A/N: Ok well hope everyone enjoyed the 3 day weekend...I know I did kinda well earned for a lot of us. I know I've been kinda evil with the cliffhangers but hey, you gotta admit I seem to have a good knack for inserting them. Special thanks to my Beta Reader rasEnshur1KEn for helping me flesh out the Team 7/ Kushina scenes and forshadowing a fun meeting in the future. Look up his stories if you get he chance Element of Time is a pretty good one.
Summary- A long forgotten prophecy, a forgotten sacrifice, and a chance encounter leads to a new path for both Naruto and Konoha as long hidden secrets and hidden enemies are brought to the fore front.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor am I in any way affiliated with it all rights belong Masashi Kishimoto, but all that royalty money would be nice...Naruto what have I told you about trying out new attacks on Sauske... don't do it where I can see it is right, now get out of here before that psychopathic mother of yours catches on to what you're doing and beats the crap outta both of us... Kids I swear.
Bijuu talking
Bijuu thinking
Thinking
Chapter 3: The Truth Revealed
"Now Naruto, there's someone who you need to meet properly. Say hello to Kushina Uzumaki." Kakashi told him with a slight grin.
"Uzumaki... that's the same last name as.." he started to say.
"Yes Naruto it's the same last name as you and why shouldn't it be? After all I am your Mother."
"I know..." was all Naruto said in return. Both adults stood there mouths agape stunned before Kakashi finally managed put words to the thoughts that were running through his head.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU KNOW!" he shouted. "There's no possible way you could know hell she just told me, so how in the hell can you just stand there and tell me that you know?" Kakashi asked. 'Ok just what the hell is going on here first we have Kushina's return from the grave, and now we have Naruto claiming that he's known who his mother was.'
"I think I know what he's talking about Kakashi but I need to be sure. Naruto you did something when you bent over to pick up duckbutt over there didn't you?" Kushina asked softly. "Something to make sure that your Sensei would have backup in case he needed it didn't you?"
"Yeah you guessed it. I popped a shadow clone and had it henge into a rock while you both were paying attention to Zabuza's slaughter fest. I'm still a little fuzzy on how I know what it heard but I caught everything up to you killing that guy that was hidden behind Kakashi Sensei. Your chain kinda dispelled it and after I realized what I'd heard I kinda thought it'd be best to hear the rest from you two in person." Naruto explained. "It's weird how I never really noticed any memories coming from the clones before, but then I don't think I've ever really been paying attention too much either."
Kushina looked at her son as he tried to work through what he'd just learned and then looked over at Kakashi sternly. "Kakashi, you mean to tell me that you never bothered to tell him the side effects and benefits of using the Shadow Clone Jutsu? How long has it been since they've graduated?"
Kakashi paled a little and then started scratching the back of his head sheepishly "It's been about a month and a half, but I honestly thought the Hokage would have told him about the effects. That or he'd have noticed them himself the way he spams them during training."
"You are SOOOO lucky you didn't know about what had been placed on him... If you did so help me I'll rip you in two before you can even scream," Kushina threatened.
"ALRIGHT THAT'S ENOUGH! IT'S BAD ENOUGH I HAVE MY OWN DAMNED TEAMMATES TRYING TO BELITTLE OR BEAT THE SHIT OUTTA ME I DON'T NEED MY MOM AND MY SENSEI TRYING TO HIDE SHIT FROM ME AND KILL EACH OTHER!" Naruto shouted as he stormed off. Haku looked at the two adults for a moment before she quietly followed after him.
"Baby I'm..." Kushina started as she tried to go to him. Kakashi stopped her shaking his head.
"Give him a little time Kushina, it's true we've all done wrong by him, but he is a very forgiving child. I know I've looked after him as both an ANBU guard, as his Sensei, and as a surrogate big brother even if he didn't know I was doing so. You have no idea how hard I tried, Mikoto and Hanabira Hyuga your old teamates, tried to adopt him only to be stopped by the civilian council and the elders. You have no idea how hard the Hokage has had to fight to keep him out of Danzo's hands, unfortunately if what you've told me is true even that wasn't fully successful. Just give him some time to process what he's learned today and then go to him. Before you do though I need to know what was done to him, and can it be fixed," Kakashi said. His worry for Naruto helped him weather Kushina's glare at him for stopping her before she looked off at shoreline where her son was sitting being comforted by a girl he'd only met a few days before.
