Hello again everybody I am back with the next chapter for all of you. I would like thank all of you for your support and reviews.

Sorry it took this long to update the story but I was busy with work and school then went out of state for a week to be a groomsman in my best friend's wedding and then after I got back one of my co-workers went on vacation without any notice so I had to do his shift for two weeks all while finishing up the semester finals at college.

sageofthe6way - "Interesting to see where this goes."

I agree with you 100% sage and I hope you enjoy reading this story as much as I enjoy writing it.

jh831 - "I'm sure you meant to say GET OVER HERE instead of COME HERE."

Actually jh831 I did mean to have Scorpion say "COME HERE!" While you are right that he usually says "GET OVER HERE!" by default but sometimes he is known to say "COME HERE!" instead. I appreciate you for being observant for that is a great skill to have. Thank you :D

Naruto

Tale of the Scorpion

Fourth Hokage/Minato Namikaze's POV

OWW my aching head. Those were my first thoughts as I came too somehow in my bed that I can't recollection on how I got there. My world is nearly spinning and I can't find Kushina anywhere in the room.

Another realization hit me that my wife hates it when I pass out drunk and probably will be mad about it. Shuddering at the thought I somehow got myself upright and out of bed. Inching my way over to the door and slowly sliding it open to be assaulted by a wonderful aroma.

Stepping closer and closer I can hear the subtle sound of sizzling and then I notice Kushina seated at the table sipping on some tea.

Realization dawns on me that if she isn't cooking then who is? Slowly turning my head I witness the unbelievable sight of Hanzo-Kun busy at work on the stove tops cooking many different things at the same time.

"Honey it's rude to stare." my wife says while pulling me down into a seat. The look on my face must have been hilarious because she laughed rather loudly drawing the attention of our chef.

"Good morning."

"Good morning." I replied back as he went back to his current task.

The next few minutes passed in relative silence except the sizzling. Then Hanzo-Kun brought many different dishes to the table and then took his seat across from me.

"Thanks for the food." We all said in unison before enjoying our meal.

"Wow Hasashi-San it tastes really delicious." Kushina exclaimed after her first bite.

"I'm glad you like it because I pride myself as a great cook." and of course Hanzo-Kun is a good cook because I can't get enough of his food.

As time went on my senses started to come back to me and I could think much more clearly. It's funny how time can fly when you enjoy yourself and these past days have been enjoyable and we've all taken the first steps towards a lasting friendship.

Not long after the three of us finished breakfast and silently moved towards the door together.

Hanzo-Kun's stay with us was over and I could tell that neither of us really wanted to say goodbye but he had someone waiting for him at home and so he needed to go back to her.

I half expected him to leave without saying goodbye but he was the first to say farewell and thanked us for such a wonderful time, and of course Kushina got a little more than emotional and pulled him into a hug without thinking but to my surprise he returned it.

So it was there at the gates of Konoha we said goodbye but not with words but with a solid handshake then parted ways as the other ninjas had most of the same emotions when they parted as well.

After the Shirai Ryu had gone, after Hanzo-Kun had gone things just never felt right from then on.

I could tell that Kushina felt it too. It was like we could open the guest bedroom door and see him asleep or go into the kitchen and witness him cook once again.

Time just moved onward and the days were spent doing simple things really. Keeping the peace between two families and assigning missions to the ninjas of our village but nothing higher than a B ranked mission.

Three and a half weeks to the day that Hanzo-Kun left out village a letter arrived at my office addressed not only to me but also Kushina as well. Curious because normally business letters of affair only address me and not my wife as well.

Quickly tearing into the paper envelope and retrieving the message inside I began to read this mystery letter. Then the realization dawns on me who sent this letter and I couldn't help but smile.

To: Minato Kamikaze the 4th Hokage of the Hidden leaf

I was to extend my deepest gratitude for the leaf's hospitality during our diplomatic visit which I think we both can agree was a great success. Do to my latest incursion with the local bandits I was unable to keep in contact for awhile and I apologize. For the act of friendship that the leaf have shown our clan I would like to officially invite both you and Kushina to visit our village and attend a banquet in the leaf's honor. Anyone you wish to invite is welcome to come as well. The celebration will be on the last day of this month and I speak for us all that we are anticipating your arrival with great fervor.

From: Hanzo Hasashi the 7th Grandmaster of the Shirai Ryu

In the contents of the message Hanzo-Kun explained that he has officially invited me and Kushina to visit his village and meet his wife Kara and attend a celebration as well. Lastly he wrote that I could bring any number of people that wanted to come and enjoy their hospitality. The last day of the month was 8 days from today.

Quickly after I wrote a numerous amount of letters and messages inviting those who receive them to accompany me to the Shirai Ryu village. After dispersing the letters I ran like a madman all over Konoha trying to find Kushina and tell her the news.

