Chapter 4-Truth Revealed
"HINATA DID WHAT?" yelled Tsunade from her office, which had the volume of the yell being so loud, it shook the whole tower, and could be heard by the village populous below.
"Hinata fled to the Western Elemental Empire to be with Uzumaki Naruto," said Kurenai, as she barely got those words out of her mouth when they arrived before Tsunade yelled out her question, and the look of pure fury in those eyes to match her voice.
"But that's not the worst news," said Kakashi seeing Tsunade turn her attention to him.
"Explain!" said Tsunade while seething inside.
"Kyuubi is free...by Naruto," said Kakashi seeing Tsunade's eyes widen in shock and fear before they narrowed again.
"What. did you. just. say?" said Tsunade seeing Kakashi now becoming nervous.
"The Kyuubi is uh...apparently...um...free!" said Kakashi before hearing the sound of Tsunade's desk breaking in two when the woman brought her fist down upon it.
"That idiot boy! Doesn't he know the consequences of doing that? If Naruto's not dead already from that he soon will be when I get my hands on him!" said Tsunade while the Jounin in front of her were concerned about how she would react to this.
All their former students injured from the tournament were in the hospital at the moment and almost wished they were switching places. Almost wished. Some of the injuries were too sadistic in how they had been delivered by the Empire's fighters to wish swapping their current situations.
"Uzumaki Naruto is apparently alive Hokage-sama. Though how close he actually is to the Emperor himself is unknown. From what we heard from the fighters that participated in Spring Country, he's very close, and is well respected over there," said Kakashi while seeing Tsunade's anger growing.
"Well there is one way to find out. Find Jiraiya! Bring his ass in here now! I need to talk to him, the Councils, and the Clan Heads about this situation we're now in," said Tsunade furiously with the three Jounin nodding and leaving to get the Sannin before the Hokage blew her top.
"Tsunade-sama, you should really calm down," said Shizune, but the glare Tsunade sent her caused any further advice to halt in her throat, and take a step back.
"Calm down? Calm down! We've lost support from allies, our Daimyo, and just now I learn Hyuuga Hinata has left for the Empire. I now have to handle Hinata's Father, the political backlash from dealing with the Western Elemental Empire, and their views of the village regarding Naruto's banishment," said Tsunade while Shizune fidgeted slightly under her gaze.
"It was wrong Hokage-sama," said Shizune quietly to the older woman.
"What?" said Tsunade not hearing the younger woman clearly.
"I said it was wrong to banish Naruto for doing his job Hokage-sama," said Shizune in a much louder voice.
"I didn't ask you for your opinion on the matter Shizune," said Tsunade while younger woman herself now scowled heavily.
"At least tell me why you went along with the banishment? After everything he has done for this village, for you in believing in yourself after so many years, and getting over your fear of blood! Why? " said Shizune wanting an explanation.
"Because like it or not the boy was a threat to the village! Not because of the Kyuubi, but because of his heritage, and needed to be cut loose beforehand," said Tsunade seeing the shock on Shizune's face.
"What heritage?" said Shizune seeing Tsunade snort and look away just to see Jiraiya there on the windowsill.
"Naruto is the son of Uzumaki Kushina and Namikaze Minato," said Jiraiya while he ignored Tsunade's glare and focused on Shizune.
"Naruto is the son of the Yondaime?" said Shizune, as she had always speculated, but never really thought it was possible, and yet...Jiraiya just confirmed it.
"Yeah. If the village find out before Naruto's banishment, a civil war would have broken out, both Iwa, and Kumo would be breathing down our necks even more. At the time, the Leaf couldn't protect Naruto from his Father's outside enemies, and with the Akatsuki now causing further problems in wanting the kid for the Kyuubi...we had to choose. We had to choose between the Leaf and Naruto. We chose the Leaf," said Jiraiya sadly while Tsunade looked away.
"You chose the village? Even after all the abuse, the hatred, and pain they unleashed on Naruto? Naruto was and is the son of the Yondaime. If he were trained by you, he could have become stronger then his Father, and yet you went along with the banishment," said Shizune with Jiraiya looking away while Tsunade scoffed.
"And what would Naruto do with that power once he learned the truth? He would have crushed the village in retaliation! The order to banish him was going to happen whether the gaki succeeded in his mission or not. Naruto needed to know what it was to survive without the village supporting him and have a humbling experience where he understood the need to be a Leaf Shinobi no matter the situation," said Tsunade while Shizune turned to face her and gave the female Hokage the deepest scowl the Slug Princess had ever seen her student give.
"Humble? Humble! You call banishing Naruto from the village a humbling experience? After this village gave him next to nothing and what they did give being poor quality! The boy was in Hell when living in this village while I was taking care of you Tsunade and you Jiraiya were out peeping in the hot springs of different villages. If anything, you two should have been humbled, but your own arrogance wouldn't let it happen, and now that Naruto is happily free to do what he wants in the Western Elemental Empire...you feel scorned. What is a matter with you two?" said Shizune before she stormed out of the room with Jiraiya sighing and rubbing the back of his neck.
"Ouch!" said Jiraiya while sitting down in a chair across from Tsunade.
"Shizune's still young and will get over it," said Tsunade, as she saw Jiraiya not looking entirely convinced, and just decided to accept the woman's judgment on the matter.
