Chapter 9: Tomorrow
This chapter is one of my favorites.
Enjoy.
The next day at the Chunin Promotion Assembly
All 10 genin from the 3 remaining nations stood proudly in front of the Hokage as he entered the spacious and bright hall.
Naruto could feel all the eyes on him. He was used to it.
Most of the Genin standing together had been held up by crutches or wrapped in bandages.
The Hokage began to speak as he reached the podium in the middle of the room.
"Thank you for coming. This year's Chunin Exams were a success. Many showcased their talents and showed great promise for the future. You and your Nations are very proud in your efforts.
Now, I will list off the names that were promoted to Chunin. When you are called, come forward and I will give you your certification, as well as your Chunin jacket accustomed to your village. At the end, the tournament victor will give a speech."
The 10 tensed, and nervous pits in their stomachs gave way. Gaara looked as if he woke up from a 2 day nap with his red bedhead. His siblings smiled softly at the yawn, knowing it was a good sign of better days to come.
Karui and Omoi were uncertain whether they were going to make Chunin. Both shook, and Karui nervously bit her nails at the impending silence.
Sakura, Neji, and Sasuke could barely stand on their feet. Sakura's fingers were still trembling even though the exam was over. Neji and Sasuke couldn't swallow their pride or accept the fact that they were defeated. They both were made laughing stocks. The best in the finals pulverized by a dead last.
Shikamaru followed in suit of Gaara's yawn. Naruto could tell he just wanted to nap, he could only guess the words he was thinking, 'Troublesome.'
"Temari of the Sand," Temari was puzzled but walked forward nonetheless, "Your battle IQ was shown in your match as well your determination. You used your surroundings and your strengths to your benefit. Congratulations! Temari of the Sand is now a Chunin." A few claps rang out around the room. The loudest came from Kankuro.
"Gaara of the Sand," The drowsy red-haired teen strolled to the Hokage, "You have shown great adaptation with your sand. Your control over the grain may even surpass your father one day. Congratulations! Gaara of the Sand is a Chunin." Temari and Kankuro nearly shed tears at the sight of their brother finally being rid of his bloodlust. He no longer reeked of it, instead he reeked in need of a shower.
"Omoi of the Cloud," The white haired boy silently yelled in his mind. But he played it cool for the ladies in the room, "Your kenjutsu skills will only continue to improve beyond the skill and expertise we saw in your matches. Congratulations! Omoi of the Cloud is Chunin."
"Shikamaru Nara of the Leaf," The ponytailed boy was lackadaisical and walked up to the podium with his hands in his pockets, "You have shown great battle strategy and leadership skills. Making hard decisions that will affect outcomes of battles and missions, is where you are strongest in. Determining all outcomes, and staying steps ahead of your opponent is a great quality. Congratulations! Shikamaru Nara is a Chunin!" Ino and Choji cheered for their lazy teammate.
"And lastly...Narui of the Cloud," Sasuke and Neji were shocked to not hear their names called. The rest of the room could already discern as to why they weren't called. Both students were considered geniuses but lacking of the efficiencies needed by Chunin. "You have shown tremendous ability. You won the finals, and in reward you automatically become a Chunin. Many hope to see what is in store for you in the Future. Congratulations! Narui of the Cloud is a Chunin." Naruto took his Chunin vest and certification.
The Hokage stepped down from the podium so Naruto could give his speech. The old man was slightly hindered by the black haired boy's reserved distinction.
Naruto gave a deep sigh before he started speaking, his voice carried throughout the entire hall, "First off I would like to thank the Raikage and my sensei for allowing me this opportunity. I believe my representation of last seed in placement was very befitting of me. My entire life I have fought to be recognized by anyone, and for a long time that's all I wanted."
Naruto's teammates and sensei were surprised by Naruto showing little, but enough emotion.
"Loneliness and abuse, is all I've ever known. I've watched others get everything handed to them on a silver platter my whole life. I've waited a long time to stand up here and looked down upon those who had wronged me, to finally get the last laugh, the win once. I know what believe I am, and their right."
Naruto dropped the henge. His blonde locks dispersed as the black vanished. 6 whisker marks evolved from his cheeks. His eyes, still blue but now even brighter. He stood taller than any of his old classmates. Defined muscles shaped his chest line and faint ab marks were seen through his tight sleeveless black shirt.
