Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Naruto vs. Sasuke The Aftermath ❯ The Defense of Naruto ( Chapter 31 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

As the mystery of Naruto's disappearance is revealed, Danzo and the Konoha Council make their move against him. While Tsunade and the rest of his precious people mobilize to defend their friend Naruto against them. Also, Sakura makes an important decision in her life.

Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Angst / Suspense / Romance / Hentai / Action | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.18.2011 | Pages: 13 | Words: 15.2K | Visits: 601 | Status: Work In Progress

Chapter 31 Summary: As the mystery of Naruto's disappearance is revealed, Danzo and the Konoha Council make their move against him. While Tsunade and the rest of his precious people mobilize to defend their friend Naruto against them. Also, Sakura makes an important decision in her life.

Naruto vs. Sasuke The Aftermath:

Chapter 31: "The Defense of Naruto"

"What the Hell was that?" Ino shouted in confusion.

"That was a Genjutsu Ino, but not one that I recognize." Iruka replied to his former student.

"I recognize it Iruka-Sensei." Shino stated, before continuing.

"It's a concealment jutsu. Kurenai-Sensei created it and attempted to teach it to us a few months ago. But only Hinata was able to learn it, and even then she could only sustain it for a few minutes due to immense chakra it took to maintain the illusion. But, I don't think even she would be able to disguise an entire room in a Genjutsu due to the massive amount of chakra it would take."

"But Hinata's still in a coma and Naruto doesn't know how to use Genjutsu." Ino remarked.

"Well he does now, and I'm guessing Hinata taught it to him. Besides, judging by what Shino said, Naruto is the only person I know who has the chakra capacity to keep this Genjutsu going for an extended period of time, as well as maintaining his Shadow Clones along with it." Shikamaru commented.

"The how and the why are unimportant right now. The fact is Naruto is gone and what are we going to do about it?" Neji asked.

"You, you don't think he went after Sasuke again do you?" Tenten hesitantly stammered.

"I hope not Ten-chan; you heard what Master Jiraiya told us yesterday if he did."

It was at this moment that Akamaru who had been sniffing and milling about on Naruto's bed started yipping and barking to everyone in the room. Kiba listened intently to his canine familiar's outburst before he turned and announced to the people in the room.

"Akamaru says he has his scent and knows where Naruto is at!"

"Where is he Kiba?" Iruka anxiously asked.

Akamaru then jumped from the bed and scampered out the door followed closely behind by everyone. Akamaru after a moment skidded to a stop in front of Hinata's room and began frantically scratching at her door. As everybody came to a halt in front of Hinata's room, Ino groaned with annoyance and said.

"I think your pooch's nose is broken Kiba! We just came from here and Naruto wasn't in there!"

Kiba bent down to pickup Akamaru who barked at Ino with indignation before the Inuzuka heir spoke up and growled.

"There's nothing wrong with Akamaru's nose, and if he says Naruto is in there then he is!"

"Only one way to find out." Shikamaru stated, while swinging the door wide open, as he and everyone else heard a solemn voice say.

"Hey guys."

Everyone gaped in shock, as they saw Naruto seated quietly by Hinata's bed and gently holding her hand. As everybody slowly made their way into Hinata's room, it was Iruka who finally broke the stifling silence by saying.

"Hello Naruto."

"Hey Iruka-Sensei, I see you're back from Suna."

"Yes Naruto, Anko-san and I got back last night."

"That's good; I was kind of worried with everything that has been happening that you guys might run into trouble on the way back."

"No, no, we're fine, umm Nar, Naruto was it you who created that Genjutsu in your room and knocked out the Anbu while replacing them with Shadow clones?" Iruka hesitantly and stammering asked.

"Yes, I did that."

"But how Naruto? Everyone knows you suck at Genjutsu!" Kiba stated with bewilderment.

A small chuckle greeted the ears of everyone in the room coming from Naruto, before he said.

"Yeah, you're right, I do suck at Genjutsu. Actually, that's the only one I know and it took my hime over a week to teach it to me. She said I needed to know some Genjutsu and thought that was the perfect one for me because of large amount of chakra needed to keep it up."

"But why have you done this Naruto?"

"I did it Iruka-Sensei because I was looking to get out of here and go kill Sasuke-teme."

"Then why are you here Naruto?"

