Chapter Four: Uchiha Massacre

August 21st, 1988

Senju Compound, Konohagakure no Sato, Hi no Kuni

Weeks seemed to melt into months and the friendship between Naruto and Raiden only grew stronger each passing day. The boys were almost inseparable, wherever Raiden was, Naruto was only few steps away and the chaos only increased with the countless pranks they've unleashed onto the village.

With Naruto's ingenuity and Raiden's natural genius, their pranks have gotten more intricate and flashier. But the best part was nobody could have blamed them as they never left clues behind. Raiden learned basic Fuuinjutsu from some of the books in his family library and other books he's bought from couple bookstores. He has been the one who makes the timer tags, smoke tags, and low level explosive tags they need.

Raiden's training has been progressing far better than he ever hoped for, both Kakashi and Yamato have been impressed by his improvement.

He has made his kunai levitate for thirty minutes straight before he loses control and it falls back onto his palm. He hasn't mastered it, but he's really close. In couple more of weeks he'll be able to move on to the next exercise.

He has come far in his fire chakra exercises and learned how to breathe out small streams of fire from his mouth and fireballs as well. He noticed the he fire he breathes out feel different than the fire he can conjure using his magic. He also learned how to create small discharges of electricity and began shocking people whenever he can, of course it mainly consist of those villagers you glare at Naruto on the streets.

His Mokuton and Souton have also improved drastically; they've become much stronger and more durable than before thanks to Yamato's coaching. But not only has Raiden improved; but, so has Naruto thanks to Raiden pushing him further.

It turned out that even though Naruto knew how to 'read', Naruto just memorized the key facts about his school and ninja books. When Raiden asked him to read out loud a book him his personal library, Naruto struggled and looked ashamed as he stumble around.

When he asked why he didn't know how to read, Naruto said it was because nobody taught him and whenever he asked someone to reach him at the orphanage or even his teachers they would yell at him and hit him until he would go away. After a while, he gave up and had to memorize some words as he taught himself, but it wasn't enough.

Raiden got angry at the caretakers and teachers for not only jeopardizing Naruto's education, but also with child abuse. He pulled Naruto aside and worked with him teaching him how to read, write, and other things he hasn't learned.

It was a long and painful process for them both, especially for Naruto who would beat himself up and call himself stupid when he would get something wrong. Of course it wasn't just Raiden who helped, using the favor which Fugaku owed Raiden; he contacted the Uchiha senior to help him with Naruto's education as well as his own.

*-*-*-*-*-*-* FLASH BACK *-*-*-*-*

July 12th, 1988, 10;30 am

Senju Compound, Konohagakure no Sato, Hi no Kuni

"Naruto, you can't refuse to learn how to read. I know it can be frustrating, but you'll need it." Raiden said forcefully, rubbing the bridge of his nose trying not to look at the pouting blonde in front of him.

The pair has been at it for the past three hours and they've made much process. Whenever Naruto would get stuck on a word, he would get frustrated with himself just give up, throwing the book across the room and refused to continue.

Raiden wanted to scream at him, but he knew better. Screaming and losing his cool will not help Naruto; it would only alienate the poor boy. Seeing as the blonde wasn't going to stop pouting and wiping his tears of frustration, he did the only thing he could.

Walking towards Naruto, Raiden pulled the shorter blonde towards him and lead him towards the couch. He sat down and pulled Naruto down with him, he was glad Naruto was fighting him. He wrapped his arms around Naruto, securing arms around the blonde's waist and rested his head on the blonde's shoulders and sighed. He smiled as he felt Naruto's body relax against his.

They remained in each other's arms for couple of minutes of silence. Neither of them spoke to each other as they listen to the bird calls coming from Raiden's garden and the rustling of leaves as the wind breeze through the trees.

Naruto sighed slowly, trying to forget his own frustration as he leaned back into Raiden's chest. It was helped him calm down and relax whenever Raiden would hug him, he didn't know why he felt safe in Raiden's arms, but it just felt right. He remembers the nights he stayed over at Raiden's house to sleepover and would sneak into Raiden's room. He would get under the covers and Raiden would reach over him and hold him as they slept through the night without a question. It always helped him sleep better; especially when he would have nightmares.

