I don't own Naruto, or any of the characters from the Manga or Anime.

A Price for Peace

Chapter 46: A Capital Offence

"Well, it has certainly been a long time since I have been here. I guess it's still impressive even if it is the smallest of the five capital cities in the empire." Shougo sighed.

"This is the smallest? But it's huge! Just look at all of those massive towers," Naruto gaped in amazement.

Shougo and his fellow defectors laughed at the blonds comment, "Wow, you really aren't from around here are you. The southern capital is the largest city in all the outer districts of the empire that's for sure, but compared to others it's tiny. In fact the imperial capital is the size of the four other capitals combined," Shougo explained in a light hearted manner.

"Wow, that must be as big as a whole country," Naruto spoke in wonder, even Karin seemed impressed.

"The closest thing we have in the elemental nations to anything like even the southern capital is Ame. Giant towers were built by each of the previous leaders of Amegakure mostly for defence, and pipes connected the towers at varying heights turning the city into a vertical maze," Karin sighed explaining a little bit of the elemental nations.

"I always liked Ame, they never once tried to capture me. It was a little bit too wet for my liking though," Shukaku mused moving to the head of the group the currently horse sized Bijuu analysed the thick walls trying to determine how much energy it would take to destroy them if needed.

"I guess that must be how the Bijuu determine if they like a place huh?" Karin guessed dryly, she had only ever talked with Kurama, and that had been more of a distinct threat and promise of imminent death, rather than a pleasant conversation.

"I couldn't say. After father died, we Bijuu split up. We only ever met up with each other when we had too," Shukaku answered casually, The Bijuu gained a contemplative yet somewhat happy look on his face. "I liked open spaces so the sands around Suna were perfect, but Kurama liked trees and caves, you know all that nature crap, so I guess he preferred the Land of Fire."

Naruto chuckled while ignoring the mild protest from the fox. He too gazed at the wall's of the giant capital though he did so with a sense of hesitance. He had no desire to just walk in there and start raising hell, he didn't even know where to start. 'I suppose destroying the gates would be a start,' he mused flatly. In fact despite agreeing that taking the city for their own was the best course of action, he didn't feel like now was the time.

Shougo and his men didn't seem to share in his apprehension however, on the contrary they seemed eager to stake their claim as opposition to the empire. "Shall we begin?" Shougo asked, he was far calmer than the rest of his men, but even he couldn't completely hide his desire.

Naruto began to open his mouth to reply but before even the first syllable could be uttered he was cut off by Karin. "I don't think we should, not yet." The group of defectors looked as though they had just been winded, clearly struggling to come to terms with what the red head had just said. Sighing Karin decided that leaving them in the dark was not the best idea. "It's just... we haven't even been home yet, there are people waiting for us. The least we should do is tell them what's going on and explain why we need to leave."

Naruto let out a gasp. "Oh Kami, Baa-chan is going to kill me for starting a war!"

The look of terror on the blonds features frightened even Shougo, he just knew that whoever Naruto's "Baa-chan" was, she was clearly not someone he ever wanted to be on the bad side of.

"I think that is actually a good idea, we could all use some rest before staking our claim on the southern region of the empire. Even if the only resistance is going to be low level soldiers and a few wealthy empire businessmen with bodyguards, it's never smart to go into a fight already tired," Shougo reasoned, reluctantly nodding his acceptance to at least for now leave the capital in imperial control.

"Alright, we will wait at for today. That way we will be able to relax for awhile," Naruto sighed. He knew that Tsunade would likely give him a hard time for everything that went down only a few days ago, he had practically declared war on the empire, not something that she would agree with. But if he followed that up by attacking a city without even speaking to the former Hokage, then he could expect the kind of treatment she had usually reserved for Jiraiya.

The day continued to pass in mostly silence, Naruto's new found allies felt out of place almost as if they were not welcome within the group that remained, and they were somewhat right. Rei and Tenji, the only remaining civilians of the group were a little uneasy having a member of the royal family with them, and also knew that it put their village at risk by brining them there.

