Chapter Two : Adoptions and Revealations
Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, was trembling with barely restrained rage. He had just thrown several villagers into jail and stripped one chunin of his rank before sending him to the Anbu to be punished. The visit to the hospital after that had confirmed his fears as he had watched the doctors rushing to patch up the two heavily injured young boys.
He had then returned to his office, unable to do much else but to prepare for the meeting of council that was to come.
Someone knocked on his door. His secretary entered, a chunin who had requested a desk job.
"Hokage-sama." His secretary said. "Fugaku Uchiha had ordered an emergency clan heads meeting."
"Damn those bloody Uchihas." Sarutobi groaned.
This was the worse part about being a Hokage. The political maneuvering of some of the larger clans sickened him, and he had a feeling he knew why the emergency meeting was called. It couldn't be because the two young boys were attacked. Not many of the clan heads would bother meeting up to discuss some random violence. Rather, it's what happened during the attack that would concern the council.
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In a rare event of unity, the clan leaders were assembled in the clan hall by the time Sarutobi arrived. The Third Hokage looked around coolly, Fugaku was probably the one who had gathered everyone on such short notice. After all the military police were the ones who had found Peter and Naruto first and the military police was made up mostly of the Uchihas.
Sarutobi glanced around the council grimly as he sat down at his seat, which was at the head of the table.
"Why is this council called?" Sarutobi asked, a rhetorical question as he already suspected the answer.
Fugaku cleared his throat. "It has come to the clan chiefs' attention that a new bloodline has emerged in Konoha. All the clan chiefs are gathered here today to address this issue."
Sarutobi's lips pressed together grimly. Apparently a new bloodline was more important than the fact that two children were seriously hurt by a mob tonight.
"Yes it is true. Myou Reiyou who was known as Peter in the orphanage, was diagnosed by the head doctor at the hospital of having a bloodline that is closely tied to the spiders." Sarutobi said. There was no use hiding this fact, the results would be widely known by tomorrow, all bloodlines in Konoha had to be registered publicly.
"An insect bloodline then." The head of the Aburame house mused. "A boy with a funny name… where is the boy in question?"
"He's still under treatment in the hospital for his injuries. And according to the matron at the orphanage, he insisted to be called by the name Peter from the day he was able to speak coherently." Sarutobi said.
"I've heard that a chunin instigated an attack on the boy and Uzumaki Naruto. Has the chunin in question been punished?" Shikaku Nara asked.
Sarutobi nodded to the man in question with a tense smile. Out of the gathered clans in Konoha, the Naras, Yamanakas and Akimichis were some of the few clans that do not actively bear bad feelings for the demon container. They had their casualties during the kyubbi attack, but the Naras are a family of thinkers and they knew better than to place blame on a boy innocent of any wrong doings. The Yamanakas and Akimichis followed the Naras' example.
"He has been stripped of his rank and sent to the Anbu for questioning."
"I see." The Aburame clan head said. "What are Myou Reiyou's powers in question?"
"According to the tests, Myou Reiyou possesses enhanced speed, strength, and senses along with the ability to emit a web like substance. He will heal faster than the average human and there might still be other unknown abilities we have not learned of." Sarutobi said. "He also possesses an innate summon for the spiders."
There was silence as the clan heads stared at him.
"There has not been a case of a person possessing the ability to summon without signing a contract for decades." The head of the Inuzaka clan said in a strained voice. "And I've never heard of a summons for spiders."
"As you're all aware, the current summoning contracts all over the world always began with one person who was somehow given the ability to summon their own particular creature. No one really knows why the first summoners were able to do what they did." Sarutobi said. "I think you're all well aware that Myou Reiyou might be the first summoner for the spiders and only he can say who he would pass the contract to."
"Well that's well and good Hokage-sama, but let's move on to the important thing." Fugaku cut in. "According to the public records, Myou Reiyou is the lone survivor of his family, the rest were wiped out eight years ago in the Kyubbi attack. Seeing that he's a bloodline wielder, the law states that…"
"I am aware of the law Fugaku." Sarutobi said with a frown. "I was the one that created the law on bloodline wielders."
"Then you're aware that since he's the only survivor of his bloodline and also a minor who cannot fend for himself, special care must be taken for his survival." Fugaku said. "On behalf of the Uchiha clan, I would like to take him in as a member of my clan."