All the Leaf Shinobi gasped in shock. They couldn't believe their eyes, could it really be him?
The sand siblings had no clue what was going on. "Kankuro do you know who that is?"
"Temari, I think we should get out of here, I have a bad feeling." Kankuro signaled to Baki who nodded in response.
Shikamaru even showed signs of awe. Karui and Omoi didn't get the commotion, 'what is going on? Narui was instantly recognized by all these people.'
Kakashi's eyes widened as his dead student revealed himself in front of him. A sharp tear reached his eye and crawled down his face, "Naruto..."
Sasuke couldn't contain his anger. It was Naruto in the flesh, everyone mourned for him, yet here he stood unharmed and seemingly strong.
Sakura began to cry. She knew it, the mirage she saw. Those eyes couldn't be kept hidden from her. Yet, it still shocked her to see him alive in front of her. The roses, the proclamations of love made to her. All came from her knuckleheaded classmate and brief teammate. Now, he seemed like a different person, entirely different from what she remembered.
The Hokage did not believe his eyes, "Naruto...It can't be. You're dead. I buried your body."
Naruto's eyes slit red, the orange and yellow chakra consumed his body. The Kyuubi sage form appeared and his blonde streaks turned into yellow flames. The headband around him wrestled in the pure chakra escaping his body.
"I am Naruto Uzumaki. I am the Nine Tails embodiment." The whole hall was silent as Naruto revealed his KCM form.
Naruto's Cloud team had known he wasn't from the Cloud. But they would have never thought that he would be this thing in front of him.
Yugito swallowed at the sight. Naruto's heart was being ripped from his soul, and he didn't fight it.
"It is true. The person I once was is dead. I am no longer bound to anything in this accursed world. I have nothing, and I will continue to have nothing. I am the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and former Kyuubi container, Kushina Uzumaki."
Surprising to Naruto, everyone seemed they already knew.
"I see my true path now. A man once told me that the people who abandon their friends are the worst kinds of people in this world. Yet, I was abandoned by that same person, Kakashi Hatake. It was only then did I see my existent wasn't meant to be loved or needed."
Everyone stared at Kakashi whose eyes never left his feet.
"I will follow in the footsteps of my brother, Itachi Uchiha."
'Brother? Itachi? What is he talking about?' Sasuke's rage subsided at the mention of Naruto being Itachi's brother.
The shock in the room only increased the tension. 'Itachi Uchiha's footsteps followed by the son of the Fourth Hokage?'
The Third Hokage whispered at Naruto, "Naruto, no one meant to abandon you. I did conceal you away from the world, but only to protect you."
Jiraiya emerged from the darkest corner of the room. His arms were crossed and a disappointing look on his face. "Naruto, he speaks the truth. After the third shinobi war. Your life would have been in danger if anyone had learned the Fourth Hokage had a son. I was told to keep away from you as well considering who I am. No one close to you ever wanted to see you abused and avoided. Please, just come back to the Leaf, where we can protect you-."
"Protect me? Insolence! What I meant by Itachi's footsteps is this. I will rid the world of people like this coward who stands before you as Hokage, and this man you call a legendary Sannin. He allowed the village he ruled over, to treat me like the dirt beneath their feet. This man sits here and lied to me my entire life about who I was on my purpose. And finally, his student reflects his cowardice just like his master."
Kakashi got closer to Naruto. Seeing his sensei's son this way, and how he could of prevented it, really dug in at his sides. The pain in his life was so unbearable, he didn't know what he could do if he lost Minato's son again.
"Naruto, there are people in your life who love you. You fail to see it, are you so blinded by your hatred that you discard the feelings of others around you." Kakashi scolded Naruto.
"My feelings are always second to everyone else's. The only thing I was blinded by was staying in this corrupt and cruel village for twelve years. All I've ever wanted for my life was to be strong, and to be acknowledged by others as an equal. But, that will come true, yet not in the sense I originally wanted." Naruto clenched his fist, gripping the edges of the podium.
