Happy Sunday! Enjoy!

Chapter 12
On with the story

Naruto

"Class dismissed."

As everyone rushed out of the class Iruka waved me down.

"Naruto, may I have a word with you?"

I briefly glanced over to Sasuke and Hinata. Sasuke gave me a subtle nod. I knew he'd be on guard until we met up again later. I thought Hinata would be worried but she simply sent me a sweet smile. I think our talk last night really calmed her nerves.

"Yea, sure thing Iruka-Sensei."

Iruka led me into his office and moved behind his desk. It was obvious to everyone that something was off about him today. He had heavy bags under his eyes. I don't think he was able to sleep a wink last night. That only solidified my conclusion. He knew.

Iruka leaned on his desk, staring down blankly at the wood.

"Naruto, please close the door." He spoke in a strained whisper.

I complied, turning around now, still maintaining my "Dobe" persona.

"Jeez Iruka-sensei. What's going on with you lately?"

Iruka

I stared at Naruto. I just couldn't see it. This was an innocent boy, not a monster. I had to act quickly. I rushed over to Naruto and grabbed him by the shoulders.

"Naruto, you have to listen to me. You are in danger." I spoke out quickly.

Like I expected he showed a confused frown.

"What are you talking about Sensei?"

I shook my head, my hands quivering.

"It's hard to explain. It's the Hokage, he believes that you are responsible for the kidnappings that have been going on the last few years, including Ino. I know you are innocent but he is convinced. I think he's going to try and kill you." I sputtered.

Naruto began to laugh.

"That's real funny Iruka-sensei. If the Hokage really wanted me dead I'm pretty sure he wouldn't have to "try" anything. He's the hokage and I'm not even a genin yet. Good one, Sensei." Naruto said while continuing to laugh.

"Naruto, goddammit you have to listen to me!"

I think I finally got his attention. He stared up at me with a wide eyed expression.

"It's not just you. He also believes that Sasuke and Hinata have been helping you. And Hinata's little sister. You might not know her. Her name is Hanabi. He's going to attack them all. He'll try to capture them but he won't hesitate to kill them if he has to. You are all still children. Hanabi is only 10 years old. I need you to help me prove your innocence before something terrible happens."

I was on the verge of tears as I spoke. I had to break through Naruto's nonchalant exterior. I think I was getting through. Naruto's expression went blank. He pulled away from my grip and moved over to the window behind my desk, looking out on the empty training ground.

"Kill those three? Good luck."

Naruto's voice was different. He still sounded like his normal happy-go-lucky self but there was something off about how he spoke.

"What? Naruto? What are you…" I began.

I froze when Naruto turned around. His eyes. Those weren't the eyes of the boy I knew. His eyes were as bright blue as they ever were but there was an intensity there that has never been there before.

"I'm sorry for playing games with you Iruka-sensei. I'll give you the respect you deserve."

Naruto leaned back against the window seal, his posture relaxed, his hands resting comfortably behind his head. He still moved the same. The only difference were his eyes, those sinister eyes.

"Naruto, tell me all of that isn't true. It can't be." I barely got the words out.

"It's totally true. Every word. Actually the Old Man kind of downplayed it. I've done like, way worse."

Naruto was laughing. It was the same innocent laugh. He spoke about his terrible deeds as if it was the funniest joke he'd ever heard. I could barely process what I was witnessing.

My eyes narrowed.

"How could you?"

Naruto raised a brow.

"Do you really have to ask?"

I thought over that question, shaking my head.

"I know the villagers have not been the most kind to you but they don't deserve what you did to them. Especially not Ino. And, oh my gods, Sakura too?"

My eyes widened in realization. It made sense now. Naruto smirked, confirming my suspicions.

I threw up. It came without warning. I hunched over and hurled my lunch on the ground. Thankfully I was able to quickly grab a small garbage bin nearby.

Naruto watched me quietly, waiting for me to finish. I wiped my lips and looked back up to him. I gritted my teeth.

"Do you even care? Are you even sorry about what you did?" I spat bitterly.

