INTRODUCTION

Welcome back to The Chronicles of the Seventh. As always I start off by stating that I do not own Naruto.

THANK YOU

Thanks to everyone who reviewed my last chapter: iiDarkness; GravenImage; FoxSage19; foxsage; PJ Hatake; jade destiny; Kushina's Truth of Hell; airnaruto45; FallingRock; charles cdv; Serenity Namikaze; Greed03114; Empkaylenatye; Sasuke K; Silver Senpai and wwefollower.

RESPONCES

iiDarkness - Yep. Actually from now on I think I'll be releasing new chapters on Sundays. Naruto doesn't have to escape. Things will work out the right way. You'll see. As for other projects, I am working on another one shot. More information about that will be posted on my home page soon.

GravenImage - Naruto will be just fine in time.

FoxSage19 - Thanx.

foxsage - I'm thinking about doing just that. I'm kinda using these fics to better my writing skills with the hope of writing a novel.

PJ Hatake - Thanx for reviewing. No biggy if you missed a few. Yeah, always trust Shika. He's just too smart to be underestimated.

jade destiny - Glad you liked Naruto's reaction. With this chapter I hope to channel Shika's inner lawyer. Hope it works out.

kushina's - Actually my dear I have plans for another scene or two that may get your nose bleeding yet again. :) Stop it though. i think you give me too much praise. I think my work is fine but it's not that good IMO. I'm just trying to get better. But thanx.

airnaruto45 - Lol! Patience my friend. Everything you want will happen in time...maybe...probably...maybe.

FallingRock - Kisame's death in the manga...I didn't like it. But O well. Glad I'm keeping you on your toes btw. Lol.

charles cdv - Thanx.

Serenity Namikaze - Yeah. I wanted my Sasuke to have a bit more layers to his personality. I wanted him to still have inner struggles with the path he's chosen. I'm also happy you liked Madara's speech. After analyzing Sasuke's goals I think it's an accurate breakdown of Sasuke's Darkside.

As for Naruto's outburst; I wanted to add a bit of comedy while at the same time reminding readers that even though Naruto has become a mature man in the end he's still the "same old Naruto".

GreedO3114 - Ok, So I'll try to condence all your reviews into a brief responce:

(a) Yes, i decided to give Kisame a bit of a change. I just found his personality a bit flat so I added a little something. (b) Well, the reason it felt like you were reading the manga was because I just used most of the canon fight with just a few changes. I just found that the better way to go for what I wanted to do. (c) It's alright if you giggle like a school girl...really...it's my goal to make all my readers giggle. Even if you're a 250lbs 40yr old man. (d) So you're a giggling crack addict now? LOL! And don't worry, that prisoner won't say a word, you'll see. (e) Shhh! Don't let people know I messed up with the slug contract. Lol! (f) I love when those two pair up and hang out too. When I began writing this story I knew I had to set it up for them to go on a quick buddy adventure. (g) Yes, it's a bit odd to call him Namikaze. But IMO, once the world knows he's the Fourth's son it makes sense his name would have to change.

EmpKaylenatye - Thanx.

Sasuke K - Maybe he should have. Lol.

Silver Senpai - Has he learned FTG? i don't know. :shrug:

wwefollower - Thanx.

MESSAGE FROM THE AUTHOR

Ok, so please remember to review this chapter. Also so you guys know, next week I will release a double sized chapter! Why? Because after that I'll be taking two weeks off. That's right, I'm heading on vacation for a couple weeks so there will be two weeks of no new chapters. Sorry. So again, next week there will be a double sized chapter then a two week hiatus. Thanx.

Naruto: Chronicles of the Seventh

Book III: End of Innocence

Chapter X: Guilty

"Guilty? What the hell do you mean I'm guilty," Naruto yelled as he leapt to his feet. Naruto grabbed Shikamaru by his shoulders and began to shake him violently. "Shikamaru have you lost your mind?"

Ignoring Naruto's predictable outburst Shikamaru placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder and pushed him back into his seat. All the while he kept his eyes on the elders and had a smile plastered on his face.

Gaara and the others seemed shocked by Shikamaru words and began to whisper among themselves. Only Krolik seemed unfazed and sat staring harshly at Shikamaru.