"What about your father, Naruto? His legacy, his goals and aspirations as the leader of this village. He entrusted it to you. He was meant to bring peace to the shinobi world. We get how you feel, but you can't just walk away from your destiny knowing what your Father wanted for you." Jiraiya inched closer to Naruto, speaking along the way trying to refrain from attacking him.
"I know what my Father wanted for me. Except, my peace is different than his. My purpose far outweighs anyone else's. The hardest choices require the strongest wills...and it starts right here."
An orange and yellow flash darted at the Hokage. Sarutobi didn't have the time to react. Blood gushed down his neck as his throat was slit open. Naruto let his gurgling body, gasping for air suffocate on the ground in his own pool of blood.
The room was full of screams, as people filtered out in panic.
"NOOOOO!" Asuma Sarutobi screamed and tossed himself at the Demon.
Before he could connect, a kunai was stabbed into his chest. Naruto drove him into the ground, a splash of blood coming from his mouth.
"NARUTO WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!" Jiraiya charged Naruto.
Naruto fluttered away where his gaze met Team 7.
"Did you miss me? Sasuke Uchiha, weak and dissatisfying to say the least. Surprised to hear that I'm your brother, Sasuke. It's ok we aren't related. Sakura Haruno, I loved you once, now I see only love is a fool's game. I wonder why you cry for me. And Kakashi Hatake, the man entrusted with your sensei's son. It's sad really, that Itachi took care of me all those years while you stood idly by. I'll show you what it feels like to have no control of your destiny."
Kakashi felt the adrenaline rush through his system. He felt blood pour from his bowels, and seep through the seams of his clothes. He looked down at one of his sensei's kunai driven into his stomach.
Naruto maniacally grinned at the sight as the man dropped to his knees in pain.
"KAKASHI-SENSEI!" Sakura dropped down to catch Kakashi as he was falling.
Sasuke pulled three shuriken from his pouch and launched them at Naruto. The three shuriken hit the blonde-haired boy.
"You already lost." Naruto dispelled in a cloud of smoke.
Sakura had her hands running over Kakashi's stomach. The minor medical ninjutsu she knew frantically trying to stop the bleeding.
"We have to get him to the hospital." Sakura told Sasuke calmly, but still on the verge of raging and searching for the blonde dobe.
Sasuke and Sakura collectively carried the silver haired Jounin who was wincing in pain.
Across the room a black haired woman with a red and white kimono knelt over the dead body of Asuma Sarutobi. She cried on his chest, never getting to hear his final words.
Shikamaru, Ino, and Choji, stood behind her. All three were crying, yet they were visibly enraged. They couldn't believe that Naruto Uzumaki, the dead last idiot of the class, could do something like this. He was innocent and stupid beyond measures. How much stronger was he then every one of them? After all, they thought he was dead.
Shikamaru took the lighter that had fallen out of Asuma's front pocket and clasped it's cold steel surface with his hand. Naruto, a once good friend of his, came back from the dead and killed his cherished sensei. He could never forgive him.
Jiraiya watched the interaction Naruto had with Kakashi's team. He saw Kakashi fall to the ground and Naruto's clone dispel. He had no time to interfere, having been at his sensei's side.
He held the lukewarm corpse in his hands. The Hokage was dead, along with his son. His throat had a large gash across it, and his eyes were still wide open. Blood had ceased it's gushing and his white robes were stained with blood spatter and pools on his back side.
Everyone left in the room watched as the lifeless body of their Hokage was lifted off the ground. The silence of the room was deafening. Small sobs and signs of blood were all over the wooden floors.
He walked with his sensei's in his arms over to where Asuma laid dead surrounded by his precious people.
"Please Kurenai, gather Asuma and bring him with me." Kurenai nodded and wiped the gushing tears off her face.
Jiraiya turned to Guy and his genin, and Kurenai's genin. Apprehend the remaining Cloud ninja and bring them in for questioning.
Naruto's Cloud team were left still at the events that unfolded. All willingly were arrested. They didn't try to run, they had no idea this was going to happen.
Yugito couldn't cry. It hurt too bad thinking about him. She knew he was capable of doing such horrors, but she had turned a blind eye to it. She only wished that he would have trusted her enough, she truly meant what she said.
