THE UZUMAKI LEGACY

Chapter 1: The Decision

Two and a half months have passed since that terrible day. Unfortunately, that is not enough time for the villagers to get over the events that took place that night. The entire village was in mourning whether it be for a lost family member, loved one, or for the fourth Hokage. But no matter what the reason was, everyone had something worth crying about. But, as Sarutobi noted to himself, the village was full of strong willed people. They had already begun the next important step: moving on.

Not only did that mean that most were beginning to get over the deaths, but they were starting to rebuild what was previously destroyed. Each day that the Hokage walked down the streets of his village, he noticed new progress in Konoha's reconstruction. In his heart, he felt pride for his villagers and his shinobi to be able to overcome such a tragedy. But in his mind, he couldn't help but wonder what he could have done to save one more life…what he could have done to save Minato…

The Yondaime's funeral was sad to say the least. Even people from different countries and villages everywhere came to pay tribute to the Yellow Flash. Some even stayed to help rebuild the village. Thankfully, no one bothered to argue against Sarutobi returning as Hokage. That sort of drama was unnecessary at the moment.

This morning, no different from any other morning, found Sarutobi heading for Konoha's main hospital to check up on the mysterious baby known as Naruto. The Sandaime had yet to get over the death of Minato, but he soon realized that he had been given a second chance. He may not have been able to save the previous Hokage, but he refused to fail this child. After all, the baby he was now on his way to visit was none other than Namikaze Naruto, son of the Yondaime Hokage. Although that was the boy's rightful name, his mother had asked that he be called Uzumacki Naruto instead. Sarutobi couldn't help but feel a bit excited; he couldn't wait to watch as the boy grew into a powerful shinobi that his father would be proud of.

But Naruto wasn't the only person on Sarutobi's mind. He hadn't forgotten about the child's apparent mother who called herself Uzumacki Kushina. She was quite an energetic young woman. The Sandaime's mind now drifted back to that faithful day about a week after the disaster, when he finally got a chance to speak with the said mother.

Flashback-

Sarutobi rushes to Konoha's main hospital. He has just received word that the mysterious woman from the attack that took place a week ago was finally conscious and ready to speak. He had many questions. He reached the woman's room door and walked in to find her laying in bed gazing out the window.

" I understand that you must have lots of questions right old man? Well go ahead, let em loose!" she said without even looking at the surprised Hokage. Sarutobi was a little angered that this stranger would talk to him in such a way.

"My name is not "Old Man". I am Sarutobi Hiruzen, Hokage of this village and you are quite right, I have many questions starting with this one: Just who on earth are you?"

"We haven't met before but I already heard lots about you old man. But don't worry, ill answer all of your stupid questions." she slowly shifted into a sitting position, wincing slightly, being careful not to open any wounds. "I am Uzumacki Kushina, former leader of the Whirlpool village. Nice to meet ya!"

Sarutobi walked down the hospital halls toward the room where Naruto was kept. He stopped in front of a room that he recognized. He opened the door and peered inside. It was empty but Sarutobi could see himself talking to that crazy red haired woman in this very room as though it were yesterday.

Flashback-

"Leader of the Whirlpool?" said a shocked Sarutobi. "Then what were you doing here in the middle of Konoha during the demon attack a week ago? And what connections did you have with Namikaze Minato?"

"Minato was my husband. We meet on the battlefield. I was kidnapped by Rock shinobi during the war they had with this village. They knew of my alliance with the leaf and tried to interrogate me to find out it's secrets. Minato, bless his soul, journeyed into the heart of Iwagakure by himself to rescue me. We fought side by side and almost died on numerous occasions trying to escape. We made it out by the skin of our teeth and fell in love in the process. But we were forced to keep our relationship a secret until now. It wasn't until the attack a week ago that I gave birth to his child, Naruto. He immediately took our baby and used him to seal away the Kyuubi and save the village. There. What's your next question old man?"

He remembered just how shocked he was when he heard that news.

'Minato kept his love a secret for the better of the village, even from I who was one of the few people that he could trust with anything. Only someone like Minato would be able to hide such a huge secret for so long. He told us all that he was going to Iwagakure to save an ally in order to protect Konoha's plans and strategies for the war. I should have seen that there was a much deeper reason for such a risk. I should have realized that there was love involved. But I was too proud. I let my pride in him blind me. I let him go without a second thought, not even worrying that he wouldn't come back and when he did, I still didn't even notice.'

Sarutobi gazed at the empty bed where the kunoichi once sat.

Flashback-

"Tha- that can't be! I would have known! Minato knew he could trust me with anything!" Shouted Sarutobi after a moment of stunned silence.

"Don't you get it? You were one of the few people he could trust but he looked up to you more than anyone else! You thought of him as the perfect shinobi. You even recommended him for the title of Hokage! What if he told you that he had fallen in love? What would you have said?"

"I-I would have been happy for him!"

