47. Caught [1]

''Are you sure about the whole traitor thing, Naruto?'' Slightly confused because she didn't hear his complete talk with Kakashi, only the parts regarding a traitor, Sakura asked.

Naruto nodded slightly ''Yes, I've heard the Dark Mist Creep Twins talking about Kiho, saying that he had betrayed them but this isn't the case, if it wasn't for my suspicions, his plans would've gone correctly and well, you and Tenten would be dead before we got to know the news.'' he said, the blue-eyed teenager words may have sounded harsh but they were the harsh reality.

The face of Tenten and Sakura paled slightly at the mention of them being dead, it was as if reality was hitting them hard, at the same time, Sasuke also frowned slightly, it was if their mind, that was accustomed to peace, was slowly accepting the new reality they would face - A world where if they aren't strong enough, that if they're not careful enough, they might die.

Kakashi nodded slightly in satisfaction with Naruto's words, he knew his younger brother the most, he didn't care about his friend's feelings when it came to that, to Naruto, the faster his friends accept reality but not the way he did many years ago, when his naivety was unfortunately or fortunately lost, the better.

Despite keeping it to himself, a fear of losing his friends, the only friends that he has, Naruto just wanted to help them with that part in order for them to have fewer chances of dying in the case a war breaks out, they would have higher chances of success in missions, too.

The lingering memories of the time he was alone, helpless and hopeless surfaced over his mind and every time he remembered it, his fear of losing them and being like that again increased 'This is why I want to be strong... Nobody will dare to fight or do something against me, like that, the ones I care will be safe...' he thought as they arrived at the Fire Daimyo's Mansion.

They had gained something through the mission, mostly due to the dangers they faced, the injuries they received and because of Naruto's words, it was like a bucket full of cold water drenched their whole body with the slight, superficial mention of 'death'.

The road back to the Fire Daimyo's Mansion was filled with silence as all of them - except Gai and Kakashi - contemplated about Naruto's words, it was soon broken by Lee, that said ''Yosh! We've arrived, I'm full of passion to fight, my YOUTHFULNESS is at its peak! My eternal rival, Naruto, let's fight till the moon rises!''

'Kit, you should change his nickname to Fighting Creep, what do you think about that?' Kurama asked inside Naruto's mind, he had also gotten the habit of nicknaming others over the years due to the blonde teenager's influence.

'Good idea, Kuu-san.' Naruto said inwardly as the duo of a human and a Fox nodded in sync, as if they were satisfied with the nickname decision.

Looking over Lee, he said ''I would love to fight you but right now we have more important things to do, leaving a traitor within the Fire Daimyo's subordinates is a threat to the whole Land of Fire economically.''

All of them nodded and just as they arrived, they were welcomed in a warm manner ''Leaf Ninja, welcome back, it's really fortunate that you were able to stop the attack, if you were late to stop it, I don't know what the consequences could be!'' Kiho said while shaking his head, he really seemed to think it was fortunate.

Sasuke was enraged by his false, fabricated attitude, one of the things he valued the most was friendship because of Naruto but he didn't say anything because Kakashi had already told them the plan, they were going to have a meeting with the Fire Daimyo himself and all of his close assistants, including Kiho before revealing his intentions.

''It's fortunate, indeed. Kiho, we have found crucial information regarding the enemies, as such, we will require a meeting with the Fire Daimyo and all of his close assistants, this needs to happen immediately, it can't be delayed.'' Kakashi said in a formal-like manner, he sounded extremely serious, a slight bit of pressure carried over his voice to Kiho, that unconsciously nodded.

Smiling politely, Kiho said before going towards the Fire Daimyo's room, he didn't even suspect that his doom was coming ''Of course!''

Thirty minutes later, Meeting Room, Fire Daimyo's Mansion.

''What? You're saying that someone here is a traitor and that this person is the reason the attackers could've attacked without being detected? Do you have any clues about the traitor?'' Honō Moyasu said while slamming his hands on the table, he was furious, one of his close assistants is a traitor?!

Naruto nodded before he said ''Yes. I already know who the traitor is, without that traitor giving them information, they wouldn't be able to attack your territory, Fire Daimyo. The ones attacking are strong, however, they're not strong to the point of being daring enough to attack your territory.''

As his speech went on, Kiho back was drenched with cold sweat, he could feel the slight, almost unnoticeable stares that Naruto was giving him, just as he was about to say anything to refute Naruto claims about a traitor, he suddenly fell to the ground, Kakashi sat on Kiho's back.

''This is your traitor, Fire Daimyo, Naruto sneaked behind the enemies and got that information, now, do you want me to get that information in a safe manner or in a dangerous manner?'' The white-haired man said with a small smile, it wouldn't be so scary if he didn't have a Sword nearing the neck of someone.

Before Kakashi could start interrogating, Sasuke anger finally lashed out ''How could you betray the ones your pleaded loyalty? The Fire Daimyo trusted you enough to sent you to guide us but you betray him like that?!''

Hearing what Sasuke said, Kiho started to laugh in a crazy manner ''HAHAHAHA, I wouldn't ever plead loyalty to him, that bastard! The ''mighty'' Fire Daimyo, my plans were perfect, I would've killed him overtime for what he did! My parents died protecting him from an enemy years ago, if it wasn't for him being a weak pig, my parents wouldn't need to sacrifice themselves!'' he shouted.

Honō Moyasu was shocked, the boy that he raised like his son after his parents died to protect him held such grudges ''I created you like a son, your parents were also like my own children to me, they didn't sacrifice themselves due to their duty, they did it by their own will, they did it so that you would be able to live! Why did you hold such grudges...'' The Fire Daimyo said as a wave of sadness hit him.

Kiho didn't say anything, he just stared coldly towards Moyasu, whose mind was now filled with regrets, however, as the Fire Daimyo, he was decisive and knew the consequences of being soft-hearted.

With his heart shattering ever so slightly, Moyasu said ''Execute the traitor...''

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