"You win Kakashi... this time I'll give him a little space but before I tell you what we found…"
"We?"
"Yes we, you didn't think... that's right you don't know yet. There's a lot that's been going on in Uzu, the city wasn't destroyed, but has been sealed in a separate dimension until Naruto's blood released it since the war," Kushina explained. "I'm not alone and neither is he... not anymore, but by the time those bastards that hurt him figure it out it'll be far too late," Kushina growled. "Overall my father found a total of 14 completed seals and 6 failed seals on Naruto. Each limb had two apiece. One to stunt growth and one to reduce strength. His chest, stomach, and head each had both seals plus his head had two extra to reduce his intelligence and one that looked like it was trying to block natural affinity. The failed seals would have limited him to the point of being nothing more than a mindless weapon completely loyal to whomever placed the seals. It's a damned good thing that whoever tried to place the seals underestimated both Kurama and the Uzumaki blood in his veins. Remind me to think the fuzz ball when I get the chance," Kushina explained. "What was he like before you got here?"
"Well, first off he's been loud, brash, obnoxious, and wants nothing more than to be Hokage. The seals you've explained would explain how he got that way personality wise, but believe it or not that boy has been able to take one of your old titles from you." Kakashi said rather proudly.
"Which one? Should I be concerned?" Kushina asked nervously.
"Prank King of Konoha. He even snuck into ANBU Headquarters, planted multiple paint bombs, painted the Hokage monument and avoided all attempts at capture for over 8 hours. Hell even I couldn't find him and I know all his hiding places," Kakashi said with a hint of pride. Then he thought for a moment, "If those seals were as potent as you say then what's he gonna be like now that they're gone?"
"Well you've already seen the early effects of his intelligence seal being removed, but if what Dad told me is true than by the end of the month he'll be taller likely normal height for his age, but the seals limited him to 20% intelligence and 40% speed/strength. Now that they're removed… well he's gonna be about as fast and strong as I was at that age Kaka-kun," Kushina explained.
"All the more reason that it's good to have you back Kushina. Heaven help anyone who gets in his way now, but at least someone can reign him in... you will be reigning him in right?" Kakashi asked with a hint of trepidation.
"To a point, I'll keep him in line attitude wise and I doubt he'll go overboard, but the crap his so called team mates have put him through ends now. Before we leave here I'm gonna explain what being an Uzumaki entails and we'll start on him learning what his father would have taught him before now," Kushina looked for any hint of argument from Kakashi and seeing none, continued. "Also now that the seals are gone I need to see what affinities he has. His training from now til we get back to Konoha is in my hands, and you won't stop what I have in mind to get your other students in line either."
"Well as far as Naruto goes I have no issues, but as for my other cute little gennin I have to ask should I be excited, nervous, or horrified about what you plan to do. Fair warning the council kisses Sasuke's ass and Sakura's mother is a council member," Kakashi looked at her to gauge her response.
"All three I think. Trust me Kakashi by the time I'm done you'll have three competent shinobi. Not the dysfunctional mess you have now. I know Mikoto would approve of how I handle her son and as for pinkie there well she'll either shape up or wind up a blubbering mess. Family member on the council or not, you don't fuck with my son like that and get away with it. Oh and my son's infatuation with the harpy ends now whether he wants it too or not," Kushina calmly stated.
In the Hyuga compond in Konoha
Hinata suddenly perked up with a giant smile in the middle of her mothers garden, and for some reason the only thing she could think was, 'Now's my chance...when he gets back I'll tell him everything.' For the rest of the day Hinata went about her tasks with renewed vigor showing newfound confidence much to the delight of her father and the dismay of her younger sister.
Back in Wave
Kakashi paled a little as he thought of the methods she might use. 'As long as they come back alive that's what matters, but I'll be damned if I'm gonna try and stop her," he thought.
With Naruto
"I can't believe this shit, we save the bridge, beat Gato, saved Haku, I meet my mother, and it seems like the more shit I find out today the more confusing it gets," Naruto told Haku as she ran up to him. "I don't know what's going on anymore."
