A/N -This is a new story I am trying out. I will be adding more detail to it soon but I really wanted to post it before the idea left my head. For the few of you that like my Naruto/One Piece crossover I'm still working on chapter 3. It will be up soon.

Warnings: The timeline might seem a little bit off once the story picks up. This is because is am trying to create an entirely new world with the same major events and people. There will be NO OCs as I feel there are plenty of characters to work with in the series. The Uchiha Clan will be alive and the Namikaze will have there own clan with a history. I am also tweaking the formula for Jichuuriki a bit. The Bijuu won't be sealed but each Jinchuuriki will still have contact with their respective Bijuu.

As always I don't own Naruto.

In a dimly lit room five people sat in conference. The torches that lit the sides of the wooden walls made the faces of those present glow in the darkness. The mood of the room was tense and it was clear that the subject of the conversation was of much importance.

"You must give way to reason Kyo-sama. What we ask is of you is to-"Danzo was cut off by a snort from the man known as Kyo.

"You would have me betray my clan and our order; something you know I would never do. I expected something like this from Danzo and by proxy you two elders. But your presence in this farce is highly unexpected Minato-san."

The eyes of the Yondaime Hokage were downcast as the conversation turned towards him. He was obviously torn in his decision. His tone was low and apologetic as he addressed the much older man.

"We have heard news from some of our spies in Kumo. A young child with a shinobi background has been marked."

"The Niibi has chosen her conduit. It was expected and predicted by our clan's Seekers. Do not tread around the topic like a child caught in the act Minato-san. If you back your council's stance then say so."

Kyo's face was one of irritation. He stroked his long white beard and casted a looked of disgust at the Kage. This drew hard stares from the two elders and even Danzo had steeled his already icy gaze; Kyo was openly disrespecting their leader and they would not put up with it for much longer.

"He is the Hokage and he should be treated as such monk." Homura's tone was curt.

"Such things are trivial to the Uzumaki clan. When my father agreed to become apart of Konoha it was with the understanding that we would not delve into the matters of shinobi; even Harashima understood this. We are monks as you say; keepers of the ancient."

"And tools of the Bijuu." Kotaru added much to Kyo's ire.

It was well known that the Uzumaki were one of the nine clans once blessed by the tailed beasts. In return for their worship and tributes, the nine clans were each blessed by a different Bijuu with varying abilities. Over time it became apparent that the shinobi villages coveted such powers and schemed to make it their own.

"If we are tools of the Bijuu then what does that make you, assassin?" Kyo's statement was met with uncaring looks from all those present; even the Yondaime. It was obvious that the taunt did not elicit a bit of remorse or regret from these people. It was then that he realized how different these people truly were from him. They were killers by choice, paid to murder.

"We are the only thing standing between your clan and the other shinobi who would no doubt seek to either control your power or destroy it." Danzo was a force to be reckoned with when it came to verbal warfare. This was apparent when Kyo became quiet before speaking in a more subdued tone.

"Do not think us ungrateful. The alliegence between our villages has been fruitful in the past. To this day our knowledge of seals makes Konoha the safest and most secure village in the Elemental Nations. We have brought advancements to everything from storage scrolls to jutsu; and I'm sure that Hokage-sama can attest to our usefulness." This was of course a direct reference to Minato's two signature jutsu: the Rasengan and the Hiraishin. Both of which were created with the help of the Uzumaki clan's leading expert on seals: Kushina Uzumaki.

At this the elders nodded. The things that the Uzumaki clan had done for Konoha could not be measured.

"You're are correct, Kyo-sama. Our partnership has been a beneficial one but you must understand our position. With Kumo's recent addition that brings their number to two, which match's Iwa's and Kiri's. That leaves only the Ichibi and the Kyuubi as the only two Bijuu without a medium and Suna and Konoha as the only shinobi villages without a Jinchuriki."

Kyo's eyes turned into daggers at that particular word and even Minato turned a small glare Homaru.

"What you ask is well beyond the realm of reality. It is true that we hold some clout over who the Bijuu choose as a conduit. The only two remaining Bijuu are the Ichibi and the Kyuubi, both of which we could never sway to take an interest in anyone from Konoha."

"And why is that?" Koharu questioned.

