Ninja of the Void
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any characters associated with it.
"Talking"
Thoughts
Dark Truth
"You're going to take me back there now!" demanded Sasuke angrily as he gripped Naruto's shirt even tighter. "I have to stop the massacre from ever happening!"
"Sasuke-kun, please calm down" as Hinata tried to diffuse the situation.
"Shut up! This doesn't concern you!"
Instantly Naruto became dead serious as he didn't like the tone the emo Uchiha was giving his pale friend. However he maintained his cool as he tried not to revert to habit of wanting to knock someone out for being a prick. So taking a deep breath, "I don't know what you're talking about" as he tried to feign ignorance.
"Don't you dare give me that" Sasuke growled as his rage began to grow. "Do you think I'm an idiot? I've been listening and I've been watching what you've been doing this past week. That watch of yours has the power to time travel doesn't it! I need its power to save my clan!" as his grip tightened even more.
"Sasuke-kun, you don't understand. Please calm down and let Naruto-kun go!"
"I said stay out of this!" he spat out as the young Uchiha was seeing red.
For a moment, Naruto kept silent looking to his friend and teammate before speaking up again. He saw no point in keeping up this façade as Sasuke was adamant with his beliefs of what he had. Furthermore if he lied, Sasuke was more than likely going to try something really reckless which could have resulted in one of them getting really hurt. So, "for what you're asking . . . . I cannot help you".
"What?" as his tone leaked out venomously.
"You don't understand. What you're asking can't be done".
"You're just trying to keep that power all to yourself aren't you!" as Sasuke now seemed ready to get really aggressive. "If you won't use your watch to help me then I'll just take it from you!"
"There is no need for violence" said Hinata as she continued in wanting to end this matter peacefully.
"I said stay out of this!" as Sasuke sharingan began to appear as he readied himself to attack.
Reacting instantly, the Hyuga heiress placed her hand on Sasuke's shoulder pinching a nerve ending just above his collar bone. Almost immediately, the young Uchiha started to feel woozy as his eyes rolled back into his head. Then in the next moment, he fell to the ground like a sack of potatoes as he now lay unconscious on the ground.
Looking to what his pale friend had done, ". . . . Did you just use the Hyuga nerve pinch on him?"
"He wouldn't calm down plus he was acting irrational".
Staring to the unconscious body on the ground, Naruto gave a tired sigh as he created a bunshin to help him move Sasuke to the couch. "This is not going to be a pleasant conversation when he wakes up".
"What are you going to do?" Hinata asked worriedly both in concern for her friend and experience when it came to time travel.
"The best I can I guess" as the pair waited until Sasuke woke up again.
~ Konoha (prison ward) ~
Doing his rounds Zabuza looked rather bored as he continued to clang his sword against the bars as he walked by. "Man this is boring; maybe I should free a prisoner or two so I can have the excuse to kill them" which instantly got some of the inmates pissed scared.
"That won't be necessary" said Shikamaru giving a yawn as he walked in looking the same as he always did but now with a chunin vest. "I'll be taking your shift so you can go on break".
"Tsk, fine" as he walked by now leaving to go do whatever he wanted with his free time.
Watching the scary mist ninja leave, Shikamaru spotted a particular cell as he removed a shogi board from his vest before placing it right outside the bars as the dirty blond haired inmate scooted close. "Well let's have our game then" as he moved first.
Maneuvering her chained wrists so that she could slip one of her hands right outside the bars, Temari then moved as well. "You know you don't have to do this" she said solemnly as soon Gaara and Kankuro scooted behind their elder sister to watch the game.
"Well it's no big deal. It's part of the probation for new chunin to do guard duty anyways. Boring as it is, I don't have to do much here and you're at least one of the few people who'll play shogi with me without chickening out".
"Well I'm honored" as Temari gave a strained chuckle.
"By the way, I heard from that Sakura girl that Konoha is currently in debate with Suna" said Kankuro. "Do you know what's going on with that?"
"Yeah it's making some progress" said Shikamaru as he continued playing maintaining his focus on the board. "It seems Jiraiya-sama our new hokage is talking it over with your village. Surprisingly as much damage as you guys did it seems we're still keeping you on as allies as we're even talking about plans of sharing our resources with you guys, but under certain conditions of course".
