Mitsu
The funeral for the fallen of the attack was held a week later. There still had to be damage control but for the time being, everyone was finally there and accounted for amongst the living…and the dead. Sasuke and I remained quiet because of the general atmosphere surrounding us full of the grieving. However, my curiosity was peaked and so I spent the majority of it looking around for familiar faces in the crowd from the series.
I recognized Iruka Umino who was weeping for the loss of his parents. I noticed Kurenai and Asuma Sarutobi along with Might Gai. I saw a few more like Ebisu, Kakashi – the mask gave him away – and even Mizuki – the traitor who'd get justice served to him in due time. We just had to be patient.
The third Hokage I recognized because of his attire and I even noticed Jiraiya – the perverted sage – standing off to the side. As my curious eyes roved, I didn't quite hear or even pay attention to the words of mourning. I know that might sound disrespectful of me but I still felt off about the whole incident myself and the fact I'd once died too made my mind wonder how my own funeral would've gone. I know I'd been ready and willing back then but it still made me want to cry whenever I remembered my last life. Goodbyes in general were hard. Oh and let's not forget that I couldn't understand the language to save my life at the moment.
My eyes finally fell upon the front where the symbol for the fire country stood in the cemetery and upon that stone's base sat a basket with a baby bundled up in blankets. A tuft of blonde hair poked out from within the basket and I had no doubts that on his cheeks were the whisker birthmarks. It couldn't be anybody else except for Naruto Uzumaki. I let my eyes rove the crowd once more until they fell on Kakashi again. I stared at him for a little bit before deciding to move on when I noticed something off. I leaned out for a better view, my mother who was holding me adjusting me on her hip so I wouldn't fall. I saw brown hair with purple markings on cheeks standing next to him and my eyes widened.
It was Rin from team Minato. But she was supposed to be dead right? I wonder how she's still around. Suddenly a flash of movement caught my eye and I turned to see Itachi who was holding Sasuke looking behind us at the graves. I bet he was wondering at the meaning of life again. Unfortunately that was a question that not even the greatest of philosopher's had been able to agree on in my last life. Even I had troubles contemplating it and the whole reincarnation into another world thing was throwing me for a loop.
Suddenly I felt my mother shift and I turned to look around. The funeral seemed to be ended as everyone stopped standing still and mourning and one by one began to part ways. Soon we were walking away from the grave site towards the exit. Mother handed me off to Itachi in the back pack carrier and sent us back towards the district. Meanwhile she had to go out to get groceries. I dozed off along the way and soon found myself standing in the middle of the compound outside. I leaned my head on Itachi's shoulder blade and snoozed, listening to the sounds around me.
"Itachi-Kun!" I heard a girl's voice exclaim. I lifted my head some to see Izumi from the other night approaching. She stopped near us having gained Itachi's attention. Then the two began to speak and I had to assume this was the part where she was thanking him for saving her. However as usual he was blunt and straight forward with his reply. Suddenly I sensed stirring and noticed that Sasuke who'd been snoozing too was now awake and staring at the girl warily. For some reason it made me think that his anti-fangirl senses were already kicking in. Izumi noticed him first and looked down.
She talked to Itachi again and he answered once again bluntly with a 'no' in Japanese. However, she blew him off as being ridiculous and went ahead picking up Sasuke. Big mistake! See unless I do something like that first then Sasuke's more withdrawn and throws a fit just like he's doing right now. He went into full on baby freak out as soon as he was out of Itachi's arms. Itachi quickly took him back and I gave him my best baby deadpan expression asking 'really?' with my chakra. He replied with 'I don't know her' and I couldn't help bursting into giggles. This drew Izumi's gaze to me.
Itachi talked to her again – probably apologizing for Sasuke's rudeness – and then he turned to offer me to her instead. I eagerly stretched out my arms to be picked up and she took the invitation. She cooed and giggled at me while she tickled my belly making me laugh. Then I did what I usually did when picked up by other girls or anyone with long hair, I started playing with her hair gently to get extra baby cuteness points. It was a little game Sasuke and I played to see which one of us could get the most attention and even though he was just a baby like me, he was super competitive. So it was no surprise that when my turn was done, he started making a fuss wanting her to pick him up again to do his own thing.
He had this thing where he tried to play with the person's face. I didn't do it because it was disrespectful but seeing as how he didn't know what that meant, he was perfectly fine with playing smooshy face with whoever was holding him. I had to admit though it had its own kind of charm that earned him points. I of course was the only one really keeping score. Eventually, Izumi gave Sasuke back and she and Itachi exchanged a few words before they parted ways. I could tell Sasuke and I had just made her day.
Later that day, mother returned home and got us ready to go out. Today was a day for our daily checkups. I was put in the stroller alongside of Sasuke who wasn't looking forward to it. We'd have to get a needle no doubt and he was nervous if his chakra fluxes were any indication. I'd have to go first to make it quick and painless. After all I'd learned how to use my chakra to numb the pain since the last time.
We arrived sooner than expected; Sasuke having dozed off along the way. While he snoozed, I went in first and made a cutesy scene for the nurses. Eventually I was given back with a perfect health report. When it was Sasuke's turn he threw a fuss with mom having to help calm him down and hold him in place for the doctors. When he came back also in perfect health he had a sour look on his face. After a while though the pouty pants was fast asleep again.
On our way out, we passed by a few rooms that housed some of our injured clansmen and mom's friends. We greeted – or rather Itachi and mom greeted – and spoke with the ones who were awake and Sasuke and I were allowed to be held by some of them. I didn't mind it as it gave me a chance to earn more cutesy points. However, we came to one room that housed a patient that shouldn't have been there.
When we entered, I saw Rin and Kakashi there – I'm absolutely positive it's Rin now. I wondered why they'd be there while the grownups talked but soon I got my answer I was lifted into the arms of the bed's occupant.
I stared with shock into the face of Obito Uchiha. I just didn't know how to take the fact that he was well…alive and here and…probably not the one who caused the nine tail's attack. I was just so confused. Of course then he decides to act like a complete goofball trying to get my attention with wild actions he probably shouldn't have been performing with his injuries. Eventually I just stared at him with an unamused face.
It didn't take long for him to turn to Kakashi and start complaining in Japanese. Mom was laughing; trying to suppress it with a hand and Itachi was giving him weird looks. I'd have rolled my eyes at his scene if I didn't already know that's probably what every other Uchiha would do. I wasn't about to fall into a family pattern.
Anyways, the argument between Obito and Kakashi ended with Obito practically shoving me into Kakashi's arms. The flustered and annoyed guy didn't exactly know what to do with me and I was tempted to laugh. I tried to hold it in though. Bad idea though as something else came out that I'm not proud of – okay maybe a little. What…you can't blame me for not having proper control over my bowels at this stage in life.
