Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto...
A/N: Sup. So this is one of the ideas I had for a story, well technically it's not my idea because it's been seen on this site long before I decided to write this story, but anyway I getting off track, this is inspired by one of Thanathos' stories; God of Illusion, Host of the Devil's Arm (amazing story by the way go check it out) so there may be some eerie similarities between the his work and mine but nothing major, so I promise I won't go directly down the same route as him, he's got his work and I've got mine, alas I am rambling so lets get straight on with this then shall we :).
"Speak"
'Thoughts'
CURTAINS UP!
A tired sigh echoed through the room as one Minato Namikaze sat at his desk, in this circular room, facing an opponent that just wouldn't accept defeat, no matter how many times he wore his opponent down they came back stronger than ever.
'There has to be an easier way to deal with this paperwork' Thought the 25-year-old Minato as he begrudgingly continued with his work.(1)
'Maybe... Another break before I finish that last pile' he once again thought, as he turned in his chair to gaze over his village, Konohagakure no Sato, where for over a year he sat as Yondaime Hokage, attaining the position in recognition by the Sandaime Hokage for his battle prowess as Konoha's Yellow Flash, effectively winning the Third Great Shinobi War in Konoha's favor. Also for his strong belief in the will of fire and desire to protect is comrades and for his way with the people of Konoha. The Sandaime had told him that he was exactly the leader Konoha needed in every aspect; young, strong, intelligent, kind and above all, a family man. Nearly five years ago Minato's first son, Teihaku(2) was born thanks to his wife Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze, who has endured nine of the ten months a Jinchuuriki's pregnancy lasts, again.
"Truly she has the endurance of a demon" Minato whispered to no one.
"Yeah, she does" proclaimed a new, instantly recognizable voice.
"Sensei!" Minato happily exclaimed as he got up to hug the man, he had been like a father figure to him. "When did you get back?"
"About 4 hours ago, however I got... Preoccupied on a matter of essential business" Jiraiya said as his eyes lecherously moved to the direction of the female bath house.
Minato, noticing his sensei's eyes move, chuckled instantly at his sensei's "essential business", apparently his numerous beatings at the hands of Tsunade had taught him nothing. "Oh, sensei!" Minato reminded himself "Come round the house later. Kushina and I have something we need to talk to you about together".
"Okay sure" Jiraiya responded, his attention still on the bath house, his mind itself bathing in the fond memories of the things that had transpired down there. "Where is Kushina by the way, haven't seen her in a while".
"She's at one of her womens meetings" Minato replied, momentarily forgetting who he was talking to.
"WOMENS MEETINGS!" Jiraiya exclaimed, suddenly very happy and interested at where the conversation was headed. "Tell me more!"
"It's nothing really sensei, they just get together and talk about pregnancy stuff and babies and how their new motherly instincts cause them to lash out and pummel anyone who they deem untrustworthy around their children" Minato spoke nonchalantly ending with a smirk. 'That ought to scare sensei off that path' he thought.
"Uh..Yes" Jiraiya cringed, listening to Minato's subliminal warning, effectively being scared of that path, dealing with Tsunade was one thing, but to unleash a mother's rage he'd rather not do. "Let's go for a walk Minato, we have a lot to catch up on eh, besides this room suddenly feels smaller".
-Break-
Kakashi's sole visible facial feature twitched.'Why did sensei order me to guard these meetings' he thoughts as watched the of women chattering at, from a males point of view, a incoherent rate. Every time they had these meetings Kakashi pondered why he was there. 'Premature Labour' he would often tell himself. To be able to inform husbands and get soon-to-be-mommy to the hospital as quick as possible. But after awhile babies were born and now only one member of the group was still pregnant. And that's when a grim realization dawned upon him, that the true reason he was here was to be... A diaper fetcher, to make sure there were plenty of diapers for the babies.'No. Sensei wouldn't do that to me, would he, beside Rin's here doing all that stuff so that can't be the reason' Kakashi thought trying to reassure himself as he tried to focus on his suspiciously D-rank mission level of ANBU guard duty.
The ladies, on the other hand were quite enjoying themselves as they spoke about their different styles of motherhood and parenting.
