A meeting was called a few days later. The Third called all high ranking ninja into his office and had the Anbu place up a sound barrier. Guy stood next to Kakashi, both looking equally hurt. Once the last member arrived, Lord Third started the meeting. "This meeting is to inform you all of the fate of one Naruto Uchiha." Guy looked at the ground in attempt to subdue his anger. Kakashi placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and tried his best smile. Guy couldn't look up though. He knew what was coming. It was obvious. "Tomorrow, the nine tails Jinchūriki will be put to death in a public execution." Guy's fear filled eyes shot up to glare at the Third. "You can't! Why would you publicly execute him? It's bad enough you want to kill him!" The room stared at Guy in shock for his outburst. Lord Third cleared his throat, grabbing everyone's attention. "This was a request by the boy himself." Guy's face drop and he refused to hold in the tears anymore. "Naruto wants this?! Why?!"
The Hokage nodded to himself and lifted his head. "He believes that this is the best way to end things." Guy fell to the ground, shocking everyone around him, and let his tears hit the floor. "This is for Sasuke… doesn't he realise this will hurt Sasuke more than help him?" Guy clenched his fists as Kakashi knelt next to him and patted his shoulder. The Hokage stood from his chair and walked around to the front. "That is all, please leave everyone. Except you and Kakashi, Guy." The room nodded as people began to leave.
Soon, the three of them were left alone. Lord Third sighed. "I'm sorry guy. I realise you have grown quite close to the boys. But please continue to look after Sasuke." Guy nodded. Kakashi looked at the Hokage with pleading eyes. "Why did you ask us both to stay Hokage-Sama?" He nodded and knelt in front of the two Junín. "Naruto has a message for the two of you." Guy looked up again and saw that the Hokage was holding his signature crystal ball. Guy nodded and the Hokage began receiving the signal. Kakashi's eye widened as the ball began to clear. Showing a cell holding a smiling blonde. "Naruto, can you hear me?" Naruto's head shot up and looked around the room. "Hokage-Sama? Where are you?" He told Naruto where to look and soon the boy was filling the entire orb.
Guy chuckled at the look on Naruto's face. It was one he hadn't seen before, and no doubt, wouldn't see again. "Tou-Chan! I'm sorry…" Guy looked at the orb confused. "For what Naruto?" Naruto smiled ruefully at something in the corner of his cell. "For not being youthful enough to fight the nine tails." Guy's eyes widened again in shock before he began to sob. "No, Naruto, I'm sorry. Sorry you weren't helped properly." Naruto smiled as he shook his head. "No, you and Kaka-Jiji helped a lot! I was just beyond saving." Naruto trailed, leaving a stinging sensation in the three older men's hearts. Then, Kakashi's face scrunched in thought. "Jiji?" Naruto grinned widely, showing his somehow perfectly white teeth. "Yeah! Uncle Kakashi is the best!" Kakashi clasped a hand over his mouth as he let his tears join Guy's on the floor. "Thank you Naruto." Naruto smiled into the orb for a second before his face turned serious.
The three looked at the orb confused, Guy and Kakashi trying to fight their tears so they could hear Naruto properly. "I have a request." Everyone looked shocked. Knowing the other two were having trouble stopping their sobs, the Third took charge. "What is it Naruto?" Naruto nodded as tears slowly filled his eyes, though he had better control from years of practice. "Take care of Nii-San. And I don't mean just look after by being there for him." Lord Third tilted his head in confusion. "What do you mean Naruto?" Naruto clenched his fists and gritted his teeth before releasing a deep breath and relaxing a little. "You have to promise me that you will stop Nii-San from being revenge driven. I don't want him to get killed trying to kill Itachi-Nii. It would be a waste." The three nodded in understanding before Guy got up in a determined stance. "I will Naruto! I will make sure he lives his life to the youthfullest!" Naruto laughed. "He laughed! He actually laughed!" Guy began crying again, slowly followed by the rest in the room. Then Kakashi stood proud too. "I will help the best I can too Naruto! Count on Jiji!" Naruto smiled thankfully at the orb. "Thank you Tou-Chan, Jiji."
With a snap of his fingers, the orb shut off. Guy glared at the Third but he just shook his head. "Too many words will only make this harder. You two just have to keep your word now." The two nodded before going to leave the room. "Oh and, you don't have to attend tomorrow. I'm sure Naruto would only doubt himself if you three turned up." The two nodded again before silently leaving the room. They had a job to accomplish.
Naruto stood at the top of the Hokage tower, looking down on the entire village. He looked for three familiar figures but couldn't find them. He felt sad that he wouldn't see them one last time but he felt relieved that they wouldn't have to witness this. He did however, spot the man he attacked a few days ago. He hadn't been able to save his arms. Naruto looked down in guilt before feeling a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Lord Third smiling at him. He felt slightly uplifted but couldn't stop his gaze from landing on the man.