On the other hand they also knew that they had no choice anymore but to believe in Naruto and Karin, they had seen with their own eyes just how strong the blond was. He had not only defeated close to five hundred imperial soldiers, he manhandled several elites including two of the top members of the royal family. Knowing Naruto could hold his own gave them hope, hope for a new way of life for them and their family.

In the past Rei had all but given up, even as the only real hope for their own village as part of the hunting party sent to make extra money and find food for the village she had never really seen any sign of things getting any better, but when Naruto and Karin showed up things began to change, they had village walls to keep out raiders, run down homes were now looking new again and now they could stand up to the empire... or at least a few of them could. 'I wan't to be able to help, how we have been so far is no life. I would rather fight and die on my feet, than live on my knees,' she thought when the forrest containing their village came into view later that afternoon. 'I will ask Naruto to train me! Maybe, just maybe I can fight with them,' she decided.

The small forrest that adequately concealed village hadn't changed at all since Naruto had left, it had only been a week ago the last time he had seen the front gates of the village, but with all that had happened it seemed like an age. "Well better get this over with," he said hesitantly before signalling the gate to open.

Cho had been having a rather quiet week. With the village walls in place there was a sense of security that they have never had before, and the presence of Tsunade seemed to keep everyone calm. Yes all in all it had been a peaceful time for Cho and everyone who lived within the walls.

But that peacefulness was destroyed the moment he saw the group in front of the gate. Naruto, Karin, Rei and Tenji were now accompanied by several imperial soldiers one even wearing the crest of the royal family. "Oh this can't be good," he mumbled as the gate slowly opened already fearing the worst.

Naruto began rubbing the back of his neck as hushed whispers began to spread through the quickly gathering crowd at the gates of the village. "So uh I bet you all have questions huh?" the blond chuckled sheepishly.

"Yes, and while you're at it you can also explain why I felt you using Bijuu chakra a few days ago?" Tsunade spoke calmly yet with a sense of authority as she quickly moved through the crowd.

"Well it's a bit of a long story, I think it might be better if we take this somewhere a little more quiet," Shougou suggested already able to sense that Tsunade was not someone he would want to mess with anytime soon.

Tsunade nodded and turned away walking towards Naruto's home gesturing for Naruto's group and Cho to follow. 'Since when did she take charge of the village?' Naruto wondered, now slightly regretting his decision not to just take the capital before hand.

The crowd separated as Naruto's group walked forward, they followed close behind eager to listen in on whatever their conversation was going to reveal.

As soon as they entered the small house Tsunade moved to the living room and took a seat before folding her arms an impatient look on her face. "Talk," she demanded the moment Naruto found his way into the room.

For the next hour Naruto, Karin and Shougo all gave a recount of what happened over the last few days. Even including what their plans for the empire were. For Tsunade's part she sat without asking any questions wanting to hear everything first.

Once the story was finished the room fell quiet, everyone even those that were unaware of who she was seemed to be waiting for a response from the last remaining Sannin. "How long do we have?" Tsunade finally spoke breaking the tension.

"It depends on a few things, but at a bare minimum I would say three months." Shougo answered quickly unable to get a proper read on the Senju.

"And at most?" Tsunade asked calmly her eyes shut in contemplation.

Shougo paused at this question. He originally guessed a little over a year, but there were more variables than that, all calculations so far had been based on the death of those that had been at the the trials. "It will depend on Gouhara-hime, if she died I would say we have a year maybe a couple of months either side. If she survived... I think we would have far more time than that maybe closer to two years."

"Why more time?" Naruto asked a little puzzled. Both Karin and Tsunade seemed to be rather interested in the answer themselves.

"Despite her... eccentric nature, Gouhara-hime is actually rather easy to figure out" Shougo answered calmly, he took a sip of tea before continuing. "She has always been ambitious and clever, too clever for her own good actually."