"And one final thing ladies" Biwako Sarutobi, the eldest women there spoke, invited to share her wisdom of parenting, raising two sons of her own to such a fine standard, although another reason she was here was to share her experience in 'putting men in their place', they felt she was without a doubt the best person to go to for that subject, after all her husband, Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage, nicknamed 'The God of Shinobi', would have an ever so slightly larger than average ego. "Remember that your happiness is your child's happiness, never let your child see you with a sad face" she concluded, her face shifting to a smile at at the sight of these new, young mothers 'they have no idea what they are getting into, but at least they are trying to prepare' she thought to herself.
"Thank you for your wisdom, Biwako-san" All the women said, truly thankful she attended these meetings.
"Now I must be going, I have a meeting with the Hokage" Biwako stated heading for the door.
The women left in the room turned to each other continuing with their gossip.
"Ah, little Ino-chan is so fussy when it comes to her food, she fights constantly, like she doesn't even want to eat". Meshibe Yamanaka(3) sighed exhaustion clear in her voice.
"I'd consider that lucky" Yoshino Nara exclaimed " I wish that at least once Shikamaru would fuss over something, he does everything without a complaint, he's already asleep by the time I start getting ready to lay him down for his naps. At first I was worried, so I went to see Shikaku's mother and she said Shikaku acted exactly the same way as a baby. Ohh, my son is going to be just like his father!" Yoshino finished almost breaking down in tears.
The other women laughed at the infants antics. The phrase 'Like father, like son' was never stronger than in the Nara clan.
"So Kushina, one week til your due date" Tsume Inuzuka questioned, cradling the infant Kiba in her arms "are you nervous".
"No, I've been through it before ttebane(4), and Minato will be there to make sure everything goes okay, it may be twins this time so it may be twice the work, but I believe me and him will pull through" Kushina stated. Her face not faltering against her words, she meant everyone of them.
Tsume nodded " That's good. We all trust Minato, we know he'd never let anything happen to you or the village..."
An awkward silence crept over the room for a seemingly massive amount of time, no one no exactly how to continue the conversation.
"Well I have to go and put this puppy down for his nap" Tsume spoke, tickling Kiba's neck "I have to do everything cause his jackass of a father is to scared to go near him cause he looks just like me" Tsume grinned as she began to leave.
"Yeah, we have to go to. It's Inoichi and Shikaku's turn to watch the babies" Meshibe spoke as she and Yoshino stoop up to leave the room.
"Looks like it's just you and me, Kushina" The quietest person in the room spoke.
"Yes, Mikoto, in fact there was something I wanted to ask you" Kushina responded.
"Go ahead" Mikoto replied, her eyes never leaving her baby Sasuke, named after Hiruzen Sarutobi's father Sasuke Sarutobi.
"How does the older sibling respond once the younger is born, Teiha-kun's been looking forward to them being born but twins will take up all of Minato and I's attention, will he grow jealous and come to hate his siblings?" Kushina asked, concerned about her eldest son. She and Minato didn't have siblings and she didn't want petty feuds between her children.
"Hmm.." Mikoto began "I think it will depend on their personality, you haven't spoiled Teihaku-san, so you shouldn't worry, Itachi-kun probably got more excited once Sasuke-kun was born" She finished unsure if that was the answer her friend desired "Have you thought of names for them?" she asked hoping to change the subject, if only slightly.
"Well we decided that I'd name the girl and Minato would name the boy, but I just can't find a name I like and Minato's telling me the name he decided after his meeting ttebane" Kushina replied 'I do need to do one last think through for her name'
"I see" Mikoto replied puzzled she knew Itachi and Sasuke's names by the 7th month of her pregnancies with them.
"But don't you think it's a stroke of luck" Kushina Grinned Mikoto looked confused. "We have a best friend for little Sasuke" Kushina continues, gently patting the left side of her stomach. "and a little girlfriend for him as well" she finished, her grin widening as she now patted the right side of her stomach.(5)
"Yes." Mikoto spoke softly, her eyes back on her baby as a smile and faint tint of red appeared on her face "I'd like that".
-Break-
Minato and Jiraiya walked through the streets, Minato quickly finishing his paperwork so he could catch up with his sensei. Shinobi stopped to salute their leader, men stopped to wave to their protector, Children stopped to try and touch their hero and women stopped to swoon and faint over their unobtainable prince charming. Jiraiya had just finished relaying the information he collected on the villages outside of Konoha.
