Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and this story is written for the fun and enjoyment of writing only.
Authors Note: Hi all, sorry about the long wait for this chapter. I had a some upheaval in my personal life which sadly resulted in a change of my relationship status and killed my drive to write for a while. Then when I finished this chapter about two weeks ago my beta got sick and hasn't gotten back to me but I figured when my beta does get back to me eventually I can repost if any major alterations are necessary and I couldn't hold the post back any longer.
I know this chapter is probably a bit more fluff than some might like but it is necessary for the plot and we'll be seeing more action from Naruto in the next chapter and his awaited return to the academy! Please review and let me know what you think! Reviews help me improve my writing. Oh, and for those who have also read and enjoy Jiraiya's Choice you'll be happy to learn I am currently also rewriting that story which I think is going to be much improved and I hope to have completed by April and reposted before continuing that story. Hope you all enjoy the chapter and I'm hard at work making sure chapter 8 comes out much faster than chapter 7!
Chapter 7: Announcements
It took several days before Jiraiya finally came around from his self-induced breakdown. In the end it was Naruto's presence and Tsunade's fist which restored the toad sage's senses. Once he had returned to his regular mind he set about to joining Kakashi working with Naruto while Tsunade joined Gai helping with Kushina's rehabilitation.
The old Kage sat in his office now, it was late evening, just around 7:00pm and it was almost three weeks since Kushina had made her return to the village and he knew this moment wouldn't wait any longer. With Jiraiya and Tsunade's return, Kushina would not wait a moment longer than necessary for him to call the village council together. Hiruzen took a long drag on his pipe as he felt his old body relax with his favorite guilty pleasure, well, aside from the collection of books he kept hidden in a secret drawer in his desk.
To think it only took mere weeks for everything to change, the old hokage mused to himself.
There were still several matters other than Kushina's return on his mind. His ANBU had destroyed the root headquarters but failed to locate and either capture or kill Danzo. The children they had found also bothered him greatly. 243 children, ages 2-12, and all in varying states of ROOT brain washing, it would take years of psychological therapy to help some return to a normal mind. They had found several who looked to be from various clans in the village, all assumed previously dead, while the rest appeared to be orphans, the blood tests were still being run and a final report was due any day now. Most also had severe injuries ranging from completely debilitating to minor scrapes. He knew some would only have a chance of returning to a functioning life under Tsunade's care.
What also bothered him was learning that several had some unknown seals placed on their bodies. No one had been able to determine what the seals did but they appeared to be experiments of some kind and he knew only Jiraiya's skill could likely unravel their mystery.
The old Kage sighed again as he remembered a time when he only had to worry about enemies from outside the villages walls. He was fairly certain all of Danzo's lackey's had been located and dealt with, somewhat grateful that his two old teammates had not been among the list of secret supporters and double dealers.
Hiruzen was pulled from his thoughts as the door to his office opened and six people entered. He smiled as the blonde boy entered with an obvious scowl on his face. Naruto was currently dressed in white robes that completely covered his young body similarly to what the Hyuga clan head, Hiashi, would be wearing. The difference was that the sleeves had a woven flame pattern on them that spiraled around to cuffs of deep red and began at the shoulders which had also been dyed the same color. The robe also sported a spiral flame pattern on the back with dark that wove outwards to make the entire robe into a giant spiral of flame.
"Hey old man, don't laugh ok? My mom made me wear this thing! I told her it looked stupid without any orange but she said I had to cause I am the heir to my dad's clan," Naruto told him pouting while rolling his eyes making his mother sign and their friends grin at the boys antics.
"You look quite handsome Naru, and remember, you represent the Namikaze and Uzumaki clans now as their heir. You have to look the part ok?" Kushina told her son as she smiled down at his pouting face.
"Then why aren't you wearing anything special mom?" he accused her.
Kushina, unlike her son, was dressed in loose fitting black shinobi pants with a single broad red strip on the outside of each pant leg. Her hair was braided going down her back and her shirt was a long sleeve form fitting dark red, the color of blood, while she wore a black sleeveless jacket, similar in design to the chunin jacket Kakashi was wearing and on her feet were black shinobi boots and her hands had leather, fingerless gloves with dark metal plates on the back. In truth, Kushina looked more prepared for a battle than a council meeting.