"Well Ino, I wanted to see Hinata-hime one more time before I left. But after I got here, I suddenly found that I couldn't leave her. I want to be here when she wakes up" Naruto replied, his voice tinged with hope.

But, but we were just in here Naruto and you weren't around? Ino questioned with confusion.

"I was here Ino, I had sensed you guys coming and henge into one of these medical scanners attached to Hinata. I mean she has so many of these damn machines around her, it's not like you guys would notice an extra one."

"How long have you been here Naruto?" Shikamaru asked.

"About a couple of hours I think, I'm not really sure?"

Iruka, Shikamaru, Neji, and Shino all stifled a gasp as they realized the enormity of Naruto having so much chakra to be able to pull off what he had with the Genjutsu and Shadow Clones for such an extended period of time. It was Shikamaru who finally spoke up once more.

"Naruto, I'm glad you didn't go after Sasuke again, but I need to know, are you still planning on going after him? Because if you are, we have to try and stop you again and quite frankly that's much too troublesome."

Naruto gave a mirthless chuckle once more before promising his longtime friend.

"No, as much as I want to after the teme and rip those damn bloody eyes that he's so proud of out of his head, you guys were right. I'd probably end up dead if I try to take him and that snake bastard of a Sensei he has on at the same time. I promise you Shikamaru and everyone else; I don't plan on going after them until Hinata is awake once again."

"That's good enough for me." Both Shikamaru and Iruka answered at the same time, before they heard Naruto add with a laugh.

"Besides, I have no desire to go up against all of you again for a longtime. I'm still having nightmares of giant hands hammering me into the ground, ha, ha."

Chouji winced when he heard this and he dropped his head in guilt, as he stared at the floor below him. Naruto noticed this and quickly said.

"Chouji, I'm sorry, that was meant to be a joke. You have nothing to be ashamed of for doing what you did to stop me, none of you do. If you all hadn't kicked my ass, I'd probably be six feet under in Otogakure right now."

"Well, the only reason we kicked your ass Naruto is because you let us." Kiba groused, still feeling that their victory over Naruto wasn't legitimate.

"I don't know what you're talking about Kiba?" Naruto stated, perplexed at his friend's attitude.

"Drop the innocent act Naruto. We already know the only reason we won is because you weren't trying to hurt any of us during the fight." Kiba openly griped.

Naruto grimaced at the tone of Kiba's accusation and he sat silently for a minute before looking up to the Inuzuka heir and replied.

"You're right Kiba, I did fight against you guy's with the hope of defeating you without having to hurt any of you. But if you think I threw that fight, you're sadly mistaken. The truth is I underestimated you all and paid the price in thinking I could take you down without hurting you. You all have gotten so much stronger since the Chunin exams, that it was foolish of me to try and battle all of you that way. You guys earned your victory against me and don't think otherwise."

After a moment, Kiba finally nodded his head in understanding to Naruto and flashed a quick grin to his friend before Naruto added with a chuckle.

"Besides, if I had hurt any of you Hinata would have kicked my ass from one end of the village to the other."

The brought a smile to everyone's face and the mood in the room lightened a bit, before everyone's vision fell upon the unconscious Hyuga girl in the bed before them. The sight of their friend in such a deplorable state immediately brought the atmosphere of the room crashing down once more. It was then that an Anbu officer arrived to the room and announced.

"I'm sorry to disturb you all, but Shikamaru Nara, Neji Hyuga, Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Chouji Akimichi, Ino Yamanaka, and Tenten Sato. The Konoha Council who are currently in session has called forth your presence at once to give testimony to what transpired here at the hospital a few days ago. If you would all follow me please."

"What, what's going on?" Naruto stammered in confusion.

"Nothing for you to worry about Naruto, we've got it covered. Just stay here and keep Hinata company. We'll be back as soon as we can." Shikamaru assured his friend with a grin on his face; before he and everyone else save Iruka left the room and were escorted by the Anbu to the Konoha Council chamber.

"I don't like this Iruka-Sensei!" Naruto commented with concern.

"I don't either Naruto, but trust in your friends. They say you shouldn't worry and that they have it under control and I believe them, so should you."

