In every sense of the word, everyone has an unlimited amount of potential. The Will to Power can be the only limiter to one's potential. For many people, such power will only come at the cost of sacrifice. The sacrifice of self. Goals, such as power, can only be attained in this manner. As such...how far can one will himself to gain such power is up to the person himself.

The rain stopped somewhere in the middle of the night. The sun was poking out of the Eastern horizon, shadowing the monuments of the Hokages past. Tsunade had ordered a meeting for the shinobi that were directly involved with Naruto prior to his departure.

She was now walking down the street on her way to a meeting with said shinobi. She was walking at an unusually slow pace—one remenicent of a poor soul remembering her distraught past.

--------------------------------------Flashback------------------------------------

It had been four days since Sasuke was brought back to the leaf, following his battle with Naruto in the Valley of End. Naruto, at the time, was fully recovered from the multiple wounds and large hole in his chest just after the first few days. It had been the first night of sleep Tsunade was getting in all that time, thanks to her worrying about Naruto's condition.

The villagers were all too happy to have their prodigy back. Of course, none of them seemed to care that he had betrayed the Leaf. In defense of Sasuke, however, it was discovered that the cursed seal placed on him was affecting more than his charka, so they gave him a full pardon.

And now an old Hokage can finally get a good nights sleep…but alas, fate would not have it.

At 02:00 hours, a gigantic chakra wave came out of the western quadrant of Konoha.

Tsunade, to say the least, was now wide awake.

"REPORT!" she yelled, seemingly at the wall

Suddenly, two figures appeared out of said wall, looking like they had melted out of it.

"We have gotten a report of a large chakra signature in the Western section of town. Two Anbu squads have been dispatched." Replied the first guard.

Tsunade was in a slight panic. She had worried for Naruto, as a chakra signature this large could only come from one source, and said source in inside Naruto.

"Dispatch one additional Anbu squad to the Uzumaki residence and have them report back to me." Said Tsunade, regaining her composure.

'If something happened to Naruto, I could never forgive myself…' thought Tsunade.

Several minutes later, three Chuunins appeared in Tsunade's chambers.

"Hokage-sama," the lead Chuunin said while kneeling down, "we have located the source of the signature to be the residence of Naruto Uzumaki…"said the Chuunin, now changing his tone to one of frustration, "however, we cannot seem to find Uzumaki himself. He appears to be no where in the vicinity of Konoha".

If Tsunade had any reason to worry before, now was even a greater reason. Naruto had disappeared from radar.

'Naruto couldn't have left of his own volition…I'm SURE of it!' thought Tsunade angrily. 'But, if he doesn't show up soon…'.

Tsunade knew the game of politics. And she also knew where most of the elder council of Konoha stood. They, like most of the populace, would love nothing better than to rid themselves of the 'demon fox'. No matter that Naruto risked his life countless times for his home. No matter that his very birth had made him an unloved hero. No, they would have their vengeance on the 'Kyuubi', whether it was inside Naruto or not.

Tsunade would have to declare him a missing-nin of Konoha.

--------------------------------------End Flashback------------------------------------

Tsunade continued on her somber trail to her office and the nins awaiting. She was already fifteen minutes late. The sun was a little higher now, banishing the darkness over the Hokage monument and giving the figures therein more defined features. There facial features cast shadows beneath them. The figure with the biggest shadow was the Fourth Hokage.

Tsunade couldn't understand why the Fourth did what he did.

She could understand his willingness to save the village. 'But why Naruto?' she often found herself thinking. 'Why…why of all the children of Konoha born on that day would he choose his own…his own son?'.

She never got an answer to her questions, as the Fourth had given his life in the sealing ritual. Maybe he couldn't ask the village what he himself could give. Maybe he meant for the village to look up to Naruto for his sacrifice…no…in order for one to sacrifice, one must willingly make it. Naruto was hours old when he was infused with the Kyuubi's soul. He couldn't have made a decision.

But all that did not matter now. Remembering Naruto's current condition brought her out of her moping mood and urged her to explain…as best she could…to those who had once been his friends.

She feared what she was about to do. She feared explaining to the few shinobi that were dear to Naruto of his condition…of his new features…of what might have happened to change him forever. She dreaded it almost as much as she dreaded that day three years ago…almost four days after Naruto's departure.

--------------------------------------Flashback------------------------------------

"Hokage-sama," said the elder of the council, "we must take action now. We can only wait so long for the demon to return!"

Tsunade was angry. In fact, she couldn't recall more of a stronger anger in her life. These people…and what they wanted her to do.

"We must declare the demon boy a missing-nin." Said the council member to the elder's right.

Tsunade had no more power over the council than it of her. But, the game of politics is twisted, cruel, and leaves a somewhat horrible taste in your mouth.

"What good would it be to declare a child of 13 years a missing-nin!" Tsunade roared, placing heavy emphasis on the word 'child', in contrast to the council referring to him as a 'demon boy'.

"The demon is powerful, and we can only assume that his power will increase." Stated the calmer council member to the elder's left. "We tolerated his presence here only because he swore allegiance to the Leaf. However…" he stated, raising his tone on the last part, "he betrayed us in the end!"

