Know Pain

by MeepMeep7913

Pain had it all. Family, soldiers, criminals and assets. Now all that was left to do was to move the first pawn, and the game would begin. And create the peace he so desired - at the hands of a tailed beast weapon he didn't even have to control. His empire would rise, and show the world true peace. The world needed pain, after all...

7. Chapter 6 - Purge

LEVEL FIVE EMERGENCY PROTOCOL:

'...A level five emergency can only be declared by those of gold ranking status. Adeptly so, given that all resources of the state come under the totalitarian control of the leader at once to enable complete control.

This status means total war or similar has been declared that threatens the nation itself, its assets and veritable amounts of the population.

All ninja are placed on alert during this period, ready to deploy given orders from their superiors. This includes the full distribution of weapons and equipment, so that forces may be ready to engage in combat at a moments notice.

All ninja are to obey their orders throughout this period, given the highly likely nature of this alert status that it threatens something of extreme importance to the country and its populous. Failure to do so may result in charges up to and including treason, dereliction of duty and desertion; all of which can carry the death penalty.

Readers of this manual, the importance of this alert cannot be stated enough. The very existence of the nation may be threatened throughout this period, and emergency protocols will be in place throughout it. Should it come to it, the 'last hope' protocols will be engaged.'

AME, WESTERN CIVILIAN DISTRICT.

A woman screamed as a metal armoured boot slammed against the front door and caved in the lock in a powerful strike, the door slamming inwards against the front hallway wall as it swung inwards on its hinges. The clanking of metal armour filled the hall as two figures rushed in, completely unrecognisable due to the metal chakra armour both wore. Covered from shoulders to the soles of their feet in metal plates which moved in a sliding fashion over one another to avoid too much restriction of movement, they were clearly members of Ame's elite battalions. Metal helmets covered every part of their head and face, with only a filtered mouthpiece on the front and red-tinted eye lenses built into the helmet seeming to give any indication that they were indeed human.

A metal armoured foot stepped forth through the wreckage of the doorway, signifying a third elite ninja entering the premises, the eye lenses looking around before focusing upon the man who had rushed into the hallway and drew a kunai in a defensive stance against the three elite ninja invading his home. A singular bar of dark green was present upon the newly arrived elite ninja, enabling them to be recognised as a junior elite jonin in charge of the elite squad.

"Jonin Ruloske. You are under arrest for charges of treason against the state government, collaboration with insurgent enemy forces and intention to murder." The elite jonin stated, their voice made deep and artificially sounding through the filters of the helmet as it seemed to scramble their voice; the red lenses even only allowing the black of their eyes to be seen. "It is strongly advised you remain silent and cooperative before your trial, as any resistance or insulting of your handlers may result in your premature execution and the consequential damage being placed upon your family."

The jonin seemed taken aback by the charges, before stammering out. "But I haven't done anything! You have no evidence of my involvement in anything!"

The elite jonin wasn't fazed. "That is for the military courts to decide. You have five seconds to drop the weapon, unstrap all weapons on your person and get down on your knees to comply with your arrest or you will also be charged with resisting arrest."

The jonin took a second before slowly placing the kunai on a nearby table, unstrapping the kunai pouch on their leg and allowing it to fall to the floor before sinking to his knees with his hands behind his head.

"Good." The elite jonin sounded out, before motioning to the man to the two other armoured ninja. "Seize him."

The two stepped forth, one seizing both arms from behind his back to restrain him as the other patted down his person to ensure there were no remaining weapons leftover before standing up, nodding and handing over a pair of handcuffs to the restraining elite ninja. The jonin winced as the handcuffs were tightly clamped down upon his wrists to the extent that he could feel his own blood flow, before an uncomfortable sensation overcame all the chakra points in his hands as a seal glowed on the handcuffs and forcibly closed them.

"Let's move-" The elite jonin began before a shout interrupted him, a crying woman appearing before them.

"You can't do this! We have rights!" The woman shouted at them through her tears. "You can't just seize people based upon nought but suspicion!"

The elite jonin blankly looked at the woman. "A level five emergency has been declared, prompting the use of emergency protocols and powers. Your rights have been temporarily suspended throughout this period to allow state forces to achieve their objectives." With another motioning hand sign, the elite ninja holding the jonin forced them up and began shoving them to the doorway.

"Fuck you!" Came the warning shout, as the woman seized the kunai from the nearby table and swiped it clumsily at the elite jonin who had his back turned to her. "At least Hanzo left the civilians in peace!"

Unfortunately for her, a civilian woman could not match even a genin, let alone an elite jonin who was a part of the elite forces, complete in full body armour. The kunai uselessly clanged against the neck section that the woman had aimed for.

Turning around slowly, the black irises were all the woman saw before the elite jonin's hand blurred out, roughly gripped the wrist holding the kunai in a strong metal grip, fluidly breaking it before sending the woman sprawling to the floor. The jonin was also sent tumbling to the floor, still bound and restrained at the elite jonin's command, a metal boot stomping upon both person's torsos to prevent them from getting up.

The elite jonin's eye lenses seemingly flashed as they pulled themselves up to their fullest height before giving their judgement. "As evidenced by your partner, jonin Ruloske, you are hereby found guilty of holding sympathies for the deceased traitorous Hanzo of the Salamander, and in accordance found guilty of thus treason and potential collaboration with insurgents. As you have been found guilty of two capital charges and your partner found guilty of one capital charge, I hereby sentence both of you to death."

The jonin thrashed under the boot on the floor. "You can't do this! Your not the judge who decides!"

"You are wrong." The elite jonin calmly spoke, blankly staring at the two struggling people on the floor. "Under paragraph two, subsection thirty-six, of the level five emergency protocol, ninja given permission by a superior of red ranking status may dispose of renegade forces as they see fit. Be grateful that we are mercifully giving you an instant death that traitors like you do not deserves." A swift downward motion of the elite jonin's hand silenced the two's panicked complaints and struggles as two kunai penetrated their heads, thrown from outstretched hands of their restraining elite ninja.

Taking only a moment to see their success, the elite jonin nodded in satisfaction. "Good. Call a clean-up crew." They ordered, getting an affirming nod from one who pulled out a radio handset, before they turned to the other elite ninja of the squad. "The couple were reported to have a kid. Find it. We'll take it in for conditioning."

