Fall Of A Hero
Summary: When a man is pushed to his limits, no matter how active or how kind, they will lose their way. Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze had to learn it the hard way. With his so-called "Best Friend" leaving him in the dust, taking the girl of his dreams and advancing in ranking and getting the recognition that should've been Naruto's, Naruto will lose his when Orochimaru comes for a change of heart.
Pairings: NaruSaku, SasuHina
Detail: This is more of an origin story for Naruto in my own crossover fan-made universe.
(Story Begins)
What is a hero?
A hero is a man or a woman, who protects innocents lives without awards, someone who would never give up on the experiences they are sworn to protect.
But that does not mean they have no feelings. Even the mightiest and most caring can change heart within a single day…
It's been three months now, three months since Naruto had managed to bring Sasuke back. It was soon after Sasuke's battle against Itachi. It was terrific, even though Sasuke exhausted most of his energy against his brother, he still managed to regain it and use it to fight Naruto. It took Naruto everything both he and Sasuke had, just to fight evenly matched.
Naruto used everything he had, even the Nine-tail's power. In the last-ditch of effort to defeat Sasuke, Naruto was forced to use the Rasen-Shuriken, the Jutsu that not only tore a member of the Akatsuki's apart but also nearly tore Naruto's arms apart as well, if it wasn't for Sakura's healing Jutsu.
Naruto didn't wish to use that Jutsu, especially if it risked having his friend killed and torn to pieces, yet he had no choice. Thankfully, to Naruto, Sasuke's Curse Seal managed to hold up for a little while longer, allowing him to regenerate faster than he was damaged but weakened him for Naruto use his Rasengan on him.
Since then, Naruto had finally managed to fulfil his promise to Sakura, a sign he failed along time ago, he finally brought Sasuke back to Konoha.
Everyone was happy, everybody was, and Naruto was happy just… Not as much as everyone else is…
Of course, as he always had thought, Sakura immediately went after Sasuke as soon as he came back, but he expected things to be a little different around this time. Unfortunately, it was not the case. Despite how much Naruto had tried to prepare himself, knowing in a way Sakura would go after Sasuke again, he still felt sad, this time he was depressed, more than ever. Sakura asked Sasuke out on a date, and to Naruto's surprise, Sasuke accepted it. That happened, the first week Sasuke came back.
And if things couldn't have gone any worse, Kakashi had requested Tsunade if he could be Sasuke's personal Sensei, just to protect Sasuke in case if Orochimaru, who was discovered to be alive, may continue his quest to take Sasuke. Kakashi had told Naruto at the time, that he was only doing this to protect Sasuke, and steer him on the right path.
Which was why Sasuke was promoted, that's right promoted, to become a Jounin. It was arranged by Kakashi, with the full agreement of Tsunade Senju, Sakura's mentor, to make Sasuke a Jounin, it had seemed while Sasuke was gone from the Leaf Village, many villagers had distrusted him, just like when they doubted Naruto, but not at the same level, they simply ignored Sasuke. Kakashi wanted to help Sasuke on that problem, a problem he never helped Naruto at.
It took only two weeks, and the village had started to recognise Sasuke as a Shinobi while at the same time, forgetting about Naruto.
Even Naruto's friends started to ignore him for Sasuke, which made Naruto more upset than ever.
Three months later, Naruto's life has been nothing more or less but a complete utter mess he's been in. It was just like the old days when everyone would ignore Naruto and go for Sasuke instead, that how it was like, and seemed to have always will be like for Naruto's life in Konoha.
(Location: Konoha, Specific Location: Apartment Complex)
BAM! "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE GRANNY?! A JOKE?!" Naruto screamed at Tsunade in her office, slamming his hands down on the surface of her desk flat.
Present in the room with the young Uzumaki was Yamato and Kakashi with Shizune and Tonton.
Yamato's face was riddled with slight disappointment, and small anger look as he stepped in, about to intervene. "That's enough, Naruto!" The Tree-Jounin said in a stern and nearly-demanding voice.
Naruto ignored his superiors demand, and continued his angered glare and staring showdown with the leader of the village. "Why, Granny?! Why does Sasuke-Teme get to become a Jounin?! A JOUNIN?! While I'm stuck as a Genin?! Why?!" Naruto demanded some more. "I've been a Genin for nearly over three years now! I fought people, influential people, including the Akatsuki! So why am I not a Jounin, or Chunin least of all, while Sasuke becomes a Jounin?! Why?!" Naruto demanded again.
"Naruto!" Shizune spoke out-loud towards the Genin, with a voice sounding of disappointment, with a hint of fear for what her mentor could do to Naruto if he did not behave. "It's not your place to argue against your Hoka-Ehh!" Shizune's eyes widen in shock as her expression was dropped when she saw Tsunade lifting her hand up, signalling her associate to stop.
"Naruto…" Tsunade leaned on her hands with her forehead on her desk as she began to explain to Naruto. "The decision to delay your promotion to Chunin was not made solely by me, but by other members such as a select few Jounin. Those being, Kakashi, Shikamaru and Neji, along with over a handful of reports given the argument to delay your promotion from a few other members of the Shinobi population. Some very CLOSE Shinobi." By that, Tsunade meant Naruto's friends. Her voice was calm, despite the yelling from before she was utterly calm, holding back what adrenaline or anger she felt towards Naruto.
"But that doesn't explain why Sasuke-Teme gets to be Jounin?!" Naruto's eyes were wide open. His eyes were not open in shock and sadness, but in shock and disbelief with a hint of sorrow. Did his friends really argue against Naruto's promotion to Chunin, despite the fact he passed the Chunin Exams?!
"Naruto…" Kakashi said, taking the explanation towards Naruto. "Sasuke was labelled as a missing-nin for three years now, departing from the village to be with the likes of Orochimaru. Many members the Shinobi Alliance grew a somewhat distrust towards Sasuke, along with a large population of the villagers. Not only that, but even the higher-ups were concerned with the return of Sasuke in the village. Those being higher, than Tsunade-Sama herself, such as members of the Fire Council, who have given the Fire Daimyo some questionable thoughts about Sasuke." Kakashi explained. "If we want Sasuke to be entirely accepted back into the village, we need his status to be recognized as a Shinobi of Konoha, and there's no better way than making him a Jounin of the Leaf Village.".
Did Kakashi really just say that? What about Naruto? The one who REALLY has a tough time getting the villagers' recognition! The one who has a tough time in the village overall! Yet, no one helped him with that, but Kakashi is helping Sasuke with his troubles, but not Naruto?!
"But I passed the Chunin Exams, that should've meant I should've been a Chunin?!" Naruto complained.
"Naruto, Chunin means more than passing some exams. For one person to become a Chunin, they need patience, intelligence and brawn. You fill two of the latter, but you do not have the patience for it." Tsunade explained to Naruto in a severe manner. "How many reports do I have of you rushing into battle head-first?" She asked a rhetorical question.
"There was the time you rushed in during the Kazekage mission against that Akatuski member, the one called Deidara. You also jumped first into battle without thinking against another member called Itachi." Tsunade explained as images of Naruto rushing in anger towards Deidara and Itachi popped in his head. "Let's not forget, also you jumped into battle during our operation, capturing the three-tailed beast against that Crystal-Style User, you put yourself and the team at risk." Images of Naruto charging Guren flashed before his eyes.