"As I've said," Shikamaru continued. "Naruto is guilty. Guilty of being a moron. Of allowing himself to be used as a pawn in instigate a war. He was tricked, used and now, seemingly discarded. And he was unable to see it coming. And so, his ignorance is his guilt."

Shikamaru then walked around the table to the front then said, "But he's not the only one is he? He's not the only one guilty of being unable to foresee and stop this manipulation. I am too and so are all of you."

"What manipulation," Krolik asked angrily. "All I see was a plan created by Kumo and Konoha to cause chaos within Sunagakure!"

"Oh if that were only true," Shikamaru said. "But this is only half the truth. Someone in Suna had to have told those in Konoha about Koga's arrival. Wasn't it true that the plan to have Koga head to Kumo was hastily put together? I mean there is no way a joint assassination like this would have been put together without the assistance of someone in Suna."

"Are you suggesting someone here had something to do with this," Gaara asked.

"That's absurd," Krolik yelled as he slammed his hand on the desk. "It's obvious this boy has no evidence to save his own ass. So now he's trying to place the blame on others!"

"Not at all," Shikamaru said, "I already admitted Konoha's guilt. I just want to ensure that everyone responsible is bought to justice."

"And it's my belief the only way Naruto or anyone would know exactly when and where Koga would arrive would be through the help of someone in Suna." Shikamaru then looked directly at Krolik and said, "Someone who helped plan the trip in the first place."

"Are you insinuating that I had something to do with this," Krolik yelled angrily as looked at Shikamaru with clear skepticism.

Shikamaru threw his hand up and said, "Me? No of course not! You couldn't possibly have anything to do with this. The person who did this would have to be a highly skilled master planner. No offense but that's not you Krolik. You're more of a highly skilled brown-noser."

Shikimaru's insult elicited light chuckles from everyone in the room, even Gaara, and now embarrassed, Krolik gritted his teeth and clenched his fist as he forced himself to remain as calm as possible. "You little bastard," he said under his breath.

"But don't worry Krolik," Shikamaru continued, "I'll keep this as simple as possible so that you can follow what I say and continue to kiss Gaara's ass." Again the sound of soft laughter emanated from everywhere.

"It's my belief that Akatsuki, through the assistance of spies, both here and unfortunately in Konoha, knew about Koga's meeting and sent one of their ninja to assassinate him and frame our village and Naruto. They knew Koga was going to Kumogakure, sent one of their men to take him down yet leave a trail of breadcrumbs for Naruto to follow. Ensuring he'd be found with the dead body. It was ingenious strategy. Except for one thing. Akatsuki's ninja left behind a piece of evidence that proves he was there. And with it, also proves those who had helped him."

Hearing these words again caused the entire room to break out into hushed conversation as the elders began to speak to each other. Naruto leaned towards Shikamaru and signaled him to come close. Shikamaru took a few steps backwards so he could hear what Naruto had to say. "Shikamaru," Naruto said, "What the hell are you talking about? We don't have any evidence."

Shikamaru glanced at Krolik who had an angry expression on his face and was sweating profusely. With a grin Shikamaru said, "Don't worry Naruto. I think we're about to get all the evidence we need."

Seeing Shikamaru's grin caused Krolik's anger to increase, if he could even get angrier at this point. There was always something about this boy, Krolik thought to himself that always angered him. Krolik was a self made man. Years ago, as a child he wasn't very strong physically. As a result he was considered a below average prospect as a ninja and because of that, other students used to bother him, pick on him and beat him.

Home wasn't any better either, as his father, ashamed of his son's weakness, beat him, talked down to him and even worse, ignored him altogether. As time went on Krolik's only true companion was the books and scrolls he would read when alone. Many were stories and fables that allowed him to escape the world he lived in to those of fantasy. Where he was the hero, someone others looked up to.

But eventually even these tales began to bore him and he began to read scrolls and books about military and political strategy, science, medicine and philosophy. Any and every piece of reading material he could find he read. It didn't matter the subject or difficulty. In time, the scholars and elders of Sunagakure took notice of his hidden brilliance and took him on as an apprentice.