"You called me here for something important?" said Jiraiya seeing Tsunade nod.
"Yes. Naruto is in the Empire like we first thought years ago, but now Hyuuga Hinata is there too, and she wants to be with him," said Tsunade with Jiraiya wincing at hearing the girl going over to the Empire.
"That's bad. The Hyuuga Elders will want her seal activated and when they do...," said Jiraiya seeing Tsunade nod.
"She'll die. Slowly, painfully, and right in front of Naruto no less if she's that unlucky," said Tsunade seeing Jiraiya's face having a grim look to it.
"And if Naruto has some decent pull with the Emperor...," said Jiraiya while going a bit pale in the face.
"The Emperor could cause us a lot of problems if he felt a need to get involved in some way," said Tsunade knowing the Fire Daimyo did not want to invoke the wrath of the Empire on is lands.
"Worse. He could go around the political view of things and send his agents to basically cripple the Leaf so badly only one of our enemies from finishing the job," said Jiraiya and saw Tsunade wince knowing he was right.
"We need to discuss this with the Councils and Clan Heads. There is one more thing they need to know that you don't and its not pretty," said Tsunade seeing Jiraiya's face getting grimmer.
"When is it ever pretty?" said Jiraiya before following Tsunade out of her office to the meeting room where the Councils and Clan Heads were awaiting them.
Shizune was very good at her job since she knew what needed to be done while Tsunade talked to Jiraiya first.
"Are the rumors true? Is the Kyuubi roaming around freely in the Empire?" said Koharu while Jiraiya looked shocked and then looked at Tsunade glaring at the older woman.
"First, the meeting here is not official until I sit down, and say it is. Second, I was going to address that matter, and if you defy me again I'll have you arrested for treason. Third, the rumors are indeed true from what Kakashi, Kurenai, and Gai have told me about how the Emperor himself spoke to Kyuubi's name with the supposed demon fox responding to it," said Tsunade, which caused a fury of shouting, and yelling over how to handle this matter.
"The demon must be eliminated!" someone shouted.
"He will use his demon magic to influence the Emperor to order an invasion here in the East. We need to kill them both!" said another person.
"Prepare four ANBU squads of our most skilled Shinobi and Jiraiya to go into the Empire to kill them. It will fall apart and we'll be safe once more!" said another Councilman and the shouting continued.
"SILENCE!" yelled Tsunade, as she slammed her fist down, and made everyone shut up.
"What you are asking Tsunade to do is potentially suicidal not only for the Shinobi sent out, but for the village itself, as failure of such a mission would result in a war with the Empire, and we are already in danger of being destroyed by three major powers here in the East. I don't need to remind you of the potential scandal we had when the box filled the remains of Root Shinobi were dropped on our doorstep in pieces and the Empire's insignia on the box with a warning from the Emperor," said Jiraiya while Danzo stiffened slightly at remembering that fact.
"Then we appeal to the Fire Daimyo. Tell him the Kyuubi got free, is in the Empire, and should be extradited back here to Konoha for its crimes against the village," said Homura while seeing the other members nod in agreement.
"And in return, the Emperor could ask the people of Konoha be brought up on charges against Naruto for their hand in his abuse, and will have the backing of our former allies to put pressure on the Fire Daimyo to side with the Empire," said Jiraiya knowing that this was a two way street when it came to sensitive politics.
Someone always got screwed.
"What do you suggest we do? Sit here and do nothing!" said Koharu, as she saw Jiraiya shake his head, and could see he already had a plan.
"We need to handle this covertly. Look, the Empire is stable enough that I can enter it without the risk of someone killing me just for being there, and at the very least I'll be arrested with the chance of facing the Emperor himself on those charges. I talk to him, get some insight into the kind of man he is, and use my charm to convince him to let me go with a signed copy of one of my books to get the man onto our side," said Jiraiya with a confident grin while Tsunade rolled her eyes.
"And just how do you intend to get the Emperor on our side? He already knows about the Kyuubi, as the man has been in contact with the demon brat, and the demon himself for roughly six years. The chances of him hearing you out are very slim Jiraiya," said Danzo, as he saw Jiraiya shrug since it was a risk, and Shinobi take risks everyday.
"I'll think of something. At best, I can convince the Emperor to hand over Hinata, and let this whole ugly business be left alone since provoking him over Kyuubi seems like a rush to death. If anything, I should try to ask for the Empire to ally with us, and keep our own enemies off our back. Not to mention if successful, it could gain us our old alliances back to further make Orochimaru, and the other Shinobi villages trying to batter down our doors," said Jiraiya seeing the people in the room nod in understanding.
"Hiashi-sama, you've been awfully quiet throughout this meeting. I half expected you to throw a temper tantrum over the loss of your daughter," said Tsunade seeing the Hyuuga was surprisingly calm.
"I sensed my daughter might try something like this with the Emperor so after the group leaving was late returning home, I personally activated Hinata's Cage Bird Seal, and left the Empire a pathetic weak corpse. The only thing that demon brat has now is an empty lifeless body," said Hiashi with a smirk on his face at the victory over his daughter and the man she loved.
