The Typhoon Fleet
Normal speech / thoughts
Abyssal spee / thoughts
Tailed Beast speech / thoughts
AN at bottom.
Disclaimer : I don't own the Naruto or Kantai Collection franchises.
Chapter 2: Searching for an Answer
It had been fifthteen minutes since Kakashi had heard the woman order the bowl that had ignited an ember of hope from deep within his being. There was a chance, a small chance that his sensei's son had somehow survived the explosive collapse of that section of bridge. He had no idea how this black - haired female was connected but, he knew she was, and therefore securing her was Kakashi's highest priority. He had reached the floor of the Hokage's office, slowing down, and walking up to the secretary. After getting confirmation that the Third, Minato, and Kushina were in the room, the Jonin stood in front of the door, knocking on it before hearing the aged voice of his kage tell him to come in.
As Kakashi went in, he never noticed the person in a beat up, brown cloak staring at him from a chair, next to two odd-looking people.
When Kakashi opened the door, his body went rigid as the first person he saw was Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki - Namikaze. The redhead gasped when she saw him before charging Kakashi, who closed his eye, thinking that he was wrong about his earlier assessment, and that he would be rightfully punished for his failure. However, instead of a fatal-stab, jaw - shattering kick, or even a skull - caving punch, a pair of arms were wrapped tightly around him, and a head resting on his shoulder. Kakashi sighed, he got his hopes up.
"Stop it" Kushina said sternly, knowing that he wanted her to pulverize him.
"I know you've been beating yourself up over this for the past four years" Kushina softly told him, Kakashi shifting his eye away only to meet the the understanding, and reassuring blue gaze of Minato Namikaze. Kami, Naruto really did look like him, just remove the baby-fat, and whiskers, boom. Carbon - copy. Kushina moved her head from the younger man's shoulder, letting him see her violet eyes, and soft facial features, she was dressed in the standard Kohona ANBU uniform.
"You don't need to apologize, the old man had informed us shortly after it happened" Kushina revealed, much to Kakashi's shock as his eye widened. The Third told them! Wait, Kakashi needed to tell them what he heard! Kakashi looked to the aged kage, who was dressed in the traditional Hokage robes, and hat. He moved away from Kushina, shifting his gaze between the three of them, taking a breath to relax himself. The parents were about to tell Kakashi that he needn't ask forgives when he the words out of his mouth rocked their worlds. He knew that flat out saying it would be the best way to deliver his theory.
" I have quite recently heard something that has given me great reason to believe that Naruto Uzumaki is still alive".
Nobody said anything. Minato's jaw dropped whereas Kushina stared in shock. Oddly, the Third showed no visible reaction, his elbows on his wooden desk, hands held together in front of his mouth. The parents of said boy snapped out of it, Minato about to speak when Kakashi spoke once more, this time though, the Hokage reacted.
"Ten bowls of miso ramen with extra chashu were just ordered about fifthteen minutes ago at Ichiraku's Ramen".
Sarutobi's hands fell as did his jaw, and his eyes turned into large saucers. He now knew Kakashi was serious. What Kakashi just said is undeniable evidence, nobody orders that kind of ramen at that quantity. It also confirmed something about Sarutobi's next guest. Seeing the reaction of the famed God of Shinobi made the parents realize that something really was going, and Kushina would be the one to figure it out. She grabbed Kakashi, turning him towards her with a face that said "Tell me everything." Immediately, the silver - haired Jonin complied.
" I was on my way here when I sensed a familiar chakra signature originating at Ichiraku's, I had stopped before I noticed the signature because I"Kakashi's voice got a bit lower, " I was thinking about that day" Kakashi continued. Nobody needed to ask what day he was talking about, they all knew what it was. The room's three other occupants waited for Kakashi to resume his explanation, paying close attention.
"While I was gazing at the stand I saw a black - haired woman wearing odd clothing. It was then that I noticed the signature. At the time I couldn't identify who the signature belonged to but, I knew that the signature belonged to somebody important to me. " Despite the short time that Naruto knew Kakashi, the jonin has known Naruto since before the blonde was born. Kakashi continued telling the events that had led to his conclusion.
"The woman said that she was ordering for three others besides herself, and after giving those, she asked for "ten bowls of extra - large miso with extra chashu", I wasn't the only one who recognized it either, Ayame, and her father did too".
Kushina smiled as both her, and Minato's eyes became wet with tears as they saw the nod that the old man gave Kakashi, one of agreement, and belief. Naruto... Their Naruto was alive! Kakashi was about to finish telling his observation of the woman, and how he came to the conclusion that Naruto was alive when the boy's mother grabbed both him, and Minato by the arms, and kicked open the door, flying out screaming "TO ICHIRAKU'S! I GOT A FEW QUESTIONS FOR THAT WOMAN! DATTEBANE!" Soon the Third's office was cleared of humans, not counting himself or, his elite ANBU guards.
