Bab 40: Chapter 40
Mei believed that there was some good in Naruto, she'd tested it a few times and truly believed that there was some good in him. He didn't like evil and was its enemy. However, at the same time he just couldn't be called a friend of the weak and justice. If anything, he seemed to be far more interested in his own ''little'' plans than anything.
She had not thought that he would go as far as to destroy Konoha like that. Even though everyone within the village was still alive, she didn't think he would go that far. He didn't seem to be interested in destroying the village when she talked to him and he didn't seem to be the type to seek revenge, but he'd done it. Konoha had been destroyed.
The Mizukage hadn't wasted time once she received the news; she'd quickly left everything and rushed over to the Imperial Kingdom to see Naruto to demand answers. She'd turned a blind eye on whatever that he was planning, but now she realized that she couldn't be ignorant about everything. Yes, she had to know what she had gotten herself into.
When she reached the capital, she didn't know how to get to Naruto since not even Guren had seen him or even his special messenger. Mei had been even thinking of visiting Kumogakure to see that blonde woman Naruto had been with the other day. She had to speak to him one way or the other.
But now she was facing him, he'd finally heard her voice. The Mizukage looked around the throne room for a few moments before she took delicate steps towards the man himself. She wasn't much interested in anything other than speaking to Naruto so he could answer some of her questions.
''You are rather loud,'' Naruto stated calmly, his back comfortably leaned back against the throne with the eight truth-seeking balls floating above the throne. ''Did you really need to talk to me that much that you'd leave your responsibilities and demand to see me?''
Mei didn't stop until she was just a few feet away from the Emperor, she could clearly see him now. He looked much different from before, no, he looked like a new person. Even the mask of expression her wore on his face seemed new. However, it wasn't anything that she appreciated from him. She liked the mask he wore the last time she spoke to him.
That Naruto she spoke to was bearable, and likeable. That Naruto was a decent human who seemed to care for other people's emotions and needs. She liked the warmth he gave her that day. However, this person she was seeing in front of her wasn't giving her anything. In fact, she couldn't sense anything from him, neither emotions nor power.
''The matter that I needed to discuss with you is of great importance. I couldn't just sit back and watch without questions after what you did,'' There was no sweet smile from the Fifth Mizukage not even her eyes were filled with warmth. Her expression was just straight and tone tuned to formality and business.
She couldn't afford to be smiling at him at this time. No, she felt a heavy burden on her shoulders, and it would continue to weigh down on her until she got some answers. This matter had to be resolved, or she would consider other options. She couldn't afford to seek after someone who enjoys destroying villages for his own amusement. She was a peace loving person and peace is what she sought, not destruction.
''Everyone has questions about this and that. Humans are always questioning everything that is around; they can't accept anything without analyzing it and judging it with their standards. Well, a human is curious specie. When there are things that you don't understand, your mind refuses to settle down in favor of trying to solve the puzzle. Your heart gives you no sense of peace until your worries are taken away,'' Naruto stated in a tone that was just natural to him.
''We question things because we are alive, and only ignorant people accept things without trying to understand them. I do admit that I've been ignorant in your plans so far. Even though I knew you had some plans, I ignored to question and now I find out that you have destroyed Konoha. I should've never been foolish to keep a blind eye on what you had planned,'' Mei was shaking her head, her regret clearly evident in her tone.
Perhaps if she'd asked when she had the time, she could've stopped the destruction of Konoha. Her own ignorance had been at fault here and she couldn't blame anyone but herself. She'd been acting like a child when with him, but this was just a wakeup call. Yes, if there was any destruction she could stop, she would give in her hand for support.
''Your ignorance played a part in Konoha's destruction, is that what you assume? Do you think that if you had found out that I planned to clean the village of its rotten state you could have stopped me?''
Mei was silent for a few moments before she gave a stiff nod. ''There may have been something that I could've done. I don't favor destruction as means to solve something, unless it is an all out war.''
''Do not fool yourself, Mei. There is nothing you could've done to stop Konoha's destiny. Kami had decided, and there was no human who was going to stand in the way. Even if we turn back time and replay the part, I'll still do it and nothing you would do would make me stop,'' Naruto's tone was a bit sharp, reigning down on a Mei like the sound of a sudden thunderstorm, making her heart beat become a bit faster.
No one could've stopped him from doing what he had chosen, either be Mei, Yugao or perhaps even Ayame. The choice had been made and he had to carry it out. The will of Uchiha Naruto must always be carried out regardless of the circumstances that surround. He'd played every scenario that may've occurred if someone attempted to stop him and the result was always the same...
Konoha's destruction or foolish humans who understood his pain
''Are you saying that if I'd stood in the way you would've removed me?'' Narrowed eyes bored straight into the black haired Emperor before her. She dared shoot such a question straight at him. And she wanted an answer. She had to know where she stood with him. If he was willing to remove her existence for his own goals, then what worth was she to him?
''Yes,'' Naruto gave a simple response. ''But not in the way you are thinking. Humans, do you always assume the worst picture in anything?'' He knew what she meant by ''remove''. The woman was thinking death and that was the furthest thing that was away from his mind. Death wouldn't have solved anything, no; it would've just caused problems.
''What do you mean by that?''
''There is no reason for you to die and my problem was with Konoha. Granted you'd stood in my way, I would've just kicked out of the way and proceed with my way. Whether you hate me or like me about the matter is your choice and I can do nothing but accept it. Regardless, there wouldn't be nothing you can do to change the situation,'' Naruto explained lightly.
''Oh, I see,'' Mei breathed a sigh of relief.
''Relief? Do you not value your own life, Mei? Do you think that I would've just killed you off the bat because you were in the way?''