Naruto's teammates looked down at their feet as they were led away by ANBU. This was going to be a huge dilemma for the Cloud village. They had been deceived by Naruto, it was finally known he had a true purpose for joining the village. They just didn't know how he planned so far ahead.
When all the ninja started to leave the room, their attention was brought back to a familiar voice near the podium.
"Jiraiya the Toad Sage, it gives me great pleasure seeing all these people distraught. Only a glimpse of what is to come in the future. I never got to finish, I guess that is of my own accord. Anyways, the Cloud ninja had nothing to do with this plan, but do what you want with them, it is none of my concern."
Yugito turned and bawled at the sight of Naruto, "Please Naruto, you don't have to live like this anymore. There's people in this world that care for you, I care for you. Just stop, you're breaking my heart and I'll stop you if I have to." The Nibi's chakra leaked in a sudden uproar.
Naruto paused, "If you are done I'll continue," Yugito grimaced at the statement. She thought Naruto could change, how wrong she was. How could she have been so naïve?
"The Cloud was merely a tool in my plans all along. I care for no village. All of them are the same, and in the end, weak. My will is far stronger than anyone else's. I will only continue to get stronger." Naruto was interrupted by a red head trying to break free of her cuffs.
"You bastard. We let you in and you betray us. If you think the Raikage is going to take this lightly, then you're the naïve one." Karui barked at Naruto with killing intent in her eyes.
"No matter, I plan on it. Killing the Hokage was rather easy though. Weak, just like is son." Naruto smirked at the vengeful looks on their faces.
"You'll be hunted to the ends of this world. Your Father is rolling in his grave, you ungrateful brat. Everyone in this room will bring you to justice. You're far outnumbered." Jiraiya's tenacity gave the other's some needed courage to fight.
"Hate me, it won't make a difference in the end. No one here is strong enough to kill me, except you of course. Too bad I can't stay. I can't wait to see my name in the bingo book. It has been a dream of mine. I wonder what the price on my head will be." He chuckled at the thought.
"What can the leaf's own dead last accomplish. You couldn't have gotten that strong." Ino snorted.
"You have no idea. Better watch what you say Yamanaka, you better hope you don't see me in the future. That reminds me, there are another two bodies you'll have to pick up. I forgot their names, I think it was Koharu and Homura."
Jiraiya questioned Naruto with his sensei's corpse still in his arms. "What did you do to the elders?!"
"They're exactly what you think happened. And...Danzo Shimura, he's also deceased. He was tricky, but ultimately no match. He had Sharingan implanted in his eye and arm. I took his Mangekyou Sharingan. It was suprising finding out it was Shisui Uchiha's"
"Shisui Uchiha? He's been dead for years. How could you know what his eyes looked like?" Guy yelled at Naruto in a unyouthful tone.
"I met him a couple of times. He was strong and met his demise early on because of Danzo. It looks like you Leaf scum have an internal affair on your hands."
"I wiped the sleigh clean for a new start. Maybe Jiraiya-sama will be the next Hokage. You can all start on the path towards atonement" Naruto laughed.
Jiraiya was fuming he couldn't contain it anymore. Watching the Minato look-alike throw his life away, disconnecting himself from what his Father wanted. " You might have had problems in the past, but you have no idea what it means to be truly strong. I get it now. You're a clone too. Just finish what you want to say coward. I can't believe Minato's son turned out to be someone like you. ANBU gather a team and go after Naruto Uzumaki. You have clearance to kill."
"The boss is going to be delighted that he is finally being acknowledged. And, thank you, I will finish what I was going to say. I will kill all that gets in my way. It has already started with the old man and his son. Kakashi won't die, but that was on purpose. Cower in fear, I could have slaughtered you all, but I was feeling generous. And you, Jiraiya, will understand what it means to be alone. Maybe then you will understand how I feel. This is just minor retribution...Until next time, scum." The clone disappeared and the room fell silent.
The hall was radiating with calls for vengeance. No one expected a day like this to happen. It was all sudden, and no one saw it coming. Naruto Uzumaki, Son of the Fourth Hokage, and vessel of the Kyuubi, killed their Hokage in cold blood.
