-CHAPTER 7-

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"
For once the Toad Sannin looked panicked for other reasons then hot girls.
Jiraiya came into the village to deliver news, to only hear more bad news then he could handle.

Naruto sighed, he knew that the Ero-Sennin cares for his well-being. But there's even things a normal being shouldn't know, like the two Sarutobi just mention which made him want to faceplam. A important information that could cause a great war has made it's way to a pervert who stalks woman. Great.
But he knew he had to follow whatever the Sandaime plan, after all. The Hokage is the Hokage.

"Jiraiya. This is no laughing matter. And of..that" Sandaime muttered as he eyed Naruto. "I know Naruto.. that you decided to... pass the torch.."
Now the mood went to zero at the moment Sarutobi said. "... 'Pass the touch'?" Jiraiya muttered, eyeing Naruto in confusion. "Yes, Though it's only Plan. That will happen when they came of age. Maybe about few years" Naruto stated, before turning to Jiraiya.

"You can't be serious Nar-" But the Sannin was cut off when the Noble grab his collar with one of his hand. "It's Namikaze-Sama to You. Damn Toad" The Man Growled, making the Sannin frown as Sarutobi interfere. "You know Jiraiya is like that Naruto"
"Tch."

"How long until this 'Fourth Hokage' comes? Anything else to help then more ridiculous riddles?" The Noble sighed once more, releasing Jiraiya. Just why must he face these annoying puzzles. "... I'm not sure Gaki, but the prophecy did changed.. if that's that... Then it might not be long,..months... maybe days" Jiraiya muttered, eyeing the boy for other reasons. "Naruto... by passing the torch... don't you mea-"

"Seriously... you and Theodore thinks too much. Even Dog too" Naruto cuts in, Turing to Sarutobi. "I'll be leaving if there's nothing else"
"Alright... be care-"
And with that, the Noble flashed out of the room before the Sannin could say anything."-ful..Naruto"

"...Sarutobi.. do you think.."
"Even If I said No.. You know my words means nothing when it comes to That Jiraiya"

Jiraiya sighed, hands to his bridge of his nose. Trying to figure things out, but there wasn't any answers. "Gaki.. really have it hard"
"He does" Sarutobi muttered, "And He's already 20 years old..."

"20 years... Is a short time.."

Jiraiya frowned, eyes glaring as he went over to the wall and punched it. "Dammit.." He muttered in a hiss. Sarutobi sighed at his student action but said nothing.
"..."

He dragged his feet on the dirt path,
something he found himself doing for the past few days. And it was starting to irritate him. For as a Noble, he needs to be prideful and act like one. Not a normal Human who's coming back from long work.

The Noble sneered, knowing nothing much can be done about it.

"Namikaze-Sama, would you be interested to see the menu?" a Villager approached him, hands together as a bright smile was shown. Now the Noble is starting to get pissed off. It was obvious, beyond obvious. This Villager wanted him in the store, for his own business. Money. Fame. Naruto could already see the fathering smile from the villager. Behind the smile was fear of being killed. "No. I'm busy" Naruto replied as he went his way ignoring more request from the oncoming villagers.

With a Sigh, the Noble flashed away from the forming crowd and reappeared at a familiar store which was close to where he once stood.
"..." Pausing for a second, Naruto decide to enter the ramen store. "Ah! Well it isn't Namikaze-Sama!" The old man Teuchi smiled, "It has Teuchi" The man greeted "Where's Ayame?" asked the Noble as he sat down.

"She's running errand for the shop~" Teuchi smiled as he grab his pan. "The usual?"
"Yes, the Usual"

"Kid, what do you want?"
Teuchi smiled as a boy stood a well away from his shop, stareing for already more then 10 mins at the store.

The boy flinched at his presence being called. "Don't worry! I'm not gonna hurt you" Teuchi encouraged. And soon the boy stepped out and into the store.
The little boy wore nothing but a simple dirty orange shirt and raggy shorts. Spiky messy blonde hair and sky blue eyes., no boy should be out this late at night...A Orphan?
"..." The boy said nothing as he sat down on the chair, making Teuchi frowned before a smile formed again.

"What do you want? The store isn't closed yet Boy" Teuchi said, his words surprised the boy. Making the little man panic.
"Ahaha~ Business is going well anyways, I don't mind so pick whatever you want!"

