"The most difficult choice a politician must ever make is whether to be a hypocrite or a liar."

Konoha: 1 week after the Uchiha Massacre.

Sarutobi sat in his Office chair, lights off, Wisps of smoke from his pipe rising slowly into the night air, Illuminated by the moonlight shining in from the direction of the outer walls.

"You can come in Jiraiya, no need to stand on the upper ledge all night. "

"I heard of the massacre from your ANBU, what in kami's name is going on around here?

"What is the job of Kage Jiraiya?

"Depends on how stupid you want to sound, the amount of stupidity is directly relational to the country you're in. "

Frowning, taking a long slow puff on his pipe, "What is the job of the HO-Kage?"

"Defend the people, protect the country, and keep peace."

"Do you believe that Jiraiya, do you ever have doubts about your decisions?'

"All the time Sensei, all the time. When I went to Myouboku, one of the elders told me, what never has been doubted, has never been proven. We're shinobi, we fight, we kill, and we eventually die. What makes us better is fighting to protect, not in aggression."

"The Uchiha had broken no laws, only had begun to discuss their options. Madara's viewpoint was taking hold again. Sadly, this time they were right. A decision was made to murder 55 Clansmen to stop the surefire deaths of many hundreds more if they rebelled."

"So how did Itachi fit into it? Last I heard, he was a snot-nosed ANBU."

"Training your godson, he finished all of Kushina's training while teaching him. Unfortunately, he informed Naruto of everything. I have to believe right at the start of their training. Kushina's attitude is highly prevalent in Naruto. Naruto left when Itachi did, separately from what little we could track, Itachi did Kushina proud in training him. I hated that bitch, but she was one hell of a shinobi. Naruto never entered the academy, so as much as the council would like, I can't go after him. Nor is their physical evidence he ever participated in the massacre. Itachi will honor the agreement, he will never come back. Naruto has a chance if he chooses, but I doubt he will. I assume Inu told you of his exit prank?"

Slyly smiling, "Yeah, that's his mother's side. You know in some ways she was right, Minato was too soft on Iwa, They butchered Whirlpool. The civilians got peace at the cost of a lot of lives for nothing. Peace is a rare commodity, and in our world the price is often too high. Shinobi are always the ones who pay that price. Sensei, did you call me here to tell you're a genius or is there something you want me to do?"

"When Madera summoned the Kyuubi, right, wrong or indifferent, Konoha lost its way. Minato fought for the good of the masses, Kushina for husband and future family alone. Hindsight is 20/20, both ways were right, but they were mutually exclusive. Minato sacrificed his entire family for nothing. I'm too old and at this point just don't care. I want you to find Tsunade, tell her I lied about Naruto being dead. Then, go find Naruto and never come back here. I will have the paperwork ready in a few hours. I'm sorry Jiraiya, I failed your student, and I failed my students. This old horse is going to fight one more fight; you are not to be here for it. Scores to be settled, debts to be paid. Those worthy of your further trust will meet you in the Northern Farmlands. I never thanked you for letting me get out of the mess Orochi left me."

Angered Eyes, Clenched teeth, a gaping mouth, all these described Jiraiya at this moment. Not knowing what to say, nothing to say, but everything to say. He could tell the God of Shinobi was sure and was ready for his fate. An hour later he returned, not saying a word, but giving his Father figure a Long hug goodbye.

Hokage's Office: 9AM same day.

"Good Morning Hokage-sama" as a group of shinobi entered his office.

Anko Mitarashi: Chunnin, Former apprentice of Orochimaru. Shunned and mistrusted, surrogate Sister of Naruto. Was trying to date Itachi Uchiha.

Kakashi Hatake: ANBU squad captain, suspended pending discipline for drunken brawl. Reason, His Sensei's legacy gone. Considered bad luck and lazy, Genin teammates, dead, ANBU teammates, all but one dead. Family Dead. Sensei's Family dead or missing.

"I have a Mission for you two, SS-ranked, No denying it. I have scrolls for 4 clan heads here in Konoha, you are to deliver them, return to your homes, and pack everything of meaning to you in the storage scrolls available via this voucher. You will then go to the armory, Give them these orders, and head to the Northern Fire Country. You will then meet Jiraiya and Tsunade. You will follow their orders, if any, and go find Naruto. Do what you feel is right from that point on. Dismissed."

In unison. "HO"

"I said dismissed, DO not try me today."

Leaving the room, Kakashi looked back at the Hokage, "Thank You"

With a wave of the hand, Sarutobi dismissed the thanks. The gate ANBU confirmed their exit as noted in their orders, and his meetings over the next couple of hours confirmed the scroll deliveries. At 1 PM, Senior ANBU in Village, Morino Ibiki, met with the hokage. Informed of his orders, he returned to his Office, Summoning only those ANBU members trusted by him. In all 37 percent of ANBU in village would be available 11PM tonight.

Sarutobi's Morning Clan meetings yielded another 15 Jounin from the ISC team and the Inuzuka. The rest were not to be trusted.

11PM Sealed Meeting Room: Hokage Tower.