"Do you think I'll ever learn how to read correctly, Rai?" His voice was soft and shaky; he couldn't help but feel insecure as he asked Raiden feebly if he was smarted enough. People have always been calling him stupid all his life, he couldn't help but believed him.

During his stay at the orphanage, the matron, Shouto Zamiri, would always belittle him ever second she got. The middle age woman could constantly punish him for outrageous reason and constantly take away his food and have him locked inside a cupboard; and if he got some food it would always be scraps.

Naruto couldn't understand as to why the matron hated him, but she and the other workers hated him. They were the reason he didn't have any friends, whenever a child would approach him to play with, the workers would interfere and lead them away from Naruto sprouting how he was a demon and a freak. It didn't take much for the children to start believing them and they would isolate him and use him as a target for their bulling.

Many nights, Naruto would cry himself to sleepy in his ratty bed. Yearning to have somebody, anybody would show him an ounce of attention, to play with, or simply to listen to him and hold him, but sadly nobody wanted him.

When it was time for the children to start lean how to read and write, the matrons would send Naruto away and lock him inside of his cupboard as they taught the other children how to read and write. No matter how much he pleaded for them to teach him, they would simply laugh at his face and sneer, telling him a demon didn't need to know how to read and write.

So, Naruto got creative and leaned how to sneak. He would silently go to room above where they were teaching the other children and would listen through the air ducts, or if he was lucky, he was able to sneak into the room and hide inside the closet, peeking through the crack of the door.

Nevertheless, he learned bits and pieces but it wasn't enough. When he went to school, he realized how much he was lacking and could barely get through the whole class. The only reason he got through the fundamental school was because he learned to memorize things.

Years passed by and his grades were abysmal at best. He tried asking his teachers for help, but sadly they reacted exactly how the matrons did and gave up in asking them and any other adults for help. He was tired of constantly being pushed aside.

Then come along Raiden, the first person besides the Hokage and certain masked ninjas who've reached out to him and befriended him. While the raven haired boy was a year younger, it seemed he was the older one between the pair; something, which Naruto didn't mind although he didn't find it fair how Raiden was taller than him.

From the short time he's been with Raiden, he couldn't help but feel grateful how much time Raiden has spent on him. The raven haired boy has been training him, something he didn't received during the last years in the Academy. He actually learned what his previous teachers failed to do; however it was an easy task.

And now, Raiden was trying to teach him how to read and write and he couldn't be more grateful. He decided he was going to do whatever it takes to learn how to do read and write properly. It's the least he could do after everything Raiden's effort.

"Yes, you can do it and you will," Raiden answered fiercely. "I will have to get some help to see your reading level and proficiency in writing, but by the end of the summer, you'll be at the same level as everyone else." Raiden admitted.

Naruto sighed, "Thank you, Raiden." He said weakly, hoping Raiden was right.

"I think I know you'll be able to help you. . ." Raiden trailed off into thought, remembering there was a certain Uchiha who owned him a favor, one he'll be cashing in.

*-*-*-*-*-* END*-*-*-*-*-*

August 21st, 1988, 3:30 pm

Senju Compound, Konohagakure no Sato, Hi no Kuni

Constantly, Raiden would assure Naruto he wasn't stupid and prove it to him by showing his progress since he started. It was grueling process, but by the end of the summer. Naruto learned how to read and improved his writing as well.

Naruto hugged Raiden to death and cried out of happiness for everything he has done for him in such little time. It was more than anyone has ever done for him and it made him feel special. He would get extremely jealous whenever other village children would approach Raiden to convince him to ditch 'the demon freak' in favor of them, but Raiden would always sneer at them and flay them open with his sharp tongue.

A surge of happiness would always fill his chest as Raiden always chooses him over anybody. He still got dark glares and malicious looks whenever he was on his own that made him shiver. They would decrease intensity whenever Raiden was around him, but they were still there.

"Hey Rai, whatcha doing?" Naruto asked as he walked through the main gate of Raiden's compound and spots a bare chested Raiden tending his garden. Naruto has always loved Raiden's garden. It was filled with so many flowers of different colors and he had strawberry and blueberry bushes which tasted amazing and other fruits.

