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Chapter Four – Blood Bound
Countdown, descending down to zero
Bursting into flames
Can't you see the coming of a hero
On this enchanting day
Sitting in a meeting hall, all the clan heads of Konoha have gathered along with the Hokage and the different heads of different depart, like T&I, Konoha Hospital, and ANBU. It was the middle of December, yet the weather in Konoha was still slightly warm, only dropping into single digits during the night.
''If there is nothing more to report and no one has anything to bring before this gathering we can call it a night'' Hiruzen stated, the group had gone over any inter-clan issues that had propped up since their meeting the previous month and also the reports of the department heads with any information that was for the Hokage only removed.
''I would like to make a formal request to have the Kyuubi Jinchuriki under my tutelage until he is to be placed on a genin team'' Danzo, a wounded veteran from Hiruzen's generation, requested.
''His name is Naruto, you old bastard'' Tsume grumbled under her breath only loud enough for those sitting near her to hear.
''I cannot fulfill that request, I have an agreement with young Naruto that I plan to abide by'' Hiruzen said, not wanting to allow his political rival any position of strength that might lessen his own.
''Is there a reason why you are denying Danzo's offer of training the Jinchuriki when you have your own ANBU spending their time taking care of and training the boy?'' Fugaku asked with a slight edge to his tone ''As I see it allowing Danzo to take over the duty of training the boy would free up the ANBU for more important tasks''
The remaining Clan heads remained silent on the topic waiting to see how Hiruzen would respond, it was no secret that Fugaku and the Uchiha clan, in general, had begun to hold the Third Hokage in disdain, blaming him for not backing up the clan when public opinion started turning against them after the Kyuubi incident.
''Naruto is showing considerable talent and drive towards becoming a great ninja in the service of this village in the future, I plan to make him as powerful and as loyal to the village as I possibly can, and I do not care to put him under the methods that Danzo uses for his ROOT agents'' Hiruzen stated in response.
''Say what you will about my ROOT agents, but their loyalty has never been in question'' Danzo replied not willing to give up on his request just yet.
''Loyalty to who, now that is something I am not entirely certain of'' Hiruzen said in a tone that warned Danzo to back off.
''In that case how about letting me adopt Naruto, I am sure no one here would second guess the loyalty of my clan, my family and I have already considered Naruto a part of the family and I am sure we have several members beside myself who would also be willing to assist Naruto in his training'' Tsume spoke up, getting nods from her fellow ninja when she spoke about her families loyalty to Konoha.
''I am afraid I cannot show that kind of preferential treatment towards one of the clans, I know you care deeply for Naruto, but given his special circumstances, I have to take the political aspect of his status into account'' Hiruzen said, hoping to end the talks about Naruto since he did not want his plans for the boys future to be disturbed in any way.
''I do not think any clans would object to letting us foster Naruto until he became a genin'' Tsume said trying to force the issue.
''I would'' Said Fugaku said ''I would want the boy to be fostered in my clan if the boy is to be fostered''
It was a growing concern for some of the clan heads and department heads that Fugaku seemed to insist on pitting himself against the other clans if the Uchiha was not receiving compensation equal to what another clan would be getting.
''And there you have it, I am putting the talks about Naruto to rest here, is there any other matter that needs to be brought up?'' Hiruzen asked, after a round of negatives he ended the meeting by wishing everyone good night.
With the meeting adjourned, Shikaku, Inoichi, and Chouza were sitting inside Shikaku's living room with sake placed in front of them.
''I am getting worried about the growing antagonism from Fugaku and the withdrawal of the Uchiha clan in general, reports of distrust from Uchiha ninja's towards they fellow Konoha ninja are growing as well, if something is not done to reintegrate them soon I fear it will be too late, which would have horrible consequences for Konoha'' Shikaku said ''This is way too troublesome to deal with fully sober'' Shikaku added before draining his saucer.
''Is there anything we can do, and should we not try to sort it through Lord Hokage'' Chouza questioned.