The sand siblings became wide eyed to this news. Considering their betrayal, it surprised them they weren't executed right off the bat. Furthermore even after their capture they were being treated humanely as now even after failure that their village was getting the resources that they so badly needed. Although to some it may have seemed like weakness by performing such acts of charity. But in truth it was a show of benevolence. It was easy to be petty in any situation. However it took real strength to be forgiving to those who wronged you. "What about our stay here?"
"That's still a tossup. All you can do is just cross your fingers on that one".
Remaining silent for a while longer, "will 'they' be coming here?" asked Gaara softly as he leaned against the wall as he continued to watch the game.
Sensing who he was asking about, "both of them share the same days this week, but they should be here tomorrow" Shikamaru answered.
Giving an understanding nod, the sand jinchuriki continued to watch the game his sister was playing. On Naruto's first shift, he was a regular chatter box as he wouldn't stop talking the entire time he was there. But to who he was talking too, it was none other than Gaara. During the entire time he stayed, he related to him about his past yet also gave him hope that like him regardless of who he was he would eventually find people in this world that would accept him for who he was. Even that girl Hinata talked to him as she assisted him in mending the broken bonds he had with his siblings as they talked it out. It was amazing really. In such a short time, an instant bond was formed as this was the first time in his life he felt like he truly connected with someone who wasn't afraid of him. On a closing note, if he ever got out they wanted him to join them for a bowl of ramen. ". . . . Yeah . . . . I'll be looking forward to that" he said under his breath as Shikamaru and Temari continued their game.
~ Namikaze residence ~
". . . . What happened?" Sasuke asked feeling groggy as he held his head while sitting up on the couch.
"I'm sorry Sasuke-kun" Hinata apologized bowing her head a bit. "But you just wouldn't calm down".
"You fell flat on your face there" Naruto chuckled. "But don't feel bad as that same thing happened to me when Hinata-chan practiced it on me" which caused the Hyuga heiress to seem bashful to this.
"I don't want to hear your stupid jokes!" Sasuke then shot out only to hold his head at the migraine he felt.
Sensing how adamant he was, it was clear there would be no weaseling out of this one as the pair readied themselves for the trouble they were about to get into. ". . . . It's impossible to change the past because of the nature of the fact is that it's already happened".
"What?"
"Sasuke-kun" then continued Hinata. "It's the logic of the universe. This very point is what defines who you are as a person, and because things happened the way it did it became the primary building block for everything else preceding it including the desire to travel back to save them. This being fact, everything becomes negated as if nothing ever happened".
"Then how would you know?"
". . . . Because we've already tried" as the pair looked down sadly to this, "you can't change what happened as that's all there simply is to it".
Sasuke closely analyzed the two as he sensed no lie behind their words. In hearing this, the young Uchiha gritted his teeth in frustration at seeing his chance to fix everything just slip away. But of all else, if he couldn't change what happened then there was one thing he could still do. "Then just take me back there . . . ."
"What? Didn't we already tell you . . . ."
"I heard what you said!" Sasuke sharply interjected. But taking a deep breath to calm himself down, "then please" swallowing his ego a bit. "Take me back seven years ago before my brother killed our entire clan. If anything . . . . I want to understand why he did it . . . ." as his eyes then clamped shut as he bowed his head to them.
Naruto and Hinata looked to each other as they both could tell the torment he felt. However at hearing his request they wondered if it was a good idea to allow him to do this. In one part, if after their warning there was a good chance he'd try to change what happened which would have been disastrous for everyone. But in a way, learning the truth might give him some sense of peace. But then sometimes . . . . The truth is not always that great to hear. Knowing the kind of ambition Sasuke had, he would not take no for an answer. Upon refusal, he would do something drastic to get what he wanted. So to avoid this inevitability, "listen up jerk" as Naruto now stood before his friend. "You swear to me right now that you won't do anything under any circumstance as you'll only be there to observe".
"Yes, I know".
"That isn't good enough" as the blond narrowed his eyes at him. "You promise not only to me but also on the name of Uchiha that no matter what happens you do not interfere with the series of events that will occur".
Sasuke's expression scrunched at this before giving a nod. "Yes . . . . I promise on my clans name that no matter what . . . . I will not interfere".