"Nothing much, little lion," he told the blonde as he we pulling some weeds from his garden. He could've used his Souton to remove the weeds, but he preferred to do it manually. He finds it quite relaxing since during his time with the Dursley's it was the only time he had some silence. "Just harvesting some fruits and vegetables; wanna help? I'll give you some peaches and strawberries." Raiden offered tempting the blonde who had a soft spot for strawberries.

Naruto nodded his head vigorously, "Hai! But only if you offer to make us some food afterwards." The blonde grinned rubbing his stomach at the prospects of eating some of Raiden's creation. Never has he ever had something as delicious as Raiden's cooking; with the exception of Ramen, of course, because ramen was the best food in the world and a gift of Kami to mere mortals. The ramen obsessed blonde never changed.

"Only if you help, you know the rules little lion." He wagged his finger at the blonde and tossed him a basket he made similar to the one he gave the Hokage months ago. The blonde caught the basket and Raiden pointed towards the tomatoes. "I'm thinking of making some spaghetti today. I found some pasta hidden in the grocery store last week. What do you say?" He asked the blonde.

Naruto eyes lit up brightly, at the mention of spaghetti. He remembers the first time Raiden made spaghetti couple months ago and it was amazing. He hummed happily as his mouth started to water in anticipation, "Sounds amazing, Rai!"

"Great. Why don't you start grabbing the ripe tomatoes and some herbs: basil, oregano, and Rosemary as well. I'll finish harvesting the berries and peaches. I could probably make some tarts for desserts." He said thoughtfully checking if he had what he needed to make the tarts.

If there was one good thing that the Dursley's did for him, it was teaching him how to cook. He learned how to make some delicious food which he now could appreciate as well as Naruto. He's still learning how to cook Japanese food and bought some cookbooks to help him and Naruto is his unofficial guinea pig who tastes all of his creations and gives him feedback.

"Hai," Naruto exclaimed loudly, and started doing his share of harvesting. They both worked in silence as they moved around in the garden checking for the ripest fruits available and taking them while leaving the unripe ones alone. Raiden made sure to teach him how to tell the ripe fruits and vegetables from the unripe ones.

It didn't take them long to have everything ready and they headed inside into the kitchen.

Both boys washed their hands and everything they harvested from the garden before they started prepping everything. Raiden made a detour and went into his room to grab a shirt before he returned to the kitchen.

"Alright let's get this start. Why don't you start . . .?"

~«Time skip»~

An hour and a half later, the food was done and sitting on the table. The savory aroma of homemade Italian food wafted throughout the kitchen making the boys hungry as they inhaled deeply.

"Come on! Let's eat Rai!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly, licking his lips hungrily as he sat down.

Raiden took his seat and motioned Naruto to take first dibs at the food. The blonde whooped, attacking the spaghetti and garlic bread first completely avoiding the salad completely.

Raiden snorted, "Still avoiding the evil green vegetables of doom aren't cha?" Naruto visibly shivered and sent a death glare at the salad as if he was trying to burn it with his 'heat vision' and continued stuffing his face.

Shaking his head at his best friend, Raiden served himself some of his salad seeing as he was the only one who'll eat it." I'm assuming you'll want to stay over, right?" Raiden asked as he took a bite into his salad.

Naruto grinned. "Yeah, did you finish working on the confetti tags?" The blonde asked.

"No, not yet; I can't seem to get it right. Each time I write the seal and test them out the confetti comes out like streamers. I need to redo the seal and research some more."

Naruto hummed. "I'm sure you'll get it eventually." He assured his raven haired friend. They didn't need the confetti tags just yet; they had time to figure them out.

"Yeah, are you excited to start school yet? We have a week and a half left." Raiden commented and watched as Naruto looked conflicted. He knew Naruto needed to graduate this year or he'll never be able to become a ninja. He vowed to make sure Naruto graduated this year if it was the last thing he did. It was the reason he's been pushing Naruto so much.

Naruto sighed, "I'm excited we're going but I'm scared I might fail again. It's . . . scary that there's a chances I might not pass. I just hope this year is different. I have to pass."