''I am not sure Lord Hokage can alleviate the problem given that the Uchiha are holding him responsible for their current situation and the worse it gets, the more they will hate him for it'' Inoichi said adding his opinion.
Shikaku sighed in annoyance before speaking ''I don't really think there is anything we can do, in fact, I think if we tried to help, the distrust of the Uchiha would probably just make it so that us trying to get involved would escalate the conflict''
''It also does not help when Fugaku is so willing to burn bridges to any potential allies publicly like he has been doing'' Inoichi added.
The three sat in silence continuing to enjoy their sake, even if the topic weighed heavily on them.
''It is a shame that Lord Hokage is so adamant about Naruto's conditions staying as they are, my son has nothing but positive things to say about the boy'' Chouza said deciding to change the topic.
''I agree, I think it would be good for the boy to grow up in a clan like the Inuzuka who prize loyalty over everything else'' Inoichi added getting nods from the other two.
''I can't shake the feeling that Lord Hokage has something big planned for Naruto's future, it is common knowledge that Itachi is Hiruzen's choice for a successor and he has made sure that he is on the ANBU team that watches over and trains Naruto'' Shikaku said, getting agreeing hums from his two friends.
From there they took up less serious topics while they continued to drink until Shikaku's wife chased the other two out.
Xx-xX
Naruto was looking forward to the new year when he would start going to the academy, which meant that he would have a chance to learn the basic ninja techniques at some point.
After leaving the Air Bullet technique on his birthday, Naruto had decided to start learning to master his use of wind chakra, he was almost able to split a leaf down the middle at this point, but it had taken up most of his clones time in the period since is birthday which meant he had not been focusing as much on his other area's of training, however Naruto had decided to at least get the leaf splitting exercise down before he started the Academy, then he could continue his affinity training in the future.
Sitting in the armchair in his living room Naruto was rereading the book Hinata and given to him as a gift for his birthday for the third time, he was stopping periodically to move his chakra to whatever part of the body the book was talking about trying to get a feel for his chakra network, it was easier said than done and Naruto was not sure if he was imagining things or if he was actually making progress when he felt like he could sense his chakra pathways for a moment in time.
Naruto was deeply fascinated by the medical knowledge he had been studying and especially what being able to influence the chakra network on people might bring to the table, Naruto had already considered making a technique to have his chakra convert to healing chakra internally so as to heal any damage and wounds he suffered while he was in a fight, however for now he was just working on the theory behind such a technique before he would start working on making it into reality.
Releasing a sigh when there was a knock on the door, Naruto put down the book before dispelling the clones in his apartment that had been cutting leaves. Opening the door, he found Kiba standing outside and Naruto did not hesitate to invite him inside.
''Mum wanted to invite you over for new year's eve, so she sends me to ask if you wanted to come'' Kiba said before jumping onto one of Naruto's couches and lying down.
''I would be happy to join you'' Naruto replied before walking into the kitchen, he came back with two cups of iced tea ''Are you looking forward to when we start the Academy?'' Naruto asked sitting down opposite Kiba after putting one of the cups down in front of the said boy.
''Kind of, but I don't really want to study, it so boring'' Kiba said before sitting up and taking a sip of his drink. ''If I had your clone trick studying would be so easy, its unfair that you can just have your clones study for you'' Kiba said with mock irritation in his voice.
''Well, we cannot all be a great as I, You should take note of my greatness and hope to one day a tenth of what I am'' Naruto proclaimed with the most arrogant and obnoxious attitude he could muster while striking a grandeurs pose on his couch.
Silence reigned for a few seconds in the apartment before they both started laughing, as they tried to get control of their laughter if their eyes met they would start laughing again.
It took a couple of minutes before they calmed down enough to try and even out their breathing ''Man you almost sounded a bit like one of those Uchiha, they always act super self-important'' Kiba said.
''Please don't ever compare me to an Uchiha again, I think I just got goosebumps'' Naruto said feigning horror, causing Kiba to laugh again.
''I probably won't be around much the next couple of days, mum decided that it was time I started to learn to help out with the kennel'' Kiba stated getting a nod from Naruto.