"Thanks a lot Hiashi-san. You've just made my mission soooo much easier," said Jiraiya sarcastically while the Hyuuga grimaced knowing he was right.
"You have your mission Jiraiya. Go with a team I'll send with you to talk to the Emperor, convince him to return Hinata's body to us, and at the very least...bring Naruto back here to Konoha," said Tsunade while those in the room were grumbling in disgust at how they didn't need the demon brat in the first place and it was foolish to try.
(Imperial Palace-Days Later)
Hinata was in the Royal Gardens of the Imperial Palace, loving the flowers that were in it, as they seemed to exotic, rare, and filled with life. It was Heaven on Earth and that was truer with Naruto here in the Palace. Naruto had expressed how much he missed her, how much her words meant to him over the years, during the hard battles, the fights, and the near death experiences he had when fighting to unite the land into what was now the Empire. Naruto told Hinata that it was because of her words to him years ago before he left, that he had survived the brutality of the war itself, and had long since planned to do something to save Hinata when the time came upon the uniting all the lands in the West.
Then, just when Hinata didn't think she could be more surprised by Naruto, he gets on one knee, looks her right in the eyes, and...asks the Hyuuga to marry him. To be his one and only woman in the world with his heart in her hand.
When he produced the heart shaped diamond ring, Hinata hugged, kissed, and accepted without hesitation right in front of several individuals. Walter smiled, Kyuubi smirked, Liu Bei along with his Sworn Brothers cheered at the sight of their Emperor, who had finally found his other half, ask the woman to marry him, and hear her accept. Nothing could ruin Hinata's happiness at that moment, as she wanted to have the wedding right away, and everyone to know of their wedding.
Naruto agreed, but he told her that a condition of being his wife was to get stronger, and that she wasn't going to be a pampered Empress like so many of wives of the Daimyos in the East. Many of them had never had a hard days work in their lives, having servants do the chores, never working hard, or heavy labor when required.
Hinata accepted the condition without hesitation, as she had wanted to be strong from the start, and wasn't going to stop until she was second if not tied for first only to her husband in terms of strength. So Naruto had Hinata training with some the Empire's best female fighters like Tifa Lockhart and Chung Li for Taijutsu training. From the Southern Water Division, Naruto had a woman named Katara help Hinata with mastering her own water affinity, and learning new ways of healing using water itself when mixed with chakra that was properly attuned to the element.
"Are you enjoying yourself Empress-sama?" said Yoko Kurama, a fox demon with great skill, and deadly precision in everything he did.
"Oh yes! Thank you for asking Kurama-san. Your flowers in the garden are so beautiful," said Hinata, as she noticed Kurama was in his more humanized state, and wondered why that was since she didn't mind the more fox like form.
"Thank you for the compliment Empress-sama. The Emperor himself said you would like the garden and I am pleased to see he was right," said Kurama bowing to the Hyuuga.
"There is no need to be so formal Kurama-san. I'm not the Empress yet. Even still, I wish us to speak normally since I am your friend, and you are mine, correct?" said Hinata, as she saw the brief look of surprise on Kurama's face for a second before it became a gentle smile, and saw him nod.
"I would like that very much," said Kurama, as he knew without a doubt in his mind that Naruto had chosen his wife, and Empress wisely.
"May I ask why you are here Kurama-san?" said Hinata knowing the man or rather fox demon was here for a reason.
"Yes, I'm afraid that news has come of a traveler, who wishes to speak to the Emperor, and this man wishes to talk to your future husband about...you," said Kurama seeing the Hyuuga girl's eyes widen.
"Me? Did the traveler say his name?" said Hinata seeing Kurama nod though he didn't look happy about it.
"His name is Jiraiya of the Sannin. He was in the company of a few Konoha Shinobi that were his escort here. They were your age or around it with some being even older. I can only guess they were either your classmates, they graduated a year ahead of you, or some of the more veteran Shinobi from the Leaf," said Kurama seeing Hinata nod understand.
"Is my future husband speaking to Jiraiya now?" said Hinata seeing Kurama shake his head in a negative way.
"No. Naruto has been stalling Jiraiya and his escort while keeping a close eye on them should some of them wander off where they shouldn't. He requests you join him in the Royal Audience Chambers for this meeting with them and to let you know Kyuubi will also be attending for his own reasons," said Kurama, as he saw Hinata smirk, and knew that she knew the Emperor had a plan up his sleeve to make the Konoha Shinobi really piss themselves.
"I shouldn't keep my future husband waiting, now should I?" said Hinata with Kurama also smirking, as he extended his hand, which Hinata took while he escorted her to the Royal Audience Chamber, and sit by her lover before he addressed the Leaf Shinobi a few rooms away.
(Waiting Room-With Jiraiya and Group)
"Fancy place the Emperor's got here. Not to showy, but not to simplistic either, and the female help aren't bad looking either. Who wants to bet he's banged at least one of them just for the fun of it?" said Kiba now fully healed with Akamaru by his side.
"Just make sure your dog doesn't mark anything here Kiba. We're guests here. The fewer to no pee markings this place has from Akamaru, the better chance we have of this little meeting with the Emperor going smoothly, and avoid the chopping block," said Jiraiya seeing Kiba nod and gave a look to Akamaru.