"Get to the point Uchiha," Tsunade demanded impatiently

Shougo paused for a second as if calculating his chances to escape unharmed before continuing quickly. "The show Naruto put on for the empire will have shocked them. However we are in Gouhara-Hime's territory, uprisings fall to the governor of a region to deal with, she will be ordered to take responsibility. That is something that she most certainly will not do," he answered with finality.

"Because she knows she will lose," Tsunade said with a smirk. 'Kid's really has gotten stronger, he's long surpassed me.'

"Yes and no, I have no doubt she has no desire to challenge Naruto to another fight. In fact I think she might actually act against the empire," Shougo added.

"So she hates the empire too then?" Naruto asked hopefully. "I mean we could use more allies."

For his part Shougo couldn't help the short scoff that escaped him. "Well she certainly does hate the empire, or to be more precise... She hates the members of her family that are ahead of her in line to take the throne. She would see Naruto as a means to an ends, hoping he will kill them for her."

"She hated her own family that much?" Naruto asked in disbelief.

"Believe it or not, yes." The young Uchiha exile replied.

"Still that is pure speculation, Naruto you hit her with a Bijudama didn't you?" Tsunade said with some finality indicating the conversation was not important. Naruto nodded an affirmative so she continued. "Then we act as if it's a worst case scenario, we have three months before they attack. I may not have seen it for myself, but your assessment of the capital would suggest that we must capture the city before any reinforcements arrive to garrison the area. From there we need to send a message to the empire claiming independence, I'm assuming you can facilitate that Uchiha?"

"Yes maam," Shougo answered automatically.

"Very well then. Naruto you will act tomorrow, we have no time to waste. You will enter the village capture all members of government or sympathisers. Then the leaders of the so called gangs you told me of, they can no longer operate as they have been... dismantle them," The retired Hokage ordered.

"Just capture? shouldn't we kill them to send a message?" One of the officers who deserted with Shougo asked.

"No, we need to send a different message to the one that Naruto did," Tsunade answered with the trained patience from her time in Konoha. "Naruto's message was one of power. Now we need to show the rest of the empire, the downtrodden and oppressed see that we are different, that we can allow people to live a better life."

"That may take more time than a few months though" Shougo reasoned.

"Of course, but you need to plan now for the future. After we crush the first assault our message will spread, we will also use that time to claim more land," the blond explained.

Many seemed confused by this declaration but Shougo could see the reasoning behind it. "I see, we claim more land in retaliation rather than in aggression allowing us to spread a message of strength, non aggression and it will also buy more time before another attack. You seem well versed in both politics and war Tsunade-san."

Naruto grinned happily, "Yeah Tsunade-baachan was a great Hokage after all. She knows way more than I do about planing and strategy... I'm not all that great at things like that. Still I wish Shikamaru was here he would already be able to plan a strategy win any battle we could face."

"Uh whats a Hokage?" Shougo asked with confused interest.

"It's the leader of our old ninja village. It's not important here in the slightest," Tsunade answered flatly. There was no way she would readily hand out information about the elemental nations to anyone here, and she would need to remind Naruto not to do the same. "Regardless until we have claimed a new base of operations there is not much left to discuss. However for the sake of the villagers here I suggest you and your men camp outside the gates," she added untrusting of the Uchiha and his men.

"That's fine I can understand their apprehension and distrust," Shougo replied signalling for his men to stand.

"Before you go, how many more men do you have hidden in the empire?" The busty blond asked with a steely gaze.

Shougo smirked knowingly. "Enough," he added cryptically. Tsunade was not satisfied with the answer but knew that she would not get anything else out of the Uchiha.

( Elsewhere )

The land around Gouhara's mansion was for lack of a better word chaos, the students who had survived the exam had come to the realisation that most of their commanding officers were dead. Of all the officers that had been at the trials less than a handful were still standing, and many of that that had survived may never be able to be soldiers again.

The empire had never experienced defeat before, as such there were so few medics that even normally minor wounds would soon become fatal from lack of treatment due to the number of injured, those that were available were sequestered to healing officers that Gouhara ordered only.

"You, know if you end up with scars I am going to be disappointed," the albino Uchiha said with a feral smirk as she entered a room with only a single man, heavily bandaged the faint smell of blood greatly improving her mood.