Naruto held his ground keeping silent for a moment before turning about to face Hinata. "We're going to need some good eyes as we don't want to bump into anything we shouldn't. Hinata-chan, if you may".
"Of course Naruto-kun" as she stood up with her friend as Sasuke stood up as well standing next to them.
Pulling out his watch, Naruto closed his eyes focusing his senjutsu just enough to power the watch. Due to the nature of sage chakra being denser than normal chakra, it took less out of his normal reserves to power it. "Dad also installed capacitors into the watch allowing me to store chakra inside so that it would be less of a strain on me. I'll just load it up enough in order to make a few trips". Reaching the quantity he wanted, they were ready to go. So getting into contact, a bubble of light surrounded them as they were soon gone in a flash.
~ Konoha ~ (seven years ago)
Appearing on the rooftops, the three rematerialized as they looked around to see that it was clearly nighttime and making their way down below they confirmed that they were indeed seven years in the past a few days before the Uchiha massacre.
But looking over the date, the young Uchiha knew exactly what this day meant. "I know where my brother is . . . ." as he soon ran off in the direction closely followed by Naruto and Hinata. Exiting the village, they continued to run until they arrived to what appeared to be a river.
"What's going on Sasuke? What's supposed to be happening here?" Naruto asked.
". . . . This is where Shusui died. It is here we'll know what treachery my brother has committed" Sasuke slightly grimaced as one of his eyes twitched a bit.
Just as the young Uchiha was about to walk in, "remember your promise" said Naruto as he gripped his shoulder. "Only watching, nothing more".
"Yeah I got it" as he ripped himself from him to which the trio then proceeded in. Not too far away, they arrived to a clearing as they saw Itachi and Shusui talking to each other casually. "Something doesn't seem right . . . . I don't sense any ill intent . . . . But this is the day Shusui is supposed to die". "We can't read their lips with their backs turned like that plus they're too far for us to see".
"We can't get any closer or they'll spot us" said Naruto. "Hinata-chan" looking to her.
"I understand" said Hinata as she activated her byakugan as she followed along the best she could to what the two young men were discussing.
"There is no way to stop the Uchiha coup d'état anymore . . . ." said Shusui regretfully. "A civil war will happen in the leaf and other countries will take advantage to attack . . . . It will inevitably turn into another world war . . . ."
Itachi remained in silent shock as he continued to listen to his friend.
"When I tried to stop it by using my kotoamatsukami, Danzo stole my right eye" as he turned to reveal the stream of blood emanating from the missing socket. "He's bent in solving it his own way. That's why I've decided to protect the village in my own way". He then turned facing his long time friend placing his left hand over his remaining eye ready to gouge it out. "He'll try to retrieve my left eye. But before that happens I'll give it to you".
"Shusui . . . ." Itachi said as a slight frown started to form.
"You're my best friend and the only one I can ask this. Please protect the village . . . . and the Uchiha name" as he then handed over his eye to Itachi. With his final task done, Shusui began to step back as he reached the ledge of the cliff. Removing any sense of self-preservation dropped into the river below allowing himself to drown.
Watching this happen, tears appeared in Itachi's eyes as slowly his sharingan appeared as the tomoe began to reconfigure itself into what would become his mangekyo eyes.
Seeing enough the trio soon left baffled and confused as this raised more questions than it did answers. "He used genjutsu . . . . It had to be" said Sasuke as he tried to rationalize what he saw. "He made him commit suicide . . . . There is no other way to explain this . . . ."
Naruto who was just as perplexed didn't understand what he saw. He then looked to Hinata as she had an uneasy and somewhat disturbed expression written on her face. "Hinata-chan, I'm sorry for making you see that . . . ."
Hinata shook her head to this as she clasped her hands together as if trying to gain some bearing on something. "Naruto-kun . . . . I need to tell you something . . . . It's what they talked about".
His ears perking up to it, "what did they say?" Sasuke asked turning his attention to the Hyuga heiress.