"I'll be respectful to the Emperor, but if Naruto's around...," said Sakura, as she had every intention of smashing her fist through Naruto's skull, and make his brains turn to mush.
"Don't Sakura! Naruto has a great deal of favor with the Emperor and the respect of the people in the Empire. To strike him would spark further tensions we can't afford," said Kakashi to his former student.
"Of course he does. You saw the demon in Spring Country after the tournament was over Kakashi-san. If given the chance, I'd rip his throat out, and mount his head on my wall back home," said Kiba angrily at the idea of the demon having his woman.
"Behave yourself Kiba. We don't know the position Kyuubi has with the Emperor. If you provoke either one, we may not return to Konoha alive, and that will severely weaken the village," said Kurenai knowing the Inuzuka was pissed off about Hinata not only being here, but now dead thanks to her Cage Bird Seal being activated, and her last moments no doubt being with Naruto.
"I'll try. But if this Emperor guy is some snooty, 'I'm better then you' kind of guy, then I say the Hell with being nice, and just tell him to screw off," said Kiba while his former sensei sighed at his brashness.
"I doubt he is like that Kiba. This man forged an Empire out of the West through warfare and is no doubt keeping his skills sharp to avoid being removed from power. It is what leaders of an Empire do after all," said Shino while having been told before hand by a man named Walter that his bugs would not be tolerated flying around the Imperial Palace and would result in immediate punishment in the loss of one of the Aburame's limbs for each bug the butler claimed could be tracked back him if floating around.
Shino didn't doubt it so his bugs, out of their own form of self preservation, and his own had decided to stay within Aburame until they were out of the Imperial Palace.
"Which means none of you bakas are going to do anything stupid. Got it? said Anko, as she saw the younger Shinobi in the room nod, and the door near her opened to reveal a young man with long red hair wearing well dressed clothing
"Jiraiya of the Sannin and his associates?" said the figure, who they recognized was the man named Kurama, and met outside the walls before they were escorted here where the man named Walter spoke to them.
"Yes," said Jiraiya seeing the man turn fully to face him.
"The Emperor will see you all now. Please follow me," said Kurama walking out into the hall towards the Royal Audience Chamber with the group following close behind him.
"I have a question," said Kiba while ignoring the warning look from Kurenai to not do anything stupid.
"Depending on the question I will answer it," said Kurama without looking back.
"Why do you smell like a fox? Are you secretly Kyuubi?" said Kiba while making the Leaf Shinobi around him tense and Kurama stop walking.
"No. I am not Kyuubi. However since there is no way around denying the truth...I am a fox demon," said Kurama seeing Kiba baring his teeth at him.
"You don't look like one," said Sakura while Kurama just chuckled.
"You think all demons like dogs, foxes, and cats are incapable of having a human based form? That is incorrect. While I myself do possess a fox like form, it is nowhere near the size or strength Kyuubi himself possesses, which I am sure the older members of your group remember, and witnessed years ago before he was sealed away. There are some demons in the Empire, who have three forms, which like myself, and Kyuubi have the honor of possessing. What you see now is my human looking form, while my secondary form is far more powerful, and shows some of my more fox like traits that prove my heritage is indeed that of a demonic fox. The main form of demon animals like myself and Kyuubi are the ones Konoha is already familiar with when we are using our full potential," said Kurama while making a hand motion for them to continue following him.
"So you have a strong affinity for fire like Kyuubi does?" said Shino curiously, as he did not take Kurama to be the "fire type", and didn't radiate the same hostile power Kyuubi did.
Though whether that was meant to be comforting or down right scary was unknown to the Aburame.
"No. I'm more attuned to nature itself. I can manipulate plants and trees using my powers to create beauty...or death!" said Kurama simply with a small chuckle that made the Leaf Shinobi behind him shiver slightly.
'So Kurama's power are similar to the Shodaime Hokage's own, but more advanced given his demonic energy, and he's capable of using it as a weapon in a pinch,' thought Kakashi while filing that away for later.
And remembering to stay away from the plant life that looked unnatural.
"So what's the Emperor like?" said Anko deciding to focus on the Emperor himself and get a feel for the guy that would no doubt decide whether or not they leave the Empire alive.
"You will find out soon enough," said Walter from behind the group of Leaf Shinobi and almost scarring them out of their clothes.
"Where the Hell did you come from?" said Kiba while pointing a finger a Walter, who just smiled at the boy in an unnerving way, and the loyal butler quickly vanished before reappearing with the Inuzuka's finger in his hand.
"You should never ask such things in rude tone young one. Its considered disrespectful!" said Walter while staring into the Inuzuka's eyes and Kiba could practically smell blood on the man's hands.
'This guy is a killer. He's seen death and no doubt delivered it upon others using those very hands when required,' thought Kakashi, as he knew a taker of life when saw one, and this butler seemed to be a Master in the field.
"Walter, we can't keep the Emperor waiting," said Kurama seeing Walter look at him and nod before letting the Inuzuka's finger go.
"Of course. Let's continue," said Walter while Kurama continued with the Leaf Shinobi behind him following and Walter in the back to ensure no stragglers decided to stray from the set path.