"My...everything..." painfully moaned the ANBU as he slid out from behind the door that had been kicked onto him by an excited Kushina. The Hokage held back a cringe as he made a note to give that man a big, fat bonus. The aged kage eyes then hardened to steel.
"Send in my next appointment" Sarutobi asked his secretary. The old man had been contacted by this person a week ago, the visitor requesting to meet with him. The Hokage almost refused but, was forced to comply when the mysterious person brought up the Nine-tails. The person mentioned how weak Kohonagakure was without her jinchuuriki, and how easy it would be for the other hidden villages to conquer it if they found out about Konoha's plight. Sarutobi had planned to have this person captured at the meeting, and tortured for his threats, spying on him, and his three companions through his crystal ball when he entered the gates but, the news Kakashi just gave him changed everything if this person was who Sarutobi suspected he was.
The person who had requested that they meet just entered the room, wearing a beat-up brown cloak, and bandages around his mouth. The person removed the cloak's hood, and tore off the bandages showing a face that the Third never thought he was going to see again, granted that face had seen better days. He had two unusually pale females with him, one an excited child, while the other seemed to be an emotionless woman.
"My boy..." Sarutobi said after a few moments, the unbelievable truth confirmed before he became extremely serious.
The person sat down, gesturing for the other two to leave. They obeyed with the child waving goodbye, holding something to her chest with a single arm. After the two females left, the Hokage stared at the person sitting across from him, ANBU temporarily dismissed, and privacy seals active. The old man said one thing, and that one sentence was overdue by four years.
"We need to talk."
"Well, I'm lost, dattebane."
For the past thirty minutes, Kushina had dragged around her husband, and Kakashi as she ran around the side of Konoha opposite of Ichiraku's. The boys were free, and currently trying to get circulation going in their arms again. Kushina had stopped on top of a rooftop, trying to figure out where her favorite ramen stand was but, couldn't due to not stepping foot in Konohagakure for seventeen years. She had lost all orientation of where everything was. Kushina then remembered that Kakashi knew where the stand was, having been there earlier.
As she turned to ask Kakashi to take the lead, she already saw him moving to get off the roof, giving her the "follow me" gesture. When the three made it down Kakashi asked a question that made Minato smack his head.
"Wait, sensei don't you have Haraishin marks everywhere in the village?"
Minato nodded in confirmation but, then remembered something that made him sigh.
"The devastation caused by the Kybui's attack probably destroyed a lot of them, and by now those seals have expired. Damn it." the Namikaze cursed at the end. The three were just going to have to take the long way. They began to walk through the streets, soon they found themselves about a quarter way to Ichiraku's, near a weapons shop located in the shinobi sector, when someone called out to Kakashi. Kushina though, would later call it a "banshee's scream".
"Kakashi - sensei!" screeched out said man's pink-haired pupil, Sakura Haruno from outside the door of weapons shop after the adults had passed it. When the parents turned with Kakashi the first thing they noticed was the girl's absolutely bulbous forehead. They also noticed her short, bubblegum-pink hair, and green eyes. She was wearing a red top, black gloves, black shorts underneath a pink skirt, along with pink elbow protectors. The cloth of her forehead protector was red (AN: It's her outfit from Part 2). Behind her was a pale - skinned older teen, with cold black eyes, and equally black hair in the shape of a duck's ass, this was Sasuke Uchiha. Said boy was dressed in civilian attire consisting of a black shirt with his family crest on the back, and gray pants with matching sandals. Kakashi gave them his trademark eye-smile.
"Ah, my cute little chunin" the sensei playfully welcomed as his students walked up to him, bowing their heads in respect to the Yellow Flash, though neither knew who the redhead was. They were in for a surprise, actually, make it two. It would have been three but, they had already figured it out just by seeing the Yondaime.
"Sasuke, Sakura" Kakashi addressed them, in a rather serious, and hushed tone, beckoning them to get closer.
After looking around, and seeing no one, Kakashi spilt the beans.
"Naruto is alive."
The two chunin looked shocked, and unbelieving but, when Kakashi told them about the ten bowls of ramen, they instantly agreed. Nobody else ordered their ramen like that. It was a fact. Sasuke then asked about the woman who had Naruto's chakra signature on her, and if there were any other indications that Naruto has had contact with her. When Kakashi shook his head "no" Sakura recommended getting Kiba, and Akumaru to see if they could pick up Naruto's scent on her, and see if maybe there was a trail they could follow that led to where Naruto was. Her eyebrows then knit in confusion.
