Tales of the Templar
Chapter 7: Wildfire!
Hiashi waited for two months, even trying to contact Hinata with the tablet he received from the Order due to his rank as clan head, she didn't respond to them and deleted his messages.
Hiashi grew worried, he ignored the elders' infinite advice and stood vigil towards the entrance of Konoha. It took two months, but eventually the inspection group arrived to Konoha. All of them had exhausted looks on their faces, they clearly looked relieved when they saw the gates of Konoha. But Hinata looked far worse, she had huge bags on her eyes, a sign that she did not have much sleep, and looked as pale as Orochimaru. She looked like death incarnate.
Hiashi wondered why Naruto would let his emotionally dead daughter go on an inspection trip like that. But he quickly figured out that she needed some time alone and that trip gave her just that.
When Hinata saw her father at the entrance, she stiffened. Fu, the leader of the Jinchuriki Force, motioned all of the Jinchuriki to move on, as it was none of their business. Itachi looked at the Hyuuga and wondered how she'd react.
Hinata moved to her father till they are at arms length. Itachi followed behind to see what's going to happen.
"Why are you here?" Hinata asked, monotonously.
"I gave you two mails but you didn't respond." Hiashi said.
"Why would I?" Hinata retorted. She didn't want to hate her father but him doing a vile act? She wanted to hit him with a Jyuken strike.
"Listen Hinata...I..." Hiashi began, he had to clear up with his daughter, or she'd be lost to him forever. "I'm so sorry, I was such an asshole to you and Toushiro.
"I wanted to forgive you Father.." Hinata said, unsure if she should hit him and storm off or simply forget and forgive him. "But after what you did to Toushiro-sensei, you definitely deserve a punishment."
"About that, Naruto punished me by using the Hyuuga Clan's funds to pay Toushiro's health bills." Hiashi said, full of regret.
"Naruto would have done worse to you and simply reveal all your dark secrets to ALL of the world." Itachi remarked, Hiashi went pale because Naruto owns his clan now and could build or break it however he wished.
"Right." Hiashi told the former Uchiha before looking at Hinata. "I want to make amends, if I made things right with Toushiro, I want to clear up with you."
"Okay." Hinata agreed, "But you have to earn my forgiveness. Make sure you truly regret what you've done."
Hiashi nodded.
Hinata continued, "Also you'll have to NOT forbid me from seeing Naruto-kun or try to brand me that seal. You do either of these and I'll break ties with you. And you having influence within the Order does not grant you special benefits. Do you understand?" Hiashi nodded.
Hinata and Hiashi walked to the estates with Itachi and arrived. They saw Naruto playing Starcraft on his laptop in his office. Itachi is the first to submit his report to Naruto telling him of Hinata's..condition. She managed to blow some steam during their trip. Naruto then allowed Hinata a day off while he warned Hiashi to treat her as his daughter or he will 'break' his clan. Hiashi nodded then left.
Itachi was about to leave when Naruto called out, "Itachi stay, I have a mission for you. One relating to your engagement with Saya."
Itachi perked up and looked at Naruto. The Grand Master then paused his game for a while and pressed the Windows button then opened a file for Itachi to look at. "This year, the Shinka elders have put a test for you so that they can deem you worthy."
Itachi looked at the file. It pertains to some sort of festival that's going to take place here in Konoha, the place being the Namikaze estates. The festival is all about the anniversary of the Priesthood of Ashura and also the Shinka clan. Naruto will need something from the old Uchiha District the Shinka left behind before they joined the Templar Order.
The last ingredient needed is some sort of Fire jutsu that can make fireworks-like blasts. It was inside the house to where the Itachi's parents used to live in. If he could get it and give it to Naruto, then he as well as the elders can give Itachi their FULL permission to court Saya as well as full advantages permitting the Shinka clan.
Itachi left the place and saw that the place hasn't changed since the Uchiha Massacre. He walked by, seeing flashbacks, he immediately went to the home where he and his family used to live. He discovered a secret door behind a false cabinet and entered there.
He looked around and found out the there are several puzzles that he must solve. One that is regarding the heraldry of the Uchiha clan. And the other being the symbols of the Uchiha as wells as Konoha. He solved them all and found a meeting room where the Uchiha higher ups where supposed to meet. The scroll that contains the jutsu Naruto spoke of is in that table in front of him.
Itachi picked it up and turned to leave only to find Sasuke waiting for him outside. The Uchiha Avenger had been trailing Itachi and waited for for the right opportunity.
The two Uchihas fought. Both used their sword skills with Itachi being on the defensive and countering Sasuke's attacks with some punches of his own. Sasuke tried to use his Sharingan but Itachi won't let him and took a page out of Naruto's playbook by applying a seal into his hand and punched Sasuke.
Itachi finally knocked Sasuke out using a hard book he had found in the meeting room. He left quickly before Sasuke regained consciousness.
He found Naruto speaking to the Jinchuriki Force and dismissing them for a while. The Grand Master saw Itachi and motioned him to come inside his office.
Itachi gave the scroll to Naruto. He also told him that Sasuke found him snooping at their clan district which upset Naruto greatly. The Grand Master told him that tomorrow morning, he should come to the estates to help him create a portal. Itachi agreed then left for yet another date with Saya.
The next day, Itachi aided Naruto by creating portals thanks to his Rinnegan. It had taken a great deal of effort to mix at least five but it was worth it as ten red priests as well as the three elders of the Shinka clan emerged from the portals.
Naruto and the priests and elders spent the whole morning preparing for the festival and the anniversary. Shadow clones helped speed up the process as well as the aid of the Jinchuriki force. By dinner, the festival is ready to start.
Naruto invited everyone, including the ones from Konoha to attend the festival. Some of the villagers thought that the festival would be boring. They were proven wrong when they saw fireworks coming from the estates.
The festival is a great success. By dinner, the jutsu Itachi had given Naruto proved advantageous as the red priests continuously launched fireworks into the sky. The Rookies enjoyed themselves to whatever they wanted. Chouji went on an eating contest while Tenten did a target practice. Hinata went to eat with Naruto. Shikamaru played shogi with a red priest. Neji went to spar with a Shinka elder. Lee decided to race with the other Jinchuriki. Kiba and Shino were simply drinking sake. Ino admired the fireworks and also the priests' gestures revolving the fireworks.
Sasuke attempted to hit on Saya in front of Itachi and Naruto but a firm hand on the shoulder by Sakura stopped him. The Haruno had finally realized that the Uchiha had his own flaws along with Naruto and decided that he would need a good discipline.
Overall, everyone enjoyed the party. Even Kakashi took a break from his Hokage duties to attend it and found it a great break from paperwork.
After everyone from Konoha left the estates, Naruto summoned a hundred Shadow Clones and also ordered the Jinchuriki Force to help clean up the estates. Naruto ordered Hinata, Itachi and Saya to enter his office along with the Shinka elders.
When everyone gathered, the Shinka elders decided to allow Itachi to court Saya and gained full benefits of the Shinka clan. Naruto then asked for the documents (the ones already signed) again and this time the elders already signed theirs in it. Legally binding the contract.
Hinata served as witness while the Itachi and the Shinkas did it. Naruto decided to make the engagement public for the Templar villages to hear.
Naruto thanked the elders and the priests for their time. Itachi summoned a portal and the elders and priests left for Uzu through the portal.