Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Caught part two; Redemption ❯ chapter 5 ( Chapter 5 )

“Is that all of them?” The familiar blond finished tying the rope that held the ROOT members right arm over and behind his back while the other was under and behind. The rope attacked the two together. No way for them to use their seals.

 

“There are eight missing. Member 328 and 213 are on a mission in the land of the wave.” Sai lifted his prisoners to their feet, shoving them in the direction of the Hokage tower.

 

“What about the other six?” Neji question, going the same to his two captives. Lining them up in two groups of three.

 

“Danzo has six root members on guard at his home at all time.”

 

Neji, being the man at the head of the line, began leading them towards the Hokage's tower. Behind him, three bound members of root marched. Shino stood beside them. Between the first set of three ROOT members and the next set stood Kiba. Sai stood next to the second group of ROOT; the opposite side from Shino. At the rear of the group marched Naruto, who was supposed to keep an eye out, but seemed distracted, which was not hard to do. Sakura made her way from one member to another, healing their wounds the best she was able to.

 

“Must think he's hot stuff if he keeps that many on watch” Kiba snorted.

 

“It is not uncommon, Kiba, for men such as he to believe so highly in their own worth” Shino retorted.

 

“Hey Sai” Naruto's worried voice was heard from the back of the group.

 

Yes easily distracted.

 

“Yes Naruto” A respect had grown between the two over the last few years, though Sai enjoyed poking fun at the supposed `dickless wonder, even though he knew other wise.

 

“What exactly are these men being charged for? I mean we had to round up a hundred and eighty two people this morning, and its only seven. Something big has to be going on.”

 

“Indeed it is Naruto, or we would be out here” The sarcasm was not detectible to any outside source, but to the members of the team, who knew Sai, understood it.

 

“What I think Naruto means, Sai” Sakura smiled sweetly, a small trace of venom lacing her voice. “Is that he is wondering if you knew of any illegal activities that would cause the members to be rounded up like this and taken to the Hokage's tower?”

 

There was a silence as even Neji was interesting in Sai's response.

 

“There have been many dealings since the creation of ROOT that have been considered under the table.”

 

“Did the Hokage know of these?” Shino questioned.

 

“No, but if the other villages were to find out who were behind the attacks then the Hokage and village would have been held responsible.”

 

“And another war could break out” Sakura whispered.

 

No spoke again until they reached the tower and added their six captive to the others, who were sitting in rows, as if on display. All in which were tied in the same fashion.

 

A small angry crowd had begun to form.

 

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The two that stood at the door didn't wasted time in attacking, since they were the closest. Their target was Suigetsu. An unknown ninja with a sword that meant business.

 

The other four were stopped in their tracks by Shikimaru's shadow jutsu.

 

Danzo lay on the ground in pain at Hinata's feet.

 

Knowing what the copycat ninja was about to do, Shikimaru moved his arms, the right arm bent and his elbow pointing to the sky, while the other arm, equally at bend, pointed to the ground. Kakashi, leaving the happily fighting Suigetsu with the last two, proceeded to tie the frozen men's wrists together.

 

“That was easy” A small voice was heard not too far off.

 

“I didn't expect it to be too difficult.” Kakashi stated.

 

Shikimaru smiled.

 

“SUIGETSU DON'T KILL THEM!!” Karin's angry voice echoed throughout the building.

 

“SHUT UP WOMAN!” the man replied.

 

All eyes were on them. They were now facing each other, fire spouting from their eyes. Two men they unconscious at their feet.

 

“I wasn't going to kill them you bitch. Damn, can't you screech a little softer?!”

 

“Why you…” She began to advance on the water Ninja. What she could have done, no one knew, but it would have been funny to watch.

 

“You two better stop and help us move these guys before Sasuke finds out” Shikimaru sighed while rubbing his now aching forehead.

 

That seemed to do that trick.

 

As the members of the teams finished tying and preparing to leave Shikimaru, in all his mysterious genius way, made his way toward the hall that Danzo came from.

 

“Nara” Called the copycat.

 

Not even bothering to turn around, or take his hands out of his pocket, Shikimaru kept walking. “A man like Danzo would be stupid enough to keep records of his doings.”

 

“Just don't take too long Shikamaru” Hinati's small voice didn't even echoes like the others.

 

“Just give me five minutes, and we can leave.”

 

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“Remember Sasuke, they have to be taken to the tower for a trial” Lee eyed the Uchiha. It wouldn't have surprised Lee, or anybody else for that matter, if Sasuke `accidentally' killed the elders.

 

Lee and Gai both stood slightly behind Sasuke on either side, like good escorts did.

 

The home of the elders were connected to the Hokage tower. It was positioned in the back and had a back door that fed into one of the many hallways. The two elders, long time best friends, shared the space, though the trio never even made it to the door before they saw the elders walking toward them in the hallway.

 

“Uchiha!”

 

“Gaurds!”

 

Nothing happened.

 

Sasuke stood, no emotion written on his face; or even in the depths of his eyes. Gai and Rock Lee standing prepared for anything.

 

The elders, shocked, amazed, terrified.

