Chapter 03: Demon's Pain

"Now demon…" the chunin taunted with a feral grin, "Now you're going to die…"

Naruto was barely conscious. His slitted eyes only catching a blur. He was shivering uncontrollably and his limbs were completely numb, his body trying to adapt to the severe blood loss and over stimulation of pain receptors. He knew he was going to die and it would finally be over.

Tears came to his eyes as his entire life flashed in an instant. Every single nasty word, every kick, every rock thrown, every time he was stabbed, every time he was beaten within an inch of his life, every time he was tricked, poisoned, and thrown away into the garbage, it all flooded back into his mind. Anger fled, he was too tired to be angry, hope fled, he was too worn out to hope for salvation, the only thing he felt was release. He would die. All the hatred he took on a daily basis would be gone. He would never have to eat out of trashcans again, or sleep in filthy places, or freeze again, since the dead had no use for eating, no use for sleep, no need for warmth.

He thought of all the times he would go by the park and sit, watching the families, hating them and envying them at the same time. Ojisan said his parents were dead and that they loved him when they were alive. He wondered if they would love him when he died. He wondered if he would see them in the afterlife.

Maybe his Mother would hold his hand and stroke his hair like he saw other mothers do to their children? Maybe his Father would hug him, tell him he was proud of him, and carry him on his shoulders? Then they would be a family again.

He felt the metal of the kunai Ojisan gave him a few years ago and knew it was at an end.

The chunin grinned at the bloody ashen faced boy, "You ready to die demon? When you're dead, mother and father can rest, and I'll be a hero. NOBUTADA DAIICHI! HERO OF THE LEAF! THE MAN WHO DID WHAT EVEN THE YONDAIME COULD NOT, TO KILL THE KYUUBI! THAT IS WHAT I WILL BE! A HERO! NOW PREPARE TO DIE, DEMON!"

He pulled his hand back and drove the kunai forward.

Naruto tensed involuntarily flinching away, even though he welcomed death. But the blow never came. Seconds passed and yet it didn't come. Then he felt hands brushing his hair back and a faint voice calling to him.

"…-'t worry kid. I won't let you d-…Even if-…"

The words were disjointed, missing huge chunks of information. He didn't understand why the man would be talking like that to him. Suddenly he felt warmth pass over him and through him, energizing his arms and his numb legs, warming them. Then the warmth came to his chest.

There was nothing but pain.

"-A HERO! NOW, PREPARE TO DIE, DEMON!"

As the kunai descended, Shoto's foot impacted the chunin's face. A loud crunch resounded as part of his skull and the whole of his front teeth were snapped off inside of his face. He flew backwards and skidded to a halt on the seat of his pants. The chunin tried to stand up, but he fell down in a daze.

Shoto quickly assessed the boy. From the boys wounds he could tell he lost a lot of blood. The boy's skin was ashen, deathly cold, and twitched slightly indicating possible nerve damage. The gashes on his chest had cut several large arteries and veins, and a whole part of his chest had been sliced open, revealing damaged lung tissue and cleanly cut white ribs. The boy would not last without immediate treatment.

"GAI! TO ME!" he shouted, and not a second later, his green clad brother appeared within the alley.

His eyes widened at the damage and at whom all the blood had come from, "Sweet Springtime of Youth…" he muttered, "We need to take him to the hospital now!"

Shoto shook his head, "No time, Gai. We need to stabilize him now!"

Gai nodded, "You're going to release it… yes?"

Shoto nodded, "Yes. It's the only way. Secure the murderer and inform the Hokage, I'll stay and heal the boy."

His friend dashed off to restrain the dazed chunin and disappeared in a flash, taking the murderer with him.

Shoto knelt beside the boy, "Naruto! Uzumaki Naruto, can you hear me!?" he yelled at the boy, only a twitch of his eye and the slight movement told him the boy was partially conscious, "You need to fight Naruto. Fight to remain conscious. I'm going to help you. Don't worry kid. I won't let you die. Even if I have to drag you back to the hospital itself, I promise I'll save you."