She smirked, "Rank has its privileges," she told her son who snorted and pouted some more while Tsunade, Jiraiya, Shizune, and Kakashi (all dressed like normal) hid their snorts of laughter at the interactions of the two.
This particular argument had been going on since noon and involved several hours of shouting, chasing, traps, and much laughter from Tsunade, Kakashi, and Jiraiya (although they were in a different room so as to avoid being enlisted by either side).
Flashback
Kushina had finally caught her son and forced the robes onto his body. She noted the scowl on his face and she chuckled.
"See, you're already laughing at me!" Naruto pointed out with an accusatory glare.
"Not at all Naru, I was just thinking how handsome you look," and then added more quietly, "And how much you look like your father," she told him.
Naruto was quiet for a moment before responding, "Really? I look like him?"
Kushina nodded before getting on her knee and gently guiding his eyes so they met hers, "Naruto, I know you grew up alone and never had to worry about manners or clan etiquette and I know it's a lot to ask for you to change that part of yourself and I'd never ask you to change who you are, but you need to understand something. You're not just Naruto anymore, you're Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze. Heir to the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans, the son of the Fourth Hokage, and with that comes a lot of expectation from people. I know how great you are just as you are and I'll always love you more than anything in this world son but sometimes we have to dress and act certain ways to keep the old fogies happy. The Namikaze and Uzumaki were never big on clan rules like the Hyuga or Uchiha but whenever your dad went to the council he always wore robes like these because he knew that looking the part was very important."
"The Namikaze and Uzumaki were very famous and respected clans and it's up to you to uphold that standard so many worked so hard to create. To a lot of old people dressing nice is a sign of respect for them and it can be used by shinobi to get people to let their guard down. Think of tonight as a practice mission and you have to get the council to accept you so they will reveal their secrets k?" she told him as the idea popped into her head.
Naruto nodded as his mom explained to him why dressing properly was important to the old council members before finally sighing in acceptance, "Ok mom, I'll make you proud!"
"You always make me proud no matter what Naru," Ksuhina told him with a hug.
End Flashback
Jiraiya chuckled and ruffled Naruto's hair as he spoke, "Don't worry kid, we won't be here long and I remember your dad complaining about those robes just like you. He always said they itched like crazy and threatened to ban them from use when he became clan head."
Naruto smiled up at Jiraiya, "I like dad's idea, when I'm clan head I'll make sure it gets done!" he told his godfather. Naruto had taken a liking to his godfather almost immediately upon his return, partly because he knew a lot of flashy jutsu but also because he freely told Naruto stories about his dad when he was his age.
"Well sensei, what do you say we get this show on the road?" Tsunade said as she began to get impatient.
I hate politics… Tsunade thought to herself as she remembered being presented before the council many times in her past.
"Right, the council is assembled but do not know the reason for the early meeting," Sarutobi told Kushina who nodded in return before turning and following the old Kage out of his office and into the council chamber.
As Naruto and his new family entered the chamber his first impression was how dark the room seemed, kind of mysterious. The lamps on the walls did not seem to produce much light for the room's size, and the room was quite big, easily large enough to hold several hundred people if needed, although right now it only contained a roughly a little over two dozen all standing at a table. The table was long and was broken into three sections much like a U shape with a long strip open in the center, obviously to allow those presenting before the Hokage and council movement to speak directly before them with the end of the U, where the Hokage sat, on a raised platform giving him a higher vantage point.
Currently in the room were the clean heads of the Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, Hyuga, Inuzuka, Aburame, Sarutobi, with three empty seats marked for the Kurama, Uchiha, and Senju clans. Opposite the clans and the three empty chairs were the three shinobi elders, an empty chair were Danzo would normally have sat, Homura, Koharu, and the seven civilian district representatives. The three missing clans were voted by proxy representatives. The Hokage voting for the Kurama and Senju clans and Danzo having held control of the Uchiha clan seat until Sasuke became of age to take control of the seat.