"I guess so Iruka-Sensei." Naruto quietly replied, as he gripped Hinata's hand a little bit tighter in apprehension of what his friends were about to face.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Tsunade couldn't hide the smirk on her face as she watched Kiba exit the Council chamber, while Danzo threw a report down onto a table in disgust. Most of the Shinobi clans were doing their best to stifle their laughter, as the last 30 minutes had been most amusing. For you see the Inuzuka heir had woven a heroic tale to the Council of his involvement with the Kyuubi Event of a few days ago. If one were to believe everything Kiba had said, he almost single handily defeated Naruto and kept the Kyuubi no Youko at bay. Unable to control his amusement any longer, Shikaku Nara turned to his fellow clan leader Tsume Inuzuka and stated jovially.

"Damn Tsume, I never knew Kiba was so strong and talented. I think we've found our next Hokage after Lady Tsunade!"

This declaration had caused the rest of the clan heads who had been trying to contain their enjoyment to explode in raucous laughter. While Tsume could only groan and put her head down on her desk, all the while thinking of the long talk she was going to have with her son about exaggerating his deeds on the battlefield.

Tsunade took in the sight of the chortle coming from the Shinobi clan leaders and a smile spread across her face. Her smile wasn't just from seeing the hilarity Kiba's testimony had brought forth, but also in the fact of watching Danzo and the rest of the Civilian Council frustrated that yet another witness had backed the official incident report 100%. For you see, while Kiba may have enhanced his own role in the Kyuubi Event. He still nonetheless had supported Shikamaru's report, as had everyone else involved in the incident so far. Tsunade could see the frustration on Danzo's face, as every attempt or threat he had made towards the witnesses had failed completely to cause any of them to recant their statements. Now there was only one person left for Danzo and his cronies to grill and Tsunade could only gloat, as she knew this was the one individual they would never break, the author of the said incident report, one Shikamaru Nara.

Shikamaru entered the Council chamber and slowly walked over to the witness box, before flopping down in obvious irritation of having to be there at that moment. Danzo took a moment to compose himself before hobbling over towards the Nara heir, his cane clicking along the floor. Upon reaching Shikamaru, Danzo opened a folder and asked with authority.

"Nara Shikamaru, you were the only Shinobi officer present during the Kyuubi incident at the hospital a few days ago, were you not?"

"I was."

"Can you please tell the Council what occurred on that day at the hospital."

"Why, what occurred is all in my report." Shikamaru lazily replied.

"The Council would like to hear your account of the events in person Mr. Nara."

"Troublesome!" Shikamaru uttered with annoyance causing several members of the Council to openly laugh, as they had heard that word said on many occasions by Shikaku Nara in that chamber.

After the laughter died down, Shikamaru spoke up.

"There's really not that much to tell, I and several of my comrades from the Konoha 12, as we've been labeled were at the hospital waiting to receive word about the conditions of some of our friends and Sensei's who had been injured recently in an attack by Shinobi from Otogakure. While waiting, several of us decided to relieve some stress and increase our training by having a spar in the courtyard."

"And it was during this spar that the Uzumaki boy lost control and unleashed the Kyuubi no Youko upon you and your comrades. Is that correct Mr. Nara?"

"No, it's not Danzo-san."

"What do you mean that isn't correct?" Danzo shot back with rising anger in his voice.

"Exactly what I said, that isn't what happened."

"Then explain what did happen Mr. Nara!"

"Fine, as I said we all decided to have a spar against one another. It was then that we were honored by the presence of Master Jiraiya the Toad Sannin who offered to give us guidance during the training session. Master Jiraiya suggested that five of us have a spar against his apprentice and our comrade Naruto Uzumaki, as he was the strongest Shinobi from our graduating class."

"Sasuke Uchiha is the strongest Shinobi from your graduating class, not the Uzumaki!" One of the civilian Councilmen shouted out in protest. Shikamaru merely smirked and replied with a chuckle.

"Sasuke, please he might have been the top graduating student from our class, but Naruto surpassed him a long time ago in power and skill. Why do you think Sasuke went chasing after the traitor Orochimaru to train him? It's because he is jealous of Naruto and how far he has progressed since graduation."

"That's a lie, the reason the Uchiha left is because the demon spawn Uzumaki clouded his mind and . . . . ."

That was as far as the civilian Councilman was allowed to speak, as a snap of Tsunade's fingers was heard before an Anbu appeared in front of the Councilman and immediately drove a kunai through his neck. Tsunade then stood up and announced.

"Need I remind you that Sarutobi's decree is still in effect! So, under the Sandaime's law, that fool just forfeited his life! Anbu, please remove that trash from the Council chamber at once!"