Wincing a bit under his glare, Hinata looked away in thought before looking back. "They said . . . . Exactly what you thought. Shusui-kun was trying to convince Itachi-kun from his plans. But failed and that's . . . . when it happened" as remembering the man die was somewhat disturbing.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes at this as he knew something was off as he sensed deception. Although his gut felt the lie, he refused to believe otherwise that his brother deserved what was going to be coming next as he soon departed brooding a bit.
Watching him leave, Naruto looked to Hinata as he knew that was a lie. She hadn't acted jittery for many years and the only reason she did was when she was lying which made her a terrible liar. So taking her hand, he led them back to their temporary base of an used isolated apartment as they went inside unnoticed. Seating Hinata on a chair, Naruto took his seat across from her slightly slouched as he folded his hands on his lap. "What's going on Hinata-chan? What did they really say?"
Hinata's shifted uncomfortably as she was hesitant if she should share this information. If it were true . . . . The ramifications would be enormous as there is no telling how this would affect the village. In a way she could see why the truth was covered up. But was this something she could openly share? But after feeling more tension about this, she knew she could confide in what she saw to Naruto. "I don't know everything . . . . But from what I've heard . . . . This is what's happening" as she disclosed to her friend what she heard.
~ Konoha ~ (sometime later)
Using the vacant apartment as a temporary base Naruto, Hinata, and Sasuke continued to monitor the situation that was going on in Konoha only skipping ahead to quickly progress through the events without waiting. Although on the surface everything seemed all well enough, deeper investigation showed growing tensions amongst the Uchiha clan and the Konoha elders. As Sasuke watched his former home, Naruto and Hinata watched the hokage office as this arrangement was due to their familiarity with the area.
As they watched Naruto and Hinata could only feel so much tension weigh heavily on their hearts as piece by piece everything started to come together about what truly happened the night Itachi killed his entire clan. It was just too sad that something like this happened, but even more so that they were keeping Sasuke in the dark about this. Of course to protect him from the truth they could have just forced him back to their time. But that would only make him suspicious as all they could do was hide it as much as they could.
But as the young Uchiha continued to investigate, his confusion soon rivaled his rage. Although some pieces fitted perfectly with what he was told and his notions of things, there were other events that didn't make any sense as they were conflicting with what he thought to be true. However, it was this day that the puzzle would come together as then he would see for his own eyes the ugly truth, the truth that should have remained buried.
During the course of the day, Sasuke tailed his brother as he watched every move he made and tried to listen to every conversation he had. But after finishing his meeting with the elders of Konoha, he then exited the building as Danzo soon approached him.
"The third talked like that, but he will act if Konoha still needs to be protected. That's the way he is" said Danzo. "If that happens, even he, as the hokage, will have to take drastic measures. Whether the war happens or not once they try to rebel the Uchiha clan will necessarily be annihilated. Your unknowing little brother included. But by acting before it happens he can be saved".
Itachi's eyes flinched for a microsecond at the mention of his brother in that manner.
"If the coup happens your brother will see everything anyways. He will see his clan destroyed by Konoha and will unmistakably want to get revenge on the village and in that case will have to be killed too".
". . . . Are you threatening him?
"No, I want you to choose. You can either stand on the side of your clan and be destroyed altogether or stand on Konoha's side, saving your little brother before the coup happens, and help destroy the Uchiha clan. To protect the village we must absolutely stop the coup before everything falls into chaos and the only one capable to do this task is you Itachi. It will be a hard mission for you, but in exchange for that I can let your little brother live. I'm sure you too want to protect the village. Do you accept this mission?"
Itachi looking to the man before him closed his eyes giving a nod as he soon turned to leave.
Witnessing this event, Sasuke was at a loss for words. "This can't be true . . . . Itachi was ordered to kill our clan . . . . By Konoha . . . ." as his eyes were stretched open in shock. Now he didn't know what to think. If this was true then what has he been doing this entire time, what was the point to all his hatred. What was it that he was trying to accomplish? But that's when his thoughts went back to Naruto and Hinata as now he needed to confirm his suspicions. During this little look out, he could tell they were keeping something from him, something important that he needed to know. The final piece to this mystery that will tell him once and for all what really happened seven years ago. If they refused to tell him, he planned to get it one way or another as two days from now would be the day his brother destroyed their clan.
