A/n: Ok next chapter. I know it took waaaaaay to long. Hmm here we go. Oh and awesomely this story has 26 reviews, been put on 6 C2s, has been faved 120 times, and is on 116 alert lists as of me writing this. On an aside the poll on whether or not there should be an older woman in the harem are 12 for and 6 against again as of me writing this. The poll will continue. But, everyone feel free to tell me who you'd like to see as a potential older love interest for our dear titular character. The choices at the moment are:
Mitarashi Anko (honestly there are like sixteen different ways I could get this to work.)
Yuhi Kurenai (this could be a never got with Asuma or post his, possible, death. Yes I said possible he may or may not die. If she's chosen he might not die or he might still die I'm debating.)
Uzuki Yugao (yes this would mean Hayate dies still though if she's not chosen Hayate may survive I'm debating on that too.)
Nii Yugito (jinchuuriki love and yes I'd have a way for this to work)
Fujikaze Yukie/Kazahana Koyuki (yes I can make this work too) on a side note yes I will possibly do my own take on several of the movies using this story. Maybe, that depends on if you guys can stomach that idea or not.
Konan (this is a possibility but I'm generally leaning away from this for reasons I will not disclose at the moment.)
Oh, by the way this takes place the same day as the last chapter.
More behind the scenes in this chapter. Also here's a cool thing I finally have a beta. Also a possible second one too, they haven't gotten back to me yet. So first here's a word from my new beta Aris-5221:
Hi everyone!
Disclaimer: I. Own. Nothing. If I did don't you think Naruto would be SOOOO much cooler? But I don't oh well.
Interlude 2: War Plans
-Council room-
Sarutobi Hiruzen, Sandaime Hokage, nicknamed "the Professor" aka the "God" of shinobi sighed deeply. He had just left his office after showing Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune that Naruto was talking to Kakashi at the memorial stone. He had sent them off with a "Good Luck". He hoped for the best when they met Naruto. Now he sat waiting for several of his shinobi clan heads, as well as some of his more prominent ninja.
They came in one by one and Sarutobi greeted them each. Tetsuro Noriko, Haruno Saika, Aburame Shibi, Hyuuga Hiashi, Inuzuka Tsume, Akimichi Chouza, Yamanaka Inoichi, and Nara Shikaku. They each greeted him in turn and sat down. The Hokage stood and paced for a few moments. He stopped and turned toward the assembled ninja.
"Shikaku, Inoichi, and Tsume already know what this is about so let me enlighten the rest of you. It has come to our attention that Danzo has been sabotaging Uzumaki Naruto's standing in the village."
He waited to allow that knowledge to sink in as well as to watch for reactions. The reactions were all different but, all angry and or shocked. Shibi's insects began buzzing agitatedly. Haruno Saika's fists clenched and Sarutobi could just imagine her inner self blaring obscenities. Chouza's brow creased and his jaw clenched. Noriko's hands twitched toward the brace of kunai she always had on her. Lastly Sarutobi looked to Hyuuga Hiashi. The Hyuuga clan leader eyes were slightly squinted, and he seemed to be glaring into the table before him. It was slight and hard to tell but, the man's left eyebrow seemed to be twitching, as well.
"That Bastard!" Hiashi snapped. The other ninja in the room turned to him in shock. Of the other ninja, in the room all but the Hokage had grown up and gone to the academy with Hiashi, however, out of the eight others in the room only two of them had ever seen Hiashi angry. Noriko had hoped she had never had to see it again. The Hokage, however, was glad to see Hiashi's rage. Though of the two only Sarutobi understood the Hyuuga clan leader's reason for anger.
'That bastard!' Hiashi thought to himself. 'I knew he had allied himself with the elders years ago. However, could those ignorant bastards banishing Naruto from ever coming to the compound again have been part of Danzo's plot? Better yet does that mean that Danzo was the one that helped them kill 'Tomi-chan; was that the deal? The life of my wife? Just so Danzo could get closer to using my Godson as a weapon? If that is true, then all of their lives are forfeit from here on out. In Minato's words, "The line has been crossed and there is NO going back."'
Hiashi's head shot up to stare into the eyes of his leader. He searched Sarutobi's eye for something then he found it. Beneath the Hokage's own semblance of calm, a lot of rage was hidden maybe more than even Hiashi's own. He took a deep calming breath and decided to speak since the others didn't seem to feel like talking yet.
"Since each of us has some connection to the boy or his parents I understand telling us this but is there another purpose?" The white eyed man asked through gritted teeth. In his humble opinion the Hokage damn well better do something about this. It seemed the aged leader had read his mind.