And despite his lack of battle expertise, Krolik for the next few decades grew to become one of the highest ranking elders in the village, revered and relied upon for his intelligence. And was even a candidate to be the next Kazekage after the death of the Fourth. A fact he made sure everyone always remembered at every time.

Krolik was angered beyond belief when it was decided that the son of the Fourth, Gaara, that monster would be the new Kazekage. After all his work, his dedication, to result in nothing was more than he could bear. So when he was visited by a member of Akatsuki, claiming to be Madara Uchiha himself and offering a plan that would result in his ascension to leadership. The decision was impossibly easy.

The plan was an intricate one, but nothing to someone of Krolik's skill. Send an official to Kumo on a supposed mission to promote peace and Akatsuki would ensure his death and that Konoha would be blamed. Knowing Gaara's feelings for Konoha, he would no doubt hesitate in retaliating. Madara, would then send his men disguised as Konoha ninja to slaughter hundreds of Suna's men which would look bad on Gaara, giving him the opportunity to proclaim Gaara unfit to lead. All Krolik need do is convince Gaara to send an emissary and then choose the unlucky candidate.

While Krolik couldn't help but get a feeling of smug satisfaction at knowing while all the comrades that once teased and bullied him spent their lives dying in some of the worst battles in some of the worst god forsaken parts of the world. He spent his time in luxury, deciding the fates of those who once mocked him, including Koga, who as a child was one of Krolik's biggest tormentors. Sending Koga to be the target of assassination was an easy decision.

Everyone revered Krolik, many feared him, and everyone paid someone of his ability the proper respect. Everyone, except Shikimaru Nara, the genius of Konoha. They had met two years ago, when Suna and Konoha were negotiating moving the chunin exams to Suna. Back then, inexplicably, this boy put together a presentation and argument that even he couldn't counter. And Krolik had lost the negotiations.

And throughout the negotiations, Krolik could see behind Shikamaru's fake smile and bored expressions and he could see the kind of disrespect only an intellect like himself could understand. Shikamaru didn't treat Krolik with fear, suspicion, respect or even equality. No, Shikamaru paid Krolik the highest insult one intellectual can pay another…..indifference.

Shikamaru acted then, as he did now, as if Krolik simply didn't matter and wasn't worthy of his attention. It was as if nothing Krolik did or said would change the outcome in Shikamaru's eyes. Krolik suddenly felt as though he was back in his fathers house, he was the child sitting in the corner, watching as his father went about his business and barely even spared Krolik a passing glance. He was nothing, a piece of furniture that breathed and ate. Ignored.

Krolik sat staring at Shikamaru who simply grinned like a cat who had caught a mouse. "Nonsense," Krolik yelled causing everyone to look at him. "This is absolute nonsense! I can't believe any of you can honestly sit here and take his child…..this clown….seriously! Are we supposed to believe that you now suddenly have evidence! Where was this evidence before! Why didn't Konoha present it a month ago!"

Krolik then looked at his fellow elders and Gaara, making sure to make eye contact with each one. "He's lying," Krolik yelled. "He's attempting to create doubt when there should be none! He, Naruto and his whole damned village is guilty!"

"Tch," Shikamaru said with a smile. "You really should calm down Krolik. Don't want to have a heart attack do ya old man? I have all the evidence I need. It doesn't matter what you say."

"It doesn't matter," Krolik said through gritted teeth. "Doesn't matter?" Krolik then leapt to his feet and pointed at Shikamaru and yelled, 'Then let's see your evidence! All you are is empty talk! You are a liar without substance! Even if we were to believe that Akatsuki is involved, Sasuke Uchiha is too cunning to ever leave any evidence proving his guilt! Admit it! You have nothing to save you! What we should be doing is deciding on your death sentence!"

Suddenly the room went silent as every eye was on Shikamaru. "He's right Shikamaru," Gaara said. "If you do have evidence you need to show it now."

Still Shikamaru grinned and said, "Oh I have the evidence Gaara. Despite Krolik's….passionate…..claims. My evidence, which proves Konoha's innocence, is..." Shikamaru then pointed to Krolik and said, "Krolik."