"Hey, don't be all gloom and darkness. It doesn't suit you." Raiden joked earning a small smile from Naruto. "You've come so far already and I'll be there with you. Together there's no chance we'll fail!"

The blonde gulped slowly, smiling shaky. "Yeah you're right. We'll be just fine."

August 22st, 1988, 7:00 pm

Hokage's Office, Konohagakure no Sato, Hi no Kuni

It was calm and silent night inside village. Everyone was inside their homes getting ready to go to sleep when a huge explosion rattled nearby windows of business and homes located around the Uchiha compound. A billow of flames burned down and decimated almost everything inside the grounds. And chaos erupted.

ANBU operatives immediately contacted the Sandaime about the situation not wanting to waste any time. The Uchiha compound was burning down.

"Hokage-sama," Somebody exclaimed urgently, "The Uchiha compound seemed to have burst in flames. Dead bodies are scattered every. It's a massacre!" Kuma, a bear masked ANBU operative exclaimed loudly as he busted through the Hokage's door.

Sarutobi's eyes widen and face turn grim. He removed his robes to reveal his ninja gear underneath his official robes. He opened his desk and took out his helmet and put it on completely his ninja gear.

Sarutobi stood there looking as a fierce warrior he once was who fought in the previous wars before he became the Hokage. The older man clicked his sandals against the wooden floor and turned towards the ANBU.

"We'll have to scope out the damage and check for any survivors. Did anyone catch a glimpse of the culprit?" Sarutobi asked.

Kuma nodded, "they were many witnesses spotting Itachi fleeing from the Uchiha compound minutes before the explosion. By the time we were alerted by Neko, Inu and Hebi were chasing after Itachi but it seems he successfully escape our walls."

Sarutobi sighed heavily; he suddenly felt his old age and his body ached. He knew beforehand what was going to happen thanks to Itachi alerting him weeks prior to the massacre. When the young man came into his office and told him what the councils elders have done behind his back, Sarutobi was livid.

Homura, Koharu, and Danzo ordered Itachi to kill every single Uchiha on the suspicion they were planning to revolt and take over Konoha, which was true to a sense, but they haven't acted on it. Sarutobi couldn't do anything to stop it the orders.

Instead he asked Itachi to follow through the Elder's plans and spy for him on an organization which has been appearing on the radar which has been causing trouble throughout the Elemental Lands. Itachi was asked to infiltrate the organization, gain their trust and report back to him on his findings whenever he can. Itachi agreed, but asked Sarutobi to protect his little brother; Sasuke. The Hokage gave Itachi his word and promised he'll protect Sasuke to the best of his ability.

Snapping out of his thoughts, Sarutobi and Kuma jumped out of the windows and dashed throughout the village, jumping from rooftop to rooftop. They made haste and arrived within the compound in minutes. As they land, they saw lifeless bloodied bodies of men, women, and children scattered in every direction. It was a brutal image watching the aftermath of the massacre.

Scorch marks from the explosion were still visible and every house was burnt down to the ground with the exception of the main house which seemed intact from the outside, but badly damaged.

Inu and Neko appeared in front of him and debriefed him on what they've gathered. "Itachi has left the borders of Hi no Kuni. It seems he's moving southeast towards Mizu no Kuni towards a possible hideout with its borders." Inu said emotionless behind his mask.

Neko stepped up holding the single survivor from the massacre. The pale, raven haired boy was sleeping restlessly within her arms and was sweating heavily. His face contorted painfully from the nightmares he was having.

"We found the Uchiha heir lying motionless in the main living quarters, twitching and yelling in his sleep. It seemed from his yells, he witnessed his brother killing their parents' right in front of him and fell into Itachi's Genjutsu. He's showing evidence of severe mental torture, but no physical injuries except the one he inflicted on himself.

Either Itachi spared him or he had to make a quick getaway." Neko stated.

Sarutobi glanced at the sleeping form of the Uchiha heir and asked Neko to take him to the hospital. Neko nodded before she took the child and disappeared from sight.

"Sir, the Elders are calling an emergency meeting. They're calling all of the clan heads." Tora; a tiger masked ANBU operative said as he appeared next to him.

"I understand. You're dismissed." Sarutobi told Tora.

