I hope everyone had a great Turkey day and nobody had a heart attack from too much stuffing.
Here it is...the moment you have all been waiting for...answering review questions!
to Inimicus: Thanks for the suggestions although I already have Naruto's Guardians picked out and Sasuke will come later. I already have enough bloodlines with Naruto, so he will not be getting the Rinnegan. Sorry.
to Ensoa: The reason that Naruto is not taught the level of stealth the Guardians have is because...its a secret. I'll get to that next chapter. And about being surrounded by females that are loyal to Naruto and yet not sleeping with him...I don't really like large harems. He is already getting four so why does he need up to four more? Besides, professionals like Guardians don't mix business with pleasure which is why many of them don't ever get married. Sure they have friends with benefits but that is during their off hours and never with other Guardians or their charges.
Now without delay...onto the story!
Chapter 6: Reunion
Naruto sits as the crowd cheers loudly. The proctor calls down the first two contestants. A leaf ninja versus a rock.
"Will…"
Naruto doesn't listen. He doesn't care about this match. He only pays attention to the fighting because it is his job. No, his real interest lies with his sister and how well their mother has trained her.
'I'm looking forward to our spar, Nao-chan.'
The Kages look on in mild interest. The two fighting are somewhat decent in skills but the Iwa Genin has very low amounts of chakra, while the Konoha Genin has no control over a decent sized amount of chakra for a Genin.
The match didn't take long as they exhausted themselves out.
"Well…that was boring."
The Kage can help but agree with Naruto's assessment of the match. The next two fighters are called out: Sasuke along with some unknown Leaf ninja.
"What happened to the Uchiha? I thought he graduated more than three years ago. Surely he would have made Chūnin years ago." Naruto takes great comfort in saying this, though Tsunade doesn't look amused at all. He knows that she knows exactly what happened.
"He was on a C-rank mission turned A-rank and he intentionally put his fellow Leaf Shinobi, the sister of his teammate, directly into harm's way to save himself. He forced her to take a hit for him that was almost fatal. When he got back the council wanted just a simple slap on the wrist, but the Sandaime wouldn't have that. He forced the Uchiha into a three year suspension, no official training, no missions.
"Of course, he probably found time to train in the privacy of his own training grounds at his home but he had no formal help. I made sure of that. Any ninja caught giving aid to the Uchiha would immediately be suspended indefinitely pending review. I put three in prison before everyone got the message."
Naruto nods while the 'Kazekage' only frowns.
'Probably because his 'replacement' was being held back,' Naruto thinks to himself while he pets Kyubi in his lap.
"Well then, I believe he got what he deserved. I only hope that his attitude has changed."
Tsunade nods in his direction while Orochimaru eyes him from the corner of his eye.
'Damn Throne! Always in my way, but not this time. They sent a child. I can handle him and Tsunade easily enough.'
"Hajime!"
Sasuke immediately activates the Sharingan and charges his opponent. The poor child stood no chance, having frozen and a rookie, not six months from the Academy. One fire jutsu to the face and the kid is now mostly charred.
"I hope you reprimand him for being excessive. There was no need for that. That child will be lucky to have any skin after that, much less be a ninja. His immune system will probably never be the same."
Tsunade has a startled look on her face. The assessment of the injury and the worse/best case scenario were spot on.
"I'm sure Shizune will do her best to heal him. She has gotten quite good at healing burns and lacerations, having worked in that department for a few solid months now. And yes, I will have many words with him after this."
Naruto's response is cut off when his sister is up next and facing Hinata's sister, Hanabi.
"This should be a good match, an Uzumaki verses a Hyūga."
Both Sannin nod in anticipation.
"The Hyūga is the heiress and Naomi was trained by the Shi no Ake for several years exclusively which is why she is here now and not already a Chūnin. This should be the most exciting match so far, not that it will be hard," Tsunade explains.
The match starts and Hanabi activates her Byakugan and rushes Naomi. Said red head drops into a low Taijutsu stance and waits for Hanabi to enter range. Hanabi leads with her Juken while Naomi is using a style Naruto has never seen before. It uses open fists instead of closed ones, which generally means that the fighter will fight to the death.
Naruto watches as Naomi either blocks the Juken strikes with her hands or dodging them, knowing that they will be a problem if she is hit.
"Hakke Kūshō!" (Eight Trigrams Empty Palm!)
An invisible wall shoots Naomi off her feet and into the air, Hanabi right behind her. Unfortunately for Hanabi, Naomi flips over and forms hand seals.
"Suiton: MizuTeppō!" (Water Release: Water Gun!)
A large glob of water fires out of Naomi's open mouth right at Hanabi, forcing her to abandon her charge and dodge. When Naomi lands she forms more hand seals as Hanabi rushes her again. But Hanabi is on her before she can finish.
"Hakke Hasangeki!" (Eight Trigrams Mountain Crusher!)
A wave of white chakra storms at Naomi. She curses and uses Kawarimi with a rock that is behind Hanabi and off to the right. Before Hanabi can fully react, Naomi has already gone through several hand seals.
"Suiton: Mizurappa!" (Water Release: Violent Water Wave!)
A colossal amount of water erupts from Naomi's mouth and rushes for Hanabi. She stops her charge and prepares for the oncoming attack.
"Kaiten!" (Revolving Heaven!)
Hanabi spins at high speeds, blocking the water from touching her. Naomi keeps the water flowing for a good thirty seconds before stopping the technique and making more hand seals.
Hanabi stops spinning and stumbles, extremely dizzy from spinning for so long. She never sees Naomi going through more hand seals.
"Suiton: ŌuzuMatoinoJutsu!" (Water Release: Great Whirlpool Enfolding Technique!)
A whirlpool of water forms on the end of her gloves and growls larger until the water extends a good three feet in front of her, the violent waters spinning at a very fast rate. Naomi charges the still dazed Hanabi and jumps and uses the whirlpool like a bat, slamming whirling water into her from corner to corner.
Hanabi is slammed into the ground, her clothes torn and ragged and clearly unconscious.
"Winner, Uzumaki Naomi!"
The crowd erupts into cheers at the exciting battle, making Naomi sport a large grin. She has to control herself as she energetically jumps up the stairs. Once in the stands, her mother rushes her and hugs her, squealing in delight, to which Naomi hugs back just as strongly.
She missed the look of pride the senbon chewing proctor gave her as she exited the arena.
Naomi looks to the Kage box and glares at the Throne member, whose face is hidden in a shadow. The man seems to be looking right at her, if the angle of his head is any indication. Naruto in the Kage box is indeed watching his mother smother his sister in attention, making him wish he was down there too. He wishes he could congratulate her openly.
'Very good Nao-chan. I will definitely enjoy our spar.'
"That was a very good match. Both used high level techniques that must have taken a long time to learn," Tsunade observes.
"Yes, that Uzumaki girl seemed to be a prodigy at water jutsu, judging by the fact she used a technique I never heard of. On top of that, she is a chakra powerhouse. She wasn't even breathing hard from using that many water jutsu. Definitely Chūnin material."
Naruto hides a smirk while Tsunade sends him a knowing look, to which he returns with an innocent one.
The rest of the fights go relatively fast, seeing how the two main fighters have already fought. Out of the six remaining fighters, only one shows promise of being promoted, an Iwa shinobi who can change the carbon density of things around her. People call her the Diamond Shinobi.
A twenty minute break allows the fighters a short rest while several Chūnin repair the field. The next round is completely random in the fact that the fighters are shuffled so nobody knows who they will be facing.
Up first are two leaf ninja that won, but the author is too lazy to name and won't waste your time by putting in some meaningless fight.
The second one is a difficult fight. Naomi against the lone Iwa ninja remaining, the Diamond Shinobi.
Kushina bids Naomi good luck and giving some last minute advice before Naomi calmly walks down the stairs and meets the Iwa ninja, Kuromari who is already down on the floor.
"It seems to be raining Leaf Genin. Prepare to be encased in my diamonds!"
