A/N:
Hey, it's me again.
First off, I'd like to apologize for my head-canon aside to get taken down, since I know that some people actually read that and wished for me to continue it. As such, I've started up a forum that will be dedicated to the posting of all of that information.
For the record, I still don't own really anything. Except my headcanon stuff.
I never would have been able to guess how much that chance meeting that day in Hi no Kuni would change my life. I did, however, get just an inkling after my party arrived in Konoha. While I would be staying with Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya while they gave their mission report, the others would be staying in the rather lavish Uzumaki compound, a tower in the middle of a quiet forested training ground a small distance away from the rest of the village. Orochimaru and the others personally escorted us to the tower, talking about the rumors that circulated around the tower. Based on what I pieced together, various Uzumakis had worked together to make a sealing array based off of the All Seal that defended the entire area even more than the tall fences around it. The seal would also prevent certain people from going into specific areas or floors of the tower, protecting the clan's privacy from all but its most trusted friends.
The tower was something to see. Sections of it were built in familiar stone, but large portions of it was a colorful array of wood, painted red or green, and metal. There were balconies and windows of all different sizes covering the outer wall, some tinted darker than others or shuttered for more privacy. It was a patchwork home, something perfect for the mix of families brought from Uzushio.
Leaving Yuriko to help the apprentices with the tower's basic functions and start to get settled, I left with Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya to meet with the Hokage. The trip to the Hokage Tower was faster than I anticipated, leaving no room for awkward small talk, something that I appreciated.
"Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya here to report a B-ranked mission," Orochimaru announced to the secretary. She blushed lightly, causing me to scowl, before waving us in.
"I absolutely despise fan girls," I grumbled under my breath. Jiraiya nodded sagely and I scowled at him. "You only agree with me because you don't have any fan girls."
"Hey! You don't know me," Jiraiya pouted. I raised an eyebrow.
"If you had fan girls, you definitely would not have been trying to flirt with me the entire way here because you would have been sick of the attention. Judging by what you've shown me so far, you're simply in denial, still thinking that you're a ladies' man."
Tsunade did her best to turn her laugh into a cough, but she wasn't exactly successful. Jiraiya's shoulders slumped and he stared at the ground sadly, murmuring to himself.
Orochimaru shook his head, closing his eyes as if he had a headache, and knocked on the office door. A voice called for us to enter and the door opened.
The inside of the Hokage's office was bright and just a little crowded. Stacks of paperwork were placed here and there, occasionally ruffling dangerously in the slight breeze from the open window. At the old looking desk sat a man probably in his early or mid thirties. He had short, dark brown, and spiky hair with a small goatee. From beneath his eyes extended short black markings. He wasn't very spectacular looking, but I knew who this was without a doubt.
"Sarutobi-sensei," Orochimaru bowed his head. I tried very hard to hide my surprise that, for all this time, I was in the presence of the Hokage's students. "Our mission was successfully completed, though we did run into bandits led by missing nin Abe Hakuta. He and the bandits were neutralized without any injury to ourselves, the merchant, or the goods, and we arrived at our destination on time. Details will be in the written mission report."
"Good," Sarutobi Hiruzen stated, sounding a little distracted. He looked behind Orochimaru, spotting me. "And who might you be?"
I resisted the urge to swallow, refusing to show weakness. I was a village leader. It might be a broken village, but it still existed.
"Uzumaki Suki, Hokage-sama." I held my necklace to the light. "Current leader of the remains of Uzushiogakure."
"The remains?" At once, any good humor in Hiruzen's eyes vanished. I nodded seriously. Tsunade decided to speak.
"We met Suki and the rest of the remaining shinobi on our way back. We thought it was best if you spoke to her, sensei."
"I was told that Konoha is facing a war. Is that right?" I asked. Hiruzen nodded tiredly.
"Yes. Suna has accused Konoha of abducting their Sandaime Kazekage and Iwa decided to divide our attention by opening a second front, assuming they can break through Ame."
"I was afraid of that. They won't face much opposition from Ame's leaders. Are you familiar with the mastery gaining rituals of Uzushiogakure, Hokage-sama?"
"Tsunade's grandmother, Uzumaki Mito, had spoken to me about your traditions. You study a sealing array until you understand its basic mechanics."
"In a way, yes. Prior to the attack on Uzushio, I went to obtain my mastery. As tradition dictated, I went before the All Seal and studied it until, as you said, I understood its mechanics. The All Seal is more than just a single array, though. It is dozens and dozens of individual and delicate seals interlocked in such a way that not one can be destroyed without causing the failure of the whole. Through a number of protection wards, I was made aware of an invasion force. This force, made of approximately three hundred and twenty enemy shinobi, invaded our island, laid siege to Uzushio, and took control. Over the course of three days, our total population was reduced from just over five hundred men, women, and children to just twenty-six known individuals, including myself."
Tsunade gave a small gasp beside me, one hand covering her mouth in horror. Orochimaru closed his eyes again and Jiraiya stared at me with something akin to pity. The Hokage bore a grim expression.
"The assault was led largely by Iwa, but strongly supported by Ame and Suna. From what I understand, your enemies did not want to chance Konoha asking for support from Uzushio as you did in the last war. Instead of risking us coming in later, at full force, they intended to destroy Uzushio completely in a preemptive strike. Ame might not fight directly in this war, but they will not hinder Iwa's forces as they march on to Hi no Kuni."