"What," Krolik said as the room burst into a low murmur.

Shikamaru then raised his hand to silence everyone then stepped forward. "May I ask you all a question" he said addressing the elders. "Are you all aware of one my friend Naruto's most interesting traits? Naruto, has an incredible capacity for forgiveness. And for better or worse, when he considers you his friend you are his friend for life. Even if you betray him."

Shikamaru then turned to Naruto and said, "For instance, Naruto did you, during your recount of what happened that day, mention Sasuke by name?"

Naruto looked away momentarily; a look of sadness was on his face. "No," he said. "No I didn't." Instantly Krolik was aware of his mistake.

"See that," Shkamaru said as he faced the elders. "Even when faced with death he stupidly protects his so called friend. And I wonder, did any of you know prior to this that it was in fact Sasuke that Naruto claims was the Akatsuki who killed Koga?"

The elders looked at each other while Gaara merely stared down at the desk with his hands clenched. "No," Shikamaru asked. "Well that's odd isn't it? How then did you know it was Sasuke, Krolik?"

Krolik smiled rather nervously and said, "Well, obviously it was just an educated guess."

"You sure showed a lot of conviction for just a guess," Shikamaru said with a smirk. "And another thing I've been wondering is why would you guys send Koga to Kumogakure with such a small security detail in the first place? I mean forgetting the fact that Suna and Kumo have been hostile with each other for years why would you rush such a thing? Whose idea was all this anyway?"

Slowly Baki turned to look at Krolik and said, "It was Krolik's idea to do this. He hurried the whole thing along while others, including myself, thought it best to be cautious. But he convinced us otherwise."

Feigning surprise Shikamaru said, "Oh, I see. I think I'm beginning to see the picture. You were the one who inexplicably pushed for Koga to go into a hostile land with insufficient protection. You were the one behind pushing Kumo to instigate peace talks with a land that had little interest in peace with you. And here you are, knowledgeable about a fact in Koga's murder that no one could have known of after the fact. Meaning you knew Sasuke was the one who was going to be there before it happened. How on earth would you know something like that? "

Sweating and visibly nervous, Krolik felt all eyes in the room on him yet all he could focus on was the damn grin plastered on Shikamaru's face. "I'm not the one on trial here," he said defiantly.

"Oh," Shikamaru said. "I would take a good look around the room before you say something like that."

Krolik then looked to his fellow elders who all looked at him with accusing eyes, and clear and growing anger. Everyone looked at him this way except for Gaara who angrily stared at the pencil he was squeezing in his hand. Addressing the room Krolik yelled, "You all can't possibly be considering the words of this brat over mine! After all I've done! He's just trying to save his own neck! I'm an elder of this village! I have sacrificed for you all! No one has done more for Sunagakure!"

Still everyone stared at Krolik as he slowly seemed to become unhinged. Krolik then looked to Gaara, who had yet to even look at him. "Lord Kazekage," he said, "surely you don't believe these baseless accusations?"

Still staring at the pencil in his hand Gaara said in a voice that scared those around him and caused a bead of cold sweat to run down Krolik's back. "How did you know it was Sasuke Krolik? Even I didn't know that." Suddenly the pencil in Gaara's hand snapped and splintered and Gaara looked at Krolik with a rage Krolik had never seen. "How did you know it was Sasuke? How could you do this! You put this entire village in peril! For what!"

Nervously, Krolik began to back away and down from the raised platform. He looked around as people began to stand and speak and point at him. Krolik then looked to Shikamaru and yelled, "Are you happy now! Do you think you've won just because you've convinced them of your lies?"

But to Krolik's surprise, Shikamaru wasn't even listening. He had turned around and was already speaking to Naruto and others. He was smiling and wasn't even paying him any attention. It was clear to Krolik, that to Shikamaru, he had already been dismissed.

"Don't ignore me you little bastard," Krolik yelled. "Look at me when I talk to you!" it was then Shikamaru turned to face Krolik and Shikamaru's face was blank, expressionless. He merely stared at Krolik as someone who would stare at a blade of grass.

