Naruto: Shoton of Konoha

by Arch-Daishou00

: For Stormy Rebel, miss you, Joachim, and thank you: "By the actions of the traitor Mizuki. Naruto awakens a rare Kekkei Genkai. And his path has now changed. And in the darkness awakens an ancient threat more terrifying than the Akatsuki, which only stirs thought of myths from a lost and forgotten age." : huge world expansion story, OC. Co-Author: Etheral-23

60. The Decisive Moment Act I

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto

Co-Author and Beta: Etheral-23

Chapter 60: The Decisive Moment Act I

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The Land of Trees lived to its namesake by being a place of the most vibrant and lush forests, rivaling even the more significant Land of Fire with its magnificent floral beauty. Yet, in the depths of the country, there was a place where all life seemed just to end the moment one entered its range. The trees grew twisted, dry, and bereft of any leaves, a perpetual fog covered the area, and many could find the bodies of dead animals who had chosen such a lifeless patch of the woods to be their final resting place.

For generations, it garnered the reputation of being haunted, with locals claiming to have seen spirits and heard voices among the dead trees. There was something inherently... wrong with that place. Like a curse, a great evil had long befouled it.

They didn't know how right they were.

"Ahhhh, can you feel it?" An echoing voice with an ethereal echo to it spoke; it sounded pleased as if basking in that dreadful place like there was a beauty to be found there. "How the wind changes..."

The Tree shinobi wordlessly worked to remove trees and foliage, slowly uncovering the markings of a seal engraved upon the ground.

The Land of Fire would come to claim their lands, and their Daimyo, like a coward, would give it up on a silver platter. After all the hardship and blood they spilled for their nation, they were sold to their enemies. And now they were supposed to bend the knee to another lord, to obey the orders of the ninja they have long fought against...

Long steps strode over the dead grass, metallic greaves crushed twigs and dry wood as the blue and silver coattails of the most elaborate design trailed with the movement. What passed for skin was a smooth texture covered with shining blue lies, disappearing beneath highly stylistic armor plates. The chest piece holds a star-like adorning its center, with a shining blue gem. Giant shoulder pads held up a very large neckband where only the thinnest blue line between them could be seen, and no face-like feature could be seen, as the last piece of the seven-foot-tall being's ensemble was an ornate headpiece.

The shinobi had made a deal with the devil. For their pathetic Daimyo and those Fire, dogs left them no choice. So it gave them what they wanted, a weapon to unleash upon their enemies.

The sacrifice had been heavy. A good number of their own were offered in turn, their body parts not held in bags to spray them over the uncovered seal. The recently spilled blood of their kin was needed to break it...

"This... shall be a monumental day," The demon said reverently, tracing sigils in the air, ready to begin the ritual. "Can you feel it, o' faithful?"

A gruff grunt was his reply as one of his followers stepped forth. Six feet in height, as a mass of hulking muscle wrapped in red skin, a large lower jaw filled with sharp fangs, and two ram-like horns emerging from his head. The demon wore twisted plates of dark metal on his arms and legs but exposed his chest filled with scars and symbols whose meaning would evade any human of these lands.

"We feel it, lord Dhunarak" The demon spread his arm to their congregation. Inhuman beings of all shapes and sizes, clad in dark cloaks and holding rusted scythes, their skin is a pasty white with a sand-like texture. They howled and made unholy sounds in praise.

A dreadful crimson hue shone from the base around the tree shinobi's feet as they removed seal after seal. They ignored the insane ranting of their devilish benefactor and his demonic entourage. Instead, they concentrated on the pleasure of seeing their disloyal Daimyo being slaughtered alongside the fire Daimyo.

Once the chaos ensues within the fire nation, they will finally take what is theirs! Show all of the big five that even a tiny village can topple down.

"The winds of change are beginning to gust through the world; a whirlwind of devastation shall unfold!" Dhunarak raised his arms to the sky as he roared. "Oh, may chaos take this world! MAY CHAOS TAKE THE WORLD!"

It came instantly once the final seal was finally torn off. The ground soon quaked violently, with fissures erupting and spewing out black smoke and crimson light. The tree shinobi leaped back as an enormous black skeletal claw hand bursts from the earth. It reached high into the heavens to pluck the moon from the sky.

However, the celebration of the ninjas was brief, with a gigantic skeletal mouth rising from beneath them. Their screams were like hymns to the demons around as they chanted beside their master. "Praise the Queen of Ruin! All hail her terrible splendor, and may the world drown in the blood of her foes!" The masked demon chortled manically.

After ages of waiting, they would make their return known; after millennia of hiding in the shadows, they were ready to claim this world for their master.

To the Goddess who promised them the world.

"All hail Ishtar!"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Dawn came without them knowing, as there was no light in the cells. They only knew the time had come when the ANBU arrived at their cells, "Get up," One of their guards said, her voice carefully guarded and monotone as all ANBU were trained to do when dealing with enemies or their objectives. It was a sad reminder they were no longer comrades. "The Hokage wants to send you off."

"Nice of her..." Sasuke muttered as they were led out of their cells.

The village leader approached sternly, the ANBU making way for her to stand before the prisoners. "The ANBU will escort you to the capital, where you will face your trial."

The group met her gaze unflinchingly.

"There is nothing more to be done," She said tiredly and with a sense of fatality. "I hope it was all worth it..."

Naruto said with determination, "It was"

Tsunade remained guarded, her expression almost blank, almost as if she feared she'd break completely if she gave in to her actual feelings.

"So be it" Tsunade turned her back to them and left.

Kushina lowered her gaze, knowing nothing else could be said.

The group of ANBU who escorted them had familiar faces. Or rather masks. Some traits were unmistakable, like Yugao's flowing purple hair. But beneath the mask, Kushina could feel the apprehension and heartbroken look on her student's face.

"Surprised they let you be part of the escort" The redhead smiled ruefully.

"I insisted," Was Neko's reply, her voice soft and guarded.

"Heh," Kushina shook her head, "You're always the professional one... I'm sorry I let you down like this"

"...Nothing you do would ever make me think less of you, sensei."

