Been a while since I updated. Two reasons for that, first being me focusing on other projects of mine and the other being less reviews from readers. Hopefully that will change this time. Let's see...

I'm posting a short summary of past chapters for everyone's benefit:

Summary: Naruto finished training Nugget Company and made them lead a raid against bandits. Kakashi discovered a major conspiracy happening within the walls and is killed while trying to reveal it to Naruto. Outside the walls, Kallen and Hange are attacked by Shisui. Reluctantly, Erwin reveals the past history of humanity where the Uchiha were the original monarchs supported by the Ackerman clan. He also revealed a rebellion had been lead by Shisui against the current monarch in the past but it failed. Naruto slaughters Military police completely in rage over them killing Kakashi making Levi decide to take him outside the walls or risk him being executed by the King for his crimes.

If you guys have any more doubts or questions feel free to question me and I'll answer, or you can read the chapters again.

Chapter 25

Ghosts

Levi and Petra watched the solemn boy continuously stare at the funeral pyre burning in front of them. Unlike the anger that overcame him before, this time he was deathly silent even as his best friend was cremated in front of him.

The only true sign of his suffering was the sight of his clenched fists as he watched another one of his loved ones leave this world. There were no tears in his eyes or sadness but what was present was a lot of anger and hatred towards those who made him feel such pain again.

They both saw him opening the scroll Kakashi left for him and if possible his gaze only hardened after reading the contents.

"We need to leave the walls before sunrise tomorrow" suggested Levi,

"He's right. The government must have already ordered a kill order on you at sight. We need to leave before anyone finds us" advised Petra worriedly,

She flinched when Naruto glanced back at her and there was no shred of pity or fear left in his eyes. All that was left was terrifying anger.

"This government has lied to us all this time. It has hunted people of my kind and bound humanity in a cage for so long. For that it shall burn to the last man" said Naruto fiercely,

"What?" asked Petra in shock,

"What did Kakashi discover?" asked Levi patiently despite the alarming situation because he had a feeling his student was on the verge of committing another grave treason and he could not afford to lose his cool.

"He discovered the current monarchy is originally a clan who served the Uchiha dynasty. When the Titans attacked, my ancestors made humanity take refuge in these walls. Yet they never gave up their desire to defeat the Titans and continued the war until they were overthrown" revealed Naruto bitterly as he glanced at the letter,

"Overthrown?" asked Levi seriously, as some of his worst fears started coming true.

"The war against Titans was not yielding any victories and more of humanity was dying everyday. Yet the Uchiha monarchs never relented and were supported in this decision by the Ackerman clan who were a cadet branch of the Uchiha. Many of the noble clans supported the Uchiha...all except one" explained Naruto gravely,

Levi remembered the sole family that had ruled over humanity for as long as he could remember.

"Hyuga" answered Levi, earning a nod from Naruto and a concerned look from Petra who was yet to grasp the gravity of the situation.

"The Hyuga were tired of warfare against Titans and wanted to stop the war. They believed the walls would keep humanity safe and they were supported in this philosophy by the Uzumaki clan. Together both these clans collaborated with civilian wealthy families to form a powerful nexus which eventually overthrew the Uchiha and their allies. People with our powers were originally called 'Shinobi' and our race would never surrender against Titans. The Hyuga and Uzumaki knew that so they made sure all the war mongers were silenced forever" explained Naruto bitterly,

Levi grimaced as a few things started to become a little clearer to him. If this was true, then it explained why Shisui hated the current government and Uzumaki clan. It even explained why he led a rebellion against the current government but it still didn't explain why he turned against entire humanity itself. It still didn't explain why he killed his own daughter and not his son? It still didn't explain what was Kushina's fate after all these years?

The Survey Corps officer knew vague rumors about the "Great Massacre" that happened in Wall Sina two decades ago. Hundreds if not thousands of people started to get abducted and were never seen before. Many of them were even murdered by the dozens and no one questioned the barbarity as fear ruled over everyone. Shisui's own parents and entire family was a victim of these massacres. Levi's own mother was only saved because of her status as a whore that usually made people avoid her and Levi as well.

"But why would the Hyuga do that?" asked Petra hesitantly, if Naruto's information was correct then weren't they shinobi as well?

"The Uchiha and Hyuga had never looked eye to eye from time immemorial. It is said the First Kaiser defeated the rebellious Hyuga clan during the Final shinobi war. Instead of eliminating them, he spared their lives making them a part of the Reich. The Hyuga obeyed the new world order but always resented it and its philosophy. All Kakashi was able to discover that the current King and his ancestors disagreed with the former Uchiha monarchs over some important matter" explained Naruto bitterly,

"What was it?'' questioned Levi cautiously, but was disappointed when Naruto shook his head.