Naomi just assumes her low Taijutsu stance and waits for the proctor to start the match.
"Hajime!"
The Iwa ninja flies through hand seals.
"Kongo Seki: HikiiruYamanose!" (Diamond Release: Spearing Ridge!)
Clear and sparkling spikes of diamonds erupt out of the ground right at Naomi's feet, forcing her to jump back. Naomi throws a kunai at Kuromari.
"Kuna iKage Bunshin no Jutsu!"
The single kunai multiplies into three dozen, each with an explosive tag on it. Kuromari just smirks.
"Kongo Seki: Tsuamkri Jinheki!" (Diamond Release: Ultimate Encampment Wall!)
A barrier of diamonds erupts in front of her, shielding her from the kunai and the blast. When the dust clears, Kuromari can be seen smirking, not a single scratch on the wall.
"You can't beat my diamonds. They are the hardest substance in the world. Only other diamonds can cut a diamond."
"Suiton: Bakusui Shōha!" (Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!)
Kuromari spins around to see a very large wave coming towards her. She scowls. The exploding tags were to distract her so that red head could get around her.
"Kongo Seki: Machimachi Kiretsu!" (Diamond Release: Diverging Fissures!)
A large wall of solid diamonds comes out of the ground with a point at the wall of water making its way towards her. The water impacts the wall with tremendous force but the wall holds with a little water sloshing over the top of the wall, getting Kuromari wet.
"Raiton: Rairyūno Tatsumaki!" (Lighting Release: Lightning Dragon Tornado!)
"Shit!"
The lighting dragon bears down on Kuromari, forcing her to dodge for the first time. She uses Kawarimi with a tree, a full tree roots and all, and the tree is chopped into timber. But she didn't get out unscathed. A bit of the electricity hit her, shocking her badly.
"Raiton: Kaminari Metsu!" (Lightning Release: Lightning Destruction!)
The ground tears apart as a bolt of lightning rages through it. Kuromari is forced to duck behind one of her diamond walls from earlier in the match.
Then the bolt of lightning suddenly jumps out of the ground directly at her while she is behind the wall of diamonds. Kuromari smirks and starts making hand seals to gain control of this match. Then she gets hit.
She writhes on the ground from the electricity painfully shooting through her which is firing nearly all her nerves at the same time and indescribably fast. Her drenched clothes are not helping matters. Her body is wracking with pain when her eyes register that the red head is kneeling down in front of her.
"You made one error. That error was arrogance. You diamonds may be the strongest substance in the world, but that doesn't mean it can't be pierced. It is also weaker to lightning as it is based off of earth jutsu. Get stronger as I would like to do this again."
Naomi looks up to the proctor. "Call the match. She cannot do anything while I keep pumping electricity into her."
"Winner: Uzumaki Naomi!"
Again the crowd cheers. Naomi stops her jutsu and helps Kuromari onto a stretcher before calmly walking up the stairs. She is greeted with a hug, though not as exuberant as last time, but it is full of energy and excitement. She rests her head on her mother's shoulder and takes her seat.
"That was impressive. I wonder just how much it would take to break those diamond walls," Naruto thinks aloud.
"It was ingenious. Uzumaki-san took her lightning technique and condensed to such a small point of attack that not even the diamonds could stop it. Very impressive."
"While she lost, I believe that Kuromari is Chūnin level. She used several high level jutsu. She just lost control of the battle. With a little more work on her situational skills, she could easily be Chūnin level."
"I agree, though someone is going to have a fit trying to take those diamonds down. I wonder if we can see those?"`
Both Naruto and Orochimaru chuckle at Tsunade's joke.
Next is Sasuke and another unknown Genin, also fresh out of the Academy, still very wet behind the ears. He is a mousy looking boy and is shaking in his boots at the person who cooked his teammate in one move.
The match starts and Sasuke just chops him over the neck. Quick and clean except for it was way overpowered and nearly severed his spine. On top of that, he is then about to throw the Genin head first into the ground when Genma grips his wrist almost painfully.
"Go sit down, this match is over."
Sasuke sneers at Genma and tries to rip his hand out of his grip but can't.
"It seems that you didn't learn your lesson three years ago. A pity. Maybe I can see it Naruto can beat the shit out of you again."
Sasuke goes stalk still and pales slightly before anger overtakes that. "As if the dobe can do that. He only did that because he has Bijū sealed within him.
"Now are you going to call the match or do I have to kick your ass too?"
Genma smirks. "You are more than welcome to try and fail."
He lets Sasuke's wrist go. "Winner: Uchiha Sasuke"
What makes Naruto in the Kage box scowl is the crowd roars in approval, despite the fact that he nearly ended someone's life for no reason at all.
Beside him, Tsunade frowns. 'I'll have to do something about that.'
On the other side, Orochimaru is practically glowing. 'Such anger and contempt. He will come soon to me.'
Another match the author will not make you sit through and it is a three-way final fight between Naomi, Sasuke, and a faceless Leaf Genin.
As they set for battle, Naomi is closest when she sees Genma make a small move. Her eyes flick to him and sees him mouth.
'Get ready'
Get ready for what? For the match? She already is but it can't be that obvious.
Her question is answered when bubbles start floating around the grounds. Naomi feels light headed but steels herself and flares her chakra, cancelling the Genjutsu.
She is forced to dodge a random kunai from a shinobi dropping down from the railing into the arena with a music note on his Hitai-ate. She is about to start hand seals when a flash and her opponent as well as all the Oto shinobi in the arena fall dead.
"Proceed with the defense of Konoha."
She turns to the Proctor, but it wasn't his voice. Instead of Genma standing there, she sees the same Throne representative they had met at Ichiraku's. She glares at him but a hand up stops her.
"Now is not the time for that. All will be explained later."
With that he takes off his ceremonial robes and seals them away. His face makes Naomi stop in her track.
"N…Naruto…" she breathes out. "But if you were up there, then how are you down here?"
"Hey there Nao-chan. And your answer is a clone" is the simple response.
'But…which one is the clone?' she thinks.
"It is good to see you and Ka-chan after so many years. I would love to chat, but we have a village to defend," he continues without pausing to let Naomi ask questions.
"I'll find Ka-chan. We work best together."
Naruto nods and unsheathes a pair of Katanas. But not just any Katanas. They are a pair of the demon swords that they 'liberated' from Gato's safe. He starts slicing up several Oto shinobi like they are nothing. Naomi watches in a trance as he dances through the enemy shinobi without mercy or hesitation.
"Come one Nao-chan. You had better get that pretty little head moving before it gets chopped off."
His voice brings her back and she shunshins to the stands and punches a ninja in the face with her poisoned spikes. She runs to Kushina as she takes on ten Oto by herself.
They should have brought more.
They didn't stand a chance, showing Naomi why she is called the Shi no Ake.
"Ka-chan!"
Kushina turns and sees her daughter running for her. She dodges a wind jutsu and sends a water one back quickly before meeting with Naomi.
"You aren't going to believe who I just saw!"
Kushina eyes Naomi but she hasn't been this excited since before Naruto left.
"And just who did you see? Your father?" she says sarcastically.
Naomi shakes her head, making her hair shakes. "No but close. It was Naruto! He is that Throne guy. It was Naru-kun!"
Kushina is struck dumb by that and severely hurt. 'Why did he say those things and why didn't he tell us he was here?'
A tear comes to her face. 'Maybe he doesn't like us anymore. Maybe he has move o…'
She is brought back by a light tapping on her face from Naomi.
"I know that we have questions but now isn't the time to be sulking and being all depressed. You have been itching to cut lose lately, so here is your chance!"
Kushina nods and gives her a quick thanks. She smiles, a sadistic one that Naomi is very accustomed to.
"Your right. Let's show these fuckers why they don't mess with our home."
Naomi blanches. 'Dear Kami, what did I just release?'
