CHAPTER 32

Final Verdict
(最終評決 Saishū Hyōketsu)

Outside of the Precinct House, Naruto, Kakashi, and Yamato were sitting outside on the benches trying to enjoy some lunch. The blond was eating some pork ramen that the wood user had bought for him. Yamato was hoping that would calm the blond down, but that made him even more uneasy. Kakashi had his back turned while he was eating a piece of salt-broiled saury. He still didn't want Naruto or Yamato to see him without his mask and the both of them thought it was ridiculous. Yamato was eating some fresh walnuts with some light powdered sugar. Man, he loved that stuff.

Naruto had continued to eat his meal in silence. He didn't feel like chatting at the moment and the horrible visions had haunted him once again, making him closed his eyes and winced in pain. 'Sasuke...'

Blood. Thorns. Corpses. Sasuke's corpse. Nariko and Miyuki's corpses. 'These visions...they won't go away...' Naruto had cupped his head with his hands and began to contemplate on what the visions really meant. The only thing he really knew was that those images were horrible and terrifying. And the demonic voice in his visions...it was so satanic and drenched with hatred and malice. Naruto had never seen anything like that in his life and it severely frightened him. That vision was something that Naruto never wants to see nor does he never want that to happen.

"Naruto." Kakashi called out to him after finishing his food and readjusting his mask back on his face. "What are you thinking about over there?"

When the blond heard his sensei, Naruto had lowered his head in order to hide his depressed blue eyes. "Kakashi-sensei, Yamato-taichou, have any of you fought this hard to save a comrade's life?" The blond questioned as he drunk the last of the ramen broth before putting it in the trash right next to him. Kakashi and Yamato had looked at Naruto with a perplexed expression. "I know it's an uncomfortable question and everything, but I want to know. Have you ever went so far for a comrade?"

Kakashi and Yamato had exchanged looks and contemplated on a time where they have been in a similar situation. Yamato has never been in that situation before on account of he was raised in the life of the ANBU. On the other hand, the copy nin had been in that situation, but he did not feel comfortable enough to tell Naruto about it. In fact, none of his students had knew the full extent of how Kakashi had lost Obito during the war. Not dwelling on it, Kakashi had sighed and sat next to him.

"Well, it's a difficult story for me, Naruto." The copy nin had started. "...but I'll be more than happy to tell you about it."

Naruto was indeed surprised that Kakashi was openly going to tell him one of his life experiences. Normally, him or Sakura would have to try to pry things out of him. The blond had motioned the jonin to start telling the story.

"It was during the Third Shinobi World War where my teammate, Obito Uchiha had saved my life by throwing me out of the way of a falling boulder. In the sad turn of events, it landed on him, crushing the entire right side of his body."

Naruto's blue eyes had widen from hearing that. His teammate had sacrificed himself to assure that harm wouldn't come his sensei's way. That notion alone made Naruto believe that the two were very similar to one another.

"I couldn't leave him like that, so I tried moving the boulder, which was far too heavy to move on my own. Seeing that Obito was about to die, my conscience got the best of me and I began to cry. At that moment, I didn't deem myself worthy to lead or to even be a ninja. During his final moments, he told me that I was a wonderful shinobi and he gave his left eye with the Sharingan in order to replace the one I had lost when I saved him from certain death. Our other teammate, Rin Nohara had used her medical ninjutsu to transplant Obito's eye into mine in order for me to live on..." Kakashi concluded.

"That's how you got the Sharingan?" Naruto questioned. "...he gave it to you before he died...?"

Naruto had analyzed the story that he was told. Even though he knew it wasn't the whole story, he wasn't going to do any unnecessary probing to get more out of his teacher. The blond had realized that himself, Sasuke, and Sakura were very similar to Kakashi's old teammates. Even down to some of their personality traits and abilities.

"He told me to 'Let me be your eyes...so I can see the future for you'. His words meant a lot to me and some days, I feel like Obito...is not really gone and he's still out there somewhere. Perhaps it's just my conscience that can't really let go of the fact that I will never see Obito or Rin again."