Sarutobi in his full armor strode to the podium:

"Warriors, in times past, the will of fire pulled this village together to save us all. In the present, we all see that the fire has been extinguished. On this table are your sealed orders, Pardons, signed stamped and sealed. The Hyuuga council, the civilian council, the elders and Root, along with Merchants and regular shinobi has all joined together. What you don't know is why. The Kyuubi incident was a summon attack by Uchiha Madara. The sacrifice was Minato and Kushina's son. Our foes saw him as a slave and weapon. The Uchiha massacre was arranged by them for the the Uchiha's righteous indignation at their treatment. One Uchiha was to be left alive, Itachi broke orders, refusing to give the council and elders a tailor made slave. In the end Madara was right and my sensei's mistakes haunt us to this day. I ask you to fight alongside me, fix this. If you leave, now or afterwards. Head to the Northern Fire Country. The Sannin will be there sometime. Mission start is Midnight. You have your targets. May you reignite the will of fire that once reigned justly?"

Not giving a chance to answer questions, he Shun-shined to his office, Sealed one more scroll, summoned Emna, informed him of his plans and asked his forgiveness and assistance.

That night, While waiting near the very hole in the wall Naruto created, 5 Children, Ino, Choji, Shikamaru,Kiba and Moegi, 2 genin, Hana and Kurenai, 2 ANBU inductee's: Cat, and Hawk Waited with about a dozen Inuzuka dogs, Listening to the battle rage. Around 2:30 Massive explosions demolished the Hokage tower. The Hyuuga and Root, While unable to stop the Hokage, prevented his advance to the underground Facilities. The Hokage fought alone, the forces he was able to muster split in 3 groups to get their specific goals accomplished. Each group had counter-insurgency specialist in them and the missions given by the hokage soon failed. Survivors were working their way to the waiting children. The detonation of the tower brought massive debris down pinning the Hokage underneath. Death came without regret for the first time in many years in his life.

Orders were that at 3 AM, All Personnel at the wall hole were to exit, Incomplete families or not. Survivors were necessary to renew the will of fire. Yamato, Cover name of Tenzo, appeared at 2:45. After that, No one else came. With tears and clenched fists, the small group left, Children riding on the 6 Large dogs capable of carrying them, The other 6 dogs, Including Tsume's the former clan heads dog ran perimeter along with Yamato's Mokuton bunshin.

In the morning, Danzo was named Hokage, with Hiashi Hyuuga head of the council and chief negotiator of the Leaf. All Bodies of the insurgency were burned, No funerals allowed. Thus began the Era of Pain, In Konoha and elsewhere.

Jiraiya sat in a bar in Village about 8 hours north of Konoha, when his sake glass cracked; he knew his mentor was dead. He got up, went to his hotel room and opened his orders scroll. Inside were the official documents for his trek, but also were the files on Naruto. Photos of the sealing and chamber most prominent. What immediately caught his attention was the photo of the fully drawn but yet unused seal on Naruto's infant stomach. The center of the seal was not a 4 or 5 point elephant seal, but a series of phrases in a language he had never seen. This needed investigation, at some point he had to get to the fire temple and talk to the monks. Perhaps they could decipher or at least point him in the right direction. A Letter in the scroll addressed to him from his Sensei, He opened it slowly, knowing it was his sensei's last words to Him.

Jiraiya

Tonight, I right the wrongs, either by winning and cleansing, or by losing and death. Either way, I resolve to make my amends. I have little support in this cause. A small group of refugee's should be in the Northern Country by day after tomorrow. I arranged this for Naruto's sake. Make sure they know the truth. Naruto should at least have friends from Konoha, wherever you end up. Tell Tsunade, she was the daughter I always wanted, as opposed to the one's I had that married the very foes I fight tonight. Itachi will contact you via ads in your Icha-Icha. Trust in him. Solve the mysteries of the seal, Minato didn't know Latin. I recognized the characters, but I don't know the language, no one in Konoha did.

Thank You

Hirunzen Sarutobi

Sandaime Hokage

Jiraiya reread the letter twice, turned off the lights and tried to sleep. It was going to be a long however long it took to find his godson.

Itachi

Itachi had made his was to Rain in a slow steady walk. He knew sooner or later Madara had to die, but he didn't know how to do it. His entrance into Rain was felt by Pain's jutsu. Quickly 2 Ame Ninja appeared verified his identity and led him to the tower. Introductions were short and quickly enough he was led to Madara's Quarters.

"Madara-sensei"

"Itachi, Sit, cup of tea?"

"Yes, Please, The rain chills the bones quickly here. As requested, I verified the seal several weeks before leaving. Your doubts were correct. The 4th did not use a standard seal to imprison the Kyuubi. Your jutsu illuminated the seal. Instead of Normal seal structure as you documented for the inspection. An Image of a lock and key, with Phrases in a language I could not identify appeared. Naruto was not informed of the seal structure from his mother, nor did any and all of the seal notes left to him contain them. Therefore you must assume, the 4th arranged this. I will say I did get a shiver and sensation I never want to have again, I felt the Kyuubi went it attacked, it wasn't the Kyuubi. This chilled me more than I have ever been."

"Very Well, The plan will need to change; obviously the 4th took the Shodaime's seal notes for the Shinigami summoning and implanted them in the seal. The Lock and key symbolizes the prison, the Language is the key, and did you memorize it?"

"Yes, Madara-sensei. "

"If they are what I think they are, The Kyuubi is now the property of the Shinigami. It is out of our reach. We may need to negotiate with several parties not anticipated, Can you do this?

"Yes, Madara-Sensei"

"Very Well, finish your tea; we must visit the temples of the elemental countries for our answers."