The Anbu operative nodded his head in affirmation before picking up the corpse before him and then disappearing in a swirl leaves, as Tsunade resumed her seat once more at the head of the room.

Danzo cursed under his breath at the stupidity of that Councilman, as it was one less vote he now had at his disposal to use against the Kyuubi vessel. The old war-hawk knew there was nothing he could do right now and turned his attention back to the Nara heir sitting in the witness chair and resumed his questioning.

"You were about to explain how I am wrong that the Uzumaki boy did not lose control Mr. Nara, please continue."

"Anyway, as I was saying earlier, Master Jiraiya suggested that five of us have a spar against his apprentice Naruto Uzumaki, under his supervision of course. During the spar, my comrades and I went a little overboard in attempting to defeat Naruto. To which Naruto was forced to tap into the Kyuubi no Youko chakra to defend himself less he suffered a serious injury from our combined attacks against him."

"Aha, so the Uzumaki boy did lose control and unleashed the Kyuubi no Youko upon you and your comrades."

"No, Naruto was in full control of the chakra he tapped into Danzo-san. He even carried on conversations with us during the spar." Shikamaru nonchalantly retorted.

"That's preposterous! Once the Kyuubi no Youko's power is unleashed, there is no controlling it!" Danzo exclaimed with vigor.

"You're wrong Danzo as usual." Jiraiya stated, as he seemed to appear out of thin air in the Council chambers.

"What are you talking about Jiraiya?" Danzo spat with fury.

"That's Jiraiya-sama you lowly worm Danzo, lest you forget I am one of the honored Sannin of the five elemental nations. As such you will address me with the due respect I have earned or you will suffer the consequences."

Danzo was about to retaliate when a quick side-way glance from Hiashi Hyuga caused the old war-hawk to cease what he was about to say to the Toad Sannin. Though the look Hiashi had given was quite subtle and missed by most everyone in the room. Jiraiya did notice and made a note in his mind to discuss this with Tsunade after the Council meeting. It was then that Hiashi spoke up and asked.

"Jiraiya-sama, are you saying that the Uzumaki boy has full control of the Kyuubi no Youko's chakra?"

"My apprentice can control up to one-tail of the Kyuubi no Youko's power."

"Then how is it you were injured by the Uzumaki brat during this spar Jiraiya-sama?" Danzo asked with contempt.

"I was injured Danzo because I underestimated my student and he did exactly what I have told him to do when we spar. And that is to go full out to his current abilities when fighting me. Most of the time, I win theses matches, this time however I lost. It's rare, but it just goes to show how talented my apprentice is becoming. Now Danzo, if you refer to Naruto as a brat again in my presence, you'll be carried out of these chambers on a stretcher. And don't think your Root Anbu you keep hidden in the shadows like bugs will be able to save you from that fate!" Jiraiya sternly warned the Councilman, while shooting a fervid glance to Shikaku Nara."

A slight nod from Shikaku to his fellow clan heads and teammates was all that was needed before all three leapt from their seats and each shouted out their trademark jutsu's simultaneously.

"Bubun Baika no Jutsu!" (Partial Multi-Size Technique)

"Shinranshin no Jutsu!" (Mind Derangement Technique)

"Kage Mane no Jutsu!" (Shadow Imitation Technique)

"Kage Kubi Shibari no Jutsu!" (Shadow Neck Bind Technique)

Chouza Akimichi's right arm suddenly stretched across the Council chamber while his fist grew to a mammoth proportion before it slammed into a darkened corner of the room where a sickening crunch was heard by all. The Akimichi clan leader smirked, as he pulled his enormous fist back to reveal the bloody and crushed body of a Root Anbu stuck to it, before he unceremoniously flung the body to the feet of Danzo at the front of the room. For many of the civilian Councilmen, this was the first time they had seen the famous Akimichi clan Bubun Baika no Jutsu used. This technique allows the clan member to alter the size of their body and with this skill the clan member will enlarge one of their limbs. This allows them to stretch and cause a more powerful impact against their targets, as they all had just witnessed.