The group soon made their way to the designated doors that led to the Royal Audience Chamber, which was guarded by samurai, and each guard had their hands at the ready to cut through any one of the guests right there should the order be given. With a nod from Kurama, the two by the door opened the heavy doors while the others kept a close eye on the Konoha Shinobi, and leaving nothing to chance.
When the two doors were fully open did Kurama finally walk into the Royal Audience Chamber with the Leaf Shinobi behind him quickly following, and Walter doing the same before signaling to the samurai to shut the doors. Jiraiya along with the others gasped at how elegant it looked, as designs of dragons, and foxes decorated the room in a elegant tapestry that made anything in the East look pale by comparison.
It didn't even hurt that there was fire, yes an actual line of fire along both sides of the large room, which rose nearly up to the sealing, and upon following the trail led to the man sitting behind a wall of flame. This time the Emperor's face was not masked by a helmet or covering like they had seen in paintings or in person in Spring Country. Beside him was a woman, who was hard to make out at first, like the Emperor himself because of the wall of fire, but as they got closer, a sense of dread filled the hearts, and minds of the Konoha Shinobi. The eyes that stared at them through the flame were piercing blue eyes, filled with cold fury, and it reminded the older Shinobi of the group of one person that had been a hero to Konoha for many years.
The woman next to him was wearing regal robes worthy of her station in being the future Empress of the Empire, as she to looked at the Leaf Shinobi, and one Inuzuka with anger. A very rare thing to do given the woman's gentle nature, but considering everything that had happened to her, and to the one she cared about...it was long overdue.
"The only reason I allowed you an audience with me, is because I felt it was time some of you understood the severity of Konoha's stupidity, and the level of your own arrogance!" said Naruto his voice filled with anger, which matched his eyes, and the fire that spiked ever so slightly around him.
"Naruto? You are the Emperor?" said Jiraiya seeing those cold blue eyes glaring at him with such intensity it was like staring into his late student's own.
"Surprised? You shouldn't be. After Konoha's betrayal, I had an interesting conversation with Kyuubi, and he suggested I go to the West beyond The Wall. Considering how my life was shot to Hell by the likes of that bitch of a Hokage and those in power before her to further gain what they wanted...I agreed," said Naruto seeing Jiraiya's eyes widen.
"Quit playing around Naruto. We all know you're really the Kyuubi. We all saw you in Spring Country when the real Emperor called out to you," said Kiba before the already intense fire around them grew with the flame licking the sealing above them.
"Foolish Inuzuka! You know not what you speak of so hold your tongue! I was in Spring Country. Of that, you are indeed correct about, but I was not there as the Kyuubi, and you would do best to remember that before I have one of my subordinates make an example out of your hide!" said Naruto his anger directed now entirely on Kiba and the Inuzuka was hesitant to say anything else while the flame around them continued to flux with the Emperor's anger.
"If you're not the fox, then prove it, and have Kyuubi reveal himself!" said Sakura before she heard a cruel chuckle from behind a circular pillar with the design of a dragon rising up around it.
"You mean me Haruno? It seems your arrogance has blinded you all from the simple fact we are not the same as you can plainly see with your own eyes!" said Kyuubi, as he now walked towards the group, and the group took a step back away from him.
"If you're the Kyuubi, then that means...!" said Sakura, as she turned from looking at the demon fox to Naruto, and then back again before staring at Naruto in horror.
"At last, you all finally understand, and the painful truth has been revealed!" said Naruto with a cruel grin on his face aimed at her and then at the others.
"But...Mom said...she said Kyuubi and Naruto were...were one and...and the same!" said Kiba in shock at seeing his whole perception of reality he had been raised into believing was true become shattered in a single moment.
"You don't believe Naruto still? Kurama. Stab me," said Kyuubi before seeing Kurama look to the Emperor for permission and when Naruto nodded did the other fox demon comply.
Using his Rose Whip, Kurama pierced Kyuubi's shoulder with it, a wound that the more powerful fox simply ignored when struck, and further proved he wasn't just some weak Shadow Clone of Naruto under a henge disguise to deceive them. When Kurama pulled his weapon out, he bowed apologetically to him, and then to the Emperor himself before turning it back into a rose.
"As you can see. The proof, as they say Kiba, is in the blood, and the truth that was never made known to everyone in the first place because of the scandal it would cause. You know what I mean, don't you...my Godfather?" said Naruto to Jiraiya, who looked guilty in a way a child did in being caught with his hand in a cookie jar, and lying despite the truth to the contrary.
"So you know huh?" said Jiraiya while the fire spiked around him and Naruto's blue eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Of course he knows fool! Who do you think told him? Who do you think told him the biggest secret ever kept from him? You know the one. It was kept from him even longer then my sealing into his body!" said Kyuubi seeing Jiraiya's face go deathly pale.
"What secret?" said Kurenai seeing Kakashi and Jiraiya flinch while Naruto's anger once more spiked at seeing the former react.
"A secret known to a select few. A select few, who were trusted to do their duty, and yet they chose to betray the man entrusting them with it," said Naruto angrily while Jiraiya and Kakashi looked down in shame.
"I don't suppose you care to tell us?" said Anko while hoping he would since she like most of them was in the dark about this hidden secret.
"The secret known to a select few is who my Father is. Though considering the last name I had for most of my life, you would think the one muscle the Leaf hasn't used in awhile would work again, and figure it out," said Naruto with most of the group still didn't know what he was talking about.