''I value my life and know that I have a great role to play in this world. I don't believe you would've killed me, but the thought did arise. I'm human, all scenarios have to be considered for my own sanity,'' Mei shrugged in the end.
While the thought may have aroused in her head, she still believed that he wouldn't go that far as to kill her. Yes, he wouldn't have allowed her to stand in the way, he said so himself. But death wasn't always the answer.
Her own death would've caused a major backlash that she was sure Naruto wouldn't want. She was a leader of Kirigakure, if the Emperor had killed her then he would've turned into a traitor before to the people of Kiri and they would seek his blood. Gaara wouldn't lie down either; he would surely choose to make some distance to insure that he didn't suffer the fate as her.
''Then bring the questions,'' Naruto said.
''Why did you do it? I know what Konoha did to you isn't right, but I don't think it was right for you to do it. No, it is not the concept of whether it was right or wrong. The matter is whether it was necessary or not.''
Naruto had his own country to deal with and he had insured that it continues to prosper. He should be focusing on that other than seeking revenge for what Konoha did to him. What they did was wrong, Mei understood that, but revenge wasn't the only answer to the problem. This was just going to cause more trouble and panic around the Elemental Nations.
Naturally, she would have had him ignore the village and continue his own life as the Emperor of the Imperial Rice Kingdom. If he focused on that, he could've lived his life without more people seeking his head and bearing hatred over him. Now those people could say that their hatred of him was justified.
However, Mei knew that Naruto didn't care for what those people thought of him at this present time. There was nothing they could do really. Continuing to hate him would make them miserable and they would be miserable because if he saw willed, Naruto could even go as far as to walk in their mist and dare them to do something.
''It was necessary that I do. Whether it be justice or revenge, I did what I did. Those people are just vile creatures that wear the masks of humans and parade around this world. They refuse to accept that they are wrong, and think that only they are right. I was trying to teach them that, but they still refused to acknowledge it. But it doesn't matter, they've learned that evil will reward them with a heavy slap from Kami.''
''What did you gain by doing it, Naruto? Don't you see that this has caused problems to arise?''
''Those humans are still alive, Mizukage. If I wanted destruction and their deaths, they wouldn't be alive, now would they? I left them alive because I only wanted them to understand. If everyone is still alive, why should you complain? A village can always be rebuild and it is up to them to decide how they continue to live their miserable lives.
I did what I did, to teach them humility. Some of them refused to admit their faults. Hadn't it be for their ignorant response after I had showed them what pain is, perhaps the village wouldn't have been destroyed. Regardless what is done is done. How other interpret my actions is for their own agenda,'' Naruto responded with a 'few' words.
Mei found it puzzling that he would destroy the village and yet keep everyone live. If it was revenge, then he would have killed them after making them suffer. Perhaps this was his revenge, they were still alive but facing a daunting task of rebuilding. Without strong allegiances, they would suffer greatly. Was it all that Naruto planned for them?
''What do you mean by ''hadn't it been for their ignorant response then perhaps the village wouldn't have been destroyed?''' That is indeed curious. Mei wanted to know if the destruction wasn't premeditated.
''I gave them an option, accept or wish to destroy me. Their choice was to hate me and wish to kill me in a painful death. So I told them that they shouldn't complain if he did the same to them. They say I wronged them, that is why they wish to kill me. Those people had also wronged me, but my wish wasn't to destroy them, but to teach them a lesson.''
''Is this your fair justice?''
''Yes,'' Naruto responded without a second thought. ''Humans with power think they can get away with anything. They do wrong and refuse to acknowledge it because they have power. Yes, the strong think they are always right, but that is far from the truth.
Konoha has been the strongest hidden village since its founding. The village has done may wrong, they inflicted pain and suffering to others. Yet, they still refused to acknowledge that other people have suffered because of their own actions; they sooth their miserable souls by saying that they too have suffered, and even more so than enemies.''
''Konoha wronged you and refused to acknowledge that they were wrong, is that why you wished to teach them this lesson? Did you wish for them to accept that everybody suffers and others might have also felt more than they did?'' Mei threw in a fit of questions straight at the Emperor.
''Yes,'' Naruto gave a simple response this time.
''You say the strong abuse their powers, then about you?'' Mei said. He was the strong one in the ring now and he could do whatever he felt like and there was no one who could do anything about it.
''Tell me one time I've been unfair. I've been the strong man for some time, and there are a lot of things that I've done. Have you seen me abusing my power and forcing people to kneel before me? Have I done any wrong for anyone to accuse of doing?'' Naruto's eyes looked straight at the Mizukage as he waited for her response.
Mei couldn't say that Naruto has been abusing his powers or done anything unfair. As he made it to be, what he did to Konoha was something that those people would have done to him, so the feeling was mutual. In all his life, Naruto hasn't been a friend of evil, nor has he attacked anyone just for the sake of it.
If it is about the Bijuus, then he explained it to her and he also didn't kill anyone while at it.
Unable to point a finger, Mei said something else. ''Do you think that you were right to destroy Konoha and do you think that you can't do wrong?'' If he thought he couldn't do wrong, then there would be serious problems. He could do wrong things and always come up with a reason to justify himself.
''Humans are incapable of doing what is right always. Every now and then a wrong choice will be made. The important thing is admitting that one was wrong. It becomes a problem when one refuses to accepting that one was wrong. People have pride that they wish to protect by all means, but when someone is wrong, pride has to be swallowed. It is then that people are able to move on,'' Naruto responded to Mei's first question, but it also covered the first.
However, he didn't admit whether he could do wrong or not. He merely stated that humans were incapable of living perfection. What the Mizukage didn't know was that Naruto wasn't human. He'd only given her a response that was fitting for a human.