"Your emotions were the second thing I considered. When you're put into a situation, like the mission during the Three-Tailed Beast sealing, you allow your feelings to take the better of you, leading you to act on your own." Tsunade finished her explanation.
Naruto looked down on the ground in sadness and shame, and said, "You're right, maybe I do allow my emotions to get the better of me in missions, too much perhaps? But, Pervy-Sage once told me, "Always do what's right, even if it doesn't comply with orders"?".
"By that, he doesn't mean, "Let my own emotions get the better of me."-type of thing." Tsunade argued back.
"I know I messed up somethings in the past, but that mission wasn't like that, I swear!" Naruto argued. "That boy was gonna be forced to become a Jinchuriki! You don't know how that life is like, I had to stop that from happening!" Naruto said before his facial features shifted to sadness from arguable expression. "I just thought… I could've helped him more, and I did. Isn't that what we Shinobi are supposed to do?" Naruto asked.
Tsunade sighed heavily. She had to admit, Naruto did mean well. "Well, can't argue there, you did help that poor boy, and we did prevent Orochimaru from getting his hands on the Three-Tails…" Tsunade admitted. "But that does not mean it qualifies you as Chunin, Naruto," Tsunade said.
Naruto's hands gripped tightly in anger, before he said, "Then I guess you shouldn't have as Hokage! That should've been the Pervy-Sage's job, not yours!".
"NARUTO!" Shizune yelled.
"What… Did… You… Say?!" Tsunade growled angrily, as her hair created a shadow over her face, covering her eyes with the exception of her nose, mouth and chin, she kept her posture, but she was visibly angry at that comment.
"You weren't meant to become Hokage! That job should've been Pervy-Sage's job, not yours! Because I know, if the Pervy-Sage was Hokage, he would've sent backup for you even if you said no! Like you should've done WHEN IT WAS NEEDED!".
BAM! BOOM! Tsunade had enough, she threw her hands on the desk flat and broke the whole structure upon impact, rendering the counter, in pieces, on the ground. She stood up, gave a very deadly glare towards Naruto.
"Do you know what I think, why you were not made Chunin?! Because you are immature! You allow your feelings to get the better of you like a little boy! Every time you don't understand what you want, you yell at people! As your Hokage, if I say you cannot become Chunin yet, then YOU CANNOT BECOME CHUNIN YET!" She yelled angrily at Naruto. "Jiraiya went on that mission by himself, because he knew the risks, he knew the only person who was as strong as he was, was me! But I couldn't come, because he knew I had a village to run!" Tsunade said, angrily. "You may look and talk like Jiraiya, Naruto. But, there is something you didn't understand about Jiraiya, something that I hoped you would've learned during your training with him. Patience. Never allow your emotions to get the better of you." She laid back into her chair and crossed her arms. "I still have high hopes that you will make an excellent Shinobi, a fine Chunin, Jounin, and even a fine Hokage. But all of that has to wait. My decision, as I repeat, is final. Now… Leave my office.".
Naruto looked angry. Still, he opened his mouth, about to say something to object against Tsunade. But instead, "Leave! Now! Or I will order ANBU to escort you out!" Tsunade growled angrily at Naruto, warning him not to say anything.
Naruto closed his mouth but kept his angry look shortly after he was surprised by Tsunade's words, and left, with Kakashi and Yamato following behind.
"You too, Shizune.".
"HAI!" Shizune immediately rushed out of there, hearing upon her Hokage's words.
Tsunade slowly got up from her seat, and walked towards the windows in the back and looked out, as a tear trickled down her cheek while clenching her teeth.
(Location: Outside Tsunade's Office)
Naruto walked away in a type of, speed-walk, the kind that showed the anger and the emotion running through his body. Once they made it outside, in the glowing orange sunset, where the area was now empty with no one around, Yamato grabbed Naruto by his shoulder, stopping the Jinchuriki in his tracks.
Shizune was following them the whole time.
"What now?!" Naruto asked in annoyance.
"Naruto! What s wrong with you?!" Yamato gave a rather, stern yet angry look towards the Genin. "You cannot just barge into the Tower, through security, and Tsunade-Sama's office without an official arrangement!" He spoke harshly towards Naruto.
"Whatever! It's not your problem! It's mine!" Naruto complained. Obviously, he was not in the mood for arguments anymore.
"I was assigned by Tsunade-Sama to watch over you Naruto! What you did back there was stupid and disrespectful against, no only the Hokage but the village as well!" Yamato said.
"Like I said! Whatever!".
"NARUTO!" As soon as Naruto finished his previous sentence, Kakashi yelled at Naruto's name, getting the blond's attention.
"Naruto, as your Sensei, I understand your frustration. I know your anger, the rage, but as a Shinobi, you must learn to control all of that and keep it under wraps. By all means, your lucky Tsunade-Sama did not order her ANBU to lock you up for the night, not anyone can do what you just did and walk away from it Scott-free."Kakashi explained, in a reasonable voice, trying to get through the Blond's ears.
"Oh, really! You understand?! That's a load of crap if you ask me!" Naruto turned around, swatting Yamato's hand away from his shoulder like a fly, staring at Kakashi with an angered look. "If you really did understand me! You would've protected me! You would've protected me and my promotion from that Hag!" Naruto spat.
"Tsunade-Sama gave her reasons for Naruto. She explained those reasons to me, Shikamaru and Neji, along with a few other Jounin like Gai, before we made a decision." Kakashi said in a calm voice. "It's not like I didn't want you to become Chunin, it's only that I don't believe your Chunin-material yet.".
"And Sasuke's Jounin-material?!" Naruto said aloud.
"In the matter of speaking, yes. Now, that does not mean I don't think your not Jounin-material Naruto, not at all. You exceeded Chunin-level when you single-handedly killed that Akatsuki member, Kakuzu with your own invented Ninjutsu technique. Your strength goes without question, along with your morality and your bravery. But, your attitude and feelings are the most important attributes you have not perfected yet." Kakashi explained to Naruto.
"Yeah, right! You just go telling yourself that!" Naruto complained.
"You know, ever since we became a so-called "Team", you ignored me! What about Sasuke, back in the Chunin Exams! Back when he had that Curse Seal Orochimaru gave him! I heard the other Jounins wanted him to be kicked out of the Exams back then, because of how dangerous it could've been if Sasuke used it!" Naruto complained. "I'm dangerous on missions because of the Nine-Tails inside me! But somehow, Sasuke's not dangerous with the power he possesses?! Sounds like a load of crap to me!" Naruto spat, again.
"You do make a good point Naruto, never the less-.".
"Never-the-less NOTHING!" Naruto yelled. "It's always Sasuke-this! Sasuke-that! It's never about me at all! You give your praise to everyone else but me! You say how proud you are to Sakura-Chan, to Sasuke-Teme! But you never, ever say anything about ME!" Naruto said, aloud.
"That's enough, Naruto!" Yamato said.
"Your Sixteen, yet you act like a three-year-old!" Yamato said, harshly. "I have a feeling your relationship with Tsunade-Sama has blinded you from the fact that you're a Shinobi and she is our village leader. This is exactly why I had some serious thoughts about you before I was assigned to this mission!" Yamato said.