Before Tsunade had a chance to speak up, the elder council member cut in.

"I propose we declare one Uzumaki Naruto as a missing-nin and S-class criminal of the Leaf!" The council started to rumble as every member, of approximately 32 members besides the council elder, raised there hand and shouted "HERE HERE!". It was unanimous. Tsunade was left with only one option.

"I concede to your demands." She stated wearily. "I hereby declare, by my right and prestige as Hokage of Konoha," one could see her eyes begin to moisten, "that Uzumaki Naruto be declared a missing-nin and S-class criminal…" she now began to weep silently at her words. She knew she had been forced into this declaration, but it did not alleviate the dagger in her heart, the lump in her throat, the burning in her sides, and the salt in her eyes.

"and to be killed on sight."

--------------------------------------End Flashback------------------------------------

She found herself at the doors to her office. The two guards always on watch had stepped aside to allow her entry. She remembered how she wept after coming into her office after her council meeting three years ago. She couldn't even hold them off for a week. Not that it would have mattered, but to her, it was one of the moments in her life where she felt she was the weakest person in the world.

"Good morning Hokage-sama." Stated the guard to her left.

"The specified shinobi have already gathered and are waiting inside, as per your request." Stated the guard to her right.

She turned the handle of the old oak doors and nudged it open. She solemly strode to her chair, ignoring the confused and worry-ridden glares of those she had told to meet her here.

"Good morning Hokage-sama," stated Kakashi, obviously trying to mask his apprehension with a monotoned voice, "Hinata, Sakura, Sasuke, Ino, Neji, Kiba, Shikamaru, Lee, Chouji, Iruka-san, and I have gathered here as per your orders." Tsunade was aware that Kakashi would be doing the most talking, seeing as the group in front of her had probably chosen his role long before she strode into her office.

"Good morning everying." She stated, in a rivaling monotone voice. "You are here this morning to be updated on the condition of one Uzumaki Naruto."

She went on to explain his injuries, and that they have already healed. No one seemed to dispute his healing factor, although the younger ones of the group didn't know why he healed that fast, they certainly knew he had always had such an ability. She explained the best she could with what little she herself had, cleverly leaving out the parts concerning Kyuubi. She was still atleast adamant about keeping his secret from the Konoha youth, feeling the only person who should tell them is Naruto himself. She also avoided the issue of his incident involving his chakra strings and four medic-nin, along with her apprentice.

"That is all I know, until Naruto wakes up." Tsunade concluded.

"You may all take leave now. I will recall you as soon as he wakes up, and no mission will be assigned to either of you until he does. You have my word." Said Tsunade. She could clearly read the expressions of worry on all their faces. Let is be known that Tsunade was many thing, but 'uncompassionate' was not one of them.

They all began to file out of the room after giving proper respects to the Hokage, and small thanks from each of them. Kakashi was the last one to leave, sensing something was left out of Tsunade's explanation. "Kakashi, stay." She said, to which Kakashi nodded his head and stood at attention in front of the Hokage's desk.

"There was an incident involving Naruto as we were diagnosing him." She said, cutting off Kakashi's question before he even asked it. She went on the explain the incident in detail, leaving the most important unsaid.

"Chakra strings in his sleep, and in mass number?" stated Kakshi with a little bit of surprise to his voice. He was surprised that Naruto was able to do that. He had the impression he was stronger, sure. One couldn't beat the snake-sannin without being VERY strong. But, to restrain and almost kill five people in his sleep without tipping off the slug-sannin, the Hokage of Konoha, was just ludicrous.

"That isn't what concerns me Kakashi." She said, her voice now breaking into emotion. She began to explain his one red eye, his changed hair color, and most importantly…

"Most importantly, he was molding chakra." She said, as Kakashi looked down. He didn't like where this conversation was going. "Naruto didn't have his shirt on at the time." This statement from Tsunade was etched with worry and sadness. Kakashi now knew what she was going to say next, but he didn't want to hear it just as much as she didn't want to say it.

"His seal is gone, and that can only mean one thing." The Hokage stated on the brink of tears.

There was a long silence, and not one of them was willing to speak. Tsunade regained her composure and shifted into her role as Hokage.

"Dispatch three squads of Jounin level Anbu to Naruto's hospital room." She said, with coldness in her voice, intertwined with remorse in her breaths.

"Naruto is no longer Naruto. He has merged with the Kyuubi." She said, as in the second time in her life, she felt like a dagger was stabbed straight through her heart.

A/N

Yes, I know this is a cliffhangar, and although this chapter revealed the details of Naruto's departrue, it did not explain WHY he left, WHY he is back, or WHAT he did while he was gone and has become. This is the point of a cliffhangar. Yes, I know I'm evil. The next chapter will explain a lot, and towards the end, you will all get what you wanted. Naruto will wake up.

Also, thank you all again for your reviews. As long as your guys keep reading and commenting, I'll keep writing. By the way, this is my first fiction ever, so I really do need negative feedback as well. I'm trying to write a novel (as a hobby apart from writing this fic) and I need to perfect my writing style.

Till next chapter.

A/N