Without his hite-ate to mask his Sharingan, Kakashi kept his left eye closed while his right peered at the wolf-masked male ANBU, "Imagine you got an earful to say to me like Anko and the others did?" It was shocking for his students to see his whole face now, showing extremely handsome features and a beauty mark under the left side of his mouth.

The wolf ANBU glanced back, "More than a few senpai. But that will be for later. We have a mission, and it will be completed." Despite the sting in the man's tone, he still addressed him as senpai, which meant he still had some respect for Hatake.

"Hai, Tenzo."

"Kannon's mercy," The ANBU muttered in utter exasperation. "Will you PLEASE stop using my name in front of everyone? I have to change it again at this point!"

"Sorry, Tenzo."

A strangled noise came behind the masked visage.

Kushina looked at one ANBU, "And I take it you're not all too happy either, huh, Bear?"

The Bear-masked man was fitting, a 'bear of a man' with impressive musculature and height, much like another bear-related person among them. Indeed, Kosuke and the ANBU seemed to be sizing each other up. The first looked like he wanted to fight, with the latter ready to take him out if he gave him any reason.

"Nothing personal, captain," said the man with a gruff voice.

"I'm sure you're not supposed to call me that anymore,"

"There are a lot of things I shouldn't do," The large man pointed at the still-waking large bear slowly coming out of Kosuke's cell. "There is the matter of him."

Kosuke growled in instinct, putting himself between his friend and the ANBU.

"Kosuke, please" Kushina placed a hand on his chest, urging him to calm down. "What's the issue?" She asked the ANBU.

"The bear can't go."

That surprised the prisoners.

"Wait, seriously?" The large Uzumaki asked.

"He's a bear," The man with the said animal-themed mask replied dryly. "The non-talking kind. The Court is not going to put an animal on trial."

"And I'm just going to leave my little brother here with strangers?" Kosuke frowned deeply, leaning his face to Bear's.

Walking out of his cell, Soujiro brought up a solution, "Aunt Lyn could look after Kuma." The boy spoke in his usual calm voice.

The large Uzumaki looked uneasy till Kushina placed a hand on his chest again, "She and Kya can look after him. Trust them."

"I do trust Lyn... Alright," Kosuke turned to his large-furred companion, "You remember Lyn from the other day? You'll be with her till we get back, okay?"

A low disgruntled moan came from Kuma, and he snorted.

"He's alright with it," the hulking Uzumaki remarked.

A female ANBU in a rabbit mask cocked her head, "How can you tell?"

"We've been together since he was a little cub. I know."

"Once we leave here, we take the bear to Lyn Uzumaki," Yugao quipped, garnering a nod from the ANBU, "Alright... Let's go."

With no other option, the group marched out of jail with their escort, clad only in prisoner's garments. They knew they would draw the eye of everyone in the street. They couldn't hide what they did. The sunlight hitting their faces felt too bright after the captivity, but the sunny day was not welcoming.

Soon enough, they reached the main street, and as they expected, shinobi and civilians alike paused to see the scene. But, for the most part, the non-shinobi watched with confusion and apprehension. It wasn't every day they got to see the affairs of the ninja happening in broad daylight like this, particularly with criminals.

The ninja, for their part, looked at them with open scorn and disgust. They had committed a grave betrayal and deserved whatever punishment the lords would give them. Sakura shuddered at their gazes, being looked upon with so much disdain, the way their eyes bore on her.

"Don't let them get to you," Naruto softly advised, "That only makes their glares stronger."

Sakura had no doubt he knew what he was talking about.

"We didn't do anything wrong," The young Uzumaki said with certainty, "But that's not how it goes in their eyes. So you don't need to feel ashamed."

Sakura's green eyes soon shifted to a particular pair of people in the streets. "I know, but... their gaze is the one that worries me the most."

Naruto saw what she meant, and her parents were standing there, looking so deathly afraid for their daughter.

"Sakura!" Mebuki called out with tears in her eyes, swiftly trying to approach her daughter, only to be stopped by one of the ANBU getting on her path.

"No further, please," The Rabbit masked ANBU instructed with a monotone.

Kizashi held his trembling wife back by the shoulders, looking as frightened as she did. "We can't do anything now..."

Despite his words, Sakura could see the pain on her father's face. The tears threatened to fall from his eyes. Unconsciously, her hand gripped Naruto's, who held it just as tightly for support. Kakashi took note of Ibiki keeping a firm hand on Anko's shoulder. The said woman looked ready to jump through the people if not held back by the bald man. A myriad of emotions was all over the voluptuous woman's face despite trying to hide it.

Ibuki only gave an impassive nod to Hatake, who returned it.

Karin drew close to her brother, wrapping her arm around his. He could see her trembling in the corners of his eye, likely feeling all the negative emotions rolling off everyone staring at them. Soujiro remained eerily unfazed and walked beside Sasuke, who kept a neutral expression. Though shot a harsh glare as he heard someone mutter about him being a traitor like his brother. He repressed a growl and kept moving forward with the others.

However, there was a commotion as Kushina, and the others saw Lyn physically restrained by her lover, Asuma, and Gai. Hinata, Ino, and Tenten winced as the Uzu woman screamed in Kurenai's face. Bless the woman for having the tolerance to keep her cool and to calm the redhead down. Shikamaru sighed beside a concerned Choji and Kiba. Neji kept focusing on the group with Lee, who looked unsure of what to do. Shino, being Shino, only adjusted his shades and gave a respectful nod to Naruto, who returned it.

Hinata and Ino were trembling while being consoled by Tenten, who looked just as worried at the group.

Yugao soon ordered Bear to take Kuma over to the currently enraged Uzumaki. Close by them, Kushina saw Hiashi, Shibi, Inoichi, Chouza, and Tsume with Hana beside her mother.

"This is bullshit!" The wild-maned Uzumaki roared.

"They betrayed a client, which will hurt the village," Asuma pointed out, "There is no other way around it,"

"Typical ninja shit, getting punished for doing the right thing!" Kya grunted as Lyn kept ranting and struggling. "I hope it was worth selling your humanity for money!"

"Lyn-san, you're not helping matters," Kurenai said, but she knew her words were barely reaching the demon hunter.