Tora nodded and disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Once Tora was out of sight, Inu turned towards the Hokage and sighed, "I guess the Elders will try to interfere with the Uchiha heir placement."

Sarutobi chuckled frigidly, "they'll never learn. With near extermination of the Uchiha they want to take the boy as they tried to do with Raiden, but luckily they can't. . . Why don't you go get Raiden, he might be interested in this." The elder man suggested making the masked man laugh.

"You just want Raiden to put them back in their place, don't you," Sarutobi looked sheepish. "I have to admit that is the main reason I want Raiden to be there, it's quite frightening to watch him get angry. It's like his green eyes start glowing and a dark aura appears around him.

Just last week be made a group of full grown men cry when they tried to attack Naruto." Inu shivered knowing how scary Raiden ire can be. It's not something he ever wants to experience . . . again.

Inu coughed weakly, "Right. It's not a pretty sight. Hebi and Tora are still terrified after their little encounter."

Sarutobi smiled. "It serves them right for trying to steal some of his peaches. They should've asked him instead of trying to grab a few. . . I better hurry before they start without me." He uttered softly and left Kakashi leave to pick up the emerald eyed boy.

When Sarutobi arrived at the council room he noticed most of the clan heads were already there; including, an extremely annoyed Raiden sitting in his clan seat crossing his arms and glaring at couple of the civilian representatives who used to torment Naruto.

He had to hold back his laughter as he saw Haruno Midori cowering from the death glare Raiden sent her. Homura and Koharu enter the room and took their seats. They look rather somber, but it's all an act. "We've called an emergency meeting today regarding the explosion you've all heard an hour ago." Koharu said mournfully, letting Homura continue.

"Just an hour ago, there was an attack on the Uchiha compound which has decimated the entire clan. We've lost every single Uchiha with the exception of two and I'm sorry to say one of them was the culprit of the attack." He watched as all eyes land on him. Many of them were looks of disbelief and horror, along with countless gasps coming from the civilian side.

Shukaku rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Was the culprit apprehended?" He asked mildly intrigued by the whole ordeal. He knew what the council Elders were trying to do and smirked devilishly, knowing it was going to happen if a certain emerald eyed boy had something to say.

Sarutobi shook his head making most of the civilians worry and fidget. "I'm afraid to say he manage to flee into Mizu no Kuni borders. There's nothing we can do to retrieve him. He has already been declared a traitor to Konohagakure no Sato as well as a Mission-Nin."

Shukaku sighed, "How troublesome." The lazy man uttered under his breath.

"Just who's the traitor?" A civilian representative asked curiously, asking the question everyone wanted to hear.

Sarutobi stared at the civilian right in the eyes and said, "Uchiha Itachi."

Silence permeated the room as the name of the Uchiha prodigy was uttered. Tsume broke the silence and asked the question everyone had in their minds, "If Itachi was the culprit then who was the survivor?"

Sarutobi sighed, "His little brother, Sasuke is the last remaining Uchiha. He's currently in the hospital recovering from the mental stress and slight torture he received from Itachi." He saw as Raiden's eyebrows shot upwards and his face soften slightly. While Raiden and Fugaku had a bad start, they slowly patched up their shortcomings and got on friendly terms.

Koharu took advantage of the paused and shushed everyone. Using her obnoxious polite voice, which Raiden hated, she took over, "Now. Now;" she appeased calmly. "While the treacherous acts of Itachi won't go unpunished, we must ensure the safety of the Uchiha heir at all costs. He'll have to have a proper guardian until he's of age." She stated matter-of-factly, being as sweet as she could.

The civilians nodded, agreeing with Koharu. Many of them volunteered to take in the last Uchiha and raise him as their own, their greedy eyes twinkled brightly at the realization they'll be able to access the Uchiha bank accounts.

The clan heads opposed to the idea and refused to allow the civilians to gain a clan child and proposed they'll take the child. It was mainly, Hirashi who volunteered to take the child. Raiden stood back as he watched the greedy eyes of countless people who wanted the money, property, and political power that came with taking in Sasuke in.

He knew they didn't care for the child. They just wanted the wealth and power that came with it. Who knows, they might even try to kill the child to acquire everything. No, he wasn't going to allow another child to be abused. He has lived through it and he wouldn't want another child to live through what he did, even if it is Sasuke.

