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CHAPTER 2
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Blood dripping from the kunai in his hands, Minato could only blankly stare at the body in front of him. The thoughts swirling in his mind were equal part shock and dread. The mere idea that the one of his own ANBU would attempt to kill his 5 year old son was almost more than Minato could bear. The villagers were one thing, even the occasional idiot ninja who had lost family to the Kyuubi he could understand, though not forgive. Once again he thanked Kami for the idea of tattooing the Hiraishin formula onto his son's arm. The only regret was that it had to be used so often.

Minato chuckled at the sad joke, "They don't call me a sealing master for nothing. I don't know how these people expect to break in without me knowing. But for one of the ANBU to try this, regardless of his internal justification, means this has come too far."

Almost immediately after the Kyuubi had been sealed away, the threats and assassination attempts on young Naruto had begun. Always when the Hokage was away or otherwise occupied, a villager or ninja that had lost family in the attack tried to kill the infant that was the object of their hatred. Only the jutsu which had given him the title of the Yellow Flash and the dedication of his two remaining students had prevented the unthinkable from happening.

He wiped clean his blade and put it away. Spreading a scroll on the ground, the Fourth Hokage sealed the body away and stood tall. He summoned two frogs and gave them their instructions. It was time.

Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu glanced at each other, then at Danzou as the stepped into the council chambers. To be summoned for an emergency council session on the 5th anniversary of the Kyuubi's attack meant it could only be about one thing: Namikaze Naruto, the Jinchuuriki. Looking around, they could see the representatives of the various clans. Different as they all were, each and every one looked confused and irritated at being pulled in at the last moment.

As the steady murmur of dissatisfaction continued everybody suddenly felt a presence at the front of the room, the Hokage had arrived.

Fugaku Uchiha, the leader of the Uchiha clan immediately spoke up. "What possible reason could there be for a council meeting on the festival day? This has better be good to be wasting our ti..."

Fugaku had trailed off for two very good reasons. One being that the Hokage had suddenly vanished, the other being the three-pointed kunai held to his neck.

"This is not the day I will put up with your arrogance Uchiha, consider this your only warning." Whispered Minato into Fugaku's ear.

All of a suddent, the Fourth was back at the front of the council hall. "For 5 years now, I have endured the hatred this village holds for my son while somehow still thinking me a hero. Tonight was the last straw!" Throwing a scroll to the ground and shouting "Kai!" the fading smoke revealed the body of an ANBU black ops agent. Glaring at Danzou, he continued. "Behold the result of the latest attempt on my son's life! His blade was already on the downward stroke when I intervened. What is your problem that you all cannot tell the difference between a demon and it's prison?"

Danzou was the first to speak up, "Lord Hokage, are you implying that someone on this council has acted against your son? Is there any proof you bring as to the instigator of this heinous attack?" He asked with an expressionless face?

"As I expected. You truly plan to sit there and play innocent do you? This makes my decision that much easier..." The Hokage's body flickered momentarily, there were members of the council that blinked and missed it. Moments later, Danzou's head separated from his body and fell to the floor. "Consider this my resignation, pursue me if you wish, but remember who you chase. This village has sickened me for the last time."

The remaining council members stared at the now empty podium, then at the body of the infamous ROOT leader. An explosion could be heard in the distance as the Namikaze clan hall went up in flames.

Suddenly appearing in front of his students miles from Konoha, Minato paused to realize the gravity of what he had done. "Are you two really willing to join me in this? Do you understand the consequences of this action? There is still time for you to not get involved."

Kakashi looked up from the small child in his arms, "Sensei, we are with you till the end, so stop asking us that! Why on earth would we want to live in a village willing to kill an innocent child for no reason?"

"We're with you till the end, you know!" Added Rin.

"Thank you both, We'll meet you at the border to Tea Country and continue on from there." He took Naruto from the Copy Nin and vanished.

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A/N: Not very long I know, but I think I got the direction of the story right. Looking forward to the next chapter. Thanks to those of you that reviewed!