Later in the Hokage Office
The ANBU commanders met with the Elite Jounin under their recently deceased Hokage. Jiraiya oversaw the meeting, he wanted to make everyone clear as to how dangerous this kid could and would become. It was also evidential that he was in possession of at least one Sharingan eye.
"Cat report." Jiraiya directed the ANBU Commander to the middle of the room.
"No sights or traces found of the Uzumaki. Our hunter squads couldn't gather a single trace of his scent." Cat politely bowed towards Jiraiya and the Council.
"It's troublesome, but Jiraiya-sama, we need to have messages sent to the other nations about the recent involvement. An international incident could take place if Naruto isn't reprimanded soon." The Nara with two scarred gashes across his face pulled a report out of his pocket.
Jiraiya nodded and agreed with the idea. Having the blonde-haired boy in the bingo book would ultimately lessen his choices in where he could run off to.
Ibiki and Anko rose from their seats to deliver their reports. "The Cloud ninja we arrested had no idea of Naruto's plan. They confessed to the boy showing up in the cloud a couple months prior. He was placed on a genin squad by the Raikage. The main Jounin instructor, Yugito Nii, was harder to crack. Inoichi went into her mindscape and found that the Raikage did know of who Naruto Uzumaki was. Further than that, we have no such evidence of foul play from the Cloud."
Hiashi Hyuga raised his voice to be heard by the many in the council room. "I suggest we elect a new Hokage as soon as possible. The only options we are left with are Jiraiya and Tsunade Senju of the Sannin."
Many agreeable nods were visible around the room. Jiraiya was not in favor of taking over the Hokage position, he liked the free reign of the world. Being stuck behind a desk all the time, would definitely not be the best case scenario for the Leaf. His spy network was an invaluable resource to Konoha.
"I will not take over my sensei's legacy. Though, with some convincing, I could get Tsunade to come back. I will need about a month's time to locate her and drag her back here." Everyone expected as much from Jiraiya. They knew he wasn't too keen on the whole Hokage idea.
"Also, if we are all in agreement. A report will notify all nations of the Uzumaki led by Shikaku Nara. We don't want another war starting because of one person, so we will seek to resolve the issue with the Raikage through peaceful exchange. We should send Kurenai Yuhi, and Might Guy along with their genin teams to escort the Cloud ninja back to their village. Hand delivering a report to the Raikage and him making Naruto Uzumaki a rogue ninja of the Cloud will only further power our search to apprehend the criminal."
No in the room objected to the plan. Although the Toad Sage never showed it, he was pretty intelligent.
The Tsuchikage was sitting at his desk waiting for his medicine for his back pain.
His granddaughter, Kurotsuchi entered the room. She had been recently elected to the Special Jounin rank. Her Earth Style techniques were second only to her father and of course himself.
"What is it? Can't you see I'm busy waiting for my pain reliever." The short white bearded old man didn't want or expect visitors unannounced. Peace and quiet had been a luxury for the Tsuchikage, in which he hated to pass up.
"I'm sorry for the sudden appearance. But, I think you want to see this." Kurotsuchi handed over a beige packet with the symbol of the Leaf.
"The Leaf? What could these tree-hugging pansies want now." The old man opened the packet and pulled out a single piece of paper and a picture of a boy who reflected his deceased nemesis.
"WHAT?! Kurotsuchi, when did you get this?" Onoki reviewed the report that entailed the third Hokage had been assassinated by Fourth Hokage's son Naruto Uzumaki.
"This morning gramps. If the rumors are correct, then that means the Leaf is without a Hokage at the instant. Plus, they are asking for us to consider putting him in our bingo book as an international criminal." The short black haired girl didn't know what to expect out of her grandfather. He wasn't very happy or friendly with the Leaf. Nor, would he do favors for them anytime soon.
"This is great news nonetheless. Naruto Uzumaki is a hero in my eyes. For right now, we will do nothing. This occurrence doesn't involve us, nor will we seek him out." Onoki handed the report back to Kurotsuchi.
"And also, on your way out, tell those lazy bastards to hurry up."
The black haired Jounin shook her head. "Whatever you say, gramps."
In Kirigakure, the great nation was recovering from a civil war. After the death of Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, Mei Terumi took over as the Fifth Mizukage.