"So it's true, that woman is your mother?" Haku asked. "And what was it that you did to me on the bridge."
"Yeah I heard everything they said on the bridge like I said earlier, even if I don't fully understand how I know what my clone heard I know that it's true somehow," was Naruto's response.
"What do you think all their arguing means? And you still didn't answer my second question," Haku looked at Naruto as he tried to figure out how to respond.
"Tell her the truth then tell her you need some time to think. It's time you and I had a talk brat."
'What the...Who was that am I going nuts?' Naruto thought to himself.
"You know who this is and no you aren't now hurry up and talk to the girl before she gets suspicious."
'No way, the Kyuubi? It can hear what I'm thinking even talk to me. Ok this day can't get any weirder…' Naruto thought.
"If you don't hurry up and do what I told you it'll get a lot weirder brat now hurry the hell up."
'Alright, alright, jeez calm the hell down you overgrown fuzz ball.' Naruto thought then he looked at Haku. "I think it means there's a lot more going on than what I even thought I knew... as for what happened on the bridge give me some time to figure out how to tell you. Not that I don't want to tell you, it's just I don't know how to do so without you freaking out. Just give me a little time to think first please and I promise I'll tell you. And I always keep my promises," Naruto told Haku.
Haku could tell he was holding something back, but decided not to push the issue. 'It's been a hectic day for all of us but I think I have a way to put a smile on his face.' she thought.
"Okay, I'll give you time to think, but you better not keep me waiting too long for an answer Otouto," Haku grinned as he looked at her in shock. "You heard what Zabuza told me I'm gonna be living with you and your mom so you just gained a big sister, and I just gained a little brother. Get used to it Otouto...hahaha."
"Um... I mean wow, um I really don't know what to say but... thanks Haku-onee-san. Huh I think I could get used to this. I won't be too long and really thanks," Naruto said as he returned the favor of shocking Haku by giving her a hug before he walked away.
'That brat... he's right about one thing though I can get used to this too.' Haku thought to herself as she watched him walk away.
With Kakashi, Kushina, and the rest of Team 7
"Looks like their coming too Kushina why don't you stand over there for a moment while I talk to them." Kakshi said while giving her an eye smile.
"Fine with me Kaka-kun but remember when I step in you stay out of it. It's time these two learn what pissing off Kushina Uzumaki entails," Kushina said with an evil grin as she walked behind the building wall just out of sight of the kids.
Sasuke was the first to wake up and did so with a groan before he shot up into a defensive stance, "What happened, where's the hunter nin and the Dobe? What's happened and how long was I out Kakashi, hurry up and tell me," he demanded.
"First off, it's Kakashi-Sensei. Me Jounin you Gennin. You answer to me not the other way around," Kakashi growled startling Sasuke. "Second you got knocked out before Naruto beat the hunter nin."
"WHAT THERE'S NO WAY THE DOBE BEAT THE HUNTER IF I COULDN'T DO IT THERE'S NO WAY HE COULD!" Sasuke shouted.
"WATCH YOUR TONE BOY, ARE YOU CALLING ME A LIAR?" Kakashi shouted in return scaring Sasuke and startling Sakura awake.
"WHAT THE WHERE'S THE BAKA AND THAT DAMNED BITCH THAT KNOCKED ME OUT I'LL KILL THEM BOTH!" she shouted.
"ENOUGH, BOTH OF YOU SIT DOWN AND SHUT UP!" Kakashi yelled causing both Gennin to do exactly as he said. "Good now both of you listen there has been a bit of a change here. The Hunter nin has a name and her name is Haku, as for why she knocked you out I'd hazard a guess that she was tired of hearing you yell Sakura. She will be joining us when we return to Konoha to register as a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf."
"I DO NOT..." Sakura started as she was cut off.
"I said enough Sakura." Kakashi said in a cold tone making her shut her mouth quickly. "Now if you have questions ask them calmly if you start getting out of line then I'll shut you down quick fast and in a hurry."
"Kakashi Sensei what do mean I thought she was a missing nin, why would the Hokage let that happen?" Sakura asked sedately.
