Power and what its worth

This is my naruto fic it takes place after the sasuke retrieval arc.

I don't own Naruto but I do own any original character and concepts that appears in this story.

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Chapter 1: Orders for Execution

It was 8:31 in the morning in the village of Kohona, the village outside was still in need of some repair but the people of Kohona seemed to be relatively content that morning as if some weight had just been lifted of their backs.

The only person who didn't seem to be enjoying the morning was the Hokage of the village, Tsunade had just given an order by the council to meet to discuss something. 'I already have enough trouble with all the paper work and the bills that I have to fill out and now this' Tsunade thought as she walked through the Hokage tower to the council.

After a minute of walking, she finally reached the council room. The room was illuminated by a few lights on the walls as well as pictures of the Hokages that came before her, there were no widows in the room so that no one outside could spy on them and listen to their conversations. Inside the big room was a long square table that sat 14 with all the council members in their respective places.

On Tsunade's left: Yamanaka Inochi was seated at the first seat, Nara Shikaku was seated at the second seat, Akimichi Chouzua the third seat, Aburame Shibi was seated in the fourth seat, and Rokiu Hamuro was seated in the fifth seat.

On Tsunade's right: Inuzuka Tsume was seated in the first seat, Hyuuga Hiashi was seated in the second seat, Hukisho Tsuki was seat in the third seat, Somura Takeda was seated in the fourth seat, and Kawaki Nuga was seated in the fifth seat.

At the head of the council table, Mitokado Homura sat on right side while Utatane Koharu sat on the left side with a space in between them for Tsunade to sit. In front of Homura was a folder with some papers in it witch Tsunade believed contained info about whatever it was the council wanted to discuss with her. "thank you for coming Hokage-sama" Koharu started "I realize that this meeting was on short notice but we felt that it was important that you understand our reasons for that decision that we made"

"Decision ?" Tsunade asked, a little taken back by this, the council couldn't pass or make any decision without first discussing it with the Hokage first. "Please take your Hokage-sama" Homura said calmly. Tsunade then walked over and took her respective seat.

"Exactly what is it that you want to discuss" Tsunade asked, a little worried about what the decision that council made that was so important that they didn't even discussed it with her first. "It involves that the Kyuubi container, Naruto Uzumaki" stated Hiashi bluntly. Tsunade frowned slightly at this, she hated discussing this topic with them as she knew most members of the council weren't very fond of Naruto and would prefer to see him dead.

Tsunade hated the villagers that saw Naruto as nothing but a demon because they were blinded by it and couldn't see the talented shinobi and hero that he really was.

"We have decided that Naruto has become to dangerous and must be exterminated immediately" Homura said.

"What" Tsunade asked angrily giving Homura a angry glare, Homura ignored the glare and continued "We have been watching Naruto for a while and recent events have led us all to believe that the Kyuubi is taking control of him".

"That is absurd" Tsunade yelled to the entire council "I have know Naruto for awhile now and he has showed no indications that the Kyuubi is overpowering him" "That is because you weren't here for the chunin exams" said Hiashi, "During his fight with my nephew, Neji Hyuga, I saw him use the Kyuubi's chakra to win the match"

Homura then passed Tsunade the folder he was holding, she opened it and found a mission report as well as some pictures that went along with it. "This was taken during the sand and sound invasion" Homura explained, "A group on shinobi were coming back from a mission and they confirmed that they saw the kyuubi fighting with Shukaku".

"So what, in all of these events Naruto did not harm the people or the village of Kohona and I refuse to allow you to go through with this" Tsunade yelled slamming her fist down on the table. "Hokage-sama we are all aware the relationship that you have with him, but I need I remind you that your duty is to Kohona not to this demon brat"

"Naruto is not a demon he is a shinobi of this village and I will not allow you to hurt him" Tsunade yelled. Hiashi chuckled at this witch caused Tsunade to turn her head to face him "Unfortunately Hokage-sama there is nothing you can do at this point to save him" Hiashi stated. "And what does that mean?" asked Tsunade angrily, "Hokage-sama, we have not only unanimously decide that Naruto is to be executed we have also given a squad of ANBU's orders to do so" Homura stated. Tsunade had the look of shock and fear on her face as she was unable to comprehend what had just be said. She then looked to the few council members that liked Naruto but when she looked at them they looked down at the table in shame, as if saying "sorry, but we had not choice".