Meanwhile, as Chouza was squashing one Root Anbu like a bug, from another darkened corner of the Council chamber, a second Root Anbu screamed and stumbled forward while clutching his head with his hands. Tearing off his mask, the Root operative looked wide-eyed at Inoichi in terror before he walked over in front of Danzo and pulled a kunai out and drove it directly into his own forehead in front of the stunned Councilman. Much to the shock of the Civilian Council, they had also now just witnessed the equally famous Shinranshin no Jutsu of the Yamanaka clan. This technique allows the clan member to send their spiritual energy into an enemy to confuse the targets body into attacking whatever the clan member desires. Though the opponent is mentally aware of his actions, he is unable to stop his body from carrying out the attack.

Not to be outdone by his teammates, Shikaku Nara looked on with amusement as at the same time of the two Root Anbu deaths, a gargled scream came from a third Root operative, as he desperately struggled to escape from the shadowed corner of the Council chamber he had been in. Those who had never seen the infamous Kage Kubi Shibari no Jutsu of the Nara clan looked on in horror, as the Root Anbu's mask fell away and they could see his eyes bulging from their sockets and his face turning a ghastly blue color. A moment later, the Root operative's arms fell to his side unmoving, before the shadow stretched out carrying the Anbu towards Danzo and dumping him at his feet alongside his two dead Root comrades. For you see this technique allows a Nara clan member to bind their target using the Kage Mane no Jutsu technique. Once the target can no longer move, the clan member forms the needed hand seal to initiate this technique. In which the clan member uses the shadow to form a hand that will creep up their opponent's body to their neck. Once the hand reaches the neck, it will constrict in such a manner so as to strangle the target.

"I think that takes care of all the bugs in the room." Shikaku stated with certainty.

"Not quite Dad!" Shikamaru countered before flashing some hand signs and shouting out.

"Kage Nui Yari no Jutsu" (Shadow Sewing Spear Technique)

Seconds later, a tendril shaft of black shot up from the Nara heirs shadow next to Danzo into a darkened corner of the ceiling in the Council chamber, before a resounding grunt and thud was heard by everyone as the shaft impacted the wall. A moment later, another Root Anbu appeared from the shadowed corner of the room and began sliding down the black shaft while dripping blood the whole way, as he had been impaled straight through his chest. One Councilman threw up, as he watched the dead Root operative slide by him and be deposited at the feet of Danzo with the rest of the deceased Root Anbu.

"Well done Son, I see you've mastered that technique, I'm proud of you." Shikaku beamed with pride before asking.

"But how did you know about the fourth Root insect?"

"It just stood to reason Dad that if he had Root operatives stationed in three corners of the room, he more than likely had all corners of the room covered."

"That is most troublesome, why didn't I think of that? I guess I just need some sleep. Hokage-sama, is this meeting going to take much longer, it's already well past when I usually take a nap!" Shikaku commented with irritation.

"You can sleep all you want when you're in prison!" Danzo shouted with immense rage and malevolence before adding.

"Hokage-sama, I demand you arrest Shikaku Nara, his son, Inoichi Yamanaka, and Chouza Akimichi for the brutal murders of my Root Anbu at once!"

"Actually Danzo, if anyone is going to be arrested it might be you for having unauthorized personnel within a closed Konoha Council meeting." Tsunade replied with authority.

"These, these men had every right to be here, as they functioned as my personal guard for my protection." Danzo stammered in defense.

"Exactly who do you need protection from inside a secured Council meeting Danzo!" Tsunade fired back in anger.

Danzo seethed with rage but couldn't come up with a response to Tsunade's question when Hiashi Hyuga spoke up once more and said.

"Hokage-sama, I'm sure Councilman Danzo now realizes the error in judgment he made in having his Root Anbu stationed within the room. I am sure it will never happen again."

Danzo gulped from the glare he got from the Hyuga clan leader before he stammered once more.

"I, I apologize Hokage-sama. I did make a mistake and it will not happen again."

"It had better not Danzo! Now, are you done with this witness, so we can end this sham of a meeting?"

Danzo shook his head and turned his attention to the smirking Nara heir sitting on the witness chair and his rage built up once again, as he spat.

"Nara Shikamaru, is it your testimony that what occurred at the hospital and the potential release of the Kyuubi no Youko stemmed from nothing more than a sparring practice gone wrong?"

"A little simplified, but yeah that about sums it up." Shikamaru lazily affirms.

"THAT IS AN OUTRIGHT LIE BOY! Danzo shouted with fury.

A second later, a kunai came flying through the air and cut Danzo's cane in halve causing the Councilman to fall to the floor in a heap. As he looked up, Danzo saw Shikaku standing up and twirling another kunai while exuding a monstrous amount of killing intent toward him before he heard the Nara clan leader say with venom.