"Senpai, I never knew that story." Yamato said astounded by how some of the questions that was tucked away in his mind about his white-haired senior were finally answered. Then again, Kakashi was one to keep his personal life experiences to himself or down to a bare minimum.

"Kakashi-sensei, you mean..." Naruto started as he tried to find the words to complete his question. "...Obito was the one who changed your entire perception on how to live the shinobi life?"

"That's right. If that incident on that mission didn't happen, then I probably would have carried the same attitude I had back then with me today and who knows where you might have headed. I am glad that I was able to change and lead a team that I could be proud of and have the courage to fight for what they believe it. I couldn't have asked for anything better." Kakashi stated and this caused the blond to faintly smile from the compliment. Kakashi was proud of him and he was acknowledged his will power as well.

The blond couldn't believe that his teacher had went through and bared so much...undeniable pain and suffering. He never would have known that the way he carried on with careless smile and carefree attitude everyday. There was still so much that he didn't know about him.

"Why do you think I haven't made any effort in trying to talk you out of saving Sasuke? Because I understand that pain of losing someone who becomes something precious to you. Naruto, you only get so many chances to do the right thing and come out on top and being happy. When the opportunity presents itself, you have to take that chance. No matter what the circumstances are..." Kakashi answered as he smiled behind his mask.

Naruto had showed a faint smile to his sensei as the copy ninja reveled in his own thoughts. 'But your feelings for Sasuke...go far beyond what anyone can even begin to understand...'

On the side of the Precinct House, there was an opening and one of the officials came walking towards them. This caught the attention of the three shinobi. "I'm sorry to interrupt you gentleman, but it's time to resume the trial."

After hearing that, Naruto had stood up and his expression had changed back to being more focused and determined. His blue eyes narrowed slightly with determination as he and his teachers had entered the house to continue the trial.

"For the past two and a half hours, this trial has been a very long and exasperating process. We thank you all for your patience and understanding. Without further ado, Tsunade and the Fire Country Officials had finally reached their verdict and I will announce it now." The Daimyō stated. From the right, one of the officials had handed him medium sized paper that was folded in half.

This was it. The final moment that everyone's been waiting for and the blond was more than confident that he had changed the mind of all the officials. The Daimyō had cleared his throat to get everyone's attention and he started to speak again. "In the case of Sasuke Uchiha vs the Shinobi Nations, Tsunade and the Fire Country Officials find the defendant..."

Everyone in the room had leaned forward slightly, anticipating the answer of the verdict. Naruto had clenched his fist closed from being anxious and he had tensed up from the atmosphere in the room. His blue eyes flickered with uncertainty and he swallowed hard from feeling the intense pressure.

"...guilty of all charges." The Daimyō finished. No one had moved. The courtroom was completely soundless. The second the Daimyō announced that judicial decision, Naruto became despondent and his confidence was obliterated...

XxX

At the Konoha Hospital, Sai was sitting by the window, drawing a picture in his sketchbook.. He was in his off duty clothes that consisted of a dark gray, long-sleeve shirt with a high collar, matching pants, and his regular shinobi sandals. About a half hour ago, Sai had became fascinated by a flower that was sitting in a teal vase on a small table, growing loosely on a twig. It was dark pink in color and it was adorned with five beautiful petals. The artist had never seen such a flower in the village before and he thought its bright colors and unique fragrance was simply stunning.

As an artist, he couldn't pass up on such beauty and he had to draw it in his sketch collection. He would have to ask Sakura or Ino what kind of flower it was whenever he got the chance.

Meanwhile, Sakura had returned from dropping off the goodies that she bought for Naruto at his house. She sighed dejectedly from him being so reckless and going off to the Precinct House. She was now asking herself just how far was Naruto was willing to go for Sasuke's sake. She knows that he is the only one who could save him, but it won't do Sasuke or him any good if something were to happen and cause Naruto to serve time in prison for contempt to court.

Sakura felt that there was no need for her to worry about something that she had no control over and she decided to check up on Nariko and Miyuki to see how they were doing. On her way there, she noticed the artist of her team was drawing fluently in his sketchbook.