Kage Box
Naruto takes Tsunade to the side and out of her chair as said chair explodes. It would have killed or severely crippled her if she had been sitting in it when it went *boom*.
Orochimaru curses. He had been gambling a lot on that explosive chair. Now he has to not only fight another Sannin but a Throne pipsqueak as well whose skills are unknown.
"Well this is unexpected but I guess that I will have to make due."
Meanwhile, Naruto pulls Tsunade up and both are glaring at Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru how…expected of you to come."
Orochimaru is startled by the shit-eat grin on the unknown blond's face.
"Well, now this is unexpected. And just how did you know to expect me Kyu?"
Naruto smirks and wags his finger at him. "But that would be telling. And please…call me Naruto."
Orochimaru has a blank look on his face. He just stares at Naruto and then suddenly starts laughing in his creepy way.
"They sent a fifteen year old boy to combat me? What are they coming to?"
However, on the inside Orochimaru isn't sure about this anymore. To take on a Sannin is one thing. To take on a Jinchūriki and and Sannin is quite another.
Naruto meanwhile, is torn between scowling and smirking for the same reason.
'He is underestimating me. I'll give him an ass whopping.'
But before the ass kicking can commence, a black barrier erupts around the box, blocking out the surroundings.
"Do you like it? It is an improved version of the barrier I was going to use, but I like this one much better. As you can see, you can't see out and they can't see in. They have no idea what is going on and you know the kicker? There is no way inside, even they try to overload the barrier, it will not work and no Shunshin or any other jutsu will get through."
Tsunade scowls and Naruto suppresses a grin. Nobody notices the fox is no longer with Naruto. There is a battle, who cares about a tiny fox?
"You know snake-face, you should be asking yourself this. If Throne knew you were coming, why send me?"
That question had crossed his mind, but he had dismissed it. Now that he thinks on it…
He jumps to the left only to jump back to first avoid a wind jutsu without any hand seals and second to avoid becoming a pancake on the wall.
'Damn that brat is fast.'
Orochimaru does hand seals quickly but not quick enough. Naruto is in his face, going all Taijutsu on him that would Guy green with envy…completing his look.
Both Tsunade and Orochimaru are amazed at this level of Taijutsu. The only difference is Tsunade has time to appreciate it. Snake-face is hard pressed to any besides dodge and block.
Suddenly Naruto backs off, not even looking winded. "Let's go wild!"
Arena Floor
The last Oto shinobi is killed and Kushina and Naomi drop their guard a bit. They both jump when Naruto lands beside them.
"We have to go. There are more shinobi around. He have to secure the village."
Kushina wants to go hug him and hold him close after not seeing him for three years.
'He has grown so much. I just hope he doesn't leave us behind.'
Naruto seeing the look on her face, pulls her into a hug.
"I'm right here. I'm sorry for what I said, but it was necessary. It killed me to do so. We'll talk afterwards, I promise."
Kushina nods, barely containing her tears of joy that her baby boy…no her son is now a young man in both body and spirit.
Not being able to stand it, Naomi jumps them both and hugs the shit out of them. Naruto would normally complain but these are hardly normal circumstances.
"I know you are enjoying the moment, but the Sand Shinobi should be making an appearance soon. We have to secure the gate or more people are going to die."
Naruto wipes his eyes and breaks the hug. "We have to go. We still have to secure the village."
His family nods and pushes their emotions to the side for now. They all jump off towards the East gate.
"Thanks Kyu-chan. I don't know what I would do without you."
"I know. I'm happy for you that you are with your family again, but you and I have a job to do. I wish you had more time, but you and I don't. But that time will come after this."
Naruto smiles sadly and mentally nods. From inside the seal, Kyūbi wishes that she could haul him down here and hug him, but that might kill him as they are roof jumping or go out there but nobody knows about her except the two redheads, so her going out there is not an option either.
They get to the gate and see a sea of combination of Sand and Oto shinobi all running for the gates. Naruto molds his chakra but feels a familiar presence around and he smiles.
Suddenly a monstrous wall of sand shoots up from the ground, easily ten stories taller than Konoha's walls. Naomi, Kushina, and all the Anbu and Jōnin stationed at the gate all gawk in awe at the display.
Naruto looks up and sees who he is expecting.
"Hey Gaara. What brings you here?"
Gaara floats down to Naruto on his Nimbus-like sand cloud. "Suna is my home village and it is under my responsibility. When we heard that Suna might be in with Orochimaru, several teams of Inquisitors were sent out and they confirmed it."
Naruto nods. "So where's Yakumo-chan? She should be here since Oto is her jurisdiction."
Gaara looks down sadly. "Throne decided that three of us is overkill. Besides, Yakumo is busy in Oni dealing with the return of Mōryō."
Naruto sees that something is wrong, that his emotions are more muted than normal.
"Are you ok?"
Gaara looks to Naruto, a large part of sadness breaking its way through his barriers.
"We…we found my father's body between here and Suna."
"I'm sorry. At least you got to know him though. I never knew mine."
Gaara looks at Naruto, his emotional walls back up.
"But your father wasn't a bastard of a father. I would almost prefer to not have known him."
Naruto sees that Gaara is struggling a lot more with his emotions than he thought as Gaara's eyes wet again.
He jumps onto the sand cloud and Gaara takes them up and expands the cloud so no one can see them or hear them, knowing that breaking down is inevitable. In a pop, Shukaku appears and hugs Gaara tightly immediately with none of her usual antics, offering her complete support. Gaara returns the hug and the damn breaks and the tears fall without abandon. Shukaku gives Naruto a look and small jerk of her head towards Gaara.
He gets the message and joins Gaara in the hug, supporting and comforting him. Years of emotional abuse and neglect, knowing that the man who is responsible for your existence is now gone, all of it comes out.
He draws on Shukaku and Naruto, though mostly from his companion. After a few minutes of letting it all out, Gaara picks up the pieces and calms himself. He pulls away slightly and softly kisses his friend/lover/partner. Usually when this happens, she will draw him in and make out with him until someone breaks them up or his lips become raw. But not this time. She breaks the kiss after a few seconds in a rare show of maturity and clarity.
"We will continue this later, right now you have a war to stop. Be careful, koi. I love you."
She gives him one last chaste kiss and disappears back into her seal. Gaara wipes his eyes and turns to Naruto.
"Thank you. I needed that."
Naruto just smiles. "You should let down that wall more often or you will break down like this but only worse next time. But right now, let's save your shinobi and my village."
Gaara claps him on the shoulder and grins. Naruto jumps off to go deal with the snake summons, the two red heads following him, as Gaara zooms through the wall of sand.
Kage Box
"What's the matter? Fox get your tongue?"
Orochimaru grimaces. He vastly underestimated this boy. No, he cannot continue to underestimate him. And he has yet to even land a hit on this kid!
"Take this! Kusanagi!"
Naruto has a disgusted look on his face as Snake-face hacks up a sword. Naruto can see saliva dripping off the blade, making him gag slightly.
"Dude, that is wrong on so many levels."
Orochimaru doesn't respond just attacks, slicing at Naruto. Of course, Naruto isn't just going to stand there. He is dodging like mad, not going to give Orochi-teme an easy time.
Out of nowhere, Tsunade comes over the top and crashes her leg into Orochimaru's head. His head caves in…then turns to mud, trapping Tsunade's leg. Naruto acts quickly before Tsunade is bisected. And none too soon. Orochimaru bursts through the ground, sword poised to slice into Tsunade.
Naruto shunshins into the fray, knocking back the flat of the blade away from Tsunade. Only thing is, it leaves him open. Orochimaru spins the blade and reverses the direction, right at Naruto.
Naruto's eyes widen as the blade slices into him. He cries out in pain as the sword becomes bloody. It cuts through his left arm and into his shoulder. The sword stops right before it hits his collar bone and pins him to the ground when he falls.