"The Ichibi has never chosen a medium outside of the Land of the Wind. The plentiful deserts almost gaurentee that its conduit will be from Suna."

This news seemed to disturb the shinobi greatly. That would mean that every village besides them would have the power of a tailed beast at their beckon call. It would only be a matter of time before they were unseated as the strongest village.

"And what about the Kyuubi? Why can't it be summoned here? It was once used as a plaything for Konoha's founding fathers."

Minato shot another glare at Homura but surprisingly Kyo simply looked lost in thought.

"Those two men were not of this world." His soft tone came as a surprise to the shinobi who thought the devote Bijuu worshiper would be up in arms at such a comment. Kyo shook his head to free himself of his current train of thought.

"Madara Uchiha and Harashima Senju were direct decendents of the Sage of Six Paths; brothers in all rights except ideals. Together they were as close to the Sage as this world will ever see. That is how they were able to control the Kyuubi. There is no one in this world anymore that has the power to control the mightiest of all Bijuu."

"You must find a way Uzumaki-san, if you don't you can consider our treaty void." Danzo laid out the terms. Kyo widened his eyes at the man's ultimatum. If Konoha were to withdraw its support then Whirlpool wouldn't last long. Kyo looked to the Yondaime for some sort of support but found the man's eyes to once again be downcast.

"So you agree with them as well, Minato-san?" The blond Hokage's silence was all the answer Kyo needed.

"I see. Well I'm sorry to inform you that what you ask is impossible. If that means that the Uzumaki clan will be banished from Konoha then so be it. I shall take my leave. Kushina and I will be packed up and our way out of the country by morning."

Minato watched the man leave with a heavy heart. This was not the way things were supposed to go. Koharu saw the turmoil on the man's face and spoke to him.

"There was nothing that could be done Hokage-sama. Without the power of a Jinchuriki it would be impossible for us to be affiliated with them. They are the last of the nine clans of the Bijuu; other countries would no doubt seek to eliminate them as a threat. If we would have continued to endorse the Uzumaki clan it would only be a matter of time until we would fall into their sights. And without the might of a Jinchuriki of our own we would not last long."

The Yondaime knew her words rang true but that didn't make this situation any easier.

"Thank you all for being here, you are dismissed." Minato's tone was weary but the elders complied nonetheless. Danzo was the last one to file out of the door but before he left he spoke.

"You are more of a Hokage than Hizuren ever was Minato-sama. The First would be proud of you."

As Danzo left Minato took a long look at the pictures of his predecessors on the wall.

"Why don't I believe you?"

"Probably because it's a bunch of crap. He's just happy that he's finally being listened to. Years of the old man ignoring him must have made him grateful."

Minato was not entirely surprised by the sudden intrusion. Sitting on the balcony was none other than his former teacher; The Toad Sage, Jariya.

"Jariya-sensei, what are you doing here?"

Jariya didn't move from his perch on the balcony when he answered.

"I was in the area and figured I'd come check on the old man before setting out again." Minato raised an eyebrow at his mentor's response.

"In case you forgot, he's retired. He rarely comes to the Hokage Tower anymore."

"Well that's why I came at first. Imagine my surprise when I see the head of the Uzumaki clan coming out of the tower and looking none too happy. What was that about?"

By now the Toad Sage he entered the office and sat himself down on a couch. Minato idly noticed that there were more than enough empty chairs that were closer to him but didn't bring it up. It was just a testament to how much their relationship had deteriorated over the years. The Yondaime Hokage sighed before divulging the reason for Kyo's visit.

"We're terminating our alligence with the Uzumaki clan, effective tomorrow." The look Jariya gave him was hard to read. While his face was blank, Minato couldn't shake the feeling that his teacher thought he was stupid.

"Well that is…stupid." Jariya never was one to pull punches.

"Thanks for the comforting words, sensei."

"You don't need a comforting word, what you need is an ass kicking for letting things escalate to this point." The Sage's face said he was serious so Minato didn't sugarcoat things either.

"There was nothing I could do. It was either let them go or go to war with the whole world." This earned a dismissive wave from Jariya.

"We would fight for maybe a year with one or two villages; it's nothing that we couldn't handle. Everyone always thinks that the next war will be the biggest, typical shinobi paranoia."