"An entire village, destroyed," Hiruzen said softly. He stared at me with a sadness in his eyes. "Were you able to complete your funeral rites?"
"No. All of the bodies we recovered are still sealed, as well as their hitai-ates. The All Seal is sealed as well, currently in the capable hands of the only other master left to Uzushio, Uzumaki Yuriko. I was hoping to be able to lay them to rest here in Konoha."
"That is something I can grant. I trust that my team has shown your comrades to the Uzumaki compound?"
"They have, Hokage-sama."
"Good. I will have an advisement sent out among the shinobi that the tower is being occupied once more so that you are not disturbed by any teams looking for a secluded place to train."
"You won't have to worry about that. I'll be sure to adjust the perimeter wards to discourage unwanted intruders."
"You can do that?" Jiraiya asked curiously. I nodded at him, knowing that the young man was interested in fuinjutsu. He had learned some from the elder toads, but he was nowhere near my level of experience.
"And much more."
Silence fell in the office for a short time as the Hokage studied me closely. After a minute, he looked to his team.
"Tsunade, are there injuries amongst Uzumaki-sama's subordinates?"
"There were a few broken bones, but they've already been healed or are mostly there. I haven't seen such a high rate of regrowth in a human until meeting Uzumaki Hikari. She had a broken leg, but it healed with minimal care after it was set."
"Uzumakis are renowned for their endurance and fast healing. It was thought to be a kekkai genkai by neighboring lands," Sarutobi told her. I smiled dryly.
"It has very little to do with blood. It is true that Uzumakis generally are born with larger chakra reserves and relatively dense muscles, but most of that comes from the All Seal. As we have been traveling with the All Seal for a week now, the proximity helped speed chakra restoration and healing."
"This All Seal sounds intriguing," Orochimaru noted.
"It is Uzushio's most precious treasure, more so than any weapon or jutsu we've developed, as well as the oldest known piece of fuinjutsu in existence. It has been protected by the Uzumaki and their satellite clans since before the warring period, long before any of the great villages were founded. It is a piece of fuinjutsu that I shall destroy before it is taken from my people." I realized how cool my voice became and I cleared my throat. Moving the subject into less dangerous matters, the Hokage spoke.
"Uzumaki-sama, I will call you back to ask more about the attack and how you all escaped, but for now return to your comrades. Tsunade, I want you to escort a team of medic nin to examine the survivors and record the names of the survivors. I know of more than one family here in Konoha that had relatives in Uzushio and I want them to be able to know who made it to safely and who did not."
"I appreciate the sentiment, Hokage-sama, but we have been an independent people for far too long and there is much information that can be gained from a thorough physical exam. I can provide you with a list of names easily, but I can't allow an entire team of medic nin to become so familiar with our practices."
"Will you allow Tsunade to complete the exams?" His voice was slightly strained, as if he hadn't expected me to reject his course of action. After thinking on it, I nodded.
"That will be fine... I want you to understand, Hokage-sama, that I do not mistrust you. We have simply lost too much already. The tattoos across the bodies of each apprentice, as well as my own and Yuriko-san's, are all seals or representative of something more significant than any Konoha medical nin can recognize. Some of them are extremely personal. To have them documented by a stranger would be more humiliating than you might think."
"I see."
"Then why can Tsunade see them?" Jiraiya asked boisterously. I glanced over at him before looking at Tsunade.
"As a descendant of Uzumaki Mito, Tsunade carries Uzumaki blood through her veins. With so little Uzumaki blood left in the world, it is important for us to recognize each stem of our family tree. I would trust Tsunade, even as an unrecognized clanmate, to use her judgment when she records these exams."
"We're related?" Tsunade asked, surprised. I nodded, smiling softly.
"Your grandmother was a prominent member of the Uzumaki clan before she was transferred to Konoha at the time of her engagement to Senju Hashirama. Logics dictates that we are related. But yes, we are distant cousins."
"Really?" Tsunade asked, a curious gleam in her eyes. I nodded, about to respond when the Hokage beat me to the chase.
"Uzumaki-sama, you may return to your people. Tsunade, do not forget to complete the physical exams. I expect them done and on my desk by the end of next week. Orochimaru, make sure that the written mission report is finished and handed in the mission desk as protocol. And Jiraiya..." The Hokage seemed at a loss for words, especially when Jiraiya perked up, ready for orders. "Try to stay out of trouble."
"Uzumaki-sama, you may return to your people. Tsunade, do not forget to complete the physical exams. I expect them done and on my desk by the end of next week. Orochimaru, make sure that the written mission report is finished and handed in the mission desk as protocol. And Jiraiya..." The Hokage seemed at a loss for words, especially when Jiraiya perked up, ready for orders. "Try to stay out of trouble."
"Arigatou, Hokage-sama, for your patience and understanding. Tsunade, feel free to come to the tower anytime you like."
"I should be free sometime in the next few days," Tsunade said with a thoughtful look on her face. "I have to look into my hospital schedule first."
"Of course," I nodded. Looking once more to the Hokage, I bowed my head respectfully before turning and leaving the room. As soon as the door closed behind me, I dashed out of the nearest window and ran over the rooftops towards the Uzumaki compound.
A/N:
Since, inevitably, someone is going to bring it up, I did play around with Orochimaru trying to steal or study the All Seal to try to duplicate it and I found that makes Orochimaru a little too unfairly spectacular. So, no. Orochimaru isn't getting his hands on the All Seal any time soon. Maybe in a sequel ;)
Sue