"So how's Orochimaru been?" Jiraiya asked. Aware of the deal Minato made with his former teammate to keep him loyal to Konoha.
"Better. He complies to the deal without complaint and hasn't been doing anything suspicious, that I know of" Minato replied, he still did not trust the snake sannin and though he was disgusted with himself to admit this, Orochimaru's...work with the Shodaime's DNA had proven to be useful to the village, he created a fail safe should the Kyuubi seal break, all it cost was 60 infants lives, but that and Tenzō would remain a S-class secret, and that experiment was instantly stopped there.
"Well if you want, I could start tailing him on his missions?" Jiraiya offered, he didn't like the amount of freedom his teammate possessed.
"No, as part of the deal, I can't send anyone to spy on him, in or out of the village, it could give his position away on missions as well and effectively get them all killed" Minato responded, he would to this deal no matter what. "Anything on Tsunade?" He asked, knowing the subject needed to be changed.
Nothing." Jiraiya sighed "She clearly doesn't want to be found".
'Darn, the head of the hospital is planning to retire, I was hoping we could find and convince her to come back, plus Kushina is set on her becoming the baby's godmother' Minato thought slightly annoyed.
"Don't worry. I'll find her. No beautiful woman evades the great Jiraiya" He grinned, noticing that his student had said anything.
"I know you will sensei" Minato reassured him with a smile, confident in his sensei's ability to find his former teammate. "Darn, I have a meeting now, you wanna come with sensei?"
"Nah, those stingey meetings aren't my cup of tea, I'll stop by later though" Jiraiya stated as he waved his favourite student goodbye as he flashed away. But now what would he do. He knew straight away when a group of kunoichi headed to the bath house, probably to relieve the stress of a mission.
"Heh heh heh" Jiraiya giggled perversely as he began to follow them, instinctively taking out his notebook and pen in case any 'inspiration' suddenly came to him.
-Break-
"And so morale has never been higher with you in charge Minato. Our shinobi are completing missions within a fraction of the time set, plus you have managed to keep to of the Sannin loyal to Konoha. You truly were a wise choice for Hokage" Homura Mitokado spoke facing the young Hokage.
"Thank you, Homura-san" Minato smiled, praise always felt good no matter how small.
"Yes, even the civilians complain less" Koharu Utatane chuckled. The civilians always didn't like the way things worked and always had their two cents.
"That's always good news" Minato laughed, he faced six of the most powerful and influential people in Konoha, yet he did not feel threatened at all. He looked around the room, Homura Mitokado, Koharu Utatane, Danzō Shimura, Kagami Uchiha, Hiruzen and Biwako Sarutobi's wise and experienced eyes looked back.
"Onto important matters" Danzō began "Your wife's pregnancy is nearly complete, I hope everything is set up and secure ready for the birth". His voice deadly serious.
"They are" Biwako interrupted "The birth will be looked over directly by myself, Minato and Taji, an ANBU medic nin".
"The birth will also be in a secret location away from the village and guarded by ANBU operatives, should misfortune happen" Hiruzen finished taking a puff from his pipe.
"That is good to know, the safety of the village is always top priority. We have kept the knowledge of Kushina's Jinchuuriki status away from the public's ears, aside from a select few that Kushina and yourself can trust" Danzō stated, the village's safety was always important to him, more important than anyone in this room.
"Yes, and if the Kyuubi break free we go ahead with the plan: we tell everyone that the Kyuubi was attracted to the collected and festering human malice" Minato spoke in return.
"Minato-san" Kagami began to offer. "Perhaps an Uchiha should be present as well at the birth, the Sharingan's control of the Kyuubi is well known, it could help to keep the Kyuubi in check"
A contemplative look appear on everyone's face.
"He's not wrong Minato" Koharu spoke first.
"Yes, this must be taken into consideration" Homura agreed with the two elders.
Everyone in the room seemed to agree and Minato himself could see the logic in Kagami's idea and was about to include his idea into the plan when the most unlikely person spoke out against it.