"He didn't know but it was important enough to make the Hyuga stage a rebellion and massacre the Uchiha alongwith their allied clans. After that, they not only consolidated their power by wiping out memories of people but formed Ultra or the Military Brigade to hunt down chakra wielder children inside the walls. Either those kids would be captured and eventually serve the Hyuga or be killed. All Kakashi was able to discover was the fact that the Hyuga are hiding something very important inside Wall Sina. Something for which they butchered thousands of their own kind and betrayed humanity all this time"

Petra didn't know what to make of all these revelations. She was sure somewhere deep inside lay a bitter truth that had led to all this chaos and bloodshed, but it was yet to become clear to her. But what she did understand was one simple fact...

"What are you going to do?"

She blinked when both her and Levi asked the blonde boy that question at the same time. She eventually gestured Levi to take the lead considering he was their senior officer and Naruto's teacher. Not to mention godfather.

"Do you want to regain what your ancestors lost? Is that your desire?" questioned Levi,

He was surprised and relieved when Naruto shook his head.

"Someone like me is not fit to lead humanity. To be honest, no single man ever is. For long, individuals have had a sole monopoly on the destiny of our race. I do not wish to revive the Reich or the Uchiha dynasty, all I want is justice for my loved ones and for humanity to get a true chance to choose its own destiny. Kakashi gave his life to discover this dark truth...I will make his murderers pay in blood for their crimes" pledged Naruto, as he walked towards the burning pyre and picked up the falling ashes of his beloved friend.

It was another pain that was heavy for his heart to bear. Kakashi and Kallen became his world when Kasumi was killed...now one of them was dead and he had no idea about the whereabouts of the other.

He had lost his family again...

"Revenge is not the way of the Corps, Naruto" warned Levi, but deep down he knew it was too late when he saw the iron clad hate in Naruto's eyes as the boy looked at him.

"It is mine"

Petra watched a lone tear fell from his eyes as he glanced at the lighter in his hand, one which he had picked up from Kakashi's corpse. She wanted to comfort him but a part of her knew it was already too late for that.

A part of him died with his best friend.

Just like he lost a part of him everytime someone close to him went away from him.

First his father.

Then his sister.

Then his mother.

And now a boy who was his brother in all but blood.

"What are you planning to do?" asked Levi hesitantly,

Naruto glanced at the burning pyre of his friend and then back at Levi with no hesitation,

"Burn them all"

Petra stiffened as she realized the true implication behind his words. It was the King and the government that ultimately ordered the Military Police to murder Kakashi when the Military Brigade failed. By doing that they had directly earned Naruto's eternal hatred.

"The King has an army" warned Levi, only to receive a cold smirk from the blonde boy.

''Then I'll make mine" answered Naruto confidently,

"I still think it is best if we lay low outside the Walls for the time being until this storm blows over. Kallen is there and atleast for her sake you must not go forward with this madness of yours" said Levi frustratedly,

His words brought a pained grimace on Naruto's face as he stared at Kakashi's pyre.

"You think I can ever face her again after I failed in saving Kakashi? I can't. All my life I have been running from my enemies: my father, Ultra, Titans, and the King. Not anymore" decided Naruto seriously,

"Your father led a rebellion from the shadows to overthrow the King and the government in the past. He failed" warned Levi again,

"It's because Shisui had many things to lose in his life. I barely have anything left to lose anymore yet even so I will fight. I don't care what the outcome will be...but I'm not running anymore" confessed Naruto,

He couldn't describe in words as to what he had lost because of Erwin's fucked up plan. If only he had known that this would be the outcome, he would have never allowed his best friends to be separated from him. A part of him utterly loathed Erwin Smith and the Scouting Legion for using Kakashi the way they did. Levi had finally told him about Kakashi's past as a child ultra spy and how he turned himself around after he met with Kallen and Naruto. It only served to worsen Naruto's pain as he now knew Kakashi went in that hell hole for his friends knowing he would die.

He was far better a person that Naruto could ever hope to be in his life and nothing would ever fill the pain in his heart.

He didn't know whom to trust anymore.

Every person was playing their own game be it the King, the government, the Scouting Legion or the bloody titans and it was innocents like Kakashi who paid the price everyday for that. An evil that had spread its roots deep into humanity and one which had to be purged completely.

Levi and Petra both flinched when Naruto removed the Survey Corps emblem from his arm and threw it in the funeral pyre.

"Is this your choice?" asked Levi calmly,

"They lost my loyalty the moment they sent my friend to his death and kept that a secret from me all this time. From this day, I shall fight for what I believe to be right" said Naruto honestly,

"You'll blame the entire Corps for the actions of one man?" questioned Levi hesitantly, but deep down he had also seen the blind devotion and faith that most Legion soldiers had in Erwin. Most probably they would believe and do anything the Commander asked of them whether it was right or wrong. He had seen it himself with his own eyes when the Legion soldiers actually never questioned Erwin once for his choice of sending Kakashi to his death.