Unable to keep quiet, he banged his fist into his table and broke it in half using his rage. The loud thud echoed throughout the room deafening everyone within the room. The air around him felt heavily and his hair swished around. He glared at everyone who tried to get their hands on Sasuke.

"Have you all forgotten in your moment of greed that the last clan heir cannot be taken in by anybody. By declaring Itachi as a Missing-Nin and a traitor to Konohagakure no Sato, he has been banished from his clan and lost his Heir ship and title as an Uchiha." He spat out coldly. He glared at Koharu making her flinch back.

"You should've known that small fact, before you tried to take the last Uchiha heir and forcefully placed him somewhere else, breaking the Nidaime's Act which protects underage heirs, Mikoto-sama. Or perhaps you have forgotten?"

Akyou Toshiro, a short pudgy man with balding black hair and mud colored eyes shot up from his chair and pointed at him. "Just because you're a Senju it doesn't mean that the world revolves around you. You should learn to shut your mouth and know your place. You're still a child, you know nothing." The civilian sneered nastily.

Raiden's forehead twitched slightly. He stood up straight and raised his eyebrows at the man in front of him. "Hmm, you're right that I'm a child, but children have voices as well and I will be heard." He quirked up a shark-like smirk that sent shivers through the man spine making him cold sweat under his Raiden's venomous gaze.

Most of the clan heads pitied the man. They've heard about Raiden's vindictive ire and things always go bad for those unlucky few. Tsume sat at the age of her seat as he waited for the blood to be spilled. She genuinely liked the boy, and it was mainly because of his vindictive streak he had. Someone she admired, the boy wasn't a weak spine man.

"Tell me something, Mr. Toshiro. How long have you been on the civilian council?" he asked smoothly, almost purring softly in his calm, emotionless voice.

Toshiro gulped weakly. "I've been on the council since ten years ago, but I don't understand how that's relevant?" He asked confused by the question.

Raiden grinned madly, "Oh you'll see. . . Are you familiar with the Shodaime Education Decree, aren't Mr. Toshiro?"

Toshiro blinked, he shook his head and Raiden asked if any of the civilians knew what it is, but nobody knew. Raiden tsked disapprovingly at them and direct his question to Homura who hesitantly nodded.

"Perfect, now tell me what you do for a living, Mr. Toshiro?" The man puffed up his chest like a peacock and pompously said, "I'm the current head of the Academy for the past eight years."

Raiden rolled his eyes at the man.

"Hmm, you're the current head of the Academy who's in charge of teaching the next generation of ninjas. It must be quite a hard job. . ." He stroked the man's ego and the civilian beamed.

"Yes, it's quite hard."

"Yet, you don't know the Shodaime Education Decree? Hmm, interesting isn't Nara-san?" He asked the lazy Nara whose eyes widen as he realized what Raiden was planning.

"Yes, it's quite interesting." The man agreed. Raiden turned around to Homura. "May you please enlighten the poor head of the Academy and the rest of the civilians what does my grandfather's decree states?"

Homura glared at the boy but complied. "It states: 'Anyone who's found to be intentionally sabotaging a child's education either by, purposely providing false information or neglect of said child, they'll be sentenced 20 years of incarceration and be stripped of any titles he or she may have, as well as pay 50,000 Ryo as a fine. Should there be evidence of neglect, the Hokage and only the Hokage will have the power to make judgment upon the child in question to get the proper education.'" Toshiro paled drastically, his knees shaking and he was sweating profusely. He knew at moment he was screwed.

"Now, that you know what's it mean. Did you know Naruto didn't know how to read nor write correctly?" Raiden stated plainly, as if everyone knew.

Sarutobi, alongside the other clan heads looked shocked at the news. They didn't know Naruto didn't know how to read. They've all heard rumors how unruly and difficult Naruto was in the Academy from the rumor mill in the village.