"Your last name was Uzumaki. So what?" said Kiba before Kurenai smacked him on the back of his head.
"That was my Mother's last name. If anyone growing up around my Father's time here used their brains, they would understand there was only one Uzumaki in Konoha at the time before I was born, and they know who she married!" said Naruto seeing the older adults of the group stiffen and could practically feel the cold shiver that ran down their spinal columns.
"Uzumaki Kushina," said Kurenai, as she had met the woman a few times, and wondered how it was she missed the painful truth about who Naruto's Mother was with the man's Father being equally painful.
"What's the significance of some woman with the same last name as him?" said Kiba while Anko smacked him on the back of head.
"Baka! Uzumaki Kushina was the wife of Namikaze Minato. Namikaze Minato was the Yondaime Hokage of the Leaf. Naruto is the son of the Yondaime Hokage!" said Anko seeing Naruto smile at her, but his blue eyes that were filled with rage, and would not leave him.
"Now you finally understand. Now you finally realize just how stupid, just how reckless the people of Konoha were for what they did, and the significance of just how deep the betrayal was to my heart!" said Naruto while glaring at both Jiraiya and Kakashi since he knew they would understand the double meaning behind his words.
"Naruto I...we came here to talk to you. Peacefully. In a civil manner," said Jiraiya, as he saw Naruto narrow his eyes at him more, and had to look away before looking away yet again when his eyes locked onto Kyuubi's crimson orbs.
"Civil? Do you take me for a fool Jiraiya? That you are the only one with a spy network? I know why you've come here with your little band of Leaf Shinobi. You want Hinata-chan brought back to Konoha," said Naruto simply while Kiba growled slightly before Walter made a noise that told the Inuzuka to be silent.
"She should be buried in the Leaf. It was her home. It still is her home," said Kurenai, as she saw Naruto look at her, and then surprisingly...he laughed!
"Bury her? Why? Hinata's not dead. Or has your vision become so clouded and narrowed so badly that you can't see who the woman is sitting right beside me?" said Naruto, as he raised his hand, and moved it to for them to follow where he wanted them to look so they could see the Hyuuga for themselves.
"Hinata?" said Kurenai, as she could barely see past the fire, and thus had not seen her former student's face in the process.
"Give me back my future wife!" said Kiba before a firm hand was put on his shoulder by Walter, and the butler squeezed hard while telling the Inuzuka's dog to know his place in not interfering.
"No," said Naruto simply while Kiba struggled between growling in anger and gritting his teeth in pain from Walter's grip.
"Naruto, there is an arranged marriage between Inuzuka Kiba, and Hyuuga Hinata to be scheduled for when the tournament in Spring Country was over. I don't know how well schooled you are in politics, but in the East, her Father demands she return home, and be married to Kiba immediately," said Jiraiya while not mentioning that Hiashi had already tried to have Hinata killed using the Cage Bird Seal.
That was not on her head. Oh crap!
"Funny Jiraiya. I didn't think Hiashi was the kind of man to marry off his presumed dead Hyuugadaughter to Kiba. Unless, he thinks Kiba is into that sort of thing," said Naruto while Kiba went green in the face and wanted to puke like the other Konoha Shinobi.
"We came here originally to return Hinata's dead body to the Leaf, but since she is in fact alive, our mission has been altered to returning her home to Konoha to be married, and without delay," said Shino while Naruto focused on the Aburame.
"Let me guess. Logic demands I comply with this since I am of Royal status now and thus comply with the 'Rules of Royalty'? Both as an Emperor and the son of a Hokage?" said Naruto seeing Shino nod.
"Correct," said Shino while Naruto just grinned dangerously at him.
"Tell me Shino...when was the last time I ever acted in a logical way?" said Naruto, as he leaned forward slightly, and looked right into the shades that hid the man's eyes.
"I do not know," said Shino admittedly with Naruto grinning even more.
"Damn right you don't. None of you do. Not surprisingly since you were all told to hate, scorn, and/or ignore me. So tell me again why should I follow the rules of the East when I am in the West, and going to be married to this wonderful caring woman sitting by my side?" said Naruto while the fire in the room lessened and Hinata blushed at his words.
"She's going home and marrying me! That's not negotiable," said Kiba before the fire and the heat from hit shot up to dangerous levels.
"I think it is. You seem to forgetting, this is my Empire, this is my home, and this is my house in which you have entered demanding something from me!" said Naruto before he snapped his fingers and instantly the samurai outside, plus entirely knew squad entered the room, and surrounded the group.
"Naruto stop! Please!" said Sakura while hoping he would listen to her for old times sake.
"I don't answer to you. I don't answer to any of you. Not to Konoha, not the Councils, not the Clan Heads, and certainly not to the Hokage responsible for ordering my banishment from the Leaf village. Don't worry though, as I'm not going to kill you in order to send my own personal response back to this, but rather send you back humbled, and filled with regret that will forever be considered an irremovable mark on your souls! Take all, but Jiraiya away to the dungeons, as I have some things we need to discuss, and I don't want any kind of distractions from the Konoha scum he brought with him," said Naruto seeing the guards restrain the Leaf Shinobi and escort them out of the room.