Nevertheless, the sound then the stink that rose made Kakashi cringe and I couldn't stop the laughter that erupted from within me. It got Sasuke goin' too which made me worse knowing this guy was one day going to be his teacher. Obito meanwhile was losing his head with us while Rin and Mikoto were holding their sides. Itachi found it amusing too but tried to hide his laughter.
I heard Kakashi grumble something as he slowly tried to hand me back to Obito. He took me back carefully and spoke to me with such a cheery disposition that I couldn't help agreeing with him by giggling and laughing as he did. Sasuke clapped his hands excitedly baby style while bouncing in mom's arms. I heard him congratulate me. 'Good one' he spoke with his chakra and I couldn't have agreed more.
After a while which included a diaper change for me and goodbyes to Obito and his team, we were on our way down another hallway when all of a sudden we stopped before a large window. Turning in Itachi's arms to look at it, I could see it was an incubation room with many babies laid out and sleeping peacefully. One however caught my eye; the same one my mother was looking at.
Naruto lay there sleeping soundly in his own incubator. His hands were splayed out and his soft face was so peaceful. Mother and I were staring at him for some time. Then I watched as he stirred in his sleep and his piercing blue eyes opened. He seemed like he was about to start crying but I reached out with my chakra much the same I would do with Sasuke to soothe him if he were sad; using some nature energy to help with the flow and it worked. He then turned towards the window and I heard my mother whisper something sadly. However my focus was on the baby staring straight back at me, curiosity peaked.
Soon though we were walking down the hallway again until we could no longer see him. I had a feeling though that if mom had been braver and the clan wasn't in the spot it was now, she probably would've adopted him in a heartbeat and I'd have three brothers. It would definitely be livelier. As we leave I can't help but wonder…what if?
Fugaku
I sat stoically at the meeting for the clan heads. I had a bad feeling about all of this. It'd started with that vision I'd had on the night of the attack – about the fourth fighting a man who possessed the clan's treasured sharingan. It'd been odd and out of nowhere but for some reason, I'd gotten the feeling it wasn't a lie.
"The nine tails attack caused devastation throughout the village. For the reconstruction, we've decided to revise a number of the village's boundaries," spoke Danzo over a map of the leaf laid out over the table. He used a pointer to point to a section of the map.
"We'd like the Aburame clan to move into this district. The clan previously submitted a request to occupy the forest, so we took that into consideration." The space indeed covered a lot of the forest space we had. No doubt to help house their infamous insects.
"The Nara clan's territory was not part of the stricken area, so they will remain where they are." The pointer began to move again.
"The Leaf Police Force headquarters which sustained damage will be rebuilt here!" I watched the pointer land on an area in the farthest reaches of the village. So that was his game.
"And the Uchiha Clan will move along with the headquarters…"
To be honest, if it hadn't been for the vision I'd had I would've been more bothered by such a rash decision as they were so obviously blaming us for what had happened and were being cautious by keeping us in an area to be watched. However, if someone from the clan really had betrayed the Leaf that night by freeing the nine tails from within Kushina then used it to attack for whatever reason; I honestly had to agree with their decision.
However, it wouldn't bode over well with the clan elders or many others and I couldn't just explain that someone was a traitor no; it would only leave room for discord to settle, tearing the clan apart at the seams. Not to mention the only proof I held was a vision, a visual one of my men had seen when I'd sent them to check on Lord Fourth just in case and Lord Fourth's message he'd sent to me with explicit instructions. Meanwhile the attacker may not even be in the village anymore. He could've faked his death then slipped away unnoticed. Then again someone could've stolen the eye and implanted it within himself by some method. It was all one really annoying puzzle.
I also couldn't mention anything about it at this meeting since Danzo would likely jump at the chance to be rid of us. The crafty old man hadn't been fond of us from the beginning and while many others shared similar sentiments because of Madara from the past, they weren't as strong with the peace we'd upheld thus far. I just hoped those who might not understand as much would trust my judgement in allowing this and respect my authority. After all, if we were to be watched then perhaps if the rat was still among us then the ANBU could help sniff him out. Of course though, I'd be asking for the Third's assistance in the matter for I didn't trust Root as far as I could throw them.
I simply nodded my consent and allowed Danzo to move on to the rest of the clan placements. Meanwhile some of the other Clan heads seemed to glance my way with suspicion. I however ignored them. Let them stare at me with mistrust for now. I'd prove to them that the Uchiha weren't all rotten eggs.
When the meeting finally came to a close I approached the Hokage as he was leaving with the elders.
"Lord Third," I spoke up. "I'd like to speak with you if I may?" I asked. The hokage turned to me then smiled warmly and nodded.
"Of course Fugaku; what is it?" he asked. I glanced over to Danzo who was looking at me warily. I then turned back to the hokage.
"I would like to request a meeting with you at some point if you have the time. It's rather important regarding the previous incident." The third's eyes hardened with understanding at the seriousness of the request.
"I see," he said simply. Danzo scoffed.
"Surely you could simply tell the old man here and now?" he stated implying I was hiding something. I turned my head slightly with annoyance.
"I would love to…however…it's a last request from Minato before he died. He sent a messenger toad to me and asked that this message only be trusted to the Third Hokage. It's not my decision." I stated. Danzo didn't seem to believe or trust me and nor did the elders that much. However, I knew that Lord Third would trust me. He bowed his head in thought.
"Also, he requested that Lord Jiraiya of the Sanin, Shikaku of the Nara Clan and all of team Minato to be present!" Lord third nodded then met my gaze.
"Very well!" he agreed. "Head home and I will contact you and the following once I've found an appropriate location." I bowed my head.
"Yes lord Hokage," I agreed. Then I left the room, the piercing eyes of the elders' council on me.
I got home rather late that night. The majority of our home had been destroyed but by now the rubble was cleared and we had tents set up. I would have to call a clan meeting to inform the others of the situation. They weren't going to like this.
I entered our partly tarped kitchen to see that Mikoto was making dinner with the help of a mobile kitchen set. She turned as I entered.
"Oh, back so soon? Did the meeting go well?" she asked. I couldn't help but smile as she always seemed to know how to brighten my day without really trying. I wrapped her in a warm embrace from behind and kissed her on the jawline.
"Something like that," I sighed. "We've been relocated," I told her. She smiled.
"Oh and where are we going?" she wondered.
"I'll tell you and everyone else at the clan meeting tonight," I told her. She hummed in thought.
"Hm…something else is on your mind too. I can tell!" She could read me so well despite my lack of outer emotions. I sighed again.
"It's complicated," I said. "Right now, it seems we're being put in the spotlight and I doubt that will sit too well with the elders. I'm just trying to think of a way to make it less problematic than I know it's going to be." She hummed again, tasting the sauce she'd prepared.
"Well, I can try to help if you'll let me," she suggested. I nodded.