Sarutobi's eyes narrowed. He knew it would come to this. The Uchihas had a thirst for power and would not settle for second best. Now that a new bloodline had emerged together with a new summoning contract, it would be in each of the clans' interest to take in the child, and hopefully marry the child in within their clans.
"I object." The head of the Aburame clan said. "Seeing that the child's abilities are of an insect type bloodline, it would be prudent to leave that child in the care of the Aburame clan where we could provide more understanding for his powers."
"The Uchihas would be able to provide for the boy better. We know thousands of jutsus…"
Sarutobi tuned out the rest of the conversation as the rest of the clan heads began joining in the arguments, the only ones standing neutral were the Inuzaka, Nara, Yamanaka and Akimichi clan heads.
There was a knock on the door and the archivist in charge of the Konoha's public records came in. He made his way to the Hokage, passing him a piece of paper before leaving the room. Looking at the newly gathered information, Sarutobi smiled.
"It seemed that I've found a way to resolve this problem." Sarutobi said. The clan heads paused in their arguments, turning to him. "Do all of you agree that Myou Reiyou should be taken in by one of the clans instead of surviving in the orphanage?"
"Of course Hokage-sama. We can't have a repeat of what happened today. This boy contains a new bloodline and a new summon, he must be protected!" Fugaku said.
"Very well then. Shikaku do you recall Tamase Nara?" Sarutobi turned to the Nara clan head.
"My great aunt? What does she have to do with this?" Shikaku Nara asked.
"She married Natan Reiyou, grandfather of Myou Reiyou." Sarutobi said with a smile, seeing Shikaku's eyes suddenly light up in understanding. "Myou Reiyou is distantly related to the Nara clan and as such, you will be allowed first choice for the custody of the child. Do you accept?"
Off to the side, Fugaku spluttered his protest while the Aburame clan head sat silently watching the proceedings.
"I see… that's troublesome…" Shikaku Nara said with a sigh but quickly straightened himself as the Hokage sent him a sharp look that promised hell if he didn't agreed. "Er… Truthfully I have no problem with it… I would need to discuss with my clan, but I foresee no objections on their part."
"But Hokage-sama…" Fugaku said.
"By law of Konoha, the Nara clan is allowed first choice to the boy based on their distant blood ties." Sarutobi said firmly. "This you well know. As such, this is the end of the matter today. Is there anything else that needs to be brought to my attention right now?"
"Yes Hokage-sama." The Aburame clan head spoke up. "With you and Shikaku's permission, I would like to assist in the training of the boy…"
Sarutobi smiled as he listened to the Aburame clan head's proposal. One problem was solved, and a political mess was avoided. At least with the boy cared for by the Naras, he would be out of the hands of the Uchihas who might use him as a political pawn.
With the matter at hand settled, Sarutobi's thoughts drifted to the two children in hospital right now, especially Naruto. He hoped that they would be alright.
………………………………………….
six days later…
"Peter, Peter! Wake up!"
"Hmm… Let me sleep." Peter groaned as someone began shaking him.
"Ojii-san!" Naruto's voice called out. "Why is Peter like that? He's been sleeping for days!"
"Naruto, most people heal much slower than you do." Sarutobi's voice said. "Peter is already healing faster than normal people."
"You mean we're special?" Naruto asked.
Peter snatched the pillow under his head and threw it in the direction of Naruto's voice.
"Omph!" Naruto cried out.
"I can't sleep with you chatting here!" Peter complained as he got up. "I swear you come here every morning just to annoy me!"
"That's because you're still in the hospital. I got well on my second day here." Naruto whined. "But it's you sixth day already and you still have to stay here. The orphanage is very boring without you."
Peter sighed, understanding Naruto's feelings. Though no one had dared to treat Naruto badly at the orphanage anymore, they had the tendency to give him a wide berth, leaving him to his own devices.
"Well I am trying my best to recover." Peter said turning to the Hokage. "Hokage-sama, can I leave the hospital today? The wound is almost healed now." Peter said tapping the knife wound on his chest.
"Well it just happened that I had a talk with the doctor just now. You'll most probably be allowed to leave if there are no unforeseen problems." Sarutobi said with a smile. He gave a sigh as his face changed. "But there are some things that we need to talk about. Naruto, you remember Shikaku-san who came with us to the hospital? He should be talking to the doctor, get him here alright?"