The Third stepped forward and the crowd erupted into a loud cheer and applause. The Third raised his hand and the crowd silenced. Naruto wished he could have that kind of power. If only…
"Ladies and gentlemen, today will be the execution of one Naruto Uchiha." He glanced back with sad eyes and Naruto nodded. He looked back to the crowd to see people nodding in approval. "DON'T CALL HIM THAT! YOU'RE SULLYING THE UCHIHA NAME!" "DOWN WITH THE DEMON!" "KILL THE MONSTER!" The shouts kept coming and each one felt like a dagger to the heart. Lord Third held up his hand to silence the crowd again and the people obeyed. He went on discussing the reasons behind the execution, not that anyone cared, and how he wished Naruto some luck in the next life.
Soon, Naruto was pulled forward and shown to the crowd. He wasn't bound and the crowd seemed to disapprove of this. Lord Third looked disbelievingly at the crowd. How could they do this to a child? He felt shame for breaking his promise to Lord Fourth. Naruto walked up to him and held up his wrist, inviting restraints. The Hokage sighed and nodded at an Anbu, who quickly placed the restraints on Naruto's wrists.
The crowd erupted into another roar as an Anbu stepped forward with the order to kill Naruto. He looked at Naruto and Naruto could sense the hesitation. "Don't worry. It was my idea, just keep the village safe ok?" The Anbu nodded before raising his hand, ready to swing. Suddenly, another Anbu dashed forward and smacked the executioner in the back of the neck. Naruto looked at the man in shock, fear and confusion. Then he took his mask off. Naruto's eyes widened. "Itachi-Nii-San?!" Itachi nodded and grabbed Naruto before running across the rooftops.
Sasuke looked out of the window to see an Anbu running away carrying Naruto. In the quick pace of the Anbu, Sasuke couldn't tell who it was. "NARUTO!" Guy turned around and saw the man carrying a crying Naruto away. He abruptly stood to chase him but stopped. "Tou-Chan?! We have to help him!" Guy shook his head. "He will be safe now." Sasuke looked confused and worried but did nothing else. Instead, he watched as Naruto was freed from the village.
Soon, the two were far away from the leaf and Itachi stopped. Naruto was set down and released from his restraints. Naruto looked at Itachi with confusion and anger. "What the hell?! I was going to be saving Nii-San! Why did you stop me?!" Itachi stood straight again after catching his breath and turned to his younger brother. "Because being killed won't help Sasuke." Naruto looked shocked by Itachi's words. "What-What do you mean?" Itachi hugged Naruto before walking back towards the village. "I know somewhere far away from these bad people. We can live there together with Sasuke." He turned and smiled at Naruto. Naruto looked astounded before crying from joy. "Uh huh." Itachi smiled before running off to get Sasuke.
Sometime later, Itachi returned with Sasuke. Naruto smiled and leapt into both his brother's arms. They all laughed before Sasuke pulled away abruptly. "You need to come clean Nii-San." Naruto looked confused a moment before pulling away too. "It was me wasn't it?" Itachi looked at Naruto in shock. "No! No, it isn't your fault Naruto." The next few minutes consisted of Itachi telling them everything. Sasuke stood shocked. "Someone was after us?" Itachi nodded. "Both of us." Itachi nodded again as he patted Naruto's head to calm him down. "Where do we go now?" Itachi looked at Sasuke and smiled. "We leave here for somewhere better."
Years flew by as the three brothers enjoyed each other's company. Naruto ran up to the house with a wide smile on his face. "Itachi-Nii-San! Look what I made!" In his hands was a metal sculpture of a frog. It was detailed and quite impressive. Itachi patted Naruto's long, spikey blonde hair. "Great work Naruto. Not bad for your first try." Naruto puffed his chest out in pride. Sasuke appeared behind Naruto and looked a little embarrassed. "How did it go Sasuke?" Sasuke's cheeks turned a little red. "I'm not as good as Otouto." He held up his frog. It was good for a first attempt but a little wobbly and misshaped. Itachi smiled. "We could sell these for a good amount of money, right Itachi-Nii?" Itachi shook his head, his smile held in place. "No, I think we should put these above the fireplace." Naruto and Sasuke smiled at each other before running to the fireplace and placing the frogs on the shelf above. Naruto looked at them in deep thought. "What is it Naruto?" Naruto shook his head. "One minute!" He yelled as he ran out of the house once more. About ten minutes later, he returned. He went straight to the fireplace and placed another frog down. "Now their family is the same as ours." Naruto smiled to his brothers who wore surprised expressions. Then they laughed. It was such a Naruto move. Naruto pouted as the two before joining them. "Maybe we should invite Tou-Chan and Jiji to come and make frogs for them too." Itachi nodded. "That's a great idea."