"Yes but something tells me you'd end up choosing the Kushina way to deal with things."
"And what's wrong with that?" she teased. I chuckled.
"Let's just say that the 'Red Hot Habanero's' way of handling things isn't quite so diplomatic."
"Psh, who needs diplomacy," she teased. I let a short laugh escape me. Then we leaned in to kiss one another before I straightened.
"Where are the kids?" I wondered. She smirked then led me down one of the hallways into the living room. I smiled at the sight. Itachi had fallen asleep on his back on the floor with Sasuke resting on his chest from one side while Mitsu occupied his other side and his arms wrapped around them protectively. Mikoto snickered.
"I've already got one for the photo album," she whispered. "They're just too cute!" I nodded smiling. Then my eyes roved over to Mitsu. Despite her being only a few months old, I couldn't help but feel there was so much more to her than met the eye.
For starters, one time I'd had my sharingan activated out of curiosity while she and Sasuke had been playing and I'd noticed the two were unconsciously exchanging chakra. A baby's chakra coils were too frail to do such a thing but theirs were stronger than most; more developed and able to let chakra flow naturally not only between each other but with things and people they'd come into contact with, with the help of nature energy.
Then there'd been that vision. I was certain that Mitsu had somehow been the cause of it. The chakra I'd felt was small yet it held power and it'd triggered images to appear within my mind as Itachi had walked off taking them to the shelter. I believed it was her chakra. I was going to bring this up at the meeting with lord third to see about getting his opinion on the matter.
"Oh, did you hear?" Mikoto asked suddenly from beside me still whispering. I turned to her.
"Hm?" I replied.
"Obito's due to leave the hospital either today or tomorrow. He should be back on his feet in no time!" I nodded.
"Someone should tell him about his father," I said quietly. She nodded sadly.
"I thought we could have a nice meal together to cheer him up after." I sighed but agreed. "We'll invite all of team Minato for moral support…and I just know he'll love playing with Mitsu and Sasuke. They'll be able to bring some light back to his eyes again." I chuckled. "What?"
"It's funny you mention light regarding those two," I spoke quietly. "I don't think anybody else has realized it yet unless they've seen it for themselves but…those two have something else going for them especially Mitsu!" She chuckled by me ear.
"Yes, I'll have to agree with you on that!" she said. "They're really something special." I nodded before turning to peck her on the cheek.
"I'm going to get ready for the meeting," I said as I headed to our make shift bedroom. Tonight was going to be – in the words of the Nara – quite troublesome.
Obito
'Achoo!' I wiped at my nose annoyed. "Great; just absolutely fantastic; it's typical! I get outta the hospital and now I've gotten a cold!" I sneezed again with an annoyed scowl painted on my face.
"Well it is Mid October. It's chillier than usual," Rin pointed out beside me.
"Besides, you don't know if it's a cold. Just a few sneezes; it could just mean your allergies are acting up!" Kakashi stated making me scowl harder.
"Yeah well I say it's a cold!" I huffed. "I think I know me more than you do!" He snorted slightly trying to hold back some laughter at my expense.
"I agree with Kakashi. If anything you're just being over dramatic!" Rin sighed. I turned to her this time with a pout on my features.
"But Rin," I whined. "You always side with him!"
"Because he doesn't make a big fuss out of something so minor and simple," she returned. I harrumphed and crossed my arms, turning to glare at my rival.
"Stupid scarecrow!" I muttered under my breath.
"Enough of that now," Kakashi demanded coolly. "We're here," he stated. Then the atmosphere within our group descended into a state of slight tension. I glanced to see he was right. We were right in front of the stairs that led up into the cemetery. I sighed then gulped. I hadn't been able to attend the funeral since I'd been bedridden and unconscious in that hospital bed after the attack. But today was the day I'd be able to visit both my master and his wife along with…my father.
Fugaku, our clan head, had told me about my father's fall not to the nine tails but…rather to the masked man we'd gone to investigate. Fugaku's vision about the masked man had been correct. We'd been able to pinpoint his location and followed him after he'd left lord fourth at the end of their battle. We'd been told he could possibly be the reason behind the attack. I'd gone with my father to aid him since he was growing old with age and we knew not who this enemy was.
When we'd encountered him, despite his lesser reserves of chakra from controlling the nine tails and fighting Minato sensei, he'd still gained the advantage despite our numbers being greater. It'd been terrifying for not only had he had the sharingan but he also possessed the mangekyo sharingan. I'm not quite sure what the ability itself was but one thing was for certain, it made it harder to land a hit on him. Near the end of the battle we were certain he was an Uchiha but that had been when one of his attacks had knocked me unconscious. The next time I woke was within the hospital.
We'd climbed the stairs to the cemetery and were now approaching their graves. It made my stomach churn somewhat, thinking that I'd lost not only my father but my sensei and surrogate mother figure as well. Once there, we stared down at the names for a moment until finally Rin broke out into a pained smile.
"Good morning Minato Sensei; Lady Kushina," she greeted. "We finally got Obito out of the hospital to come and see you. We also brought some offerings for you. Here!" She then went about laying out some special onigiri she'd made along with a small bowl of steaming ramen. I gulped as I stepped forth.
"Hey there…Sensei," I started. "Heh, funny meeting you here…like this…" I trailed off not knowing what else to say.
"The team's all here," Kakashi spoke quietly. "Well…most of it anyway!" There was a heavy silence as we just stood there silently. Only Rin seemed to know what to do. She chuckled lightly as she held her hands clasped in prayer.
"Well that's Obito and Kakashi for ya," she said. "Two boys who don't know how to emit their feelings with words. Oh well…I guess we couldn't exactly expect much else. Oh and Lady Kushina, don't worry about these two, especially Obito. I promise to look after them and keep them out of trouble as often as I'm able!" she giggled slightly at that despite the silent tears that left her eyes. I sighed and turned away.
"Yeah…I guess you don't have to worry that much," I said quietly. I sighed and began to move away.
"I'll see ya later. Right now…I'm gonna go see my old man!" I started walking away, Kakashi deciding to follow me and Rin too after finishing her prayers. I trekked through the cemetery looking for his stone and soon found it among other Uchiha of our clan who'd perished.
I stared down at that stone for a while before kneeling down and putting my offering on top of it. I closed my eyes and entered a silent prayer, my friends waiting silently behind me. Just like with Minato sensei and Kushina, I didn't have much to say. I felt awkward especially knowing from lord Fugaku that he'd been the one to sacrifice himself for me. We may not have always gotten along and he'd sometimes hit me for doing something idiotic and so on but I know he'd loved me and that was all that I really cared about.
Finally once I was done, I stood and walked off stoically without showing any emotion like the typical Uchiha would. But even I couldn't stop the silent tears that escaped my eyes. I felt kind of empty inside knowing I'd lost people who were close to me. Of course then I knew the world didn't revolve all around me. After all…I hadn't been the only one to suffer.