Naruto shrugged.

"Not in the least. They are scum."

I felt like I was going to have a heart attack. Who was this and where was the Naruto I'd known for so long? I grabbed my aching chest.

"I'm sorry if my words hurt you Iruka. You are one of the few who don't deserve it."

"And you think they do!?" I snapped back.

"Yes." Naruto retorted without hesitation.

"How can you think that? What did they do to deserve the cruelty you inflicted on them?"

Tears were streaming down my face as I shouted at him.

"Enough." Naruto replied simply while turning his back to me.

"They are all symptoms of this pathetic world, acting out their cruelty with no regard for the wellbeing of their victims. Not everyone is cruel to the same extent but they are cruel enough to warrant my wrath."

I didn't know who I was talking to anymore. Naruto's voice was haunting. He stood with his arms crossed, his entire demeanor changing. He stood upright, almost commanding. Who was this?"

"Tell me you are smart enough to see your hypocrisy Naruto. You accuse others of cruelty given what you've done? You condemn them for their cruelty. Do you condemn yourself?"

Naruto turned his head to me and gave a small chuckle.

"Of course I do. I'm no better than them. If the Hokage was strong enough to kill me, to give me to Ibiki and have me tortured, I'd have no moral high ground to stand on. This isn't about having the moral high ground."

I hesitated, thinking over my responses now. Naruto was much more intelligent than I thought, than the "dead-last" persona he had been putting on. And by the sounds of it he was a lot stronger. At least he believed himself to be. Given how the Hokage was preparing an attack rather than striking immediately there had to be at least some merit to Naruto's strength. I had to stop thinking of the boy in front of me as the Naruto I knew. This was a completely different person. A monster. Despite holding his face this was not Naruto. I suddenly felt that this conversation was far more important than I initially realized.

I stood up now, steeling myself. I released a calming breath and walked over to Naruto to stand at his side. Naruto watched me but made no move to harm me. That's not saying he wouldn't, but at least for right now he seemed to be calm. Maybe I was in danger, maybe he'd try to kill me any moment. I had to remember my training and act as if anything could happen.

"So what now Naruto?" Will you torture the world for what a few of them did to you?" I questioned in a dull, emotionless tone.

"Its Emperor Naruto." He corrected me.

I looked down on him in disbelief. I thought for a second that he might be joking but one look at the way he carried himself and I knew right away that he was serious.

"Is that what you are calling yourself now? Emperor? Are you that far gone? Is the sweet boy I knew completely dead?"

Naruto didn't look at me. He kept staring out the window with his arms crossed. He didn't seem upset by my words. His face was disturbingly stoic.

"Think what you want, as long as you show respect." Naruto commanded.

I paused. A shiver crept up my spine. He scared me. I didn't even know how strong he was but I got the sense that right now, I was speaking to a ticking time bomb.

"Emperor Naruto then. The same question. What now?"

It broke my heart to speak his name like that. It was an acknowledgment that the boy I knew was completely gone.

"I'll teach this terrible world and it's people the lesson it deserves." He stated cryptically.

"And what lesson is that?"

"That the age of cruelty is coming to an end."

That declaration confused me. I frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"I will dominate this world with an iron fist. One village, one nation at a time I will bring the world to heel. People are cruel, petty, selfish, warlike. All that is over. I'm going to create a world-wide empire where cruelty is against the law, where lives like mine are made impossible. In doing so I will cause a lot of pain. A price I gladly pay."

I narrowed my eyes, turning to face Naruto now and glaring down at him.

"So you want to be a tyrant? That's the solution you've come up with? For one who thinks himself so superior you are quite the fool."

I was on my back in the blink of an eye. I didn't even see Naruto move. One moment I was standing in front of Naruto then next I was staring up at him. He knelt over me on one knee, his hand wrapped around my throat.

"Careful." He warned.

I was surprised by his strength, his speed. I was completely helpless. I couldn't move. My body was paralyzed. I couldn't even reach out to grab his wrist. He could kill me easily. I now understood his power.