Before Mei could speak, Naruto spoke again, ''Are you satisfied now, Mei?'' the black haired sage asked the woman before him quietly. If possible, he didn't wish to have any misunderstandings with this woman. However, if it couldn't be helped, then it couldn't be helped; he would accept it.
Mei became silent as she gathered her thoughts. Yes, he's not done anything that could be considered evil, but she didn't believe that destroying Konoha would solve anything. It was only going to cause more problems for him and the empire. "Do you know that those people are going to continue hating you now, and will now hate you more than ever? The only difference is that this time, they will point at the destruction you left in Konoha and justify their hatred towards you. Their hatred of you hasn't been cleaned. No, you've only made it worse."
"I'm aware of this, Mizukage. I'm not a child who doesn't consider the consequences of his actions. Do you think that I just woke up one day and decided to destroy Konoha? While their hatred on me still remains, it doesn't affect me the least. I can continue to live my life as I have been, but if they choose to carry on with their hatred, it is them who will be bitter and miserable until they die," Naruto responded calmly. He didn't care if they hated him or not. He made sure they understood his pain and that they knew that if they did wrong, they would be punished. Yes, the destroyed village would always remind them of their sins. They would look at it from far as the result of their injustice.
"Yes, I know it won't affect you, but this doesn't do the shinobi world any good at all," Mei said shaking her head.
"Right now the world doesn't know why I destroyed Konoha, but some already suspect the reason why," Naruto said before bringing up something. "I should remind you that not everyone was caught in the crossfire. Not everyone was there when I destroyed Konoha. Only trash that refused to admit that it was indeed trash lived the destruction of Konoha."
Mei nodded. "I'd suspected as much since you speak so much about being fair. Granted you were being fair in all these, I figured that you may not have involved even those who weren't trash. Where are the others?"
"They are in the new village I build for them. I told them exactly what happened. Despite being the one that destroyed Konoha, I told these people before I did what I did that whether Konoha was destroyed relied on the decision of the trash. These "good" people knew and understood what I meant by that," Naruto stated, knowing that the Mizukage would ask about it.
"So, if the "trash" had accepted and admitted that they were wrong, Konoha wouldn't have been destroyed, is that what you are saying?"
"Yes," Naruto responded. "I told the "good people" that before I engaged the trash." Naruto stood up from his throne and walked towards Mei. "I'm going to show you new Konoha, and after that, I'll send you to Gaara so you can explain things to him, do you have a problem with that?"
Mei shook her head. "I understand your actions, but I wish you'd done things differently. If I see this new Konoha, my heart may stop worrying too much and speaking to Gaara will clear my mind," Mei smiled sadly. "Thank you," she said.
"Hmm?"
"I wasn't sure you'd explain things to me when I came here, and I will admit that I thought you may have done it just for destruction. Speaking to you has cleared some of my thoughts, and has proved something to me about you."
"What is it?"
"You are not such a bad person," she said. "You put them through trials trying to get them to understand your pain. If you were such a bad person, you wouldn't have bothered to try to get them to understand your pain; you would've just outright destroyed them without giving them a chance to repent." Mei was glad that it had turned out like that. It would have troubled her heart if he had turned out to be a cold-hearted person who had no compassion, they had made a good start with the Imperial Council and Naruto had gathered some good people that she was happy to work with. She wanted to continue in that path that they'd started.
Naruto looked the woman for a moment before walking past her, "I'm glad you have that understanding and have come to that conclusion. So many things and actions are done and said because people lack the right understanding. But when we understand each other, we are able to communicate well and the way forward is paved." He said. "Now follow me…"
Kumogakure
In all his life Ai has always been able to solve problems or at least come up with a sound solution to solve all the problems he was faced with. Yes, as the Yondaime Raikage, he had his responsibilities to uphold and to beat up every problem that threatened the safety of his village. His father had left him with the yoke to carry, and so he'd been doing a good job in insuring the village he so loved was protected and safe.
This time, he was a presented with a mountain; a mountain he didn't whether it was a stumbling block or something that was put in front of him to block the enemies. Ai didn't know whether climbing the mountain will make bring some things from the other side for him to see.
The situation before him was a big puzzle that he didn't even know which piece was to take the first step on the board.
Konoha's destruction didn't worry him much, but he was more concerned whether the trail of destruction would also lead to his village. If Naruto could do it in the village he was formerly a shinobi at, what was stopping him from matching towards his own village? Naturally, Ai was more concerned with the safety of his own village rather than Konoha's state.
The state of the former great village was said to be pathetic, and it was unlikely that it would stand where it once stood. His messenger had given him a clear picture of the state of the village, there were only signs of a major battle to have taken place, not a space where a village once stood. Ai guessed that this was caused by the monstrous meteorite that fell on it.
There was also news that the Godaime Hokage and many more of the strongest from the village had yet to be seen ever since the village was destroyed. Ai found it strange that shinobi such as Sasuke, Jiraiya and Kakashi would just disappear like that. It wouldn't be a surprise if Naruto killed because he viewed them as threats. But somehow, Ai didn't think that they were dead. No, he had a feeling inside his heart that they were still alive.
The villagers who'd been left in the wake of destruction of the former great village were said to be moving around the Fire Nation searching for their loved ones and families. He had a rumor that not everyone was present when the village was destroyed. He suspected that to be the case as it would explain the disappearance of the Sannins.
A question was brought with this information though, where were they if they were still alive?
Those who were left at the destroyed Konoha weren't indulging in many questions about what had actually happened. However, given the little pieces of information he'd received, Ai had come to the assumption that the destruction of Konoha had something to do with Naruto's life as a Jinchuriki. Perhaps it was revenge for putting him through hell.
