THE IMPERIAL PALACE – THE WORST BETRAYAL
In the Shinobi-Military Alliance's Camp
Naruto and his father stand looking over the surroundings having just discussed the ways their scouts are operating. Truthfully, not much is happening in the camp, just the formalities. Scouts are making sure that they are not going to be found. Small groups are organising the required resources. Time just slowly plods along as Naruto, Sarada, Clyde and Lara all wait for Shikamaru to formulate a plan for them, but that is all they can do. They simply wait.
"What do you think of this place dad?".
"As I understand it this place was picked by the previous emperor, Endou Akashi. I'm not a fan of the artificial light, but other than that I can understand his decision. It's idyllic, almost perfect in every way".
"Yeah, I've never exactly liked flowers too much, but I agree, just look at this place".
Minato glances at his son and instantly understands that something is wrong. They are nearing the end of their path one way or another. Whether they can defeat Furst or not, this will be the end. At a critical time like this it is normal for people to reflect on their path, but it seems out of place for Naruto. Just hearing about Naruto's past, Minato had always believed that he would keep running forward, even at a time like this.
"Is something wrong, Naruto?".
"Nothing's wrong. I just didn't imagine that I would spend my final days in a place like this" Naruto explains, "We're in Furst's lair now, I pictured that it would be darker, that it would be filled with evil".
"Furst probably doesn't realise that he is evil" Minato replies, "He is just following a twisted ideology that makes other people suffer. And Naruto, it's too early for you to talk about your final days yet, you're going to win aren't you? You're going to restore peace to both these worlds, then we're all going home together".
Naruto nods. That's right, he can't fail now can he? All he must do is keep moving forward as he has done. Just don't give up and everything will be OK.
"I'm glad we could spend this time together dad. I never met you when I was a kid, you sacrificed your life to save mine, but I'm glad that I can do it now instead".
"Yes, I'm happy that I was able to meet you too, Naruto".
Minato says this without even thinking, but then as he looks at his son, he gets to thinking about his significance. Since being brought forward in time, Naruto has become the centrepiece of the entire village. All the movement has focused around him. Clyde changed his path because of Naruto. Naruto was the one who created another hope for Lara. Naruto was the one who acted as inspiration for Sarada. Naruto was the pivot for Hashirama's betrayal. Minato considers the importance of his son and cannot truly comprehend it. Naruto's significance is great both in the pocket world and here in Homeworld. Perhaps, he is the most important pocket-worlder to have ever been born.
Minato isn't just happy to have met Naruto, he is honoured.
Mirai's Tent
Mirai walks through the door of her tent and sits down on the single chair that she has been afforded. She takes a deep breath of air and rests her head in her hands, lamenting the situation. She is the leader of the Hidden Leaf military, a mighty warrior with power greater than several of the Hokage she serves. Yet, as the Hidden Leaf prepares for the greatest battle it has ever seen, she waits in the knowledge that she is powerless to make any difference.
Mirai lifts her head back up, concluding that since she can't do anything else, it would be just as well to get some sleep.
But then Lara appears.
Lara teleports, putting herself right in front of Mirai.
"Ah!" Mirai shouts, almost falling back off her chair.
Lara simply stares questioningly at Mirai.
"Don't do that, you scared the life out of me" Mirai says, "You can't just teleport into people's living quarters, I'm entitled to some privacy aren't I?".
"Shut up!" Lara barks bluntly, "You should be grateful for a visitor, nobody wants to spend their last days alone".
Mirai sighs once again, to hear it said is never pleasant. What if these truly are her last days? Has she done everything that she wanted with her life? If they fail, has she done enough? Will she be able to fight during her last moments without regret? Or has she failed, was her life pointless? Did she live for the sake of living? As all these questions pass through her mind, she looks to her company and asks the very same questions.
"You're a fine one to talk aren't you? You've shut people out for years".
"That's because everyone asks stupid questions and makes stupid statements" Lara declares, somewhat untruthfully, "I'm paying you a compliment by being here, you're only a local talking to a general you know".
Mirai laughs sarcastically. "I'm sorry mighty general, what good deed have I committed to merit the honour of your visit".
"Shut up!".
Silence descends upon them and Mirai uses the opportunity to asses the situation. Just what is going on? Lara doesn't pay visits to locals without an agenda, it's not in her nature. Is there some kind of ulterior motive for her being here, is she a spy? Surely not, her actions would have made her a terrible spy. Mirai can only ask.
"… what do you want Lara?".
Lara takes a deep breath and answers.
