Chapter 1 – Two Jinchūriki

"Talk"

'Think'

Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Kishimoto sensei. So…yeah.

11th October

Sarutobi Hiruzen was walking wearily towards the door. Staring at the door, he took a deep breath and released it as he pushed the door opened. As he stepped into the room, his eyes swept around, noting the looks of grieves on many.

At the centre of the room sat a petite lady in a pale blue kimono with a navy colored obi that was covered with small white flowers, her jet-black hair kept in a loose low bun, Shizuka, previously part of the Uchiha clan before she was unceremoniously kicked off from the clan due to unwed pregnancy.

As he took his seat, he looked around and nodded, "I'm sure everyone here is sad and tired. We'll keep this meeting short and to the point".

"Tonight meeting is to clarify what had happened last night. Like all of you, I am also in the dark of the details. Shizuka, if you may…?"

Shizuka nodded. She took a deep breath before began in a clear voice "My name is Shizuka. Due to…some difficulties, I was offered to stay at Uzumaki Kushina-sama's house and in return, I offered her my service as housekeeper".

"Yesterday, Kushina-sama was due to give birth. For precaution, she has gone to a secret location around noon while I prepared the house for the new baby. Some times after midnight, Minato-sama appeared with little Naruto-sama. He said they were being attacked by a masked man that appeared out of nowhere-"

"Out of nowhere?" Homura asked sharply.

Shizuka turned to face him and said calmly "Yes. That's what I was told. I remember it clearly as it seems absurd to me too".

Hiruzen nodded and said "Please continue".

Shizuka face the room and said "The masked man threatened to kill Naruto-sama. Although Minato-sama managed to get Naruto-sama back, the masked man put some explosive tags on Naruto-sama, forcing Minato-sama to escape from the room. Minato-sama asked me to take care of Naruto-sama while he tried to retrieve Kushina-sama from the clutch of the masked man. I put Naruto-sama next to my daughter, Noriko".

"Later on, I sensed a disturbance before Minato-sama appeared with a weak looking Kushina-sama. He put her on the bed while I put Naruto-sama next to her. Minato-sama informed me that the Kyūbi was ripped out from her by the masked man and was under the control of the masked man-"

"But HOW?!" asked a merchant representative.

Shizuka hesitated "According to Minato-sama, the masked man has Sharingan in his right eye-".

"You're lying !" yelled Uchiha Fugaku while Nara Shikaku asked "Just his right eye? What happen to the left?"

"Nothing was mentioned on the left eye, Shikaku-sama" replied Shizuka before turning the head of Uchiha clan "If you don't believe me, asked Inoichi-sama".

"She is telling the truth, I've examined her early this morning" answered Yamanaka Inoichi in response to the question glance by Fugaku.

"Continue" ordered Hiruzen.

"I stayed by Kushina-sama's side with my daughter when Minato-sama appeared and transported us all to the village's outskirts. Later on, he teleported with the Kyūbi and asked if he can seal half of the Kyūbi chakra inside Noriko while the other half will be sealed inside Naruto-sama-"

"Two jinchūriki?" asked Hyūga Hiashi "Why?".

Hiruzen replied "The Kyūbi has to be sealed inside a baby or a child as their chakra's pathway is not yet fully developed. Nevertheless, Kyūbi's chakra is too big to be sealed inside one baby thus it has to be sealed inside two babies". He nodded to Shizuka, asking her to continue with her story.

"Kushina-sama was initially against that. She's dying. She offered to re-seal the Kyūbi inside her and let it dies with her. But Minato-sama said the Kyūbi's power is needed for the balance of Five Great Shinobi Countries as well as to protect Konoha. Minato-sama sealed half of the Kyūbi inside Noriko first, as he was about to seal it inside Naruto-sama, the Kyūbi tried to attack Naruto-sama but was stopped by both Minato-sama and Kushina-sama. In their last breaths, Minato-sama sealed the Kyūbi inside Naruto-sama. They…they died to protect their son…to protect Konoha" at this point, Shizuka broke down and cried.

Hiruzen spoke with a sad face "I followed the Kyūbi's trail and arrived there prior to the sealing. I can attest that her statement is correct".

"It is true, we now have two jinchūriki" He continued "However, it is best for the safety of the village that we'll say that the Kyūbi was sealed in a baby without telling which baby it is. Also, for his safety, Naruto will be known as Uzumaki Naruto. Any question?"

"Two, Hokage-sama. What become of the masked man? Also, what will happen to Naruto now?" asked Shikaku.

"The masked man was not presence during the sealing…Shizuka?" asked Hiruzen.

"I…I do not know…Minato-sama did not say anything about him" said Shizuka.

"As for Naruto, he will be under the care of Shizuka since she already pledged her service to Minato and Kushina. They will stay at the Hokage's residence here temporarily" informed Hiruzen "It is getting late, is there any other question pertaining to tonight's meeting?"

"The masked-man…do we know who is he? Is there any Uchiha that fits that description Fugaku?" asked Homura.

All eyes on an increasingly uncomfortable Uchiha Fugaku. He fidgeted before answered carefully "None of the Uchiha has Sharingan in one eye only and the only one who has it is Hatake Kakashi-"

"Hatake Kakashi was accounted amongst the younger generation that was prohibited from joining the fight" said Yūhi Shinku.

"Then I have no idea. The fact that he can control the Kyūbi suggests his power is on par to Uchiha Madara. The most talented Uchiha today is Uchiha Shisui, Shizuka's younger brother" finished Fugaku.

"My brother is loyal. He would never do something like this!" said Shizuka, her black eyes blazed, daring anyone to oppose her.

"I can attest to Shisui's loyalty" confirmed Hiruzen "It's late. There is no point speculating on something with little information. The attack yesterday may cause Konoha to appear weak in the eyes of other Hidden Village; some may compel to attack. We cannot let that happen!"

"Hait !"

"Nevertheless Fugaku, if anything comes to light, inform me"

"Hait, Hokage-sama"

"Then, this meeting is adjourned"

Shizuka looked at sleeping Naruto and Noriko with a sad smile before she broke down and wept; she wept for the death of her dear friend, Kushina, for the death of her saviour, Minato, for Naruto who lost both of his parents, for Naruto and Noriko for being turned into jinchūriki.

Then she felt a hand on her shoulder and a hug "It's okay oneesan. I'm here for you" said Shisui softly.

End of Chapter 1

Oneesan – big sister

Obi – belt/sash