With Tsunade's leg still trapped by the mud, she can't get to Naruto. Orochimaru smirks wildly, giddy that he has gotten his target. With the sword still very painfully in Naruto's shoulder, Orochimaru walks up to Naruto, making him cry out in pain as the angle changes.
"And you thought you could beat me? What do you have to say for yourself?"
In the pain, Naruto smirks.
"Boom"
And Orochimaru is lost in a blast of white.
Elsewhere
The real Naruto turns his head to the side as he receives the information from his exploding clone.
"Oh well, I was hoping the clone would be enough. Meh, now I get to show off more."
Naruto looks back as the decimated summons before they go back to their realm. Several large chunks of scales are missing as well as a lot of charred black skin and deep gashes cover the multi-headed snakes.
"Oi, Ka-chan, Nao-chan. I have somewhere to be. Meet me at home when you can."
He sheathes his swords and disappears.
Kage Box
Orochimaru advances on Tsunade, who finally gets her leg free of the sticky mud. His face is burnt and his clothes charred and smoking. He coughs a few times as he approaches Tsunade knowing that nothing can enter the barrier so he can take his sweet time.
"Do you like my jutsu? I made it just for you. I call it Nenchakuzai Doro (Adhesive Mud)."
Tsunade clenches her teeth. She is seriously doubting whether she can beat him now. She may be the strongest, but was never the best with offensive jutsu nor is she the fastest of the Sannin.
And what the hell happened to Naruto? When did he create the clone?
Orochimaru grins with malice in spades. He can see her thoughts flash across her face, sees the doubt flicker through her eyes.
He takes a step forward but a yellow flash blinds him and he out of sheer reflex rolls away. When his sight clears not two seconds later, he sees the same blond with a ball of chakra in the hand out stretched, right where he used to be.
'Impossible! No one can make it through the barrier!'
"How did you make it through the barrier?"
Naruto shrugs and takes out a kunai. He twirls it on the ring while looking away. Meanwhile, both Tsunade and Orochimaru are gaping.
"Is that…"
"A Hiraishin kunai?" they finish for each other.
Naruto's only response is to through the kunai at Orochimaru. It misses him but lands and sinks into the ground. He then disappears in a flash of yellow, reappearing behind said snake. Blood sprays as a sword goes through Orochimaru's side as he attempts to dodge.
He grips his bleeding side, seething. There is no way that he can win if this brat knows the fastest jutsu ever created.
"Retreat!"
Instantly the barrier is let down and Orochimaru is surrounded by four shinobi. "You win this time…but I will see Konoha will burn."
And then he is gone. Naruto watches as Konoha's greatest traitor retreats. His objective is to secure the village not chase after renegade ninjas. Besides, Yakumo would put him in another Genjutsu from hell for taking her target from her.
Tsunade lets out a sigh then looks to the Anbu just standing there, staring at Naruto.
"What are you waiting for? Secure the village!" she shouts, knocking the Anbu into gear.
Naruto is then crushed into a hug by the woman. He smiles and hugs her back before the both of them let go a few seconds later.
"I…I have so many questions for you," she breathes.
"I know. Meet me at the Namikaze mansion as soon as the village is secure. I'll explain everything to you, Ka-chan, and Nao-chan. I don't like to repeat myself."
Tsunade nods and shunshins to the Hokage Tower to make sure things are in order. Naruto crosses his fingers and creates hundreds of shadow clones who all charge off to wipe out the remaining Oto shinobi that hasn't retreated out of the city. He himself starts to leisurely walk through the blood drenched streets from shinobi both domestic and foreign. He grimaces at the unnecessary spilling of blood.
As he walks, he doesn't see a single sand shinobi, meaning Gaara was successful in making sure they stay out of the conflict…or he crushed them all before they could enter the village. He goes in the general direction of the Namikaze estate, which isn't too far from the stadium. He takes his time though, enjoying the nostalgic feeling of being back here.
Eventually he reaches the estate. He pours some chakra into the gate's seal and it swings open, allowing him access. He isn't surprised that he is still keyed into the gate, though he is surprised that it accepted it. His signature is different now that it is infused with yoki.
Oh well. He'll worry about it later.
He opens the door, which doesn't need a lock since the gate is their lock, and walks into the living room. He smiles, happy to be home with familiar scents and sights. It is exactly how he remembers it, down to the arrangement of the furniture.
Out of nowhere he is blindsided by a red blur. He looks and sees long dark red hair and slender arms. He hears crying.
"It's ok, Nao-chan."
He hugs her back, very happy to have his family back. He missed them very much.
Naomi continues to cry on her brother's chest when Kushina comes down the stairs, freshly showered. She has the same reaction Naomi has, only more restrained. She doesn't cry.
Naruto lets out an *umph* as Kushina's body collides with his, knocking all three of them to the ground. Suddenly, Naruto finds himself in a very awkward position. Two gorgeous red heads hugging the life out of him, pressing their bodies into his. He blushes deeply as the two hug him…on the floor…with both of them on top of him.
"Uh…hi guys," he says awkwardly.
"Why…"
Naruto is confused.
"Why…what?"
Kushina lifts her head, tears in her eyes.
"Why did you say those terrible things at the ramen stand?"
Naruto bites his lip. He knew this was coming. However, he underestimated just how hurt they would be. He hadn't taken into account their feelings of insecurity.
"Let me up and I'll explain."
Both red heads blush as they realize their position and are up in an instant. Naruto grins sheepishly and scratches the back of his head as he stands.
"We need to wait for Ba-chan. I don't like repeating myself. She should be here…"
"Anyone home?"
"Now"
Tsunade walks into the room to see Naomi and Kushina blushing while Naruto is just standing there.
"Did I miss something?"
Kushina and Naomi quickly lost their prospective blushes. Naruto sits in a chair and his family plus Tsunade quickly find seats around the living room.
"Right…I first owe you two an apology. I didn't want to say those things, but I couldn't risk revealing myself. Throne heard rumors about an invasion by Oto and Suna but we aren't sure who is working for Orochimaru. Had he known it was me, he would have called off the invasion. Had I acted cordial with you, he would be asking questions and such. Now we can officially go after him."
"But why not before? Surely Throne doesn't let Missing-Nin just wander around," Kushina asks.
Naruto shakes his head. "That would be a waste of resources. Think about it. There are hundreds of missing nin. We can't go after each and every missing nin. We leave it up to the villages to control their own shinobi or retrieve them. Now if we happen to cross paths with one, we don't let him/her get away depending on why they left in the first place."
He turns to Tsunade. "I need you to later about releasing two of your shinobi from service."
Tsunade's eyebrow goes up. "For what reasons?"
"Simply because they will be returning to Throne with me. I have chosen them to be in my service and they accepted. It shouldn't be that much of a problem since Throne and all the hidden villages have a…an understanding with each other."
Tsunade doesn't like it but she relents and nods. However, Naomi isn't so pleased.
"Chosen for what? And why won't you take Ka-chan or I?"
Naruto sighs. "They are going to be my Guardians."
A hurt expression crosses Naomi's face while Kushina gives him a knowing smile. "Am…do…am I not strong enough or smart enough? Why won't you chose me?" she stutters then blurts out.
Naruto rakes a hand through his hair. He joins Naomi and Kushina on the couch and puts an arm around Naomi's slender shoulders.
"It has nothing to do with that. You would be the perfect Guardian."
"Then why…"
"Because I don't want that for you."
She gives him a confused look.
"Look, Guardians have no life. They follow me around, make arrangements where ever I go, they protect me, they sleep only when I do and that is in shifts. There is no time for anything else. Most Guardians will die alone, without ever loving anyone because their job is their life. I don't want that for you or ka-chan."
Naomi thinks on it before nodding her understanding. It is touching that he would think of her happiness. It brings warm feelings to her chest like nothing ever has. However, despite her understanding, she hits him on the arm.
"Fine but you owe a spar later for being so mean."
Naruto smiles, very happy that Naomi didn't hit him with her gauntlets. "Deal."
"I want out."