"You dare look down on me," Krolik said through gritted teeth. "You little punk. You're nothing! Nothing!" suddenly Krolik pulled a hidden kunai from his sleeve and rushed towards Shikamaru who stared at him with the same bored expression.

"I'll cut that look right off of you're face you little bastard," Krolik yelled as he prepared to strike. Shikamaru stared at the blade as it came closer and closer. Finally he watched as the kunai, with Krolik's bloody, severed hand, flew past his face and landed on the ground behind him.

Krolik screamed in pain as blood poured from the bloody stump at the end of his arm where his right hand once was. He fell to his knees and griped at his arm and screamed as Temari stood nearby with her Giant Steel Tipped Folding Fan, streaked with blood.

As everyone stood staring at Krolik writhing in pain on the ground, several guards ran into the room. "Guards," Gaara said, "Take Elder Krolik to the medical wards to have his wound tended to. Then place him under arrest for crimes against Sunagakure and take him to the prisons for immediate interrogation."

The guards silently walked over and got Krolik up on his feet while another guard scooped up his hand and placed it in a bag. "Wait," Krolik said weakly. He looked to Shikamaru and said, "I need to know why. From the very first day I met you, you never once showed me an ounce of respect. No one has ever done something like that to me. And yet you showed nothing but respect to others. And I need to know why?"

Shikamaru took a deep breath and shook his head lightly then said, "It's because since the first day I met you I looked into your eyes and could tell that you were more interested in advancing your own position rather than fulfilling your duty."

"My duty," Krolik asked. "All I've done is for the protection of Sunagakure."

"No," Shikamaru said sadly. "What you have done was for the protection of yourself. What you should have been protecting…..was the king."

"The king," Krolik asked as he was being led away. Shikamaru watched as Krolik was led out of the room and dipped his hand into his pocket and pulled a small lighter out. Looking down at the lighter Shikamaru moved it around in his hand slowly and smiled.

******Meanwhile – Hidden Village in Otogakure******

"Where did that explosion come from," the Akatsuki ninja asked the others as he arrived.

One of the other ninja pointed to one of the buildings on the other side of the street and said, "There."

"All right, let investigate," another ninja said as all four cautiously made their way to the building. Suddenly a large object crashed through the window of the building causing the ninja to jump back prepared to fend off an attack. As the object hit the dirt they were surprised to see that it was the unconscious body of one of their comrades.

Quickly they ran to the door just as it swung open and Sakura leapt out at them. She quickly threw two smoke bombs at them which blurred their vision. She quickly began to disarm each of them before punching each one of them in the face knocking them out instantly.

As the smoke cleared only Sakura remained as she stood among the unconscious bodies of the four ninja. Sakura then heard someone call her name and turned to see Yamato and Anko arrive. Sakura quickly pointed to a darkened alley off to the side and all three of them ran and hid there.

"Is this what you call stealth," Yamato asked.

"Sorry Yamato-taicho," Sakura said. "But it couldn't be avoided."

"Well there's nothing we can do about it now," Anko replied. "We'll have the entire base on our asses soon enough. Did you at least learn anything?"

"Yes," Sakura said, "It looks like Neji and the others are alive. They're being held prisoner in some large facility below us. But that's not all. It seems these guys also have a few dozen other captives; all civilians. And they are being held separately in a cave just west of here."

"Damn," Yamato said. "Alright. Sakura I want you to find those captives and free them. Anko and I will make our way inside and look for Neji and the others. Once you've gotten them to safety come back to help us. Got it?"

Sakura nodded in agreement and prepared to leave when dozens of Akatsuki ninja began to flood out of each building and began to look for them.

"Shit," Anko said. "Now what?"

"We have no choice," Sakura said. "We have to find our friends and those prisoners. We fight our way through!"

Anko couldn't help but smile at the thought of such a challenge and Yamato looked at each woman before saying, "Right. Take down everyone that gets in our way. Sakura, we'll clear a path for you so you can find those prisoners."

Sakura, Anko and Yamato looked at each other and smiled. They knew this was it. Then they heard someone yell, "There they are!"

"Alright ladies," Yamato said as they all got to their feet and ran out to face the enemy. "Let's make this quick!"

End of Chapter Ten

Next Time: The Legend of Rock Lee