KONOHAGAKURE.

SUNA BREAKS OFF ALLIANCE WITH LEAF. RELATIONS WORSEN.

Newspapers were displaying the bold title all across the wooden stand they were being displayed and sold in, a man shouting out the current news and waving one of the newspapers; causing a sensation as many of the surrounding civilians closed in to find out more. Many bought the newspaper and flipped over to the corresponding pages, with many of the civilians expressing affronted or curious looks on their faces, with the occasional outraged expression mingled in.

"What on earth? The Sand broke off their alliance with us?"

"See look - 'The Fourth Kazekage has accused Lord Hokage of manipulation tactics and of stealing from the Sand...' Stealing?"

"Stealing what? Surely they're no begrudging us getting a few extra missions?"

"It's an outrage! They can't just get away with blatantly accusing and insulting us!"

"I hope the Hokage holds talks with them. The last thing we need is another hateful major power like Iwa, they only just managed to get Kumo into a non-aggression pact."

"I trust the Fourth. He'll know what to do."

"They certainly weren't able to prevent the only worthwhile alliance we had going down the drain, were they?"

A cacophony of noise had overtaken wherever the news was being sold, much of the Leaf becoming concerned as they worried about being alone on the continent. Sure, they had an official alliance with Waterfall and friendly relations with other nations, but the ones that really counted were the major powers. None of them had official friendly relations with the Leaf.

A meeting had been scheduled concerning the issue in the meeting chambers of the Hokage Tower. A spacious room with oak furnishings and carpeted flooring, it had currently been set up in a square like fashion. Three long tables had been put together to face one large desk which was close to the windows overlooking the main street below.

The main double doors to the meeting room opened, allowing a blonde-haired tall man, styled in a spiky fashion, to stride in - his piercing blue eyes taking in the three tables filled with attending ninja and others. Decked out in the ceremonial Hokage robes, the writing for 'Fourth Hokage' emblazoned on the white cloak he wore. "Take the register." he ordered, before then seating himself at the large desk that faced them all and putting his hands together on top of them all.

"Yes sir." Shikaku Nara, the head strategist and jonin commander of the Leaf, otherwise known as the second in command to the Hokage, spoke. Standing up and rolling his shoulder to better position the loose jonin flak jacket he was wearing, he produced a list and called for attendance. "Lord Hokage and the jonin commander are in attendance. I call for the chunin commander to answer the register."

A ninja wearing a grey bandana which was tied to the forehead protector stood up, a curtain of black hair covering their right eye. "Izumo Kamizuki, here." The ninja spoke before sitting down.

"ANBU commander, answer." Shikaku spoke out.

"Kakashi Hatake, in attendance." The grey-haired ninja spoke out, their forehead protector currently slanted to cover up the left eye, which many knew was now just an empty eye socket covered over by bandages.

"Head of the intelligence division, answer." Shikaku repeated.

A large, intimidating man stood up from his seat in the left corner, a trench coat hanging off his frame as a black bandana was tightly wound round his head. "Ibiki Morino, here." The bear-like man answered in a deep tone of voice before sitting down.

Shikaku nodded before consulting the list again. "All advisors in attendance, please answer."

Danzo took a second to look around from his seat, the bandages stemming from the entire left right side of his face which covered his eye all the way across his left arm, utilising the cane in his left hand to help himself up. "Advisors Shimura, Utatane and Mitokado in attendance." He answered in a blank voice before sitting back down slowly.

Shikaku's eyes hovered on Danzo's crippled form for a moment before observing the register. "Head of the support division, answer."

Tsunade Senju stood up then, a blonde haired woman with brown eyes dressed in a green robe looking briefly at Shikaku as she answered. "Tsunade Senju, here."

Shikaku gave a satisfied nod before seeing the bottom of the list. "All other commanders, division heads and others that have been invited, please answer now."

A balding man in a grey robe stood up then, a white goatee giving character to an otherwise sharp and wizened face. "Hiruzen Sarutobi, Third Hokage present." Hiruzen responded before sitting down.

A man also stood up then on Hiruzen's left side, though old as he was he looked powerful and in much better form than Sarutobi. A large white mane of hair sat atop his head, red tattooed lines extending down from his eyes as he was dressed in a murky green robe with a red haori over the top. "Jiraiya of the Sannin, head of the Leaf's spying division is here!" The man said in a flamboyant tone before sitting down with a large smile. Tsunade visibly rolled her eyes from the opposite side of the room.

A masked ANBU then stood up from the end of the right table, taking off the mask to reveal a short woman with purple hair. "Yugao Uzuki, head diplomatic ANBU liaison present."

Shikaku waited a moment for anymore responses before nodding his head a final time and putting down the pen he'd been using. "All members, present and accounted for, Lord Hokage." Shikaku spoke in a professional tone before seating himself at the middle table.

"Thank you, Shikaku." Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, spoke before making his posture more comfortable and continuing. "The topic of this general meeting I have called with the advisors, commanders and division heads is that of the relations the Leaf currently has with the elemental nations. As no doubt marked by the withdrawal of our alliance with the Sand from their side, the Leaf finds itself in a bit of a precarious position in terms of being able to rely on others for assistance and other matters. I feel that this may particularly threaten our trade, which is why I open the floor to the advisors to please tell us the general state of our trading relationships. This may then lead onto other matters I wish to discuss of the topic."

The three old, retired ninja turned advisors looked at each other and muttered to each other for a moment before Koharu Utatane stood up slowly. "Thank you, Lord Hokage." The lady first thanked before clearing her throat and starting. "I think the first thing to say is that the Leaf is under no threat currently in terms of a shortage for essentials. We source a lot of our food from either home or the minor nations and so are not threatened by any move from the major nations on that front, however our mineral supply is a different matter. As those aware of the geology well know, most of the metal and mineral supply comes from either the mountainous North or terrain to the West. We feel that that, could indeed come under threat."

Minato frowned before speaking. "Please explain." He gestured.