The boy made no move to acknowledge him, so Shoto stood and closed his eyes. One of the tenants of the Goken was the utilization of the Hachimon, the eight chakra gates. Normally, these were inaccessible to those who did not have the will to utilize them. Of course there were other ways around this. The Akimichi had nutritional supplements that would do this, some of the more powerful techniques utilized by different clans would grant them temporary access to the power of the Hachimon, but only a Goken user was master of the gates. This was one of the main reasons why the Uchiha and the other clans coveted the practice of the Goken so greatly.

When one mastered the Goken, one was a master of the Hachimon, able to open all the seven charka gates without powerful sacrifice to your life. His sensei had taken this mastery even farther. Sakon was able to manipulate single gates in order to open and close, to pick and chose which attributes he wanted. This was a skill he passed on to his students, and Shoto was a master at this form.

He would need this skill in order to save Naruto. Thanks to the Yonamine Virus, a virus that was susceptible by genetically specific persons that attacked the chakra system, Shoto was unable to utilize normal amounts of chakra. Yes, a medic nin would probably be able to save him without using the gates, but Shoto didn't have that kind of chakra flow without the gates, he would need such to save his life.

Taking a deep breath, he searched in his mind and felt the location of the gates. Immediately, he ran through a succession of no less than fifty hand seals, bypassing each gate in succession until he came to the Gate of Closing.

Opening his eyes, he shouted, "Tomon! Kai!"

The world around him exploded in a rush of blue chakra. It swirled around his body and suffused his depleted chakra coils with a rush of pure strong chakra. The rush nearly intoxicated him. Rushing through hand seals, he shouted, "Shousen Jutsu!" His hands exploded in a bright green light as he fought to control the chakra flow and form it into the medical jutsu.

When he had sufficiently controlled it, he placed his hands on Naruto, willing the chakra to enter his body. He first pulled back the blood from the interstitial spaces, refilling his capillaries, and then pushed it through his body, repairing blood vessels as they came into contact with his probing chakra. He warmed the blood and used it to push into the extremities, bringing much needed oxygen back to the tissues. Though he tried, he could only do so much. Bones were beyond him as the capillaries were much too small and numerous, and the regrowth process much too complicated to repair. The only thing he could do was affix chakra to the jagged ends as to prevent further damage to the tissues. Next he picked the boy up and turned him over, careful not to get dirt into the gashes, and proceeded to push out the congealed blood from his lungs. Naruto coughed violently, spraying the loose blood and the large branching clots of blood out onto the ground. As his lungs cleared, Naruto took a gasping breath as he coughed, new oxygenated blood filling his body.

As soon as he finished, the gate closed and his body began to hurt everywhere. Opening gates was not something he enjoyed doing. Of course it wasn't too bad as opening the physical gates, but his organs and several other systems would be slightly altered for a while thanks to the abnormal amount of chakra flowing through them. He stood on aching legs as he waited for help to arrive. A few seconds later, he could feel Gai and the Houkage approaching with several other unfamiliar signatures.

Making Naruto comfortable, he jumped up and waved them down.

As they approached, he could literally feel the mixed emotions from the Hokage. The killing intent seemed to be rolling off the old man, his weary face contorted in anger, yet there was profound fear there. He knew the man wasn't concerned about the Kyuubi. That was not the fear he was feeling; the emotion was the kind given off when in fear for the life of another.

"Hokage-sama!" he waved them down. They renewed their pace, doubling their speed. He recognized a quad of ANBU trailing in the back, and two white robed medic-nins shadowing the old man closely, with Gai at the head.

When they reached him the Hokage began to bark orders to the medic nins, as they used the shousen jutsu to repair the damage he forgot. Several pills were forced down the near comatose boy's throat as they examined him.

The ANBU spread out to see if there were any witnesses to the crime and Gai knelt down next to the boy as they worked on him.