"You spend too much time around the monks, sensei. You talk as if you're not a shinobi anymore." If Jariya was offended by this statement, he didn't show it.

"I know what I am, do you?" Minato began to get defensive as Jariya questioned his resolve.

"Yes. I'm the Hokage, leader of Konoha. And as such I have to put the safety of the village before everything else."

"Even the love of your life? Have you thought about how this would affect Kushina?" That seemed to take all of the fire out of the blonde Hokage.

"She'll be okay." He said in a small voice that was very unfitting of a Hokage. Jariya's eyes softened for a moment as he realized that his student had not really thought about how this would affect his love life. The perfect Hokage indeed.

"I'm sure she'll say that. Whether or not she means it will be an entirely different story." The Sage's words seemed to strike a cord with Minato before he shook his head.

"It can't be helped sensei. In the end we were just too different. She is too devoted to her religion to break her clan's rules and I would never leave Konoha, even for her."

The weak way in which his student would allow his love to leave out of his without a fight hit too close to home with Jariya. As such, he spoke with a little more venom than he intended.

"Spineless is a new look for you. I've never known a Namikaze to be this weak willed."

A flash of hurt was visible in Minato's eyes for a split second before he guarded it. It didn't matter though; the two of them knew each other to well to hide facial expressions and intentions. They could fool the rest of the world with their illusions and posturing, but when they were alone they knew exactly what the other was thinking. At least that was the way it used to be.

"That's my point Jariya. I'm a Namikaze. You know what that means. I'm born for the sole purpose of being a shinobi, its something Kushina could never understand."

Those last three words rang in Jariya's head. It seemed that the cycle of hatred and misunderstanding had spread to the younger generation as well. Staring at his miserable student's haggard appearance and baggy eyes made the Sage sigh. This was supposed to be the man to change the world and yet here he sat caught in the same vicious cycle as so many more before. When Jariya finally spoke it was in a dejected tone.

"You really didn't turn out the way I wanted you to, Minato. I had thought that you would help break this cycle."

Minato had a hard time reading his former sensei. It was obvious that the man was disappointed but the blonde couldn't tell if it was really with him or the world. Regardless, he answered as honestly as he could.

"This is the way the world works, sensei. You are the one who taught me that. I don't have time to chase dreams with you anymore."

Minato searched the hermit's face for any sign of emotion but found none. He got his response in the form of a chuckle. The kind of chuckle he knew the elder man used with those he was not particularly close to. That thought made the Hokage sadder than he would care to admit. Had they really grown so far apart in such a short time?

"Hehe, I guess not. And you were right; I didn't come back just to chat with the old man. I have news from your latest calculated risk." It was obvious that the meeting was no longer personal. As a result Minato's face grew stern.

"I already know your objection Jariya, what does he say?"

"He jumped at the opportunity. It seems that he has run into trouble in terms of maintaining his…field of study." There was an obvious tone of disgust that Minato chose to ignore.

"That's good news. With his presence back behind Konoha, anyone will think twice about forming an attack against us."

"They won't have to attack; they would only have to wait for him to do so." Jariya leveled him with a look that said he wasn't joking.

"I can control him. He is too valuable to simply label a missing-nin." The Namikaze explained.

"Sarutobi-sensei used to say the same thing." Jariya countered.

"I am not Sarutobi-sama." The firm voice and scolding look was offset by Jariya's casual statement.

"Hehe, that much is sure. By your leave Hokage-sama."

The Sage was already on his way back out the window when Minato gave his dismissal and resumed looking over the documents on his desk. Jariya stopped and spoke without turning.

"One day a time will come when people truly understand each other. What will your excuse be then, Minato?"

Minato didn't answer as he knew that Jariya had already left. He did however chance a look at his predecessor's photos once more. Each of them the perfect picture of strength. He idly wondered if they ever felt as weak as he did now before resuming his work.

(Small Shack-Outskirts of Konoha)

"Are you sure Sarutobi-sama?" A beautiful redhead who looked to be in her late twenties stood shocked at the news she just received from the elderly man at her side.

"Tsunade was my student for several decades; I'd like to think I know a thing or two about medical jutsu. This one is accurate nearly one hundred percent of the time. Congratulations, Kushina-chan."