Granted that to be the case, it eased some of his worries.
Sighing, Ai stood up from behind his desk. The others should be at the training ground for the training they'd been doing in the outskirts of the village. Ever since his embarrassing defeat to Uchiha Madara with the other Kages, he'd picked up his training again to improve his speed and overall assault power. His speed and strength seemed to be nothing when facing a man like Madara, and if he was to face Naruto, he would've to improve.
The Raikage still didn't know the fate of the notorious Uchiha. He seemed to have just disappeared off the face of the earth. Naruto possibly had all the answers.
When Ai arrived at his private training ground, he found, Darui, C, Samui, Bee and Yugito already in the mix of it. The five of them created a really strong group that was dangerous to any enemy. If it was such a time when the infamous Akatsuki was still running about, he would have this group deal with them.
C, being a sensor, was quick to notice the Raikage arrive at the training. ''We've been waiting for you, Raikage-sama,'' he said, drawing the attention of the others who in turn looked at the coming muscled man after those words left his mouth.
''I was busy at the office,'' Ai responded as he reached the group. He stood still in front of them, his eyes pacing between each of them. It seemed that they'd been here for some time now, judging by the sweat all over their bodies.
Bee had expected another response other than the one his brother gave. The tone the Raikage used worried him and it just showed him that the man was being bothered by something. Since they trusted each other here, he decided that to ask what was wrong because he saw no harm.
''Something bothering you, brother?''
Ai nodded, looking above the sky. ''This issue of Konoha's destruction and Naruto is bothering me. I don't really know what to make of it. I'm still mad at Naruto for taking away the Bijuus, but whether he is a threat that will threaten our safety remains to be seen.''
Bee nodded. While he was not the least happy about losing his long life partner, but he didn't think the Emperor was that bad of a person who would one day come here to destroy their village out of the whim. No, with everything he's heard of the man, he wouldn't do anything like that. Unless threatened, it was unlikely that the Emperor would come here to attack.
The fact that he and Yugito and had been kept life meant that there was much more to the man. ''He's yet to openly threaten Kumo and during the time he took Hachibi, he said he was only interested in the Bijuus and wasn't interested or looking forward to fight us because of his hunt of the Bijuus.'' Bee said quietly.
''There is also that crap about Bijuus not belonging to anyone and his desire to insure that no one becomes a Jinchuriki again. He also said something about not wanting Bijuus to be used as weapons and power equalizers within the Elemental Nations,'' Yugito said voicing her own thoughts.
With everything that she'd seen, she could say that the Uchiha wasn't going to come into this village with the intention of laying siege upon it. No, she believed that he wouldn't do anything of that kind unless Kumogakure chose to attack him, and Samui believed the same thing. Yugito had a feeling that if it was coming from Samui then it had to be true.
Of course, she couldn't say it outright that the Emperor wasn't going to come into the village to destroy and that destruction wasn't something that danced around his head joyfully. If anything, he liked to handle matters without destroying things these days unlike back then. Her perception of Naruto was quite different from everyone, and it was at time frustrating that she couldn't do anything tangible to make these others see what she and Samui see in him.
''I don't really get all that,'' C said shaking his head. He'd already heard everything that happened when Naruto took the Bijuus, but things were just too complex and rather hard to deal with. ''He says he doesn't want to trouble us, but his actions are a contrary to that.''
Ai nodded, agreeing with C. ''Regardless of how you look at it and how he puts it, he attacked two of my shinobi and took Bijuus that belonged to this village. Even though he brought Bee and Yugito back to life, the actions cannot be excused. The attack was on Kumo's military force, and with the loss of our Bijuus, our military strength has taken a dip.''
Even though the Emperor of the Imperial Kingdom may say that Bijuus didn't belong to any of them and it wasn't for them to claim, it was merely a matter of his own opinion. Others before them had fought, and some of them had even died fighting to bring Matatabi and Hachibi into the village as their weapons, one man couldn't just take it all away from them, especially when he had a country of his own to lead.
Ai wasn't even sure what he wanted to use the Bijuus for and there was no telling if he would one day flip and send the Bijuus after them for destruction. Nothing was clear in all these, and the Raikage hated to admit that perhaps talking to Naruto would paint a clear picture for everyone.
''There are also his actions at the Kage summit,'' Darui added these words into the fray. How could he forget? He had been there that day when the Uchiha appeared after the infamous Madara had already made his presence known.
Ai nodded, ''In any case, we have to be prepared for anything that is to come. If Naruto is to come after us, we will have to be ready to deal with him and we still don't know what has happened to Madara.''
Samui sighed as she cleared her thoughts. Naruto had told her he had no interest in a war with both Iwagakure and Kumogakure. However, he'd told her that if it couldn't be helped and if these two villages pushed things to far, he would act. Samui knew well how he would act; it was certain destruction.
''Aside from taking the Bijuus and the incident at the Kage summit, Naruto hasn't done anything to threaten Kumogakure. He has not said he had problems with us or anything troubling in the past. You must also remember that the incident with the Kages also affected the kages who are allied with his own country. The same is to be said for the Bijuus; he didn't just take Bijuus from his enemies, he also took Bijuus from his allies. Moreover, there were no deaths in all these incidents,'' the blonde haired voiced her own thoughts.
Ai didn't disagree with Samui. ''I know that, and it makes it a complex situation to handle.'' However, the Raikage didn't intend to understand Naruto's reasons for attacking his brother and Yugito. No, any attack on his brother was a personal one, even though he, Bee, wasn't killed.