As the Hokage took his seat the remaining councilors did the same, some giving passing glances to the Sannin, Kakashi, Kushina, and Naruto. While the civilian councilors may have disliked Naruto they were intelligent enough to know that Naruto was not the Kyubi, but merely the jailer of the beast. They, along with others, simply saw the boy as a scapegoat and an easy way to gain sway with their district constituents. The people hated the boy and what he carried within him so they made use of that hate to secure their positions of power. They were mostly greedy and power hungry and used the boy as a means to gain power for themselves, who cared if it ruined his life after all?
"This meeting has been called for a very specific reason, for the past ten years two clans were believed wiped out, gone without an heir or remaining descendant. Three weeks ago this day saw those clans returned to us." This announcement caused a buzz among the councilors.
"Before us today is Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze, wife of Minato Namikaze, my successor, the Fourth Hokage and last of the Namikaze clan. Beside her is her and Minato's son, Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze." The hokage announcement had the affect of dropping a bomb in the middle of the council.
Once the councilors had a moment to adjust to the information they erupted in a roar of questions and confusion which the old Kage secretly enjoyed. Many different claims of deception and lies, calls for proof, and demands why this information was only now reaching the council exploded into a loud mass of yelling. The Hokage quickly tired of the councilors and within a moment restored order with a loud gavel before he motioned to Hiashi who had simply motioned to speak during the ruckus.
"Lord Hokage, I assume you have the documents to prove this claim or else you would not be making it. If this is true then we are indeed fortunate this day for the return of an heir of two powerful clans. However I must ask why were we not informed the Fourth had a child?"
Hiashi is as slippery as ever, the old Kage thought, in one sentence he stated his support, questioned my word, and even kissed up Kushina.
There were several nods from other councilors at the question, "Simply for the safety of the child himself. Minato made many enemies during the third great ninja war and with both himself dead and his mother missing we were left with no other option than to hide his identity from everyone for his own safety."
Hiashi nodded to this as the political implications of this went through his mind, The Namikaze and Uzumaki clans were each considered powerful in their own rights, and extremely wealthy. The boy will gain access to all of both clans resources. If we could marry into the clans we could possibly assimilate the clans through the boy we would gain their power, jutsu's, and political prestige. I must inform the elders of this situation upon my return, perhaps my eldest daughter will be of use after all.
Next to speak was Shibi Aburame in his quiet, monotone voice, "That is a logic reason for keeping the identity of the boy secret. Should Iwa or another village have determined his heritage they would have sought revenge for the Fourth's actions during the third great shinobi war."
Shikaku Nara was next to speak, following up after Shibi, "The one thing that I have to ask if where Kushina was and why she suddenly just appeared again. No offense Kushina, I'm happy to see you and all but your return like this is just, troublesome."
"Kushina was kidnapped from the hospital the day Naruto was born. We determined that ROOT shinobi under Danzo's direction, why he did this we are still attempting to determine. After determining that he could find nothing special about Kushina he placed her into a medically induced coma for future use in case Naruto ever turned against him. She developed a resistance to the drug and eventually regained consciousness where blind instinct took over and she managed to make her way to the Hokage Tower seeking safety."
As the comments continued several documents were passed down by the Hokage for the councilors to see as confirmation of both Kushina's marriage and Naruto's heritage. Most of the clan heads took the news in stride while several smiled openly at the news. The civilian counter-parts were not so happy knowing they had instigated many of the pains the boy had gone through in his life. The shinobi elders were rather detached as none of this really affected them.
"I also must inform you that Danzo has been found guilty of treason to Konoha, although the details are an S-Class secret currently. Danzo is now considered a missing-ninja and hunter teams have been dispatched to locate him and kill him immediately."
At this news the remaining two shinobi elders eyes widened realizing how close they may have come to conspiring with a traitor on many occasions. The rest of the council reacted to the news with more shouting and confusion. The clan heads took this in stride, although with some obvious anger of Tsume Inuzuka and an increased buzzing around Shibi. The civilians, Hiruzen noted, were quietly whispering to one another and passing notes. He narrowed his eyes and he decided to continue without leaving room for discussion on the matter.
"Now, Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze has requested to address the council, a request I now grant," Hiruzen said as he motioned for Kushina to step forward.