Naruto starts, having nearly forgotten about Kyūbi. He feels slightly guilty about it but after a quick reassurance that it is fine from said Bijū, Naruto summons her from the seal.
Tsunade's eyes go wide, not either not knowing or realizing that Bijū have a human form and on top of that Kyūbi is female. She doesn't know nor need to know that the gender of the Bijū is dependent on the host.
"Better."
Kyūbi finds a seat and then…does nothing. She takes a nail file out from her cleavage which draws a blush from everyone in the room except Tsunade. Apparently having large breasts makes one naturally resistant to other breasts. She looks down at her perfectly manicured nails and begins to file them obsessively. The other females all stare in curiosity but Kyūbi acts like she doesn't even feel their eyes on her.
"Does this happen often?" Kushina asks as she turns to look at Naruto.
Naruto just shrugs. "Pretty much. She's been spoiled with being able to move around for so long since she only got sealed six months ago. She likes being out more than the paradise I created within my mindscape."
"You talk too much Naru-kun. And while that place is amazing, it doesn't compare to the real world," Kyūbi admonishes without looking up from her almost obsessive filing.
Naruto rolls his eyes.
"So what's new with you guys? I saw that Naomi unlocked her water manipulation bloodline."
Naomi nods and blushes at the proud tone and hides in her hair. Naruto chuckles.
"That's awesome. I didn't get that part of the bloodline though."
Tsunade scoffs, drawing attention to herself. "It isn't like you're missing out on anything though. You already know the Hiraishin so I don't want to hear you complaining."
The red heads' eyes go wide and look to Naruto for conformation. Naruto looks down for a second before drawing the infamous kunai from a pouch. Both red head's eyes grow to enormous proportions in shock and awe.
"H…how long?" Kushina manages out after a few moments.
Naruto puts the kunai away. "Only a few months. I had a breakthrough when going over the Uzumaki Fūinjutsu in the Throne Archives. What?"
He is startled by the shocked expressions of the three human female's expressions.
"But…but they gave us…" Naomi starts.
Naruto sighs. "How do you think they had them in the first place? You all know that Throne has a law in which all B-rank technique and all Fūinjutsu seals and Taijutsu styles are to be submitted to Throne. Even dad's Rasengan is in there. All are available to Throne to learn though a lot are bloodline specific like Byakugan or Kaguya. We just like to be prepared should we have to face someone."
"Don't forget my super strength and medical research and on top of that my grandfather's Mokuton abilities and my uncle's original Suiton techniques. Throne is nothing but a bunch of thieving egomaniacal self proclaimed rulers of the world," Tsunade declares.
Tsunade feels a gust of wind and before she knows it, has a katana poised to slash her throat.
"What was that, Senju Tsunade? Do you think it wise to insult the very organization that keeps the whole world from falling into chaos?" The blade goes just a tiny bit into her neck and breaks the skin, allowing a single drop of blood down into her cleavage.
"You should learn to hold that tongue lest it get you into trouble later. The Kage are not the highest on the food chain and you had best remember that. It is arrogant statements like that which starts petty wars if Throne weren't here. This time it was directed at us but what if it was at Kusa or Suna or Iwa? War is so much more a threat with no one to make sure arrogant and self righteous people to keep them in check. Imagine what Iwa would do to this place if we don't stop them every time a petition is put through to invade Hi no Kuni to get revenge, which happens more often than you would feel comfortable knowing."
Naruto lowers the katana and sheathes it. "But everyone is entitled to their own opinion."
Tsunade rubs her neck and heals the tiny scratch. But to her surprise it is already healed but with scar tissue.
"So you are a bunch of bullies. Are you going to kill me if I don't agree with you?"
Naruto just gives her a look of someone far older than he is. "We keep the stability by whatever means necessary. If that is by assassination or through superior firepower, then so be it. It isn't our preferred policy but we willmaintain stability. And no we don't kill just because people don't agree with us. Like I said, everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Now if you act on that opinion in a manner that causes chaos and destruction, then we will intervene."
Just when the tension reaches critical mass, the dam breaks and Naruto and Tsunade grin at each other.
"So it was you! What was that little thing about Kyu So Ri?" Tsunade asks.
"Because there are spies in Konoha and I couldn't rule out that they didn't have your office bugged. I know for a fact that the Namikaze home isn't because they can't get passed the barriers."
Tsunade fumes.
"I do not have bugs planted in my office!"
And it is off to the races. Naruto says something causally, making Tsunade mad and then she says something that sets him off.
Kushina and Naomi stand perplexed as the two banter amicably back and forth. Finally Kushina can't take it anymore.
"Hold on! How do you two know each other?"
Naruto suddenly looks nervous for some reason so Kyūbi throws him under the bus for him.
"We came here last year to meet the Daimyo of the various countries he will be overseeing. When we came to Hi no Kuni to meet Shinjimi, Tsunade was there."
"Kyu-chan!"
Naruto pales as Naomi and Kushina get an angry and hurt look on their faces. Lucky, or unlucky, there is far more hurt than anger.
Naruto rounds on his partner. "If you're going to tell them something, don't stop in the middle of it! Finish the damn story!"
Kyūbi looks up with an amused grin on her face. "But I just love to watch you squirm." Naruto's glare only intensifies making Kyūbi huff and roll her eyes. "Fine! Spoil my fun. Naruto wanted to come see you both but there wasn't enough time to. I told him that the next time we were in the neighborhood that we could stop in."
Naomi relaxes while Kushina's eyes narrow. "I would appreciate it if you didn't use our feelings for your own personal play thing."
Kyūbi opens her mouth but Naruto surprisingly beats her to it. "She didn't mean it that way, Ka-chan. She is a trickster my nature and loves to play pranks on people. Admittedly that was in bad taste but please don't take it as an insult."
Kushina turns her attention to her son. 'Just how close are they?'
Rage and…jealousy start to boil over in her. She attempts to calm herself using various tricks but as her thoughts turn more and more to her son and Kyūbi, she only gets more and more angry and jealous. She doesn't even know where jealousy is coming from but she has to know.
"Kyūbi."
Kushina's voice is sharp as a knife, getting Kyūbi's attention.
"What are your intentions towards my son?"
Kyūbi raises an eyebrow. "Well we might as well get this over sooner than later…"
Confused to what she is talking about, Kushina watches as Kyūbi puts away her nail file (back into her cleavage) and stands. She watches as the regally walks over to Naruto and pushes him into a chair with a nail…before she starts sucking his face off.
Naomi goes red while Tsunade laughs good-naturedly at Kushina's dumbfounded expression. When Kyūbi breaks the searing kiss, she plops herself in Naruto's lap who, in a mind meltdown from the intense kiss, wraps his arms around her waist instinctively.
Kushina fights down the urge to smack her off of Naruto and use her for a fur coat. The rational side of her brain tells her that not only would she not be able to take on the Queen of the Bijū but it would also make Naruto disappointed in her. And the idea of Naruto being disappointed in her pains her heart more than it should.
Meanwhile Naruto comes back to the real world and scowls at what Kyūbi just did.
"Oi, not cool," he admonishes the woman on his lap. "I'm sorry Ka-chan. She can get like this sometimes."
Kushina shakes her head lose of the 'cobwebs' of watching her son make out with a Bijū.
"No…its fine. I shouldn't have intruded. Who you date is your choice."
That gets Naruto's attention. Not the words but the decidedly dejected tone. Naruto starts to sweat when he sees Kyūbi smirk wickedly. No doubt she just thought of something that won't end well for him.
"You know…being in Throne has its perks. Like…having four mates. And since bloodlines in general take care of any diseases and the Uzumaki clan is virtually no more, it would be acceptable to have children with him."
The room is silent as Naruto chokes on his saliva while Kushina and Naomi have no response at all.
Kyūbi suddenly finds herself dispelled and inside the mindscape faced with a furious Naruto.
"Why did you say that?" he fumes.