Before anything else could be said the door to the small shack burst open and the Uzumaki clan leader came in, his face twisted in silent rage.

"Kushina get packed we are leaving." His voice was silent but there was an obvious edge to his words. Kushina knew not to argue and immediately began packing her belongings.

"So soon, Kyo-sama?" Kushina questioned while packing.

"We are no longer welcome in Konoha. We are to be out of the country by morning." This news came as a huge surprise to Kushina and Hizuren. The latter of the two questioned the clan head.

"Kyo-san, what has happened?"

"The allegiance has been terminated old friend. We are to return to Whirlpool." None of this was making sense to the former Hokage.

"Surely this is some kind of misuderstanding. Minato should know better-"

"It is by his order. For the safety of Konoha we are to leave." The finality with which Kyo spoke made Hizuren's stomach drop.

"Oh, Minato. You young fool." Hizuren shook his head at his successor's decision. He knew of the circumstances that surrounded the decision. He also knew that exiling the clan of seal master's was not the best option. He would need to talk with the boy soon. He was pulled out of his thoughts by Kyo's rambling.

"I should not have expected anything different. Shinobi will be shinobi after all." Kyo's tirade was cut short by a new presence at the door.

"I take offence to that."

The occupants turned to the still open door to find Jariya there with his arms crossed. Kushina's eyes lit up at the sight of the Sage. The two held a relationship that could be likened to father and daughter; a fact that left Kyo feeling raw more times than not. Kushina rushed to Jariya and wrapped her arms around him.

"Jariya-sama! Is it true?"

"I'm afraid so Kushina. Minato and the elders feel that it is in Konoha's best interest to cut ties with the Uzumaki clan." Jariya watched dejected as the light died out in the eyes of a woman he would proudly consider his daughter.

"It is the act of a fool!" Kyo suggested hotly.

"It is the act of a Hokage." Sarutobi countered.

"There is no difference. Even the Hokage is still a shinobi." The clan leader and the former Hokage engaged in a battle of views that they had become famous for over the years.

"I'm sure your jaded attitude towards our profession didn't help matters Kyo."

"It doesn't matter. This was an outcome not unexpected. Our usefulness to this village would only last as long as our latest advancement. It is best we just leave now before relations become too bitter. Kushina, are you packed?"

"Yes, Kyo-sama." The redhead responded as she lowered her pack to the ground.

"Then let us go. Hizuren, it was a pleasure to have known you. You are by far the most honorable shinobi I have ever met, for what it is worth." This drew a small chuckle from the former Hokage.

"Only you could insult and compliment someone in the same sentence. Goodbye old friend." The two shook hands for what they knew would be the last time. The Uzumaki leader then turned towards Jariya.

"Jariya, as a Sage you are always welcome in Whirlpool. But you know the rules."

"Come alone and limit my research." Jariya said as if he had done so a million times before. At Kyo's still stern look, he added "All types of research."

"Exactly. I'll give you time to say your farewells Kushina."

"I don't know what to say, this is all happening so fast." The redhead's face was one of complete misery. Sarutobi put a comforting hand on he shoulder and spoke.

"You should go talk to Minato, I'm sure he'll want to see you." Kushina shook her head.

"No. It's better off this way. Promise me you won't tell him?"

"I believe he has a right to know, Kushina."

"His duty is to the village and mine to my clan; all of my clan." She said the last part in a whisper while rubbing her stomach, an action that Jariya did not miss. Sarutobi didn't allow for questions as he embraced the young woman in a warm hug.

"I understand. Goodbye Kushina."

"Goodbye Sarutobi-sama." She didn't fight the tears that rolled down her face. She wasn't a shinobi; emotions were not taboo to her. She turned to Jariya who gave her a small peck on the forehead and wiped the tears from her face.

"I'll see you soon kid." She nodded and picked up her pack. With one last look at the two men she had developed such a unique bond with over the years, she left.

Now left alone Jariya let loose a depressed sigh he had been holding in all night. Running a hand through his wily mane he spoke to his former teacher.

"What a night. I could use a drink."

Turning towards the old man he saw that he had already obtained a jug of sake and two saucers. The two plopped themselves down in the living room of the shack. Sarutobi spoke as he poured the drinks.

"We have much to discuss."

"Sake first."