"Well Zabuza was the missing nin, Haku was never a part of Kiri's shinobi forces so it should be a relative matter of her applying and demonstrating her abilities," Kakashi explained.
"But that still doesn't answer how the Dobe beat her. There's no way he should have been able to do so if I couldn't," Sasuke stated matter of factly. 'I know I'm stronger than he is, there's no way he could have won.' he thought before Sakura spoke up.
"He did. I don't know how but there was a bright red light and then the dome exploded. She was blown out of it and he pinned her. Then she tried to jump in between Kakashi Sensei and Zabuza only to have some strange red haired woman stop everyone cold. Who was she and what gave her the right to jump in like that Kakashi Sensei?" Sakura asked as Sasuke stared stunned by what she had told him.
"All I can say is she's someone close to Naruto and she stopped us before a grave mistake could be made. Gato planned to betray Zabuza and kill whoever was left from the fight. She stepped in to give us all a chance to put an end to him. Afterwards Zabuza agreed to have Haku join her with us as we return home," Kakashi said as he watched Kushina silently move behind the two, a sinister smirk evident on her face as she plotted how to make her son's teammates suffer.
"What? Why would anyone be close to that stupid Baka? He's an orphan with no family, and no clan to claim unlike Sasuke-kun. Who would want to be close to him all he does is..." Sakura stopped as she felt a massive amount of Killing Intent from directly behind her, enough to make Zabuza's feel like a nice, gentle summer breeze. She and Sasuke slowly turned around to see Kushina standing behind them with her hair fanned out like a giant red flame and chains whipping around angrily. Kakashi suppressed a smile as he looked at both Gennin turning white with fear.
"Alright my cute little Gennin I was gonna do this nicely but looks like you stuck your foot in your mouths... allow me to introduce you to Kushina Uzumaki," he said slowly.
"Uzumaki... as in the Dobe?" Sasuke asked slowly. "What is she, a cousin or Aunt or something?"
"Try his mother," came a cold response from Kushina.
"No way he's an orphan, and a hooligan. Everyone knows that. And Kushina Uzumaki died 13 years ago on the night of the Kyuubi attack. I've studied about her," Sakura said.
"Make no mistake she is who she says, and since you've studied her why don't you tell Sasuke what she's known as," Kakashi replied while trying very hard not to laugh.
"The Red Hot Habanero wielder of the Katana Red Death. Second only to the Yondaime Hokage as a hero of the Third Ninja World War."
"Oh you mean THIS Katana?" Kushina asked as she unsealed the Red Death. "Kakashi you can go. It's high past time I got acquainted with my SON'S teammates." Kakashi nodded as he walked away and then gave up the battle to contain his chuckles as he heard the screams from his team.
'I hope she doesn't hurt them too much, but maybe it'll do them some good,' he thought as he met up with the rest of the villagers.
With Naruto in the mindscape
"Ok I'm here what do you want you damned fox," Naruto said as he came to a large set of bars with the kanji for "Seal" on it.
"It's about damned time you got your ass down here brat," Kurama told him.
"Why do you want to talk to me? Last time I saw you were trying to kill me then when you couldn't you tried to get me to release you," Naruto said. "Personally, I would have reversed the order, because it would be easier to convince someone you didn't just try to kill to do you a favor, but that's just me."
"Well I thought honestly that you wouldn't mind getting a little revenge. Hell, after all you village put you through I figured you'd want payback. But I want you to do something for me. A favor if you will. When you talk to your mother tell her Kurama needs to know what happened. Nothing more nothing less. And before you ask why, you should think of it as your way of repaying you for keeping you alive for all these years kit. Now get out of here and remember what I said."
"Kurama, who's..." Naruto started to ask before he was thrown out of his mindscape.
'Kit's got a lot to learn and a long way to go... but with HER back I don't know how or why, but soon... I have to know what happened. I thought she died with him. Hurry up and get her here kit,' the great fox thought as he laid back down.