Kyūbi is taken aback. She knew that he wouldn't really appreciate her words but she was joking! Apparently she massively miscalculated. And here she is with a livid Naruto in his mindscape so he can yell all he wants.
"…"
She is so stunned that she can't talk.
"What in the world were you thinking? I don't know what has gotten into you but I don't like it! First you make jokes using my family, then you kiss me in front of my mother, MY MOTHER! A simple answer would have sufficed. And then this…I don't even know where to begin!"
Naruto continues to a stunned Kyūbi.
"I…I'm sorry. I…I didn't think…"
"I couldn't have guessed! I love my family more than anything. They mean the world to me and I don't appreciate you messing with them like this."
Naruto sits on a couch and gives an exasperated sigh. Kyūbi stands there, still stunned and not sure what to do. She doesn't know what to make it better what will make him angrier. She ends up doing the best thing possible and stays silent and still.
"Come here."
Kyūbi obeys the quiet command. She sits next to him but is surprised when he pulls her into his lap sideways. She immediately feels his arms snake around her and hold her close to which she does the same.
"I love you but you need to tone it down. I'm used to it but…but my family is different. I don't enjoy you messing with them like this and now…now I have no idea what to expect from my sister and mother. I had kept that information secret. If it happens it happens but I don't want to pressure them."
Kyūbi is silent as she listens to her partner, friend, and lover.
"I'm sorry. I didn't think that you would mind as much as you did."
"I know but please ask before you say something as loaded as that next time." Kyūbi nods and Naruto pulls her into a short kiss.
"Come on. I have a family to keep from freaking out."
Naruto wakes up and looks around. Kushina and Naomi are looking at him with unreadable emotions while Tsunade is running a medical jutsu over him as he suddenly lost consciousness.
"I'm fine Ba-chan. I just had to have a private word with Kyu." Tsunade nods and silently moved off.
"Ka-chan, Nao-chan." He gets their attention. "What Kyu said is true but she crossed the line. I hope this doesn't make things weird for us."
Kushina and Naomi share a look and slowly nod.
"I think Kyu has something she wants to say."
Without seals and without words, Kyūbi appears in front of them looking very nervous.
"Um…I…I just want to say sorry. I know that what I said was wrong and I now causes there to be tension and that wasn't my aim. I'll try to keep a lid on my mouth from now on."
Kyūbi turns away to sit next to Naruto when he raises his eyebrow at her. She lowers her head dejectedly.
"And I'm sorry for getting fresh and kissing your son right in front of you when a simple explanation would have worked."
Naruto nods and with burning cheeks, the mighty Kyūbi no Yoko sits to stew in her own embarrassment. Naruto gives her knee a squeeze in support.
An awkward silence descends on the living room.
"So…Nao-chan…where did you and Ka-chan go to train?"
Naomi looks up with her brother, grateful for the broken silence.
"Well, first we went to the capital. Ka-chan said she wanted to say hello to the Daimyo. After that, we went to where Uzushio once was. For physical training, she had me reconstruct buildings. It not only increased my natural strength but make me faster. Now Uzushio is cleaned up of most of the rubble and half the buildings are standing again. We stayed there almost the entire three years since you became part of Throne only leaving to come to the Chūnin exams.
"What about you? How was your training?"
Naruto gives a thoughtful look. "It went fine after some of the members stopped trying to have me kicked out."
Naomi's and Kushina's eyes bug out.
"WHAT? Why would they not want you in Throne?"
Naruto gives an annoyed look at remembering their reasons.
"Because I'm a half demon. As of right now, I won't age at all. That means that I will never die a natural death and could live forever as Head of Throne. Some were worried that I would become corrupt and try to take over Throne. They quoted, 'Absolute power corrupts absolutely' from some baron long ago.
"Technically their reasons are justified but totally bullocks. Take a look at the Bijū themselves. If they haven't become corrupt after hundreds of years of ruling then what makes them think that the strongest Bijū can't keep me in check."
"Besides that, they have no right to interfere with who I choose just like I don't have a say with who they choose. It is an unwritten policy that we don't question each other's choices. They cite him being a half demon as a reason to not have him, I see it as one. It takes massive amounts of determination to survive a Sosei and it makes my host all the more likely to survive battle.
"Add to that his natural abilities in battle, his higher quality chakra, and his stamina from the Sosei and you have a monster on the battlefield in the making. I have lost too many hosts to battle to ever want that again."
Naruto puts his arm around Kyūbi comfort and support. This didn't go unnoticed.
"After we got the doubters off our backs, I had to study really hard. As a member and ruler of Throne, I have to know and uphold the laws of the countries I go to. Kyu taught me some of it. Most of it came from shadow clones reading books in the library. Who would have guessed that I actually enjoy learning about different cultures and what makes each country unique?
"After studying, I would train. Most of the time I would train on my own or with Kyu and Miya but sometimes I had a sparring partner like Gaara or Fū. I learned Kenjutsu and stealth from Miya and elemental manipulation from Kyu. I was tutored by Yakumo in Genjutsu…she is very scary when she wants to be despite her nice person demeanor. I was given pointers on Taijutsu by Yugito. That girl is something else. She is extremely flexible and very fast. If you make fun of her then you get the shit shocked out of you literally. Her bloodline allows her to store and absorb raw lightning within her body.
"Asura spent most of the time when he was with me trying to get me to order Miya to strip and have sex with her. More often than not he got a chakra enhanced kick to the balls via his own Guardians. That being said, the man is a genius when it comes to jutsu. His bloodline allows him to combine lightning, water, and wind. His advice on advanced manipulation of wind and lightning was a godsend.
"Assassination and information gathering I learned from Akena. Fūinjutsu and strategy from Shikaku and first aid from Fū. I only recently learned the Hiraishin. It is a combination of seals and a bloodline that combines wind and lightning. Wind to push the air away from you while moving and lighting to supercharge your movements. Since it is really hard to aim, the seals…attract your signature for lack of a better verb."
Naruto gains a smirk.
"Hey Nao-chan. How about that spar?"
Instantly Naomi's eyes are ablaze with fire.
"You are so on Onii-chan! I'll beat your ass into the ground and use you for a chair!"
Naruto chuckles as he and Naomi stand from the couches. Naomi rushes out to the back yard where a small training ground is held while Naruto and company take their time. All but Tsunade.
"I'm sorry but I can't stay. I would love to see this fight but I've got a village that needs me right now. I've already spent too much time away from there. Stay healthy squirt."
Naruto gives her a grin. "Don't forget in your old age that I'll stop by later on. See ya!"
Before Tsunade can beat him down for the age comment, he is gone again. She grumbles and tramples away towards a mountain of paperwork that had no doubt invaded her office by now. If only she could treat it like an enemy shinobi and hit it into oblivion.
Out back, Naomi and Naruto square off with Kyūbi and Kushina watching from a little distance away.
"Hey, let's only use Taijutsu. We wouldn't want the entire village coming down on top of us for using too many high level techniques would we?"
Naomi only nods, all business now. She would have her gauntlets on but that is cheating since they are classified as weapons. That and this is a friendly spar and not meant to maim.
"Ka-chan, if you would."
Kushina is instantly in the middle of the two and starts the match, saying win through unconsciousness or submission. She then jumps back to see just how far her son has gotten.
For a few seconds, neither move. Both are content to sit back and analyze each other for a while. On some invisible marker, both rush forward. They meet in the middle and exchange strikes at blazing speed. Naruto is doing all he can to keep up with the speed of his sister. If not for his superior training, he would be bashed into a pulp.
While the two siblings are enjoying the spar, Kushina and Kyūbi watch them with calculating eyes.
"So how powerful is Naru-chan?"
"If he goes all out and uses my yoki? I would haggard a guess just above Kage level to just under Throne. He needs to improve his Taijutsu, Fūinjutsu, his chakra control, and speed among other things that will make him better like experience. His Genjutsu is adequate even if it is a passive ability from me to sense Genjutsu. His Ninjutsu is off the charts thanks to the Uzumaki and Namikaze clan scrolls as is the amount of chakra he has in his body. At Throne, we measure by tails of how much raw chakra one has since over time we increase the size of the chakra reserves of our hosts. Naruto has an astounding five tails of chakra."
