The city of Konoha was nothing more than rubble when I had arrived, and as usual I'm the one to save everyone. However, I'm also the reason it's gone, and as happy as everyone is that Pein was defeated, I felt terrible guilt for basically causing such destruction. They were after me, the Akatsuki, and my close friends knew this too.

They blame me, rightfully so.

I had passed out shortly after everyone celebrated my victory, and had woken in a tent beside the unconscious Lady Tsunade. We were both left alone and by the looks of outside it was nighttime. I wasn't in any hurry to stand or even move, so I just laid there in my spot, reliving the fight inside my head.

The fact Hinata almost died because of me...and seeing my father-

My face screwed up and I had to cover my mouth to muffle a cough as tears burned my eyes, threatening to fall. I kept quiet as best as I could as I cried to myself as the weight of everything struck me in the chest.

My home was gone because of me, and everyone celebrated my win against Pein. I was the cause of so much death, and yet they loved me now. It's funny how that works considering I was blamed for the attack against the leaf by the Nine Tails, something I didn't even have any part in, and hated profusely up until yesterday.

It's funny how the world works so contradictory. I don't understand it, can't. I don't want to understand it because I don't want to become the product of hatred like Sasuke has. I don't want to disappoint anybody yet all I've done was just that for doing nothing more than breathing for the past sixteen years.

"Because your mother and I believed you could come to control this power."

My father had high hopes for me, even now beyond the grave he probably watches me. I wonder if he can see me cry. I wonder if he realizes the extent of the pain he's given me just by doing something selfish and hopeful. I understand where he comes from if I take the time to think about it. I'm grateful I was able to ask him the question I've carried for as long as I've known what I am, but it still hurts.

It's nothing I can't handle though, I'm going to be the next Hokage afterall. I can complain to dad beyond the grave all I want too when I've surpassed him and gained the title. When I'm in the position to gripe respectfully as his equal.

With my will steeled my tears came to a halt and the heaviness escaped me momentarily. My eyes looked over to Lady Tsunade before back towards the entrance to the tent, moonlight seeping in through the flaps. It reflected off of some metal cases and instruments, medical stuff I don't want or need to take the time to familiarize myself with, so I slowly sat myself up and kept to myself as I did.

I paused in sitting position. Feeling foreign cloth on my body for the first time. Looking down after this realization i discovered I was bare chested, and mummified under bandages. I could detect bruises and scuffs on my skin in the low light, so it must have been a sight to see during the day.

Not wanting to think about thst any further, I pushed my sore body off of the ground and away from my sleeping bag. I stretched my stiff arms and popped my back, stretched and contorted my body to get the stiffness out, before taking my leave.

I was immediately greeted with a sight of endless tents set up in rows and rows and rows. Many were out despite the late time, patrolling and moving pieces of rubble to and from wherever they came from. I blinked stupidly at the sight of a restless town, amazed by how quickly people had gotten to work with clearing the rubble.

"Dear God he lives! Heya Naruto!" I heard a voice, Kiba, call from across the makeshift dirt road and ran over with a wave, making me smile. "You were out for a while, none of us expected you to wake until the morning. How are you feeling?"

"I'm alive and kicking." I chuckled giddily. "Man, what's going on? Everyone's so energetic."

"Yeah, Shizune gathered a medical team to help the injured and with that taken care of, Danzo immediately filled Tsunade's place as a temporary leader and began to order the immediate clean up effort from some of the Ops and able bodied Jonin. I've been personally helping out for five hours with Akamaru." Kiba explained, scratching the back of his head. "I was just retiring for the night until I spotted you. Awesome work with that pesky Pein guy. A real ass wipe."

"...yeah." I gave a sheepish grin, feeling sorrow for the guy who became a product of war in his country. "I did what I had to protect everyone. He was after me and he got me." I grunted with a smirk and punched my fist into my palm, humoring Kiba's energy a bit.

My heart wasn't in it though, as the conversation we had before he died, or rather sacrificed himself, echoed through my head. He exchanged his life for the ones he took during his assault. I managed to change his mind...and Konan thanked me.

An Akatsuki member thanked me, and even gave me paper mache flowers.

They weren't awful people, they were just hurting victims of war. Seeking a goal to prevent such things through any means necessary. They sought peace, through necessary violence they wanted to create a world without wars and hate, while also crying out to have others feel their pain at the same time.