"Sai?" Sakura said quite surprised, tilting her head to the side from seeing the artist here at the hospital. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, I came to see you and to see how you were holding up during this trial." Sai explained as he stopped drawing and put his sketchbook away in his artist bag. "What are you up to?"

The medic nin had admired Sai for trying to make small talk with her. If anything, Sai had came a long way from how he used to be when she first met him. She was very happy that he was trying to better understand his emotions and it made her feel even better that he showing genuine concern towards her well being as well as Naruto's.

"I see that you're quite taken with that Japanese Quince over there." Sakura took a glimpse at the flower, which caused the artist's eyes to gaze at her with questioning eyes.

"You know what it is?" Sai asked in curiosity.

"That's right. The Chaenomeles Japonica or the Japanese Quince is a thorny shrub that is best known for its colorful spring flowers of red, white, pink, or even multicolored petals. It produces apple-shaped fruit that are a golden-yellow color and contains red-brown seeds. The fruit is edible but harsh and acidic, but you can also make jelly and it gives off a sweet aroma when it's cooked with other fruit. It also means 'temptation' in the language of flowers." Sakura finished and she winked at the artist. She didn't think it would ever come up in conversation, but she secretly thanking Ino for the lessons in floral history and flower arrangement.

"I see. That's interesting to know. Thank you, Sakura." Sai had glanced at the flower once more and he smiled genuinely at the flourishing plant, appreciating its beauty and presence. Well he was happy, because now he knew what kind of flower it was and what it had meant. ' Such a tempting flower indeed...'

"Are you blushing, Sai?" The medic nin questioned after seeing that Sai's face had a slight tinge of pink on his cheeks. Sakura now had a playful smirk on her face. "What's the reason for that?"

"Uhh, none in particular." He answered slightly baffled. Sai even didn't know why he did it himself. It was a possibility that he basically had showed the wrong emotion. It wouldn't really surprise him since he was still learning how to read the atmosphere for different situations.

On the other hand, Sakura had noticed how Sai looked at the plant. The medic nin thought it was adorable how Sai showed such a calming yet sweet expression towards a flower. Sakura had chuckled from his cute behavior. "Oh, I get it. You have interesting taste, Sai. No doubt about that."

"What do you mean by that?"

"You'll understand it one day. Well, I'm about to go check up on Nariko and Miyuki. Would you like to come with me?" Sakura proposed.

Sai had blinked from the offer. This was the first time that he was asked to do something with any of his teammates without being forcefully pushed or pulled into the situation. Naturally, he wouldn't want to be a hindrance to her and he turned her down. "I wouldn't want to impose while you're trying to do your job."

"Nonsense. You won't get in the way. Besides, I can use the company right now since Ino isn't here with me." With that said, Sakura forcefully grabbed Sai's hand and pulled him along in the direction that she was going.

Sai felt pretty flaccid for not being to have a stronger firmness to tell her 'no'. But there was no room for arguing when it came down to Sakura's temperamental nature. When the pair had arrived at their room, Sakura had knocked twice on the closed door, showing respect to her patients. "Nariko, Miyuki, it's me. Open the door!" She announced, but she didn't receive an answer.

Opening the door, she was greeted with an empty room.

"Wh...where are they?!" Sakura asked, looking around the room frantically. She was gone for only twenty minutes and now she has to find two kunoichi who seemed to slip under her radar. The last thing she needed was to have the hospital in an uproar and there was no way she could report this to her master. She had a serious pet peeve when patients tried to leave the hospital without proper discharge.

'That's strange. There's no way the girls could of escaped from the hospital knowing that security has gotten air tight around here...'

"Calm down, Sakura. There's no way they couldn't have left the hospital." Sai had looked around the hallways to see where the two girls had possibly gone to. He had said that, but they were kunoichi and he's pretty sure they could really escaped if they wanted to. It was then that he realized that there was only place that they could of went. "Sakura, perhaps they are getting some fresh air on the rooftop."