"You dare to insult my clan by accusing its chosen heir of giving false testimony. Choose your next words carefully Danzo, as they may be the last ones you speak!"

"This is why I needed protection Hokage-sama!" Danzo pleaded to Tsunade, as he struggled to get up.

"Actually, if you just kept your big mouth shut and didn't make false accusations you wouldn't need protection. But try not to soil yourself Danzo; you won't be dying today unfortunately. Shikaku, please return to your seat, I'll handle this. Now Danzo, do you have any proof that Shikamaru Nara has given false testimony?"

"No I do not, but it's quite obvious that he and the other witnesses are lying to protect the Uzumaki boy from judgment by this Council!"

Suddenly, four more kunai's whizzed through the air and impacted around Danzo's feet, as everyone looked over to see standing one Inoichi Yamanaka, Chouza Akimichi, Shibi Aburame and Tsume Inuzuka who spoke up for the group and said with anger.

"These other witnesses who are lying Danzo, I assume you are referring to our kids and the appointed heirs to all of our respective clans!"

All Danzo could do was glare back at the four clan leaders, as he remained silent before Tsunade stood up and shouted.

"Enough of this! Danzo you have wasted this Council's time, as you have no proof that anything occurred other than what was reported by Shikamaru Nara and the other witnesses. And seeing as all their testimony correlates with one another, I see no reason to continue this farce of a meeting. Do I have a second for this motion?"

"I second the motion." Hiashi Hyuga stated, shocking everyone in the room.

"Umm ok, if there is nothing else then this meeting shall come to a clo . . . . . " Tsunade started to say, before Hiashi interrupted her and said.

"Actually, I do have a motion that I feel needs to be addressed at the next Council meeting. While it is true that the Uzumaki boy is able to control a small portion of the Kyuubi no Youko's power. The village still runs the risk that if he uses more power than what he can control, then all of our lives would be imperil. We need to discuss how we can prevent this from happening. Do I have a second for this motion?"

"I second the motion." Danzo eagerly replied.

"Fine, if there is nothing else, this meeting is adjourned!" Tsunade announced through clenched teeth.

As Tsunade watched most of the Council exit the chambers, she stopped Danzo and signaled an Anbu who had entered and was holding a mop and bucket. Handing it over to the confused Councilman, Tsunade ordered with derision.

"They're your men and your mess Danzo, you clean it up!"

With that said, Tsunade closed the Council chamber door leaving behind the war-hawk Councilman who was literally shaking with unbridled fury.

Tsunade exhaled a heavy sigh, as she poured another cup of sake and then drank it in one fell swoop before slamming the cup back onto her desk in disgust. Standing up to walk out onto her balcony and gaze over the village in the setting sun. She could only shake her head in frustration, as she relived the day's events in her mind. Turning around and going back to her desk, Tsunade grabbed the sake bottle once more and began pouring another cup of her most treasured elixir, when a voice rang out behind her startling the blonde Hokage.

"I'll take a cup of that if you don't mind Tsunade-hime."

"Jiraiya you old fool. I should knock you into next week for sneaking up on me like that!" Tsunade snarled with anger.

"Tsunade it's been a long day and frankly I'm too tired to have snuck up on you. If you didn't sense me, then your mind must have been elsewhere." Jiraiya curtly replied.

Tsunade glared at her fellow Sannin for a moment before the anger drained away from her face, as she flopped down into her chair and admitted.

"I'm sorry Jiraiya, you're right, my mind has been elsewhere. I guess I'm just frustrated about what happened earlier today at the Council meeting."

"Actually, I thought the meeting went quite well considering we along with Naruto's friends got him off the hook for what happened at the hospital." Jiraiya absently commented.

"All we did Jiraiya is postpone the inevitable for a few weeks. Danzo is going to take Hiashi's motion and attempt Kami knows what against Naruto. Banishment, imprisonment, execution, nothing will be off limits to that bastard! Damn it, I wish there was a way to get rid of that crippled old fool. But it's a moot point, even if we did get rid of him, one of his civilian crony Councilmen would step-up a resume control of the Civilian Council."

Danzo doesn't control shit on the Council. He's just a puppet figurehead for the man who really controls the civilian side of the Konoha Council." Jiraiya stated with antipathy.