Kushina's eyes go wide. "How is that even possible? One would explode with that much chakra in their system."
"Don't forget that having a Bijū sealed inside you increases his natural healing rate and add in his half demon state. Most of it happened during the Sosei. With the surge of yoki, it forced his coils to rapidly expand to counteract the yoki spreading through his system. It is this that kills most people during a Sosei. It is said the pain is beyond excruciating and without the proper determination to bear through the pain, the coils rupture, which kills them."
Kushina thinks on it while wincing as Naomi gets in a good hit on Naruto's chest which makes him fly back into a tree.
"Most don't know it except clan heads and Kage current and past, but Throne offers clans a backup library should anything happen to the originals. In exchange for being a safe for them, we have the abilities to study them and learn both techniques and counters to theirs. We don't advertise making counters but we don't hide it if asked. Most clans agree because a lot of them require a bloodline to use others just don't want the knowledge they have to die with them.
"They have no obligation to do so outside of the normal requirements for submission. However, should a clan lose the originals and not archived with us we will not give them copies, even if we have parts of their clan knowledge. We are a government, not a charity. And if you were wondering, The Uzumaki were one of the clans who archived with us, which is why we gave you the clan knowledge.
"Naruto has yet to look into any of the clan archives besides the Namikaze and Uzumaki. Should he broaden his selection, he could become unbeatable on the field."
Kushina listens to Kyūbi, while thinking about something she said earlier.
"So does that mean Nao-chan has the same amount of chakra?"
"Yes but not quite as much since she doesn't have me sealed within her anymore. Her coils started expanding just like Naruto's did when I was sealed within both and that about doubled during the Sosei."
Kyūbi and Kushina watch as Naruto performs a series of complicated moves and knocks Naomi up in the air. He reappears above her and crushes her into the ground with a devastating axe kick.
"Look, I want to apologize again for my earlier actions. Naruto ripped me a new one in the mindscape. I've never seen him so angry and it was all directed towards me. I don't ever want to feel like that again."
Kushina looks at the deceptively older woman…vastly older, judging her if she is sincere. Not finding anything but the truth, Kushina answers.
"I accept your apology. Truth be told, I love him with all my heart and soul. I just….I'm confused as to what kind of love I feel for him. Your blatant observation put my feelings into more question.
"I know Naomi love Naruto more than a sister should. It would surprise me if they didn't get together at least once. What happens when someone becomes a wife of a Throne member?"
Kyūbi is silent for a moment. "Well first and foremost, they are sworn to secrecy. More than once have villages used the charms of a woman to get information. I believe you're acquainted with Jiraiya the Sannin?"
Kushina narrows her eyes but nods.
"He is a perfect example of this. His spy network is run by girls in the entertainment industry. Whether they just strip, look pretty for customers, or go the whole nine yards it doesn't matter. He is a master at recruiting girls and maintaining secrecy about who is an associate of his.
"After a screening process, the wife or husband is inducted into Throne and chooses a task. It could be anything from an Inquisitor to a worker on the docks. The spouse is trained in the shinobi arts to at least defend themselves should an attack happen.
There is only once exception to this. Shikaku Nara's wife is here in Konoha. They were married before he was chosen, which is exceptionally rare since most are chosen by age ten. Yoshino was pregnant at the time and felt that it was better to stay here in a village to raise Shikamaru and grow up with kids his own age and stay with her friends. She also heads the Nara clan.
"Children are of course accepted at Throne. We have a daycare and an education system for those children born on Destiny's Gateway. For such a small island, we have a high population. On an island as small as ours, it wouldn't house more than one hundred or so. But we have almost a thousand people. We couldn't keep hundreds of couples from having children just because we said so."
The two fall into silence again and watch Naruto and Naomi still go at it. Neither can gain the upper hand at the moment but both have a wide smile on their faces indicating they are enjoying themselves.
"So when can I have grandchildren?"
Kyūbi looks sharply at Kushina with burning cheeks.
"Uh…well…ah…we haven't actually had sex yet."
Kushina raises an eyebrow.
"We've come close and we share a bed at night. However, it just hasn't happened yet. I'm not going to rush things though. I haven't lived as long as I have by being impatient."
Kushina and Kyūbi talk for the next few hours, getting to know each other better. All the while Naruto and Naomi never once stopping for more than ten seconds. Eventually Naruto's better training won out and pinned Naomi, forcing her to surrender.
Naruto outright laughs at Naomi's cute pout on her face at losing.
"Ah come on Nao-chan. Don't be like that. You put up a great fight. I had a lot of fun."
His sister instantly loses the pout and grins happily. "I did to."
The two older red heads shoo them into the house to take showers as both are drenched with sweat and dirt.
Time Skip – 2 Days
Unfortunately, all good things come to an end. Naruto vastly enjoyed catching up with his family and spending time bonding with them again. He missed them quite a bit. It is in high spirits that he now stands in front of the gates of Konoha with his sister and mother.
He gives each of them a massive hug while the fox that Naruto always has around him licks their faces.
"You two be safe and grow stronger Nao-chan!"
Naomi gives him a sad smile and nods. "I will Onii-chan. You take care of yourself too."
Suddenly two people drop down next to Naruto. Kushina is very surprised to see who it is.
"Anko? What are you doing here?"
Instead of her trench coat, fishnet shirt, and skirt, Anko has on a pair of black pants and a form fitting but very modest dark purple top.
"I'm going with Naruto-sama. I'm to be a Gu…"
A hand ghosts over Anko's mouth, silencing her. All eyes but Naruto's look in surprise to see the hand belongs to Miya.
"That information is sensitive in open areas like this. Try to remember that," she whispers in Anko's ear before disappearing again. Anko fights down a shiver knowing that she didn't detect Miya at all and could be dead right now if the fellow purple haired woman so desired.
"Long story short, I removed Anko's cursed seal and she has pledged her loyalty to me. The same for Haku sans the curse mark part. I know that she saw me as her master before but from the looks of things, she isn't the same 'I'm a tool to be used'. She agreed to follow me as well.
"And remember that I already told you my reasons for not picking you. I'll be back though. Maybe in a few months depending on where Throne sends me and Kyu."
Naomi nods and hugs him once more. He waves to his mother and then takes off into the early morning.
Time Skip – 4 Hours
Naruto and company touch down just outside of Wave Country. He dusts himself off before walking forward. Anko and Haku look around taking in the sights. Haku remembers what happened here three almost four years ago. How her life changed when she was brought back as a spoil of war.
For Anko, she never saw the bridge so she is awed by the sheer size of it. It is wide enough for four wagons abreast and stretches all the way to the island nation.
Naruto however is unfazed by ether memory or awe. He was only here a few months ago. He walks swiftly over the bridge and soon enters the town.
"Why are we here?" Anko asks.
"I'm here to visit a friend. This is one of the countries I'm assigned to so this will be a good opportunity to look around without having to watch me all the time."
Anko smirks. "I know you are attractive, but you're not that attractive that I can't keep my eyes off you."
Naruto smirks right back. "Then why were you stealing glances at me while on the way here?"
Anko goes red from being caught and does the best thing she could possibly do. She shuts her mouth.
They follow Naruto through the village. They are surprised when people nod their heads or outright bow to Naruto in the middle of the street. Apparently they think pretty highly of him. Soon enough, Naruto pulls up to a modest two story house and knocks on the door. After a few seconds, a dark haired woman answer Naruto's knock.
"Naruto! What a surprise."
Naruto smiles at the woman. "I wouldn't be much of a ninja if it wasn't."
Tsunami laughs and ushers the three inside. She seats them in the living room as she gets some tea.
"So are you here on official business and who are your friends?" she asks when the tea is on the coffee table for everyone.