"As of 6:15 this morning, Naruto Uzumaki has been sentenced to be executed" Homura finished. As if by clockwork and ANBU officer appeared in the room in a puff of smoke. "Homura-sama we completed the mission, Naruto is dead" said ANBU. A single tear fell down Tsunade's face as realization of what just happened hit her, Homura gave a sigh of relief as he as he fell back into his chair "At last its over". "Homura-sama, Naruto was wearing this when we found him" the ANBU said as he pulled something out of his pocket.

It was the necklace that Tsunade had given Naruto after he had won their bet. Hiashi then stood up, took the necklace from the ANBU, and dismissed him. "Really now Hokage-sama given him something as valuable as this" said Hiashi, he then threw it to her and Tsunade caught the necklace with in her right hand. Tsunade was now sobbing uncontrollably as she held on to the necklace, her tears dripping onto her hand and the floor. The rest of the council had left to go inform everyone about Naruto's death leaving Tsunade in the council room alone. "Just one more I wanted to believe, just once more" Tsunade said, gripping the necklace slightly as if it was responsible for the death of another one of her precious people. She then loosened her grip and tied it once again around her neck and went off to tell Naruto's friends of his death.

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The skies were grey and cloudy that evening at Naruto's funeral, Air itself was still and their was an aura of sadness surrounding the people who had attended. The only thing that was of in this dreary setting were the sounds of people chatting and cheering in the background about how the demons curse had finally been lifted witch angered everyone there.

The people who attended were Tsunade, Shizune, Iruka, Jiraiya, Kakashi, Sakura, team Gai, team's 10, 8, konohamaru and his gang, Ayame, and Teuchi. They were all wearing their funeral clothing's and all of the holding a white flower in their hands. Naruto's friends were all shocked when Tsunade had told them about his death and were even more shocked to learn that he was the container for the Kyuubi. That didn't really bother them at all, Naruto may have had a demon inside of him but he was nothing like one. In front of them was a picture of Naruto witch was placed on a four foot pillar.

The first person to pay their respects was Jiraiya who was upset that he had lost yet another one of his apprentices because of the Kyuubi. "Naruto, you were more than just an apprentice, you were my friend and then son I never had, I am sorry that I couldn't be there to save you" Jiraiya said while crying, he placed the flower in front of the picture and then took his seat.

The next person up was Kakashi, his face was as calm and serious as it always was but everyone could tell that he seemed troubled as he walked forward to pay his respects. "Naruto, I told you that people who do care for and support their team mates were lower than garbage" Kakashi said in a sad tone, he paused awhile to think back and reflect on what he just said, "I'm sorry, in the end I abandoned you". Kakashi then placed his flower in front of the picture and then took his seat.

The next person up was Sakura, she was crying the entire time, saddened by the loss of her team mate. "I'm sorry Naruto, for all the times that I insulted and hurt you, I want you to know that I had nothing but respect for you" Sakura started as she continued to cry, "you always tried your best at everything and I know you did everything you could to bring Sasuke back, but now it seems that I've lost you too" Sakura cried as put down her flower and took her seat, realizing that now she was all that remained of team 7.

The next person up was Hinata, she was devastated to find out that her crush had died, she looked absolutely miserable as she walked forward sobbing uncontrollably. "Naruto, I want to thank you" Hinata started "I've always gained strength just by looking at you and believed that even I am worth something". "You believed in me even when I didn't believe in myself, I only regret that I could never say these words to you, I love you Naruto" finished Hinata, she put down her flower and then took her seat.

The rest of the funeral carried on in the same manner with everyone paying their respects to their fallen friend. After the funeral they all proceded back to their own homes, all of them hoping that Naruto was happy where ever he was.

Little did they know that at that moment a certain blonde haired shinobi began to stir in a forest not to far away.

end of chap.1- So, what did you think? This is my first fic on the Naruto series, so please don't be TOO harsh. Please let me know! Next chapter I will reveal Narutos rescuer!