"Well, if it's not Danzo, then who does control the civilian side of the Council Jiraiya?"

"I'm surprised Tsunade-hime, I thought you would have figured that out after today's meeting. The real power who controls them is none other than Hiashi Hyuga."

"But that doesn't make any sense? Why would the 10 members of the Civilian Council follow one of the Shinobi clan leaders? The clan side and the civilian side of the Council have diametrically opposed to each other for years."

“It's not so hard to imagine or believe, not after what I've learned today. Frankly, Sarutobi-Sensei was quite foolish and should have seen this coming since it happened under his watch." Jiraiya lamented about his former teacher.

Since what has happened Jiraiya? What exactly did you learn today to say something like that about Sensei?" Tsunade questioned in earnest.

"I learned today, that next to you Hiashi Hyuga is the most powerful political figure in the Village Hidden in the Leaves. And that he completely controls the Civilian Council, as well as Koharu and Homura your so-called advisors to the Hokage. But he has attained and exerts this power over the Council from behind the scenes."

"I, I, don't understand, how did he do this Jiraiya?"

"The good old fashioned way my dear Tsunade, money."

Tsunade looked at her teammate with confusion, before Jiraiya spoke up once more.

"Hiashi is able to control the Civilian Council because he either owns outright or had a sizable financial stake in all the businesses run by each civilian Council member."

"That's not possible, Sensei enacted those laws years ago to prevent any clan from having a stake in a business owned by any serving civilian Council member. This was to prevent what you have just described of a clan holding sway within the Council, as it would be a conflict of interest."

"That's true Tsunade and publicly, Hiashi is not connected to any of these businesses. But to use one of Kakashi's favorite sayings, look underneath the underneath, and when you do you'll find Hiashi's greedy fingers all over the Civilian Council."

"But how is that possible?"

"Well, Hiashi might be a cruel and evil bastard, but when it comes to business he's a fucking genius!" Jiraiya declared before continuing on.

"What Hiashi has done is setup several dummy corporations which the Hyuga clan has created over the years to serve as a front or cover for one or more legitimate companies. Such as all the businesses owned on paper by our illustrious Civilian Council. It can have the appearance of being real but lacks the capacity to function independently. The sole goal of this dummy corporation is to conceal the true ownership of the legitimate companies and it's a good tax dodge as well for Hiashi and the clan."

"I'm still not sure I understand what you're saying Jiraiya?"

"Think of it like this Tsunade. Take a length of chain, the first link is a legitimate business say Councilman Akito's restaurant. Now publicly he is the owner or front man of the business. However, on paper he is minority share holder of the restaurant and the majority share holder or true owner is a company called Perception Industries which represents the second link to the chain. Now upon closer examination of Perception Industries, you'll find it is dummy company and is owned by an outfit called Visions Inc. which represents the third link in the chain. Now Tsunade, imagine this scenario happening half a dozen or more times and when you reach the final link of the chain, you'll find Hiashi and the Hyuga clan."

"That devious bastard, but how was he able to slip all of this by Sarutobi- Sensei?"

"To put it simply Tsunade, Hiashi put so many of these buffer dummy companies between his clan and the actual legitimate business at the front. That unless you were specifically looking for a connection and willing to dig deep enough. You wouldn't have given it a second thought which is probably what happened with Sensei."

"So Hiashi and the Hyuga clan has done this to all the businesses owned by the representatives on the Civilian Council?"

"The majority of them he has and those companies he hasn't, the Hyuga clan does such a huge amount business with them. That if the clan's patronage was to suddenly disappear, it would cripple them financially. So in essence by one means or another, Hiashi has control of every single current member of the Civilian Council. And as far as Koharu and Homura go, Hiashi just pays them off in bribes."

Tsunade sat silent in her chair, as she pondered everything Jiraiya had just told her before she looked up and asked.

"How do you know all of this Jiraiya?"

"Umm, well, tomorrow you're going to receive a report about a break-in at the Konoha village records office. Do me a favor and don't investigate too deeply into who the perpetrator was." Jiraiya sheepishly replied.

Tsunade just shook her head in amusement before pouring herself and Jiraiya a drink before commenting with remorse.

"If everything you have said is correct Jiraiya-kun, this is bad news for Naruto-kun at the next Council meeting. If Hiashi has control of 13 of the 20 votes within the Council, he can push through almost anything against Naruto-kun and I'd be powerless to stop it."