As we walked through the village later, I was lost in thought. I remembered passing by the front desk yesterday morning and witnessing an argument going on.
'Flashback'
"What!? Are you insane? Why would you continue to let it live let alone give it to me!?" cried a woman. I stopped what I was doing which was filling out some forms for my release.
"The simple answer is that it was Lord Fourth's final wishes. Besides we can't possibly keep it here! This is a hospital for healing. You're in charge of the orphanage so now it's your responsibility!"
"But I don't understand," the first woman tried to protest. "Why would Lord Fourth want it to live after everything it's done? Not to mention you're practically throwing it in with other children it could probably pick it's teeth with! Just tell me what on earth is Lord Third thinking going through with this?" The woman she was arguing with – a nurse – shrugged casually.
"Beats me but he did make it clear. Starting today the thing is to be cared for as if it were a human child. Maybe they thought we could tame it?"
"Tame it my ass!" the orphanage owner shot back. "As if the nine tails could ever be tamed!"
"Shh! Are you crazy!?" the nurse demanded looking about frantically. She then lowered her voice.
"Didn't you hear? It's been decreed that no one is to speak of the nine tails to those ignorant of the events of that night. That means that starting now, you're not allowed to speak of it either…especially to the beast itself! It could set off a chain reaction!" The Orphanage owner shrunk up slightly thinking some almighty wrath awaited her just for defying a decree she hadn't heard about yet.
"Oh…sorry," she apologized. Eventually she just sighed. "Fine, I'll take it but I don't have to like it!" The nurse nodded handing over some paperwork to the owner to fill out.
"I agree. You can raise it to be like us but…don't forget what it's done and don't treat it like us either!"
"Once a monster; always a monster," the owner agreed as she'd begun filling out her forms. Meanwhile, I felt my whole body shaking with anger. I knew who they were talking about and I knew where their hatred was directed. I think I heard my pencil snap.
'End Flashback'
As I thought back on that moment yesterday, my face developed a frown as I glared into the sky. Rin seemed to have noticed for she pointed out my behaviour.
"Obito what's wrong?" she asked. Kakashi also glanced at me but I barely paid them any attention. Instead I answered her question with a question.
"So…what do you two think will happen to Naruto?" I wondered. They exchanged looks.
"What do you mean?" Rin asked. Kakashi just sighed.
"So you're going to start that again huh?" he questioned. Yesterday if it hadn't have been for Kakashi showing up I probably would've jumped those ladies and told em what's what without thinking. It just irked me to no end the way they kept referring to sensei's kid as an 'it'. I gritted my teeth.
"I can't help it," I stated. "I swear if things weren't the way they are now with the Uchiha then…I'd probably take him in myself but lord Fugaku made it clear that's not the smart thing to do now." Kakashi scoffed.
"Oh please…you trying to raise a kid would be a disaster! I think you should let someone else worry about that!" I turned to him with anger dancing in my eyes.
"How can you say that Kakashi?" I demanded. "So what; you think we should just leave him get hurt by the village. You know what'll happen don't you?" He nodded.
"Yes, they'll ostracize him like what the majority will start doing to your clan while it'd under suspicion. It's not like it can be helped but I also didn't say we'd outright abandon him either. I said you'd be a bad parent!" I faltered then got right in his face.
"Oh yeah and how would you know!?" I demanded. He glanced at me with that lazy eye of his.
"Would you like the list in alphabetical order or just at random?" he jibed. Rin just sighed on my other side.
"Would you two put a sock in it?" she asked. "C'mon Kakashi, you know Obito's only thinking of Naruto's wellbeing and Obito," she turned to me with a deadpanned expression. "He's right; you'd be a bad influence!" I faltered again and suddenly felt depressed as the girl of my dreams agreed with my rival.
"Rin why are you so cold to me?" I wondered dramatically. She just sighed.
"Look, to tell the truth, none of us could take him either, especially when we don't understand Minato Sensei's and Lady Kushina's wishes for him. Then there's the fact that we're still young and inexperienced in the parenting department. While you'd be too carefree and fun, Kakashi would probably be too strict and awkward. Then there's me…" she trailed off as she thought about it. Immediately I tried to get on her good side.
"Hey wait, I think you'd be a great parent!" I declared. She glanced at me sheepishly and averted her eyes somewhat with a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Yeah, maybe when I'm ready for it but…Minato Sensei's kid isn't my own and quite honestly I'd be at my wits end trying to raise him while earning income as a shinobi. I just wanna give him a life he deserves but I also don't want to hamper it." I pouted.
"So then you agree he's better off with someone who hates him instead of people who would care for him even if they'd be inexperienced?" I pointed out. She hung her head.
"Well when you put it like that…" she started glumly. I however would not be defeated by the likes of ostracism. I turned forwards with a confident smile.
"Alright then!" I cried out. "I suppose I have no choice. I'll talk to Lord Third and get him to make me Fifth Hokage! Then I'll decree that Naruto is a hero and he should be worshipped like a god for being so damn strong he can hold back that much chakra. We'll see how everybody feels when they learn whose kid he is too! They'll be begging for autographs by the time he's old enough to write his name!" I felt so proud of my idea to get Naruto into the people's good graces that I almost missed what Kakashi said next.
"Are you stupid!?" he asked. I turned to him angrily.
"What'd you say?" I demanded. He looked at me with his one eye that spoke with so much meaning it could be terrifying sometimes. Right now he looked mad at me for some reason.
"I asked if you were stupid?" he repeated and I was about to continue ranting before he cut me off. "Don't get me wrong. I've come to respect your ideals and your dream of becoming hokage but what you just said makes it obvious you still have a long way to go before that can become a reality!
"You face many problems with what you just said. First of all, we're all still recovering from the nine tails attack and a lot of suspicion has been placed on your clan since their mangekyo sharingan can control the beast. Despite your good intentions, if you were to become hokage now, it'd be seen as the whole clan making a power move against the village furthering suspicion and creating unrest between the other clans. It could break out into a civil war.
"Secondly, just because you become hokage, it doesn't mean everything you say will be regarded and respected. It also won't change the way the people see Naruto as the demon. If anything it'll only add to the fire of the village's mistrust of your clan. Finally…even if he hadn't been made the vessel, making Naruto's identity as sensei's kid known would be idiotic. Not only would the village treat him as merely a figurehead but sensei also has many enemies in the other nations especially Iwagakure and they'd jump at the chance to either kill or kidnap his son. You'd be painting a target on his back and sensei would probably get ticked off!" I stopped to think over everything he'd just said.
The fact was…Kakashi was right. I suppose I just wasn't thinking clearly on the matter. Not only was what I'd said idiotic but it could probably harm Naruto more than help him. I sighed dejectedly and hung my head.