With relief and fear in his eyes, the Houkage turned to Shoto, "Shoto, what happened?"

Shoto bowed, "I returned from my training trip and was coming to see you when we smelled blood in the air. We caught that chunin trying to tear the boy apart and stopped him before. I had to use the Hachimon to save his life, but I think he'll pull through. What happened to the chunin?"

Sarutobi scowled, "The fool is with Ibiki now. I believe this was much more than a simple ambush Shoto…"

Shoto nodded, "Yes. I was surprised that there wasn't any patrols during this time, the amount of blood in the air was very noticeable, especially misplaced in the commercial district…where were the ANBU or the Military Police?"

The Houkage shook his head, "That is what we're trying to find out. they should have been around here…it could be a plot by one of our enemies…they are not happy that I allow Naruto to live, nor do they like the power I'm consolidating within eh council…" the old man grit his teeth, "I swear…if I track this back to any of the civilians…"

The Red Beast nodded grimly.

"Hokage-sama," said one of the medic-nins, "We managed to repair what Shoto-sama was unable to, but we will need more supplies. The child has lost too much blood, and I'm afraid that there will complications. We need to get blood and fluids running into him now or else we may lose him by the morning."

Sarutobi nodded, "Alright. Keep-"

"Ojisan…" the voice called, "…is that you…o-Ojisan?"

The old man knelt next to the boy, "I'm here Naruto. Don't worry Gaki, you'll be alright. Come, save your strength now."

The boy's blood splattered face made a semblance of a weak grin, "I-I'm going to see…to see mother and…and father…right Ojisan?"

Sarutobi's face froze. He didn't know what to say about this. Did the boy think he was dying? Then why would he be happy…?

"Naruto," Sarutobi said, picking the boy up in his arms, "Don't worry about anything. You're going to be alright…"

As gently as they could they made their way to the hospital. The boy slipped in and out of consciousness, mumbling incoherent sentences and sometimes screaming out randomly. The few villagers who were out were shocked. Though they might have been willing to alienate the child and to abuse him mentally, the physical brutalization and the sheer amount of blood that soaked the boy as well as the Hokage's robes shocked the citizens. The few that grinned at the sight of the boy's limp body quickly wet themselves at a single look from the enraged Kage. As it was, one of the civilians were taken into custody for breaking the third's law about mentioning the Kyuubi. He would never see the light of day as they spent the rest of his short life under the tender mercies of Morino Ibiki.

They approached the hospital and the medic nins rushed forward to prepare the boy's room and a surgical team to repair the extensively damaged lungs and rib cage. The Konohagakure General Hospital was the largest building in Konoha besides the administrative buildings that housed the government and the ANBU headquarters. It took of several city blocks and was an unmistakable landmark within the city.

It was through the large double doors of the emergency room that the Sandaime took the boy to. Expecting to find a bed and a surgical team waiting, the old man was shocked to see his two personal medic-nins arguing with several hospital staff and the director of the hospital as they barred entry.

"I WILL NOT HAVE THAT DEMON IN MY HOSPITAL! HOKAGE'S ORDERS OR NOT! HE HAS NO POWER OVER CIVILIAN AFFIARS AND I WILL NOT AID THAT DEMON'S RECOVERY!" yelled the pompous pinch faced director.

The medic nins were arguing back and forth with the man, trying to press their point, but the director was not alone. Several doctors, a handful of nurses, and even two shinobi chakra healers were overwhelming the two medic-nins shouting obscenities as well as condemning them as demon lovers.

"HOW DARE YOU BRING THAT THING HERE!"

"TAKE THAT DEMON AND GET OUT OF HERE, YOU DAMN SHINOBI!"

"YOU DON'T HAVE ANY SWAY HERE, SHINOBI FOOLS! I'LL KILL THAT DAMN FOX DEM-URGH!"