Nagato wanted me to hate him when we fought, comparing our struggles to one another and trying to use is to justify the confrontation, but it was just a defense mechanism.

Are all the Akatsuki like that? Broken people? I wondered loudly as Kiba's mouth moved, my eyes watching but not listening. No, definitely not. Deidara wasn't that kind of person. He just sought out a means to use his power without any restraint. Itachi killed his entire family and tortured Sasuke into what he is now...and Kisame was a messed up individual hungry for blood. All of those I've faced were terrible until I met those two...I don't know what to feel about it, but nevertheless, they attacked Konoha and are basically making it their life goal to end mine for the sake of getting the Nine Tails. Nagato and Konan don't change anything about their group, it's still horrible and they need to be stopped.

"Hey! Did you hear a word I said Naruto? Did you smack your head fighting the edgy piercing lord?" Kiba drew me from my head by bopping it with his fist gently.

"Ehehe- s-sorry Kiba! I wasn't trying to ignore ya, just got lost in thought." I grinned sheepishly, shrugging and scratching my neck in slight embarassment.

I heard a loud yap and turned to see Akamaru had shown up in a moment I had missed, and was pawing my bandaged leg lightly, whimpering and wagging his tail all the same. I gave him a hum and pet behind his ear before looking to Kiba.

"Well anyways, I'm beat. I'm going to go eat my stew and hit the sack before Choji sniffs it out from the next tent over. Guy never stops eating." Kiba announced to me with a narrow eyed stare not directed at me, but Choji.

"Right! You've been hard at work! You deserve a rest, ya know!" I grinned my big goofy smile and gave him an encouraging thumbs up. "Sleep well!"

"Thanks man! You take it easy to! You look like shit! Hahaha." Kiba jokingly cackled as he rushed across the road.

"You smell like it!" I called back giggling as his hound ran off to follow.

I gave a happy sigh, feeling grateful that Kiba was doing okay. Knowing he was hard working made me want to check up on everyone else, and with that in mind I began my way towards the medical tents where I woke and began to search around for Sakura. Knowing her she was probably helping out as best she could with the injured. I may run into Kakashi or Hinata this way, knowing that they were hurt badly during the assault.

The amount of medical tents was worrying me. Everyone had fought so hard to keep the villagers safe, and doing so nearly cost them their lives, and some of them did in fact die against Nagato knowing Kakashi was one of them. I'm glad Nagato was able to bring them all back with his reanimation Jutsu. If he hadn't I don't know what would have become of us as a village.

Too many people got hurt because of me... I spoke to myself in my head. This is my fau-

"Naruto! Good to see you're awake!" I heard a familiar pink haired female call from somewhere in front of me just out of sight.

"Sakura?" I called, looking around for her.

"Over here stupid." Sakura huffed from beside me rather loudly, making me jump and swivel to the left to see her staring at me with an unamused stare and folded arms.

"A-ah- hey!" I grinned like the idiot I was, scratching at the back of my neck. "How are things? Are you okay?" I asked with concern.

Why do I even try...

"Yeah! Right as rain. Hinata is okay, if that's who you're looking for. She got banged up pretty good but she's stable and asleep. It's best to leave her alone until she's well enough to leave her tent." Sakura smiled at me.

A smile with no genuine happiness. Her face is tight and her shoulders are tense. Before I was out I overheard her talking to ino...she blames me for this...

"That's good to hear, I'm glad. I...I thought she died for a moment there and completely lost myself to my anger." I chuckled sheepishly, remembering the sight of her blood decorating the stone beneath her. "I shouldn't be doing that again."

Her face seemed to relax slightly as a look of releif washed over her. Seems like me reoccurring bouts of monstrous anger were concerning her and her well being. Not that I blamed her...the air stings any time I use his power. She seemed to visibly recall something, and gently patted her hands together.

"That's right! Danzo was wanting a word with you. He didn't tell me what it was about but he did tell me to get you and being you too him when I see you next. He figured I'd be one of the first to know since I'm on team seven." Sakura announced.

My eyes widened in surprise and curiousness. "Danzo? The one who is in charge of the Root? The elder Tsunade hates with a passion wants to see me? A man who dislikes me." I frowned in disbelief and bafflement.