"You're the only shinobi I can stomach. So, I came here to…" she hesitates before continuing, "I came here to ask if you wanted to have a drink with my team".
"Seriously?".
"Fine, if you don't want to then I'll drink without…".
"No" Mirai cuts the general off, "No, don't go back alone. If you want me to come with you I will".
Not waiting for any further exchange of words or any explanation, Lara grabs hold of Mirai's shoulder, teleporting the two of them to the mess she left a few moments prior. Here a large group of captains, a few colonels and a couple of generals drink merrily, most of them paying very little attention to the arrival of their general. At this point their fear of her has disappeared, for they all fear that they will soon die anyway. Lara's anger is nothing compared to the enmity of Furst Jonas.
"So, what exactly do you drink in this world?" Mirai asks as she sits down at a vacant table she assumes to be Lara's.
"Don't ask" Lara replies, "If I told you how we make it you wouldn't want to drink it. Just drink it. Be careful, it's quite strong".
Mirai watches as Lara goes over to a cabinet and opens it to show several bottles. The general takes one of the ones from near the top and pours it into a couple of large glasses. Out from the bottleneck comes a blue liquid, which fizzes slightly as it hits the bottom of the glass. The semi-transparent drink settles after a couple of seconds and Lara brings over the two glasses, along with the bottle.
Mirai taps her glass against Lara's and takes a swig of the alien drink.
"Wow" she says, "It's certainly got a distinct taste hasn't it?".
"You should try something from an inner-city establishment, that would make this stuff seem familiar to a pocket-worlder".
Nearby, General Elliot watches his superior intently, leaning over to have a quick word with Blackburn and Brooks.
"Blackburn, Brooks, what do you make of this?".
"Make of what?" Blackburn asks, perhaps inhibited by his drink.
"Lara you fool" Brooks groans, "She's socialising! With a pocket-worlder no less"..
"It's a good thing" Blackburn declares dismissively, "Don't worry about it and just have some fun".
With his abrupt final word on the subject spoken, Blackburn walks over to a group of colonels who usually work under him and strikes up conversation about the times they have enjoyed together in the past. The morality of conquering pocket worlds is secondary to him, while he won't do it anymore, he thoroughly enjoyed the challenge some locals gave him at the time.
"You should keep a close eye on her Elliot" Brooks continues, "The last thing we want is to take Lara's edge away from her now".
"I'm well aware of that Brooks".
"Then will you have a word with Lara?".
Elliot gazes at Mirai, the adversary he once battled to determine the fate of the pocket world. Mirai is the only local to have ever defeated him after many years of invading pocket worlds. Lastly, Mirai is to the Hidden Leaf Village what Lara is to Homeworld, perhaps there is something to be gained by them working together.
"I'll just observe for now" Elliot declares, "I'll step in when I have evidence that this is weakening her".
"Just be sure that you do, all our lives are at stake here".
By the Pond
Sarada paces around the pond, occasionally looking up into the sky only to see the great arching dome above her. The time has come to put her plan into action, a drastic plan that could endanger the entire village. Minato's assessment of Naruto's importance is correct, without him there is no way Furst will be defeated. That's why even if everyone else must put themselves in danger, they need to find a way to make him that little bit stronger.
"Sarada, are you alright?".
Sarada looks to her side and sees that she has been joined by Himawari, just as she requested.
"Ah Himawari, it's good that you're here. I was hoping to look up and see some stars, during the final days" Sarada admits, "When we beat Furst I hope Clyde will insist that this dome goes. It ruins the purity of the night".
"Can you see through the dome with your rinnegan?".
"Maybe, but I would have liked to see the stars normally, one last time".
"You could always try to blow a hole in the dome?".
Sarada laughs. "No, this thing is way too strong. None of us could do that".
"Shame…".
Himawari has long since realised that she is now weak, living in the world of the mighty. This dome was likely constructed by thousands of people far stronger than her. Each of them likely answered to a supervisor who was absolutely terrifying to them. Each supervisor likely answered to a being near the top of this world who in turn terrified them. Compared to that large chain of increasingly powerful people, Himawari knows that she is very small.
Sarada uses her powers of 'creation' to create a couple of wooden rocking chairs.
"Himawari, will you sit with me?".
"Of course".
The two of them sit down and lean back, taking the opportunity to relax as people all over the camp have been doing. Just sitting there together, the two friends feel that the weight of the world is removed from their shoulders. Despite Himawari knowing that they will probably all die, she relaxes. Despite Sarada knowing the tremendous difficulty of the plan she is about to execute, she relaxes.