Upon hearing this, the boy's eyes started to blur looking at the menu. Looking for something to eat, his eyes were blurring his vision but he kept looking. For what to eat.
Teuchi could only watch the boy pointed out a dish on the menu, eyes looking back at him like he was on the verge of crying. Teuchi could only sigh, wondering who could do such a thing to a mere boy, as he forced a smile for the boy,
"One Miso Ramen coming up!"

It was heaven, The boy could only smiled through the whole thing.
"Old man..." was his first word to the man running the store. "I'll repay you someday! Believe it!"
those words alone made Teuchi smile, that he felt as if he just saved the boy. "Haha! Then I'll be looking forward to that"
"..say..erm.. Can I have one more..?" the boy muttered, "It's for someone..."

Teuchi blinked at the sudden request, he could only smile at the boy's honesty. "..Sure Gaki"
From then the boy started to visit the shop.

and now 2 Years Passed,
And suddenly, he never seen the boy again... for that long.. 2 years..
Oddly despite that, he knew the boy is well. Somewhere.

At least better then what he's facing now.
The Business wasn't going well, the Attack on Konoha had the Village is not poor but bad condition. His Store and house was not left out in the destruction. He may be able to cover for his house, but his store will have to wait, making it difficult to earn back money in the meantime.
Teuchi stood outside his burn down store, everything was destroyed and left nothing behind. He could only sigh at the mess.

"Hey.. You over there.."
A voice muttered, sounding like a 18 year old teen. Teuchi turn his head to his side to see a Male standing there. "Are you Teuchi? The Owner of Ichiraku" asked the young man. Teuchi eyed the man, wondering why this teen seemed familiar to him. The Teen was just smiling at him, oddly.
"..Yes.. I am.. Why are you looking for me?" Teuchi asked as the teen approached him and the store. Looking at the ran-down store with a sad smile. "I am because I was asked to" The boy muttered side glancing him.

"A boy gave me a bowls of ramen 2 years ago.. it was delicious.." The teen said, Teuchi immediately knew who the boy was, Was the teen the one the boy was ordering extra for?
"He wanted to repay you, and So I'm here to do that" The teen said as 3 ANBU appeared behind him. Making Teuchi nervous,

ANBU? Why the heck are they here?
The Teen placed his hands onto his waist, looking at the shop as he said to the Shinobi behind him. "Alright you guys! Time to Fix the Shop!"

And that was the first, and the last time People see ANBU doing such a odd and ridiculous mission which was low class and rare of them.

"Erm.." Teuchi muttered, looking at the teen. "Namikaze" The teen introduced, "Namikaze-San... do you know where the boy is?" asked the worried older man. "Namikaze alone is fine Teuchi" the man now named 'Namikaze' smiled before a serious face falls. "..That boy...-" he muttered.

"-..He died"

"Delicious as always Teuchi" muttered out Naruto as he stood up, ready to leave. "I'll come by again soon"
"Alright Namikaze, I'll be looking forward to that"

With a smile, the Noble flashed away. Leaving the Older male in his thoughts. Boy.. you really met a great man Gaki.. I'm sure you died in peace,.. I just hope that there's nothing in this world ties you down..

"My Lord, Just where are you been? It's already late"
Theodore asked, greeting as soon as he saw the Noble arrived at the main gates. "At Ichiraki" Naruto muttered out, sighing yet again. Theodore said nothing more, merely putting a cloak around the noble to shield from the winds. "Naruto!" Now voice made the noble sigh once more. Ah.. more annoying situations.

Looking up, he saw the two yet again. Standing by the entrance of the house, looking at him.. desperately? with frowns.

Theodore merely gave a weak smile, supporting the man as he walked up to the two. Naruto stood there in front of the two children, glancing at them before entering the house, with Theodore with him.

"..Minato.." Kushina muttered, "Is it me or.."
Minato stared at the back of his Son, slowly walking away. It somehow terrifies him, the distance between them. The feeling of not being able to close that gap, or rather. And that gap was slowly getting larger. Further. "Naruto.." He could only muttered out the name.

And somehow, his words were heard by the Noble. Making him stop in his track.
"Theodore" The noble muttered, "Bring them back to their room"
Theodore frown deepens, "Understood.. and What of you?"
"Who do you think I am? I'm Namikaze. Not some Human" Naruto sneered as he walked off.