"I hope for their sake, that is all what they're doing..." Sakura had left to see if they really were up there, but Sai had grabbed her by the hand this time. The medic nin had turned to him to see what he had wanted and was surprise by what he had told her.

"I'll come with you, Sakura..."

XxX

Naruto didn't hear those words. There was no way the blond had heard them. Tsunade had glanced over at Naruto, who was grounding his teeth to the point of hurting them. The raven that was bound to the chair had descended his head down from hearing the verdict. Sasuke had knew it was all over and he also knew there was nothing else that Naruto could do for him. The blond had tried his best to save him from getting the death sentence, but it still wasn't enough. Naruto's determination, hope, and was slowly mutating into something foul. His heartbeat was becoming irregular and pieces of his sanity was slowly slipping away.

'Naruto, don't...! Not here...!' Yamato looked at the blond in alarm and he felt that familiar power within him spike. The wood user only hoped that Naruto's anger would not rise and erupt haphazardly, putting everyone in the Precinct House in danger.

"But despite the charges that Sasuke has on him..." The Daimyō stated. "...his execution has been terminated."

That statement alone had everyone looking at the Daimyō with various expressions. Some were confused. Others were angry with the decision, especially Homura and Koharu. But nothing came as close to how both Naruto and Sasuke were feeling at that moment. They felt as if a giant weight was immediately lifted off of their shoulders.

'Say what...? My execution has been terminated...?!' That was the only thing that ran across Sasuke's mind.

"T-Terminated...?" Naruto questioned after coming down from his high of nearly releasing his anger. He was unsure of what just happened. "What do you mean...?"

"It is true that Sasuke Uchiha is proof that when darkness consumes the heart, it can turn one of our greatest allies into our strongest enemies. However, it seems that the officials were overwhelmed by your powerful statement, Naruto Uzumaki. As you had mentioned earlier, everyone messes up and deserves another chance and that was what made the officials change their minds about executing him."

The blond was sure...he was sure that-he looked at the officials and each one of them had a infallible smile that clearly said that the Daimyō was indeed telling the truth. Even Tsunade was looking at him with a mirthful expression, which made it even more real.

Sasuke was gonna live. The raven was truly going to get another chance to start over and live his life - the correct way. "As his punishment, Sasuke Uchiha will be sentenced to four years of probation and one year of chakra imprisonment."

Naruto had finally smiled for the first time in the past week and he couldn't maintain his elation for too long and he indulged himself into cheering out loud in front of everyone in the Precinct House, not caring what anyone thought about it. "ALL RIGHT! I DID IT!" Kakashi and Yamato were proud that he was able to turn this bitter hardship in to a sweet victory. The elders were not pleased with the outcome of the trial. To think that Naruto was able to change the Daimyō's mind once it was set on something was quite a feat.

'That fool...nearly threw all of his sanity and dignity away for my sake...' Sasuke smirked from hearing the blond's idiotic cheering. '...Thank you, Naruto...'

"But there is one condition."

Naruto paused from his cheering to listen to the Daimyō had to say. "And what would that be, sir?"

"You will be fully responsible for what happens to Sasuke and you will have to monitor and maintain his behavior with high surveillance."

"You're saying...you want me to be his parole officer?" The blond asked slightly confused. Saving Sasuke was the one thing he intended to do, but being his personal officer wasn't something he prepared himself for. In all honesty, Naruto wouldn't really know how to go about doing that.

"Exactly." The Daimyō said. "Can you handle such a task?"

The blond had nodded in agreement. "I give you my word, sir. I promise that he will never leave from out of my sight and I will always stay with him and make sure that he will return to the path of good." Naruto declared. It wouldn't that difficult to do, since he clearly wanted to be near Sasuke more than ever now.

Even with all the experienced shinobi in the room, the majority of them had no idea that Naruto's words had insinuated a double meaning. He would stay true to his promise and hopefully accomplish a whole lot more in the process...and rebuilding his friendship and getting closer with Sasuke would be his number one priority...