Rebuilding their nation was going to be tough. Many shinobi were lost, and in result their strength in numbers was a third of what it needed to be to defend themselves from invasion.
She was sorting through the various tasks in her office. An unexpected visitor, but a familiar one, made his presence known with a beige envelope in hand. The envelope had the seal of the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Ao, what is so amusing that you have to interrupt me at this hour. Unless..." The Mizukage gazed at the Elite Jounin and her right hand man. He had an eyepatch over his hidden Byakugan and blue hair perked up on his Mist hitai-ate.
Ao held his hand up and rubbed his head, "Nothing like that Lady Mizukage, I have an urgent message from Konoha. I think you might want to read it."
"Paint me intrigued, so be it." The Jounin handed over the envelope and Mei opened the seal with a release.
She studied the contents for a moment, and finally gasped at the information in front of her. A picture of a blonde boy followed into her hand in which she eyed gracefully. "It seems the Hokage was assassinated, by none other than the Fourth Hokage's son. He is too handsome to be a criminal, but I've seen his type before."
"What would you like me to do about it, Lady Mizukage?" Ao eyed the woman avoiding direct eye contact considering she had threatened his life out of the blue before.
"Kiri cannot afford to help the Leaf right now. It sounds like it is an internal affair, although, it seems he was under the façade of a Cloud ninja. Put him in the bingo book, but don't send any hunter-corps out, the last thing we need right now is to thin our forces by sending them after a boy who doesn't have a quarrel with us. His abilities are unlisted, but we have to consider him dangerous knowing he took down the Professor, and his elder council." Mei gently placed the contents into the beige envelope and handed it back to Ao.
"So you propose an A rank listing with the contents provided?" The blue-haired Jounin put the envelope in his vest, as he spoke.
"Yes, nothing more. He is not of priority as of right now. I have a hunch we will see him in the future...now do you want to have some fun...?" Mei met Ao's stunned eyes. She enjoyed the little things in life, like teasing her Elite Jounin who was a trained killer, but still fell into her trap every time.
"Um...Lady Mizukage...if you mean stacking papers, then yes of course." He gathered himself and walked towards Mei.
"Yes. What else would I be asking...?" She stared at him with an undressing eye, watching the sweat roll off his forehead.
Sunagakure avoided a narrow deceptive takeover by Orochimaru. The Kazekage escaped the grasps of the snake Sannin, and cut ties with the Sound Village in return.
He was already aware of the situation in the Leaf village. His children had been there taking the Chunin Exam, and therefore, witnessed the atrocity of the Leaf's security.
He wasn't totally flushed by the report. Hearing the Fourth Hokage's son was the culprit, was offsetting. Hiruzen had become a decent friend, but the assassin gave him his son's sanity back. He was torn on whether to be grateful or distraught for the concurring events.
Gaara was a different man, he slept, a lot nowadays. He no longer felt the presence of the Shukaku on his mind, and in result his bloodlust was desecrated. In time, the Suna citizens and shinobi alike would finally acknowledge him. He didn't expect his son to forgive him for attempting to take his life multiple times, but as long as he never dropped into the evil spell again, he would be content with his mistakes as his father and Kazekage.
Temari and Kankuro were starting to warm up to their little brother again. He sensed the warmth of love gaining ground in Gaara's heart that went cold a long time ago. The Kazekage, hated the idea of himself being soft, but watching the sight of Gaara's face when his siblings came into a group hug with his small red-head stature clinging to the middle, he almost shed a tear.
His thoughts were broken when Baki, his Elite Jounin entered the room.
"I have the Bingo Book update, as well as some disturbing news." The Kazekage took the report from the half concealed face of Baki.
He began to read the report out loud, "Naruto Namikaze Uzumaki, age:15, Rank: Chunin, A rank defector from Kumo and Konohagakure. Wanted for the assassination on the Third Hokage, as well as the elder council. Kill on sight orders, no bounty has been set yet."
"When your children and I were at the Chunin exams, he held back in his fights. Even so, he still defeated every opponent he faced easily, including Gaara. We know he can use his Father's technique, and he is seemingly proficient in every aspect besides Genjutsu. That is not the disturbing news though," Baki pulled out a picture of the seal placed on Gaara, "We had Lady Chiyo run a diagnostics test on Gaara's seal after the Fuinjutsu technique outlined the original. It seems it is an Uzumaki seal that allows the seal master to funnel the chakra and will of the tailed beast."