Theodore merely turned to the two,
"Come now, I'll bring you to your rooms" Theodore said as he grab both arms of the two. Dragging them, knowing fully well they could escape. Still the butler doesn't know why the two seem desperately to be with the Noble. "Heck NO!" Screamed Kushina, pulling her hand out from Theodore's hand. "I'm Seeing Naruto! Dattebane!"

Now that realllly triggered the butler.

"Kushina-Sama" The butler muttered, sounding full of venom. Minato gasped at the thought of what's about to happen, since he was still in the hold of the butler. "What did I told you about Namikaze-Sama? Please have Respect." The butler hissed, "You Two Are To Not Approach My Lord" he added on, grabbing onto Kushina once more. "And Now look what you've done"

"Huh?!" Kushina asked, yelling even more.

"Don't think I, or any ANBU doesn't knows. You two have been busy running around, trying to follow My Lord when I was busy didn't you?" Theodore sneered, "You.. You Children are more selfish then I thought. Who do you think you are?! Bothering My Lord to... To This Point. And not even considering your actions may h-?!" Theodore froze at that moment, only now knowing what he was saying. "..."

The two now stood there stareing at him, frowning and somewhat shocked that Theodore was just yelling at them. Which was unlike of the usual calm butler.
Something is going on.

"Our action.. what do you mean?" Minato asked, Making Theodore look right into his eyes.
"You Children.. really know nothing"
Theodore could only muttered that one line as he grab the two lightly and keeled down, "Forgive me both of you.. for yelling"

Why was he chosen?

Naruto lean onto one of the wooden pillars of the house, looking out to the garden as he grab onto the cloak. For the first time, the night was getting to him. The Wind was getting to him.
"..Cold.."
He whispered as he bits his lips, not wanting to accept but he knew there's no choice. And his mind is in conflict, between two things.

Of Himself.. and the Two Children

Why wasn't he chosen?

"What changed?" He muttered, biting his lips harder. His hands clenched into fit, almost drawing blood. 'Why.. WHY?!' He thought, punching the pillar as it blended. only half was broken off.
He could feel it, misery, suffering.
He hated that. And suddenly, .. Hinata..

"..dammit.."

The noble fell into the floor, onto his knees as he grab onto his cloak.

The weight was lifting off his shoulders, It may be good... but he hates it.

"I'm sure you two know the basic of the pack"
Theodore muttered as the two sat in front of him. They're in Minato's room, so Theodore decided to take the chance to explain.

"Yes.. The one..with the Beast.." Kushina muttered out, her eyes reflect nothing but hatred to the tail beast. Minato nodded, wanting to know more of this 'new world' they were thrown into.
"The Mystical Beasts were to serve under the Leader of the village, under the Kage" Minato stated, recalling what Theodore told him the last time of the story. "Yes.. They are"

Theodore lowered his eyelids midway. "I'm sure you two have meet the Kyuubi..somehow... so I would like to ask.." Theodore muttered, his words strikes warning to the two. Making them cautious. For Kyuubi was never a topic to talk off. "Which Generation did you meet?"

".. Huh?"
Now that was unexpected.

Theodore stared back blankly, and decided to ask once more. "..I'm asking, Which Generation did you meet?"

"What Generation?" Minato asked, scratching his cheek with a crooked smile. Kushina was trying to think of what that could meant. "Generation of the Kyuubi Of course" Are both's level of knowledge that low? Theodore faceplam, perhaps that wasn't the way to approach the two. "Nevermind.." Theodore muttered as a serious aura took over him.

"I guess I'll start teaching you the don't and do's Later on.. Best know at least some knowledge then dive without"
Theodore stated, his answers was blank stares. "..."

Why.. why these two Children chosen?

"Theodore.. How was the two?"
Naruto muttered, in his room laying onto a large plushee as he stare at Theodore who stood in front of him near the closed entrance.

"... Well, Their 'Want' to see you is proving hard to kill" Theodore muttered, a dark aura surrounding him. Making Naruto question what happened. "If they're anything like me.. I guess you should expect something that" The Noble commented before silence took it's space.
"..My Lord.. of the Beasts-"
"Theodore. Don't go there"

"..B-But! .. It's relates to you!" Theodore frown, trying to stand still. Making the Naruto stare at him.

"..You were chosen"

"..what?" The Noble perks up, "To be one of the Nine.. the Mystical Beast" Theodore trailed. "And.. I can't do anything to help you!.. even that time When you we-!"

The frustration, pretending..