"Stop it, Lyn," Kushina spoke as the ANBU took them away. "Don't make these people arrest you, too; you have a life."

"One I'm sure as hell I'm not gonna spend here, and neither should any of you in prison!" Lyn shouted slowly and stopped struggling as she looked pleadingly at her family. "None of you deserve this!"

"It's over, Lyn," Kushina said firmly, not wanting the situation to escalate. "This will happen one way or another..."

Lyn looked completely lost as her shoulders sagged, her eyes losing any fight left in them. "Fuck..."

Kuma growled sadly, the great bear nuzzling close to the wild-haired woman for comfort, something they both needed.

"Take care of Kuma for me, okay?" Kosuke asked his fellow Uzumaki. "He needs to be around family."

Defeated, Lyn could only nod and weakly reply, "I will..."

The group silently marched away from all this horrible commotion.

"Oh" Soujiro perked up. "And if my dad returns, can you tell her I went to jail? Thank you."

More than a few people were slightly unnerved by the lack of emotion from the young Uzumaki boy. Neither showing shame, fear, or anger. A sigh only escaped Lyn's lips, 'I don't even want to think how Saito is going to react to this.'

Kya kept her composure, but her eyes showed concern watching her little cousin being taken away. 'May our ancestors watch over you, Naruto.'

Upon reaching the gates, there stood Hokage, Hiruzen, and the other elders. Homura and Koharu kept their usual neutral gaze while mourning glowed on the face of the Sandaime. Despite her stone-faced expression of Tsunade, she could not stop the tremble of her hand she hid behind her back. Behind them stood a physically shaking Shzune, who held Tonton in her arms.

The ANBU gave a respectful bow, "Godaime," Neko bowed along with the others.

"The judgment of the Fire Court awaits you," Tsunade addressed with a gesture making the ANBU resume their escort of the traitors. The rest was up to the Gods. A lone tear escaped and fell on her cheek, keeping her head forward.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Perched up in a high tree, Rabbit gazed down at the small camp outside the dirt trail as night descended. It had been several days since being assigned to this mission with captain Neko. And there was a glaring issue she had been wrestling with, "We haven't followed proper protocol with the prisoners, sir."

Beside her, Rabbit could feel the deadpan behind Tenzo's mask, "Don't expect it given the people we're escorting."

"Here," The feline-masked ANBU said to her former teacher as she handed her a cup of tea.

"Ah, thanks," Kushina replied gratefully from kneeling before the campfire. She took a deep smell, enjoying its aroma. "You still remember how I like it."

"As sweet as possible."

"I'm a woman of simple tastes."

"And a massive dentist bill."

Kushina grumbled as she brought the cup close to her lips, "Stupid doctors say cause it's not 'mission-related injury', they don't have to do anything..."

"Well, you better start taking care better of yourself now. No free shinobi-grade medicine for you anymore."

The large Bear-masked ANBU grunted from his position as a lookout, "You're far too calm about this, captain."

"Tenzo has pretty much ripped my ears off," Kakashi remarked casually beside Naruto and Sasuke sitting by the fire. "I had assumed you would have done so once we left the village. But, unfortunately, you are not one to hold back when it comes to transgressions like this, Neko." The silver-haired Jounin took note of Sakura and Karin staring at him.

"Why in the hell do you hide such a handsome face?" The pinkette covered her mouth, realizing she had said that without thinking.

"It's a Hatake clan thing."

Yugao ignored the conversation to answer the question given to her. "Because I will never question her judgment for all sensei's eccentricities." Despite the mask, the group felt a sense of warmth from the ANBU woman, "She taught more than just how to fight Bear, senpai. She taught me countless life lessons, including what Tsukiko-Sama taught her."

At that, the redheaded woman gave a half-hearted smile scratching the back of her head, "Was kind of a double-edged sword considering how we ended up here."

"It was an incompatible situation, your life lessons with the shinobi life," Kakashi said, eating his noodles. Funny, it used to be he wasn't so comfortable with people seeing his face like this. At first, it was a shame for his father, and then it became his shame with the excuse of upholding his family tradition.

He had shamed himself once more by choosing the ideals of his master over his duty to the village, and there was no excuse, no reason to hide from his students, from Kushina, his family. They were all in the same boat, so he would not insult them by hiding.

"Funny..." Kushina muttered, "Despite never meeting her, Minato was the one who held those ideals far closer than I ever did. Perhaps a bit too idealistically, but... he was smart, hella smarter than me. He would have found a balance between the two. Would have made so many different things as Hokage..."

Naruto wanted to believe that everyone always praised his father that way. However, if his teacher Jiraiya, someone who followed the path of a sage as Tsukiko did, imparted those teachings to Minato, it must have been for a reason.

"I don't remember much about baa-chan," Kosuke absently said, laying on the ground and looking up at the stars, which kept appearing as night descended fully. "How she looked like is sometimes hazy to me. But I remember how she smelled, like a mix of lilies and dandelions, and I remember her voice. All the things she tried to teach us boiling down to 'be kind'"

"That's a very simplified way of putting it," Kushina said, "But... yeah. Basic human kindness is something many people forget is important."

Leaping down from the tree where Rabbit remained as another lookout, Tenzo strolled next to the campfire. "Kindness isn't precisely a tool in our work Kushina-sama."

"No, it isn't. But if we forget who we are. If we forget we are human beings, then we might as well be tools, which Danzo wanted for all of us. And he went so far as to put a genjutsu on the Sandaime to do all his deeds under our nose." Bear and Rabbit sharply looked at the Uzu matriarch, "Should we follow his example then and become nothing more than mindless weapons? Ignore all the evil done around us because nothing else matters but the mission."

Tenzo shook his head, "You're making sound simple, but it isn't. Daimyo Tokuhara's trade routes were invaluable."

"Were they worth selling our souls for countless lives who suffered and died under a man's greed?"

A frustrated groan came from Bear, "Still stubborn as ever captain."

For the most part, Sasuke only listened to the conversations but never spoke as he quietly ate some jerky beside Soujiro. Then, finally, the redhead glanced at the Uchiha, "How are you?"