I checked the house.

I checked her favorite spots.

I checked her favorite restaurants.

I even asked several of her friends but they didn't know where she was either.

The one place I didn't check was the ramen stand and there enough she was there (apparently Naruto moves and kicks a lot when she eats ramen).

Finally having found my pregnant wife I somber on up to her and notice she is conversing with another individual that looks familiar at a side glance.

White wavey locks, horned headband, large scroll behind under the belt. Familiar indeed.

My presence doesn't go unnoticed as I'm greeted by Kushina and my old mentor, Jiraiya.

"Long time no see my old student." He says with that trademark grin of his.

"Long time indeed Jiraiya. So what brings you back to Konoha after all this time?" I replied with a quisitive look.

"Well I just felt a little bit nostalgic as of late so I thought I'd come back and see how everyone was doing."

"How long have you been in town?"

"Just only got here recently as a matter of fact and I ran into Kushina while wandering around and I thought maybe I should treat her to lunch." Jiraiya stated rather plainly.

"Good to see you as always Jiraiya." I say with a smile before turning to my wife who finished her large bowl, "Anyway I have something important to tell you Kushina."

She looks at me with a look of confusion but instead of explaining to her myself I just handed her the already opened letter.

From reading the letter beginning to end a smile had formed on her lips expressing her joy at the news and proceeded to embrace me rather fiercely, and of course Jiraiya was rather confused about what was happening. So for the next hour or so both Kushina and I began to tell him about what happened recently with the Shirai Ryu visiting Konoha.

Jiraiya received the news with a rather blank face when I told him of what had transpired but when I told him who was their current Grandmaster I thought I saw his eye twitch but then again it could have been my imagination.

Afterwards the night went on engaged in playful conversation and reveling in everyone's company. Then when we were about to part ways my old mentor pulled me over to the side," I'm happy to see that your doing so well as Hokage Minato and I will always respect the decisions you make. If it wouldn't be too much trouble would you mind if I tagged along with both you and Kushina when you go over to the Shirai Ryu village?"

This made me raise an eyebrow," You want to go to their village?"

"Well when their village happens to be throwing a party for the hokage of course I would want to go. Plus you know me I'm never one to turn down free food and drink." As much as I wanted to I could not stop myself from loudly sighing, "Well if you want to come with us who am I to say no."

With a mutual laugh we both caught up to a rather tired Kushina and proceeded towards home.

The next 7 days just seemed to fly by with almost as fast as the month did and soon enough we were on our way towards the Shirai Ryu Village. Even after our diplomatic visit from the Shirai Ryu their are still those who distrust or even go as far as to hate them and say that they are just a band of rouge ninjas who should have been put to the sword a long time ago but what they don't realize is that they are more like us than anything else. They are human beings with a great compacity for compassion as much as any leaf ninja. Just because they come from a lineage that we've had trouble with in the past doesn't mean we should be cruel and cold towards them. It is thinking such as this that led to the creation of the three ninja wars that plagued our world for a time and I'll be dead before a fourth ninja war comes to pass.

But I digress.

The trip was rather uneventful and the sky began to turn to amber and then we saw it. A collection of buildings about half the size of konoha appeared off in the distance as we moved onward. The closer we came to the village we spotted a lineup of the people standing watching our approach. I felt a tad nervous as we approached even though I know we would be well received. I can only imagine how Hanzo must have felt.

Speaking of Hanzo I spotted him standing in front of the others with a neutral expression on his face (just like always) as we closed the gap until we were standing across from one another.

"As Grandmaster I welcome you all to our village and we all hope you will enjoy our banquet in the Leaf's honor." Without pause and without thinking a rushed forward and embraced my newest friend. I give you three guesses on how that turned out.

...

Hanzo definitely was surprised but he patted my back and then the rest of us began to mingle with each other. He turned towards Kushina and greeted her as well." Nice to see you as well Kushina and I hope the journey wasn't to difficult for you."

"Oh it wasn't with an overbearing husband watching me like a hawk the whole time." She deathly glares in me direction.

"Kushina, Minato I would like both of you to meet my wife, Kara." From behind Hanzo emerged a beautiful woman dressed in a blue kimono with long black hair flowing down past her shoulders. "Nice to meet you both my name is Kara Hasashi."

"I've been looking forward to meeting you i'm Kushina. Hanzo has told us a lot about you."

"I'm sure he has and Hanzo has also spoke highly of the both of you as well."

"If it's not to rude to ask how many months along are you?"

"7 months now and may I ask the same of you?"

"Naruto is only 4 months but he likes to move a lot."

And so both of our wives walked off talking to one another leaving us behind just staring at what happened. Jiraiya at this time made his presence known coming from behind me and standing at my side.

Before I could even begin the introductions between the two Hanzo's face distorted in anger and said one thing, "JIRAIYA!"