Naruto's intense gaze bore down on me for a few moments as air left my body. He then pulled away, moving back to the window and allowing me to move. I didn't even see him perform any paralysing Ninjutsu or Genjutsu. He truly was a monster.

I coughed a bit as I shakily rose to my feet. I regarded him cautiously now.

"I meant to say that it's hard to believe you would expect the world to be better from a tyrannical rule." I spoke much more respectfully now.

Naruto was unphased by my doubt.

"It will become better. Especially after I'm done. I have no doubt about that. It's not a matter of if, but when."

I balled my fists in frustration.

"How can you believe that? Name one society in history that becomes more moral, more good because of a tyrant." I challenged.

Naruto smiled. His confidence threw me off. He gazed off to the side in a reminiscent fashion.

"Kaguya." He whispered in reverence.

"Who?"

I didn't recognize this name. I was a teacher. I'd read all the history books I showed my students. I'd even read most of the books in the Konoha library. Yet that name was foreign to me.

Naruto turned to face me.

"I wouldn't expect you to know her. Her son is far more famous. You'd know him as the Sage of Six Paths."

That name was familiar. I nodded in understanding.

"The story of the Sage of Six Paths disproves your belief that a good world can come from tyranny. His kindness, compassion and leadership brought an age of enlightenment and peace. He shepherded a time period without war, bringing prosperity to his people. That's the kind of leader you should be if you want to change the world Naruto. Not...this." I pleaded while gesturing towards him.

I didn't call him emperor. He definitely noticed but didn't do anything to harm me. I didn't want to call him emperor. I still felt that there was a spec of the boy I knew left deep inside him. The fact that he was even thinking about trying to make the world better was all the proof I need. It might have been foolish hope, but it was something.

"You're naive if you believe that." Naruto retorted.

I shook my head.

"What?"

Naruto scoffed.

"There was no peace during the Sage's time. Sure, he stopped war because he was the strongest and interceded in large-scale conflicts but the world he created was far from peaceful. There was still slavery, poverty, opression, the powerful stepping on the weak. People still cared little about each other, stepped over those in need. Peace my ass." Naruto spat.

I was stunned. How did he know this?

"The history books paint that time in the rosiest light because history is made by the victor. However, except for war, every other evil thing still existed in the world. Evil he was too weak to stop. In a world with the Sage a childhood like mine was still possible. Not only possible, but likely. He preached peace, unity, equality. He even went so far as to spread chakra around the world, giving it to everyone. He naively believed that no single person should have more chakra than another person. You know what people did with his gift?"

Naruto seemed to be growing more agitated as he spoke. I could now see where he was going with his rant.

"As soon as the Sage died they began to war among each other again. They victimized each other, brutalized each other. The Sage's teachings just made it easier for the strong to oppress the weak. He damned the world and empowered the most cruel among society. He was too much of a coward to create a kind of institution that could actually last throughout the ages, punishing the cruel and rewarding the kind. That is why, despite how powerful he was, the most powerful Shinobi to ever exist, he was still weak." Naruto hissed.

It took me a moment to take in everything Naruto said.

"And you think tyranny can do better?"

Naruto nodded.

"I know it can. I've seen it in the society Kaguya created before her children overthrew her rule. Kaguya created the most successful blueprint for a peaceful, empathetic, compassionate, and orderly society. It wasn't perfect but it was the closest thing to a utopia that anyone has ever achieved. She was able to do it because she understood human nature better than anyone. She understood that people as a whole won't be good on their own. People are too self-centered. To push real change you have to do it by force. Kaguya's only mistake was having naive children who ruined everything she created. I'll do it right this time. Once and for all."

I was still trying to comprehend Naruto's vision.

"How?"

Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"By taking away the privileges the people of this world have taken advantage of. I will make it so all the traits that led to a life like mine are punishable by death. Stepping over a person in need will be against the law, showing hate will be against the law. Everyone will be held accountable. The people, the politicians, even the shinobi police. Being selfish, hateful, lacking compassion, those traits are privileges that will no longer exist in my new world. I will make it so that it will be in your best interest to care for your neighbor and if you don't, you will be devoured."