Danzo stood up then. "Although we have secured a trade agreement with the Land of Lightning and no doubt the Land of Wind will still continue to trade with us, this presents certain.. issues." He summarised, before pausing for a moment to see everyone's attention upon him. "We still hold no trade whatsoever with Iwagakure, cutting off one of the three biggest suppliers of metal and minerals. We source half of our metal and such materials from Kumo, a large share from the Land of Wind and the remainder is covered by the minor nations and what small deposits can be tapped at home."

"Suffice to say." Danzo continued. "Our metal supply is now threatened. In the past three ninja wars, we relied on our alliance with the Sand for metals and such materials as they in turn relied on us for food and essentials. They are no longer our allies. As such, we cannot rely on anyone now should conflict break out, and our economy will suffer even in this peacetime with the application of tariffs to now almost every bit of metal and such material into the country. Our industries will suffer if we cannot secure cheaper, or reliable sources of material assets for production."

Kakashi's hand rose then, Minato nodding his assent for Kakashi to ask a question. "I don't understand." Kakashi stated, drawing the apathetic gaze of Danzo's one eye to him. "We've never had such large problems with metals and supplies before, and the Sand could not have supplied every bit of metal to us in war as they aren't as resource rich as Iwa or Kumo. Can you please clarify?"

Minato looked back to Danzo, who merely nodded. "Certainly. Its simple - there used to be the other minor nations we had around in the second ninja world war, more numerous than what we have today. We used to trade with them before they got conquered and absorbed by other countries, and in the third world war we had the Lands of Grass, Wind, Whirlpool and others to trade with us. Whirlpool now lies destroyed, the surviving Uzumakis moving to the Leaf for protection. The Grass is now conquered by the Lands of Rain and Earth, the small alcove that survived becoming a part of us for protection. And now the Sand has broken off their alliance and we have but a basic trading agreement remaining intact."

Murmuring broke out among the tables, Minato allowing it for a minute before calling for order. "Does anyone have any suggestions on how we may secure a reliable source of mineral and metal supply trade?"

Several people looked at one another before Shikaku stood up. "Lord Hokage. There were a few ideas suggested by the advisors and several division heads, if I may."

"Go ahead, Shikaku." Minato affirmed to the man.

"Well, as far as we can say for now, there are four options we have." Shikaku spoke to the room, eyes solidly locked onto the Hokage's however. "Option one, is of course, to accept the situation. We take the economic losses that tariffs present and simply continue to buy the materials at higher cost."

Harsh muttering broke out then, Danzo in particular letting his displeasure be known as he banged his cane on the floor. "Unacceptable! We cannot just roll over to the other nations, it would make us look weak!"

"Silence!" Minato shouted out, before gesturing to Shikaku. "We will let Shikaku speak. From now on, there will only be talking from whom I allow."

Shikaku gave a nod before setting out the other options. "Option two is reorganise at home. We try and locate new sources within our borders, however many we can find, we restructure some industry and try to diversify our equipment and other items to minimise material usage. New technology should receive higher budgets to try and find new solutions."

Minato frowned before tapping the desk as he thought. "A nice idea, but it sounds unfeasible. Please, after the meeting though, give me a summary in paper form of what we can do with the new technologies and how to diversify our equipment."

Shikaku resumed speaking. "Yes sir." He confirmed. "Option three, however, is to try and renegotiate current trade agreements. We could send diplomats to the Lands of Lightning and Wind, not for alliances, but to try and reconfigure the trade agreements; including lowering border tariffs and trying to allow special access to markets potentially. Particular emphasis should be put on resources needed for production. Then of course, we can try with the minor nations we trade with."

This idea was met with more approval in the meeting. Hiruzen, indeed, put up his hand as Minato let him speak. "This could very well work, Minato." Hiruzen spoke, taking a puff of the pipe he had retrieved from within his cloak. "The Sand will still want to trade with us for food, and so we can use that to lower tariffs. And A, the current Raikage, seems particularly friendly with you. Perhaps you could organise a personal meeting with him to discuss this?"

Minato gave a grunt at that before speaking. "A possibility. It depends in what mood he would be in, for despite our personal friendship, he would always place Kumo first as would I for Konoha." He paused for a moment to consider it some more before turning to Shikaku. "The last idea please, Shikaku."

"Of course, Lord Hokage." Shikaku spoke before he cleared his throat. "The fourth option, is of course, to seek new sources. We should open up diplomatic talks with other nations in order to gain new trading agreements than the standard ones that exist now, mutually beneficial ones, to maximise cheaper trade and reduce dependencies on individual nations for supplies of materials. These in particular include those that border us such as the Land of Water, despite its ongoing civil war, the Land of Rain, the Land of Rivers and the Hot Water village. Then we can go beyond to the minor nations to the West, including the Lands of Iron and Bear."

Koharu seemed to mumble about that before speaking her mind. "Kirigakure? They fought against us in the

Minato considered it for a moment and was about to speak when a hand rose from the right table - the ANBU Yugao wanting to speak. Nodding his position, Yugao stood up to state what she had to say. "Whilst I can appreciate the two last stated points by Shikaku Nara, I must advise caution in two regards - we must be careful not to appear as trying unbalance current relations with other powers as this was what lead to two of the major wars; and I must strictly advise against trying to negotiate with the West." Yugao spoke, before continuing as she saw all of the rooms interest upon her. "The West beyond the Land of Wind is unruly. Though they too, have ninja villages, it is constantly a state of open warfare at times that makes it hard to negotiate and trade with. Should a foreign, indeed, a major power seemingly intervene in it, then it would be seen as one Land becoming too powerful to the extent that it would become a prime target to overrun."

Hiruzen gave a grunt then. "It's true. Trade has always been minimal from the West anyway. I would advise sticking to the North of the Western regions, and closer to our own borders anyway." He stated. "I do completely agree with what Yugao has said. It would be best to select countries which have a more neutral disposition to overall relations, or don't have a favourable outlook on the other major powers. Whilst Shikaku had a good selection of countries based on their location and agreements with us, I wish for Mrs Uzuki to give us some countries she feels can be struck a deal with." Shikaku only gave an approving gesture as Minato watched on in interest with the rest of the room.