 

The Uchiha, wearing the traditional Uchiha black pants and long sleeve shirt with a large collar, topped with a new Konoha headband, stood his ground. “Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura, you are being arrested for Treason.”

 

There was a long silence before a chuckling was heard.

 

Sasuke glared.

 

Gai and Lee tensed, ready to pounce.

 

“Are you trying to arrest us?” Homura laughed. “You, and Uchiha? A traitor?”

Keeping his anger checked, which took many years of practice, Sasuke began anew. “You are being arrested for the slaughtering of the Uchiha Clan. I will not repeat myself again”

 

The two green jumpsuit wearing ninja's snapped their head toward him. Neither expecting such an accusation.

 

“They were responsible for that tragedy? I though Itachi killed them”

 

Sasuke made no move to acknowledge Gai's question.

 

“He did” A smug smile spread across her face, “He's a violent blood thirty murderer-”

 

“There is no point in lying. The truth had been told.” Sasuke's voice betrayed no trace of emotion, not even the anger that burned through his veins.

 

“This is absurd” Koharu shook her head. “Who you do think the hokage, the town, will believe? Us, the trusted council that lives and breaths for the village or some traitor with tainted blood.”

 

“I see” Lee stepped forward, anger burning in his eyes.

 

Sasuke didn't make even the smallest of movements, for if he did, the elders would have lost their head before planned.

 

“This was about discrimination” Lee held out his fist, clenching it in anger.

 

“No” Koharu whispered, her face now looking the 70 years that it was. “They were planning on taking over Honoha. Hundreds, maybe thousands would suffer for their selfishness”

 

“This is not up for discussion, you are to come with us now”

 

“And if we refuse?” Homura questioned, resilience laced his voice.

 

The chirping of a thousand birds echoed through the hall as the Chidori covered Sasuke's body in a warning. Gai and Lee stood back, not wanted to get caught in the attack, but not fearing the man behind it. The anger and betrayal the flowed threw Sasuke was now being shared with them.

 

Justice will be served.

 

The elders gasped, taking a step back.

 

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Tsunade, the fifth Hokage, Stood at the edge of the hokage tower, looking down at the people of the village. The very angry members of the village that she had sworn to protect. Fliers clenched in their hands. The thirst for justice glowing behind their eyes.

 

Somebody was going to die today.

 

On both sides of the street wooden booths were set up, thanks to Yamato.

 

Behind her, the 188 members of Root sat, bound by the wrists. Around this large group of people different members of the once rookie 12 stood along with their old Senseis. Between the group of root and her stood three very nervous looking people; Danzo, Homura, and Koharu.

 

Tsunade glanced up at the faces of the previous hokage's. A lone figure sat in what looked to be a position monks used to meditate.

 

Karin sat up high on the third's head, a talkie strapped to her neck, trying to search the surrounding area for the missing two ROOT members which were not accounted for. Keeping her eyes closed she aloud her senses to reach out past the angry crowd. They weren't back yet, but if they chose that moment to come home, she would know.

 

Suigetsu stood on a building between the villagers and the gate, a talkie strapped to his neck, waiting for anything from Karin.

 

“Anything yet?” A voice was heard by both.

 

“Not yet Shikimaru” Karin answered, her eyes remaining closed.

 

“Good, keep searching. Suigetsu keep on guard. Prepare for anything”

 

“Can do” He saluted even though no one could see him.

 

Tsunade glanced at Shikamaru, who gave her a nod she took a deep breath. “Good morning village of Konoha” Tsunade began. Her voice carrying to the villagers in the back. It seemed that not one person was going to miss this.

 

There were no cheers. No laughs or smiled would be found this morning.

 

“It seems that a great injustice had been done, the worse of tragedy that had been organized by those who swore to serve the village. These three…” She turned and pointed to the people standing behind her. Kakashi, Gai, and Sasuke, pushed the three forward a few steps, presenting them to the villagers. Boo's were heard all around. “We will have a public trial here today. One in which I will have the final say, with the help and support of those who they have wronged; you”

 

The angry mob cheered.

 

Tsunade made her way to the right of the tower, sitting in her chair that had been brought up from her office, along with a smaller wooden desk. “The first order of business. Homura and Koharu please step forward.”

 

Everyone was quiet. No one wanted to miss a single word of the trail. The feel of betrayal and the need for justice being shared by all. With all of the anger and pain it never accrued to anybody that the morning was indeed beautiful. The weather was perfect. Few clouds in the sky. It would be fitting if it were raining or just cloudy, but all seemed to be perfect in nature. It was as if nature was waiting for this trial.

 

Naruto and Sakura stood together on the side of the ROOT that was closet to the Hokage. At first glance it seemed as though they were statues, but if you were to look into their eyes you could see something completely different. Sakura's jaw was clench, her anger reaching its peak. The sense of betrayal and pain stabbing at the chest.

 

Naruto's jaw was also clenched, but tears filled his eyes. Tears for the Uchiha Clan, tears for Itachi's pain, and tears for Sasuke. Starring at the back of the young Uchiha's head he clenched the flyer in his hand.

 

Tears ran down his face.