"Ask me after the trial."

"Sorry we roped you into all this, Sasuke," Naruto apologized with a heartfelt tone. Sasuke had a crucial goal in his life, to seek justice for his clan. To raise his clan from the ground up. He had promised he'd be at his side when he fought Itachi.

"Stop feeling sorry," The young Uchiha snapped at him. "You're all acting like I had nothing to do with it. It was my choice to help you, plain and simple," Sasuke huffed, seemingly in irritation.

What would he have done if he didn't help them? Go back to Konoha, where everyone else might as well be a stranger to him? All alone in his home, waiting, just begging for the chance of finding Itachi again, with nothing else in his life but solitude and pain.

No... He couldn't go back to that life; he couldn't go back to that hell, not after being shown an alternative that soothed his soul so much.

Sakura smiled at him, tilting her head. "Thank you, Sasuke, for giving up so much for us."

"...Thank you. All of you… For being in my life."

XxX ~ early afternoon ~ XxX

While the land fire was not militarily the strongest when compared to nations like the land of lightning. It was, however, the most economically prosperous in the Elemental Nations. And it showed the most at the heart of its capital, named after the first emperor of the very lands themselves.

"Amotsu," Bear remarked as the group was nearing the massive Torii gates and stone bridge over a river that flowed in the capital's center, at least five times larger than the Leaf village. "The birthplace of the Land of Fire."

Nostalgia glowed in Kushina's eyes as they neared the entrance. But already, they could see grand splendor and beauty within. And the sight brought sheer wonder to the faces of the genin, Kosuke, and even Soujiro. Tradition and modernity blended throughout as they saw countless pagodas alongside modern-style buildings. Statues of Golden dragons and massive cherry trees were everywhere.

"It has been a few years since being back here," Kakashi said absently, taking in the sights. "Still takes your breath away every time."

"I vaguely remember some stories of Amotsu," Kosuke omitted, "Kind of fuzzy though."

Kushina turned her attention to her former student, "Anything changed?"

"I've been busy as ANBU to go anywhere, sensei."

"That's the polite way of saying you have no social life outside of work," Yugao slumped from the friendly barb from Hatake.

"Holy crap, Konoha is tiny compared to this place," Naruto muttered in disbelief.

This place was indeed a center of culture, with a district dedicated fully to classical theatre and multiple types of performance. Musicians and puppeteers show their craft to crowds of all ages, kabuki performers retelling popular folk tales and history.

There were different temples located in multiple areas throughout the cities. Shrines to Amaterasu and Inari were the most common, as the capital saw those deities as their city patrons. The symbolism of the Goddess of the Sun and benevolence watching over the nation of Fire was obvious. While Inari made sense when you considered the great metropolis of Amotsu was a center of commerce, the great river running through the city gave room for multiple merchant ships to trade their goods, further enriching the great financial district with wares from all over the nations.

While he had seen a few homeless people here or there, Naruto was not naive enough to believe everyone in this enormous city would have good fortune, but it was still a far cry from what Han'ei had been. But, then, there was no oppression; the guards were here to ensure the people were safe and the law was followed. And the great army garrison in Fort Myokobu stood proudly as a testament to the nation's power.

But what truly stood as the great symbol of the Fire Nation was the enormous Sasaki Palace, a magnificent traditional design structure separated into multiple buildings with the massive main structure standing taller than them all in the middle. It was so large you could probably house a good chunk of a district full of people back in Konoha.

Here is where they would be judged.

His excitement at the wonderous sights of Amotsu around him soon went somber before sighing. "Wish we came here before all this crap." His voice was quiet but loud enough that the others heard him.

The blond grunted, being patted on the head by Kakashi nearing the palace. The group soon took note of a dozen fully armored samurai holding various weapons ranging from swords and spears to rifles. And while their gear was highly ornate and beautiful, they all could tell it was not for show. These were hardened warriors trained for one purpose, fighting and defending the Daimyo and family, the capital, and its citizens to the death.

Kushina and Kakashi had heard stories of the imperial army. The Uzu matriarch, having seen few Fire Samurai in action during the Third War. They were outright decimating enemy forces that drew too close to the Amotsu.

They showed neither mercy nor pity against their opponents.

And right now, she and the others felt the merciless glares of the Samurai, along with an older bald gentleman adorned in exquisite silk robes. His almond eyes were stern as a natural frown was worn on his round face.

It was a face Kushina remembered seeing the man as Yugao and the ANBU came to a stop in front of the man and Samurai. "Lord, senior counselor Soga." All immediately bowed, for which Kushina made Kosuke and Soujiro follow suit.

The elderly man grunted before looking to the Samurai, "Take the prisoners to their cells and prepare them for the court."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

The ANBU bowed and proceeded to escort them to their new destination. The scenery soon changed from the palace's splendor to the dingy and dark bowels of the jail cells below, where the bars were locked loudly behind them.

"Out of one jail to another," Kosuke grunted.

"I like this one," Soujiro said, "It feels nicer."

"It's a jail cell, kid..."

"I know, but it's less humid than the one in Konoha. So that's a plus."

"How did Saito raise a kid who saw the glass half as full as you?"

"It's a very leaky glass, cuz..." Naruto muttered from his cell, lying down with his hands behind his head.

Sasuke sighed, leaning back against a wall. "How long will we be here for?"

"Should take them an hour or so to prepare the trial. A lot of protocol and stuff to follow," Kushina blew out a long breath. "Lords sure do love their tradition..."

"Maybe we should take this chance to rest," Sakura softly advised, but even she couldn't help but sound pessimistic. "We should get used to sleeping like this for a while."

Years most likely…

After an hour or so, two Samurai entered the jail cells. "Follow us. The trial is ready to begin." Their sojourn back up to the palace main was quiet, noticing servants and nobles glancing in their direction. They could hear the whispering and saw the glares but ignored them as they soon entered a large, heavily ornate room with large pillars at each corner.

Carved murals were on the wall, with a massive podium on one side. Standing on top was Senior Counselor Soga, with two individuals on either side of him. Much like Soga, they were all in finely made clothes with stern expressions.