"Yeah, I don't get it either. Tsunade always told me to steer clear of Danzo whenever he was around." Sakuea scratched the back of her head. "But since he is the most able bodied and qualified elder he is in charge while Tsunade is gone."

"Yeah, Kiba told me that when I first woke up and bumped into him. Well, better now than never I guess. Do you know where he is?" I gave a soft sigh.

"Yeah! I'll take you too him since I've finished up everything I could." Sakura shrugged, and linked her arm with mine and led me down the rows of tents.

We walked past many people who waved and cheered at me. Congratulating my efforts to protect the village, what's left of it, and it's people. Sakura smiled softly and allowed everyone who got close to shake my hand and pat me on the back. I admit my face grew flustered with all of the positive praise, something I've never grown used to.

"Good work Naruto!"

"You saved us! God bless you child!"

"You're our hero!"

"Can I have your autograph?"

"Thank you boy, you truly are a good and humble man."

We weaved our way through those just waking and those retreating to their tents to sleep after a hard day's work until we came across a very big tent in an open clearing with loads of security around it. The moment we got close, two Anbu stepped forwards and stopped us dead in our tracks.

"We've been expecting you Uzumaki, thank you Sakura Haruno. Naruto, proceed inside, Danzo awaits. I'm afraid this is a matter of privacy however, you may wait out here." An Anbu turned to Sakura as they finished their sentence.

"Oh. Okay." Sakura hummed, casting me a half hearted worrying stare before releasing my arm and stepping aside.

"Thanks for leading me here Sakura. We should catch up after I'm done talking to the old man." I gave her a closed eye smile, showing her a goofy grin to try and wash away her worrying.

"Yes, that sounds lovely. Kakashi would like to talk to you as well about things and catch up, we could bring him dinner and surprise him too." Sakura suggested.

"Yeah! Good idea. See you in a bit." I agreed and waved her goodbye before proceeding inside the tent.

It was huge, the ground lined with mats to keep the earth from the bottoms of shoes and decorate the place to make it seem more welcoming. Despite the pretty mats, the room inside the tent itself was eerily silent and lowly lit with a few torches mounted onto poles. There were some filing cabinets lining the room, some weapons on stands and two anbu special forces members in either corner. Located in the center of this area was Danzo, sitting on a long plush couch with a desk in front of him, busy writing something I didn't take the time to read on a scroll.

"Hello, Naruto Uzumaki. Did you rest well?" Danzo spoke without looking up from what he was writing.

I tensed at the odd hostility in his tone, and swallowed a forming lump as I suddenly felt trapped.

"Y-Yeah, like a baby. It's good to see you doing well." I commented, rubbing my arms as I watched him write away on the parchment.

"Thank you, boy." Danzo gave a soft but very fake smile as he set his brush down and sealed the scroll before tossing it to one of the guards. "Now, as I'm sure you're aware, Tsunade is in a comatose state and shows no sign of recovery at the moment, so I have taken up her roll as Hokage for the time being until she wakes. On another note, I'd like to thank you for your efforts in defending your villiage. Although tsunade kept everyone alive with her summon and power, you defeated the akatsuki and brought justice to the village, you will be recognized for your loyalty and bravery." Danzo hummed.

"Th-Thank you sir." I inclined my head as best as I could, still feeling like the space around us was closing in rapidly.

The feeling of many eyes and blades on me despite no one being around my person gave me a quicker pulse. Sweat was collecting in my palms the more I stood underneath his gaze that felt heavy with power and presence. He was much older than I was, but he had a dangerous glare in his eyes that kept my guard up. My whole body flinched when he stood, using his cane to walk over in front of me, standing taller than I am with his head held high.

Looking down his nose at me.

"I suppose you wonder why I wanted to speak with you privately?" Danzo asked me with a demanding tone, soft as it was.

"Y-yes, I was just about to as-"

"Well there isn't any need. This conversation will remain between you and I and only you and I. Am I understood Naruto Uzumaki?" Danzo's eye narrowed just a fraction, making me swallow again.

"Y-Yes sir-"

"Good, good." He interrupted me again and gave another weak smile my way. "Now since you are the Nine Tailed Jinchuriki I'm sure you know by know that the Akatsuki have been targeting your kind for the beasts within you lot, the current kazekage being a prime example of that. After this attack I'm sure the five nations will gather soon to discuss the matter of these rogues and how to deal with them. If one man is capable of destroying one of the oldest villages than they must be wiped from the face of this planet. This could very well cause a war, something I forsee happening in the near future." Danzo began."I've received word from the cloud villiage that Sasuke Uchiha attacked their Jinchuriki, dawning akatsuki attire."