"We have a few weeks before that happens Tsunade-hime. So we have a little time to come up with something to prevent that."

"I pray to Kami that you're right Jiraiya-kun." Tsunade replies, as she and the Toad Sannin each slam another drink of sake.

"Well, it has been a long day so I think I will take my leave of you my hime and get some rest. You have a wonderful evening Hokage-sama." Jiraiya announced, as he made his way to the balcony before Tsunade's voice called out softly.

"Jiraiya-kun wait."

"What is it my hime?" Jiraiya turned around and asked.

"Do you have to go? I mean you could stay the night here with . . . . . .me."

Jiraiya gazed at the woman he loved since he was a wet-nose Genin at the academy, as his heart and a certain part of his anatomy screamed out to take the blonde goddess before him up on her offer. But sadly, his mind told him otherwise, as he turned his gaze away from her to hide the tear rolling down his cheek while he replied with saddened voice.

"I'm sorry my hime, but I can't do that . . . . . .not anymore."

"But, but why Jiraiya-kun?" Tsunade asked, the hurt evident in her voice.

"We already talked about this weeks ago and nothing has changed since then. As much as I would dearly love to stay and be with you. It just hurts too much knowing that no matter how much I love you, your heart will never be mine, unless you can tell me otherwise. Can you tell me otherwise my beautiful hime?"

Tsunade could only stand there in silence unable to speak the words her oldest friend longed to hear. As Tsunade gazed at him her eyes desperately seemed to cry out for him to stay. But that was not enough, as she heard the sorrowful and dejected voice of the Toad Sannin remark.

"I thought so . . . . . .goodnight Hokage-sama."

Jiraiya then quickly leapt off the balcony and into the night. Never hearing the anguished sob come from the blonde Hokage, as tears streamed down her face.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sakura heard the door of her hospital room creak open and looked over to see Tsunade enter the room. The young kunoichi smiled a bit, as she watched her Hokage make her way over to Sakura's bedside. Inwardly, Sakura was relieved that Tsunade had shown up to visit her once more. She had grown concerned that the blonde Hokage had forgotten her promise to the young girl of visiting and talking on a daily basis with her. As Tsunade took her seat beside the bedside, Sakura could see that the woman's eyes were quite red and puffy, evidence that she had been crying. But before the pink haired kunoichi could inquire about it Tsunade said.

"I'm so sorry Sakura about visiting so late. It's been a most trying day for me and several matters occupied my time for most of the day."

"That's alright Lady Tsunade, I'm just glad you didn't forget about me like everyone else."

"Sakura, no one has forgotten about you. Because of what happened with Naruto and your actions because of it. I've needed to place a guard on your door and restrict visitation. I'm sorry for that, but for several reasons it must be that way right now. However, it won't be that way forever, I promise."

"I, I don't understand Lady Tsunade, but I trust you. La, Lady Tsunade have you been crying?"

Tsunade quickly brushed away any remnants of tears still in her eyes and quickly replied.

"I have Sakura, but it's nothing for you to be concerned about. The more important question is how are you feeling today?"

Sakura face took on a grim appearance before she said in a serious tone of voice.

"I feel the same Lady Tsunade, but I came to a realization. If you could Lady Tsunade, I need to speak to everyone of the Konoha 12 and their Sensei's about what happened when I saw Sasuke. Would you please set that meeting up for me Lady Tsunade."

"Are you sure about this Sakura? Facing all those people at once may be quite stressful for you. Wouldn't like to wait until you're fully healed and then talk to each one on an individual basis?"

"No Lady Tsunade, I need to speak to them all at once. Because I don't think I would have the strength or the resolve to tell the story over and over again, it must be all at once!" Sakura exclaimed with vigor.

"Alright Sakura, I'll setup a meeting as soon as Kakashi and Kurenai are released from the hospital in a few days. You're positive you want to talk about what happened with Sasuke with all of your friends and comrades?"

"I'm positive Lady Tsunade."

"Even Naruto?"

Sakura head dropped a bit, as a tear rolled down her cheek before saying in a slightly choked voice.

"Especially Naruto."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Authors Notes: Well, first off I want to thank everyone who has supported this story. And I'd also like to thank everyone who has reviewed it as well, it's most appreciated by me. I'll try to do a better job on updating in the future. Unfortunately, life in general just seems to get in the way at times. To all my readers, take care and be good.

Kingkakashi