"Well you know how I hate to disappoint Gouhara-hime, but I may not have a choice in this matter, I needed to use my blood release to keep my organs functioning, couldn't use it to stitch my skin up like I normally would." Tetsu answered halfheartedly.

"Well I'll just have to make sure the medics have the right commitment to making sure you stay scar free. After all the times I have tried I can't have you scarring up to our new investment." Gouhara replied, a far off look in her eye as she lightly bit her bottom lip.

Tetsu shuddered at the sight, he didn't know what the princess was thinking but he doubted it was anything good. "Forgive me Hime-sama. But I must ask, what do we do now? You said you have no intention to go after Naruto, but the emperor will not allow you to let him go unpunished, he will become our responsibility, whether we like it or not."

Gouhara grinned her mind already set. "Oji-sama will, as you say attempt to force my hand, but that may not lead to Naruto-kun's demise, perhaps a new emperor, or empress is in order."

Tetsu was stunned what ever he was expecting it had not been this. "But Gouhara-hime, you are sounding just like Shougo, this is treason!"

The man with the rust coloured hair went to stand only to be floored by a furious gaze from the princess. "You forget your place Tetsu-chan! Your loyalty is to nobody but myself do you understand?" she seethed very slowly a small cut was opening up under the mans eye. "My loyalty is to the empire, as long as there is an Uchiha on the throne nothing else matters, remember that! The strong rule, infighting is expected. It is the way our family works you know this. Power and cunning go before all else. Still for even little Shougo to show his hand in such a manner. It matters not, it happened, maybe a little earlier than I had expected but I knew it would happen."

"You knew Shougo would betray us!?" the injured man asked in disbelief trying to ignore the new pain the cut under his eye was causing him as Gouhara was using her wind blades to keep the wound open.

"Betray us... no," the princess admitted bitterly. "I knew he was hiding his strength, and had ulterior motives, but don't we all? I had just assumed he was waiting for the old man to finally bite the dust before attempting to kill me. Maybe even take my place in the fight to be the next emperor," she admitted almost longingly.

"If you expected him to try and kill you, why keep him as your bodyguard?" Tetsu couldn't help but ask sure he would not like the answer.

"So I could kill him myself," Gouhara answered simply. "Oh how great it would have been to see the defiance leave his eyes as I bled him dry, it would have been ecstasy." She shuddered just thinking about it. "But now I have something so much better to look forward to."

'Yep now I know for sure, I don't even want to think about what she has planned for Naruto,' Tetsu thought as he was finally able to close the wound that she had opened. He then remembered a question that had been slowly gnawing at him since he had pulled himself out the ground after Naruto's Bijudama. "How are the students?" he asked, but Gouhara understood the real question, 'How is my brother?'

"Those that survived have passed, I could care less who they are. Now if you will excuse me I have a report to send to the capital, then rebuild my forces." she answered with some finality before turning to leave

'Just when I thought she was starting to act a little more human,' Tetsu sighed casting one last gaze toward the albino as she shut the door behind her. He could hear the sounds of her barking orders to officers and medics alike that had the misfortune of crossing her path, even a few cries of agony as she cut several that didn't act quickly enough for her liking.

( The Next Day )

The sun had not yet risen when Naruto, and Tsunade landed at the edge of a clearing, the massive walls of the southern capitol just visible as an outline in the dim dawn light. Neither hesitated moving briskly across the field, behind them they were soon followed by Shougo and his squad, and finally Karin.

The two poor gate guards didn't know what hit them the Blond Konoha shinobi disabled them with ease before Tsunade blasted the gates open with a single punch. Shougo's men burst through the open gate, splitting into pairs as they moved to capture an area of the village before there could be any outcry or warning to those loyal to the empire.

"They know where they're going right?" Tsunade asked while discreetly checking that Naruto had properly secured the two guards, smiling to herself happily when she found there was nothing to worry about. 'Of course he can do something simple like that... even though I know he's far stronger than even I was at my peak, I can't help but see that little kid that ran his mouth when we first met. Guess I can't claim to beat him with a single finger anymore either huh.' she thought with a smile.

