A/N- I've had this chapter in my thoughts since day one. It took a lot of re-editing, but I am officially happy with how this chapter turned out.
Naira, I'm so excited! Thank you so much for your comment and you'll see Itachi's reaction to this soon!
Tam1706, I literally get so happy to hear from you, I'm so glad you liked the last chapter. We'll read about Sakura soon but not this chapter. A lot of drama is about to unfold (winks) in this chapter.
THREE YEARS AGO
"NARUTO!" Naruto cocked his head to the side before grinning.
"SAKURA-CHAN!" He ran towards her as she fell into his arms.
"I didn't know you were coming back today!" She grinned at him, "How was Jiraiya? What have you learned? Tell me everything!"
"I un Woah, I learned a lot, dattebayo! But uhh I need food first, ramen?" Sakura's eyes lit up as she eagerly nodded her head.
"Yes, I'll meet you there in ten minutes?!" She took off running before he could say anything else. Laughing he headed towards the ramen stand.
Two years ago he would have thought Sakura would blow him off. He would have thought a lot of things but things were different now. He and Sakura understood each other better and could call one another family. Sasuke would be coming home soon, and Naruto was ready to drag his ass through the gates with Sakura. Sooner or later Team Seven will be whole again and that thought had Naruto grinning like an idiot as he entered Irchiakrus.
"Aye old man!"
"Naruto! Long time no see, how were your travels?"
He laughed as he slid into a chair, "Ehh nothing I couldn't handle! But I'll tell you I haven't had anything better than your ramen in my life!"
Ayame squealed as she came through the door, "Naruto you're back! Look how hog you've gotten!" She gushed over him as Naruto grinned and started flexing.
"Ya know I'm grown now!" They coursed over laughs as Ayame went to the kitchen to make his food.
"The usual?" She called from the back, to which Naruto easily agreed.
He was overfilled with joy as the old man talked to him about all the new editions that have gotten added to the list in the course of three years.
He smiled as he began telling them all about his trip.
He hasn't thought anyone would miss him aside from Sakura and yet… the old man and big sis really have always been there for him. They offered him food when he didn't have the funds for it, provided him with shelter in the cold, and for every milestone in his life, he found himself sitting here talking about it.
He hadn't realized how blessed he was until he started traveling with Jiraiya. His life hadn't been easy but it had been easier compared to others. So he began to learn. As Jiraiya said, children are the future of the world.
His love for Konoha was high, he wanted to become Hokage, wanted the respect of the villagers, and traveling with Erosanain taught him that there was more than getting respect from others. Power provided respect and Naruto had that, whether or not they wanted to see it, Naruto was skilled- not the strongest he'd never claim that title but he would soon. He'd surpass everyone who taught him and everyone who belittled him. And then when there was no one left to surpass, he'd surpass the Fourth.
And he didn't need to become Hokage to do that- he would though. His goal… he hadn't realized it until he was with Jiraiya. What he truly wanted- and he had it in a way with his team. But- his goal, something he never thought he could get- what he always wanted from the start. His goal was to have a family. A family he could call his own. He was young, he knew but he desired a family. Cooking dinner together, having a table full of people and food. His first time ever experiencing it was during the Land Of Waves and it was honestly so pure.
He was on his second bowl when Sakura plopped down next to him,
"Naruto," She said as he took a bite.
"Mmhm" He slurped as he looked at her. Her eyes were soft and her voice gentle.
"This," she said, putting a picture before him, "Was the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze," Naruto nodded, the man looked just like the stone! His personal hero, and favorite Hokage. "And this was his wife," she pointed to the woman next to him, "Kushina Uzumaki." He choked on his noodles and Sakura brought her hand to pat Naruto's back.
Finally able to breathe he pulled from her hand and stared at the picture. It couldn't be- that didn't mean-
"October 10th Kushina-sama gave birth to a boy. And I don't know the full story but Minato-sama sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox into his son. The village was ordered not to tell you but Tsunade-sama gave me permission." Everything slowed for Naruto as Sakura's voice faded out.