"I'm sorry," I apologized. "I guess I'm just peeved that every time he's mentioned he's referred to as 'it', 'demon', or even worse. They don't see him as a person and it kinda reminds me of how I was back when barely anyone in my own clan recognized me." I paused then chuckled dryly as I stared at the ground.
"Although I suppose he's gonna have it tougher than I ever did!" I felt a reassuring hand on my shoulder and glanced up at Rin who was smiling sheepishly.
"Well you know what...you might have a long way to go still before you can be hokage but…at least you're not like the rest of the village so that means you'll be really unique when your time comes." I smiled up at her.
"And besides…so long as team Minato's around, that kid won't be entirely alone. Even if we have to watch from the shadows, we'll be there when he needs us!" I nodded straightening up again.
"Yeah…you're right," I agreed. "I guess we'll just have to prove to these villagers that Naruto's a special kid ya know!" I chuckled then I heard Kakashi chuckle too.
"Careful there Obito, you're starting to sound like Kushina," he warned. A sense of dread washed over me as I thought of her smug grin if she ever found out I'd just used her common verbal tic. Then I started wondering.
"So uh…depending on how things go…d'ya think this kid will be more like Minato Sensei or…Kushina?" We all deadpanned and shuddered slightly in thought of another Kushina running around the village; this time as a boy. Rin recovered first and giggled.
"Hey well if he's anything like Kushina then he'll be a great cook!" she stated. I laughed.
"Yeah, unless he becomes obsessed with Ramen!" I added on. She laughed too and Kakashi smirked – even if it was under that mask of his. Suddenly we all sensed someone approaching and before we could react, we were staring at two ANBU shinobi before us.
"Kakashi Hatake; Rin Nohara and Obito Uchiha," one spoke addressing all of us. We exchanged glances with one another.
"Yes?" Kakashi spoke up. The other ANBU spoke this time.
"You've been called to a top secret meeting with Lord Third Hokage and Lord Fugaku Uchiha. Master Jiraiya of the Sannin and Shikaku Nara will also be there along with other chosen clan heads. You're to meet at this location!" The ANBU held out a sealed scroll and Kakashi took it.
"What's this about?" Rin demanded with a raised eyebrow.
"We don't know," the first ANBU replied. "The details of this meeting are only meant for Lord Third, Master Jiraiya, and lord Fugaku, team Minato and those previously mentioned. We know nothing more!" Kakashi nodded.
"Alright then…thank you!" he declared. The ANBU bowed and were gone. I turned to Kakashi who held the scroll.
"So what do you think this is about?" I wondered. "I mean, Lord Fugaku is involved." Kakashi hummed.
"It could be something to do with Minato Sensei; maybe a will of sorts only to be trusted to those he's deemed worthy to participate in his inner circle. Perhaps the situation is more precarious than we'd originally assumed." He suggested as he pocketed the scroll.
"At any rate I think we should take this someplace without any extra eyes." As he said it I could sense a presence from behind me. I'd gotten better at sensing other's presences thanks to the awakening of my sharingan and years of training. I could tell this presence wasn't on our side. Rin just nodded.
"I know just the place," she declared. She then took the lead and led the way. I remained aware of the presence behind us as we left. It didn't follow it just stared after us waiting for something. I wondered idly…just what kind of storm could be coming in our future.
Hiruzen
I sat in the bunker's temporary conference room surrounded by those who'd arrived already. Fugaku had come with the acceptation of his wife and three children. I knew not the reason for it but Fugaku promised to explain his reasoning with due time. Meanwhile, Lord Hiashi Hyuga along with his brother were here and so too were the Ino-Shika-Cho trio with Choza snacking on some chips as he waited.
Even though some of the coming clan heads hadn't been specified in Minato's instructions, I had faith that he'd trust in my decision to include them. Shibi Aburame had come and so had Tsume of the Inuzuka clan with her canine companion Kuromaru. The one's yet to show were Team Minato and Jiraiya. I didn't hold out much hope the latter would make it since he was away right now probably conducting 'research' but I knew Team Minato would show. Meanwhile I was left with thoughts of what Minato's last words could possibly be hidden in the scroll that the toad that'd approached Fugaku had brought with it. It sat waiting with the Uchiha head as he sat in his seat, arms crossed and a calm and collected expression upon his face.
Eventually we heard sounds from outside and everyone turned to look towards the door. After a moment Obito Uchiha burst through the door as boisterous as ever.
"Hey everyone, we made it!" he called out cheerily. I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me at his optimism as Rin and Kakashi came in behind him with a surprise latched on behind them.
"We found someone," Kakashi drawled jabbing a thumb back towards Jiraiya. "Sorry we're late but we had to drag him away from the bathhouse." A few of the women in the room either glared or expressed their annoyance with different facial expressions and I suddenly felt extremely old compared to my own boisterous student. For some weird reason, I think there's a pattern going on here.
"Hey, c'mon kid, I was in the middle of important peep…I mean research! I was gonna come after it was over," he complained. I just sighed and shook my head.
"Jiraiya, now's really not the time!" I stated. He paused then straightened and looked to me before his features became somewhat more serious. He finally just sighed.
"Alright then, let's just get started!" he declared. I nodded then a small hand signal sent to two of my most trusted ANBU had them sealing the door and placing special seals about as barriers. I started it off.
"As you can all see, I've had special measures taken to ensure that whatever is said at this meeting is not leaked out to anyone even if they are from our own village. Among us are those who were asked to be here through a message sent to Fugaku by the Fourth Hokage and those I deemed trustworthy to join us. I will not name names on the matter but just know that you've all been recognized as important and trustworthy people to be here now!" I took a moment to prepare for the second part of my speech.
"As well, I am not the original orchestrator of this meeting. Fugaku after receiving the Fourth Hokage's message had this meeting arranged. And I think we can all safely assume whatever is to be said between us regarding said message will not leave this circle of trusted brethren." There was more silence as they all agreed to the terms without speaking. I then nodded towards Fugaku who took a deep breath and stood from his seat. He turned to address the audience.
"I suppose the first thing to do is to involve the newest Jinchuriki in this conversation as this all in part has something to do with him." He paused before continuing.
"I think by now, all of us should know whose child Naruto is. There are no doubts of all of us seeing Kushina when she was pregnant and some of us even knew of her previous status in the village before this whole mess started. However, for those of you who didn't know…she was the previous jinchuriki host of the nine tails." He paused here allowing that to sink in. I believe only him, myself, Jiraiya, team Minato and Shikaku knew of the truth. It was of course a shock to the rest as those who hadn't known broke out into surprised gasps and whispers throughout the room.
"Excuse me…" a young voice spoke up from behind drawing everyone's attention. Itachi stepped forth with curiosity on his features.
