Naruto has a big secret, he isn't the dead last he appears to be. But why would he show that before he is ready to deal with the stones the council loves placing in his way? The Sandaime, having opened his eyes will do his best to make sure that Konoha will retain the Will of Fire. Smart / Strong Naruto

Keep fighting, they say, eventually you will have won. But what is winning? As order in the Element Nations collapses, Team Seven asks just that. The desert cries out and on blood-soaked dunes their sandals leave imprints. Where do you draw the line when war puts morality into question at every turn? [AU]