Staring at him was a woman with beautiful long red hair, grinning so big you couldn't see her eyes and her hand placed on her growing stomach. Standing beside her was the Fourth Hokage. His smile is equally as big but far softer. One arm was slung around his wife while the other was placed on her belly. He looked so excited to be bringing a child into the world.
Staring at the man Naruto could see the similarities between them- he always had, he used to go into the Third's office and daydream about the Fourth being his dad. He'd make a whole imaginary scenario about their makeshift family but then Mizuki told him the horrible truth. The Fourth sealed the fox into a newborn baby. And who's father would do that? So, obviously, the Fourth couldn't have been his dad- but look how excited he looked. Maybe- maybe it was the only option, to seal the fox into him? Maybe his dad was forced to and that thought killed him on the inside. Was he- has he always been loved?
And then Naruto was laughing. An ugly laugh that turned into a cry after Sakura wrapped her arms around his frame. Even as he cried he wore a smile- a very real smile as he clung onto Sakura as if his life depended on it.
And then an ugly thought came to mind because Tsunade knew. The Fourth was Jiraiya's student so Jiraiya knew. The Fourth taught Kakashi, so Kakashi knew. And Sakura had all this information ready, so how long had she known who his parents were before she finally told him. He hated blaming others, but his entire life? He was laughing again and this time far more sinister than before. Sakura had removed herself from his embrace before asking what was wrong. He laughed harder as he shook his head.
After his laughter died down he looked at her who honestly looked confused. Regret instantly filled him as he thought of Sakura being malicious towards him. She didn't have to tell him anything so for her to do it, "Ehh Sakura-chan?" He asked while wiping the tears from his face, "I love you, ya know?"
Her eyes widened as she quickly wiped her own eyes before nodding her head, "I love you too baka."
THE TRUTH UNRAVELS
The past week Naruto stayed in bed with Sasuke. While he knew he should be helping with construction, his priority was Sasuke.
Naruto stared worriedly at Sasuke. His mind was running wild. Would he be betraying Sakura if he allowed Sasuke to stay here… no, it was beyond Sakura, would he be betraying himself if he allowed an innocent man to die for the sins of the village.
Naruto hated the fact that he could understand. He was empathic and it hurt. It hurt knowing that someone could cause someone else all this pain, yet he understood why they did what they did.
Right and wrong were too broad. Someone could do the wrong thing for the right reason and the right thing for the wrong reason. It was fucked up.
He was told that trait was going to make him a better Kage than the previous ones but he couldn't see it. He didn't even know if he wanted to be the Hokage anymore. It was a dream he said to get respect from others. And as he grew it was the only thing he knew. He never took a second to think about why he wanted to be Hokage. For his parents? For the village?
But how could he become Hokage knowing Itachi died and he did nothing? How could he look Sasuke in the eyes and tell him to stay in Konoha? The village must love children being in charge because once again, a child was going to fix the adult's problem.
"Sasuke." He pushed the covers off Sasuke's head and sat up. He grabbed Sasuke's chin, forcing him to look at him. "Sasuke look, we can't stay in bed. We have to go to Itachi-"
"If you want to go so bad then go." Sasuke rolled to his side, dragging the pillow onto his head.
"He's your brother, and you'll hate yourself if you stay." His heart hurt, he didn't have a good feeling about this. Would Tsunade order Itachi's death knowing he was ordered by the previous Kage?
He pressed his hands over his eyes. His heart ached. The Third was the first person to acknowledge him. Naruto grew up calling the old man Jiji, and he truly believed the Third loved him. And in turn, Naruto loved him back. But it hurt.
It hurt knowing the first person that ever cared for him could do something so utterly wrong and live with it for all that time. He had so much respect for the man but now… he loved him-yes, but he couldn't respect him. He'd do everything in his power to make sure the Third's mistakes never get repeated.
This is why the truth had to come to light. It's what Sakura would want, and it's what the Uchiha's deserved.
"I'm going. I'm not giving up on your brother- I can't. But I'm not doing it for him, or Sakura-Chan. I'm doing it for you." Naruto gently rubbed his hand through Sasuke's hair, softly tugging on the locks before slowly pulling back. "You can count on me."
He couldn't give up, it wasn't in his dictionary. It hurt pulling himself away from the bed he shared with Sasuke, but they were living an illusion. Naruto was 100% certain that if they acted like everything was ok, and Itachi died, Sasuke would take off again. And he couldn't have Sasuke leave him. He wouldn't know what to do. The past six years he spent chasing Sasuke through the nation. He'd go to hell and back for Sasuke time and time again. But he was so tired. And it wasn't entirely on Sasuke that he was tired.
Naruto didn't have anything to lose and that was tiring. But now he had Sasuke, and he'd be damned if he let him get away again. And Kami forbade if Sasuke walked out those gates for whatever reason all hell would break loose. If Sasuke left, he wouldn't have anything to lose again.
He left through the window and quickly made his way to the secret tunnels below the Hokage Tower.
Taking the Uchiha's out, the village owed him everything. Naruto never once used their crimes against them when he found out the truth. He smiled in their faces and forgave them-and he did, he just could never forget what they put him through- and for that reason, Naruto would use that against them and make them cancel the order.
And if Itachi wanted to spend the rest of his life in a cell, well Naruto wouldn't oppose that.
He felt sick. Looking at Itachi cuffed to the chair in front of the audience made the boy look that much younger. 23 years the boy gave to the village just to die in front of its people. But maybe that was the point? Maybe he couldn't think of a better way to die. How poetic, Kakashi scoffed.
It was pathetic how he couldn't do anything to stop what was due to happen. He spent two years in ANBU with Itachi, he was there when the boy had killed for the first time and watched the boy throw up in the wee hours of the night. Watched the 11-year-old fight sleep, afraid of the nightmares that were bound to come. He spent the majority of his time watching Itachi fight, watching Itachi kill in one second because he wasn't a fan of prolonging death.
Itachi had asked him why, and Kakashi had no answer for whatever the "why" was. He did what he was told and didn't ask questions. There wasn't much else a tool could do. And maybe that's where he messed up. When he told Itachi he was a tool for the village to be used and disposed of whenever necessary. Maybe that's why the man was ok dying in front of the present Kage because the last one never disposed of the "tool" saying as this one had.
"Let us begin." Tsunade began as she walked to the front of the room where Itachi was seated. Shizune stood to the side of him with a tray of needles and injections. It made him question why she would use that method when her chakra would have duty sufficed.
Staring at Itachi let him know he failed his kohai. And then he turned around and failed his team.
The execution of Itachi Uchiha had been published to only a few. Kakashi sat in the front with Tenzo and Sai. He saved two seats for the remaining members of the team yet he wasn't sure if they would show. Aside from them Tsunade along with Danzo and the Elders had been seated at the table in the back. Seated on the ground around Team Seven had been the clan heads and council.
Kakashi closed his eye. This was going to be hard.
"As you're aware Konoha does not support executions. It's been over 30 years since Konoha banned the order of execution, however, the council took a vote, and unanimously, everyone seemed to agree the crimes committed by Uchiha Itachi is far too grave to sentence him to life in prison."
Tsunade was right, they had nothing. The only thing they could do was convince the council that Itachi was innocent but it was too late.
Tsunade began listing off the crimes Itachi committed and Kakashi felt his stomach churn. What was worse, the council had agreed to seal Itachi's eyes. He was just as guilty as he sat there and did nothing to stop him from dying.
The next generation wouldn't be better than the last if they weren't allowed to see the truth. If everyone thought the truth was dead, then it would be. And no justice would come from it.
The door burst open as Naruto came into the room. "Granny-
"Naruto, have a seat. We've already begun." Tsunade's voice rang. She honestly was tired of all this. Tired of losing, she knew Danzo had the council wrapped around his finger. And after Itachi was dead, she'd personally make sure Danzo joined him.
"If he's on trial pending execution then he has a right to a witness." Naruto hesitantly made his way to the front of the room. He could do this. Everyone said he'd be a good Hokage, and if he couldn't get Itachi's pardon, then he knew they were lying.
"A witness? What are you a witness for? You were never around when the crimes were committed."
"Naruto." Kakashi's voice cut off whatever hot temper retort Naruto was bound to give. He wordlessly thanked Kakashi.
"I'm a character witness, and a witness on behalf of Sakura Haruno." Oh so you have been paying attention, Naruto mentally rolled his eyes at Kurama's remark. He knew he could do this.
"Let's see what he has to say."
He quickly thanked Kami that Tsunade was on his side. It was a lot of pressure but one thing everyone seemed to agree on was that he had unlocked Talk no Jutsu. It was complete bullshit but he wasn't turning down from a fight. Taking a deep breath, he started.
"I know you've heard a lot of things about Itachi, but for a second I'm going to ask you to close your eyes and picture a 13-year-old child. While most 13-year-olds are graduating from the academy and taking their first mission with their genin team, Itachi was taking A and S class missions for ANBU. A boy who was made captain at 13."
Where are you going with this? I don't know. But they seem to be thinking right?
"Graduating as young as 7 and joining ANBU by 11. He was a child, under stress from both the village and his clan. And yet he wasn't offered help."
Kit, don't drop the ball-
Nodding his head, "The Uchiha clan was under watch from the village. The Uchiha's were stressed, the village was stressed and in return, a 13-year-old child who had taken on the duties of both clan and village was more stressed than anyone else in this god damn village. He needed help. And I'm not only talking about mental help- because we know how good Konoha is for that.."
Naruto paused, "I didn't see it at all," Naruto had scoffed then mumbled, "but the village was afraid." His eyes widened, "And the only way to calm their nerves- the only help Itachi was offered was to kill his clan by the orders of-
"Naruto!"
"Danzo and The Third-"
"Naruto!"
"Sakura Haruno had been working with Tsunade for the reinstatement of Itachi but since she's dead, Itachi doesn't want to fight anymore."
"Naruto that's enough." Two guards grabbed Naruto roughly and threw him into the empty seat beside Kakashi.
"I'm pulling rank." Naruto grit out, "As the Fourth Hokage's son and clan heir to the Uzumaki clan I cast-in my vote against the order to execute Itachi Uchiha until you listen to reason."
"Naruto, you have to calm down." Kakashi settled his hand on his shoulder, "I know you want to help but this isn't it."
"Konoha doesn't have to do right or wrong. Konoha can't be the reason Sasuke loses his last remaining family. Please Tsunade, take my vote into account."
"Naruto I-" She sighed, "I understand why, but we can't Naruto. Let the execution of Uchiha Itachi resume." He gripped his chest. He failed. There had to be a way- anything. They couldn't, Tsunade couldn't kill Itachi!
"Naruto it's over." Yamato reached out to him and grasped his hand. "You did well kiddo."
"I'm not a kid." He sure as hell felt like it. He glanced up to look Itachi in his eye and he felt his stomach drop. "What's wrong with his eyes?" His eyes were almost as clear as the Hyuga's.
"They're sealed." Kakashi's voice was barely heard above a whisper and Naruto had to fight not to turn his head from the scene.
"This isn't ok," Naruto mumbled as Shizune made her way back to the front and began explaining the process of what was about to come. The door opened before she could finish and everyone turned to look. A moment later Sasuke slowly entered, his eyes frantically searching the room before falling on Itachi.
Naruto held his breath as Sasuke made his way towards him and sat beside him.
"Hey." Naruto frowned as he grabbed Sasuke's chin forcing him to look at him. "I couldn't get them to back down." Sasuke wordlessly nodded his head, never taking his eyes off his brother. Naruto felt his stomach drop. He licked his dry lips begging to keep the vomit down.
Sasuke's breathing was getting heavy and Naruto reached out to stop Sasuke's fingers from twitching every second, he let his chakra roam to Sasuke's in an attempt to calm him. And for a second it worked. His breathing evened and he stopped moving. For once Sasuke looked calm, looked at peace as he offered him a small smile Sasuke uttered out, "Arigato."
Naruto shot him a small smile back, his hand clasping tightly around Sasuke's. His heart hurt and he wasn't sure why until Sasuke stood.
"Uchiha. Sit down." Tsunade ordered tightly. Naruto tried to pull him back down but all Sasuke did was pull his hand free of his grip.
"You'll be fine," Sasuke muttered to him, as he made his way to the front of the room before kneeling down to Itachi's level. "I forgive you. For not telling me the truth, for tormenting me, for leaving me, I forgive you." He spoke low, only allowing Itachi to hear him before gently gripping his brother's hand. Itachi narrowed his eyes at him and before he could speak, Sasuke spoke again. "I'm so tired, and I realize we're too good for this world. So, brother, there's no more 'next time' we'll go together."
Tears slowly fell from Sasuke's face as he pulled away from Itachi and looked at Tsunade.
"Itachi told me his plans of murdering the Uchiha clan and I told no one. I gave Itachi the code after the Third was dead, and after I killed Orochimaru I secretly joined the Akastui and worked undercover for them."
"He's lying!" Naruto shouted, Kakashi grabbed him, refraining him from reacting.
"I followed Sakura out of the Land of Mountains and attacked her with the aid of Itachi." Multiple gasps could be heard around the room as Sasuke kneeled beside Itachi. "If you're killing Itachi for those crimes then I'm just as guilty."
"What are you doing?" Itachi's voice was low and Sasuke quickly reached out to grab his hand again.
"The same thing you are." I'm giving up. Itachi said nothing as Sasuke held his glaze. And while he knew his brother was blind at the moment, Itachi was staring right at him.
"My lady?" Shizune questioned over the yells of Naruto, over the gasp and whispers of everyone in the room.
Tsunade frowned as she cast a glance at Danzo who was smirking clear as day as he nodded his head to her. She glared at the ceiling. This wasn't how she pictured her day to go. It was clear as day Sasuke was lying but would Itachi really remain silent if it meant his brother would die? "Proceed."
"Don't you dare touch a hair on Sasuke's head!" Naruto shouted and Yamato quickly moved in front of him.
"Naruto control it-
Yellow flames covered Naruto's body as Shizune once again picked up the needles.
"I swear to god if anyone touches-
Yamato sighed as he muttered "Wood style: four-pillar prison." A seal on the palm of his hand as he quickly attached it to Naruto's cage.
"You touch him and I WILL KILL YOU. I'LL DESTROY THIS WHOLE GODDAMN VILLAGE GRANNY!" Naruto roared, causing Yamoto to shamefully look away from the scene. Danzo was having a field day as his smile grew from ear to ear.
"You're ok Naruto," Sasuke mouthed at Naruto one last time, "you'll be fine."
"Teme I swear," his sobs filled the air as Kurama's chakra leaked out of him, "I'LL KILL MYSELF JUST TO BRING YOU BACK, YOU DON'T GET TO WALK AWAY!"
"Are you sure you want this?" Shizune whispered to Sasuke and when he said nothing she nodded her head and walked around to Itachi's side.
"Any last words from the Uchiha brothers?" Danzo's smug voice rang out and neither replied to it.
"Kakashi if you allow this to happen I'LL KILL YOU-
"Ok, this Itachi, you'll feel a cold sensation, it's midazolam- a sedative." She injected the needle into his vein. "The next two will be pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride.-"
"Don't you DARE!-"
"It may take up to seven minutes-"
"Can you administer them at the same time?" Sasuke breathed out.
Shizune took a step back, biting her lip as she looked up, fighting to keep her tears down.
Never had Sasuke sounded so much like a child as he did at that moment. Kakashi pressed his sebon deep into his thigh, no one spared him a glance.
"I- I can." She said as she gave Sasuke the sedative next. "Remember it can take up to seven minutes to work." Sasuke nodded his head as he squeezed Itachi's hand.
She grabbed the first needle, pausing before she entered it into Itachi's arms, "Thank you for loving Sakura." She whispered as she pushed the needle into his skin. She said a quick prayer. Naruto's roars we're heard throughout the room, Sasuke's glaze remanded on his brothers.