"Theodore."
The noble's words came like a sharp sword.
".. We didn't get to choose how we are used. That's the fates we're bestowed onto.. this" The noble muttered, laying down onto the plushee.
"To take as many lives as I can, that is the role entrusted to Me. That's an Undeniable Truth. I had no choice but to accept it..."

Theodore frown at his words, confused.. lost..
"My Lor-" He was cut off yet again, his voice wasn't reaching the Noble yet it did.

"We Cannot Choose to be Chosen or to Not be Chosen"
The noble muttered, looking up to the ceiling.
"Theodore, don't say something selfish like that." Theodore looked at the man, eyes desperately trying to understand. Did he say something wrong? All he wants.. is to help the person he swore to. That need.. it was unfair.

"...I..still Remember.. Even now I still can't Forget about that" The noble slowly reached his hand out, as if trying to get something. "The heat of her blood.. Those feeling..

No one else needs to know how it feels. I should be enough. ... So don't say you want to take my place."

"..." Theodore sighed, he could only smile. How his Master always seemed cold yet on the inside was the opposite.
"but the children.."

"...I know.."

But Theodore knew better, after all. He served this person for years.
'...I don't know..'
was what he heard instead.

"Theodore-San?"
a voice snaps him out of his thoughts.

Looking up he was Minato looking at him. How the boy's eyes were like his Lord's.
Now he recalls, he was in the middle of telling the two of the Judge by the Nine. But somehow, something popped up in his mind. Seeing Kushina was already drifted off to sleep due to boreness of the talk.
"Can I ask you something Minato-Sama?" Theodore asked as Minato smiled back with a nod.

"Why are you two so interested in My Lord? To want to be by his side.." Theodore asked, it's not uncommon to want to see the Namikaze. But it's odd to see two That interested to want to do what the two did. Which was very annoying. While Theodore waited for a answer, Minato is panicking the heck out.
Not knowing what to answer.

He can't really say, I'm his dad so It's obvious I want to be by his side Especially when I freaking missed 20 years.
No way can he say that.

"... Well.. it's because.. We want to repay him!" Minato said, trying to improvise something simple to get. "After all.. he took care of us and everything... That's the least we want to do for him.." Minato smiled, that's one way. Theodore merely smiled back.

"I guess that is true, But. Don't get too carried away by that you two.. It'll be..Troublesome."

Minato nodded slightly, "..Theodore-San... What's happening with Naruto?"
Now those words made the butler froze, bet it went before it came.
"...He's... His under a weather lately.. So I hope you two understand"

It's been days, now passing weeks
The Ichibi was growing nervousness as days passed one and two.

The invitation sent to him personally has grown quite a stir in his heart, though he won't admit to it. It somehow terrifies him.
The fear creeping in, something is happening. Especially to someone he knew. A person he considered closer than anyone, A Brother.

"Garra? What are you doing here?"
Naruto muttered, standing by the entrance as he watched Garra approach from the gates. "..You know why Naruto.." the Redhaired merely muttered, making the blonde chuckled as they both went into the guest room. But despite being a guest, it was Garra leading the path.

"...How.. has it been?" Asked the Sand wielder awkwardly, looking at the tea served on the table between him and Naruto. The Noble wore same as before, just a few additional layers and a cloak. Other then that, he was the same.

"Annoying, The two kit kept pestering my naps" The Noble muttered as he took his cup of tea. Unknowingly his words made the redhaired leak pure killing intent. "and Theodore should really stop with the tea" Muttered the blonde with a chuckle. "I need regular Sake instead"

"Naruto" A stern look from Garra made the Noble sigh. "What is it? Don't tell me you're here to nag at me too"

Garra frown deepens, For once his eyes reflects not emptiness but worry.
"..Two?" He could feel it, two familiar chakra signals in the area.

Naruto stared at the man, sighing again. Knowing that he can't hid anything from the man."Yeah.. There's two of them" His words made the redhead blink, there was never one generation of nines that had Two 'Beast' holding one title. This is weird, unheard of.
"..And" Naruto trailed off, Eyeing his tea as he went on. "I don't know why but.. From the looks of it,

They knew the previous Kyuubi before me"

Garra's eyes widen. The Previous Generation, especially The Kyuubi was the most infamous, strongest among the rest. In more ways Bad then Good. Even the rest of the 'beast' doesn't dare to cross him.
"I know.. I had trouble myself believing that.." Naruto muttered as he pulled his hand up, looking at it. The once healthy body he had, is now becoming skin and bones. "But That's the only logical reason"

Garra held a look of disbelieve, "Are you saying that the previous kyuubi himself.. actually blessed those two somehow?" the redhaired slammed the table. "That Cannot Be! It is You he choose, Not those.. Strangers!" Garra bit his lips, trying to to reason with Naruto, or rather himself. "But that may be the reason Garra! That is the Only One that Makes Sense!"