The last doctor who spoke gurgled as he choked on his blood, a kunai stuck through his throat. Shoto strode in and yanked it out, making the others back away at the sight of the Red Beast of Konoha.

"Though I haven't been in the village for several years," he started, pulling out several kunai from a hip pouch, "I still believe that the third's rule is still in effect is it not?"

Several nurses ran out of the room and a doctor followed them, but the two chakra healers as well as a few doctors and the director were still there. Flipping three kunai in his hands, he casually tossed them to his left and heard a man and two women scream as the lodged into their retreating backs, incapacitating them but leaving them alive for the Third's judgement. Immediately, the others who had foolishly stuck around began to clamor over each other, trying to get away, but they froze as two ANBU walked into the room.

Shoto checked the floor and saw a dark shadow extending from a rat masked ANBU holding his hands in a seal. A Nara then, he thought to himself.

The Sandaime stepped forward, still holding a shivering Naruto and addressed the director, "For your crimes, I'll send you over to Ibiki for a very long talk."

The man's eyes widened and the smell of urine filled the room.

"If any of you have broken my law you will suffer the consequnces of your actions. That is all," he said, sweeping into the emergency room and taking the boy with him.

The ANBU quickly moved and apprehended those that broke the law and disappeared in a swirl of leaves. Shoto and Gai walked into the ER and located the boy's bed, where the nurses were starting IVs and pushing fluids into him. Several civilian chakra healers were fixing the boy under the watchful eye of both the shinobi healers as well as the Hokage himself.

"What is the extent of the damage, Hokage-sama?" Shoto asked.

Sarutobi looked up and frowned, "The healers tell me they should be able to prevent sepsis, but he should be here for several weeks for observation. Naruto had extensive vascular damage as well as a severely punctured lung, not to mention the damage to the bones. It will take time for the chakra healers to completely fix the tissue damage and the bones will have to reknit by themselves, but he should be back to functioning within the month…"

Gai frowned, "What about his security…" he grimaced as he saw the dark looks the boy was getting from the hospital staff, "…such unyouthfulness do I sense within these walls. Surely the boy can recuperate elsewhere?"

The Sandaime shook his head, "No Gai. This is the best place, but I will have ANBU on guard. The council has interfered long enough in shinobi affairs and I will no longer stand aside, especially when it pertains to the health of one of Konoha's citizens."

Shoto nodded, but frowned, "Sandaime-sama, may I speak with you in private?"

Sarutobi nodded and walked into the hall, "What is it Shoto?"

"Something is wrong here," he said, "I had heard that Jinchuriki have extensive healing attributes. Why does the Uzumaki boy not have them? When I treated the kid, it felt as if I were healing a civilian…"

Again, the third grimaced and pulled Shoto further away, "This is an S rank secret, Shoto. Should this get out, Naruto will be done for, do you understand me?" Shoto nodded as the third continued, "You heard about the incident involving the ANBU that kidnapped the boy for several days did you not?"

"Jiraiya-sama told me about it. Happened a little over a year ago. You guys managed to find him before anything more than physical happened to the boy," he replied.

"Yes, but that is not the whole story, Shoto," the third said and Shoto frowned, "What really happened was that the ANBU was working for someone doing experiments on our shinobi."

Shoto recalled the reports, "Yes I remember something about disappearances. About sixty civies and a whole bunch of Hyuuga and Uchiha over the last decade or so, right?"

Sarutobi nodded, "Yes. We haven't caught the perpetrator yet, but we did link together the cases. It seems our kidnapper was working for the same person. Naruto was captured, not to torture him, but to examine the seal."

The younger man started, "You mean someone was actually trying to mess with Yondaime's seal!?"

"Yes," Sarutobi confirmed, "the ANBU in question was Tadano Kisuke, one of the only people who studied under the Yondaime in sealing."

Shoto frowned, "So they were trying to what? Release the Kyuubi or something?"