"Alright Ojii-san!" Naruto said cheerfully as he ran out of the room.
Peter observed the Hokage with a sinking feeling, something about the look on the old man's face made him weary.
"Is it about the villagers? I already said Naruto and I did nothing to provoke them and I am really sorry about hurting them, even though I don't remember summoning the spider you told me about." Peter said in a rush, finishing off his words hotly. "And they do deserve what they got!"
"Now Peter, calm down. This isn't about the villagers, though I've seen to it that the people responsible are punished." Sarutobi reassured. "But the emergence of your unique abilities must be carefully cultivated… Ah Shikaku! You're here, that's good."
A man wearing a fishnet vest in his early thirties walked into the room with Naruto trailing behind curiously.
"Hokage-sama, I assume this is Myou Reiyou." Shikaku said looking at Peter.
"My name is Peter." Peter corrected turning back to look at the Hokage anxiously. "So what is it that you want to tell me?"
The Hokage gave Naruto a look and coughed uncomfortably, then meet Peter's eyes.
"Konoha is a village of ninjas, as such we look upon people with bloodline limits as the treasures of Konoha." Hokage began, though from his solemn tone, Peter knew that the news was not going to be anything good. "Peter, you have an unique bloodline limit, added with the fact that you are the first summoner of the Spiders, the council had agreed to put you under the protection of ninjas who are capable of looking after you. Shikaku is your distant uncle, by the decree of the village council, from today onwards, you'll be living with him."
Naruto paled at the news while Peter just stared at the Hokage in dread.
"Don't worry Peter." Shikaku began saying. "The Nara clan has agreed on this, from now on, you'll be one of us."
Peter looked at Naruto who was unusually quiet at the news. His eyes were downcast, staring at the floor.
"No." Peter said loudly, causing Naruto to look at him shock. "I am not leaving Naruto behind at the orphanage. We are sworn brothers now, and I am not going to go somewhere else and leave him alone."
There was a light twinkling in the Hokage's eyes, though he said seriously. "I understand you concern, but unfortunately, your adoption is by the mandate of the council. It cannot be lightly put aside."
"Then I'll run away." Peter said with a huff. "I am not leaving Naruto behind."
"This is troublesome." Shikaku said with a sigh. "Look, there's no need for talk about running away. Naruto can also come join us as a honorable member of the family."
"Shikaku, are you sure?" Hokage asked with a start. "Your Clan…"
"My wife will be fine with it. As for the clan, I'll deal with them." Shikaku told the Hokage rubbing his forehead tiredly. He turned to face Peter and Naruto. "Well let's get Peter out of the hospital and I'll bring the two of you to meet my family."
"You really mean it? You're taking both of us?" Naruto asked, his eyes shining with unshed tears.
"I don't go back on my word." Shikaku said seriously. "Now, let's see about getting you two some new clothes…"
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Shikamaru looked at the two boys dubiously, his father had brought the two of them home and told him that they are both Shikamaru's brothers now, part of the Nara clan. His mother had took it in stride and ordered him to take the two of them to the bathhouse to clean up, before pulling father into the kitchen.
Shikamaru could hear raised voices, but he could not make out what they were saying.
"This is the bathhouse." Shikamaru said pausing outside the structure in question. "You can clean up here."
"Wow! Your own bath house. This is so nice!" The boy called Naruto said excitedly, rushing inside with his new clothes.
The other boy, Peter, gave Shikamaru a nod and smiled. "Thank you."
Shikamaru looked as the door shut behind them and pondered. That Naruto kid is just too loud and excitable, living with him would probably be a headache, but Peter on the other hand seemed the total opposite of Naruto, calm and mature. Shikamaru wondered thoughtfully if he knew how to play chess…
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"Shikaku! What do you think you're doing bringing that boy back with you?" Yoshino hissed. "You know how the elders feel about him!"
Shikaku rubbed his eyes tiredly. "It was the only way to get Peter Reiyou to join the clan. He refused to leave Naruto behind. Apparently they're quite close."
"I thought the boy is called Myou Reiyou? And that isn't a reason Shikaku!" Yoshino said agitatedly. "Have you given any thought about how the social standing of the clan will be affected by adopting that boy as one of our own?"