"Tsunami, this is Anko Mitarashi and you know Haku Yuki from three years ago."
Tsunami looks at the black haired ice user.
"I do. How are you Yuki-san?" she greets with a strained voice. It is hard to forget she tried to kill her father not all that long ago.
Haku gives her a small smile and nods in her direction. But other than that, she gives no indication that she heard Tsunami's words.*
"Anyways, they are traveling with me and yes, I am here on official business."
Tsunami nods and gets up. "Well Tou-san isn't here right now. I could go get him from the village square if you like."
Naruto waves her off. "Actually my business is with you."
Tsunami has a surprised look on her face before she sits again. "That's surprising. What can I help you with?"
Naruto suddenly has a nervous look on his face.
"Tell me…does Inari still wish to become a shinobi?"
Tsunami giggles. "Of course. He can't stop talking about how his nii-chan is in Throne and tells all his friends stories of you."
"What would you say to Inari actually becoming one?"
Tsunami freezes. "You aren't joking are you?"
Naruto shakes his head. "I'm not. I would like Inari to become one of my protectors. But that entirely up to you and him. He would be trained as one of the strongest shinobi in the Elemental Nations and it looks good on your resume if he puts 'trained by Throne' on it."
Tsunami is deep in thought. Her initial response is to say, no shout 'hell no!'. He would be in danger and would have to put someone else's life before his own. Her motherly instincts flare wildly to protect her child from any and all forms of harm, even if it means crushing his dream.
But she sees how much he wants it and how excited he would be. His dream would be accomplished. Her mind works hard and evens out the 'mother bear' syndrome, allowing her to think rationally while keeping her emotions in check.
"Tell me more about the job of being your protector," she asks quietly.
"Well, he would follow me around whenever I left Throne. He would make arrangements for hotel rooms and whatnot of anything I needed. He of course would have to protect me in case of attack, which is not likely as I am a Kage level ninja right now and I'm only going to get stronger.
"When we are at Throne, he will train and be trained by me and my other protectors in everything. His duties will vary from protection to running urgent messages. Occasionally he may be assigned to another Throne member who doesn't have his or her own protectors ready yet.
"He will also go to the school on Throne with other children so he will learn basics like math and reading. He will make friends and have a childhood alongside training. I assure you that he will not be put in any situation that he cannot handle before he is fully ready to protect me.
"I can assure you that he will not be put in any danger until we are sure he is ready.
Naruto snaps his fingers and Miya phases into existence from behind Naruto.
"It is nice to finally meet you. My name is Miya and I oversee the training of all of Naruto-sama's protectors, with Naruto-sama over me. I am granted this because I am Naruto-sama's head protector. I will personally look out for your son at every opportunity."
"Just to you know Tsunami, Miya's word is very important to her as is her commitment to me and her job. If she makes a promise, it happens. I tried to get her to ease up and take some time off when I was first accepted into Throne but soon stopped after I got that I was insulting her by saying that she doesn't have to take her job or word of promise seriously."
Tsunami goes over what Naruto said about the job, about what he will go through and Miya's promise. He had given her a lot to think about. She fights what was said against her own instincts to protect Inari from all threats.
She is silent for ten minutes before coming to a decision.
"Alright…I'll give my consent only to talk to him. I want to be sure that is what he wants."
Naruto gives her a grin. "Of course. He always has the option of saying no or leaving Throne after a few years should he want to."
Several hours later, Inari comes in from his school. He stops and is dead still as his eyes fall on Naruto.
"Naruto-nii!"
Naruto scoops kid into a hug.
"Hey squirt. How are you doing? How was school?"
Inari rolls his eyes and gives an exasperated sigh. "It was boooooorring! Ninja school is so much better but we don't have one here and mom won't let me go to Konoha to be one." His last comment was directed at Tsunami who gives him a stern glance.
Naruto sits on a couch with Inari right in front of him.
"So how old are you now?"
"I'm eleven and turning twelve in a month!"
Naruto grins at him and ruffles his hair.
"Hey, would you like for your birthday?"
Inari doesn't even pause. "I want to be a ninja like you and beat up bad guys and save pretty girls like your sister!"
Naruto ignores the last comment with Anko is barely restraining herself from falling on the floor from laughing so much. But Naruto is suddenly serious.
"What if I said I could make it happen?"
Inari freezes.
"What?"
"What if I told you that you could come with me and help protect me when I'm on missions?"
Inari's eyes light up.
"Do you mean it? I can become a ninja?"
Naruto sits him on his knee. "Yes you can but there are draw backs. One is you have to leave your family for a long time and only visit every few months if not longer. It will not be easy. The first thing you will do is go to school with other kids and study because you have to be smart to be a ninja.
"Also while training you, there will be times when you want to give up and quit. But you have to push through and keep at it. This is a job and you have to follow instructions to the letter and you will be punished if you don't.
"Can you do it? Can I count on you? I know you want to say yes, but it is ok if you say no. It is a lot to do and take in. I won't be disappointed or hold it against you in any way if you say no. But before you answer, I want you to think about it. I'll stay in the village tonight so you can talk about it with your mom and grandpa. You can tell me tomorrow before we leave."
Naruto stands after getting Inari to stand. He gives a short bow to Tsunami and thanks her for her gracious hosting and even considering his offer and not shooting it down immediately.
Time Skip – Next Day
Naruto is currently standing near the bridge waiting for Inari and his family. He doesn't have to wait long. Soon Inari, Tsunami, and Tazuna are standing in front of him. Tsunami's eyes are red and Tazuna is looking down quite a bit.
Naruto gets eye level with Inari.
"So what did you decide?"
Inari surprises him by not immediately shouting out his answer.
"I…I want to help you Naruto-nii. I don't want to leave my family but as Mom said last night, I would have to leave anyways when I got older to live my own life."
Naruto can understand that. He had been in this exact same situation four years ago.
"So…when do we leave?"
Naruto sees the traveling pack on his back.
"Well, I'm leaving now but you won't for another month." Inari's eyes go wide. "This is a birthday present and as such, you aren't supposed to receive it until the day of your birthday. So the day after you turn twelve, I'll come by and pick you up. How does that sound?"
While Inari is sad that he won't be leaving immediately, he is getting vastly different looks from Tsunami and Tazuna. It happened so suddenly and they were afraid that if they said no, the offer would be rescinded. So they said yes for Inari's sake even though they aren't ready to say goodbye.
But now they had a full month to say goodbye and spend time with him before he becomes a man.
Naruto finds himself on the receiving end of a massive hug from a teary Tsunami and a large and firm hand shake from an emotional Tazuna. They express their thanks and Naruto even got a kiss on the cheek from the woman, making Anko snicker and Haku to turn her head away.
Naruto, now sporting a soft blush, says his goodbyes and jumps away, headed for home.
End Chapter 6
NA:
*while Haku doesn't believe she is a tool to be used anymore, she is very antisocial and easily embarrassed.
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And that does it for this chapter. It has been a long time since I published anything so I decided to release a bunch of new chapters all at the same time. Hope you enjoy the rest of the stories.
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I know a bunch of you are going to be confused about Tsunade and Naruto. So here it is...Tsunade thought it was Naruto from the get go but didn't act or speak about it, figuring that Naruto had a reason for not just coming out and saying it. This is because Naruto knew Orochimaru had spies within the village and would call it off should he know that the Jinchūriki of Kyūbi the is presiding over the Chūnin Exams. She confirms it is Naruto once he take off his hood.
The two have a relationship much like the one they had before. Both are hard headed and stubborn as ten mules and but heads on a regular basis. Though that is part of the appeal with each other. They like it when people challenge them and it is fun to them to go back and forth.
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Any questions, comments, suggestions, or outright flames should be welcome. Most authors don't care for flames, but if someone feels that strongly about it, then I'll listen to it and then explain things in further detail.
Until next time (which also may be awhile),
tomhunt 98