My eyes widened in shock.

"With all due respect, that's ridiculous Naruto."

Despite Naruto's intelligence I could still see how childish his ideas were. Naruto paused, glaring me down. I shivered. After a long silence he tore his gaze away and continued to look out the window.

"Of course it would seem that way to you. Given the way this world has functioned up until now, how could you believe anything else? However that's how it will be. If I have to slaughter 90% of the population because they can't get used to my rule then so be it. I will no longer tolerate the kind of apathy and lack of empathy that lead to my terrible childhood. No longer!" Naruto barked.

The power of his voice was something otherworldly. He truly looked like a demon. I had to take a moment to calm myself, closing my eyes and taking a few deep breaths.

"Naruto, it seems like your beliefs are based on the society of this…Kaguya. How do you know that her society was so much better than ours?"

Naruto calmed down a bit.

"Because I've seen it."

"How?"

"Through the memories of a friend. You might know him as Kyuubi." Naruto admitted.

I was absolutely shocked. What did he mean? Naruto chuckled when seeing my flabbergasted reaction.

"Kyuubi and all the other demons, they were birthed by the Sage of Six Paths after the Sage defeated Kaguya and overthrew her rule. In a way the tailed-beasts were part of Kaguya. Kyuubi and the rest of them inherited Kaguya's memories. It's why Kyuubi is so disgusted by humans. The Sage tried to teach the tailed-beasts to be peaceful, to live in harmony among themselves and among people. Kyuubi and most of the rest could see the folly in his guidance because they remembered how Kaguya's society functioned compared to the one that the Sage created. The Sage's ideas were a joke. While the helpless suffered he preached peace and unity. He did nothing to stop the real problems of the world.

Slavery continued and because he was too much of a coward he didn't wage a war to free the slaves. Because blood and violence is what it would have taken. Poverty existed and because the Sage was too much of a coward he didn't wage war on greedy governments that allowed for huge gaps in wealth. I could go on. Say what you want about Kaguya, everyone had what they needed to survive, to pursue happiness to an even larger extent than what exists now. They didn't have some of the freedoms you enjoy but in exchange they knew that if they followed the rules and did the right thing, that they and their families would be taken care of."

I listened to Naruto rant with my mind focused on one thing. I balled my fists.

"So your entire belief structure comes from a demon? Do you not see how it has manipulated you?"

Now that I knew the truth there was no denying it. Naruto had been corrupted by the demon. Naruto smirked.

"That would be extremely poetic would it not?" Naruto questioned in a lighthearted manner.

I was at a loss for words. Naruto seemed to only be more amused by my confusion.

"The boy who the world abandoned and burdened with the duty of jailer is corrupted by his prisoner, and lashes out at the careless society which damned him in the first place." Naruto mused.

I looked away from him, feeling an aching in my chest. It was guilt.

"I'm sorry Naruto." I spoke out while walking forward and closing the gap to him.

He watched me warily as I approached. I dropped to my knees and suddenly embraced him in a hug.

Naruto

This guy was something else. He was crying, dampening my jacket with his tears. It was far too late for that.

Iruka

Naruto was rigid as I hugged him. That coldness only made me hug tighter. I had to break through to him.

"I know now the extent of what you must have gone through, what it must have felt like to be abandoned and orphaned your entire life. It must have been hell to be looked at with contempt and hate by people who should have shown you warmth."

I couldn't see Naruto's face, I didn't want to, not until I was finished. He stayed quiet and just listened for now.

"But you can't take your pain out on the world. Maybe a few people deserve it but not everyone. The type of society you are talking about will be impossible to create. And if you try to punish people for not being as good as you think they can be, all you'll be left to rule over is ashes. You must see that. That's what the demon wants. It has shown you false images of a non-existent past to convince you to follow a path of darkness. It's played on your innocence. The world you are talking about can't exist. You can't outlaw hate, lack of compassion, greed. No one can survive like that. Those things are as integral to human nature as breathing. Even I wouldn't survive under those criteria." I pleaded with him.

