The plot biiju attacks again. ItaNaru. Enjoy.


PROLOGUE

The council was in recess, and Fugaku Uchiha had an idea. An idea that sprung up on seeing one of the Hyuga branch members doing the bidding of the clan head, Hiashi, without question. It would require him to actually suck up to the uptight Hyuga in order to gain the man's favour, but so long as no one else from the Uchiha clan overheard him he wouldn't be losing any standing among his own.

And, really, it was the best option concerning the jinchuuriki. The civilian's quest to have the child exterminated would be a waste of what will undoubtedly grow to be a very powerful shinobi. Developing that power within a strong clan environment would instil absolute loyalty to the clan and the village, in to the child. Besides, something as strong as a jinchuuriki would be able to keep up with Itachi in battle, and protect the heir like no other, resulting in a higher standing for the Uchiha as a whole.

Yes, for the good of the clan, it was the best idea. Now he just had to negotiate a marginally closer alliance with the Hyuga, and think up a way of wording his request to the Hokage to somehow make it seem that he had only the demon child's best interests at heart.


"Get me Uchiha Shuichi." Fugaku ordered. The household servant quickly bowed before dashing off to complete the errand. The head of the Uchiha household sighed, looking down on the sleeping blonde infant on his study desk. It had taken surprisingly little to get the Hyuga to acquiesce with his plan to have a variation of the Caged Bird seal developed, to be placed on the little blonde boy. Only the release of two branch Hyuga's into their clan's justice, rather than facing a public trial and sentence. In other words, death by seal induced cerebral haemorrhage. In actuality, it will be a winning situation for all involved; the Hyuga save public face and the Uchiha-Hyuga grudge is lessened. A light knock on the door interrupted the clan head's musings.

"You requested my presence, Fugaku-sama?" The man at the door began.

"Yes Shuichi. Take a seat." He motioned to seat by his desk. "I am going to offer you a chance to redeem yourself in the eyes of the clan. I don't like to waste talent, and as a skilled jonin, I would hate to have to disown you. I realise that you are still grieving the loss of your wife and son, but some of your actions, or lack thereof in regards to missions, are not upholding the clan's honour. Would you like to hear the terms?"

The man nodded sharply, he knew he was getting off lightly what with not having shown much of the famous Uchiha Pride since his only son had died and gifted one of his sharingan to an outsider. Fugaku pointedly looked to the slightly squirming bundle of blankets on his desk.

"This is the kyuubi jinchuuriki. He will be joining the Uchiha clan for the purpose of training him to be the personal guard of the clan head. I intend on gifting him to my eldest, Itachi, after the jinchuuriki receives a version of the Hyuga's Caged Bird, to ensure he will be controllable. The task I'm giving to you, is to raise and train this child until his fifth birthday. I expect you to train him in all aspects of being a shinobi, as well as Clan rules and etiquette. By that time he must be at a high genin level at the very least, which we all know is very possible. You will receive mission payment as this child's upbringing will be your top priority for the next five years. I will not accept failure, you understand." The marginally younger man ordered. Shuichi was doing a fairly passable impression of a Greek statue; he was not going to mess up this offer he had been given.

"I accept your gracious offer Fugaku-sama." He stated evenly. "I will not fail the clan, nor this child." Fugaku's lips actually tilted upwards at the corners fractionally.

"The name he was given by his birth parents is 'Naruto Uzumaki', which the general public is aware of. For the child's own safety I suggest you select a more suitable name." The Clan Head motioned for the other man to pick up his newly adopted son from his study desk.

Shuichi Uchiha looked into bright blue eyes that contained a spark which reminded him of his now deceased child, Obito. He smiled sadly at the child, at his chance of redemption in the eyes of the clan and as a parent.

"Shokan. Shokan Uchiha." He reported to his superior, not taking his eyes from the child in his arms. Fugaku nodded his approval; Redemption was a good name for a weapon, even if the other man had not meant it that way. He dismissed the new father and son from his presence.


What do you think? Should I continue with this idea?