It was as if the room froze solid.

The air escaped my lunges and my eyes bugged out of my skull. I felt my legs turn into jelly underneath me as the very action of standing grew taxing on my body. A crushing weight of guilt, disappointment and fear creeped its way up my spine as the older man stood before me with no change in demeanor.

"He has officially become unforgivable, attacking the Rikage's brother. The Rikage will most likely track him down to the ends if this world in order to kill him." Danzo's hand firmly grabbed my shoulder. "Do you understand why I'm telling you this Naruto? You're a smart boy so I take it you do. You've been trying to retrieve him from the pathway to evil. I'm telling you that you failed, and to forget your silly fantasy of saving that man."

"Y-You must be lying..." I mumbled out as my legs finally gave, collapsing onto my knees. "H-He would never-"

"He did, and he will continue...until he is brought to justice. This is now a matter of Jonin to handle. In light of the recent activity with the akatsuki I've also decided to restrict your capabilities of leaving the leaf villiage. I am grateful for your defeating Pein, however, it doesn't change the fact that the enemy wants what you carry. You are hearby forbidden from leaving the villiage unattended by Anbu. Missions are off limits, and ninja work is banned unless it's an S-Ranked mission that specifically requires your presence which I doubt will ever happen unless a war does indeed break out. You will be under constant supervision by one of my subordinates, and there is no room for arguement."

"WHAT!?" I shot to my feet in a panic. "Being a Shinobi is my LIFE! My future! My birth right! You can't just keep me from my JOB! Something I've been groomed for my whole life!" I argued, tears coming to my eyes.

"Being the vessel of the Nine Tails, is your job. Keeping it from enemy hands is your job. And the best way of going about that at the current moment in time, is by staying out of the way and far from shinobi work." Danzo smirked at me with a satisfied grin. "It would be easy for the enemy to get their hands on you should they catch you outside our perimeters. It's safer for you here, under our care, especially if a war occurs."

"WHY ARE YOU HELLBENT ON A WAR!? Besides! When war breaks you just expect me to sit by idle while my friends fight for their lives!? For mine!?" I streamed, shoving him backwards in rage. "Would you be able to sit back and do nothing!?"

Danzo caught my wrists with his one free hand, holding them tightly, looking at me with a sick expression as he yanked me forwards. He threw me off balance by the sheer force of his pull, making me run straight into him with a grunt, coming fairly close to his face. My blurry vision did nothing to obscure the expression of sick pleasure on his face, making me feel revolted and sick when I felt his bandaged arm slide up my back ever so slowly, making me shudder involuntarily.

"I wouldn't. Because I'm not carrying a demon within me, unlike you. You were born without a choice. Given this responsibility without a choice. This situation you are in gives you no choice either. Suck it up and deal with it little boy, or I'll make you obey by force. Trust me when I say it, fights one on one with me never end well for the opposing party. It's a bit of a mess to clean up afterwards, so don't try and disobey my orders. You will stay supervised for the time being, and under villiage arrest, feel lucky I'm not locking you in a cage where you belong. This concludes our chat. It's very late in the evening, you should go back to bed."

Danzo released me by shoving me to the ground. I landed with a hiss, snatching my hands together as I gained the ability to move them again. I watched the older man return to his desk in silence, stunned and pissed beyond words. I collected myself and moved to stand, however a blade pressed itself against my throat, causing me to freeze, eyes glued to the ground beneath me in terror as the murderous intent of the anbu behind me clouded my rational well being.

"You stand when I order you to stand, boy." Danzo hummed from his couch, staring sown at me in amusement.

I swallowed against the feeling of the sharp blade, hands pressing flat against the ground as I waited, sweat moving in beads down the sides if my face and jaw. My heartbeat was in my ears as I waited for him to allow me to leave, feeling more than a little shocked and overwhelmed.

He really hates me...I frowned heavily as I glared daggers into my hands, shaking as the blade pressed harder against my neck, feeling the odd pop of skin breaking. I tensed again when the skin grew hot before the dull pain faded. I guessed it was healed, which was confirmed when Danzo gave a weak hum of acknowledgment.