"Yes all members of the military have maps and blueprints of all capital cities and tactical stong holds in the empire. We will have control of this city before the sun hit's the gate," the Uchiha exile replied with a smirk. "The main issue will be outing the gangs that have control of the civilian population of the city."

"Most of the people recruited into those gangs are forced into it, I think given the choice they will happily give up their leaders," Naruto added with confidence.

True to Shougo's predictions there was no resistance to their uprising, the working imperials and their guards were brought to the city centre, a large open square clearly designed for large city wide events. As the sun moved higher in the sky the occupants of the large city became aware that something was wrong, the imperial buildings around them were all burning, the flags that symbolised the empire torn down and the massive gates that were usually shut tight lay all on the ground ripped off their hinges.

Slowly a crowd began to gather, gawking at the tied up imperials and guards that were screaming profanities for all to hear and demanding they be released. It appeared that there was nobody guarding the prisoners but regardless nobody moved to help them, in fact there were a few carefully hidden projectiles thrown at the prisoners causing more of an outcry and promises of death to the people of the village.

"Ah shut up, you guys are giving me a headache." a feminine voice seemed to come from nowhere, but looking up showed a squad of the would be liberators sitting atop balconies that overlooked the square. A young woman with long black hair with streaks of silver dropped down and began to gag the prisoners.

"Please I don't understand, we are loyal," one of the prisoners begged. From his hiding place Naruto recognised the man as the owner of the construction company where he had purchased the required materials for his home and the walls around the riverside village.

The young woman smirked leaning down to whisper in his ear. "So are we. But not to the empire." The look of fear on the older mans face told the others all they needed to know, they all from that point seemed to come to the same conclusion, they were going to die.

Hidden in the crowd Naruto began to walk forward. 'The crowd is large enough now,' he thought.

"Does that mean I can be big again?" the voice of Shukaku asked hopefully as a small creature made of sand peeked out of his robes, perched atop the blonds shoulder.

"Yeah not too large though, just enough to be intimidating and get their attention," Naruto replied. Shukaku nodded readily and hopped on the ground beginning to rapidly increase in size as it's chakra slowly was released from the blond, quickly becoming large enough to tower over the surrounding civilians as it happily trotted after the blond jinchuuriki.

The flashy arrival had the required effect causing everyone in the area, civilian or otherwise to turn their attention to the approaching blond. "Y-you!" the old man stammered his eyes widening in disbelief. He would have continued but he too found himself gagged by the kunoichi that had joined him with Shougo.

'Well I guess it's time,' the blond thought with a little apprehension as he moved up to where the imperials were still tied up, his face set for the trials that would come next, he knew things would only get harder but he was ready to face those challenges. 'It's not Hokage, but it's something!'

End Chapter!

So yeah I'm alive, bet you weren't expecting that after... what has it been, 1-2 years with no update... I have no excuse, just a lack of inspiration. It's a little short and not my best work I admit, just needed something to get me back into the swing of things. Haven't been watching Boruto, truth be told I'm completely uninterested in it. Might use it for inspiration later when the series get's older but it's not what I would have wanted for a continuation of the Naruto universe, most characters are unlikable, I would have preferred a series where Naruto was a Jounin sensei, could still focus on Kids but put Naruto into Kakashi's role. That way you don't need to use a children of all the main characters but create new ones that expand the universe. But that's just a personal preference.

Shouldn't be as long of a wait between chapters. I need to read Nightfall again before I can get back into that Fic. This was shorter so i decided to start here. I also saw that this story been given a redux. I haven't read it to be honest but it's flattering, and if the Author reads this then he should know that he has my blessing to continue. But he doesn't need to follow my ideas, just write what you like... If you like something then chances are someone else will as well, it's all fan fiction after all. I have a lot of messages in the Pm to go through, I probably won't respond to a lot of them due to how long it has been but I should at least read them.