I just had to get through to him.

"Iruka…" Naruto began.

I pulled back just enough to see his face. My heart sunk when I saw his expression. He gave me this look as if I were a child. He shook his head and gazed upon me as if I had no idea what I was talking about. A look of pity.

"You're wrong, about pretty much everything you just said. Not only would you survive in my world, you'd thrive. You could have chosen to hate me but you didn't. Instead you walked up to a boy who everyone else ostracized and took time out of your day to show that boy compassion. Not even the other shinobi of this village stepped up to help me. In fact some Shinobi have given me that same scornful gaze. The rest simply don't care. They spill blood and do monstrous things for this village but left a boy like me abandoned. No one stuck up for me but you. You've never even taken a life. You choose to walk a peaceful path of education rather than taint your hands with blood. You are a perfect example of the type of person who will fill my empire."

I began to shake Naruto now. I was so frustrated.

"Don't idolize me Naruto! The fact that I haven't killed anyone doesn't make me better than my brothers and sisters-in-arms. The fact that I have the opportunity to recognize a boy in need because I wasn't on the field of battle shouldn't be damning to them. The only reason this village even exists is because they are fighting every day for our survival. And yes, they kill to protect this village but that doesn't make me better than them, or more good or more moral. What they do MUST be done. They are sacrificing their wellbeing in order to keep us safe. That should be revered, not condemned!"

Naruto nodded. Was I getting through to him?

"I agree that what they are doing is necessary, it is a sacrifice, yet it is tainting all the same. A necessary evil, but evil none-the-less."

Naruto sounded more sympathetic to me now. He pulled away and released a small sigh, turning his back to me.

"I will create a world where none of that is necessary anymore, no one will need to taint their heart with such evil."

"Again Naruto, that's impossible. That demon has fooled you. It can't be done!"

I just had to convince him. Naruto shook his head.

"I held doubts at one point as well. You are right to be suspicious of Kyuubi's motives. He clearly hates people. He would have every reason to trick me. Which is why I independently investigated his claims."

I paused now.

"What? How? The core of his trick is based on a society that existed thousands of years ago. He's tricked you into believing that a utopia came from tyranny."

Naruto nodded.

"That would be a good trick. However it simply isn't. I can create clones, lots of clones. Thousands. In the past year I've sent them all across the world, scavenging and researching. I've interviewed members of a Holy order which still follows Kaguya's teachings and cataloged her history. There exists an order for the Sage as well. Both held interesting perspectives. I've excavated remnants of where Kaguya's society should have been. I've found ancient texts and artifacts proving that Kaguya existed, that her utopia existed. I had the same doubts as you but now the truth is undeniable. She really did it."

I was flabbergasted. The implications of Naruto's abilities were astounding.

"The reason Kaguya created a society as harmonious as she did isn't completely benevolent. Kyuubi showed me her motivations, her fears. She believed that a doom would soon befall the world and that the only way the world would survive was to be completely united. Given that belief she did everything in her power to unite everyone. It's why her rule and laws were so strict. It's why she was successful. She truly believed that if she didn't bring the world to heel then the world would be destroyed.

Regardless of if her beliefs were true, the efficacy of her methods and the paradise she created can't be denied. I will build upon that blueprint and perfect it, creating a type of utopia that the world has never seen before. In my lifetime there will be peace, harmony, compassion in everyone. Believe it!"

I grabbed my desk nearby to steady myself. I no longer believed that Naruto could be convinced to stray away from his bloody path. He spoke with the same conviction as he always did. Except instead of talking about being Hokage, he was talking about creating an empire, with him as emperor. In a twisted way this was still the same Naruto I knew. It's as if someone took Naruto's beliefs and flipped them upside down. So he fought for those beliefs and believed in his dream just as strongly as he used to believe in this dream of becoming Hokage. Knowing Naruto, I didn't think anything could stop him. The gravity of this situation was just hitting me. I hunched over and nearly threw up again as I accepted the terrible reality. However I still had a little fight left.