"Leave."

I was quick to stand and power walk out of that tent. I could spot Sakura immediately a ways ahead at the edge of the clearing before the other tent rows started. I paid her no mind at all as I beelined for the tent I woke up in, the one I was sharing with Tsunade while I rested after my showdown. My fists were clenched at my sides, and my teeth bit down together in leashed rage and anguish.

How dare he!? After all I've done for this place how can a fucked up man like Danzo be the one to put me in a place where I can't do anything!? I've grated this village a new Hokage, Tsunade, who has done nothing but support me and my journey! I've managed to save Gaara from the depths if hatred and now he's Kazekage! And I saved this village's people from a terroristic victim of war! Hell, I've been saving small villages and people before I fucking turned sixteen!

"What does a guy have to do to earn respect around here!? I do most than the majority of the people in my generation and yet i still manage to be treated far worse than the rest of them over a decision my father made!" I growled in anger and hopelessness to no one under my breath as I power walked, ignoring Sakura's distant calls. "What the hell is the point if all I get in return is more disrespect!? I'm not some wild dog that needs taming! I'm the next hokage damnit!"

"N-Naruto!" I felt a hand roughly tug on my arm, halting my travel.

"What!? Sakura what!?" I snapped, whipping around, glaring down at her through a film of red hot anger.

She gasped and stumbled back a couple paces, her shoulders tensing as she took on a defensive stance. Her eyes held fear and concern in them as she raised her hands in surrender.

"Wh-Whoa, N-Naruto what the hell did he say? Calm down, your eyes are red." Sakura shakily asked.

"Are they!?" I snarled, gritting my sharpening teeth together in frustration. "I don't give a damn, even if they turn purple. Danzo just strip me of any rights to do anything regarding shinobi work! I can't leave, go on missions or help out in any way. I can't have privacy! I can't do anything! After everything I've done for everyone here don't you think that's a little unfair!?" I cried out in a desperate need for someone, anyone, to agree.

Sakura went a little pale the longer she stared at me after my silence. She took everything in visibly as she worked through and processed my words. Tears came to her eyes as she covered her mouth, shaking her head.

"He what...?" Sakura breathed weakly.

"Don't make me repeat it..." I sighed heavily, slumping in defeat.

"Naruto I, I'm so sorry to hear that. Here, let me go talk to him-"

"N-No! I shouldn't even be telling you any of this. I only said something because you're you. I trust you to keep it to yourself. Thst conversation was classified." I stressed out at the very fresh memory of a blade against my throat. "He'd have my head for it."

"But this isn't right." Sakura growled in annoyance.

"We can't do anything about it until Tsunade wakes up." I grumbled and rubbed my eyes before looking around to find us alone. "She will sort everything out."

"She doesn't show any signs of waking up any time soon. We don't know when she will or if she will." Sakura hugged her sides.

"I know...but it doesn't hurt to be optomistic." I mumbled out before turning and walking away. "I'm going to go lay down."

"Oh, uh...okay." Sakura mumbled out from a distance behind me.

I continued forwards, hugging my arms close to me as I walked towards the tent with Tsunade inside where I had woken up. I lost myself in the battle that had happened earlier, thinking back on how it began with me arriving, defeating each Pein and gaining experience. I tried my best to lose myself in the replay of it, thinking on how I could have improved or what I could have done differently.

I wish I had arrived sooner...My head whispered to me as guilt crept back up in my throat.

So much had happened since coming back after my training with Jiraiya-

Tears came to my eyes again and I had to bite down on my lower lip to forcefully halt my crying from beginning as the memories I've made with that man surfaced. He was my only father figure, and I had in a sense avenged his death by killing the man who did him wrong, but at the same time I wasn't the one to hand Nagato the killing blow, It was himself, so In a way I was robbed of even that.

I know I shouldn't be letting this get to me so badly but the longer I lingered the more I found myself angry at my own sense of failure as of late. Perhaps staying away from the shinobi world would benefit me more. I've caused more damage than good these days. Between Sasuke and the Akatsuki and Gaara, all I've done is fail everyone around me. Everyone needs me to be strong and save them but I've done nothing but disappoint and bring in more chaos.

Perhaps Danzo has a point, maybe I do belong in a cage.