Sarutobi shook his head, "We don't' know the full extent to what they were trying to do, but we do know he was keeping notes on the flow of chakra, how it was dissipated through the charka coils, as well as how it holds back the demon. We have several theories, chief of which was that they were trying to create more Jinchuriki, probably from lesser demons."

"Alright, so what did they do to his seal?" Shoto asked.

Sarutobi grimaced, "The fool was an amateur, plus, he was young. The only reason why Tadano was chosen to join ANBU was because of his sealing knowledge. The boy was too headstrong, too foolhardy. He thought he could alter the seal on the child; to play with it. Inadvertently, he damaged a large portion of it."

"How?" Shoto asked.

"Tell me, what do you know about the Shiki Fujin?" Sarutobi asked.

Shoto thought for a few seconds. He studied basic sealing under his sensei and had learned how to do containment seals and how to create explosive tags and such, but his skills did not enter into the complex art of sealing sentient forces and he knew very little of how the Shiki Fujin worked.

When Sarutobi saw his puzzling expression he explained, "When Minato-kun created and implemented the Shiki Fujin on the Kyuubi, he made it so there were two layered seals upon the original containment seal of the Kyuubi's. The original Shiki Fujin is designed to draw the Shinigami into this world in order to have it create a seal itself. Using its power, the Shinigami creates an extra-dimentional space within the Jinchuriki in order to encapsulate it. Since the Shinigami's work is near infallible, there was really no way it could break through normal means. But," Sarutobi said, "Tell me what happens when you seal an active force within an object that cannot expand or release pressure?"

That question Shoto knew. It was why you couldn't keep explosive tags, which were simply fire chakra sealed under pressure within chakra infused paper, for more than a few months. If you did, the tags would explode and release the expended chakra. Many a good ninja or shop keep was killed in such a way, hence the strict control and use of explosive tags.

"I see, so if he simply sealed it within Naruto, using the Shiki Fujin, then, essentially, Naruto would have blown up," he replied.

Sarutobi nodded, "That is correct. Thus, Minato needed to develop a way to release the pressure. That is the purpose of the secondary seal the Shisho Fuin. This secondary seal pierces the Shiki Fujin allowing controlled release and equilibrium as the Fox's chakra is being released."

Shoto frowned, "But such youki being released into the body of a living human…"

"You see the point," Sarutobi said, "That leak is the reason for the third seal. The Hakke no Fuin was the final barrier between Naruto's chakra coils and the fox's. The Hakke no Fuin was utilized as a converter, purifying the Youki, lessening its corrosive effects and allowing it to naturally drain into the boy's systems. In effect, Minato created a constant flow of charka into the boy's systems, giving him boundless energy, increased stamina, as well as adapting the boy's chakra coils to the harmful youki. The purified youki also had the added effect of acting as youki would in a demon, healing the host as well as protecting him."

Shoto nodded, "So what happened?"

"Tadano did not know about the last two seals, he only knew about the Shiki Fujin, thus, he disregarded the others and focused on that. He used an overlaying odd numbered seal to negate the even numbered Shisho Fuin. Though it should have just negated the effects of all three seals, the boy was not very skilled at sealing and made a mistake in his calculations. Instead of negating the seal as a Goya Fuin would, the counter seal ruptured the Shisho Fuin. The sheer release of Youki is what allowed us to find Naruto. Luckily, Jiraiya was in the vicinity and noticed the outflow. He was there within a few hours and examined the original seal."
The younger man understood and Sarutobi continued, "So with the regulating seal damaged, the breaches in the Shiki Fujin were allowed to rupture further. Youki spilled out into his system and the Fox reawakened. Luckily Jiraiya had helped Minato construct the Shiki Fujin and was able to seal the fox back in…but…"

The realization of what they did shocked Shoto, "You sealed his entire charka system…"

Sarutobi's face crumpled, the years of fighting and disappointment etched into his features, "Yes. His entire chakra system is locked. We reinforced the gates as to redirect the youki back into the seal and fused his tenketsu shut. Since he had years of channeling the youki thorough his chakra coils, they had adapted to contain them. As it is, the youki is released through the sealed coils and flows back into the breaches, equalizing pressure as the coils are able to swell and adjust accordingly. As a side effect to that…he is completely cut off from his chakra, unable to utilize or even sense it."