''You'd talked with the Tsuchikage and Konoha about a way to deal with him, what had you discussed then?'' C asked. The contents of such a meeting weren't revealed to anyone. The Raikage had so far kept everything to himself.
The Fourth Lightning Shadow sighed, ''Well, I guess it can't be helped,'' he said quietly. ''We'd decided to gather our top shinobi and combine them with the main purpose of eliminating both Madara and Naruto. You guys were going to be in that group, and Konoha was going to give out, Jiraiya, Uchiha Sasuke, Maito Gai and Hatake Kakashi.''
''But circumstances have changed now. The Konoha team is missing and even if they were there, Konoha would focus on rebuilding rather than fighting. Granted that they are dead, Kumo and Iwa will need to discuss the matter again. Regardless of how you look at it, the team was considerably strengthened by Konoha's assault team,'' C reasoned.
''This is what I've been thinking. But I've not heard anything from Onoki,'' Ai said tiredly. This was all giving his mind an overload of thoughts to be processed by the second.
''This would be clear if Naruto himself was here,'' Yugito said. However, she was certain that the moment he were to appear, the Raikage was going to pounce on him with the intent of perhaps ending his life.
Ai snorted, ''I doubt he would show himself here after everything. He's probably hiding in his sky palace,'' the tone had taken a new turn from tiredness to one mixed with anger and frustrations.
As if he'd been there the whole time, Naruto spoke casually, standing on a small rock away from the group. ''Who would put fear in me that I've to hide myself? You, Konoha, Iwagakure? Do not fool yourself Raikage.''
All the eyes turned on him quickly. They'd not even sensed his presence and the only thing that alerted them of his presence was his voice. Despite the new appearance, Ai couldn't mistake that voice. It was him, and he didn't need an invitation to lunge at the black haired Sage; his lightning armor was activated in the blink of an eye before he took off.
Naruto merely watched as the Raikage lunged at him. It was just predictable; he'd known that the man would attack him once he appeared here. Sighing, Naruto held out his right hand. Ai drove his right fist straight at the black haired Sage in fast speeds with the intent of shattering his rib cage in one punch. However, Naruto caught the punch with his right hand without even flinching, even though the man appeared in a blur.
Before Ai could retaliate, Naruto's left hand was dangerously close to his neck. He knew a single move...
''Don't do anything foolish. I've not come here to fight and besides, in my current power, you all merely children to me; I don't dance with children, I beat them,'' Naruto said looking at the group that was with Ai. They seemed ready to enter the fray, and he didn't want to give them a beating.
''Let me go, bastard,'' Ai growled glaring at Naruto. He could try to struggle, but the moment Naruto caught his right hand, his mobility shut down, he couldn't even move the slightest and his lightning armor had just shut down. He could also feel that his chakra was leaving him.
''Sometimes you act like an immature brat, Ai. How foolish of you to attack someone without even thinking. I can kill you right now because of your foolishness. Even these children have grown far better than you, they know when to attack and when not to. But because you've allowed your petty emotions to cloud your thinking, you just lunged at me, are stupid?''
Ai felt like he was a six year old child being scolded. And the fact that Naruto was still holding his hand firmly didn't make him feel any better. Without words to say, he merely growled in response.
''Should I slap you? Should I break your hand or both your legs for this reckless action? Tell me, how should I punish you?'' Naruto asked quietly, his hold on Ai tightening by the second.
C couldn't believe what his senses were reporting to his brain. The mere report of it was enough to shut down his other senses and bring him down to his knees, his body shaking, and sweat coming out in a heap. His mind found it difficult to comprehend what he had sensed, and it had shut down several times just to make sense of it.
It was impossible. Impossible. The power he sensed was enough to fill the whole world and he still couldn't figure the limits of it. It was like there was no end to it and Ai's chakra was like a drop in a sea compared to what Naruto possessed. It was like he was one with nature, because he was everywhere.
In a sense, he was right, they were children to him in terms of power.
Samui shook her head watching C. She could guess that Naruto's power caused by his senses going haywire after trying to gauge out its limits. There were things that couldn't be measured, and one of them was Naruto's power. He'd told her, aside from the immeasurable chakra he contained; he still controlled all natural chakra. That meant that the chakra that flowed within nature was also part of him.
Perhaps this is why he called himself a force of nature.
''You all right?'' Bee asked placing a hand of comfort on C's right shoulder. The sensor recovered well from his blackout and nodded at Bee but still stayed on the ground.
Naruto let go of Ai's hand. However, he slapped the man straight on his face with his palm. The slap had enough power to send Ai flying towards his shinobi. ''Next time I will break your legs if you do something childish like this. You are a Kage, fool, start acting like one and you will stop embarrassing yourself in front of your children. Such recklessness is not fitting for a Kage.''
Ai growled again once he'd regained his composure. It was a little embarrassing being slapped like that and being lectured like this, but he didn't allow it to get to him. ''What do you want?'' He demanded in a low growl.
''First thing first,'' Naruto responded quietly. One of the Eight balls behind him broke away from formation, and disappeared behind Naruto into the mountain that was behind him. There was no civilization in the area, hence he'd chosen it.
After a few moments of silence, a large explosion rocked far behind Naruto where the black ball had disappeared. The large explosion was rather frightening. Despite being far away from them, they still felt its tremors from where they stood. A large cloud of mushroom of debris picked, and Ai was positive that people back at the village could see it.
After a few moments, the green less mountain that once stood was nowhere to be seen. Even though they couldn't see it, there was a large crater where the mountain once stood.
Ai felt relieved that the explosion didn't set off at his village. The result would've been catastrophic if it had been that way.
Naruto never even bothered to look at his handy work. His gaze settled on the Raikage, before he spoke. ''I came here to warn you. If I drop three of these balls in Kumo, they can turn the village into ash, and it won't even drain me of my chakra.''