~ Konoha ~ (two days later)
Going over their notes, the trio continued to discuss everything they had learned in trying to figure out why Itachi did the things he did. But after reaching a certain point in their discussion Naruto's stomach began to grumble.
"Man I'm hungry" the blond grumbled. "This takeout food is not really good".
"Well we can go out to eat then as long as we use a henge" suggested Hinata.
"Yeah! Let's do that".
"Aren't you the one saying we shouldn't interfere with the past. So we shouldn't be eating out at all moron. So just go get some take out already" said Sasuke as he continued to read over the notes.
"Well I guess you're right" as he stood up. "Hey Hinata-chan, want to come with me?"
"I still need her here" Sasuke then said. "I still need to compare a few more notes".
"It's OK Naruto-kun" as Hinata gave a small smile. "Just hurry back OK".
"Alright Hinata-chan" said Naruto as he was soon off.
Watching him leave the pair returned back to their notes. But after a short while, Sasuke then spoke up. "When we arrived here . . . . Can you tell me again what Shusui and my brother talked about?"
"It was as I told you Sasuke-kun. Shusui-kun tried to talk Itachi-kun out of his plans but then genjutsu was casted on him and then he jumped off the cliff".
But then Sasuke flipped the table angrily which startled the Hyuga heiress as his sharingan eyes began to appear. "Well this time I want you to tell me from the beginning of what they said word for word" getting face to face with her, "and do not lie to me" as his aura radiated malicious intent.
~ Konoha ~
"I'm back!" Naruto cheered food in hand. But taking a few steps in something was definitely off as paper was scattered everywhere with some furniture toppled over. Then fearing the worst, the blond jinchuriki dropped what he had as he ran in praying that this was all just a big mess. Then in the living room area he saw his pale friend as she was not only slightly scratched up and bruised in some places, but also sitting silently in a chair as she seemed to have been staring blankly at nothing. "Hinata-chan?" he asked cautiously but received no answer as the Hyuga heiress continued to stare off blankly. Then waving his hand in front of her and receiving no response, he then looked into her eyes confirming what it was. "genjutsu!", so using the right seal "kai!" as Hinata then started to blink returning back to normal. "Hinata-chan, are you OK? What did that jerk off do to you?"
"I'm fine" Hinata assured brushing herself off, "he only roughed me up a bit before using his genjutsu, but we have to get to the Uchiha household now!"
Upon hearing that, "no don't tell me . . . ." as Naruto's face widened at what was about to happen.
"Sasuke-kun knows everything now and wants to stop his brother! He's about to cause a paradox!"
After witnessing his brother slaughter many of his kin, Sasuke quickly made his way in wanting to stop his brother from killing his parents. "Don't do it!" he thought desperately. "You don't have to do this! None of this has to occur! Please stop!" Just arriving to the door, he saw the outlines of his parents as Itachi stood right behind them sword in hand.
"I see . . . . So you joined their side" said Fugaku as he sat in a kneeling position right next to his wife.
"Father . . . . Mother . . . . I . . . ." as Itachi's eyes reflected how conflicted he was.
"We understand Itachi" said Mikoto.
". . . . Itachi . . . ." then said Fugaku, "promise me that you will take care of Sasuke".
". . . . I know" as tears began to stream down the sides of his face.
"Don't hesitate. It's the path you've chosen. However our pain will only last for an instant unlike yours. Although the way we think may be different . . . . Know that your mother and I are proud of you. You are truly gentle".
"Mother . . . . Father . . . . I am so sorry . . . ." as he raised his sword ready to cut them down.
Just as Sasuke was about to jump in to stop this, Naruto and Hinata teleported in grabbing him slapping his mouth shut as they struggled to pull him away. "No!" Sasuke muffled. "Let go of me! I have to stop him! He doesn't have to do this! No one has to die!"
"I'm sorry Sasuke" as Naruto gave a pained look. "We cannot interfere . . . . No matter what" as he continued to pull him away. From a distance, they saw from their outlines as Itachi had done the sorrowful deed. Just on time, a seven year old Sasuke appeared as he saw his brother standing over his parents corpses as time proceeded as it did as Sasuke for the first time activated his sharingan to attack him in rage only to fail and forget much of what happened due to trauma. With nothing more to see, Naruto activated his watch returning them back.