XxX

Outside of the streets of Konoha, the dimmed clouds had started to recede and the sunlight was beginning to shine its way through the dark clouds. Shikamaru was still at Naruto's house and he was watching how the sky began to change. It wasn't long before the sky was its normal azure blue color and the white clouds had accompanied it to paint the perfect day. Seeing this, Shikamaru had smiled and acknowledged the changes that had occurred.

'Well done...future king of Konoha...'

XxX

At the flower shop, Ino and Chōji were in high spirits and they were now jumping up and down for joy and celebrating Naruto's victory for overcoming the council. "He did it! He really did it!" The blonde shouted with excitement as she held the robust male by his large hands.

"I know right?! Naruto is amazing!" Chōji had continued to hold her hands, but that was until she had unconsciously hugged him from feeling too much of the melodrama. Ino was beyond happy. Elated would be the correct term that she was feeling and Chōji felt his cheeks growing warm from being hugged by the petite blonde. He wasn't going to stop her in any way, because he might never get the chance to embrace Ino like this ever again...

XxX

At the Hyuga household, Neji had smirked from hearing the announcement on the radio. He always knew that Naruto would pull through in a time of crisis and he had proved it once again. Tenten was indeed happy that Naruto had saved his teammate from death. It always amazed her how Naruto's perseverance and will power helped him with just about every situation that he's puts himself into.

"Well, I'll be damned. That idiot did it!" Kiba couldn't believe that Naruto had pulled it off. He would admit that he sometimes doubt the blond when he does things that seems almost hopeless or even suicidal, but he does know that Naruto's would always come out on top.

"Yes! The power of youth conquers all! Naruto-kun burned brilliantly with the flames of passion and saved Sasuke-kun!" Rock Lee was elated as well. Perhaps a little too much seeing that he now had the flames of youth blazing in his eyes.

Hinata had shed a small tear for Naruto as a sign that she had been supporting him in spirit through the entire trial. 'Naruto-kun, I'm so happy for you. Now you can truly be with Sasuke-kun the way that you want to be...'

XxX

After nearly three hours of constantly focusing his chakra, Kei could finally relax and he was satisfied with everything that happened. The chakra expert was indeed impressed with how Naruto overcame the trial. "It's finally over. Naruto-sama beat the council."

"Yes! Yes! Yes! Dad, you rock and you kick ass!" Nariko shouted with happiness.

"Things are starting to look up." Miyuki stated, but knowing full well that they couldn't relax just yet.

"That's true, but I think it's time to take the next step." Sarina suggested. As much as she wanted to savor Naruto's victory, they had other matters to concern themselves with.

"I agree." Kei agreed.

"I don't think I'm ready for them to know just yet..." Miyuki with uncertainty.

"Sis, we can't just keep lying to them!" Nariko told her. She didn't know what was going on with her sister and she noticed that she's been acting strange for the past week. Did something happen and she wasn't aware of it?

"She's right. It's inevitable and I think we've held the truth from them long enough." Kei said, actually agreeing with fiery raven for once.

"I think we can all agree on that." A voice answered from behind them.

The four shinobi had turned around and the worst had finally happened. Their eyes had widen in fear and they knew that were finally caught. There was Sakura standing there with her arms crossed, looking upset and full of animosity. Sai was not pleased with what he heard, either. But his focus had leaned more towards Sarina and Kei. Those two had looked...very familiar to him.

"I think it's time for you guys...to finally start talking." Sakura finally said after a deafening silence.

As much as they tried to avoid the truth coming out earlier then they intended, the secrets were gonna come out sooner or later. There was no turning back and no amount of words was going to get them out of this predicament. The four young shinobi were now trapped between a rock and a hard place...

* * *NEXT CHAPTER SYNOPSIS* * *

The next chapter of Changing Fate is:

Emotions Erupt
(感情が噴出 Kanjō ga Funshutsu)

Sakura and Sai had caught Nariko, Miyuki, Sarina, and Kei discussing their plans pertaining to the future. Sakura become demanding and wants answers. Meanwhile, Naruto accompanies the ANBU as they prepare Sasuke for his punishment. The Nine-Tail Beast, Kurama discloses some vague yet terrible news for Naruto...