"Well, well, well. Look how the mighty have fallen." Kisame's boarding laughter filled the air as he pressed Samehada into Tsunade's neck. "Change of plans sweetheart seems like this ones-"
ANBU moved out of the shadows and before they could reach Kisame, Shisui positioned himself between the two, pointing his kunais at both their necks.
"free to go." Kisame finished as he laughed.
Everyone froze as their Hokage got put into a compromising position.
"We don't bargain with terrorists." Spat Danzo as Kisame's laughter grew.
"Not even for your Hokages life?" He taunted as he dug Samehada into her neck, drawing blood.
Danzo opened his mouth to retort as Tsunade raised her palm, signaling everyone to stand down.
"Wh-Whats happening?" Naruto hastily asked, trying to glance around the room while being suspended.
"You're outnumbered and lack the home-field advantage. What makes you think you'll win?" She asked while staring pointedly at Itachi.
"I wasn't aware of this." Itachi answered her, while his eyes turned to Kisame, "Drop it."
"Ehh is that anyway how you greet your partner? And all this trouble we went through to get here." Finally, Itachi's eyes moved toward the other man in the room and froze. While Itachi couldn't see he could sense him, and while it has been over 10 years, this chakra was very familiar. "What are we waiting for?" Kisame asked Shisui who glared at the man and told him patience.
"Outnumbered, yes. Outmatched? Far from it." Shisui muttered before the door opened. In walked a child as she glanced at her father.
"Thanks for waiting for me Tou-san, I had trouble perfecting the jutsu." Everyone watched with bated breath as the child walked to the front of the room, stopping shortly at Naruto before humming and continuing towards the stage.
"What is the meaning of this!" Danzo grunted as Tsunade rolled her eyes. Tsunade was confident they could fight them and win but she did have a kunai poised at her neck.
"It's an honor meeting you," the girl said to Itachi, as she looked around the room. "I'm having trouble using shusinin," She proceeded to go through the signs slowly and after getting various (confused) nods around the room, she thanked the room before doing the signs at a rapid pace and placing her hands on Itachi. The three Uchihas vanished from the room and Naruto's scream continued.
"What are we still doing here?" Kisame grunted towards Shisui who stood unmoving beside the ANBU.
Tsunade glanced toward the unknown man and the second she saw him the next he was gone and standing in front of Danzo's desk. His hand reached forward and yanked his eye out of Danzo's socket causing Danzo to yank himself back. His hand reaching for his eye, Shisui kicked him across the room, and before anyone could blink, the man said, "These don't belong to you," and using Samhedama, Shisui cut Danzo's arm off. Just as the arm hit the floor Shisui and Kisame were long gone. No one moved as a scream finally tore from Danzo's throat. Danzo's hand pressed into his missing limb, desperately trying to stop the blood. Shizune reacted first as she ran towards the man and began stopping the blood.
Tsunade looked down at the arm laying in front of her which had begun to unravel and was met staring at multiple sharingans. She reached forward and placed it on the desk for everyone to see. Gasps were heard from all around the room as Tsunade beckoned her men forward. Her ANBU guards came and surrounded Danzo.
"See to it that he doesn't die. I want him alive and ready for an integration come tomorrow morning." She gave her orders and her ANBU along with Shizune disappeared with Danzo. Finally, she looked toward the remaining members of team seven, "I want all of them in my office PRONTO!" She finished before slamming her drink down her throat enough to fill the burn. When she looked back up Team seven was gone, and during the next hour, she answered all of the council's questions to the best of her abilities, with a smirk plastered on her face. Checkmate bitch.
A/N- Checkmate bitch.
Hello loves, thank you for being a part of this journey! I rewrote this chapter so many times, at first Shisui and Kisame were going to break Itachi out of the cell, but then Pein attacked the village and I had to change things. And it was like that over and over.
When I wrote the scene when Sasuke joined Itachi, I was so nervous. Sasuke had all these emotions and he just wanted it all to stop. And Naruto... my poor little baby Naruto who couldn't stop anything from happening. R&R and let me know your favorite part!