"The spectators are as much guilty of the crime as the culprit. We all have ourselves to blame for the mess our race is currently facing. My friend gave his life in the hopes of cleaning it...I will fulfill his dying wish or I shall die trying" answered Naruto sadly,

"There will be no going back once you walk down this path" said Levi finally,

The veteran officer himself fought back his own sadness as he saw Naruto pick up Kakashi's dog tag of "Apollo" and hang it around his own neck alongside his own dog-tag of "Starbuck". If that gesture alone wasn't enough to show what Kakashi was to Naruto then the boy's next words sealed the fate of his own life.

"It's already too late to go back to the life I once had. I don't know what is wrong or right anymore...all I do know is that I have to do what I feel is right. I will do my duty and face the consequences of my actions as a soldier of humanity"

He looked back at his teacher with what he hoped to be convincing look. If Levi truly didn't want him to go through with this rebellion then it was very likely that he would try to stop Naruto at all costs which could either result in either one's death or both in worst scenario.

Naruto was yet to understand the true extent of his new power and Levi had speed alongwith years of experience on his side. It would not be pretty for anyone if they were pitted against each other.

"You're wrong"

He blinked when Petra looked at him and her gaze was one of disappointment.

"You haven't lost everyone you care about, idiot" she said sadly,

Naruto lowered his gaze as memories of his childhood with her came flooding back in his heart. Those walks near the lake in Zhingashina, the games both of them played with Kasumi, the weekly party they both had at a small inn by saving up their entire week's pocket money.

It felt like an all together different life that had long since departed.

Yet she was still here...and so was he.

No words came out of his lips as she walked forward and silently took up position beside him.

His eyes widened as he understood what she was doing and he couldn't allow that. She was one of the last shreds of light left in his life and he couldn't allow her to wither away in the storm he was about to create. He could only think of one thing that would make her back down.

"If you're going to tell her about how you were too late to save her father in order to push her away...then save your breath. She already knows" said Levi sarcastically much to Naruto's horror as he hesitantly stared back at Petra with guilt clearly visible in his ashamed gaze.

Petra only sighed at his gaze before she gently grasped his hand.

"One of my neighbors survived the attack and told me that you came to save my father but it was too late. You walked away from us all those years ago...but when we needed you most there was no hesitation in your heart. We are human, Naruto. Not God. I don't expect miracles from you...I just want my friend back" she whispered,

"Petra, I'm sorry for not being able to save your father'' he apologized nonetheless, earning a snort from Levi as the veteran officer stepped beside the couple.

"You'll only get yourself killed sooner with your crazy ideas" muttered Levi,

Naruto could not help but be shocked by Levi's decision. The older officer did not actually say those golden words but then again Levi was never good with words. What the officer was best was with his actions. Him standing beside Naruto and not stopping him right now from starting a rebellion against the King and the government said all that needed to be known by the blonde boy.

"Levi...why?"

The dark haired officer looked at Kakashi's pyre even as he felt the curious gazes of the young couple staring at him. In those bright red flames, Levi saw the image of himself alongwith two other boys. Had it truly been so many years already?

Had they both changed so much that he could not even recognize them anymore?

His two friends who were his brothers in all but blood...and now they were both gone.

One of them was a traitor and the other had become someone that Levi couldn't even recognize.

It hurt worse than death to see your family be torn apart and be helpless to stop it. Looking at Naruto could not help but remind Levi of himself.

They both had the same eyes.

"You're not the only one who knows what it means to lose dear friends"

Levi Ackerman walked away towards the horses with those words and was soon joined by Petra as the girl decided to help the officer with whatever he had in mind.

But Naruto stood there as his mind was stuck on Levi's last words.

For the first time, he saw a heavy shadow hanging over Levi Ackerman. All his life he had always believed Levi to be unbreakable...the finest soldier of humanity. But only now did he see a glimpse of the pain that Levi kept buried deep in his heart.

Levi was haunted by the ghosts of his own past and bore the guilt of his own failures just like Naruto had his own. The only difference was the fact that Naruto's failures were...

Kakashi and Kasumi.

While Levi's were...

Shisui and Erwin.

"Levi..." he whispered as the older officer mounted atop his horse as Petra did the same.

Their eyes met and this time the momentary vulnerability was gone from Levi's eyes. In place of that was his usual apathetic gaze but there was also grim determination in those orbs.

Even his usual annoyed voice returned as he grumbled irritatedly,

"Get moving already, brat! We have a rebellion to plan"