"Why did you want to meet with me in private?" Himawari asks, "You know you don't need to keep any secrets from my family right?".
"I know that".
"Is there something you want to tell me that dad shouldn't hear? I know mom wouldn't tell him if we told her it was important".
"No, it's not that Himawari. I just wanted to spend some time with you near the end. You're one of the closest people I have left. You're like a sister to me".
"Yes".
Unfortunately, Sarada's last comment brings up the elephant in the room, a constant source of tension in their conversations. The man who brought the two of them closer together isn't here. He has betrayed their cause in favour of much deadlier and treacherous one.
"I know that it hurts you just as much as me that Boruto isn't here fighting with us right now" Sarada declares.
"It hurts a lot" Himawari admits. "But we have dad and we have you here fighting for us. I feel pretty happy with that for now".
"Maybe, but the psychological impact of losing Boruto and Hashirama has hurt us. They both represent the type of person who thinks just like my master does. However, the two of them have reached a different conclusion, and that's why it hurt Naruto a lot that they betrayed us".
"And do you think that will affect our chances of success?".
"I think the pain has hurt our odds, I think it has particularly hurt your father. It may be what ends up causing us to fail".
Himawari shudders at Sarada's brutal assessment. Between them any sense of optimism is gone. Sarada may be the only person who could ever make Himawari doubt her father's ability to succeed, and she has just done that. The Uzumaki clanswomen understood that Naruto had been damaged by the betrayals, but she never understood just how much of an impact that had, until now. If Sarada's assessment is accurate, then it's a total disaster.
"Do you have a way to help him move on?" Himawari asks hopefully.
"… no" Sarada mutters. "Right now the risk is about to be consumed by risk and uncertainty. He is the only one who can protect us. That's why you need to stand by him Himawari. You're his daughter and he can't deal with this without your help".
"Of course we'll stick by him, won't we?".
Sarada sighs. "I'm afraid I won't be able to do that Himawari".
Nearby, something rocks on the ground, causing Himawari to turn around and look. The noise keeps happening every two or three seconds and while Himawari gets up to investigate Sarada doesn't move from the spot. Himawari slowly approaches the source of the noise, a large wooden box, human sized, almost like a coffin.
Terrified of what may be in the box, Himawari looks back at Sarada. Sarada doesn't return the glance though, remaining silent as Himawari continues.
Himawari opens the wooden box and discovers exactly who is contained inside.
It's Tsunade.
The 5th Hokage's movement is heavily restricted by a binding material. Himawari quickly realises that if even Tsunade can't break through it then it must be something terrifyingly strong. She also realises that only one person could 'create' such a material.
Himawari turns back to look at Sarada. The 9th Hokage raises her hand and uses 'creation' to bind Himawari as well.
Himawari falls to the ground, unable to move. "Sarada, what are you doing?".
"I'm sorry Himawari, I'm afraid you can't do anything about this, it needs to happen" Sarada explains. "This is for the good of the village, I promise that I am being selfless".
"What have you done Sarada?".
The last Uchiha activates her rinnegan, turning and looking over her shoulder to see if everything is moving according to plan. She then confirms the deadly truth to Himawari with two words that would echo in her mind.
"… they're here…".
"Sarada, what are you talking about, whose coming, what have you done?".
Himawari can only assume the worst for as she struggles helplessly within her bonds. What possible reason would Sarada have for restraining Tsunade like this? Did Tsunade find out something that Sarada was keeping secret? Does Sarada have some secret that would be devastating if it came out. Surely there is no motivation for capturing another Hokage, surely Sarada would never resort to such a thing.
Then a cry for help makes things clear.
"It's Lord 1st!".
Himawari activates her byakugan and watches as dozens of attacks all launch from the camp. Whether it is divine energy or chakra, it is hurled in the same direction with a single-minded will to stop the target from attacking. It seems to do no good though as the attacks continue to fly.
Himawari can see the specifics though. Hashirama has arrived and is protecting himself with a shield of 'death'. He is protecting himself and Boruto.
The two 'death' using warriors are heading in her direction.
"Remember the agreement Boruto" Hashirama tells his student, "We will not fight back against them".
"I know".
Unfortunately, it is a show of powerlessness on the part of the allied forces as they work together to try and force Hashirama back, yet their dozens of combined attacks do nothing to him.
Boruto activates his tenseigan to assure himself that Sarada is where he has expected her to be. She is. Using this information, the two of them continue to converge on Sarada, Himawari and Tsunade at an even greater speed than previously.