"Naruto! Stop this! We're sorry. Please!" said Sakura, but her voice was ignored by the Emperor, and his focus clearly on Jiraiya.
"Do you wish me to leave since this is personal matter between you two?" said Hinata, but Naruto shook his head no, and put a hand on hers to signify he wanted the woman to stay.
"No. This is important. As my future wife, you should be involved in my personal life and all that I do," said Naruto with a smile on his face, as he kissed her hand which made the Hyuuga blush before they both turned to face Jiraiya, and their smiles left.
"So...uh...what do you want to talk about?" said Jiraiya while seeing Kyuubi, Kurama, and Walter were in the room in a triangle formation with the Sannin himself in the center of it.
"I wish to talk to you about my Family Estate. Specifically, everything in Konoha that's not nailed down, and that I inherited from my Father. From the most simplest tea cup to the house he lived in with my Mother. I want to know everything!" said Naruto in very dangerous tone and Jiraiya knew that his Godson was going to get what he wanted no matter what.
"Sure! Why not? After all...it is yours!" said Jiraiya letting out a sheepish laugh and saw Naruto was not amused.
Not even in the slightest.
"That's right. It is...mine! Something you are going to inform Tsunade upon your return when we are done talking here and you enjoy some of my...hospitality. The very kind of hospitality the Leaf showed me when I was growing up," said Naruto seeing Jiraiya now whimper in fear knowing this was going to hurt on so many levels before the blonde let him along with the others leave the Empire.
(Dungeon Area-Beneath the Imperial Palace)
Not many people got sent to the dungeons of the Imperial Palace, as few wished to even cause unrest within the Western Elemental Empire, but there were still few that did, and when caught were sent there to face justice. When the Leaf Shinobi were brought to the dungeon area, they were instantly stripped of all weapons, and means to escape while being allowed to keep their clothes on in order to show the Empire didn't stoop that low. Each prisoner was put in a different cell, their chakra suppressing cuffs placed on their wrists, and the shackles prevented any attempt of escape from this area impossible.
Anko's Curse Seal was seen by one of the guards and was stopped from entering her cell before she felt a slip of paper with a seal on it be put on top. The Special Jounin felt an intense pain where the Curse Seal had been and had cried out from it while the others were in their cells. When it was over, Anko felt the guard shove her in, and shut the cell while not even caring if the Special Jounin tripped when entering.
"Anko! What did they do to you?" said Kurenai while hearing Anko move slightly and find that out herself.
"I don't know. They put something on...that," said Anko knowing Kurenai understood what she meant.
"Your Curse Seal? What did they do to it?" said Kakashi hearing the woman moan out in pain from touching it and trying to sit up more.
"I don't really know, but if I had to guess, I think they...they purged it from my body," said Anko, who was completely stunned that this had happened, and so were the others.
"Do you think its permanent or just temporary?" said Kurenai while she heard Anko hiss in pain at touching where the mark was.
"Definitely permanent. I feel burned flesh where the Curse Seal is located," said Anko, as she could feel the pain from the mark no longer being there, and yet would prefer to have Jiraiya look at it later to ensure it was gone.
"Maybe they'll share the seal with us to use on Sasuke," said Kakashi hopefully knowing the Uchiha could use it.
"Considering how rude we were to the Emperor? Not a chance," said Kurenai while the sound of Kakashi letting out a hollow laugh filled the area.
"Naruto is the Emperor of the Western Elemental Empire. It figures. You put him in a situation or area that is impossible to fix and what does he do? He fixes it! He's just like Minato-sensei," said Kakashi while leaning back against the wall and wondering how things got so twisted.
"He's also a lot like Kushina. So full of energy and life. You stand in her way, it didn't matter how strong you were, she'd find a way to knock your teeth out, and made sure people were there to see it," said Kurenai, as she remembered Kushina, and how hot tempered the woman was when it came to women hitting on her husband.
Many a female both civilian and kunoichi alike were sent to the hospital.
"Something to consider when down here among the filth you've become just like the rest of your people in the Leaf village," said a deep melodic like voice belonging to someone of terrifying power.
"Who's there?" said Kiba while Akamaru whimpered in fear.
"Who indeed little man," said the figure behind the voice laughing while he materialized from the dungeon floor, wearing a red trench coat, hat, shades with orange lenses, black pants, shirt with a crimson vest, and long dark hair.
"You are not human," said Shino with the figure having the biggest smile they had ever seen appearing on his face.
"The name is...Alucard. That's all you need to know. The dungeons here are my domain. Never before have I had so many guests at one time sent to me by the Emperor. We are going to have great deal of fun before you are sent on your way!" said Alucard before laughing a cruel and evil laugh that would put Orochimaru to shame.
(Royal Audience Chamber-Sometime Later)
Jiraiya was thrown across the room by the punch delivered to his body, skidding across the floor thanks to the hands of Kyuubi, and his level of brutality in hurting the Sannin. Jiraiya had confessed everything to Naruto a long time ago, telling him every single thing the Emperor wanted to know since not telling him seemed to be pointless, and after that happened Naruto asked Kyuubi to beat the Holy Hell out of the Sannin for the both of them.
"Naruto-kun, I think he's had enough," said Hinata while putting a hand on his own.
