章節 9: Traitors

"Those eyes…" Naruto's voice trembled as he trailed off in disbelief.

Here they thought the main villain was Orochimaru while the real threat was resting safely in the comfort under the image of Konoha's trusted council.

"One of them belonged to Shisui. He didn't ask for revenge, hoping that you would realize your immorality. But instead, you continue to plunge deeper into the wrong," Itachi said with remorse. "Confess your crimes and your life may be spared."

Danzo only snorted at the warning. "The only thing I have to confess is my love for the village. If not for me, there will be no peace."

"Do you really see no evil in your ways?" Itachi asked in utter disappointment. "Have I left you alive so long for nothing?"

"You are getting ahead of yourself Itachi. In fact, your existence wrongs Konohagakure and I hereby order all Leaf ninja to capture him. Put him down if necessary." With a wicked smile, Danzo added, "Those who do not participate will be branded as traitors of the Leaf."

With just those words, the invisible bodyguards jumped out and launched themselves in consecutive bombardments at the Akatsuki.

"What are you two standing here for? Are you betraying your own village?" Danzo yelled at the Uchiha-Uzumaki brothers tauntingly.

Naruto clenched his hands into fists. An Elder's words are important and all obedient soldiers knew that. This annoyed him, knowing that power could be abused to such degree.

"I just want to know where my mother is." Naruto bit down on his lip as he stood and watched the fight continue before him. "I'm not helping a criminal. Every second you stall, she could be endangered. I just want to save Mother!" Tears began filling his eyes. "Why did you take her? She's innocent. Why?!"

A red chakra began seeping out and surrounded the trembling Naruto. It warped around him like a protective layer.

Yes. This was what Danzo was waiting for. He prayed that he would be able to bring out the fox. The more tails the better.

"Innocent? How can the woman who raised a fox demon and a cursed child be innocent?" Danzo shouted in ecstasy. "She is the worse of them all! She threatens the lives of so many defenseless citizens just so she can raise two wild beasts! Killing weapons! Monsters!"

The more angry and beastly Naruto became, the more Danzo rejoiced in madness. Yes. Once the fox is called out, then he would make his move. His plan was so close to being fulfilled it seemed surreal.

"Yes Naruto. Like those other women, your mother was trafficked, abused, and then sold in the Sand. Finally, she is receiving her divine punishment," Danzo said a bit giddily as he eyed the boiling chakra.

…..............

["Are you sure? Are you really choosing them over me?" the man asked angrily, not even bothering to whisper.

Mother pushed his hand away. "Keep your voice down," she said sternly, "Naruto and Sasuke are sleeping."

The man looked at her in disgust. "When have you been become so close to the monster? Are you out of your mind?!" He was shouting again.

Mother told him again to lower his voice. He only raised it and began insulting her.

Sasuke ran out behind our bedroom door where we were both hiding. He stood in front of her and glared at the rude man with his blood red eyes.

"You're still here out of pity. Keep glaring at me like that and you can live on the streets," he spouted at my brother. "But the fox cannot stay here."

"And why not?" Mother snapped.

"Because he's a murderer!" the man shouted back.

Mother slapped him hard right across the cheek, sending him diving to the ground.

"You say anything bad about my sons again and I promise you'll suffer."

Mother could be pretty intimidating when she was serious.

I remember him looking at her in shock. He struggled to get up and when he finally managed to scramble up, he raised his hand to hit her.

As if moving on their own, my legs propelled me forward towards Mother. Sasuke had the same reaction. We both knew who we wanted to protect then.

But she protected us instead. Holding her ground and keeping her head up, she firmly told him, "I wouldn't hesitate one second to choose them over you any time any day. To think you had the shamelessness to ask such a question."

The man froze in place after recognizing the fire in her eyes. Though she wasn't a trained ninja, she undoubtedly embodied the Will of Fire—something that was hard to grasp even among the best of us.

"This is our house," she said as she pulled Sasuke and I closer to her side. "People like you aren't welcomed," Mother shouted, most likely waking the neighbors. In fact, it almost seemed like she was trying to wake them, to let all of them hear her words.

"You -" When he couldn't think of anything, he stormed out.

Mother only laughed, saying that he dug his own grave. To think he had such a big mouth when he relied on her to live in the house. She laughed even more wickedly at the thought of him regretting later on.

"One day, they'll see how great you two are. So just be good and patient until that day comes," she said softly, her deep blue eyes smiling at both of us.]

…........

Divine punishment. Divine punishment to the only person who cared for him when everyone else saw him as a monster. The first and only person who cared enough to not only accept, but also love him. How can such a person like this be deserving punishment?

And Danzo had the nerve to mock her. This man, who sees no value in others' lives aside from his own, had the confidence to spit out such vulgar words about Mother.

Naruto never believed that he had the right to make decisions regarding others, not after what had happened to him in the past. But today, there was one thing he was sure of.

This man must be punished.