Ai narrowed his eyes. ''Are you threatening my village?''
Naruto shook his head. ''Interpret it anyway you like, but I'm telling you that I have no fight with you. I do not wish to destroy Kumogakure as it has not done anything to me. However, if you push it and continue to seek war with me, if your shinobi enter my country intending to do any form of damage, I will not show mercy.''
Ai gritted his teeth and dangerously stared at Naruto. ''Are using the little explosion to insert fear on us so we can bow before you?''
Naruto fixed Ai a look before shaking his head. "You are hopeless. You should have learned enough about me to know that I don't throw subtle hints. If I wanted you to get on your knees and become my pet I would have told you so. However, you have allowed your wild thoughts to picture such an ignorant picture of me. Yes, it is ignorance that makes you say such foolish words. A shinobi rule is that you should know your enemy, you consider me as such, yet you have learned nothing of me. Are you really a Kage?"
"I will only tolerate so far of your words boy!"
"Humans," Naruto shook his head slightly. "Must you always assume the worst? The "little explosion" was just an exhibition to show you little of my power. You are an emotional child that is prone is act rashly when the situation represents itself. If I told you that I'm powerful enough to destroy your village, you wouldn't have believed it. That is why I decided to show you little of my power. You can say that I am using fear to get you under control, then what of it?
"I'm not ordering you to be my dog, nor have I threatened your village or even killed one of your shinobi. I've only taken Bijuus that didn't belong to you to begin with, but you continue to plot for my death. You cannot kill me and I do not wish to kill you nor destroy you. I will repeat this again, I'm merely warning you to stay away from my country. Are those words clear enough to get through your thick skull?"
Ai didn't respond; he was too damn seething to say anything, so in turn Bee spoke. "Are you saying that you will not attack our village if we do not attack you and are you saying that we should just let the fact that you took our Bijuus slide without punishment?"
"I will say this; just because you got well with Hachibi doesn't mean that he was yours, just because Kumo captured it doesn't it belonged to you. Bijuus didn't belong to humans, and I will not compensate for taking them. I will say it once again, I have no interest in enslaving you people or forcing you to do my bidding, but if you threaten the safety of my country by attacking it, I will do horrible things to you," Naruto turned away from the group. "Iwa is sending someone to my country to settle things diplomatically. She will be heard and return back to her village with words that will stop Onoki from doing anything foolish. I've spoken to you, if you don't listen, then I will end you and I will not be repeating my words again." Naruto disappeared after those words left his mouth.
"What will we do, brother?" Killer Bee asked the seething Raikage.
The decision Ai would have taken after this was to gather his forces and match towards The Rice to destroy it, but that would not be a rational choice. "I'll speak to the council and hear what they have to say, and I will hear what Iwa will do after they receive word from him."
Samui sighed tiredly and looked at the heavens, 'I hope you make a choice that is good for the village, Raikage-sama,' she thought.
Konoha
To think that Naruto would destroy Konoha and leave it in ruins... No, there wasn't even a trace of their buildings that they had once build over the years. Everything had been crushed under the monstrous meteorite that fell on their old village. The kind of power to singlehandedly destroy the entire was something that Tsunade feared.
She had never felt so much anger than the anger that rained down on her shoulders when she'd seen the destruction he dished out to the village her grandfather founded. She wasn't the only who was infuriated by what Naruto did. Anger towards the blond was the mutual feeling they had for the Emperor of the Rice Kingdom.
Those who had been unlucky to be burned and crushed when he destroyed old Konoha were the ones who held much more anger than others. It wasn't that Tsunade could blame them for feeling the righteous fury they felt. If such things as gods existed, then they would all be down on their knees praying to their god to punish the demon that was in Naruto. Something that would sooth their souls would be watching him die before their eyes.
It wasn't everyone who was angry with Naruto, some of the people who had been left in Konoha weren't so angry with the former blond Jinchuriki of the Nine-tailed Demon Fox. In fact, they appeared humbled and much calmer than anyone who was seething because of what had happened.
Tsunade found it laughable that they'd been forced out of Konoha because Naruto said so. She remembered it well when he told them about it.
Flash back
A group of Konoha people gathered around in a bundle looking at the second location they'd been brought to. At first, they were taken away from their beloved home of Konohagakure no sato, and taken to another dimension, to the none shinobi, it was just another place. They didn't spend much time there was they were sent to this second place they were now.
Those who took runs outside of Konoha walls knew that this wasn't far away from where their village was located. It was no shock or surprise to know who had been teleporting them and they'd been told that their home was most likely to be destroyed by that man. He told them this with a straight face.
''Depending on the answers those people who are not with you here, give me, I will either destroy Konoha, kill them all or leave them alone. If I so choose, I can do both, destroy Konoha and kill them, but to be fair I will do one thing. Granted they become what I wish, you will be returned to your homes safely.''
Those were the words that Naruto had told everyone once they had been brought into the other dimension, a place that was just empty of any life form. of course they'd not been pleased to hear that their home may be destroyed and some had voiced their thoughts out loud to him.
''Why are we the only ones here and why are the others left in the village?''
Naruto had responded with a simple answer that didn't surprise everyone. Most people had already suspected as much. ''You are here because you're bearable before my sight. Those who've remained in the village are those who are filled with petty hatred towards me and are responsible for my suffering when I was still younger.''
After those words were spoken, many voiced out their thoughts and worries for their loved ones, and pleas for Naruto to reconsider his options were thrown in the fray, but the Emperor had refused to listen to any of it. He'd silenced them with his final words before he disappeared from their presence.