''Well it can't be that bad, I mean all the dogs in your clan are so nice'' Naruto said, Kiba and he had on more than one occasion spent an afternoon playing rough with the dogs in the Inuzuka compound.
''Sis has been telling me horror stories for the last four days, though I am not sure if she is just trying to scare me if it is true or both'' Kiba explained with an exaggerated sigh.
The two continued to talk for a bit before Kiba said he had to go.
''I'll let mum know you will join us for New Years, she will probably come and pick you up on the day, see you then'' Kiba called as Naruto saw him out, Naruto called back his understanding before returning to his apartment.
The next day after Naruto had eaten lunch he went for a walk around the town, he was wearing a black hoodie with the hood up so people would not recognize him, he had taken to dress this way whenever he went out amongst the general populace a while back as he got fed up with the looks the civilian side of the village and a few ninjas would send him.
Naruto had been walking around for half an hour when he saw something that surprised him, a contingent of Cloud ninja walking through the village.
Naruto could not recall such an event from the story, he continued to stare after them for a while, before he decided to head home, he kept having a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that something big would be happening that night and that he should remember what it was.
Xx-xX
Naruto kept trying to remember why it was the Cloud ninja's being in Konoha bugged him and it was not until a bit after dinner than he remembered why. The Hyuuga incident!
Naruto started trying to recall as many details as he could about it but only came up with the facts that one of the Cloud ninjas had tried to kidnap Hinata during the night, after being discovered by Hiashi who after catching up with the Cloud nin, killed him swiftly securing the safety of his daughter.
The political fallout from Hiashi killing the Cloud nin had resulted in Konoha agreeing to hand over the body of the Cloud ninjas killer, where Hizashi had chosen to stand in for his identical brother, leaving Neji without a father and spiteful of the main family of the Hyuuga.
Quickly making a decision, Naruto redressed into his training gear which included four pouches, two on his hips and one on each leg, after ensuring he had his shuriken and kunai, he left his apartment, wall walking onto the roof he started roof jumping towards the Hyuuga compound, determined to make a difference, that would hopefully make the future better for at least two person.
Naruto started planning what he could do to solve the situation, he determined that the best solution would be to engage the Cloud ninja after he had kidnapped Hinata, because if he interrupted it before there was a chance he would try again later leading to the result Naruto was hoping to avoid, creating six clones, Naruto spread them out of that they could keep track of the side of the Hyuuga clan compound that faced toward the village.
Naruto waited for several hours as it turned completely dark before one of his clones spotted the Cloud ninja making his way toward the Hyuuga compound, as soon as he had jumped over the wall the clone dispelled informing Naruto, who quickly moved to that position, making sure to stay hidden on the rooftops, Naruto made 50 clones to cover the entire area, making the surround a spot he had decided would be best for his ambush.
Five minutes after Naruto and his clones had found hiding spots the Cloud nin came jumping out of the Hyuuga compound with a burlap sack over his shoulder, after a quick look around the Cloud ninja set a fast pace down the streets, and in a few moments he made it to the area where Naruto and his clones were hidden.
When he was in optimal position, a hail of kunai and shuriken from all around him forced the Cloud ninja to jump back, where he dropped the sack before taking up a defensive stance. Sending more waves of throwing weapons after the Cloud ninja as they jumped out of their hiding spots giving pursuit nin as he avoided the barrage with only a few shallow cuts.
Naruto himself allowed his clones to continue the assault as he jumped down and grabbed the burlap sack before taking off with it running around the corner before taking to the roofs, finding a great hiding spot he sat down with the sack between his legs and he opened it and freed the tied up and crying Hinata, as soon as she saw Naruto she hugged and started crying into his shoulder, unsure of himself, Naruto hugged her back and started patting her back while whispering to her ''It is going to be all right''
Back with Naruto's clones they had started bombarding the Cloud ninja with Air Bullets now that Hinata was safely out of the Cloud nin's grasp.
The man had defended himself with an earth wall, but the clones had taken the opportunity to surround the man once more, pelting him into the ground with the remaining fifteen clones that had not been taken out by the Cloud nin yet.