'I really need some answers here, and it's getting dark so I guess it's time to face the music,' Naruto thought as he headed back to the rest of the group. Along the way he met back up with Haku who was silently waiting for him on the shoreline, and quietly they headed to where the rest of the team waited. The sight that met them upon arriving was one of chaos with Sakura and Sasuke running and hiding behind anything solid that was large enough to conceal them, both of them in fear for their lives while Kushina slowly stalked towards them with a malicious gleam in her eyes and using her chains to remove the obstructions and crushing them. Then the whole process would repeat, only with the fear from both Sakura and Sasuke increasing as the serviceable cover was becoming more and more scarce.
Naruto, being Naruto got a malicious grin of his own and took out a camera to take a few snapshots of the pair, knowing he would not get much better blackmail material for a while. The most priceless picture he got was when he had to make a Shadow Clone to toss the camera to, so he could get the picture of them hiding behind him next.
"Dobe call her off, for the love of god call her off!" Sasuke whispered.
"SHE'S GONNA KILL US, CALL YOUR CRAZY ASS MOM OFF BAK... I MEAN NARUTO PLEASE!" Sakura begged, her hands clenched together in the begging form.
"Hmm, I don't know, I just can't buy entertainment like this…" Naruto said as he pretended to think.
"WE'LL TREAT YOU TO RAMEN WHEN WE GET BACK!" they both shouted hysterically as Kushina approached, taking her time as she licked her blade in a manner that made a certain snake mistress in Konoha sneeze.
"All I can eat?"
"YES!" they begged, weeping anime tears when they realized they would be sacrificing most of this mission's pay to feed the blonde his ramen fix, but it was either their wallets or them soon to be hurting, and as far as they were concerned, the choice was obvious.
Naruto pretended to think some more, before he shrugged. "Why not? I could do with a binge and save some money in the process," he told his team mates before turning to his mother. "Ok Mom you've got your point across, please stop trying to scare my friends to death."
"Ok Naru-kun," Kushina said sweetly as she reverted to her normal state much to the shock of Sasuke and Sakura. "Remember kids I'll be watching...oh and Sasuke when we get back you and I are gonna have a LONG one way conversation young man got it?"
"Yes Ma'am" Sasuke said quietly. 'As if. There's no way you can touch me when we get back to Konoha you red haired bitch, the council won't let you. And after I tell them how you treated the last Uchiha they'll lock you up for good,' he thought to himself. Kakashi, spotting the look on Sasuke's face, chose this time to walk up to the team and pulled Sasuke aside.
"Whatever you're thinking about trying to do when we get back... don't. The Council won't stop her, I won't stop her, hell the Hokage can't stop her if she wants to do something. Don't dig yourself any deeper or she'll crush you," he told Sasuke quietly. Sadly he could see that his words had fallen on deaf ears, so he merely shook his head and walked away. 'He'll learn the hard way,' was all Kakashi thought.
The group headed back to the house together with Naruto slowing back to talk to Kushina alone. "Look I know what I heard, and it explains some of what's happened since I met you but I'm not sure how to tale all this and I need some answers... just not tonight. Tonight I just want to have you here with me. Tomorrow the answers. Ok Mom?"
"That's fine Naru-kun it can wait one more night," she said with a smile.
"Kit now's the time to tell her."
'Shit I almost forgot,' Naruto thought before he looked at his mother and told her "Mom this is gonna sound weird but I have a message for you."
"A message...for me?" she asked slightly confused.
"Yeah... this is gonna sound weird but Kurama needs to know what happened," he said as she stopped in her tracks. "What's wrong? Are you ok?" he asked worried.
"Yes, I'm fine dear, just a little shocked. I should have known the furball wouldn't leave it alone for long, and yes son I know you are a jinchuriki..." she said as she waited for the inevitable question.
"How could you know and you mean to tell me the Kyuubi's name is Kurama?" he asked.
"Yes it is and how I know is before you became his jinchuriki, I was," she said sadly. "No more questions we'll talk when the others go to sleep for now let's catch up to the rest."
"Alright Mom, but later Kurama's not the only one who needs answers," Naruto told her.
"I know son, I know."
...
Well not quiet to the return that will be next chapter, but Team 7 now knows don't piss off Kushina I know many enjoy a good bashing alas it will only continue for a few more chapters before they shape up, but there will be more targets. Keep the reviews coming if I get 15 then I'll put up a poll for future weapons.