That shook Shoto up badly. When he spoke to Jiraiya, the perverted hermit would talk about the blonde haired Jinchuriki in a fond manner. Of course he had never met the kid, but hearing of his exploits and his strong will, it almost appeared as if Jiraiya would have wanted to take the boy on as an apprentice. From the reports Jiraiya gave him, the kid had an almost unnatural amount of Chakra and his resourcefulness was legendary. Shoto knew that the boy's lifelong dream was to become a shinobi and then Hokage, but now, that dream was gone, washed away by a hateful populace as well as the machinations of a madman.

"Does…"he hesitated, "Does the boy know?"

Sarutobi grimaced, "Yes. He was five when I broke it to him. Earlier that year I bought him a set of kunai, so he could practice, but…it's useless now. The boy will never be a shinobi. Without even accessing his chakra, unable to have it flow through is body and muscles, his stamina would be lower than even some of the civilians. His attacks would have no strength, he would move too slowly, and his reflexes would be deadened. Should he ever punch anything, his arm would shatter as a civilian's would."

Shoto sighed, "How did he take it?"

"He was shocked at first. For someone like Naruto who had nothing, only his dream of one day being the Hokage, the blow was something that was a little too powerful and he spent the next day in a near catatonic state. He refused to eat or do anything when the hospital staff came in. The next day, I came down to see him, but he was missing. Of course the hospital staff didn't really care and not even the ANBU I had stationed outside knew where he went, so I tried to discern his whereabouts and finally found him, hours later. He was in Practice Field 25, practicing with the kunai I gave him."

The younger man shook his head sadly.

The Third continued, "He's a stubborn boy though. I've tried so many times to tell him, but he is fixated on his dream. He is a remarkable young man…" Sarutobi smiled sadly, "He told me 'Jiji! You just wait, I'll be the first Hokage to not be able to use chakra! When I beat you with my awesome Taijutsu skills you'll have to fork over that hat of yours and acknowledge me as the Greatest Shinobi Alive!'"

Shoto chuckled sadly, "And he continues to practice?"

"Yes. Even when the other kids tease him, even when he's beaten, he keeps getting up. Every single day, I see him at one of the practice fields training. The boy doesn't give up…he would've made an exceptional Shinobi…"Sarutobi sighed and fixed his hat, "We'll talk about your reinstatement tomorrow Shoto, but for now, I have to check with the ANBU to see what they found."

Shoto followed Sarutobi back to where the boy was resting. When he appeared the boy seemed to stir, his bright blue eyes latching on to the Houkage.

"Jiji," he said in a weak voice his face turning into a frown, "You're here too?"

Sarutobi smiled, "Yes Naruto, I am."

Naruto teared a bit, "I'm sorry you had to die, Jiji…"

The Houkage looked taken back, "I'm not dead yet Naruto, and neither are you…"

That seemed to shock the boy a bit, "Oh…" he said, dejectedly, "I thought I was…everyone was being nice to me a little while ago…no one was hurting me…so I thought…"

Sarutobi smiled sadly, "It's okay Naruto. You're safe now, don't worry about anything, alright?"

Naruto looked disappointed, "So…I won't see…Mother or Father?"

The old man smoothed down his blood soaked hair, "I'm sorry Naruto, but you won't see them for quite some time. You need to live strong as you have been, and live well, alright?"

The blonde haired boy smiled and asked, "Alright Jiji…hey…Jiji…do you think they'd be proud of me…?"

Swallowing hard, Sarutobi nodded with a smile, "Yes, Naruto, I think they are. Sleep now," he said, passing his hand over the boy's eyes and lulling him into sleep.

As Sarutobi stood, Gai scowled, "I do not like this Hokage-sama. Naruto-kun is a boy with unfathomable Youthfulness, yet this town is sucking it from him. He will become embittered should you allow the unyouthfulness of the civilians and the foolish shinobi to continue. Why do you allow it?"

Sarutobi's face hardened, "You know why Gai. You understand more than anyone what is happening in Konoha. Should I even move to help, the council, including the majority of the shinobi clans, will move against me, and I cannot allow that, not yet. We've come too far in retaking the city from the civies to jeopardize all of that. All I can do is help the boy a little, enforce the laws that were in place and explain away the small inconsistencies. It is all I can do. Now I need to go, excuse me," he said, walking from the room.

After making sure the boy would be taken care of by the Houkage's medic nin and the ANBU stationed by his bed, the two Taijutsu specialists left the Hospital. They walked in silence for a time, each unwilling to comment on the terrors they just experienced. Finally, it was Shoto who broke the silence.

"Is it always like this for the boy?" Shoto asked his friend.

Gai nodded solemnly, "Naruto-kun has been through much thanks to this village. They beat him, cheat him, insult him, yet his spirit never breaks. He keeps trudging on, such youthfulness is a rare commodity in the village, yet he is plagued by the cursed council."

"What did the council do to restrict Sarutobi from helping him?" Shoto asked.

Gai explained, "Do you remember the day when we came back, how the entire village was in an uproar?" Shoto nodded, "Come to find out, when Sarutobi informed the village council, nearly everyone, including the clans, demanded the boy be killed. Sandaime tried to restrict this by creating the law, but he was unable to restrict it in time. The older generation discovered this from one of the civilian council heads and the populace went on a rampage. It took the execution of thirteen people as well as two council heads to stop it. The law was enforced strictly after that, but the civies, who had the most power by then, placed restrictions on the Hokage's influence. Naruto-kun was considered a red spot. No contact was to be had between the Sandaime and the boy, and no help was to be given to the child outside of the general laws of Konoha."

He frowned, "But Jiraiya-sama always said that the boy had the occasional contact with the third. Hell, he even calls the old man jiji. How can that be?"

Gai laughed, "They don't call him the Professor for nothing, my most youthful brother Shoto. We think it's some kind of genjutsu or maybe a henge, but none of us really know, and the council can't prove it."

Shoto asked, "So does everyone on the shinobi council hate the boy?"

He shook his head, "Not everyone. Some of the clans are apathetic to the boy. These are the Inuzuka and the Aburame Clans, but they don't want to help him either. No one really wants to relate to the boy, I think they see him as a reminder of the past they wish to forget. I've tried to help him…but he doesn't trust me at all. The only people he trusts are the third and the people at Ichiraku, and even they are too poor to do much more than give him a free bowl of ramen on the occasion. The situation for him is very unyouthful…"

"What about money?" Shoto asked, "Does he have any?"

Gai shrugged, "Even if he did, they'd just throw him out. I once met such an unyouthful young man who owned a small shop. He'd been looking for some extra help and had the sign out for several weeks. While I was in there, doing some shopping for mother, young Naruto-kun came in to inquire about the position," he sighed and shook his head, "The boy was only four years old, yet he understood, at least the barebones, of economics."

"So what happened?" Shoto asked.

Gai scowled, "I ended up breaking that young man's neck when he tried to beat the poor child for asking."

Nothing else was said the rest of the way back to his apartment. As he sat in his lonely apartment, Shoto began to think about his sensei.

Sakon's last lesson to the two boys had been about the true strength behind the Goken. He told them that, to become a true Taijutsu master, to become a true warrior, one required three things: the first, a strong will, for without the strength of fortitude you would lose; the second was a quick mind, for without the strength of mind you are simply a muscle that cannot pump; and finally, the most important, you need to have a dream, for without dreams there is no drive nor is there the will to focus the mind.

He thought of all these things. It was long into the morning until he retired to bed.

AN: Thanks for Reading