"…what is a jinchuriki?" he wondered.
"Jinchuriki is the term referred to for those who house one of the nine tailed beasts within their being," Shibi Aburame spoke up clearly knowing more than having let on. "So in essence, the fourth hokage's own wife held the demon fox spirit before it was transferred to her own son." Tsume leaned forward with a frown on her face.
"Eh Fugaku what's with the kids? What're they doin at the grownups table?" she demanded. Clearly others had the same question. Fugaku sighed and raised a hand before things could escalate.
"I'll get to that so don't worry. However, from where I left off…" he paused allowing the chatter to die down. "Since Kushina became pregnant, the seal holding back the nine tails naturally weakened with time and Minato being the genius seal master that he was went with her that night to keep the nine tails from breaking free however…someone clearly knew that when a female jinchuriki is pregnant the seal weakens and so this someone foresaw these events and made their move!"
"You're saying the whole nine tails attack was orchestrated by some genius mastermind?" questioned Kakashi. Fugaku nodded gravely.
"Yes and what's more, Minato ended up fighting with this orchestrator after the nine tails was freed. In his report, he stated that the man wore a mask with only one eye hole and that the figure had the sharingan!"
"So then, an Uchiha was involved," stated Inoichi. Fugaku only nodded gravely.
"I see so that's why you had no qualms with the Uchiha being pushed to the edge of the village when Danzo was placing everyone," Shikaku stated. "Do you believe one of your own could be a traitor?" Fugaku only sighed.
"In all honesty I have no clue. However, you're right. I understand the elder's decision to be wary of our clan. But that's not all. According to Minato, this man claimed to be Madara Uchiha from the days of old." More murmurings erupted throughout the room.
"How do we know this isn't some fabricated story?" Tsume questioned. "Don't get me wrong, I trust some of your clan just not all of it," she stated matter of factly. Fugaku simply gestured to the toad on the table.
"You and I have similar feelings," Fugaku admitted to the Inuzuka. "But perhaps you'd like to hear it from Minato himself." He turned towards Jiraiya.
"The toad says you're the only one who can undo the seal!" Jiraiya simply nodded and approached the toad. He performed the necessary hand seals and the Toad lurched back. Soon it was regurgitating something long and paper like from the depths of its belly and it then held it in its hands. It stood tall on its hind legs, holding the scroll horizontally. Finally it opened its mouth and started some sort of weird frog singing. We waited with baited breath.
Eventually though, the song gave way to words and with the voice of a man we'd all known and cherished.
'To those this may concern. If you are hearing me now then it seems you've gotten my message okay and that fact means I am no longer with you. I'll just get straight to the point seeing as how my times' almost up. Earlier today, my wife Kushina was barraged with images of this very attack by the nine tails. We did our best to take extra precaution when it was brought to light however, the culprit who'd orchestrated this attack on the village still managed to separate us after our child was born.
As the nine tails rampaged, it was under the control of this man who possessed the Uchiha Clan's famous Sharingan and when I was forced to face him in combat, he claimed to be Madara Uchiha. I've had many thoughts on it since then but I'll leave it to you to interpret its meaning.
What really intrigues me is that those images for the vision came from someone and that same someone sent them to Kushina as she explained earlier; feeling the invasion of someone else's chakra however a minor chakra at that. I have a feeling I know who was the cause but I'd like you all to determine that for yourselves.
I've decided to entrust the future protection of our village from the nine tails to our only son, Naruto Uzumaki. While I've sealed half of the beast into myself to take with me, he will guard the village from the tailed beast from now on and I pray that someday he'll be seen as a hero in that regard. As for the information I've given you, I feel it's safe just to keep it within this circle of trust constructed by myself and Lord Third as I'm assuming he's called those of you I may have forgotten to mention in this short amount of time. There may very well be enemies hidden within our own walls and there could be danger in the future from this same enemy as I believe he'll see fit to attack the village again.
From here on out, proceed with caution and remain safe. I trust that if there are more people to hear about this then Lord third and my many trusted colleagues shall discover them. And finally, I've left a small attachment to this message to be read afterwards. Good luck. Kushina and I…we wish you all the best!'
As the message came to a close, the entire room was cast in silence. The toad finished its odd jutsu and clamped its mouth shut again before opening a part of the scroll and retrieving a smaller scroll from within a seal before making it slightly bigger. He handed it over to me and I took it bowing my head in thanks. The toad then vanished, returning to Mt. Myoboku.
"So then…what does the other scroll say?" Rin asked tentatively breaking the silence. I handed the scroll to Jiraiya to undo the seal and received it back to unfurl and begin reading. I cleared my throat.
"It appears to be the last will and testament of the two. Ironic how little time they had and they managed to come up with all this." I couldn't help but chuckle dryly at such humor.
"That's Minato for ya," Jiraiya stated beside me, "Always planning ahead with the welfare of the village and its people on his mind." I sighed.
"Indeed it is," I replied. I cleared my throat to read aloud. "These are our final words before we depart from this life. We haven't much time so we'll try to be brief. As we step past the threshold of life into the realm of death, we leave behind many things.
"For our son, we leave behind our shinobi funds in a personal bank account which we ask Lord Third to help him with when he is ready. For Rin Nohara, we leave our many recipe books containing all of her favourite dishes which she may recreate as she sees fit. For Kakashi Hatake, we leave Minato's chakra blade set for use in training and on the battlefield. For Obito Uchiha, we leave behind a lecture about keeping up good health and staying strong when times get rough; but not too rough because boys who act tough without anything to back them up are fools unfit to become hokages." A few chuckles broke out at that as everyone knew it'd been Kushina's words. Obito grumbled something incoherent to himself as he simmered silently by himself. I rolled my eyes and chuckled at his childish behavior.
"We also leave him with a special good luck charm of ours which has helped both of us in many a fight. As for what it actually is – since we know you'll ask; it's hidden within the scroll we told you countless times never to touch while in our home. Jiraiya should be able to undo the seal for you." I took a pause and noticed Obito's gob smacked face. However, the boy caught himself and slowly came back to Earth.
"For our dear friends, Fugaku and Mikoto Uchiha," I continued gaining the attention of the other three Uchiha who were currently awake. "We leave behind Kushina's puzzle jewelry box and the sealing scrolls obtained from Uzushiogakure. We know you will use them well.
"Finally for Lord third, we leave behind and entrust you with our child's care. His name is Naruto Uzumaki and we know you'll do right by him." As I finished the last sentence, I couldn't help but sigh with a weary sigh. I was honestly getting too old for this. And I wasn't quite sure what I could do for the boy as it was. Mikoto had wanted to adopt but Fugaku had convinced her he'd only be in danger as mistrust towards the Uchiha increased from this event.