"That's a lie and you know it! What is it that you preach? A Shinobi must show no emotion to his enemy. He didn't want to disappoint you! That's why he didn't tell you old man!"

Sarutobi closed his eyes. As much as he didn't want to admit it, he knew that she was right. Minato had been too scared to tell him the truth.

"Forgive me Kushina…you are right. But starting right now, I will make up for my mistakes. I want you to know that you and your son are welcome here. Consider Konoha your home."

"Thanks but no thanks old man."

"What do you mean no thanks? You need a place to stay! You-"

"For goodness sake the boy has a demon inside of him!" Kushina winced slightly. "What if the villagers found out that the thing that killed their loved ones was…sniff….was…" She could hold her tears no longer. However strong a kunoichi she was, no mother could imagine their son living a life in torment. "I can't let him stay here."

"I understand but I can assure you that I will do everything I possibly can to make sure he is completely safe. Please stay."

"Sorry but…I just can't take that risk…he's coming back to the Whirlpool village with me. We will stay here for a month or two but after that, we're out of here. The council back home has probably elected a new leader by now, so the village should be fine until I return."

After some deliberation, Sarutobi agreed to let the two leave. In fact today was the day of departure. It is the last day that the old man would be able to see the boy he thought of as a grandson. He faced the child's closed door. With a twinge in his heart, he prepared his farewell and opened. That's when he remembered what Kushina had said on her first day out of the hospital.

Flashback-

"Hey old man, you should remember that my husband's death wasn't your fault. There was nothing that either of us could of done to save him. It was almost as if…he didn't want to be saved…"

"Come to say goodbye, eh old man?"

The third Hokage entered the room to find Naruto accompanied by his mother. She held the boy in her arms with a smile on her face as he slept.

"Everything has been arranged Kushina. You will be escorted to the Whirlpool village by one of the most elite shinobi this village has to offer. It is the least I can do." said Sarutobi hiding his hands which trembled slightly.

"It's not like we need the protection as long as I'm around but whatever, thanks I guess."

"Come on in Kakashi." A silver haired young man entered the room. He had his left eye covered by his slanted leaf forehead protector and was dressed in an Anbu uniform.

"Yo" he said calmly.

"Kakashi huh…I've heard of you. Just try to keep up okay One-Eye?" The man called Kakashi side-looked at Sarutobi who only returned an understanding smile.

"Yes I can tell already, you two will have an enjoyable journey!" said the old man.

A few minutes later, Sarutobi stood opposite Kakashi, Kushina, and Naruto who was strapped safely to her back, at the north gate.

"Well then, this is farewell. Kakashi, I trust you with their protection."

"As always, there is nothing to worry about." said Kakashi.

"Kushina it has been a pleasure and I hope to see the two of you again someday."

"Don't sweat it Old Man, you will. See ya." She turned to leave.

"Wait I almost forgot." Sarutobi searched his robes. "Ahh here it is. It would have been too bad if I let you leave without this." Out came a scroll. It was simple and ordinary looking. On the outside was the kanji symbol for "Seal". "I want you to have this. It belonged to Minato. I wish I could tell you what's inside but it is closed with a special seal that even I can't open. I believe that he wanted you to have it. It is protected by many different Jutsu so I suggest you wait till you get home to open it since it will take some time to do so."

"I see, thanks Old Man." said Kushina, eyeing the scroll in her hand with a curious eye.

"You are quite welcome. Take care."

And so they set off, leaving a worried and sad old man behind. When they were out of sight, Sarutobi also turned to leave, but he wasn't heading toward the Hokage tower. He walked down a dark alley full of shadows and stopped in the middle making sure no one else was around. Shivering slightly, he placed his right hand on the ground and concentrated his chakra. With a puff of smoke, a figure appeared with its face hidden in shadow.

"Well done Sarutobi. You make me proud." said the shadowy figure. Sarutobi didn't reply, he only started shivering even more. "Everything went according to plan thanks to you! Now do me another favor will you? I promised an old friend of mine that I would make him the next Hokage so…if you don't mind…go ahead and slit your throat."

Sarutobi whipped out a sharp kunai. Hands trembling, he slowly raised it to his throat but managed to stop inches away from his Adam's apple.

"I-I….W-wont…" he murmured struggling against himself.

"Oh but on the contrary, you will! Do you know why? I'll tell you why!" the shadowed figure moved closer to the old man. He was now face to face and eye to eye with the third Hokage. "Because no man on this earth is above my influence. That's why!" And with that, the sound of ripping skin and splattered blood echoed down the alley, followed by a thud and the evil laughter of a villain.

Next time: Another Hokage falls! A village in shock as the mystery begins! And Zombie Brothers attack!

You already finished reading so why not review?

A/n: Good news: The next chapter will be longer and action-packed to make up for this chapters lack of action. I just thought the first chapter should be used to explain a few things before I start writing battles. Scream at me!