"Make Sense of What?!" Garra yelled back, sands slowly forming around him out of rage and confusion.
"...I'm already Falling Garra"

"... What?"

The Redhead paused, trying to get the new information in. It's only been few days or so, and That is already happening?
without another word, Garra grab onto Naruto's collar. Eyes stareing right into the noble's as if trying to figure things out. "Garr-" "You Aren't. I'm Not Letting You Go Before me Naruto" I won't let the One who Save me Die like this

Naruto silenced, "I don't care about those two mere strangers. I only care about You!"

His words made the Noble chuckle, "... you really are.. something Garra.. But"
The Noble grab onto Garra's hand who still held his ground. "It's not just us.. it's the same for Previous Generations. They died, discarded by Society..
And Honestly, I don't want the two kits to go through that. That They didn't have a choice.."

"..Like us" Garra muttered as he loosen his grip. "We all suffered the same fate... we all are the same. But right now those two kits had their own mind, body.. Time. That's Why I want them to Choose. What they want to do..
At least that's what I want and can to do" for them

"Narut-" "I know Garra. But I made up my mind"

Garra merely look back at him, his thoughts were seemly visible. Worry and grief for the future.
If the previous Kyuubi really did Blessed the Two.. That only means... he eyed Naruto who only stared back, the redhead clenched his fits. Frustration and rage, against something he held no control over. "..How.. much longer?"

The Noble merely sighed, "Maximum..few months give or take."
"M-Months?!" Were the two really that strong? Garra thought. "..ah..This is getting boring.. Tea?" Naruto asked with a soft smile, on that Garra couldn't deny. "..Hai"

"So the Kyuubi is a 'Beast' that's linked through Generations?" Minato muttered, looking at Theodore to confirm.

"Yes. In sort. That was what rumored, but not tested as it seems to randomly select a person" The butler replied, earning a confused look from Minato. "It is said that one who's Loved by one of the Beast shall receive it's power.. But like said, it's Only a Rumor among many. No one actually knows what happens"

".. But There's always a price.. isn't there?" Minato asked, his voice turn serious which made Theodore cautious before sighing. "Yes..." The butler muttered "But like said.. No one actually knows.." The blonde stared back at him, Theodore held a look of someone who was barely holding on. "A-Ah! Nevermind that, I have to teach you of the Ways"

...How the Beast works... Theodore wished he never knew.

"You Guys are spoiling her Theodore"
Naruto sweatdrop at the sight before him. The staffs were treating The New Member like a Princess, and it was starting to annoy him. After all, they were supposed to serve him, not the girl. "I guess as you said, She does learn fast My Lord" Theodore replied, standing beside Naruto as they watched the staff crowding around Hinata.

"Today marks the Second Anniversary of when Lady arrived in the Household." Theodore smiled, "Of course The Staff is excited.. It's been a fruitful year My Lord" He chuckled softy. "Fruitful? Do you mean the endless amount of being stalked by, Fruitful?" Naruto muttered, stareing at the growing girl.
"2 years.. huh.." Now standing half his height unlike before. "I guess I'll let this go this one time" The Noble sighed, knowing his staff won't listen to him when it comes to this sort of things. And as he began to leave
"N-Namikaze-Sama" A soft voice stopped him.

The girl stood in front of him. Looking down like always, "What is it Hinata?" His words came so suddenly, but the girl was used to it. Looking up to face him, "Hm.. C-Can..we.. g-go out t-o... toget-her?"

"...EEHHHH?!"
The staff stared blankly, now this is a first they heard. Theodore did the same, but only held a smile.

Naruto stared, "You're already hungry?" Asked the noble, making the girl blushed. Theodore could only faceplam, if only he could hit the noble.
'She's asking you on a date My Lord... Did the maids told her about how dates are?' Theodore could only wonder.

He stood on top of the cliff, overlooking the Village from outside.
a smirk he held as he placed his sword over his shoulder, his mind was running ways to execute his plan.

His hand held out a scroll, his mission.
[To Kill the Beast of Konoha]