Naruto had expected a prolonged battle, which was why when one of his clones dispelled after they had ensured the Cloud nin was knocked out and they had tied him up to the best of their ability with ninja wire.
Barely a minute passed before Hiashi arrived at the scene of 10 Naruto's standing guard over the tied up Cloud ninja, Hiashi swiftly inquired about his daughter's whereabouts, and they informed him that the real Naruto had her before one of them dispelled to let Naruto know that Hiashi was there now.
Hinata had cried herself to sleep against Naruto so he picked her up in a princess carry before heading towards Hiashi, Hiashi spotted Naruto with his eyes active way before he arrived, Naruto arrived at the same time as a squad of ANBU showed up.
''What happened here'' a man with spiky silver hair wearing a dog mask questioned, Naruto recognized the man immediately and quickly responded.
''I saw this man jump into the Hyuuga clan compound after he checked to make sure there was no one around, he came out less than 10 minutes later carrying this burlap sack over his shoulder, I decided to engage him since he might have kidnapped someone from the Hyuuga compound'' Naruto explained.
''I engaged and surrounded him with my shadow clones, forcing him on the defensive and to drop the burlap sack to defend himself, I grabbed the sack and left leaving my clones to engage the man while I found a hiding spot since I did not think my clones would be able to take him out'' Naruto continued.
''Once in what I considered a safe spot, I looked inside the sack and found Hinata here tied up, I tried to get her to calm down while I waited for back up as I had received the memory of 35 of my clones being dispelled by the Cloud nin. Then I got the memory of my clones surrounding and knocking him out with the use of Air Bullet and shortly after that Lord Hyuuga showed up'' Naruto finished.
''Lord Hyuuga, you may bring your daughter to your clan compound, I will take the perpetrator into custody and have Uzumaki explain what happened to Lord Hokage'' Dog or Kakashi as Naruto knew him as said, Hiashi took his daughter from Naruto and quickly brought her back into the compound.
Kakashi assigned one of his fellow ANBU to carry the man to T&I before he turned back to Naruto.
''Follow me mister Uzumaki'' Kakashi said, before taking to the roofs.
20 minutes later Naruto was sitting in front of Hiruzen to Hiruzen's left side, while on Hiruzen's left were two members of the Cloud delegation.
The two had been allowed to hear Naruto's testimony and had quickly distanced themselves from what their fellow Cloud ninja had done, insisting that it was the man's ambition and stupidity that had led him to make that decision and that there were no orders in place.
To avoid more political trouble then needed the Cloud delegation was forced to pack up and leave, before being escorted to the border after being told than Konoha would contact Cloud once they had interrogated the guilty party.
Before Hiruzen could send Naruto home after having told him that he was proud of his actions taken to defend a fellow leaf citizen, Hiashi arrived at Hiruzen's office wanting to talk with Naruto.
''On behalf of the Hyuuga clan but mostly as Hinata's father I would like to thank you for what you did tonight mister Uzumaki'' Hiashi stated giving a bow at the waist towards Naruto.
''Please call me Naruto, and Hinata is a good friend of mine so I am glad that I was able to help so no thanks are needed'' Naruto replied.
''Hinata has talked quite a bit about both you and her other friends and it makes me happy you have helped her get out of shell, and I am pleased she has a friend she can count on that is as capable as you are Naruto, the Hyuuga clan will from this day forward consider you a friend of the clan, we will stand with you in the future as you have stood with us tonight'' Hiashi said before placing a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
''I can see why Tsume has taken a liking to you and I look forward to seeing what you will accomplish in the future'' Hiashi said, making Naruto smile at the mention of what he had come to consider as family.
''I am honored to have the Hyuuga clan consider me a friend'' Naruto replied.
After a few more exchanges of words, Hiruzen had an ANBU escort Naruto home and standing guard at his home ensuring that the Cloud ninja did not try to retaliate against him.
Xx-xX
End of chapter four.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it, reviews are welcome!
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-Akabara