~ Konoha ~ (Naruto's present time)
Reappearing from a ball of light, Sasuke collapsed to the ground hyperventilating as he soon vomited on the ground at the intensity of what he had learned.
"Sasuke-kun . . . ." said Hinata sympathetically.
"Sasuke . . . . I . . . ." as Naruto had nothing he could say as there really wasn't anything that could make this better. I mean they just uncovered a dark truth about Konoha something that they should have left well enough alone. But even worse, it must have been terrible for Sasuke in not only knowing his clan were about to commit treason against the village but his brother committing this genocidal act and taking the blame just to save his life.
But seeing a kid on the ground and identifying him as a Uchiha, it attracted the attention of some of the surrounding leaf ninjas. "Hey kid, you alright?" as one of them placed his hand on the boys shoulder.
Sasuke's breathing became shallower as he started to shiver. But then slowly, "it's your fault . . . . It was your entire fault . . . . All of it . . . ." as tears started to stream down of the sides of his cheeks. As his sharingan eyes began to appear, memories of his slaughtered kin flowed through his mind and how his brother was coerced into doing it all. As this sickening feeling welled up in his stomach, a third tomoe began to develop in his eyes as soon they started to reconfigure taking on a new shape as his mangekyo started to awaken.
"What? I didn't catch that. Is there something wrong kid?" but was soon met with a back fist to the face as it forced the man to land flat on his back semi-conscious.
"It's your fault! All of it!" Sasuke raged as he went on an all out brawl with the Konoha ninjas without restraint as he didn't care anymore. Screw discipline, screw honor, screw pride, vengeance was all he could think about as someone needed to pay for what happened. His malice was more than apparent as his very image was that of a raging dragon like beast as the young Uchiha blasted fire as he struggled while Konoha ninjas attempted to get him under control.
As this happened, Naruto and Hinata couldn't say or do anything as they could only watch as this happened.
~ Konoha ~ (the next day)
After the incident, Sasuke was put under house arrest for observation as he seemed to have been suffering from some extreme mental distress as there was no telling when he would get out or if ever.
Even Naruto and Hinata were affected as this was just too heavy for them as they felt that they needed to share this with someone. However regardless if they had proof or not, it was something that needed to stay buried no matter what. It was a truth far too horrible for anyone to know.
Their teammates and friends even noticed the change in demeanor amongst the three. Although they tried to ask, none of the answers were favorable. Sasuke was off limits until further notice. Naruto would always wave it off as nothing. Hinata would give a polite bow saying that it was nothing as well. It was apparent to their eyes that whatever it was, it was eating them up inside.
Sitting in his house along with Hinata, the pair soon heard a knock at the door. Answering it, they were surprised to who it was. "Jii-san! What are you doing here?"
"May I enter?" Hiruzen asked as he had an air of seriousness on him. Giving a nod, the former hokage walked in taking a seat as he invited the pair to sit with him. Before taking her seat, Hinata served some tea as in some way knew what he wanted to talk about. As Hiruzen sipped his tea, he set it aside as he looked to the two children. "Naruto . . . . You traveled back didn't you? You traveled back with Sasuke to see what happened seven years ago". Seeing the children look away at this, it was enough of an answer for him as he then looked away in guilt for the part he played in that tragedy in not doing enough to avert it.
"Hiruzen-sama . . . . How could you have allowed something like this happen? There had to have been another way" said Hinata.
"Jii-san, please tell us that you had no part in it" said Naruto somewhat as a plea.
The old sarutobi gave a heavy sigh to this as he took a sip of tea. "No, I had no part in what happened. Yet I share equal fault for it".
Then gritting his teeth Naruto stood up in anger, "it was that bastard Danzo! He pushed Itachi into making this decision! It's his fault this all happened!"
"I understand your anger Naruto" as Hiruzen waved to him to calm down and retake his seat. "I did not know at the time of their secret meeting. But I would have reprimanded him for his actions otherwise".
"But it still isn't enough!" as Naruto slammed his fist on the table. "I know mom got him locked away in jail and sealed away his ninja abilities but it just doesn't feel like it's enough! He caused this suffering to occur! He needs to suffer more for what he's done!"
Hinata could only look away at this. Although she didn't want to admit it, what Danzo had done was unforgivable as he forced Itachi to choose between the village or his family. Just for him to be sitting idly in a prison cell angered her as well as his punishment just felt too light for his crimes.
In a way Hiruzen could relate to them as it did feel like Danzo was getting off with a slap on the hand. But being of an older generation, he needed to guide the young of a better path in life. "Naruto . . . . Hinata . . . . You can't go through life thinking like that as we are people living in a time where we should be able to talk to each other and understand one another. If we were to use violence to solve our problems or discomforts, we'd only be satisfying our own misguided sense of self-righteousness and just be doing what we accused Danzo of".
The pair could only nod to this as they now felt kind of despicable for how they felt just a moment ago.
"Take it from an old man who has seen too much meaningless bloodshed in his lifetime, peace cannot be attained by force but through understanding. That is the true path to tranquility" as Hiruzen gave a warm smile as he patted both Naruto and Hinata on the head. "Do you understand now?"
"Yes jii-san, I understand" as Naruto gave a fond smile.
"Thank you for explaining it to us" then said Hinata.
After a short conversation over the matter, "jii-san, what's going to happen to Sasuke? . . . . Now that he knows the truth?"
". . . . Only time will tell".
~ Konoha (prison ward) ~ (one week later, late evening)
Orochimaru sitting in his cell sat chained to the ground and chakra drained. However the chains in themselves were rather unnecessary. After his encounter with the hokages, every bone in his body was fractured beyond repair with every tendon and ligament torn to bits making even the miniscule amount of movement painful. So even if he did have chakra to spare, his fingers were too far gone to mold any technique to fix himself. However he was not beyond help as he was still connected to the outside world via Kabuto impersonating the guard stationed to watch his cell. However even the treacherous leaf ninja had to take his time to heal him or otherwise alarm the other guards and warden of what's really been going on and have pretty much the entire Konoha military crashing down on them. Although he's been well informed about the works of what's been going on in the village, on this day outside his cell was something he was not expecting.
Audible for all to hear, screams could be heard as the sounds of men and women screaming at the top of their lungs in pain before withering out to nothing echoed throughout the prison. Just listening, it wasn't too hard to pin point where this was happening as slowly the perpetrator who was causing this was getting closer to the snake sannin cell.
Finally reaching the steel reinforced door, it was then popped open revealing a boy Orochimaru was not expecting to see yet rather amused with his presence. "A visit from the prodigy himself huh" giving a slight chuckle. "What does Sasuke Uchiha want with me?"
As if answering, Sasuke's sharingan emerged as his mangekyo then appeared.
The snake sannin gave a surprised look as he looked into the boys eyes. Being well aware of how the mangekyo state in achieved, Orochimaru gave some thought to what had happened. Knowing of the news of Sasuke's assault on several Konoha ninjas and then sudden 'illness', it all became too clear to him what this all meant. "Ahh I see" as he gave a snake like smile.
" . . . . I want to destroy Konoha. This . . . . Village has taken everything from me" as his tone became heavy. "I want to burn this place to the ground".
"I see" Orochimaru grinned. "And what will you do to in order destroy this village?"
". . . . Anything".
"Ku ku ku, anything I ask of you to accomplish this goal?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed at this. ". . . . Anything".
Orochimaru's grin widened even more as soon Kabuto emerged from the shadows. "Prepare the ritual".
To be continued . . . .
Author's notes: Two chapters from now this is where the chronological order will get a bit screwy. But if I got it correct Hyuga affair happens first then Uchiha massacre. When I post that future chapter, I know I'm going to get a lot of people poking at the technicalities of it. But I ask kindly for your understanding to which at that time I'll explain my reasoning for it.
And predicting a question that might appear I'll try to get them out of the way. First, yes it was naïve of Naruto to take Sasuke back there. But simply they didn't know what was truly going on behind the scenes as they only knew what the Konoha elders told everyone. So in retrospect they weren't expecting to find something as deep rooted as this. As for the Naruto seven years in the past, yes at that time he did have the watch. But obviously young Naruto couldn't do anything about it as frankly he didn't know what or even that it was happening in the first place.
So I thank everyone for taking the time in reading this fic and further extend my gratitude if you can review it as well.