"Kyuubi stop!" said Naruto, which for Jiraiya was just in time since the demon fox was about to drop a demon strength enhanced foot down on the man's crotch, and cripple the man in the ways of perversion.
"You're sure?" said Kyuubi seeing Naruto nod.
"Hinata wishes it. Walter, send him down to the dungeon with the others. They are going to stay there for the next few days with...him!" said Naruto with an evil grin on his face.
"As you wish my Emperor," said Walter before dragging the beaten man away by his hair to further cause the man pain.
"Naruto, I'm sorry. I had no choice. Naruto please! You have to believe me! NARUTO! I AM SORRY! NARUTO!" said Jiraiya while calling out to his Godson before the door shut behind him and left the remaining people in the room alone.
"I know you are sorry Jiraiya, but the thing is...we all have our choices make in life, and you chose...unwisely!" said Naruto in a cold tone before closing his eyes and banishing the anger deep within his heart.
He didn't want to be like this in front of Hinata.
"Kyuubi. Kurama. Could you leave us please? Naruto-kun needs to relax," said Hinata, as both demonic foxes bowed, and left the two lovers alone.
"I'm sorry you had to see that part of me. I don't like being a cruel person, but...it had to be done," said Naruto while not looking at Hinata in shame of his own actions and felt her gentle hand on his face.
"They hurt you Naruto. They betrayed you like my family betrayed me. Its only natural your heart aches at the sight of them and wishes to heal in its own way," said Hinata, as she put her face to his own, and felt him put an arm around her shoulder.
"You are what heals my heart Hinata-chan," said Naruto in a whispered tone and two held each other even tighter.
"Let's go somewhere to relax. I think you can stop being Emperor for the rest of the day," said Hinata, as she took his hand, and the two rose before leaving via secret passage to the gardens where they could relax in their own private sanctuary.
(A Few Days Later)
The Shinobi from Konoha looked for the lack of a better word...an utter wreck. They had not slept much since their time in the dungeons, looking more like bums off the streets one found within the slums of society then Shinobi, and the look in their eyes spoke of broken spirits. Each one went through nightmare upon nightmare at the hands of Alucard and his promising "fledging" of a student Seras Victoria learning from the experience. The woman had blonde hair with blue eyes, which further hit home for them since Seras could pass for being Naruto's sister without whisker marks, and when angry turned into crimson ones like Naruto's did when using Kyuubi's power.
"I trust returning to Konoha in your state won't be a problem?" said Kyuubi, as he had seen fit to drop them off at the wall, and knew it would be a long road back since Earth Country along with Iwa stood in the way of getting back to Konoha.
"We'll manage it," said Jiraiya, as he had his legs broken the day before by Kyuubi, put them in casts, and was then given crutches to make it back home that way until Sakura could heal him.
Kyuubi had forbidden her from doing it until they got back to the Leaf.
"Good to know. Oh, just one more thing before you leave, and it concerns that woman you call Hokage," said Kyuubi before tossing Kakashi a scroll since Jiraiya was unable to do it and stay upright.
"What's this?" said Kakashi while trying some idea what was inside.
"Incentive for that bitch to comply with Naruto's demands and claims for what are his by birthright. The things Konoha will no doubt try to deny and/or destroy before they ever hand them over to him. Which reminds me Kakashi...hand over that kunai," said Kyuubi seeing Kakashi stiffen slightly and look away.
"I don't know what you are talking about," said Kakashi before he felt Kyuubi's chakra flare around him.
"Don't test me Hatake. You were given everything back to you earlier, but Alucard spoke to me of an unusual kunai in your possession, and when I asked him to describe it to me in detail...I knew what it was. Give it...now!" said Kyuubi with eyes that left no room for arguing.
"But...Minato-sensei gave it to me as a gift when I became Jounin!" said Kakashi with a sense of defiance, but the demon fox took a step forward, and claws out ready to tear the man's heart out if he was denied one more time.
"A gift that you are unworthy of after abandoning the man's son. I find you are unworthy of being the Yondaime's student. I find you are unworthy of even being alive and the only reason you're still breathing is because your sensei's son wishes it. Though why he does, I don't know since it will only require one of you to send a verbal message to Konoha, and the dead bodies we send back should more then reinforce things. However, I trust Naruto completely, and if he wishes to show mercy by letting you all return...then so be it," said Kyuubi knowing his former vessel had a motive to this madness and decided to go along with it.
"I understand," said Kakashi, as he handed the Hiraishin Kunai that Minato gave him to Kyuubi, and felt a sense of loss in doing so.
"Glad we understand one another. Now get out of here before I decide to do something violent," said Kyuubi before pointing them in the direction Konoha would be after they traveled several hundred miles.
With humble submissive bows, the Leaf Shinobi turned to face their side of the continent, and wondering if how they felt now would become worse after giving their report to the Hokage about their failure in this mission? What would the repercussions be? Would they face banishment too? If Naruto could be banished for succeeding, then what was the price to be paid for failing their village, and the Hokage?
They could only hope the information they brought back would have enough value to prevent any such punishments from the Hokage.
(A/N: YAY! Another update. Damn that felt good. Hope you liked this chapter. It felt so good to write it. Until next time...PEACE!)