Then there was team Minato. The boys weren't exactly qualified caretakers and had only had a few D-ranked babysitting missions in the past in which Rin had taken the lead. She was more qualified however still young and an active shinobi. I couldn't ask any of them to properly care for Naruto especially once word spread of his jinchuriki status from the leak I had yet to find though was certain I already knew where to look. Despite my great power, I couldn't stop the rumors that were already out there and spreading. I couldn't help the feeling of guilt rising within.
"Um…lord third," Rin spoke up and I glanced up to regard her. She stepped forth.
"I know that I won't be able to do much but…in regards to Minato sensei's child, I'll do whatever I can to help out. I'll help protect and guard him, even if only from the shadows. That is my promise!" She finished and bowed her head. Next though, Obito stepped up as well.
"Yeah, and don't worry; she won't be alone because Kakashi and I'll help too! We can't let Kushina's kid become boring like his old man and…Oof!"
"We'll do our ample best to safeguard his future!" Kakashi finished, eyeing his comrade he had elbowed in the gut. While Obito began grumbling towards his teammate, a voice was cleared somewhere else along the table.
"While the kid's speeches are admirable and all," started Shikaku. Then he turned towards Fugaku. "I believe now's a good time to answer Tsume's earlier question." Fugaku nodded.
"Yes, now that you've heard from Lord Fourth, it is an appropriate time to speak." The rest of the gathered listened.
"When Lord Fourth mentioned that Kushina had been barraged with warning images of the incoming attack, he mentioned knowing who might be behind them."
"So then, someone attempted to warn us?" questioned Choza. Fugaku nodded.
"I also believe I know who's responsible although it might seem a bit farfetched. However, I cannot deny that I myself was a receiver of similar images. It was while I was helping the civilians evacuate during the attack. I saw the masked man who freed the nine tails and drove Kushina and Minato apart. I saw the nine tails attack from many different angles all throughout the village and Minato fighting the culprit. I finally saw the nine tails was sealed inside of their son. Then everything went back to normal and I resumed my duties. However, I know for certain that someone had tried to reach out for me that night and the chakra signature was weak and barely developed. However, it was strong enough to project the images I saw."
The surrounding audience was astounded as was I. I tried to think of someone capable of such a feat but was spared the trouble by Fugaku.
"Even though this may come across as prideful…I believe my daughter Mitsu to be the cause of these images!" Everyone broke out into whisperings. Obito meanwhile scratched his head in confusion.
"Um…Lord Fugaku…isn't Mitsu ya know…a baby!?" he questioned.
"I'm well aware of her age. However, I am also aware that she and Sasuke have both somehow activated their chakra pathways at a young age. It was also as Itachi was taking the two to the safe house that he approached me and it was as they were leaving that the images occurred with traces of her small chakra with them." I blinked, trying to piece together this puzzle.
"That seems quite unbelievable if I do say so myself," I admitted. "But…how can we know for certain?" Fugaku turned to Mikoto who stepped forth.
"On the day Kushina was to give birth, I ran into her on her way with Lady Biwako out of the village and introduced her to the twins since I had them with me. Mitsu had wanted out of the back carrier so I allowed Kushina to hold her for a while. I'm not sure when she was shown the images but I'd have to imagine that it was sometime around then. After that, Lady Biwako had to drag Kushina away somewhere!" I nodded thinking it over.
"Oh please, there's no way that a kid would be capable of causing such a phenomenon especially at such a young age," Tsume tried to protest.
"True, a child Mitsu's age shouldn't have the brain capacity to even make memories yet," Inoichi added.
"There's just no way that's possible," agreed Lord Hiashi. I sighed shaking my head.
"I'm sorry but I barely believe it as well!" Fugaku bowed his head knowing I had reason not to believe.
"Please reconsider," Itachi suddenly spoke up drawing everyone's attention again. He turned to me.
"I know it seems impossible but…I believe that both Mitsu and Sasuke are more intelligent than they're letting on. I know because even though I did not experience those images, I've been witness to something else."
"And what would that be?" I asked curiosity peaked.
"Well…as on the night of the attack, before it happened, both my younger brother and sister seemed to be able to sense the danger. I too felt something ominous in the air and believed they were only unsettled by the wind. However, Mitsu pulled on my hair!" he explained.
"Tch, that's normal baby stuff!" Jiraiya spoke up not too impressed. Itachi's attention focused on him.
"No; not for Mitsu!" he declared. "Ever since we first met in that hospital room two months ago, I've known there was something more to Mitsu than met the eye. For example, whenever she meets people with long hair she often plays with it but she never ever yanks on it; it's always gentle." Mikoto nodded to the side.
"I've noticed that a lot too. She did the same thing with Kushina's hair on that day," she stated. Itachi nodded. Then he turned back to regard the room's other occupants.
"Yes; before that night, she didn't ever yank on my hair before. However, when she did and I turned to see her face it was almost like she was trying to talk to me with her eyes. Then Sasuke began to become disturbed too and started crying right before the nine tails appeared.
"As I fled with them from the compound, Mitsu yanked my hair again and it called my attention to an incoming boulder that could've flattened us had I not noticed in time and even further on, she noticed one of our clansmen in distress and yanked my hair again to draw my attention towards her. If I hadn't seen her she too would've died. I believe more than anything that on that night, Mitsu was keeping a look out and warning me against incoming danger." Itachi finished his speech. The room went into silence with only a few whispers here and there.
"Hm, this still seems pretty farfetched," Jiraiya stated. "I wonder…do you think you could get her to show images willingly or…"
"I'm not sure how she did it and I'm not sure how smart she could actually be," Fugaku admitted.
"Despite being her father I'm unprepared for this and find it quite hard to believe myself. However, she was right about the masked man. I sent two of my subordinates out to gather intelligence on the matter. They confronted the man but only one came back alive!" I folded my hands over top of one another.
"Hm, a very serious matter indeed," I sighed. "I now see why Minato chose only a select few to come to this meeting. I feel that if Danzo ever got wind of this then he'd see to it that the Uchiha were executed. That's something I will not stand for! As for young Mitsu, I'm not entirely sure how to respond to all of this."
"Perhaps if you looked into her eyes," Itachi suggested. I blinked in astonishment.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Look into her eyes. Many who do can see for themselves a special light within. Perhaps that will ease your troubled mind. Even Lord Fourth saw this." I blinked then turned towards Fugaku. He sighed and nodded.
"I suppose that's one way but…" he glanced over his shoulder to where the twins were with their mother.
"I'm not sure if she'd be awake!" The rest of them glanced over as well. Itachi walked over to the carriage they'd brought. After glancing in he smiled then reached out and picked up one of the babies. It was Mitsu I could tell who was in fact starting to wake up. She yawned and stretched and I could see that Sasuke was beginning to stir as well only he was picked up by his mother. Itachi brought Mitsu over to me.