"What? So what you're saying is that a boy who is 15 years of age is responsible for killing a Kage, and now he has control over my son who is a Jinchuriki. Why is he A rank then?" The Kazekage folded his arms and glared at his trusted Jounin.
"We thought it was befitting at the time. Now, we realize we underestimated him after the seal diagnostics run by Lady Chiyo. That is why I came to you Lord Kazekage, so I could suggest an S-Rank classification knowing he is a Jinchuriki, and is in control over another."
"Yes, I agree. Update it again. Let it be stated he is a Jinchuriki, proficient in Fuinjutsu, and Chakra weaving if your report from Konoha supports it. Our alliance with the Leaf will demand Hunter-nin search for the boy. So be it, but let the Hunter corps know that if they discover him, to report back to me first before they engage. We don't need to be hasty. If that's all you're dismissed."
Baki bowed and left the room, sweat dripping from his brow. 'Lord Kazekage never gets worked up. I can't blame him, this boy killed the Hokage in front of us in Konoha.'
Kurenai and Guy's team reached the gates of Kumogakure.
Naruto's team had been coping with what he had done. Yugito had taken it the hardest.
In the beginning, she was the one who hated him the most. That was until she realized why he acted as such. The Cloud was a lot more lenient with her because the Raikage's brother was a Jinchuriki as well. In the end, watching him do what he did really scarred her.
Watching the unforgiving eyes of Naruto, relentlessly kill and ignore the people who loved him. Now certainly she would have to lead the charge on apprehending him, acknowledging now that he was an international criminal known for killing the Hokage in cold blood. She didn't know if she could bring herself to do it, but she pondered the thought of being the one to kill him.
The Chunin guards manning the gate noticed the Leaf shinobi accompanying the Cloud squad. Puzzled, they still opened the gate after hearing why they were accompanied by the Leaf.
They made their way to the Raikage's office knowing the talk was not going to end well, granting the Raikage had taken a liking to the boy. So much so, that he even demonstrated certain Kumo taijutsu techniques only known to him and Lord Killer Bee.
They entered the massive glass building and made their way to his office. Guy and Kurenai had told their teams to stay behind. Leaving them at the front of the building was in the best interest for them all.
Yugito entered alone with Guy and Kurenai shortly tailing her. The Raikage peered up from under his Kage cap.
"Ah, My victors have returned at last. I cannot wait to see my future successor. He performed admirably, and even wiped that smirk off that disgusting Uchiha's face."
"We are here for that exact reason my Lord. There's no easy way to put this. At the Chunin assembly, Naruto assassinated the Hokage in front of all of the entire gathering." Yugito lowered her head in sadness, but also to avoid the rage that was to ensue from the Raikage.
To Yugito's surprise, the Raikage remained passive. "I had sent ANBU to trail you and remain hidden. They got word of it back to me. Still, I taught him FORBIDDEN TECHNIQUES!" The desk in front of the large man, split in two. Splinters were sent in all directions of the room making everyone shield themselves.
"Lord Raikage these are Kurenai Yuhi and Might Guy. They escorted us back in case of an attack on our squad. They had a prepared report, but it sounds like you beat them to it." The Raikage snarled at the two figures standing behind the blonde.
"Yes, we declared him Rogue. He will be executed on sight. I haven't got any positive affirmations that he has been discovered as of right now. I must lock down the village in case of an attack against the Cloud. I doubt he will since he has no quarrel with us, but precautionary measures had to be taken. If there is nothing else you would like to say, you're dismissed. I have a royal shit storm to clean up before it's swept back into our faces."
The three ninja slightly bowed politely and made their exit.
'Naruto...' Yugito revisited their talk above the Fourth Hokage's head.
"I do not live this way because I want to. I live this way so others won't have to ever again. I will endure life's burdens if that means one day I will get to change this accursed world by any means necessary."
'I can't believe I never caught it. I was so naïve, it was a last cry for help, and I...I lost him.' The blonde sighed as tears scratched the surface. 'I hope to see you again one day for good or not.'