"Yes, Hiashi, there are two reasons for this meeting the first is to tell you that and ask if you'd like to help 'Uprooting' Danzo and his forces? The second is to tell you that Naruto-kun knows about each of you are connected to him, but I told him except his direct family I thought it best to allow you all to contact the boy at your discretion."
"How much does he know Hokage-sama?" Haruno Saika asked tentatively. God she hated herself at times for not doing more for the boy. At least Fugaku and Mikoto looked out for the boy. Hiashi had done his best to protect his teammate's child, his own godson the best that he was able. Kushina would probably tear her to pieces when she got to the next life. Also, what in the hell would Sakumo-sensei say?
"He knows who his blood relatives and close family are as well as who his god-parents are. He knows pretty much everything Saika-chan." The aged Sandaime said bluntly. At this, the others in the room felt self-loathing and the idea of 'Will the boy even let us near him? 'Cause he probably hates us.' again as if reading their minds, more likely reading their faces, the Sandaime spoke up again.
"The boy also doesn't blame any of you at all." Only years of training kept the aged Hokage from openly guffawing at the faces of those in the room. Tsume, on the other hand, had no need to stop herself, and she laughed at their faces openly.
"Anyway back to the serious business, the day after tomorrow I will call a council meeting. While Danzo attends the meeting all of you, if you plan to participate, will have kage bunshin come to the meeting. While you and your clans will help the ANBU destroy the ROOT facility. Sadly taking prisoners may not be an option. Take those who surrender and kill those who resist. Do you all understand?" Sarutobi saw all of them nod. Then he remembered something important.
"Oh and on a side note assisting you will be Jiraiya as well." He said calmly as if he were talking about the weather. Everyone in the room's eyes widened. Tsume, Inoichi, and Shikaku all grit their teeth.
"Sensei has returned? So suddenly? Why?" Hiashi asked curiously. Sarutobi smiled deviously. Now he understood why Naruto loved shocking people. It was fun.
"I summoned him and Tsunade back to the village to find out why they had not contacted me in a long time and why they had never asked about Naruto." He grimaced. "What they told me was unpleasant."
Tsume cocked an eyebrow and shared a look with Inoichi and Shikaku. She looked to the Hokage.
"So you're saying Tsunade-sensei and Jiraiya-sama didn't just abandon Naruto?" Tsume asked, as blunt as ever. Sarutobi shook his head. He grimaced again.
"They were given missives by ROOT nin the problem about these missives is that they had been signed by the council. The entire council." He stopped speaking for a moment, so everyone could take in the information. When all the shinobi council members in the room, which is almost everyone, opened there mouths to speak Sarutobi held up a hand to silence them before they started.
"I'm well aware that none of you ever signed such a thing. So the only thing I can grasp is that they were forgeries. So to answer your question, Tsume, no neither of them willingly abandoned Naruto. It was probably another part of Danzo's plot."
Those in the room again grew agitated. All of them told the Hokage they would do whatever had to be done to defeat Danzo and his ROOT. The old war hawk had gone to far in their opinions. Sarutobi decided to end the meeting there.
"Alright everyone I'll call another meeting like this tomorrow along with the ANBU and other ninja I'm sure would love to help destroy Danzo. I'll call the meeting around noon so be aware. Dismissed." Sarutobi said finishing the meeting. All of the ninja bid him goodbye.
-A while later-
Several hours passed as Sarutobi thought of plans. This would be hard on him, but Danzo had gone too far this time. As loathe as Sarutobi was to do it, he would kill Danzo. He sighed deeply.
"Might as well check on Naruto." Sarutobi said to himself. He hoped everything had gone well. Pulling out his crystal ball, he focused his will he found Naruto asleep in Tsunade's arms as Kakashi finished his story. He looked closely at Tsunade to see if he saw what he thought he did. Knowing he had seen something on Tsunade's face he hadn't seen in ages, determination and courage; he smiled. He smiled even more when he saw Tsunade begin to bark orders at those around her. He shut the viewing globe off and went to the picture of the Yondaime.
"Minato we failed you already but, we won't fail you anymore." He said smiling. He retrieved the keys to Minato's house from the seal behind the portrait. He would destroy Danzo to keep the promises he made. Even if it caused him immense pain. That's what it meant to be Hokage. He smiled once more at the picture of his successor and predecessor.
"Things appear to be looking up for your son Minato. I hope you can forgive this old man for taking so long to protect him correctly." He said sadly. Then he closed the door and went to meet Jiraiya mid-way.
A/N: ok there we go next chap done. Ok everyone that's the next chap. R & R please. Even if it's just that you like the chap. Please continue the vote for whether or not there should be an older woman. Hmm I think that's all. Again sorry it took forever.
DOOOOOOM Lord of Waffles exit stage left.