"Heh! Tell someone who cares!" Naruto turned, ready to walk away.
"Naruto, we're not done yet!" Yamato said.
"We are done!".
"No, we're not!".
"Just… Leave me alone!".
"NARUTO, AS YOUR SUPERIOR I DON'T EXPECT YOU TO IGNORE ME! NOW DO AS I SAY AND STOP!" Yamato grabbed Naruto's shoulder, tightly in an angered manner.
Naruto lost it… He grabbed Yamato's wrist, pulled him closer, kneeled lower and delivered a powerful punch to the Jounin's stomach. So powerful, he may have felt Yamato's ribs crack upon impact.
"I said… Leave it!" Naruto's eyes were foxes, but then they returned to normal after his next blink.
Yamato felt so much pain in his body right now. He collapsed on the ground, rolling to his side while gripping his stomach and ribs.
"YAMATO!" Shizune yelled as she rushed towards Yamato, giving him some special treatment. "Kakashi, get some medic-nins down here now!" She ordered Kakashi.
Naruto took a couple of seconds before his jaw dropped, realising what he just did. Did he really attack Yamato? Captain Yamato of all people? Shock, horror, disbelief, sadness, regret, all these emotions ran through Naruto.
He wanted to say something but… He just couldn't. Deciding not to make things worse, Naruto walked away, perhaps back to his apartment.
Kakashi simply sighed before he walked back into the tower to get some help for Yamato.
(In Reality)
The orange-yellow morning sun rose in the sky, covering the village in a ray of bright light. And from that bright-yellow-light, beamed upon a sleeping teen in a, what appeared to be, a run downed apartment room.
That being was Naruto. Blond hair, all over his face as he attempted to move to cover his face in the shade. But the sun ain't having that…
Naruto woke up, knowing he wasn't gonna get his way anytime soon, submitting to defeat, it was all he could've done anyways, especially in these dark times.
He turned his head to the counters and cupboard, located in his bedroom to get a good look at the photo with Team Seven. Life looked so simple back then, so hopeful, so good… But, Naruto just can never have it the easy way… Not like Sasuke does…
He walked up to the picture, lift it up, and took a good look at it. He just couldn't believe its been years now since he became a Shinobi. Back then, it seemed like everything was about Sasuke during his Academy years, even when he became a Genin, everything still revolved around Sasuke. When Sasuke left, everything changed
, but a Shinobi whose steadily looked down upon. Before Sasuke left, everything was about him, and since he returned everything went back to normal for everyone, and unfortunately, that meant for Naruto also.
Naruto washed, removed all of his sleep clothing and got himself ready for another boring, and painful day in the village.
Naruto didn't know what to do. Perhaps he could speak to his friends? If they were willing to talk to him, that is?
(Flashback: Shortly After Naruto Spoke To Tsunade, The Next Day)
Naruto was sitting on a log in the Ground Seven training area. The log belonged to a training dummy Naruto demolished during his training. Since his discussion with Tsunade, Naruto had been feeling somewhat angry and upset, so he trained to his heart's content.
He was exhausted. Naruto's body deflated and inflated to show his exhaustion.
Naruto looked around the area to see if he had missed anything. Usually, Sakura or Kakashi would be at the training grounds earlier than he would be, especially Kakashi of all people, and since Sasuke had returned to the Leaf Village, Naruto expected to see Sasuke her more than anywhere else.
But what wasn't expecting to find, was the presence he was feeling of a few people who were walking up to him right now.
"You idiot!" Naruto recognised that bratty voice from anyone. Ino Yakamana.
Naruto turned his head to her, before turning it back to the ground.
"Naruto!" Ino growled angrily at the Uzumaki, followed behind by Shikamaru and Choji.
"What's wrong, Ino?" Naruto sighed as he closed his eyes. Naruto's eyes opened in shock, sensing danger. Out of instinct, Naruto ducked down, dropped to the floor, used his hands on the ground, and kicked his feet upwards to get back on the ground in a fighting stance a distance away from the log he sat on. Naruto could see Ino's fist was where he sat, now realising the danger he sensed earlier was Ino's fist.
Ino stomped towards Naruto and began to deliver a series of punches from left to right, which Naruto in return dodged each and every one of them with ease. Ino even started to kick at Naruto, but he managed to avoid those as well, growing a confused look.
"Can! *Dodge* We! *Dodge* Talk! *Dodge* About! *Dodge* This! *Dodge* Like! *Dodge* Normal! *Dodge* Civilians?! *Dodge*" Naruto found it rather difficult to talk to Ino when avoiding her crushing and earthshattering fists. Sure, Ino was not as active nor powerful as Sakura is, but she still packs a little bit more than a punch.
Shikamaru sighed with great annoyance before he said, "Shadow Stitching Jutsu.".
Just then, Naruto lost his footing and the momentum to dodge Ino's punches. He managed to catch himself just before he would fall on the ground but knew he was wide open to Ino's wrath. "I GOT YOU NOW!" Ino screamed as she was about to punch Naruto in the face.
Shutting his eyes, Naruto prepared himself for the worst… But it did not come? He opened his eyes to see Ino's fist a hair away from his face.
"WHAT?!" Ino yelled as she struggled to move. She looked down and saw her shadow was connected to Shikamaru's shadow. "Shikamaru?! What are you doing?!".
"Ino, I thought we agreed to talk to Naruto? Not, murder him." Shikamaru said. "Now, I'm gonna let you go, and when I do, I suspect you to act NORMAL around him." With that said, Shikamaru dropped his technique which allowed Ino to move freely again.
She wanted to punch Naruto, readying her fist, but she knew Shikamaru would stop her again, so she dropped her arm and sighed heavily.
"Okay! Now, I am curious?! Why did Ino try to kill me?!" Naruto demanded.
"We *Munch* Heard what happened between you and Tsunade-Sama yesterday, Naruto." Choji munched on some of his chips while speaking to Naruto.
"Wait! How did you-?!" Naruto was about to ask, but he cut himself off when he realised who could've told them about the meeting yesterday. It was practical, everyone in the building heard their argument. Their discussion the other day WASN'T precisely a well-kept secret, especially if Tsunade forgot to put up the sound-proof barrier up in her office.
"So, I'm guessing you two are here to talk about it? Ino made it very clear herself." Naruto asked.
"Well, yeah. We want to talk about it, we really do." Shikamaru said as Ino cracked her knuckles. Shikamaru gave Ino a powerful glare and said, "THE PROPER WAY!". Ino sighed in annoyance.
"Why?" Naruto asked Shikamaru, with a hint of betrayal in his eyes. "Why did you vote against me? I thought you would be on my side?" Naruto asked in sadness.
"Naruto, there are no sides. And it wasn't a vote either. Tsunade-Sama was the one who would've made the decision, it was hers, not ours." Shikamaru said. "But we did give her our reports and opinions about you.".
"Personal opinions?" Naruto asked.
"Yes," Shikamaru replied. "Naruto, listen, I know you're angry," Shikamaru said, being sincere to Naruto.
"Well, that's an understatement," Naruto added, with slight anger.
Naruto walked towards Shikamaru until they were both face to face. Naruto's angered lips then curled up in slight laughter. "You know what's funny?" This confused Shikamaru, Choji, and even Ino who dropped all of her anger against Naruto.
"No, what?" Shikamaru asked.
"It's funny that you tell me my attitude is lacking when you have someone like Ino, Kiba, even Choji…" Naruto chuckled. "I mean, Ino's just as hotheaded as I am, isn't she? I mean, she gets angry at people who calls her bad names, nicknames, and even gets upset when she doesn't get her own way." Naruto said. "And Choji! Heh! Anytime, anytime at all! Anytime someone calls Choji the F-word, or any word relating to it, he goes berserk and attacks them without thinking!" Naruto said. "Now that I think about it, Kiba and Lee aren't so different from me either! Both of them attack first without thinking of a plan of attack, yet they're Chunin! So, why should I be different?!" Naruto complained.
Naruto, despite his current attitude, wasn't wrong at all. Ino has an attitude, perhaps undoubtfully more attitude than Naruto does, even when on missions. Naruto can't control his emotions properly, especially when he is on tasks, but Choji is no better. Every time someone, friend or foe, calls Choji a pig, fat, glutton, he loses his mind and attacks that person for that reason. Perfect example, that time Ino lost her cool with Choji while arguing with Naruto and Sakura, which she called him fat in their favourite BBQ Restaurant. Poor Asuma had to pay the bill for not only the food but the entire building which Chojo levelled down. Ino had to clean up the damage as punishment, along with a portion of her payment cut for the costs.
Now referring to Lee and Kiba, both Chunins have their share of problems too. Like Ino, Kiba can't hold his temper at all. One time, a fellow Konoha Shinobi, who was drunk, accidentally said that Kiba and Akamaru were chumps, and they were cat lovers. While the insult was not bad on a reasonable perspective, the Inuzukas take it a serious offence when they are referred to cats, and Kiba was no exception. He was charged for attacking that Shinobi later on. Lee is also a problem, he too had rushed into battles without thinking ahead of himself many, many times, some of those times he almost got himself, and others killed.
"Oh! And let's not forget about Sasuke!" Naruto growled. Ino didn't like the way Naruto was referring to Sasuke, not at all, but her shock refused to let her speak to Naruto. "Man! Sasuke's nothing more but a hypocrite! I'd always thought he was just acting all so cool, just to impress the higher-ups! But boy was I wrong! I thought he was my brother, but really all he is is a selfish stuck-up bastard! All he cares about is his honour! And only his reputation! I HATE IT! He didn't even speak up for me! And now Sakura-chan is all over him again! Just like you Ino!" Naruto looked at Ino with an angry pair of eyes.
"Listen to you, stuck-up idiot! You don't get to talk that way to me, Tsunade-Sama, or anyone else!" Ino growled.
"Heh! So it's okay for you to call me an idiot, stuck-up and everything else like you did in the past? Like you did now?!" This shut Ino up real good. Ino somehow felt like a traitor to her own words. In that instance, she had to admit that Naruto did make a perfectly reasonable point. Ino opened her mouth, about to object but couldn't.
Instead, she spoke sadly, "Naruto…" With a reasonable and less-demanding voice. "Tsunade-Sama deserves our respect for everything she did for the village. She lost her brother, her lover, now her teammate, and she still resumes her role as Hokage. Do you have any idea how bad it must be to be her right now? And Sasuke, I don't agree with what Sasuke had done is considered to be right? But now, we finally have that one chance for him to be in Konoha again. It may not favour all of us, but it's worth it." Ino couldn't have used the wrong words more than she just said. While she tried to be reasonable, to Choji's and Shikamaru's shock expecting her beating Naruto, it just did not work for the Genin.
"So that's it, huh?" Naruto said, his bangs covering his eyes for the last before he pushed them away. "Then, what you're telling me is, that no matter what I do, Sasuke will always be everyone's number one compared to me?! Is that it!".
"Naruto, no I-I didn't mean-!".
"SAVE IT!" Naruto yelled at Ino, shocking the Kunoichi, making her take a step back. "Ever since we were young, everyone looked up to Sasuke, even the Jounin looked up to him! I'd always thought that being born with greatness was absolute crap! But I guess I was wrong!" With that said, Naruto turned his back against his so-called "Friends" and walked away. "Some friends you all are! All you are nothing but traitors to me!". And just like that, Naruto started to walk away.
"Especially after those two… Got together…" Naruto gave a whisper, but it was loud enough for Shikamaru and the others to hear.
It didn't take long before Shikamaru knew what Naruto was talking about.
The day Sasuke was released from cuffs and was given the rank of Jounin, Sakura asked him out, and he agreed much to Naruto's anger.
"Naruto…" Shikamaru said in shock. "I just realised something…" He looked closer at Naruto. "You're not wearing your headband.".
(Flashback Ends)
And when things couldn't have gotten worse, they did…
(Flashback: Sortly After Naruto Spoke To Shikamaru, Ino And Choji, Location: Konoha Park)
Naruto walked by the park in Konoha. It was late, nearly sunset, most of the village was either asleep or indoors. or indoors. The reason he came: Sakura.
Naruto looked to his right, to see a bench. The very same bench that Naruto once transformed into Sasuke using the Transformation Jutsu in order to speak to Sakura. Previously, before they spoke, Naruto had a thing for Sakura in the Academy, but he didn't know what? It wasn't until he talked to her, that she mentioned about feelings to him, and that was when Naruto realised he cared for Sakura. And as time passed, he only began to care more and more about her.
But this time, it was no transformation. The real Sasuke was sitting next to Sakura, much to Naruto's pain and heartache. He could see them holding hands, next to each other in the park, something Naruto wanted for a long time.
Naruto looked at them, with sad eyes. He looked down, a tear or two leaked out of his eyes, but he rubbed them before anyone would notice him crying.
Naruto knew this would happen. He knew that the second he would bring Sasuke back to the village Sakura will be after him again. But still, he wished that Sakura would be after him for once, or at least go out on one date with him. Naruto still has feelings for Sakura, feelings that grew more as time went by, as well as more painful.
Naruto never told Sakura about his feelings. He always wanted her to be happy in her own way, one which Naruto could appreciate, but the feelings he held for her just couldn't let her go. So he decided enough was enough! He was going to tell Sakura how he feels, despite what relationship she has with Sasuke now.
Naruto walked behind Sakura and tapped her shoulder. The Kunoichi opened her green jade eyes and looked towards the blue cerulean, and Sasuke's black eyes looked into Naruto's as well.
"Hey, Sakura-Chan… C-Can we talk?" Naruto asked Sakura before he eyed Sasuke and added, "Alone?".
Sakura looked at Sasuke and nodded, and she got up and followed Naruto to a tree in the park, far from where she was sitting.
"Yes, Naruto," Sakura said, confirming Naruto that she was listening.
"I… How are things between… You and Sasuke?" Naruto asked her.
"Well… I would say they're, okay? I guess…" Sakura said, rolling her eyes in question. "But why did you want to speak to me alone?" Sakura asked, referring back to Naruto's question.
"Right! Right! The question." Naruto said, referring back to the question. "I… Ever since… Ever since we met each other, in the Academy, I've… I've been… I've been having these feelings since we met…" Naruto began his explanation, but slowly. "Sakura-Chan. The time we spent together, as a team, was great and all, but I have different feelings on the whole subject. What I'm trying to say is… I… I love you." Naruto finally let the words out.
"You love me as in like, friend or…" The kunoichi's eyes opened wide when she realised what Naruto exactly meant by the word "Love".
"Sakura-Chan… I love you, so much, I have for a while. I never said anything before until now." Naruto looked deep into Sakura's eyes, only to feel nothing but… Nothing…
"Naruto, I wanted to speak to you…" Sakura said as she walked up to Naruto. At one point, Naruto thought Sakura was going to say something to Naruto, but instead… SLAP! Naruto received a hard slap to the face. Thankfully no one noticed or saw it, except for Sasuke.
"That was for Tsunade-Sama, as I heard your conversation with her. Secondly…" Sakura looked down on the ground in shame, before continuing to speak. "There's something… Something I've meant to talk to you about with, Naruto…".
"I… I don't feel that way with you at all… And even if I did… Could you please never mention it to me again…" Naruto's eyes widen I shock from this response. "Sasuke-Kun finally came back, he finally accepted my date, and now he's my boyfriend. I just… want things to return the way they were when we were Genins, all of us because I think that was the best part of our lives," Sakura took a brief pause, catching her breath before continuing. "What I'm trying to say is… I've always wanted a perfect life, a life with Sasuke-Kun, and I thought that life was impossible until he came back." Sakura had no idea how her words were infecting Naruto. "Perfect life?" To Naruto, those words meant he was not perfect, which also said he was not only considered to be an incapable ninja, but also an incapable person as well. Naruto held feelings for Sakura, feelings he could never throw away, and to hear what she just said torn his heart to pieces. "He's back. Don't get me wrong, I do care about you, but not in the same way as I do for Sasuke-Kun. So promise me something Naruto…" She took another brief pause. "Promise me something Naruto. Just, stay back, for me at least…" With that said, Sakura smiled at Naruto, a smile that was warm and loving but… It did nothing to help the pain in Naruto's heart.
"I was wrong… ABOUT YOU!" Naruto yelled. Sakura grew shocked, Naruto never yelled at her before! "YOU'RE JUST LIKE ALL THE REST! ALL YOU GIVE A DAMN IS ABOUT YOURSELF AND OTHERS BUT ME! LIKE EVERYONE, YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT ME!" Naruto had tears coming down his eyes.
Sakura didn't know why? But for some reason, she felt hurt, very hurt. She saw when Sasuke was hurt, emotionally or physically, but the pain she was feeling for Naruto was much worse than it was, or ever could be with Sasuke. She brushed those thoughts aside in order to help Naruto. "N-Naruto, please listen and understand-!".
"NO! YOU LISTEN TO ME! I BROUGHT HIM BACK! I BROUGHT SASUKE BACK FOR YOU! FOR YOU! I HELP GIVE HIM THE SECOND CHANCE HE WANTED IN MY EXPENSE IN THE VILLAGE! AND THIS IS WHAT I GET?!" Naruto screamed. "I BROUGHT HIM BACK BECAUSE HE'S MY FRIEND! MY BROTHER! BUT LATELY, HE HASN'T SHOWN ANY OF THAT YET! NEITHER HAVE YOU AS A FRIEND! NOBODY HAS!" Naruto yelled.
"I PROTECTED THIS VILLAGE AGAINST ENEMIES! ENEMIES WHO COULD'VE DESTROYED THIS VILLAGE IF I WASN'T HERE TO PROTECT IT! WHAT DID SASUKE DO?! WHAT DID HE DO TO DESERVE THE TREATMENT HE'S GETTING NOW?! WHY IS HE SO IMPORTANT?! DMANIT, WHY?!" Naruto yelled at Sakura.
For all of Sakura's life, as long as she knew Naruto, she never heard him raise his voice at her even ONCE. There times he had, but not at this scale or level. And for some reason, it hurt her more than anything, even the cold words Sasuke said to her through all the years, which includes what he told her when she first met him back at Orochimaru's destroyed lair, could never compare to the pain she was feeling now with Naruto, and it was just a few hard words Naruto was telling her for once in her life! Even by adding all the times Sasuke hurt her with his words throughout her life, could never be compared to this one time, Naruto was hurting her, it was worse by many, many times! Thousands, if not, hundreds of millions of times!
The park was pretty much deserted, which meant it was only her, Naruto and Sasuke around the area. Sasuke heard the shouting, and saw the pained look in Naruto's eyes and decided to walk towards him. "Naruto! Are you okay?" Sasuke asked in concern, which earned him an angered look from Naruto.
"Oh! Now you're concerned about me?! Now you're talking to me?! Let me tell you something, Sasuke!" Naruto said with venom in his voice. "I am NOT okay! I am angry, furious! And you know why?! Because of you! Her! Everyone in this damn village!" Naruto said as he looked at Sasuke, pointing his body toward's Sasuke's location. "Ever since you left, I trained day and night, day and night, day and night! Just so I could bring you back home here for two reasons! One: I made a promise to HER to bring you back! A promise she asked me, no! Begged me to do! In tears and in sadness!" Naruto growled angrily. "Two: You're my brother…" Naruto became silent, which seemed to be a long time since he had spoken normally. "A brother, who went through SO MUCH, to bring you back home. And you know what? I did, I brought you back home. I knew what would happen if I did, but I pushed it aside, believing I could handle it, but not like this. As soon as you came back, you took EVERYTHING I earned away from me! First, you accept the title of Jounin like it's no big deal, while that old hag won't make me a Chunin, despite the fact I passed the Chunin Exams, because of the Nine-Tails inside me! Two, you took my credibility away! While you were gone, everyone was talking about me! For once, I was finally getting that attention, the respect, I deserved for a long time, and all of sudden everyone focuses on you! You took everything I earned so hard for away in seconds! Third…!" Nauto took a brief pause. "You took one of the most important people away from me! Her! I loved her for so long, and you just took her then and there! I was getting closer and closer to her until you came back!" Naruto glared at Sasuke even more, before saying… "WAS IT BECAUSE YOUR CLAN WAS KILLED OFF?! OR IS IT BECAUSE SHE THINKS SHE KNOWS WHAT LOVE IS?! BECAUSE I FIND YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH HER TO BE NOTHING BUT BULL SHI-!" SLAP!
"…" Everything went silent. It all became quiet when Sakura slapped Naruto in the face. She always punched him, hurt him, jabs him in the ribs with her elbow. But Sakura never, ever had slapped Naruto in the face before, and it wasn't comically either, it was emotionally. Naruto always felt pain whenever Sakura hit him, but that slap, in terms of physical pain, did not hurt as much as all of the others had, but perhaps it hurt the least? No, this slap was more painful not physically, but emotionally… It hurt Naruto more than any attack, any injuries, or worse than any opponent Naruto could ever have faced in his life. It was a small burn mark, not much probably the size of his inner palm. He placed his hand over it and rubbed it gently, giving a normal expression, but a sad one at that…
Sakura's body was slumped sideways in front of Naruto, she was facing him. She looked tired because she panted heavily form moving so fast and slapping Naruto so quickly. She gave Naruto, perhaps the angriest set of eyes she ever gave to Naruto in a long time. "You're such an idiot! Don't ever come near me, or Sasuke-Kun again… You're such a stupid, idiot!" Sakura growled at Naruto. "I have no idea why you try so hard, maybe that's why your parents abandoned you!" She said.
"To me, you're just an idiotic, dumb guy who doesn't have parents because YOU ARE DEMON!".
"…" Everything went silent for the second time. Sakura slowly opened her eyes wider when she realised the horrible things she said. She didn't mean it, any of it, she only said them because she was angry at Naruto for talking to Sasuke like that.
"Naruto… I'm so-.".
"I may not be a smart person, but at least I know what love is…" Sakura grew shocked before Naruto continued.
"You know what…!" Naruto paused. "Maybe you're right… I guess I shouldn't have been born!" With that said, Naruto began to walk away. "It was a mistake! All of it! Everything I did was nothing but a mistake!" Naruto walked faster.
"NARUTO! WAIT!" Sakura tried to catch him. She felt so guilty, she felt hurt by her own words, like she betrayed apart of herself, stabbing a Kunai or worse in her own heart. She couldn' focus on her feelings now because she had to catch up to Naruto.
"Naruto!" Sasuke tried to help her by stopping Naruto, only when Sakura got close to grab Naruto by the arm, the Genin disappeared in a flash.
Sakura looked around from left to right violently, trying to find him, only not to…
"I didn't mean… Naruto, I'm sorry…" A single tear fell from Sakura's eyes as she began to have hurtful thoughts about Naruto, filled with nothing but regret.
No one noticed it at the time, but Hinata was there, watching everything before her eyes…
(Flashback Ends)
It's been three months since that conversation, and Naruto hasn't said a single word to either of them. In fact, Naruto's been acting very distant from everyone in his life, even his friends…
For the past three months, Naruto accepted missions ranging from C to B to A ranked missions. Some missions involved Naruto guiding villagers or contractors to other villages or points, others included him helping out repairs and others revolved around him taking care of a few C-classed Shinobi.
Meanwhile, Sasuke as a Jounin was allowed to make his own team, pick which missions he believed were best and gone to them, earning more trust and recognition as he did. Kakashi said that he was proud of Sasuke's development, proud of his student's redemption, but Kakashi was never proud of Naruto afterwards ever again?
Naruto went in his shower, washed his hair, and went out to change to his clothes. He didn't put on his headband; however, he felt it was unnecessary and… He just didn't feel like it.
"Everything I ever did for this village… Was a waste of time…" Naruto then proceeded to look at a photo of him and Jiraiya together. Naruto had an irritated look on the photo because Jiraiya had his hand on Naruto's head, pushing him away while smiling, and in return, Naruto had his foot in a kick on Jiraiya's right cheek. Naruto picked up the photo, before giving it a gaze. "Pervy-Sage… Was it all a waste of time? Was everything I did was a mistake?".
"Sasuke has chosen a path that you can't follow Naruto. It's a fool's way to bring back a traitor who left the village. You would be smart enough to forget about Sasuke." Were the words Naruto remembered clearly when Jiraiya visited him after his loss against Sasuke.
"I was a fool… A fool believing in hope… I should never have brought him back…" Naruto thought to himself, but he felt like he was speaking to Jiraiya.
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! Naruto heard knocking on his door. Naruto proceeded to walk up to the door and opened it, which revealed a cat-masked ANBU member, handing Naruto a letter.
"Read this and goodbye." Like that, the ANBU disappeared, leaving the letter behind to Naruto, who held onto it before closing the door. The ANBU were never so talkative, probably because of their training and the missions they are given, and the secrecy they are sworn to protect.
Naruto opened the letter and saw something, something that made him happy…
It was an S-Ranked mission. One Tsunade had decided to send him.
Dear Naruto.
I know it's been three months since we last spoke since… "That" incident. The Council had overpowered a decision.
I'm sure you remembered my decision to keep you under A and B ranked missions until you deemed yourself worthy of S-Ranked, but the Council overpowered that decision, and I had no complaints about it.
However, I don't see it that you are as of yet to be capable of this mission alone. Yamato is on another mission, and so is Kakashi. This mission is in extreme importance, so I have no choice but to send a squad of ANBU to the gate with a team of Jounin. The leader of this mission is Night-Cat, a string ANBU Captain.
I am writing to you because you'll have to go to the Gates of the village right away, and I cannot afford to debrief you.
I know you'll have questions, so Night-Cat will answer each and every one of them for you.
Remember Naruto, Night-Cat is the leader. Obey EVERYTHING he says that is within the reasonable chain of command. We cannot afford to lose this opportunity we have.
Sincelery Tsunade.
Naruto was a little upset to see how lowly Tsunade trusted Naruto in this mission but was happy he finally was put in an S-Ranked mission. He couldn't wait, nor could he waste his time, he had to make to the gate pronto.
(Timeskip: Two Hours Later, Location: Forest, Near The Borders Of Fire Country)
After travelling for two hours, Naruto and the Shinobi reached for the edge of Fire Country, near a large mountain at the bottom.
During the travelling, Naruto, thanks to the Kyuubi's senses, heard the conversation that the Jounins were having behind Naruto's back. All of them he didn't know, they were just Jounins Naruto had never seen before. He heard they were talking about him, and the "Rampage" he had with Tsunade in her office. A majority of the Shinobi population heard about Naruto's argument with Tsunade, and many were ashamed of him, giving him the same scornful eyes they once gave him before he became a Shinobi when everyone saw him as a Demon, but the civilians didn't see Naruto anything different, in fact, all the rumours about Naruto's argument were just passed as rumours only, they never believed it, Naruto was too loyal to Tsunade.
Naruto felt upset, he thought he was beginning to lose the trust of the Shinobi around him, all because he yelled at Tsunade.
He couldn't worry about that now, because the mission leader was about to talk.
"Okay… I know you're all wondering why we're here? In case if you don't know if you've been sleeping for the past few months, or just wasn't interested? Information about ANBU identities has been leaked. How? We do not know. But we do know whose identities have been leaked and who they have been leaked to. Orochimaru…" Night-Cat said.
"Orochimaru?".
"Impossible, I thought Sasuke killed Orochimaru?".
"Maybe he was wrong? Or maybe Kabuto revived him like he did with the First and Second Hokages?".
Conversations between the Jounin were heard before Night-Cat decided to speak up. "We got confirmation thanks to Kakashi Hatake when he was on a tag-team mission with Sasuke. They encountered Orochimaru, but they didn't fight him. Sasuke said he struck Orochimaru down when he was infected by an incurable illness. However, the Hokage told me a little bit about Orochimaru and his twisted science experiments and the Curse Seals he had. It may have been that he already found a way to cure himself or regenerate himself if he almost died. But that's just a theory.".
"Shouldn't the Hokage be with us? It is Orochimaru we're talking about." One of the Jounin said.
"I know. But she has her hands full with the village, she can't afford to leave Konoha. And unfortunately, many of our strongest Shinobi are away on missions, and this information just came up. We can't afford to wait around, not when we have a situation as dangerous as this." Night-Cat said.
"Thankfully, Orochimaru seems to be injured, probably Sasuke must've either done a number on him, or he's still regenerating from the theory we made earlier. And even if we can't beat him, our main objective is the leaker, he takes top priority. If we capture this leaker, we may be able to force him or her to surrender information they have about Orochimaru? Perhaps we can strike a blow against him if we are not able to kill him?" Night-Cat said.
"But he won't be alone. There's another reason why this mission is important, and why we don't have the luxury of time to wait for our strongest to come. The Leaf's defences are on the line, our leaker somehow got his or her hands on our codes and timesheets, which are classified, in their hands, and are prepared to give them to Orochimaru." Night-Cat said. "We believe it may be Elder Councilman Danzo Shimura who has done this.".
"Danzo?! But I don't understand?" Naruto thought to himself.
(Flashback: Three Weeks After Naruto's Conversation With Tsunade, Location: Iciraku's Ramen)
(Author's Note: Fun fact, this part was originally the beginning of the story).
Naruto walked towards the only place he knew respected him, enough that made him feel like a human. Ichiraku's Ramen. He didn't want to train today, at least not while his "Team" was there training.
Since the conversation with Tsunade, Naruto has acted VERY distantly from his team. He only trained at training ground seven if his team was busy with something or they were on a mission.
Since today they were at the training grounds, Naruto decided to skip training in favour of some alone time, and some Ramen.
He sat at the stool, sad and lonely. To Ayame's surprise when Naruto came to sit, she saw no headband on his forehead. Usually, Shinobi off duty would take their headbands off, but not Naruto, he always considered his to be part of his character, but in recent weeks, he decided to forgo the headband form time to time, which grew more consistent than ever.
It wasn't until a bandaged man with half of his body unbandaged came to sit next to Naruto on a stool, with an X-like scar on his chin.
"So… You're this Danzo-Guy Sai told us about during our mission to rescue Sasuke, right?" Naruto asked the old War-Hawk.
"Yes. I am an Elder, perhaps the most influential ones in the village. I was once a teammate to Hiruzen Sarutobi during the Second Great Shinobi War." Danzo spoke.
"Really?! You knew the Old Man?!" Naruto asked in shock, disbelief that Danzo was the Third Hokage's teammate. It was strange, it seemed like the Third never mentioned Danzo's name ever?
"Yes. I suppose Sai told you about his mission? The mission about Sasuke?" Danzo asked, is only good eyes shifting to Naruto's direction, but he never made a face to face contact.
"Yeah, he told me a lot, like how he was told to kill Sasuke, and give Orochimaru some identities of our ANBU members," Naruto said, keeping it careful around Danzo.
"Yes, I gave those orders to kill Sasuke. Sasuke has the Sharingan, one of the strongest Doujutsus out there, with incredible strength to use Genjutsu. He was a threat, and as you should know, we are to deal with threats like them. And those ANBU names I had set up were faked, they were not real members of the ANBU program." Danzo explained.
"But you still tried to kill Sasuke," Naruto said, defending Sasuke's name. But in all truth, deep down within Naruto, he did question himself, considering that, Sasuke tried to kill Naruto around three tines so far.
"So you were okay with Sasuke trying to kill you and your team, correct?" Naruto wanted to argue against Danzo's words. He opened his mouth, about to say something but… He couldn't. He knew Danzo was right. If it wasn't for Sai's, Yamato's, even Orochimaru's and Kabuto's interventions, Naruto would probably bury six feet underground if he would've been lucky enough if Sasuke didn't vaporize his body.
"Your silence answers my question Uzumaki. However, I am here not to discuss with the past, but with your current status, concerning Tsunade's decisions. Such as, not promoting a Genin, who officially passed the Chunin Exams, to Chunin because of some… Difficulties you cannot control." Danzo said.
"So you're here to tell me I'm in trouble for causing a scene with Granny, right?" Naruto asked.
"Wrong," Danzo replied. "I am here to tell you are correct." This shocked Naruto. "By all means, you should've become Chunin. The only reason you were denied of such a rank would be because Tsunade worries about you. Just like she worried about her little brother, Nawaki.".
"Nawaki? I remember. Shizune told me the story about her Fiance and her little brother, about how they died and why Granny blamed the necklace for their deaths." Naruto said in a tone downed voice. He felt sorry for Tsunade for how much she suffered and lost.
"They died as Shinobi, like all of us. Have you ever wondered why Tsunade refuses to let your promotion happen?" Danzo asked. "It is because she sees you as her little brother. She puts her personal emotions ahead of Shinobi business." Danzo explained.
For the first time, he faces Naruto. "Your actions and results did not go unnoticed. It is indeed true that you have broken the chain of command, and you disobeyed your superiors direct orders, but all for the name of the mission, and to prevent criminals such as the Akatsuki from getting away. I heard you had a few run-ins in the past." Danzo reminded Naruto of all the time he faced the Akatsuki, begging from his rescue mission for Gaara. "Tsunade's playing the waiting game. She allows the Akatsuki to grow more and more powerful by the day. It won't be long before she realizes her mistake. You did the right thing chasing after those criminals. Who knows? Perhaps you could've caught them alive if Kakashi Hatake didn't stop you due to Tsunade's orders, another error in her leadership." Danzo said.
"You said you wanted to talk to me?" Naruto asked, thinking that Danzo didn't just come here to talk about only the past.
"As I said before, your actions have not gone unnoticed by the council. Mostly the Civilian Council. We would love our Hero of the Leaf to go on more daring missions, for you to grow stronger, and to stop organisations such as the Akatsuki from growing. Unfortunately… The Shinobi Council outvoted us…".
"The Shinobi Council? L-Like Shikamaru's, Choji's, Ino's parents?" Naruto asked.
"It wasn't a vote but an opinion about you, and opinion which effected Tsunade's decision. She asked about this before inviting your friends and Senseis about their personal opinion about you. As Civilians, we wanted you to get that promotion, but the Shinobi Council said otherwise, suggesting that it would be a bad idea, due to your… Demon." Naruto knew what Danzo was referring to, confirming his suspicions from a few weeks back after his conversation with Shikamaru and his teammates.
"If that's the case then… Why does Sasuke get to be promoted?" Naruto asked Danzo, looking down on the counter table with sad eyes.
"Because he was born from a noble Clan. Nobles are allowed special services, which is why the Civilian Council argues against them the most. Nobles, like Sasuke, for example, are born with the ability to gain instant recognition from the Shinobi and Civilians. I do not agree with Sasuke's current predicament, considering he abandoned the Leaf village, in favour of joining the likes of Orochimaru, he should be put in a cell for his treachery." Danzo explained.
"It's indeed sad about what happened to you… But I came here to tell you that the Council have been discussing your missions. I promise that the next task you go on will be more to your standards." Naruto looked at Danzo with a surprised face.
"Y-You mean that old man?!" Naruto asked in shock.
"I do Naruto, I do." With that said, Danzo left, giving Naruto a warm smile before leaving. But that smile soon turned a little, evil, unknowingly by Naruto, who was too busy eating his Ramen with a big smile.
(Flashback Ends)
That was nearly three months ago, two months and a week to be precise. Naruto had given up hope that Danzo's promise would come to fluency.
He just didn't understand why or how Danzo was a part of all of this. Maybe Tsunade didn't know about the fake ANBU identities or Dano's attempt to trap Orochimaru and bring him to justice?
"Now, there are only beliefs that Danzo may, or may not be behind this. Either way, our mission is to get the leaker, and hopefully manage to defeat or take Orochimaru to Konoha for him to face justice. Any questions?" Night-Cat asked. "Good. I will now call the name of those who stay with me. Naruto Uzumaki. The rest may go with their chosen leaders for the ambush." With that said, they all jumped away and gone to their battle positions around the mountain, which led to a cave inside of it.
"Anything you want from me?" Naruto asked his superior.
"Actually, yes. That is why I called your name." Night-Cat said, he sounded very strict with Naruto, like if he had a bone to pick with him. "If my memory serves me well? Your record stated that you, from time to time, break the chain of command. I want you to do as you told for once, okay?" Night-Cat said.
"Excuse me?!" Naruto said, a little shocked, but hurt from those words.
"You heard. I also like to mention that "Little" conversation you had with Tsunade-Sama in her office, filled with working people. How you managed to keep your position as a Konoha Shinobi is beyond me? In fact, you should've been placed in a cell for the night for raising your voice against the village leader.".
"That's not fair! Not fair at all! Granny-!".
"Was doing her job! I heard you had a go at her because you acted like a spoiled brat who didn't get what he wanted. As a Shinobi, you should respect the decision your Hokage makes weather you like it or not! Those are the rules!" Night-Cat said sternly.
"Do you have any idea how hard I worked for that position?!" Naruto argued, not taking any of Night-Cat's words in.
"Trust me, I know what difficulty it is to gain the ranks we have today. My position today was not child's play, I can tell you that much, I took a lot of risks and paths in order to become what I am today. But it was only because I followed my Hokage's orders. I have this position, Uzumaki. I will not tolerate any of that here. Do I make myself clear?" He leaned forwards towards Naruto.
Naruto clenched his fists, but sighed and said, "Clear…".
"Good. Now that we're clear we sha-!"BOOM! "WHAT THE?!" A massive explosion was set in the inside of the mountain, blowing the top off of the small cliff. "ATTACK! ATTACK!" Night-Cat yelled as he, and everyone else chared in.
Naruto followed them, all of them into the mountain's blown off top, to see platforms, wooden structures and people inside. The people transformed into beasts, they were once prisoners and test subjects to Orochimaru, who were forced to follow his will in return for a cure, a cure Orochimaru would never give.
Naruto came down, grabbing a pair of Kunai and striking each and every beast that came towards him. He sliced, kicked and used his Jutsus to attack each and every one of them.
Unfortunately, he couldn't save any of the Shinobi that followed him. There were too many, too many for Naruto's Shadow Clones to deal with. His clones disappeared quicker than Naruto could summon. Thankfully these beasts were not on par with Sasuke's Curse Mark level. Otherwise, they would be impossible to defeat.
It wasn't long before the explosion flames affected the area, the wooden structures and everything, causing mass fire to spread.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Naruto, thanks to his Kyuubi Senses, heard a very familiar voice coming from a room which was sealed by a metal door, now broken, near the top where the mountain had blown up. Naruto rushed, wanting to see what was happening. He saw two guards knocked out, and a couple of beasts slain on his way up there and in the room.
The room he went into looked like an office, similar to Tsunade's office in the Hokage's Tower, but three times the size. He saw the wall, behind a desk, destroyed, leading to the forest at a high altitude.
But to Naruto's shock, he saw Night-Cat holding a Katana, against a fallen Danzo.
Danzo laid on the ground, his stick next to him as he pleaded Night-Cat to spar him.
"What happened?" Naruto asked as he rushed inside the room.
"This happened…" Night-Cat said, as his Katana drew closer to Danzo's neck. "Danzo betrayed us, all of us. He sold ANBU information away just so he could undermine the Hokage.".
"You're wrong…" Danzo said. "I was doing what's best for the village! Tsunade's rule is chaotic! One day she will lead Konoha to utter destruction, you have to understand that Naruto?!" Danzo spoke as he looked at Naruto.
"We're gonna bring him in, right?" Naruto asked.
"No…" Night-Cat said. "We're not bringing him in. Instead, I'll just kill him here and now…" Night-Cat spoke in a cold tone.
"WHAT?!" Danzo exclaimed.
"W-Wait! Y-You can't do that! That's not the Shinobi way!" Naruto argued, but his words fell on deaf ears.
"This man has popularity among the civilians, the villagers! He has too much power, political power! If we brought him back for a trial, he'd use it against the Hokage and us! I will not allow anything to happen to the Hokage!" Naruto couldn't believe it, Night-Cat was thinking about the Hokage, protecting her by taking the life of Danzo.
"Is this what you want in future Naruto?! To be much-like Tsunade?! To give out orders to kill people without a proper trial?! Is that the Hokage you want to be?!" Danzo complained.
"We should just cuff him and take him away!" Naruto spoke sternly, but his words didn't affect Night-Cat's ears.
"This ends, once and for all!" Night-Cat lifted his Katana before he slashed it down upon Danzo.
"PLEASE!" Danzo begged for his life.
"NO!" Naruto grabbed a nearby Katana, and did the unthinkable…
Naruto used the Katana he grabbed and poured a little of his Chakra around the blade and used it to cut off Night-Cat's arm, as it swung down on Danzo. The blade landed next to Danzo.
Night-Cat screamed in pain and agon with the loss of his limb, before Danzo did a series of hand signs on his free hand and said, "FIREBALL JUTSU!".
Night-Cat was consumed in a massive fireball before he was set ablaze and thrown out of the room, where he most likely fell to his death.
Naruto couldn't believe what he had just done… He killed his superior…
He fell down on the broken desk behind him, and said, "What have I done…?" In disbelief, while Danzo used his cane to get up.
"Te right thing Naruto, the right thing," Danzo said, as he walked towards Naruto. "I have a few things to tell you about Naruto, some important things. But first…" He gave Naruto a stern look. "You need to leave Konoha, for good…".
And just like that, the hero of Konoha fell that night, forever changed…
Author's Note: DONE! You have no idea how long this took me. I originally began production of this one-shot of a story on sometime 2019 November, AND I UPLOADED IT ON 2020 FEBRUARY! So, yeah, I took my time with this story. For those that don't know, I have a Fanfiction account (For those who are reading this on Deviantart and Wattpad), and on Fanfiction through my other past stories, I was told Naruto's change of character gone too quickly as if he was forced to. In order to neglect these issues, I had to continuously rewrite this story three times. I guess what they say is right! Three times is a charm!
Anyway, as a little fun fact, as I stated in an author's note a few paragraphs ago, I did initially start this story with Naruto getting up from the bed and going to Ichiraku's Ramen stand where he would speak to Danzo, but I erased that part because when I got up to 8,000 words, I realised my sense of storytelling was a little bit simple. I wanted Naruto to be affected by Sakura a little more, but I wrote her previously as a fangirl, and I didn't like it at all. I also intended to put the full story arc in one document, but I decided to make it a trilogy instead. So, yes more will come in future.
I erased nearly the whole story but kept a few paragraphs until I decided to put it in the first-person perspective for Naruto, but I didn't like it. The first-person view was basically the same as the beginning of this story here when Naruto was yelling at Tsunade as a flashback, the only difference I decided to change it to third-person view than the first-person perspective. It made things a little bit more interesting.
Anyway, this is a NaruSaku and SasuHina pairing, just give the sequel a little bit of time, and you'll enjoy it.
Thanks for read. I hope you enjoyed.
Thanks dudes 😊.