"That may not be such a wise idea, Minato-san" Danzō argued. "The Sharingan itself could interfere with the birth, it may cause the Kyuubi's permanent loathing for it to manifest in the children, which might cause them to do... Disastrous things to the Uchiha clan later in life" Danzō stated, the Uchiha clan were a powerful symbol in Konoha, as a founding clan they were held in high regard and are important, for the moment. "On the other hand, the Sharingan, while suppressing the Kyuubi's chakra could unintentionally suppress the children's budding chakra coils and render them useless. Imagine the controversy caused by two of Konoha's Yellow Flash's children's inability to mold chakra. This village morale we've worked so hard for would plummet instantaneously..."
Everyone sat dumfounded, Danzō and the Hokage would usually have very different ideals. For Danzō to advise him like this shocked everyone.
"He-He's right Minato, we don't know what it could cause" Hiruzen found his voice first, ironically he was the most disbelieving person, he knew Danzō all his life and he knew that Danzō was never this...caring.
'I can't believe I'm going to say this' Minato thought. "I am inclined to agree with Danzō-san, Kagami-san although your off is well thought out and intriguing. Danzō is right, using the Sharingan's suppression may cause unnecessary side affects." Minato stated, finally making his decision.
"Don't fret, Minato-san, it was merely a suggestion" Kagami spoke with subtle annoyance in his voice.
"Well, although this has been fun, the time states that this meeting should have been over an hour ago and these old bones get so very tired easily, so we'll take our leave Hokage-san" Koharu spoke as all the elders, aside Danzō who remained seated, began to leave.
"Minato-san" Danzō began as soon as the others had left. "I was wondering if you came to an answer for my proposal".
Minato sighed he knew this was coming. "Danzō-san, although I hate to say this, ROOT does get results and could benefit the training of orphans, so my answer is yes, at our next collective meeting I will officially announce that ROOT is officially active once again".
Danzō smiled "Thank you Minat- "
"However" Minato interrupted "ROOT will only be called upon in dire situations and when the time for recruitment comes around, you will tell me in full detail who, why, how and when you plan to recruit them. Do you understand?"
"Of course Minato-san" Danzō answered. Suddenly one of Minato's tri-pronged kunai flew past his face, grazing his cheek slightly, a small trickle of blood rolled down his face.
"Let me make this absolutely clear." Minato glared, his usual warm, bright blue eyes replaced with icy cold ones, fierce and deadly, the eyes of someone who would kill without hesitation. "You have zero second chances. One toe out of line, one step in the wrong direction and I won't disband ROOT... I will destroy it. Permanently." He finished, Minato didn't bother to use Killing Intent, his tone of voice was already deadly and powerful.
"I understand perfectly, Minato-san" Danzō said as he stood up to leave. Danzō was powerful, yes, but he knew that that threat wasn't idle, his years of battle had taught him he shouldn't challenge the Yondaime Hokage, it wouldn't end well for himself.
'So I see the boy has reason' Danzō thought slyly as he walked back to his ROOT base, his plans were beginning to come to fruition, for now patience, was his main objective.
A/N: Phew! Well that was my first chapter of my first fic. I am gonna start the second chapter right away and hopefully it will be up in a few days, if a good number of people like the fic. 3000 words is pretty good, no? Although I can't help but think that I rushed it, like I'm missing something. By the way, Minato Namikaze is my favourite character in the manga and don't you think I mind him a little tyrant-ish, well hope you enjoyed it, review please, tell me how I can improve it tell me what it's missing and please don't sue. No flames either please, small embers, yes. Constructive criticism is always helpful... :D
P.S some words I haven't spelled wrong, I've spelled the English way (such as Favourite, Labour)
(1) I made Minato 25 cause that would be the same age as Shikaku, Inoichi and Choza around the time of The Kyuubi attack, they're 41 in shippuden minus 16 years is 25.
(2) Minato's first son, I was torn between using Sanbashi and Teihaku for his name, They mean wharf, jetty or pier and anchorage or moorings respectively (at least according to Google translate), which are all synonyms for harbour (Minato's name), I didn't want to use Arashi cause its so common. If his name is wrong please correct me.
(3) Ino's mom her name means Pistil, the female part of a flower, hopefully.
(4) It was revealed that Kushina has a verbal tick like her son Naruto (ttebayo in his case). Sigh...
(5) This might be a pairing, it might not, at the minute not, it's just mommy talk.
List of current OC's
Meshibe Yamanaka
Teihaku Namikaze
Unborn twin sibling
Everyone else is a real canon character
Well I believe that is everything. So see ya. Gonna try how to make a poll work. I'm new you know