Yugao seemed a little taken aback, but quickly recovered as she picked up a stack of papers close to her and pulled out a few. "To be honest, the term 'neutral' in the ninja world is always going to be controversial. In terms of perhaps what we are seeking, we are looking for a country which would also be interested in doing business with a major power, despite whatever history we may have had. In that regard, there are a small number." Yugao paused to briefly read through a piece of paper before speaking once more. "The Land of Iron has never had hostilities with the Land of Fire. This choice is unfeasible, however, due to the fact that they are unwilling to favour any ninja country, and unbalance their relationship across the continent. The Land of Snow to the North, from current intelligence, is undergoing a civil war. The Land of Hot Water holds close ties with Kumogakure. Therefore, I advise you to choose from the remaining options - the Land of Rain, who has done business with both Suna and Iwa despite being enemies in the World Wars, the Land of Rivers who have small deposits of their own and the Land of Frost which is in the central North. The Lands of Rain and Frost would be able to supply our need for a 10% increase."

Minato gave a nod. Scribbling away on some paper and shuffling through to read some previous notes, he spoke his mind. "Good. It seems we have some viable options, and as such I recommend we take as many avenues of opportunity as we can. I hereby have the following actions in mind - we send delegates to the Lands of Wind and Lightning to try and get beneficiary trading contracts that will allow us better terms. This may allow better relations to foster, something we perhaps need after Suna decreasing its own with us. Then, we also send new trading treaties to the Lands of Rain, Frost and River. All of them asking for access to new resources and better terms which may help both sides." Minato concluded, before looking to the three tables of people in front of him. "I am going to ask for an advisory vote from all those present. All those in favour of these new trading ideas, raise your hands now."

People looked at one another, before Shikaku Nara was the first person to slowly raise his hand. This was followed closely by Ibiki Morino, before a multitude of people doing the same. Finally, Yugao raised her hand and appeared to be the last person to do so - Minato waited a moment before seeing that no one else was doing it. Roughly just over two-thirds of the room had put their hands up, Danzo and the two other advisors being the notable exceptions to this.

"Good. It appears most of us are in agreement." Minato stated. "I thank you all for coming today. Whilst the loss of an alliance with Suna is regrettable, we shall still be fine militarily. I shall assess the consequences these actions will have and how it will affect us, I will call upon any of you should I need you. For now, this meeting is adjourned. Shikaku, Yugao, please come with me to my office so that we can draw up preliminary trading agreements."

With that, the room grew louder in volume as people started to get up and gather their things, talking amongst one another as they started to leave the meeting room.

AME, CENTRAL DISTRICT.

The rhythmic thump that sounded out in the street was the only sound that could be heard over the pattering of the rain, somewhat more gentle than was the average fall of rain Ame usually received. The rise and fall of the stamping boots was done in disciplined sync, the headbands of the marching troops glinting row by row each time they passed by a street light. A woman looked out of the window onto the street below to find the source of the noise, only to quickly pull back the curtain as she caught a glimpse of the marching platoon heading to the central square. After what had been going down as of late, she dared not to take any chances.

The marching platoon were all similar - the first three rows containing the khaki green flak jackets of the jonin squad leaders of the platoon, with the remaining rows filled out by the darker green flak jackets of the chunin.

Exiting the end of the street and passing by one of the large skyscrapers that dominated the skyline, the platoon took a right turn to begin entering the central square of Ame. It was a massive flat area, one that older generations could attest to being one of the most memorable differences since the change in government to Pain's dictatorship.

It had once been filled with monuments, statues and sculptures. Several statues had been closer to the edge of the square, showing individual strong ninja who had served Hanzo well in the Third Ninja War to drive out the Leaf and Stone invaders. A dull grey concrete had filled the entire square at the time, arches and plain sculptures dotting, surrounding and leading up to the centre of the square where a statue bigger than any other had been. It had been a statue of Hanzo, arm held forth in a victorious motion as a great likeness of his respirator had been carved onto the statue.

It had been off of that very statue where Pain had ordered the corpses of Hanzo's entire family to be displayed.

Presently, there was much more colour to it. Where once concrete and dull dark colours had dominated, now there was only bricked pathways cut in between large patches of grass and colourful flowers leading up to the central monument where Hanzo's statue had once stood; the only monument in the square. Taller than any of the previous statues had been, the four stencilled lines signifying Ame's symbol had been placed in quartz white upon the upper half of the concrete monument on each side. Below that, on three of the sides were carved the names of ninja who had died in the Second and Third Ninja wars, as well as the civil war. One may note that only the names of family members and individuals who had supported Pain in his takeover could be found on the monument. On the fourth, and most visible side, lay carved:

Here stands a monument, erected in the remembrance of those who died for the freedom of our nation from the tyranny of others. Let us remember their pain, and stay close to our leader and comrades to help bring in a brighter future.

Flags tethered to wires could be found hanging from one end of the monument to the other ends attached to the buildings surrounding the monument. Displayed upon them were the four stencilled lines of Ame in white upon a black circle, the rest of the background being filled in only with navy blue. Trees and other tall plants could be seen dotting the grassy areas which were regularly maintained.

Overall, it was a display of Pain's message to his people. Stay close to him, and you would be rewarded greatly, as his people had flourished.

Pain's Tower stood directly behind that fourth side of the monument, the largest building in Ame by far as it towered in the skyline from where it sat on the edge of the square.

Disobey and rebel, and be crushed.

The platoon marched past an opening to a street, continuing down the surfaced wide path they were marching upon to their destination on the side of the square. Several more buildings were passed as the troops marched in sync, arms rising in accordance to the fall of the opposing boot. Differing colours passed them by as the businesses that nestled inside the bricked buildings differed in purpose and name - but some features were retained from shop to shop. Posters adorned the walls, Ame's symbol glaring from quite a few as others contained marching rank and file not unlike the platoon going past it. Ame's flag hung from the majority going by, some messages written in support for Pain and his military hanging in the shop doors of others.

A loudspeaker was passed by occasionally, the speakers hanging from wooden poles that stood in the corners of the square, as the platoon neared the square corner they needed to turn from to enter the branching street from it. A couple of engineers were stood at the wooden pole, one of them stood at the metal electric box at its base as the other stood atop a ladder seemingly fixing one of the speakers with some tools.

"-the amount of speaking these things do, I'm not surprised they broke down." The engineer atop the ladder spoke down to the other engineer as they twisted a spanner round on one of the speakers.

"Heh." The second engineer chuckled as they fiddled with the coloured wires in the electric box. "You should hear my brother talk about it from the department of public affairs, he deals with the information distribution systems like these. 'It's all about quantity, not quality.' He says. Supposedly it's not about a good message that anyone can mull over and discard, but one that refuses to leave your head."

The engineer atop the ladder made a hushing motion that silenced the second engineer's chuckles as they spotted the disapproving glare of the platoon commander as they approached the corner. Their conversation must've been louder than they thought.

A final twist of the spanner had the first engineer wiping their forehead before nodding. "It should be fixed now. Give it a try." With that, they quickly scurried down the ladder to escape the inevitable loudness as the second engineer gave a thumbs up and threw a switch.

A soft whir could be heard before a beep sounded out, before a booming voice then washed over everyone present in that corner of the square and, undoubtedly, several blocks away.

"-Repeat, the level five declared state of emergency is still in effect. All unauthorised personnel are to remain in their homes until the the state of emergency has passed and at minimum, a return to level three conditions. All civilians are reminded that food will be delivered to their residential homes and blocks should the state of emergency continue past forty-eight hours. All unauthorised persons caught outside of their homes or approved area will be subject to arrest and interrogation. The First and Second divisions have been moved into the city, and all those involved in rebellious activities will be dealt with severely-" The speakers started to drone out as the platoon turned down the street corner and started to march down the street.

Right towards the burning pyres quite a way down.

AME EASTERN MID-CITY DISTRICT.

A man stood on a rooftop, overlooking one of the large burning fires in the middle of the street. He watched as several troopers hurled more fuel onto the fire in the form of wood and straw to easily keep the fire going against the drizzling yet never-ending rain.

Giving a sigh, the man fished a cigarette from one of the pockets on the khaki green jonin flak jacket he wore, before putting it to his mouth and shielding it against the rain with one hand whilst lighting it with the other. Several grey hairs stood out on the balding man's head against the brown trimmed hairline, the flickering orange glow outlining the two red bars standing out on the man's shoulders. This man was the division leader of the First division.

A woman with one red bar upon her shoulders strode up to the man and stood by his side as she took in the sight of the huge burning bonfire before them, the orange glow reflecting upon all the nearby buildings casting her somewhat disturbed face into focus. Tearing her eyes from the sight, she looked up at the older man to her side who reciprocated by glancing to her out the corners of his eyes. Snapping her right fist to her left shoulder in the nation's salute, she began to speak.

"Fifth Brigade commander, reporting in division leader." She reported. "The Fifth Brigade of the First Division is now reinforcing the Eastern district as we have been ordered, sir."

"Stand at ease, brigade commander." The division leader spoke as he exhaled from a drag on his cigarette, a tired edge to his wizened tone slipping out. "I've been up the past thirty-seven hours dealing with this mess. I can assure you, the enemy is long gone. When they were trapped between the local defending forces and the arrival of the First Brigade, Lord Pain crushed them himself."

Taking a more relaxed posture, the brigade commander cast her eyes back to the street below at the soldiers who were seemingly shepherding about hordes of people in the street and the roaring fire that took up the middle of it. Turning her attention back to her division leader, she asked a question to satisfy her ponderings on the situation. "With all due respect then, division leader, what is going on?" She asked.

The division leader didn't even look at her as he merely took a second to take a drag on his cigarette, the end lighting up the same shade of orange as the fire below before taking the cigarette away and letting out a contented exhale. The man answered her by merely gesturing to a wall several buildings down from the fire with the same hand that held the cigarette.

Following her superior's motions, the brigade commander looked round to the wall - taking a second to glimpse at the armoured figures standing on an opposing rooftop before looking at the wall in question. She gasped at what was happening.

Several chunin, identifiable from the dark green shade of their flak jackets, had pulled several people away from one of the groups moving down the street under escort of the soldiers. Clearly, they were all terrified from the shaking of their bodies and drained faces, but nonetheless obeyed the orders the soldiers were giving them - as the individuals commanded to come out stepped forth.

One mother clearly knew better, however, as she began to struggle and try to escape, pulling a young child along with her - only to be seized by two of the chunin. One of them pulled her child from her, causing her to start screaming as the other grabbed her arms and slammed her against the wall. This unnerved the individuals who had stepped forth, only hastening to obey the shouts of a jonin who had jumped down to line up against the wall.

The brigade commander's face became grim as the division leader once more watched her facial expression from the corner of his eyes. As people who had spent years in the military to get where they were, the brigade commander knew full well what was about to happen as the jonin's hand raised and the squad of chunin took a preparatory stance as the people lined up at the wall began to shout. It was well within both their own power and authority to stop the proceedings below.

But neither did.

The jonin's arm flung down and the chunin reciprocated in turn - a volley of kunai flew out and claimed each of the individual lives stood against that wall. It was over in just a second as all of the bodies collapsed to the floor, the only sounds being heard now was the crackling of the fire, hastened moving of the groups; shouts and orders from the soldiers and the cries of a child for their mother.

The squad of chunin then stepped forth, blank facial expressions adorning them as they picked up the corpses and started walking down the street. The brigade commander only watched as what had previously been Ame citizens were tossed one-by-one into the blazing fire.

"Tell me, brigade commander. How long have you been serving in the military?" The voice of the division leader startled her out of her thoughts as she looked to the old man.

"Nine years. Why sir?" The brigade commander questioned back.

The man didn't respond right away, merely giving a nod and another drag on his cigarette before he seemingly spoke both to himself and the commander next to him. "Nine years. You certainly weren't old enough to experience any of what I saw." He muttered before the division leader turned his had to look at her fully. "Forty-one years. That's how long I've served. I've seen a lot, you know. The end of the Second Ninja War, the complete works of the Third, and the year-long civil war. I'm sure you've heard of the purge afterwards, too, where Lord Pain ordered the complete executions of Hanzo's family, friends and anyone even linked to supporting him. Did you know that the great purge at the end of the civil war lasted just a week? And yet the death count from it is still kept classified, even to a ranking official like me."

Silence filled the air after that before the mind of the brigade commander just had to know. "What do you mean, sir? What does that have to do with what's going on?"

The division leader gave a mirthless chuckle as he threw away his spent cigarette. "Surely you can see it, commander. The second 'great purge' has begun." He stated with a blank tone. "My point is, the previous one was where Lord Pain had been completely successful and then shortly after put down like dogs every member of Hanzo's governance and supporters. What will this one look like when Hanzo's supporters targeted someone under his own care?"

Silence once more returned, except this time, the brigade commander didn't quite want to know anymore as the fire just continued to roar and cackle before them as it was fed all through the night.

PAIN'S TOWER.

"He's going into a seizure again! Stand by!" One of the doctors shouted as they surrounded the boy of ten years of age. The red-haired youth lay on the bed, thrashing about as a couple of the medical professionals grabbed his arms and held him down whilst a medic-nin stepped forth and made a hand-sign. Green chakra surrounded their hands before they quickly placed their hands on the boy, whose shaking slowed more and more as the medic-nin continued to apply medical based chakra into his chakra system.

Sitting on a metal table in the corner was the kunai responsible for what had happened. The metal still dripped a dangerous purple liquid occasionally onto the table surface, the crimson blood already dried and encrusted upon the blade.

Behind a one-way mirror looking into the private medical room stood the Deva Path, rinnegan eyes glaring through the transparent side to closely watch what was going on. Konan stood at his side, occasionally glancing back to the Deva Path before looking at Naruto again, who lay upon the bed.

"You know they won't be able to heal him, right?" Konan questioned Deva, who finally gazed at Konan from staring at his twitching nephew.

"Please explain then." Deva motioned as he went back to watching Naruto.

"His chakra system is damaged, badly. The medical chakra used upon him to try and heal him only works for a brief amount of time before it either just leaks out from the ruptured parts of the system or, worse, meets the tailed beast chakra within him and becomes completely nullified." Konan conveyed. "The poison used, its one of the most dangerous in Ame."

"Melyacin." Deva spoke neutrally. "It travels along the blood vessels and attacks the chakra system when they converge, targeting the chakra pores; damaging and breaking them before it causes a chakra build up in that part of the system and ruptures it via a chakra overload. I'm familiar."

"Yes. His chakra system is already damaged to the extreme from my predictions. The only reason he isn't screaming is because he's sedated." Konan spoke.

Deva's mouth twitched. "Are you saying that his chakra system is irreversibly damaged?"

"I cannot say." Konan confessed. "Both the poison and tailed beast chakra make taking any sort of measurements with medical techniques and machines impossible at the moment."

"What about the nine tails chakra? Why is it not healing him?" Deva questioned, some anger evident in his tone though Konan knew it was not directed at her.

"It is, Pain." Konan stated. "It's been more than thirty-six hours since the poison was induced and yet his chakra system has still held out. Anyone else would've given out in less than twelve. I take it the Fox could've destroyed the poison entirely by flooding the chakra pathways with the corrosive chakra, but for the ruptured system which could make it leak anyway and the risk to Naruto in his weakened state. Regardless, the tailed beast chakra cannot heal him for much longer as the poison is naturally gravitative towards chakra and will continue its effects. If left unattended, it will permanently destroy his chakra system."

"Leading to death." Deva muttered, receiving only a slow nod from Konan. The Path's eyes snapped to Konan, who blinked at the intensity within the purple orbs. "What about removing the poison and simply allowing the tailed beast chakra and medical techniques to heal him?"

"There's a problem with even the usual procedure for curing it, Pain." Konan stated, concern evident in her tone. "It clings to the chakra system and is stubborn to remove, meaning the usual procedure involves draining the victim of most of their chakra to levels only sufficient for survival before its manually filtered out of the system using surgery and blood transfusion. The problem here is..."

"...My nephew is a jinchuuriki." Pain stated.

"Exactly." Konan affirmed. "It would be more difficult than normal to drain both his natural Uzumaki dense chakra and high levels to begin with, but combined with the tailed beast chakra, the highest and most dense of the nine of all things! Well, it would overload any seal the hospital or Tower has in stock."

Pain gave a grunt. They could try military-grade seals, but those things were either designed to suppress chakra out of the pores in a target so they couldn't use chakra, something which could worsen Naruto's condition; or suck a victim's chakra to levels of unconsciousness or death. Pain knew that chakra exhaustion could occur, which was a common result from using military-grade seals on a person, which in itself could lead to death. Combined with his nephew's already unhealthy state, it would be fatal.

"What about using the Paths? The Naraka Path is out because it will only heal the Paths themselves, but what about the Asura Path? That could drain Naruto's chakra for the procedure to take place." Deva questioned Konan, giving his inspiration to the more medically adept of the two of them, but that was dashed when she shook her head.

"That carries risks, Pain." Konan stated as she conveyed her opposition to it. "To do this, you would have to drain both normal and tailed beast chakra in large amounts. One slip up could be fatal."

Deva only nodded at that, silent for a while before speaking. "So what can we do?" He eventually just asked Konan.

Konan thought herself before speaking. "Well, we could use a number of seals to drain it, but it would be likely ineffective or too much. Neither of us are adept enough to make an exact seal for this specification. Once the chakra is drained to at least a satisfactory level, we could carry out the procedure. That's the least riskiest way we could do ourselves."

Deva raised an eyebrow, sensing a continuation to the statement. "I take it there's another option?"

Konan nodded. "We ask the Fox what he can do. He could've purged the poison by now and healed Naruto if it wasn't for the poison's gravitative nature. Perhaps if we combined our efforts, we could fully be done with the situation. But I can only know more from what the Fox can tell us."

Deva turned back to look through the glass before he spoke. "Very well."

Konan only watched for a moment as Deva strode with a fast pace to the door, only turning into the corridor and turning straight to enter Naruto's room. Suffice to say, the entrance of Ame's highest authority into the room shocked all those present as Konan entered after Deva who merely put his hands behind his back and turned his attention to the medic-nin in the room.

"Tell me, doctor." Pain spoke as he questioned the doctor who stood straight in front of their leader. "Is the boy stable?"

"Yes sir." The medic spoke, nervousness present in their voice. "The boy is properly sedated and stable, and should continue to be for at least the next hour. However, sir, we do not yet know what can be done to cure him. I would need to speak with others-"

"Do not worry about that. I will take it from here. Remain close by, however, should I need you and your team." Deva ordered as he strode up to the bed Naruto was lying on. "Go and see to the other boy in the other room."

The medic-nin merely nodded, not daring to question their leader as they bowed before leaving with all of the medical staff. Once they had all left, Deva merely looked to Konan before walking up to Naruto and pulsing chakra onto the boy's torso. The ink outline of the containment seal was quickly revealed, Deva's rinnegan eyes being able to see the high red concentration of tailed beast chakra gathered around the four distributing points of the seal that was taking away from the containment ring in the middle of the seal.

"Come out, Fox. I know you can hear me and feel my chakra." Deva intoned to the seal.

It took a second, but Deva quickly withdrew his finger as a visibly red, cloudy mass of chakra rose from the unrestrained containment seal. It seemed to gather strength from sitting on top of the seal as it pulled more chakra from it, before spilling onto the floor and starting to swirl around on the floor. In just a few seconds, a metre tall being emerged from the swirling mass which dissipated instantly - the orange furred Fox stepped forth with nine waving tails behind him. Quickly sitting down at the base of the bed, the Fox's crimson irises looked up into Pain's own solid black ones.

"You called?" The nine tailed Fox greeted simply.

"Indeed." Deva spoke, getting straight to the point with the Fox's obvious approval at that. "I first of all wanted to ask why you haven't healed Naruto?"

The Fox rolled his eyes. "It's not that simple, Uzumaki." The nine tails let out with an obvious chastising tone. "Normal injuries I could heal in but seconds. Broken bones? No problem, all it takes is quite a bit of chakra to set it back into position. Burns? Even quicker, fire is my natural element. Heck, even a missing part of flesh would be easier to heal and rebuild. Poison is a different thing, however. Anything that gets inside the body like disease is. I have to specifically target the offending items or I'd be killing off all his internal cells and bodily functions. I could burn out the poison and just re-heal everything afterwards, of course, but this isn't any normal poison. Its sticking to his chakra like glue, and if I start getting rid of both it could induce chakra exhaustion. And no, I cannot just 'replace' his chakra with mine because it would then lead to the chakra source dilemma. You understand?"

Deva only looked at Konan, who stepped closer to him and spoke. "The chakra source dilemma is a rare thing, but its when a substituting source of chakra is run though someone's chakra coils and their body uses it to live off of then. However, it means their own chakra cannot be pushed through wherever this alternative chakra is, which can cause problems. You either choose to continue using the alternative source of chakra, or cut it off and allow the person's own chakra back through. Its not without risks, though. It could lead to death if there's not enough chakra, which is the case of Naruto with his ruptured coils."

Deva stood and did nothing as Konan merely sighed, before looking at the Fox.

"What do you recommend then?" Konan asked. "Perhaps if we combined our efforts in you burning out the poison where you can, and we could try and remove it manually from the blood. A medic-nin could even heal and give him chakra as we go along. What do you think?"

The Fox gave a chuckle and shook his head. "Human chakra not adapted to mine cannot withstand it like Naruto's can. We simply cannot work in tangent like that. Plus, your options are limited."

Deva seemed to be getting irritated at this. "Then what can be done, Fox? Surely there is a way around this."

"You want my analysis? Fine." The Fox huffed, seemingly put out by Deva's irritation, even if it was aimed at nobody. "The reason your options are limited is because the damage sustained at this point would be permanent if you went ahead with your procedure. I could heal it, but the poison is in the way. And you already know about that. The best way forth is probably to allow me to work, then you take over."

"Go on." Deva prompted.

"I could precisely burn out large parts of the poison but I would not be able to get rid of it all. I daren't do it all. You would have to wait until I'm finished of course, and then you can try removing some more of it manually and healing him with your techniques. However, some of the damage will be permanent, and you would have to accept that his options as a ninja would be limited." The Fox outlined what he had thought up.

Deva merely stood there, the corpse's face not twitching as Konan gazed at the Fox, before she looked at Deva. The Path's eyes looked her out of their corners, but she knew exactly how heavy Nagato would be thinking right now. He wasn't one for tears, he hadn't even cried when Yahiko died, but his emotions would be... varied, right now. And so, as she thought of how she could help her friend and the boy she helped raise, did she reflect on what had been already said.

"Wait." Konan spoke, catching the attention of the other two. "There may be another way."

"Oh? Do share." The nine tails spoke with more elation in his voice, a tail swishing as he spoke. Deva just looked at her as he awaited what she had to say, but it was obvious to her that he was anticipative for it.

"I'm not Tsunade Senju and don't have her knowledge, so I don't know how sound an idea this is." Konan paused to swallow. "But I was thinking on the chakra source dilemma. He already does need the nine tails chakra for survival. Its a part of his very chakra network, after all."

"Yes, its the usual jinchuuriki problem." The nine tails stated as he leapt onto the end of the bed and laid there. "Our chakra filters into the chakra system and forces the very body of a jinchuuriki to change by adapting to the corrosive qualities of a tailed beast's chakra. Taking away the very thing they've adapted to over a long period of time in a very short period will leave them dead."

"So why not just burn out all the poison, heal Naruto afterwards and then just put your chakra into his coils for him to utilise as the source? He can't run his chakra through ruptured coils, and won't be able to for a while even if healed in his state which can lead to chakra exhaustion. We can't heal the damage, Naruto can't either - no matter his Uzumaki healing ability, but you can." Konan stated. The Fox blinked at that, slightly shocked at the suggestion as Deva raised an eyebrow.

"What your suggesting there is that my chakra becomes the dominant source, not a secondary source of power, right?" The Fox inquired, getting a nod from Konan. "Ah, the problem there is that his ninja abilities would become limited still. His own chakra would be suppressed as my chakra would be what mostly runs though his system. As for side effects, well. I'm sure of a couple of things, not sure of a few other things. His chakra control will be ruined for sure, and will be very difficult in future. My chakra is fire-styled, so he may only be able to do fire styled ninjutsu. Beyond that, we'd have to talk more."

The nine tails stopped speaking as he put his head on the bed, Konan and Deva conferring to one another quietly. The Fox gave a snort, his superior senses allowed him to hear them and he knew it - yet they still continued as if he were human and couldn't. Must be a human thing, he mused.

They walked back to the bed after their discussion, with Konan looking at Deva with finality in her expression. "Well, it's up to you, Nagato." She spoke. "Since this is apparently out of my hands now, I'm going to see about Shino."

Deva nodded to her. "You will find them in the storage cupboard on our floor, in the safe - you know the combination."

"Indeed. Good luck." Konan stated before she pushed open the door and walked out.

Deva watched her leave, before turning to the Fox. "Do it." He simply said.

The nine tails looked up at him from his prone position, before speaking in a serious tone. "Are you sure, Uzumaki? Remember, the process is irreversible, and he will feel it."

A minutes silence passed by, before Deva nodded. "Yes, I'm sure."

The nine tails merely looked at Deva for a second. "Done." He spoke, and in that instant, the red shroud of a tailed beast cloak erupted into life around Naruto.

His eyes snapped open and he began to scream.

PAIN'S OFFICE.

The Human Path was busy sifting through a few papers in his office. Damage reports and financial estimates was in his hands, fortunately much lighter than even he'd thought of. It would take only a week to repair everything, given how most of the forces had been engaged outside of the city. The traitors that had been inside the city had been caught, without reinforcements and completely unprepared for the sudden onslaught of the emergency protocols and what they carried.

Pain's Tower had not even been touched. The central admin office in the Western districts had sustained light damage before the arrival of the elite units had cut down half the enemy force in under a minute, and the building that suffered the most damage had been the main electrical substation located in the underground chambers beneath the Northern districts. And that had only been because they had sealed one of the chambers and flooded it from detaching one of the storm pipes adjacent to the chamber. The traitors seemed to have been unprepared, and hinging completely upon seizing key assets and awaiting reinforcements.

He was about to get onto one of the main points he'd wanted to check when he felt a warning from one of the sensor seals in the building.

He was on the floor reserved entirely for his family. Only Deva was known to Ame, after all. None of the other five was known to anyone else except a few. And if Zetsu thought he knew everything about Pain so he could dispose of them in some way later, then the annoying plant-creature was a fool. He was only allowed past the seals on this floor when he was permitted to, and never into the uppermost floor.

The Human Path paused for a moment as Pain revised that. The plant-creature was very good at its job - what if it was also hiding some of its abilities, such as to bypass seals like those he had placed? The Path's eyes narrowed. He'd have to discreetly research more into how Zetsu was able to move and sneak about like he did - not even Obito had known much.

"What do you want, Zetsu?" The Human Path intoned as the animated corpse lowered the top half of the paper stack it hand been reading to view the green figure rising up from the floor, and almost as soon as taking a step onto proper flooring once more, Pain's chakra spiked to re-activate the seals. They even glowed on the door, signalling that both beings were now locked inside the office.

"We overheard some interesting news ever since you ordered us to spy on the Kazekage for a while." The white half of Zetsu spoke to Pain, who slowly rose out of his seat from the desk and looked fully at Zetsu.

"Interesting enough that you leave your post to come and tell me personally?" The Human Path questioned with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes." The black half of Zetsu spoke in a deep, blank tone.

The Human Path turned around to view out of the window. "Go on then." He spoke dismissively.

"We overheard the boy's own father talking about the one-tails. He had removed it from its previous containment." White Zetsu informed, a lopsided smirk seeming to form as he saw the difference in Pain's body language.

"Oh?" Pain spoke, indeed now interested in the news. If it was to do with the nine tailed beasts, then it would catch his interest. "Did he say where he put it."

"He sealed it, creating a jinchuuriki for Suna." Black Zetsu took over. "He sealed it inside his youngest son, one Gaara Subaku."

The Human Path gave a nod from its position at the window. "I take it there's more?" He questioned.

"Very much so." Black Zetsu spoke, not allowing his more foolish side to speak. "The boy has the worst treatment of a jinchuuriki from all the villages I've watched. The villagers openly treat him with disdain, the children are afraid to even play with him and his own father, the Kazekage, occasionally orders ninja to test the boy's abilities by attacking him. The boy kills them most of the time using his ability to control the very sands of the earth."

White Zetsu spoke then, his other begrudgingly allowing it. "The Kazekage has ordered a jonin to test him this time, at sunset. We don't know how he'll cope with a ninja of that calibre."

Pain thought for a few seconds before changing the subject. "Very good. Now tell me about his thoughts on the Konoha alliance he broke off."

"We caught him speaking to one of the Suna councillors about that." Black Zetsu commented. "It was costing more to be attached to Konoha like it was for him, apparently. Missions were being given away by the Wind Lord to the Leaf as well as the fact that the decades old alliance agreement meant that the resources Suna gave to Konoha were cheaper than he felt they should be. By quitting it, he hoped to get new connections and other alliances - he felt that Iwa may be open to supplying cheap food to Suna, or perhaps a few of the minor nations should the major nations prove to be uncooperative."

Zetsu could almost feel the actual Pain himself smirk as the Path before him remained motionless. "Excellent." The Path spoke, saying no more for a moment.

"What did you want us to do, Leader?" White Zetsu spoke, prodding the figure before him to speak.

The Human Path merely issued a simple order. "Bring me the one-tail Jinchuuriki, Zetsu. Unharmed, and not knowing anything that can compromise us." He commanded. "And tell Sasori that his agents in the Land of Earth need to take a more aggressive stance against the Land of Wind. I believe he has one or two agents in positions of authority."

Zetsu didn't question Pain as he simply moved away once the chakra in the seals allowed him to. Pain had grown a lot bolder as well as callous towards him since the death of Madara's pawn.

The Human Path stepped back to the desk once he felt Zetsu leave the vicinity of the Tower, the sensory seals not picking him up anymore, once more picking up the stack of papers he had. He turned to the paper he'd wanted, of the list of traitors that had been caught alive.

Narrowing his eyes, he picked up a pen and slip of paper. He had a traitor to find, one that knew of the two boys he'd taken in as a part of his family.