208Chibi-Kari: I know it's been awhile. I've been struggling to write for the past few years (after my father died). I'm just now feeling like I can get back into it. Sorry for the delay. And of course, I still don't own or hold any rights to Naruto.
Genjutsu
Chapter 16
Naruto pressed his forehead into his knees. Even from the academy he could hear the screams. Each one triggered a very vivid image of what was happening. He knew his uncle hadn't meant for him to see as much as he did, but Naruto never listened to authority well, so it couldn't have been much of a surprise when he went off to see what was happening. But he wasn't prepared for what he saw. He didn't think he ever could be. How people like Kakashi saw war at a younger age dumfounded him. The sheer brutality and inhumanity had been overwhelming, but he had to see it to the end. To understand. And understand he had. Konoha had done this. There hadn't been a question, except how much did his father know? He was the Hokage after all. They had to know every military action taken in the history of Konoha.
He fought the lump that had taken residence in his chest that was currently making it hard for him to breathe and closed his eyes tighter to fight the stinging of unshed tears. He had to stay strong and keep a constant flow of chakra going into the scroll. If he didn't, they might not understand. And he couldn't do this again…he couldn't start it again.
He took solace in the sounds of the survivors arriving at their academy. Every appearance brought him a sliver of peace that he held on to with all his might. The sound of quick footfalls broke Naruto out of his forced meditation. His red eyes rose to find those of his father's friend, Inochi. He vaguely recognized him from the genjutsu as Ino's father. The man had rarely interacted with him since he came back to the real world. But the few times he had, the man was kind. Too kind he realized looking at him.
"Now you know." He croaked. "The truth."
Inochi nodded as he came to sit on the ground next to Naruto. He still had trouble understanding how things looked so very real but were simply an overlay. How he felt he had run for a few kilometers but knew he was only steps away from the others. "They weren't prepared for this." He laughed sardonically. "That's what we had been told. What everyone believed."
Naruto felt his eyes widen. The man hadn't realized. His mind raced: Would any of them realize? Was this all going to be a waste? "And who did this?"
"Ame it seemed although I saw one slaughtered by his own men." Inochi shook his head. It didn't make much sense and he felt a nagging in the back of his mind.
"You didn't realize." Naruto felt the shock overcome him. And a dread settled in his stomach. He didn't want to explain. He couldn't explain to all of them. This was supposed to show them. To make them realize.
"Realize what?" Inochi looked at the small boy. A sense of dread flooding his system.
"Konoha did this."
Inochi blinked several times and Naruto could see the puzzle pieces falling into place. "No. It couldn't be." He shook his head after a moment.
Naruto felt the last pulls of chakra from the scroll. It was ending and this was the moment of truth. His family-all of them-would be only a few meters away and there would be no going back from this. The academy froze around him. Children's tear stained faces shone in the bright sunlight as they stepped into the travel seal. Then it ended. Drenching everyone in the darkness of the night. The moon their only source of light in the dark.
Naruto looked around and saw ranging expressions of horror. Itachi had sat on the ground. His father gripping his shoulder tightly. His parents were several meters apart. His mother seeming to find his uncle in what had been the chaos of the scroll. They did know. He was torn between relief and a deep sadness. Some of the people had obviously not known.
Inochi stirred from his internal suffering. "The man was a Yamanaka. But that can't be. I didn't know him. I would have known him."
Naruto felt a sudden sense of confusion flow through the group. The men standing in this field were clan heirs. They would have known each of their clan. Or at least been familiar with them. He felt suddenly sick.
"There was more than one Uchiha." Fugaku stated numbly. "None that I recognized.
"Lies." His uncle hissed turning towards the man. "You must know them. You're lying now because there is evidence. Things you can't turn away from."
Shikaku cleared his throat. "It's much worse than that." He turned to Naruto's father, leveling him with a stern stare. "These are people from Konoha's clans, but I don't recognize them either. If all three of us do not recognize them, something much more nefarious has happened. They were obviously trained. But by who? And when were they taken from the clans? Because they were. There is no other explanation. Someone has been stealing Konoha's children and turning them into weapons to use against our own allies-and likely us."
Naruto focused on his father. It seemed all the energy had drained out of the man. He seemed to steel himself before speaking. "I wish I had the answers for this. There are no records of this. Nothing that explains this." He turned towards Homare. "All I can say is that I have no idea how this happened."
"Because Konoha is a cancer!" The young purple haired man exploded suddenly; spitting with a deep-seated anger. "Acting as if they are the saviors of the world. The most noble of all the countries but slaughtering those who they thought more powerful-those that thought they were allies. You lie. Or worse: you steal your own children from their beds and turn them into monsters."
Silence settled over the group before Itachi broke it. "There is a monster in Konoha. One that must be connected at the highest of levels to get away with this, but I don't believe it is as systematic as that. I believe in this country. I know it is good. There is a cancer and it must be removed. No, it will be. I'll ensure that."
Homare's eyes settled on the boy. "Your conviction speaks to my soul, but I have seen too much to believe that you could do anything. I believe you would try. But you would be better to leave. Join a place that isn't already corrupted to the core. Save yourself and your future." He turned and walked to Naruto. Not even sparing his sister a glance. "Now you see their lies, Naruto. It's time to join your family."
He closed his eyes tightly. He didn't know the truth anymore. For a moment it had all seemed clear. But how could he know if they were lying or not. This wasn't a lie. What had happened to Whirlpool was the truth. The only truth he could rely on. He stood, taking his uncle's outstretched hand. Turning to his father he simply stated, "If you really didn't know. If this wasn't sanctioned, find who did it."
Minato stared blankly at his son, the only emotions flitting in his eyes.
"I promise." Itachi stood, pounding his fist over his heart. "My generation will atone for this."
Homare shook his head. "There is no atoning. What is done is done. Come to us when you realize there is no solution. We will accept you, boy."
With that, Naruto felt his chakra swirl as it entered the travel seal. He had to go with the people that he knew at least spoke the truth.