"Ok Naruto...Emperor Naruto, if that is what you insist on being called. But what does torturing innocents like Ino and Sakura have to do with creating that harmonious society?"

Naruto shrugged carelessly.

"Oh that? It was because they were annoying and bullied my empress. My empress originally took them but she only did so with my blessing. I just finished what she started. That kind of pettiness will not go unpunished in my world. They learned that their actions have real consequence." Naruto stated casually.

I was mortified.

"Do you really believe that what they did justified the horrors inflicted upon them? Kidnapping? Torture? They were gone for days. It's easy for anyone to see how much the experience damaged Sakura. And I can assume by Ino's absence that she was damaged at least as much."

Naruto scoffed.

"Who's to say what punishment fits the crime. There is no objective standard for justice. If you don't want to be punished then don't commit the crime. Justice is what I say it is. That's the point in banning "hate" and "lack of compassion". It's purposefully vague so that I can interpret the law in any way I see fit. It will make sure people think twice before sending a glare, or bullying, or doing any other type of toxic, destructive, or careless action."

I could feel my frustration building again.

"Again you point the finger at others while that same finger is stained in blood. You called them "scum." Yet you think they should be punished for exhibiting the same type of behavior as you? You claim you want to create a better world but how can you do that if you can't even be an example of the type of person you want your people to be."

Naruto rubbed his nose confidently.

"I'm surprised at you Iruka-sensei. If anyone would know it would be you."

I was clearly confused. Naruto shook his head.

"My people shouldn't be like me. That's the point. After I die no one will have the right to do what I do. So that kind of evil will die with me. I will be Emperor but eventually I will transition the world into a sort of democracy, with checks and balances. I will oversee the society that I create until I'm confident it can function without me. That way the society continues to be good after I die because not even the government will have the right to be cruel. Only me and the few I grant exception to. The government will be enforcers of the law through non-lethal methods and the only evil that will remain is the impartial judge, Kyuubi.

While I live I'll grant exception to a few others as well. We will be the only exception to the law but that isn't so different from how most societies are. I will functionally be my own government entity. Every government, historically, has monopolized "righteous violence." Armies, police forces, these are government entities. A police officer can assault you and it's ok because they have been granted special rights by the laws set in place. A government soldier can wage war and neither that government nor that soldier is necessarily considered evil by the people because the government is "granted" special rights. Same concept will apply to me. I can do whatever I want because I'll be the government. Well, the head of the government. While I'm alive I'll grant myself the right to do whatever I want. The only difference between me and your government is that the Hokage is elected and I won't be. But that's not a big deal anyway and it won't in any way hinder the creation of my perfect empire."

Naruto seemed to have thought out everything. Still I have to try to poke holes in his logic where I could.

"What you are doing is more than just evil Naruto. It's wrong. Can't you see that?"

Naruto rolled his eyes now. I think he was growing impatient.

"According to who? The people of your society? If you get 10 people from 10 different countries in a room they will have 10 different interpretations of what constitutes good and evil, right and wrong. Hell, you could get 10 people from the same society or religion and still get 10 different answers. Even when they agree that, for example, murder is wrong. They will disagree on what constitutes murder.

Morality is completely arbitrary. It's just used to get people to behave in a way that is conducive to a society most people want. You would not want your neighbor to rape your children, kill your family, or rob your house without recorse so you create a set of rules that makes it easier to live among each other. That's all it is. Just a set of rules that certain groups of people have agreed upon. There is nothing objective about it. So why should I care what the mob thinks about my behavior. What's a mob to a god?"

I audibly gasped.

"A god?"

Naruto's eyes narrowed at me, a sinister smirk playing across his lips.

"Another arbitrary term. A malleable concept that changes depending upon individual civilizations, cultures, religions, families, people. Given the power and influence I will wield, that term fits me perfectly. No one will be able to challenge my rule. I will be able to do and say whatever I want to whoever I want. My empress along with me."

It was haunting, listening to Naruto speak in such a monstrous way. But something he said stood out to me. He'd been talking about it all along but my mind finally focused on it.