"Yes, Naruto has been faking how to read and write. He had memorized the key facts on certain subjects, but no one taught him how to read or write properly. Usually, a parent would teach their child, but Naruto is an orphan and the matrons at the orphanages," he shot a dark glare at the head matron who was as white as a ghost. "Didn't think it was necessary to teach him; whenever he would ask they would laugh at him and hit him, telling him a 'freak like him didn't deserve to read.' And when he tried to ask you, you laughed at his face and told him to get lost. You even allowed his teacher and students to use him as a target during shurikens practice resulting in him going to the hospital more than once under your care."

Sarutobi growled viciously. He didn't know this was happening under his nose!

Raiden took out storage seal from his pocket and opened it. "This is a reading and writing proficiency test Naruto took under Fugaku's every own eyes. When I discovered he couldn't read or write, I asked him to test Naruto's and it was seriously lacking." He passed it to the Hokage and the elder man blanched at the results.

"As you can see his results are abysmal. I took it upon my help to teach him how to read and write properly. It was a long grueling process with the help of Fugaku, and he's now at his level he should be." He passed two more test results showing the improvements.

"What I want to know is; how did you and the orphanage matron allowed this to happen? You're jeopardizing his future and I won't allow it. Who knows what other students you've sabotaged before or how many you'll sabotage in the future... or how many other clan children have you failed?" He sneered at the man who was shaking in his seated, trying to get away from the countless glares he was receiving from the Clan heads.

"I, Raiden Senju-Potter, hereby accuse Akyou Toshiro and Shouto Zamiri of purposely sabotaging a child's education; a direct violation of Shodaime's Education Decree: as well as, child neglect; both physically, emotionally, and mental abuse; Misuse of power, bribery, and embezzlement on both parts." Raiden passed all of the documentation to prove his accusations to the Hokage.

Sarutobi looked through the documentation thoroughly in stupor; everything which Raiden accused them of was legitimate. there was prove and testimonies as well. Wasting no time, he summoned two ANBU to apprehend both of them. "Take them to the T&I department and extract anything needed to back up the evidence!" He demanded harshly. The ANBU operative nodded, taking the two screaming civilians away.

Raiden smirked, "does anyone wish to undermine me again for my age?" He snarled fiercely, his voice emotionless.

The civilians shook their heads and stayed quiet trying to escape his gaze. "Great, now that we established that. Sasuke will not be placed anywhere and as he falls in the same act as I do, and will be left alone. He will determine how he handles his own clan seat once he's of age or is qualified by the approval of another clan head. Correct?" he smiled sweetly, scaring the crap out of the civilians and some other clan heads.

The Elders gave Raiden a glare at could kill, but he remain unaffected by it. The Sandaime looked satisfied by the outcome and he ended the session. He asked Raiden to stay behind for a bit. Sarutobi waited for everyone to clear the room before he could address Raiden.

"I have to say I'm impressed by your skill at handling the council members and digging dirt on people." Raiden rubbed his temples feeling a headache coming.

"Matsu and Fugaku have been teaching me how to handle them and I've been reading all of the political aspects of Konoha. While Fugaku and myself, share different ideologies, when it comes to politics; we both agreed the civilians don't belong in our politics seeing as this is a military village, where the Hokage has the final word in all matters. The civilians shouldn't be involved in things that don't apply to them. There should be one or two civilian representatives, not twenty who can easily be bribed by others. The Elders council shouldn't be outvoting you nor going behind your back. They are your advisors and nothing more; they should only be there to advise you in things and not overruling you. I'm not tell you what to do, Kami knows I'm just an eight year old boy, but having Fugaku and a centuries old demon beating politics and their ideologies into me there not much I can do. Ugh!? This is why I hate politics. It's messy, very, very messy." Raiden whined childishly.

Sarutobi stared at the eight year old incredulously, what he was saying was beyond his years and it was all true. He needed to start cleaning up the council, removing those who don't belong and make the council more efficient. He knows the other clan heads have been hounding on him to do exactly that for years.

Especially Tsume, the fierce woman has strongly suggested him to kick out the civilians on more than one occasion. When it was coming from a child, it really did put things into prospective. He has already let too many things passed by and it appeared Naruto was the one who suffered the most.

He knew it was going to take time, but it was time for him to show everyone exactly why he's the Hokage. It was time for him to become stricter and it was going to start with three pesky elders who've betrayed his trust for the last time.