"Myou Reiyou insisted on being called by the name Peter and I've agreed with him we'll continue to let him use it." Shikaku said wearily. "Don't worry dear, I am the clan head, I'll explain my decision to adopt Naruto to the elders."
"You maybe the clan head now, but another of your cousins can be easily chosen to take over your position!" Yoshino said glaring at him. "Honestly, I don't mind taking the boy in, but why give him false hopes when you know that the elders will force you to put him back into the orphanage anyway?"
Shikaku looked at his wife then sighed. "Because now I have the excuse to adopt him without anyone suspecting my intentions, and because Naruto is the only son of the Fourth Hokage."
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The elders were seated in a circle as well as the other council members of the Nara clan. Shikaku walked up to them, bowing slightly before sitting at the chair reserved for the clan head.
"I think you know why you're called here Shikaku." One of the clan elder said in a raspy voice. "Let us dispense with the formalities and explain to us why you chose to invite trouble to the clan by adopting the demon container."
"Very well council members." Shikaku said dryly as he started passing around the documents in his hands. "The information I am passing to you now is a SS rank top secret. It was one that I uncovered after many months of research. Anyone that betrayed this secret will be put to death by the clan."
"What!" Shikaku saw one of his uncles looking at him in shock. "Shikaku, what have you done? The clan never held any secrets of that high level before."
Shikaku looked at the council members to make sure he had their attention. "I'll explain in time. Elders, do you still remember, that Kushina, wife of the Fourth Hokage, was supposedly pregnant and was about to go into labor during the time Kyubi attacked the village?"
"Of course we remembered. It was such an auspicious event that was ruined by the arrival of that demon!" One of the elder spat. "It is another reason why the demon container must never be allowed a place in our clan!"
There were a few loud voices as a few of the council members voiced their agreements. Shikaku looked coldly at them.
"I've always wondered. What happened to the baby? The Third Hokage had told everyone that the baby died, along with Kushina during the labor. Which coincidentally happened the night when the Kyubi attacked our village." Shikaku said tonelessly. "There was never any funeral for the baby and as time passed, he was forgotten as Konoha struggled to rebuild from the Kyubi attack. I felt something wasn't right and weeks after the attack, I did some digging on my own, searching hospital records and the old residence of the Fourth Hokage."
"Shikaku, you know I will always stand by your decisions. But you're not making a strong argument for your case which is the adoption of Naruto Uzumaki." One of his closer cousins cut in. "What does the dead baby of the Fourth Hokage have to do with anything?"
"Read the reports I've passed to you. The Nara clan had always pride itself on being a family of thinkers and keepers of knowledge." Shikaku said bowing his head looking down. "You can come to your own conclusion on the reports yourself."
Several of the council members shoot him dubious looks but everyone began flipping through the reports. Shikaku closed his eyes, remaining in silent meditation.
"This!..."
"Oh my god…"
"This cannot be true!" Several of the council members began crying out as they finished the reports. There was chaos as the council members began to turn to each other in fierce debate.
"Why would I lie to you about a matter of such importance? Why do you think I said before I hand out the reports that this is a SS rank secret?" Shikaku said, his calm collected voice cutting through the loud and agitated shouts of the council members.
"But if this information is true, why would the Third Hokage lie to us… unless…" The elder who had spoke up paused before continuing his sentence, understanding on his face. "The Fourth Hokage had made many enemies in his life. If news that the child of the Fourth was still alive…"
"There would have been many assassination attempts, which without the Fourth or his wife around to protect the child, the baby would have died sooner or later… Not even the Anbu could be around every hour of the day to safe guard him." Another council member finished for him. "But Shikaku how can you be sure that the information you've found is accurate?"
"In the brashness of my youth, after I've suspected a cover up, I've broke into the Hokage's secret library to uncover the truth… Those are copies of what I've found there." Shikaku admitted wearily.
"Shikaku! If the Third Hokage finds out about this, the Nara clan could be accused of treason!" One of the elders said harshly.
"I've no intention of letting the clan members know about this secret that I've uncovered in the first place." Shikaku said tiredly. "Originally, after I realized the amount of danger this information could bring, I had thought to take it to my grave with me. But then I had a chance to adopt Naruto Uzumaki and the clan had wanted to know why I did it… After much thinking, I decided it's best if the clan knew the truth. It'll save us all a lot of trouble and explanations.