''Should they die or Konoha be destroyed, it will be because of their answer to me. There is even a chance that I may not kill them or destroy Konoha. This is a chance that will have everyone return to their loved ones and to their homes. Just to be clear, I will tell you this; the reason Konoha will be destroyed is because those people will refuse to acknowledge that what they did was wrong.
If you are here and you used to hate me for the Kyuubi, then it means inside of your heart, you've realized that you were wrong to do what you did and were truly sorry. Those that will face judgment are those who refuse to accept that they were wrong.
Should Konoha be destroyed, it will be because I showed them my pain and they still refused to understand and admit that they had no right to do what they did. After hearing this, can you say that this is revenge or I am not being fair? Konoha's destruction lies in the hands of those fools who are left behind. It will be their choice that will decide the fate of Konoha.''
Everyone dreaded for the worst when Naruto spoke those words. They knew that those who still hated him were not going to change, and between admitting their faults and standing firm on their pride, they would choose their pride. Should they do that, that would seal the fate of Konoha and no one had any doubt that Naruto was serious that he would destroy Konoha.
They had two choices if Konoha was to be destroyed, hate Naruto for it or hate those who chose to remain foolish and hold their hatred high above all things.
Naruto had left things clear for them to understand clearly; he had the power to destroy Konoha, but wasn't willing to do so. He wasn't after revenge to anyone who wronged him. He just wanted them to understand and admit that they were wrong. If they refused to admit that they were wrong, then he would be forced to destroy Konoha.
The ones in Naruto's dimension understood it perfectly that it was wrong to hate Naruto for the Kyuubi, and would also like the others to have the same mindset as they did. However, that didn't mean they agreed with Naruto's methods. What they did come to understand was that it wasn't revenge that Naruto was after, but he just wanted them to admit their faults and learn humility.
If it was revenge, then many more people would've been left behind at Konoha. Now, almost half of the village's population was here in this dimension.
After minutes of pure dread...they were finally transported to another place, out of the dimension.
They were brought to this place, their new village as Naruto called it. Right before their eyes, Naruto leveled the ground, creating a clear ground. A large wall sprouted from the ground and surrounded the clear ground Naruto had created. Everyone just settled for watching him when he moved forward to create a mountain. Right there and then, he created the Hokage monument with the faces of the previous Kages.
After that, he'd gone to stand in the center of the ground. His hands hit the ground and the earth had shaken at that time. Houses began to sprout from the ground in different sizes and formations. In the outskirts of the village, another forest like Training Ground 44 was formed and a few streams of water were formed within the walls of their new village.
They'd watched kami create a village right before their eyes in just minutes. If it weren't for the mixed feelings, their awe for his abilities would've been expressed in words. This was just creation at its highest level, the use of Mokuton, Earth and Suiton was just at level best. This wasn't the work of a mere mortal, but this was the work of a god.
Their awe had stopped them from questioning everything that he was doing. The fact that he was creating a new village meant that either Konoha was destroyed or their fellow villagers were killed by him. But just seeing him work in silence with a concentrated look on his face made them settle for watching him and ask questions later.
After he'd completed everything, he'd taken the air to overlook the village he'd created and seemed to marvel at his work.
Tsunade had gathered her thoughts after that to question the Emperor while she was still grouped with the rest of the villagers who were taken out of Konoha. ''What is the meaning of this, Naruto?!''
The answer was clearly obvious, but it felt like the right question to ask at that time. There wasn't anything else that the Hokage could think. Everything was just overwhelming her like a flood caused by a Tsunami. All this was surprising and shocking, and it put her thoughts into disarray. She wasn't the only who was having complicated thoughts bouncing up and down in her head; others too were facing the same thing.
Shikamaru looked at the Emperor carefully; he had a feeling that he understood everything too well. The answers were given to him in black and white, and he could see them perfectly. Naruto's earlier words had painted visible picture inside his mind. Anyone who had enough brains to understand those words and his actions could conclude what all these meant.
The Nara understood that Naruto had only stayed in Konoha because he'd thought they would change. He hated the villagers, and that wasn't hidden from anyone. What made things worse was that no one was finding the courage to go before him and apologize for what they'd done to him. An apology was the least they could do, and Naruto would've accepted that. But those people still couldn't do that, they refused to admit their wrongs.
Shikamaru understood it perfectly; Naruto just wanted them to admit that they were despicable humans who wronged him. By all means, that was righteously true; they were despicable humans who wronged him because of their hatred. Even so, they refused to swallow their pride and admit it.
This refusal has led Naruto to do what he did. Perhaps Shikamaru understood the Emperor's actions better than anyone inside this village. Because he understood, he held no ill-feelings towards him.
''This is your new home. I built this, for you people. It wouldn't be fair for me to leave you homeless because of the trash I left in the destruction of the old village. Because I've no problems with you, I've set aside this land for you. What I've done is enough and I won't do anything more. You still have the riches you had when you were still in the old village.''
''So this means you've destroyed Konoha and the others...''
''Yes, I've destroyed the old Konoha. However, I left the trash alive but it will not find this place. For a week, I'll keep this place locked inside a barrier while you rebuild. No one will know that this new place exists until I remove the barrier. The trash will wonder about the world, but it will be rejected everywhere it goes,'' Naruto stated in a firm tone.
''Is this your way for apologizing for destroying our home?'' one of the villagers shouted.
''Do not mistake me; I'm not sorry for destroying Konoha, I am simply doing this because it is the right thing to do.'' He turned his back on everyone before saying his last words. ''The old Konoha will be a memory of sins, should anyone attempt to rebuild…death will come.'' He left after those words.