A mousy-looking man who stood at the base of the podium spoke loudly, "Traitors of the Land of Fire! You stand before the Fire Court. Lord Daiki, Lord Hachirō, Lord Soga, Lord Ichiro, and Lord Kenzo!"

Without a word, the group was brought to the center of the room and soon made to kneel by the Samurai. Absently Naruto noticed the small crowd gathering within the room. But his eyes soon rose upon seeing princess Maiyuri and her guards within the people. She was brought to a seat slightly above the rest, and her eyes soon landed upon Naruto upon seeing the young teen. Her expression was neutral, but she made a slight head gesture for him to look straight.

Soga cleared his throat, "As Daimyo Akiha is currently absent, I shall conduct this trial."

At that, Kushina and Kakashi frowned. Was the Daimyo not here to oversee their trial? Those had to be a significant business, then.

"Read the charges," Lord Soga prompted.

"The accused here have confessed to the following: Disobeying orders from their Hokage. They had gone against mission parameters and collaborated with enemies who threatened their mission—aiding them against their client. And completely removing the head of state, their client, from power. None of which sanctioned or discussed with the Hokage."

Senior Counselor Soga hummed as he heard the charges. "We appreciate Tsunade-dono referring to this Court to decide the fate of these prisoners. But before judgment may be rendered, the Court needs to agree this is a matter of the state and not merely the Hidden Village's" He nodded to one of the councilors, a man in his fifties with a trimmed goatee and a samurai knot. "Lord Ichiro, as the highest ranking general of the army, do you see this trial as necessary?"

"I do," The man replied in a grave voice. "Independent as it may be, the Hidden Village is still a branch of the Land of Fire's military."

"Councilor Daiki, as minister of economy, you see this trail as necessary?"

"I do," said a man still in his thirties with square-rimmed glasses. "Han'ei country maintained some trade and economic ties to the Land of Fire, the money provided to Konoha with missions from their treasure benefited the Hidden Village, and by extension the country as a whole."

Naruto muttered softly so he wouldn't be heard, "Are they just gonna take turns for this?"

"It's protocol," Kakashi replied in the same tone. "Now hush"

"Lord Hachirō, as minister of foreign affairs, do you see this trial as necessary?"

"I do," said a portly man with a closely-trimmed beard. "Their actions affect their village's reputation, leading to distrust from potential clients in fear that the shinobi they hired betrayed them. To say nothing of how this reflects on the Land of Fire and its authority over Konoha."

"Lord Kenzo holds the final vote, and me, Lord Soga," Continued the Senior Councilor, "As direct aids and advisors to the Daimyo. Do you see this trial as necessary, Lord Kenzo?" He asked his fellow advisor, an older man with wrinkly skin and gray hair.

"I do"

"I do as well," Lord Soga said with finality, "This council is unanimous. We will carry out the sentence. The charges have already been read, and the accused have confessed. I understand you have no defense to your case."

It was Kushina who replied, bowing her head. "We do not, Lord Soga. We acknowledge our actions and are ready to take responsibility for them."

At the Lord, Hachirō leaned forward, "...The new Damiyo Shibata had sent a letter several days ago. But, unfortunately, we cannot acknowledge him at present, given your action in slaying Daimyo Tokuhara. Moreover, your involvement in joining the rebels in deposing the late Daimyo has sent worry and doubt among many nations aligned with the Land of Fire."

"Within days, we have several essential contracts placed on hold or diverted to other nations. That alone has cost us millions," Daiki took over with exasperation in his tone. "The scales have been tilted and not in our favor because of you."

Kushina gave a courtly bow, "For any harm, we have done or brought upon the Land of Fire, I sincerely apologize, Lord Daiki."

"So do you apologize for your actions in the slaying of Daimyo Tokuhara," Lord Kenzo questioned.

The redhead stood upright with resolved gaze, "When it comes to Daimyo Tokuhara, we regret nothing." Her son and daughter shared their mother's gaze along with the others.

Maiyuri rested her elbow on the armrest of her chair with her hand over her mouth. The crowd around her and the room gasped and spoke in hushed tones before Soga spoke up, "Silence!" His words had an immediate effect as the room went still.

A low groan came from Ichiro rubbing his eyes, "You are not making this easy for yourself, Kushina."

"Lord Ichiro, you have always valued honesty. And I would not insult you by lying."

"Take solace in the fact you acted in the following virtue, but you choose your conscience over the virtue of loyalty for this nation and its interests," The Samurai said with judgment in his voice.

"This court has gone through your charges and examined the consequences of your actions" Lord Soga took over. "Your guilt in this matter has already been decided, and now the council shall deliberate for a proper sentence for each of you" The advisor waved his arm at the ANBU, "Take them away until they are called again."

The ANBU did so, bowing to the Court and proceeding to escort the prisoners out of the chamber.

Maiyuri's gaze never left them.

XxX~xx~XxX

Back in his cell, Naruto frowned as he sat with his back against the wall. "Okay, we are guilty. We never hid the fact. They went over exactly WHY we're guilty, and why they had to sentence us... but still will take their time sentencing us?"

"That's bureaucracy for you, Naruto," Kakashi lazily replied, going through the pages of Icha Icha memorized in his mind. The Sharingan sure did have a lot of uses.

Karin hummed in thought, "I think they're debating what to do with you, Naruto."

"With me? Why- Oh"

Right, Jinchuuriki.

"You're too valuable for this nation," Kushina said, "Have you heard stories about Killer Bee? The Raikage's brother?"

"A few. Samui and her team said he's a strong as hell guy but a bit of a weirdo, though."

"He's called the Perfect Jinchuuriki," The Uzu matriarch stressed gravely. "He has complete control, to the point he can transform into the full Tailed Beast form with his personality intact."

"Holy hell..."

"And he is from Kumo, a place with a long history of conflict with Konoha. So you can bet the Hidden Village and the Fire Court both fear not having their counter for such a thing."

Naruto sighed, not knowing how to feel about any of this. Finally, he reached out to the fox and grumpily thought, 'Bet you must be loving this.'

"See how you like being a prisoner for a change," Kurama replied, "At least a little part of me is enjoying whatever freedom I can get. Hell, right now, I'm raiding Kushina's sake stash."

"You're WHAT!?" The redhead screeched.

"Oh right, forgot she can hear me now."

The ANBU gave strange looks to the former captain, who glared from her cell, "Get out of my damn sake, fox!"

"Well, I'd say make me. But considering you are all a miles away from Konoha. No." The Bijuu laughed in delight at Kushina's cursing at him and could not do anything. "Ooooh, I always wanted to try that stupid surly Bunta's fame fire sake."

"I will kick your ass, furball!" Kushina shook the iron bars with her strength.

Alas, rest would not come soon, for just a few minutes after they were returned to being locked up, an attendant in simple robes walked before the cells.

Tenzo halted him in his tracks, "State your business."

The man bowed at the waist, "Maiyuri-hime requests the prisoners join her for tea."

That... was not what the ANBU were expecting; even if they hid their expressions behind their masks, their rigid postures and the way they turned to look at each other indicated how sudden and out of the norm this was.

And they were not the only ones, and Naruto was sure the others looked just as surprised as he did.

"I'm... sorry?" The wolf-masked ANBU said in confusion.

"She would like to speak with the prisoners before their sentencing," The man continued, "Away from the cells."

"I'm not sure we are allowed to," Rabbit muttered.

"Maiyuri-hime said that if you felt this was a problem, then her request would be an order."

At those words, the ANBU knew they could not disobey and soon unlocked the cells and followed the attendant who motioned for them to do so. "Is this normal?" Soujiro inquired, walking beside the others.

"Not really," Kushina omitted in confusion. 'What is she up to?'

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

After a five-minute walk, the prisoners and ANBU came into a large open garden that reminded Kushina and Kosuke a bit of Tuskiko's when they were children. At the center was a large round table with not just the princess but also Madam Shijimi. Standing behind the Maiyuri's guards, Miharu and Namika, if Sakura recalled.

The white-haired woman happily waved at them all, "How is prison?!"

"Well, it isn't a five-star hotel; I'll tell you that much," Karin grumbled.

"Ohhh, that sucks. I always wanted to spend the night in jail."

Namika's brother gave her sister the strangest of looks, "But why?"

Namika shrugged. "I dunno. It seems like something everyone goes through at one point in life."

The princess, already far too used to her guards' antics, merely waved them off. "Ignore her. Please, join us" She invited the prisoners with a smile.

After a moment of hesitation and exchanging a look with their guards, the ANBU nodded and allowed them to join the nobility at their table.

"Oh my, if it isn't Kushina-san!" The Daimyo's wife greeted her with a cheerful tone, "Ohhh, the times you've rescued my beloved Tora, I remember it quite well!"

"How old is that cat?!" Naruto couldn't help but blurt out.

"Tora descends from a clan of talking cats," Kakashi supplied, "She is already 80 years old, and she'll likely live for far more."

The former genin felt terrible for the generations of ninjas who had to chase after that hellcat. But... why did it always escape to Konoha, though?

"I do believe Saeko-dono often scolded me for 'improperly handling a revered pet of the Sasaki dynasty,'" Kushina whispered, rubbing her neck.

Maiyuri giggled with a hand before her lips. "My mother could be a bit uptight."

"Oh my dear," The plump noblewoman said, "She was such a stickler for the rules. What else could you expect from a samurai?" Still, she said those words with a fond smile.

Naruto had to do a double take, giving the Daimyo's wife and daughter a look. So Maiyuri wasn't Shijimi's daughter? He had thought that Maiyuri didn't look a thing like Shijimi. But she didn't look like her father either...

"Hey, wait. You're not Maiyuri's mom?"

The ANBU, plus his mother and sensei, all felt like they'd have a minor heart attack for casually addressing the two women. How could he just bring up something like that so casually?!

Sakura thought the same as she hissed at him, "Naruto! You can't just talk like that to the Daimyo's wife!"

Madam Shijimi was unbothered, though, "Oh no, I'm not" She waved it off. "That was Saeko, Akiha's mistress"

The youths just looked at her with surprised expressions. "Oh, I..." Karin muttered, not knowing how to reply to that.

"Interesting," Soujiro remarked, "I would have thought you'd be annoyed at the fact."

Great, he was like Naruto in his bluntness...

Shijimi laughed, "Oh, I can see you're not very familiar with how things work in our world."

"Your world?"

"Oh yes, the world of politics and nobility. Marriages are seldom the affairs of love and business and alliances. I am fond of Akiha, but our marriage is the product of political convenience. Maiyuri here," She waved a hand at the princess, "Is the product of love."

Maiyuri chuckled sheepishly, feeling embarrassed at having her stepmother describe her as such.

"Awwwww!" Namika cooed with stars in her eyes while her brother rolled her eyes at her antics.

"Saeko was Akiha's bodyguard, and she was a very dear friend of mine," Shijimi said with fond nostalgia, "Oh, they loved each other so very much."

Naruto took note of the princess's melancholy, how they spoke of her in the past tense, "Your mom passed away." It was more of a statement than a question.

The young noble nodded somberly, "She was fatally wounded during an attempted assassination of my father. I was training at the Fire Temple at the time with a friend. Maybe a little younger than you were at the time." It was an old ache in her heart, but she willed down the pain when it reared its head. "The sword I use in battle was my mother's."

Shijmi's cheerful face soured in hearing those words, "I guess it was no surprise you possessed Saeko's righteous warrior spirit. It is unbecoming of a princess to involve herself in such dangers so willfully."

By the strained expression and soft groan from Maiyuri, this was not the first time they had had this conversation. "Could we please discuss that issue at another time? We do have matters to speak with our friends here."

Naruto winced. "Sorry, you just called us friends when we did... You know," He muttered at the end.

"Are you ashamed of what you did?"

"...No, feeling like I betrayed you kinda sucks, though." He grunted as the princess warmly patted his head.

Maiyuri smiled faintly, "Always with that heart of yours on your sleeve." Kushina bashfully looked the other way as her son got that from her. "Yes, the topic of Han'ei is why I asked to see you all. It is a difficult situation we must deal with."

Cocking a brow at the attendant who served him a glass of warm tea, Kosuke spoke up, "All of this for trade routes? We're they that important?"

Kushina dryly glared up at her cousin, who was speaking so casually.

"All trade routes are essential, Kosuke Uzumaki-san. It is what keeps a nation thriving with patronage and commerce."

"Maybe you shouldn't be dealing with sick fucks first."

"Oh, dear!" Shijimi clutched her chest, scandalized by his crude language.

Well... it was a good thing they were already being sentenced; they couldn't get into more trouble than they already were.

"Oh, gods," Kushina wanted to bash her head in the table and then bash his for good measure.

"Kosuke-san!" Kakashi scolded him, and this was not helping matters.

The large man shrugged, "I'm merely speaking the truth."

"He is"

It was Maiyuri's words that put a stop to the myriad of scandalized reactions.

"Tokuhara was a vile man," The princess said with an edge to her words. "We were all too happy to look the other way once money was involved."

"Mai..." Miharu spoke softly as his sister looked at her with concern.

"When the Hidden Village was funded, mercenary work and all manner of black ops became part of the process necessary to keep the economy flowing. The nation spent less money on the shinobi, and we just kept reaping the benefits. All too happy to ignore how much blood was spilled"

"Dear," Shijimi tried to intervene, but Maiyuri did not want to stay her tongue. Not anymore.

"In return, we expect our shinobi to keep fighting, to act on their own, and eventually declare wars on each other before the Court even knows they're happening. As a result, more countries fall into disarray and need money, leading to more wet work and even more death. All while building up for yet another conflict."

Her hands tightened on her lap.

"Blood became our currency. Locked in a system that can only work through conflict" She looked at each of her guests, "The reason I called you here was that I wanted to look in the eyes of the people who realized what they were doing was terrible and for once tried to do the right thing... And I wanted to hear their thoughts once they couldn't turn their eyes from the truth anymore."

With a pregnant silence engulfing the room, a quiet sigh came from Shijimi. She knew how long her stepdaughter had been carrying that mounting frustration inside her heart. Though biting her tongue at times, Maiyuri had bouts of speaking her strong opinion over the myriad issues within the Court and her father's dealings. Sadly the world did work that way despite how many people wished it would, but it did not deter Maiyuri.

She was like her late mother in so many ways.

"While it might be the truth, your highness," Sasuke stated evenly, "Not everyone likely wants to change it."

"The sad reality of it all," Maiyuri muttered in a sour tone. "And people wish to keep things as they are for the money or others countless reasons." Resolve soon grew in her eyes, "But to sit before people who finally had enough and fought back for what it is right. I'm proud of you all."

Taking a light sip of his tea, Soujiro remarked, "But you can't help us in our trial."

"You are correct, sadly." Maiyuri shook her head in frustration. "I am currently restricted from interfering by my father's orders."

"Well, thanks anyway," Naruto said with sincere gratitude. "It's nice to know someone understands why we did this"

"If only more people thought like you," Maiyuri sighed. "But the shinobi system has taken root for decades, and it'd take a major and unfortunately harsh change to keep it from progressing further."

"No offense, hime-sama," Sasuke said, "I don't think everyone would be as idealistic as you."

"Idealism or not, there is also a critical factor linked to the shinobi system the nations are wrestling with more and more," The princess said with gravitas. "The semi-independence of the Hidden Villages"

Sakura frowned in confusion, "I'm... not sure I follow. Isn't it more beneficial for the shinobi villages to act with autonomy for the most part?" It was what kept the countries from fighting directly.

"It used to be, but with each decade, the shinobi forces have become... too bold, empowered further by their mostly unsupervised operations. The less the Court knew, the better, but it's become too problematic in the long run" The princess explained, "The Hidden Mist, that horrible Bloody period of them, the Water Daimyo simply could not keep the village from descending into chaos and barbarism. The bloodline purges in fear the larger clans would take over Kirigakure, a sentiment spread after the terrible attack by the Kaguya clan and the increasingly brutal training methods which claimed so many lives. Yet the Court could not quell them, and it fell to their internal struggle to end things."

She certainly had a point with that example.

"A more recent example was Sand colluding with Sound and how they almost overthrew their Daimyo. So you can be sure relationships between Hidden Village and the Court in that country won't be the same for a long while," The soft pink-haired young woman continued. "Closer to home, we had to deal with the Twelve Guardian Ninja Incident."

"Oh, I read about that," Sakura piped in. "Asuma-sensei was involved in it."

"Correct," Kakashi nodded, "The shinobi Kazuma turned half of the Guardians against Konoha. They believed Konoha's influence was a risk to the Daimyo."

"But that makes no sense," Naruto exclaimed, "Konoha has always been loyal to the Court, right? I don't think there's ever been any higher up there who wasn't"

Kushina scoffed, "I wouldn't count Danzo among them."

That sent a spike of anger down a few, and to the princess, "Has there been any sighting of that traitor?"

At the question, Tenzo spoke up, "Nothing yet, Maiyuri-Hime."

"He can't hide forever," Maiyuri addressed with a steely tone. "But back to my original point. Yes, Konoha has been loyal to the Fire Country, but we are wandering for how long that'll be"

The shinobi looked at each other with concern.

"You… don't believe that, don't you?" Kakashi hesitantly asked.

"I do not know. I can't claim to see the future, Hatake-san. But you can't tell me this is something you can't see happening at all."

The now unmasked man looked down, "Minato-sensei… he… he feared one day the leadership in the village, after enough time has passed and seats changed, would feel different…."

Naruto looked at his sensei, then at his mother, and by the concerned look on her face, he could tell this was a genuine worry his father had.

Maiyuri sighed. "As I feared. The courts are growing worried that the shinobi villages might eventually think they do not need the Daimyo or their nobles to lead them. And it is not just here, but all across the nations."

Kakashi was reading between the lines, "So this trial is more than just what is being said."

"Correct Hatake-San." the young heiress of fire nodded, "Once father returns, he and the Fire Court will be going over what might need to be done in case the worst comes to pass with the Leaf village."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Team seven, alongside Soujiro and Kosuke, knelt once more in front of the Fire Court. The princess took her seat as the crowd gathered. Her eyes focused on Naruto and the others before glancing at Lord Soga soon spoke up, "The court has decided upon your sentencing." Karin felt a knot in her heart as the elderly man turned to Kushina, "We shall start with you, Kushina Uzumaki."

The redhead kept her steely gaze staring at the Court nobles.

"This court cannot ignore your actions... but neither can it ignore the long history of friendship the Uzumaki have had with Konoha, and by extension, the Land of Fire" Lord Soga kept his words even. Still, a more discerning person would detect the solemness in his words. "Our failure to save the Land of Whirlpool is a shame we carry to this day."

Lord Ichiro closed his eyes and bowed his head slightly. The simple gesture said much.

"Bear in mind this sentence is reduced by considering the long history between our nations. Thereby, you are given thirty years in the Konoha Correctional Facility."

Naruto and his peers gasped. So that was the reduced sentence?!

Kushina merely bowed her head and accepted her fate.

"Kakashi Hatake," Lord Soga continued, "Your history of service is the only thing you have in your favor, a history you cast aside. This court sentences to 40 years in the Konoha Correctional Facility."

So there ended the legacy of the Hatake family... but this time, Kakashi bore no shame and no regrets.

"Sasuke Uchiha. This Court believes the country cannot afford to lose the Uchiha bloodline. So taking into account your young age and how your superiors misled you, your sentence will be 15 years. Once you are released, you shall be allowed to marry and have heirs but will never pick up a weapon again."

So he is reduced to a stud mare for the nation. But, despite retraining it, the anger still burned in his heart, and Sasuke shook in rage. It took every ounce of his will not to shout, but he would not make a fool of himself.

While keeping her mask of indifference, mentally, Maiyuri felt the disgust rise in her heart. Miharu spied the clenched, enraged fist of his charge.

"Sakura Haruno," The pinkette stood a bit straighter, "As you have no clan or complete service history. And Subordinate to the plan of going against your standing orders. So the Court strips you of your shinobi status and sentences you to twenty years in the Konoha Correctional Facility."

Her jade eyes grew hollow... No longer allowed to be a kunoichi and twenty years of prison... She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before showing a steely gaze. She would walk tall with no regrets.

Lord Soga turned his attention to the young Uzumaki swordsman, "While you are not a shinobi, you actively participated in a Konoha mission and followed in the treacherous acts done by the party at present. Therefore, Soujiro Uzumaki, you are sentenced to twenty years in the Konoha Correctional facility."

To the surprise of many, the boy neither showed regret nor fear. Instead, he only merely bowed his head in respect. "I understand, thank you."

...Who the hell says 'thank you' to a prison sentence?! Even the Fire Court nobles gave the teen an odd look before resuming their work. "Kosuke Uzumaki," The towering man grunted, "You openly aided the rebels in their action. As a result, you are sentenced to thirty years to the Konoha Correctional Facility."

"So this is how the 'civilized world' acts," Kosuke said disgustingly, "Punish people who do the right thing."

The court members muttered among themselves, no doubt berating his 'lack of understanding'. Of course, Naruto knew the world was complicated, but even then, these people should be able to see when something was so obvious...

"Karin Uzumaki," The counselor continued, "You went against the orders of the village who gave you asylum from Orochimaru. But given the circumstances and your heritage, you too are given 15 years in the Konoha Correctional Facility."

"I'm used to prisons at this point..." The glasses-wearing girl muttered.

It wasn't fair. None of this was.

"And finally, Naruto Uzumaki," Lord Soga let out a long breath, "Your circumstances were much debate for this Court. It is clear to us we cannot trust you for the sort of operations Konoha relies on, but neither can we ignore you are very important for the safety of this nation. Therefore, you will be released under the Hokage's strict supervision without question."

Naruto looked at the Court in shock, "What?" He almost stood up, if not because the ANBU would knock him face first to the floor. "You think you can just force me?!"

Unlike many others in the Court, Lord Soga was unmoved by his outburst. "Your status as a Jinchuuriki keeps Konoha from being attacked by multiple enemy groups and stops conflicts from escalating into full wars... But, unfortunately, wars will inevitably break out one day. If you do not cooperate, then know your lack of action will cost the lives of many Konoha shinobi."

Naruto gnashed his teeth in frustration. Either shut up and obey or have his friends die in pointless conflicts...

He hated this. He hated how all liberty was stripped from him because of something beyond his control. Just another weapon of the village, just another ninja stuck in this damn system.

Maiyuri closed her eyes in frustration, shaking her head. She could have avoided this entire fiasco if she had the authority if it was her in charge. But, instead, they changed things to keep this damn blood economy they were trapped in...

Suddenly, the doors were opened to everyone in the chambers' surprise. And swiftly walked in a servant looking very harried.

"What is the meaning of this?" Lord Kenzo demanded, "We are in the middle of the trial!"

"My apologies, my lord!" The servant bowed at the waist as he stood before the sentence. It was then that they noticed he had a scroll in his hand. "We have received urgent news from the Land of Trees. The Daimyo himself has called for aid!"

The Court was in an uproar; shouts and exclamations of shock rang out. Maiyuri stood from her seat, afraid for her father's fate.

"Silence, silence!" General Ichiro barked at the Court, "What is going on? Has the Land of Trees attacked us?!"

The servant unfurled the scroll. "The daimyo writes an enormous monster emerged from nowhere, followed by a warband of demons!"

The chamber was stunned into silence. Only gasps of shock could be heard.

"The Land of Trees' Hidden Village and its capital have been devastated!" The servant continued, panic clear in his voice. "Right now, Akiha-sama is hiding with the remnants of his entourage, but they don't know how long they'll be able to resist! So he calls for immediate aid!"

Suffice it to say, and the trial was pretty much forgotten from everyone's mind as the lords began barking orders, calling for the mobilization of the army. Lord Soga ordered a message of reinforcements to be called from Konoha immediately, while Lord Ichiro went to the fort to rally their warriors.

All the while, Maiyuri stood there. Then, terror crept into her very being as everything around her fell to chaos.

"Father..."

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

For Joachim