I knew that no matter what flaws each of us have, we Naras as a whole are loyal to clan and village. I am sure you've not forgotten the debt that the Nara clan and many others owned to the Fourth Hokage. I trust that all of you can keep the secret that I've passed to you and make the right judgements."
There was an awkward silence and for a moment, no one said anything. Then one of the elder spoke in guilt.
"Who would have ever thought that the demon container is the child of our most important hero? No wonder the Third Hokage had always told the citizens that the child is the legacy of the Fourth." the elder said downcast, the fire within him died out. "None of us guessed the truth… To think of how we've treated the child all those years… The Naras will always do the right thing, I will stand by your decision to adopt the child. It's the least we can do for the memory of the Fourth Hokage. By protecting his son, Naruto Uzumaki!"
As the rest of the council members voiced their agreement, Shikaku gave a small smile feeling a load lifted off him. At least the burden of the secret was not his alone to bear now, and Naruto Uzumaki would find a home with the Naras, for as long as he lived.
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Sarutobi gazed down at his crystal ball, where the image of the meeting of the Nara clan council was imposed in it. The telescope jutsus was one of his creation which could transfer images and sounds of distance events.
The Third Hokage shakes his head wearily. Who would have thought that Shikaku would have uncovered the secret of Naruto's birth and kept it hidden for so long? And now, all the Nara clan council members were in the know. If it had been any other clans, Sarutobi might have been worried. But of all the clans, the Naras were the least ambitious and one of the few clans that were deadly loyal to him and the Fourth. Also, of all the ninjas in this generation, Shikaku was one of the few that were trustworthy.
Sarutobi reflected on what he had seen. The changes in the attitudes of the Nara clan members after they had known of Naruto's lineage made him wonder if he had made the right choice, to keep Naruto's relation to the Fourth a secret.
But then he thought about the Uchihas who would have attempted to take guardianship of Naruto if the truth was known. The numerous enemies of the Fourth who would have came after Naruto seeking his death. Deep down, Sarutobi knew that the reasons he had kept Naruto's birth a secret still held true. Perhaps when Naruto's all grown up and able to take care of himself, then, and only then would Sarutobi release the secret to public.
With a command, Sarutobi undo the jutsus holding the images and sounds in the crystal ball. He would observe the Nara clan for a while longer to make sure that they did not make a wrong move. He would let them keep their secret for a while longer, and entrust Naruto to their care.
After all, trust had to begin somewhere, and it's time that Naruto had a family willing to take care of him.
………………………………………….
Rookie 12:
Sakura Haruno
Hinata Hyuga
Kiba Inuzuka
Ino Yamanaka
Choji Akimichi
Naruto Uzumaki
Shino Aburame
Peter Parker
Sai
Sasuke Uchiha
Shikamaru Nara
?
Team 7 (Hayate Gekko)
1) Naruto Uzumaki
Team 8 (Kurenai Yuhi)
1) Shino Aburame
Team 10 (Asuma Sarutobi)
1) Shikamaru Nara
Team 11 (Kakashi Hatake)
1) Peter Parker
2) Sai
3) Sasuke Uchiha
Team Guy (Maito Gai)
1) Neji Hyuga
2) Rock Lee
3) Tenten
Adoptive Parents
1) Shikaku Nara (father)
2) Yoshino Nara (mother)
Description: When Spiderman died of a fatal wound, he never would have imagined that he would be reborn into a new world, and became the sworn brother of one Uzumaki Naruto. Spiderman and Naruto Crossover
Disclaimer : I do not own the story lines or characters from Spiderman or Naruto. This is purely a work of fanfiction.
Author's Note: As all of you might have guessed now, my story will be AU. Instead of the original Rookie 9, there'll be Rookie 12, due to the involvement of Peter Parker in the story.
I've no idea for the 12th Rookie currently, and no way am I making up an OC to fill one of the major character spots… Maybe I'll think of someone along the way. Haku? Hmm... problem is I don't see him settling down in Konoha...
Currently I've already distributed the more important characters into four teams. The rest will have to wait until I flesh out my story a bit more before I can decide.
Please note that the first few chapters will revolve around the childhood of Naruto, Peter, and Shikamaru. Like I said, this fic is an AU.
Thanks Bobbky! For letting me know :)