 

“Did you or did you not over ride the Hokage's will and have the Uchiha clan slaughtered?”

 

“Yes we did but..”

 

“You have to understand”

 

“Is it true that you brainwashed Itachi Uchiha into slaughtering his own family?”

 

“NO!” Koharu screamed. “No! He took the mission because he felt that it was the right thing to do!”

 

“Did you or did you not tell him that there was no other way to resolve the conflict?” Tsunade slammed her hand on the desk, with out her super strength.

 

“There WERE no other ways to-”

 

“That is enough. You know, along with everybody else here, that there were other ways to handle the conflict.”

 

“You weren't there, you couldn't possibly understand the magnitude-” Koharu didn't get to finish her sentence.

 

“I couldn't possibly understand?” Tsunade stood, anger present in every inch of her body. “I am the only living member of the Senju Clan, I was raised by the first and his family. I was given a detailed account of the battle between the first and Madara from the First himself. I know the conflict between then the Senju and Uchiha clans better than anybody, and I know what you two have done to keep the Uchiha from the workings of the village.”

 

“You don't understand, they were self centers-”

 

“Is it true that you referred to Sasuke as having tainted blood?”

 

There was as silence.

 

“IS IT TRUE”

 

“yes”

 

“yes”

 

“I see, prejudice. Is there anything else that you would like to say before I give you your sentence?”

 

“Yes there is”

 

“Then proceed”

 

Homura cleared his throat before starting. “The Uchiha clan had a history of violent unstable behavior. When the time came for their attempt at taking over the village is was apparent what had to be done. An army of 38 Uchiha's would have been unstoppable.”

 

“Stop right there Homura” Tsunade interrupted. “What are you referring to when you say the clan had a history of violent unstable behavior?”

 

Koharu answered, almost pleading “The Leader Madara Uchiha killed his own brother for power, challenged the first, the Uchiha clan set the fox demon on the village and they were planning and uprising that would have destroyed the village and caused war to break out between the countries once again.”

 

Kakashi rested his hand on Sasuke's shoulder in reassurance. He was shocked when Sasuke made no move to try to shake it off.

 

A demon-sounding growl could be heard from Naruto. Everyone tensed.

 

Hearing this, Sakura bend her knees slightly and handed a hard, but not bone crushing kick, to Naruto's back side.

 

The growling immediately stopped.

 

The blond turned slightly and smiled, giving a thumbs up. “Thanks Sakura” He whispered.

 

She nodded once, not able to smile just yet.

 

“First of all, Madara never had any intention of taking his brother's life. His brother begged him to take it so that he could prevent the Senju clan from making a mockery of theirs. Madara also challenged the first, but that was to be expected after having his home, family, and position as leader of his clan taken from him. It was a challenge between rivals, not an uprising. The most absolutely absurd offence you hold against him is absolutely not true. It was a disaster that no one could have had any say in.”

 

“That's a lie, the Uchiha had the power to control the Kyuubi.”

 

“Its true they did” Tsunade sat back in her chair, smiling. “But the man that was entrusted with it was supposed to have been killed by the first”

 

“What?”

 

“Did you not do your research? It was almost common knowledge back then.”

 

Murmurs were heard down below. The rookie nine looked around at each other is wonder. Sakura and Naruto kept their eyes on Sasuke.

 

“Madara controlled the kyuubi and even though he was not killed he was hurt enough to have lost his control on it.”

 

“Then why did it take fifty years?” Homura shot back.

 

There was a silence.

 

“I can answer that” Sakura stepped forward. She noticed, out of the corner of her eye that Sasuke was not looking at her or anything else for that matter.

 

“And what could you possibly know girl?” Koharu shot.

 

“I have studied Naruto and the Kazekage. On many occasions the demons have leaked through, on the request of the containers, and I have discovered many important fact, one being that they normally have no sense in time. When they are sealed in their containers they have the sense of time the containers do, but when they are free time does not move the same for them. As for why the Kyuubi attacked Leaf, he wanted revenge for the village keeping him captive.” Sakura bowed and stepped back.

 

Murmurs were heard down below once again.

 

“Utatane Koharu, and Mitokado Homura you are being charges with treason. You have performed atrocious acts which resulted in killing 36 members of the village.”

 

“Wait”

 

“Because of you one of the strongest and most faithful ninja's was forced to leave as a missing nin and branded a traitor.”

 

“You don't understand”

 

“Also, you are charged with forcing the Uchiha's to live as outcasts in a village they helped to create without just cause. However, you have performed a number of services in the best interest of the village. Therefore, I have a few possible punishments for you and will have the villagers decide. There are booths set up on either side of the street. All those who are 17 years and older are aloud to take vote on whichever punishment you choose. There are UNBU stationed at each both, so don't try anything.”

 

“They were planning an uprising!”

 

“ONE THAT WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN PLACE IF YOU HADN'T TREATED THEM WITH SUCH DISRESPECT!!” It was a rare day indeed when Tsunade became angry enough to let her younger appearance fade, but it did happen, like now. It only lasted a minute, but was long enough for those standing on the tower to see.

 

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