"Wait, this woman doesn't seem to holding Naruto against his will if she's actually letting him get that much ramen, or anything at all." Kushina, and Minato had realized it to but, with them being too caught up with the news that their son was alive, they didn't think anything of it.
"Yeah, I noticed that " Kakashi stated, then he rubbed his chin in thought. Sasuke then asked a question.
"Yondaime-sama" he spoke, getting said man's attention, "I can tell just by looking at you that you're Naruto's father but" the black - haired teen pointed a pale hand at Kushina, the Uchiha had a hunch.
"Who is she"?
"Oh, I'm Naruto's mother, Kushina Uzumaki - Namikaze" said woman stated proudly, puffing out her large chest, "Minato, and I married in secret". The woman then spun around, and pointed in the direction that she faced, a grin on her face as she declared with loud voice, "Enough chitchat, dattebane! Let's go get that Inuzuka! To their compound!"
"Um... It's this way."
"...Damn it, dattebane."
After locating Kiba, who's teammates, Shino, and Hinata were helping him walk his family's dogs, at his home, and getting him up to speed with what was going, the Inuzuka heir happily complied, Hinata tagging along, her heart overwhelming joyful that Naruto was alive, though inside she wanted to make that woman suffer dearly for keeping her precious Naruto-kun away from the Hyuga heiress.
The mystery woman shivered suddenly, catching the attention of the emotionless woman, and the child who were previously with the unknown person currently discussing matters with the Hokage.
"Is everything fine, wo?" asked the pale, emotionless woman, her blue-green eyes staring expressionlessly at the black - haired woman. The little girl stared concerned at the woman, her red eyes large with worry.
"I'm fine, I just sensed something sinister, something that will be an obstacle." The pale woman tilted her head, her long flowing silvery hair moving downwards.
"An obstacle to what, wo?"
The black - haired woman gave the pale one a certain look, understanding immediately coming to the pale one. Then the pale one faced forward, and tightened her grip on the jet - black walking-stick she always carried around. The little girl kept looking between the two women, clearly not knowing what the heck they were talking about. Soon, her curiosity vanished as an absolutely delicious scent entered her nose. Turning around she was met with the sight of a fish ramen with extra vegetables in a bowl with a pair of chopsticks sticking out sideways.
"Here ya go! Dig in!" Ayame called out, winking at the little girl. The child somehow managed to properly grasp the chopsticks despite wearing white mittens that had a black design on the back. The girl picked up some fish, and noodles, putting in directly into her mouth, all of her movement stopped as her eyes widened to unbelievable proportions. The Standard - Carrier Wo-Class, named "Wo" for her verbal tick, and Secretary Ship Nagato, the name-ship of the Nagato-class leaned towards the little girl upon seeing that she hadn't moved at all for a few seconds were suddenly blown off their chairs as a giant pillar of blue light erupted from the child, along with a loud shout that was heard everywhere in the village.
"HOP WANTS MORE"!
-With Kakashi, and Co-
" What the hell was that!?"
-At the Hokage Tower, shortly before the shout-
"Despite you no longer being a member of my Shinobi, I am glad that you are still on my side." Sarutobi told the unknown person getting a nod along with a smile, before the person put the hood on, moving towards the door, his hand on the knob.
"HOPPOU WANTS MORE!"
Somehow the shout had pierced through the sound - barrier of the privacy seals, making the old Hokage stare in the direction of the shout in alarm before he heard the person softly chuckle.
"That's my little sister."
The Hokage smiled before it dropped.
"You... Do know that they're searching for you right now?"
The person sighed, before turning to face the kage, and nod.
"Do you want-" Sarutobi began but, was coldly cut off.
"No. If they want me then, they'll have to find me. I don't care how important their mission was, you don't leave a child alone, thinking he's an orphan for seventeen years" the male replied coldly. The kage lowered his head in understanding. Seeing the older man accept the answer, the male turned once more to the door, turning the knob but not opening it. He had one last thing that needed to be said.
"Their place is here, in Kohonagakure. Mine, it's in the Naval District with my Typhoon Fleet."
With his last words said the male opened the door, and started to go towards where the shout originated. Alone, the Third knit his hands together in front of his face, a single thought in his head.
" Minato, Kushina... We really screwed up."
CUT! CHAPTER OVER!
DUN! DUN! DUN! Holy crap! This is a personal record for me, the fastest I've ever released a new chapter! I admit, I am surprised that only one person guessed it was Nagato, then again as one review pointed out, I didn't give a lot of description. Also, whhaaaa?! The Abyssals are here to?! And are friendly!? Yep! I'll get more into that in later chapters, along with how our Admiral became the Admiral. Anyways, ask me questions about this chapter, or the story in general, and please review! Oh, and don't worry, the chapters will be getting longer!
Later! Grey-blueflames burning out!