Sarada walks over to Himawari, resting a gentle hand atop her head. "Look after him, Himawari. Alright?".
"Sarada, you won't…".
Sarada doesn't listen to Himawari's speech, knocking her out with a single blow to the rear of the head.
Hashirama and Boruto continue to advance towards Sarada, moving more quickly now. Their speed is so great that not even the colonels trying to attack them can keep up. The two of them run and run until they enter the clearing with the pond, standing opposite Sarada and a bound Tsunade. Now there is nothing standing between them and what they have come for. At least for a moment.
Moving so quick that a gust of wind accompanies him, Naruto positions himself alongside Sarada, in front of the two newcomers.
"Stop! Boruto, Hashirama, what do you think you're doing here?".
"This matter doesn't concern you, father".
"Don't tell me that it doesn't concern the Hokage when you attack his people" Naruto replies with disgust, "But, you must have lost your mind. Don't you realise that you're outmatched? There is no way you two alone could fight your way through the entire allied group".
"We are not outmatched, Naruto" Hashirama counters, "I'm afraid it is you who is outmatched. Do you have her with you?".
The question stuns Naruto. "What are you…".
"I have her" Sarada answers, interrupting Naruto.
Naruto looks back at Sarada in horror as Sarada lifts a bound Tsunade from a human-sized wooden box. As far as he can tell, Sarada has taken Tsunade prisoner and she is cooperating with Hashirama and Boruto.
"Remember the deal" Sarada says, "Nobody here must be hurt so long as Tsunade and I come with you".
"Yes, that is the deal" Hashirama replies.
Naruto is too stunned to react initially. Surely this cannot be happening. Sarada's loyalty is perhaps the loyalty he was most certain of. She has agreed with him wholeheartedly right from the start. His way of thinking is one that she strived to emulate, his way one she vowed to follow. What could possibly have happened to make her do this?
"Sarada, you're betraying us, you can't be serious".
"I'm buying the village's freedom with my betrayal, I'm afraid that's the only way to save you from certain death".
"Why? We could have fought them together. We can still win this fight, you don't need to do this".
Sarada sighs. "I'm afraid there is more to it than that master. I've been searching my soul for a long time now and I can't continue to fight against Boruto like this. I don't want to betray you, but I should be fighting with Boruto, not against him. I'm sorry, but I can't fight him any longer".
Sarada, with Tsunade in her grasp, begins to move from Naruto's side, walking over to Hashirama and Boruto, symbolically demonstrating that her loyalty has changed.
"Wait!".
The now-three powerful traitors stop to look at Naruto. His head lowered, the almighty 7th Hokage now appears so lonely, however, there is a slight growl in his voice that shows his state of mind. Whatever Naruto is about to say, it's clear that this exchange is not over yet.
"Your betrayal doesn't make any sense to me, but it's your decision" Naruto declares, before pointing at Sarada. "But, as the 7th Hokage, I cannot let you take the 5th Hokage with you".
Sarada herself a moment to process those words before grinning to herself.
"Do you think that you can stop me, master?".
Naruto doesn't answer, instead he summons the 'life' energy from within his inner world. 'Life' energy courses out of the giant tablet and then out through his skin, condensing just outside his body. Using this enhancing power, he leaps towards Sarada with tremendous speed.
Simultaneously, Sarada, Hashirama and Boruto all attack Naruto using their respective elements of 'creation', 'death' and 'death'. The instantaneous counter-attack is one of such tremendous power that even Naruto is pushed back uncontrollably, bouncing twice of the surface of the pond before hitting a tree on the opposite side. It is as Hashirama predicted, the 7th Hokage is helplessly outmatched.
"Don't be a fool Naruto, this is a fight you can't win" Hashirama explains.
"You couldn't beat my master when he was alone" Boruto adds, "How do you now hope to defeat all three of us".
Arriving at Hashirama's side, Sarada hands her captive over to him and turns to look back at her former ally, doing her best not to show any sympathy or remorse, no matter how much of it she may feel. A helpless Naruto, it's not a sight that she or Boruto ever wanted to see.
"Let's go" Sarada says.
With that said, Boruto and Hashirama each leap away, leaving just the master and student for a moment.
"Why Sarada?" Naruto asks one final time, "Tell me honestly, why are you doing this? Let me help you".
Sarada hangs her head, as if from shame. She forces herself once again to show no remorse.
"I'm sorry Naruto, you're on your own now".
With that said, Sarada leaves. For Naruto, it is the worst betrayal of them all.