"There, there you're in a safe place," Itachi cooed as Mitsu began to become aware of her surroundings. She let out a big yawn and stretched some more. I allowed her to be passed into my arms and I had to shift her around some. Soon I was staring down at the small child whose eyes were already roving about the room with peaked curiosity. Soon though, her eyes found mine and it was like she froze in place. For the longest time I stared into those eyes as they stared back. There was no way a child would be this focused on one thing.
As I continued staring, I noticed something small but soon it became bigger and I gasped as I beheld the light that Itachi had spoken of. However, as I continued staring, suddenly I wasn't in the same room anymore.
I watched as an older version of myself sat in a room of the academy across from a young blonde haired ninja. At first I thought it was Minato but soon realized it to be his son instead. The older me chastised him for submitting such an obnoxious photo for his ninja identification and he grew frustrated and refused to change it.
Next I watched as a younger boy rushed in with some blunt shuriken to challenge me to a duel but ended up tripping flat on his face. I wasn't sure how I knew but I felt I knew that this boy was my grandson.
Once again the images shifted but this time I watched as my elder self, fought against my old student Orochimaru. I watched as I was forced to fight reanimated versions of the first two hokage but eventually managed to seal away his soul's arms with an old forbidden jutsu from the Uzumaki clan and then I witnessed my own funeral. What caught me off guard were the faces of the young. The blonde boy with whisker birthmarks I recognized as Naruto.
Next I saw the face of a girl the same age with pink hair and finally…I saw two older faces of the two children who were in this very room. They all wore black and carried white flowers as was custom towards an offering set up for me; my picture standing in the middle. Meanwhile, it began to rain.
Eventually I was brought back to the room I'd been in earlier with the other clan heads and I had to blink away the vivid images that'd been so real. I almost felt I'd been living them. I glanced once more into the eyes of the baby I held only to see some sadness dancing in them. I closed my eyes and sighed.
"I see it," I said simply. "That was quite the montage I just witnessed."
"Wait, you can't be serious; you actually saw something old man?" Jiraiya asked incredulously. I nodded gravely.
"Images of the future I presume as I saw this child and a few others grown up. Although, I doubt I could've imagined I'd meet my end in a similar way as Minato. That seal…much too dangerous!" I muttered making a side note to study up on it more and to make sure it never fell into the wrong hands again.
"Like Minato?" questioned Tsume, "Then does that mean that the nine tails will break out again or that masked weirdo will attack?" I shook my head.
"That's not what I saw but I know Minato is probably right about that masked man. He will attack again. However, we can discuss this at a later date. What I want to know is how this child can possess such an incredible gift. I don't believe this to have any connection to the Uchiha clan's dojutsu." Fugaku nodded.
"I don't believe that's the case either. Whatever it is though; perhaps we can nourish it and help it grow in order to better understand it. I also believe this is perhaps a gift shared with her brother although we haven't noticed Sasuke displaying any similar attributes." I hummed in thought.
"Then what have you noticed?" Kakashi questioned. Fugaku closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I'm not entirely sure but…I believe Itachi's correct in the terms of Mitsu being capable of some form of understanding where she can comprehend danger and attempt a line of communication. Although Sasuke doesn't show images, I've observed the two with my sharingan and I've noticed they've been able to exchange chakra fluxes with one another. I also believe they can understand it almost like their own pathway of communication."
"I see," Jiraiya commented. "That sounds mighty impressive."
"Does it ever!" exclaimed Obito suddenly as he approached Mikoto and Sasuke. "And you say you can see it with sharingan? Lemme try!" He leaned over, activating his one sharingan eye to get a better look at Sasuke who was now awake in his mother's arms. He blinked up at Obito curiously. Then he started squirming as if uncomfortable.
As Sasuke squirmed, I noticed Mitsu turned her head in his direction and blinked. There was a moment of silence with the two moving and making new faces every now and then when finally Sasuke's face relaxed and he let out a snort then a loud giggle and laugh. Mitsu too began to laugh and I heard a gasp from not just Obito but from someone else at the table. I turned to see that Hiashi's brother had activated his byakugan.
"You were right!" he exclaimed. "They're sending chakra fluxes intentionally across the room to one another. It's incredible!"
"Completely unheard of," Kakashi agreed as he approached, his own sharingan uncovered. Jiraiya hummed in thought.
"Even out of sage mode, I can sense the faint traces in the air. These two…share a connection and a power that if fallen into the wrong hands could be disastrous." I nodded.
"Then we should continue to observe them. You have no qualms with my assigning a personal nurse?" I asked of Fugaku and Mikoto. They shared a glance.
"Very well," Fugaku agreed as soon as it was confirmed with his wife. "A checkup every month sounds about normal." I nodded.
"And they'll be brought in if they develop new and unheard of behaviors," I added, thinking it a wise move. Fugaku nodded.
"So long as the nurse remains trustworthy." I nodded once more.
"Indeed. As for what was spoken here, it is to be kept tight lipped. No one speaks of this outside of our meetings. I feel we'll more than likely need more after this." I handed Mitsu back to Itachi as she'd begun getting fussy and straightened my robes.
"I would furthermore like to tell the elders about this masked man who attacked our village. We'll tell them it was a rogue shinobi who managed to steal the Uchiha's power from the spoils of the war. It should hopefully alleviate some of the mistrust towards the clan. I also feel inclined to warn you Fugaku that Danzo will be adamant about a twenty four hour surveillance of your clan. I'm not sure what I'll be able to do with my rival on my end but I hope you can quell some of your clansmen's fires to avoid any future unrest between the police force and the village." Fugaku nodded.
"Until the matters of the attack are resolved, I'll do my best. It will be the elders who will try to cause the most disturbances but I'll see to it that their ideals if unlawful are more than quelled." I nodded. Hiashi then stood.
"Perhaps there should be more action on our part as well," he suggested. "If we leave Fugaku alone he'll surely be crushed by both his clansmen and the villagers trying to carry that weight for himself. I propose an alliance of sorts; something that involves more interaction and doesn't isolate the Uchiha more than Danzo already has!"
"I agree," Shikaku spoke up. "The council's already made the poor decision of pushing the Uchiha into an easily managed corner. If they remain cut off then the rift between them and the village will only grow. It's bad enough seeds of mistrust were sewn with Madara's era. As I recall, one man's wrongs should not condemn the many." Fugaku bowed with respect.
"Thank you," he said. "Truly I am grateful for your support." I nodded.
"Something to be discussed for another time. For now I believe we've been here later than planned," I stated. I then stood.
"I believe we should meet in a new secluded spot every time we must call a meeting. This way root won't be able to detect us as easily. For those who were mentioned in the will, you will be free to collect your treasures tomorrow. For now; this meeting is adjourned!"
And with that, a small stone was thrown into the pond from which ripples were sure to follow.