Flash back end
It was truly unthinkable to think that the once great hidden leaf village once stood here. Tsunade couldn't believe that she'd failed enough to see the beloved village her grandfather founded to be brought into such a state. It was indeed true, in its current state, they couldn't rebuild anything and that aside, Naruto had given a stern warning. Even with his warning, Tsunade had come to see this village.
The barrier that had shielded them was taken up and thus enabled them to leave their new village. She'd first stayed inside to handle things within. Truly, even though they'd been locked inside a barrier, all the needed materials they needed to rebuild were available.
Tsunade could guess that they came from their old village. Naruto had said that they still had the riches they had when they were still living inside this former great village. They had settled in well in their new home, but adapting was the biggest issue some were facing. The kids were doing alright though. They didn't seem to mind the new scenery, in fact, they liked it better. She'd seen many kids running about within the new streets looking lively like nothing had happened.
With the number of villagers that were under her control within the new Konoha, they'd no problems, however, in a number of weeks their riches would dry out soon and they would suffer if things were not handled strategically and funds weren't attracted to the new village. Things would become bad when they hunt all the others who were within the village when it was destroyed. As Naruto had put it, he'd created the village for the 'good people,' the trash wasn't included in anything.
Regardless, Tsunade couldn't abandon them. She'd set up a group of people to search for them within the Fire country borders and so far she'd met some of them. The cruel thing was those who were still bitter, had a strange mark on their foreheads and couldn't enter their new village. This reality had hit them hard and made true to Naruto's words when he said that he'd built the new village for the good people.
The marks of their forehead weren't visible until they attempted to walk past the new gates. Something like an invisible wall blocked their entry. A Hyuuga was brought to study the anomaly, and they'd discovered that there was a barrier that could not be seen to the naked eye. The barrier lied dormant but became active when the marks on the 'trash' reached its vicinity.
Those who didn't have the marks entered the village and were reunited with their families. The decision Tsunade had come up with was that those who couldn't enter the village would be built their homes outside the walls of their new villages since they couldn't just leave them alone. This choice would enable their families who were inside the new village to move out with them without staying away from the new home.
Jiraiya, Kakashi and appeared behind Tsunade on top of the former Hokage monument at the old village. Jiraiya was first to speak, "This is a mess, huh?"
Tsunade nodded. "Well at least we've been doing well so far."
"But the village will be now divided into two sections, one within the walls and the other outside the walls. As the days continue to pile up, the people within the walls will symbolize the rich and happy while the ones outside the walls will be poor and miserable," Jiraiya said walking towards the edge of the monument to overlook the former glorious leaf village.
"No one can be blamed for it. It was their choice that led to this situation. Some villagers who were also part of the destruction were able to return to the new village, this only means that they might have changed. Granted that is the case, then all these others have to do is admit their faults," Sasuke said with indifference.
While Naruto was at fault for putting the situation in the first place, those people also had their roles to play in all these. If they'd admitted their faults to begin with, Konoha wouldn't have been destroyed and they wouldn't be dealing with a situation like this. If it was up to Sasuke to decide, he wouldn't have bothered to search for those ignorant fools. He would leave them to suffer their fate until they became 'humans.
"That may be so, but we can't leave them to suffer. Even if we can't do everything for them, we can give them a hand. They are still one of us," Kakashi said looking to no one in particular.
Tsunade nodded. "In any case, things will turn out just how Jiraiya has said. Things are only going to get worse from now and we will be forced to make a choice between the people inside the walls and the ones outside the wall," the Godaime stated in a grim tone.
"At least our forces are still in their great numbers. Low morale may be the only problem though," Kakashi added.
Jiraiya nodded in agreement with Kakashi. "That is the case. In any case, I've decided that I'm going to spend my next years teaching the new generation Ninjutsu. My generation has become old and in a few years we won't be able to move like we do now."
His decision was mainly influenced by what Naruto had said to him, and the Sannin thought it was the best decision to make given everything that has fallen on them. There wasn't much that he could do for their new village, but training its next protectors was the least he could do. He couldn't protect this old village, and he would train the next generation to insure that they could protect their home and not suffer the same fate as they did.
Tsunade smiled at her former teammate, "I will be doing the same as you, Jiraiya. While you teach them Ninjutsu, I will teach those who are capable medical ninjutsu. Who knows, we may even get Gai to teach them Taijutsu," Tsunade said.
"What about your responsibilities as Hokage?" Sasuke asked.
"I will get on to that," Tsunade responded quietly. The Hokage sighed. "Aha, looks like even though that cursed Uchiha has destroyed our village, we are going to be using the same system of training our shinobi as his country does…"
"It is effective," Jiraiya said. Before Naruto was banished from Konoha, they'd been able to get some Intel on how some things were run in the Imperial Kingdom since Guren was supposed to come to Konoha and speak to them about a possible alliance.
Shinobi in the Imperial Kingdom were trained differently from other villages. Their shinobi academy was very different from Konoha's. Students weren't just taught the basics within the academy; students enrolled from age 7 and for two years they were to be taught everything Konoha's academy taught and some. It was said that after this, students would be divided into groups based on their specialty. Then they were to be taught all shinobi arts for the next three years, and then they could graduate as genins.
Well, that was the plan anyway.
Tsunade nodded. "I looked at it and it does seem to be the most effective method of raising strong shinobi." She paused and turned to Kakashi. "This leads me to the next issue."
Kakashi sighed. "This is what I was dreading; you are gone to quit being Hokage and make me your successor, aren't you?" the Jonin had foreseen this coming. He looked at Sasuke, "What are you going to do?"
Sasuke merely turned away from the three and started to walk away. "I'm going to talk to Naruto, but I will return to Konoha. I just have some things to settle with him."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone