not true!"

"Really? Tell me one Uchiha that was not evil?"

"Itachi..."

"Itachi was a murderer. Even if ordered, you can't be sane to kill that many people!"

"Silence!"

All turned to Hiashi Hyuuga, who had stood up with his hands on the desk.

"Raikage-sama, do you have anything else to add? I have other matters to attend to and do not wish to waste too much time on this trial."

"I have nothing else to say."

The Kumo leader took his seat. All looked at Kakashi, who slowly walked in front of everyone.

"I can not argue with anything that was said. However, I would like to point out a few details.

First of all, Itachi was a spy for Konoha. He joined Akatsuki so he can have an insight of their work. How can we be sure that Sasuke did not join this group on the same reasons? He was never questioned, nor was he ever given the chance to explain his actions.

Second, I can be certain for this one, as I also have the Sharingan and know how it works. When Killer Bee was attacked by Sasuke and his group, he managed to escape by transforming and hiding underwater. What the accused took to the Akatsuki hideout was a clone Bee had created as a distraction. However, I can be certain that the Uchiha spotted this with his kekkei genkai. He deliberately took the clone back to fool Obito. He never worked for him in real. His only goal was to find his brother and seek revenge."

"You can not be sure for any of this," pointed the Raikage.

"This is true. But we could find more from him. As I explained, he had never been questioned regarding this.

And to finish, third, Danzo was not officially a Hokage. He self-proclaimed himself as such while Tsunade was unconscious. He was really only a deputy, just as I am now. So Sasuke simply killed a person who had ruined his family."

Kakashi sat down, feeling uneasy. He had put things in the best way he could. But the last word was the Council's. And he already knew what they had in mind.


What are you doing? You are wasting time.

I am enjoying myself.

Are you having second thoughts?

Don't be ridiculous. I am just finding this amusing.

My patience is running thin.

Calm down. We are almost there.


Everyone kept silent. Everyone watched as Hiashi Hyuuga, who had taken the place of Danzo in the Konoha Council after he was murdered four years ago, stood up and walked ahead. The immediately turned his back to the Uchiha, as if he was disgusted by him.

"Most of you seem to be taking the Uchiha's side, understanding him and excusing him," he started, his face dead serious. "Yes. He killed one man. Despite how many times he has threatened to kill us all, he had managed to kill only Danzo, aside from his brother.

However, think of the other crimes he committed. He joined Orochimaru, who was a famous Konoha outcast. He joined Obito and Madara, helping them with the war. He attacked Naruto, the person that saved us all, almost killing him. He abducted my daughter and still refuses to give any information for her."

"Excuse me, Hiashi-sama, but I personally escorted Hinata-san here." Gaara shifted in his seat, his arms tied on his chest. "I still do not understand why she is not here. Her testimony could be crucial for this trial."

A few people in the background confirmed, whispers quickly spreading in the hall. The Hyuuga Clan Leader kept quiet for a moment.

"My daughter is held by my men and will be questioned on her own."

"Yes, but her words can answer many things regarding this case."

The man stuck his white eyes to the Hokage. "Hinata will be prosecuted on her own. From now on she will be treated as every other Hyuuga."

"Does this mean she will receive the Cursed Hyuuga Seal?" The Hatake widened his eye.

Hiashi clenched his jaw. "What I do with my daughter does not concern any of you."

"But it concerns this trial. Where is she," asked the Raikage, feeling uneasy. This white-eyed man was hiding something.

"That is none of your business."

"Hyuuga, what are you hiding?" Kumo's leader was getting inpatient.

Kakashi closely monitored the man, standing in front of them, watching as a hint of panic started filling his features. The Hatake was worried for Hinata, but in the same time he was calm. All would be revealed soon.


The chakra restraining chains were causing her too much pain and were not allowing her to use her Byakugan properly. Her kekkei genkai was activated, but only managed to make her dizzy. She had concentrated all her chakra in her arms, trying to somehow break free from the cuffs that were holding her. But in vain. All she ended up doing was hurt herself.

But she wouldn't give up. She had gone through enough to let go now. He was here. She needed to get to this trial before it was too late.

Shifting again, she put all the physical force she had to break free. Blood dripped from her wrists, but she had to try.

Suddenly, she froze. There was a strange noise coming from outside. Someone was fighting.

No. It couldn't be. Sasuke couldn't have unleashed his madness, not yet...

Her hands were shaking. She tried activating her Byakugan again, but this only caused her a headache. Gritting her teeth, she pulled as hard as she could, hoping the chains would be loose enough for her to escape.

Yet, before she could do anything, the door to where she was held was thrown off its hinges. The heavy piece of wood fell on the floor, creating a huge dust cloud. The girl raised her eyes to see Naruto standing on the doorway, lighting the dark place with his Kyuubi mode. The boy gave her his brightest smile and in a moment was in front of her. In another second she was free from her chains.

"Hinata-chan!"

"Naruto-kun..." Before she could continue, a huge dizziness overwhelmed her and she lost balance. The Uzumaki caught her immediately, fixing his concerned sky-blue eyes on her face.

"Oi, Hinata! Are you ok?"

The strange nausea was gone in a moment and she stared at him. His smile was heartwarming, but she felt like crying.

"Naruto-kun, I am so sorry... I didn't mean to hurt you, I..."

"Hey, stop that," he insisted. Helping her stand, he held her by the shoulder to be sure she wouldn't fall. "I am fine, I was always fine. Sasuke is a trickster and he makes stuff like that happen. I am the one that has to apologize. If I was more careful..."

But a noise from outside distracted him. Someone was coming. They had to hurry. Taking her hand, the Uzumaki unleashed his Kyuubi mode again and pulled her ahead. A few Hyuuga guards jumped at him, but were quickly stopped. Hinata cold only stare, praying that her strength would come back before it was too late.

Naruto was striking the men with his Rasengan techniques, but was barely knocking them down just to slow them. He knew how to battle without killing. Something that was unfamiliar to the Uchiha.

Soon they were outside the Hyuuga mansion and hurried to the center of the village. The man was still holding her hand while they ran. The Heiress watched their entangled fingers, feeling strange. This would have caused her to probably faint a month ago. And now it was a mere friend's touch. His hand was nothing like the Uchiha's. She shook her head to clear her mind.

"Where are we going?"

"To Sasuke's trial. Kakashi-sensei ordered me to bail you out so you can attend the meeting. You definitely have much to say. So do I."

People were looking at them strangely as they passed through the Konoha streets. Most knew Hinata was missing and were surprised to see her. Other were wondering why a dozen Hyuugas were chasing after them.

But it didn't matter. They were faster. And were almost there. Disregarding the ANBU guards at the entrance, both rushed in. Some tried stopping them, but it was too late. A huge Rasengan landed on the wooden door and it opened with a slam. The whole gathering jumped up, startled at their sudden arrival. Only Kakashi, smiled under his mask. He had not expected a better appearance from the Uzumaki.

Sasuke was calmly hanging from his chains, his face dead serious. Only a few men noticed that the smirk on his lips was gone.

"What is the meaning of this?" Hiashi took a step further, headed for his daughter, but Naruto quickly stood before her, a Bijuu Rasengan in his glowing hands.

"Don't come close to her!" The Jinchuuriki took a step further to Hinata. "She was chained like an animal! Is this how you treat your Heir? You are a disgrace as a father!"

"Naruto," Kakashi had stepped up, trying to stabilize the situation.

"No! He is the one that should be chained!"

"How dare you..."

"I told you to stay away."

All of a sudden, complete silence fell upon the room. Everyone gazed at the Uchiha. His face was shifted towards the Hyuuga girl, her white eyes glued to him with shock.

"I told you not to follow me," the chained man continued, his voice low and deadly. "But you stubbornly found your way back, no matter how far away I left you. Now you will have to be a witness to this all."

Before anyone could think his words through, a huge wave of power filled the air. Some of the attending jumped up and ran out of the Hall with screams. They seemed clever enough to know what was about to happen.

A black aura surrounded the Uchiha, swirling around him like wind. Was this the Susanoo?

"No..." Hinata's whisper answered Kakashi's question. He took her and Naruto by the shoulders and pulled them back. The wind in the room was so strong, they had to cover their eyes and protect their faces from the flying objects.

Sasuke's chains melted from his wrists like butter, leaving not a single mark on his skin. His feet free as well, he took a step forward, taking the cloth off his eyes. His Sharingan glowed with deadly madness. The evil expression on his face was unbearable. His usual insane smirk slowly spread on his lips.

"Now, who should I start with?"


Note:

I really enjoyed writing this chapter. I will finally get to where I want to be with this story. Really hope you enjoyed it. More is up to come soon, and it will be brutal! :D

A VERY MAJORLY SPECIAL thanks to .xX. She was amazing enough to draw Sasuke, my favorite anime/manga madman, and she not only drew him amazingly, she actually drew him inspired by this fanfic. Girl, it is amazing. There are little things as awesome as a chained, smirking Sasuke. Thank you. You are amazing. This is one of the most amazing things anyone has ever done for me and my art.

I will make sure to put a link to it in the description of my profile. Please do check it there.

Now is the time to make a request. What do you want to see in the next chapter? And bear in mind that I take all your requests and put them in my thinking book :D Will make sure they will appear in the story very soon. Love ya!