"Empress?"

Naruto's expression visibly softened.

"Yes. Honestly I could care less what people think about me. Their ideas of good and evil, right and wrong are meaningless to me. Now that I've learned how arbitrary those concepts are, how subjective they are, who cares? However I know that my empress will care about the judgement of the mob. So really, the status of "God" and "Emperor" is mostly to make her feel better about the things we do. I'll assure her that she needn't feel guilty because of the special rights I've granted us.

Our behavior will be no different from most other governments. Even Konoha has torturers. You wage war and decide who to kill, who to hurt, who to torture. Sure, Konoha has slightly different criteria for their decision but it hasn't always been that way. Konoha has tortured and killed plenty of innocent people because it was in their best interest. Governments throughout the history of the world have done the same thing. You do what you think is necessary, and oftentimes, just because it's convenient. I'll grant her and I those special governmental rights, special godly rights. No one will be able to stop us because I am the strongest. And really it's as simple as that. If I call myself a god and there is no one strong enough to stop me, then functionally does it really make a difference if I'm not a god? It's all made up anyway so why not have fun?" Naruto ended his sentence by letting out one of his patented Naruto laughs.

His laughter still sounded so innocent, so cheerful. I collapsed, falling on my ass. I was simply overwhelmed.

"Is there any good in you left, Naruto?" I choked out the words.

I cradled my own head and stared blankly at the ground, tears streaking down my cheeks. How could we have failed him so much?

"I think so, at least a little bit."

Naruto's voice was softer now. When I looked up to him I saw a sympathetic gaze looking down at me.

"I told you that I don't believe in your version of good and evil, but for simplicities' sake I will answer your question in the context of your moral framework. Given that, I do think there is some good left in me."

"Really Naruto?"

He nodded gently.

"Yea. Otherwise I wouldn't care what happened to the world. I'd simply set it on fire just to watch it burn. But I don't want to do that, not to everyone at least. I'll kill tons of people, innocents included, but I will also find catharsis in providing a good life for those few who deserve it. I do want the world to be better. When it comes to changing the world I have a real, singular focus. Make the type of world where a tragic childhood like mine is impossible.

That is where my conviction lies. That world can't exist through your methods. If I want real, lasting change I can't just be an inspiring, strong leader that advocates for peace and unity through diplomacy and only wage defensive wars when absolutely necessary. That's the kind of leader the Sage was and he failed spectacularly. So many were left behind because when push comes to shove, people are shit. So I have to do things my way if I want the tragedy of my childhood to be made impossible. The fact that I even care about preventing that childhood for others means there has to be some good left in me, right Iruka-Sensei?"

I saw it again. A hint of the boy I knew. There was doubt in his voice. He was really asking my opinion. I wiped my tears away and stood up, walking over to him and placing a hand along his shoulder.

"Yes Naruto. That is good. I just wish...you would find a gentler path."

Naruto was more receptive to my touch now. He sighed and gazed off to the side in thought.

"I'm not perfect. I know your method wouldn't work but maybe my way isn't completely necessary either. Maybe there is a perfect middle-ground in order to eliminate hate from the world. If there is I don't know how to achieve it and no one else does either. Other than Kaguya, there is no other example in history of the type of hate and cruelty-free society that I dream of. You'll just have to make do with my solution." Naruto stated sternly.

I was still conflicted about his goals but I nodded in understanding. He turned away, walking over to the door now. He began to open it but stopped, speaking with his back to me.

"Iruka-sensei please don't get in my way. You can't challenge my strength. No one can. However, you can do a lot of good in my empire. Your voice, if calculated and respectful, can save lives and make me a slightly gentler ruler. But If you oppose me I will kill you. Unlike the rest of the mob, yours would be a death I'd mourn. So for both of our sakes, please find a way to do what you do without standing in my path."

Naruto closed the door after his warning. I flopped down on my chair, staring at the door in exasperation. I had a lot to think about.

That's the end of the chapter. Please review. See you next Sunday!