Nodding her head to the old Kage Kushina walked up the tables of the council before stopping, a terrible fire taking light in her eyes, "I am Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze. When I came here I became the last of the Uzumaki Clan with the destruction of the whirlpool and my home. I had lost everything but in my time here in Konoha my cousins, the Senju, took me in and showed me I had a new home here in Konoha. I fought for this village, killed for it, made a life here and I eventually fell in love and became the wife to Minato Namikaze here." She began to turn to look upon each face of the clan heads, many who she had known for years before her disappearance.
"I believed Konoha to be a wonderful place that accepted everyone and upheld the virtues set forth by the First Hokage. Loyalty to comrades, acceptance of those different, the belief in the will of fire! I made friends here and looked forward to raising my family here. I felt I could sleep easy knowing my children would be safe and accepted here. Apparently I was wrong. Upon my return what did I find? My son, my little Naruto, living a life of hell in the village that I had thought would protect him."
Kushina's eyes narrowed as she began to look at the faces of the civilian councilors, "Fearing for himself, particularly on his birthday, due to groups of drunk civilians, requiring ANBU guards to protect his very life, being run out of stores, overcharged for rotten food and rusty equipment, purposely ill trained by the academy instructors in hopes he will die in the field, and that is just the start of the list of aggressive treatment by this village."
"Now, of course, why does this affect anyone of the council? Simple, the people don't act without leadership. So I began to wonder, how did my son become so hated so universally? How is it that every shop, every grocery, every bank, all of these institutions acting in a single mind against one individual? What are the chances? So we started going over old ANBU reports and what did we find you might be asking. The civilian councilors of in this room using prejudice which already existed, stoking the flames against my son, giving back room deals for contracts to get shops to refuse him, trying to hide their foot prints. Sorry to say, you live in a ninja village, it is not so easy to hide your fingerprints from ANBU assigned to guard a child. And I have hundreds of files reporting these incidents!"
She stopped for a moment turning her glare and releasing killer intent upon the entire council. While the clan heads were only slightly affected their civilian counterparts shuddered in fear as they felt the brunt of her anger. It was obvious who Kushina placed the majority of the blame on for these actions.
"My Son, the Son of Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash and Fourth Hokage! The Heir to the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans! And you DENIED HIM HIS HERITAGE! YOU TREATED HIM LIKE TRASH! HOW DARE YOU PASS JUDGMENT UPON HIM FOR SOMETHING HE HAD NO CONTROL OVER YOU BASTARDS! WHAT GAVE YOU THE RIGHT! WHO APPOINTED YOU TO CONTROL MY SON'S FATE! I AM TEMPTED TO DEMAND PAYMENT OF THESE INSULTS IN THE FORM OF YOUR LIVES!" Her eyes obtained an unholy fire as her rage was stoked, she roared at the council, killer intent leaking from her very being to become an oppressive blanket which started to suffocate those under its direct path.
Several of the clan heads began to worry at the final statement, they were well aware that demanding death for a clan insult was extreme but within a clans rights.
Naruto looked at his godfather, who was standing next to him, at the statements his mother was making and was about to ask what she was talking about his Jiraiya motioned for him to remain quiet and winked at him.
Taking a deep breath to bring herself under control she continued glaring at the council before making her greatest threat, "I have half a mind to uproot the Namikaze and Uzumaki clans, which I had moved here after its destruction in whirlpool, and see if Suna or Kumo might enjoy having access to the clan who holds the Hiraishin technique, Rasengan, or perhaps the sealing mastery not seen since the sage of the six paths held by the Uzumaki clan, not to mention the entire wealth, prestige, and power associated with our clans, and the entire Namikaze district is moveable by my son to anywhere he wishes."
The faces of the council paled at the threat, they knew that the accounts of those two clans made up well over 57% of the current hard funds and investment in the entire village. Their removal would bankrupt the village! Then on top of that some of the most powerful jutsu's ever seen including the Hiraishin and seals of the Uzumaki and Namikaze would drastically shift the balance of power in the shinobi world.
"Obviously, my son has a love for this village, much like his father, despite the stupidity in this village. Therefore I'll make this short. This council will apologize publicly for the insults given to both the Namikaze and Uzumaki clans. We shall receive written letters of apology from each of you and the civilian councilors will be dismissed from their positions and new elections will be held at the convenience of the Hokage. I am well aware that you were the ones who planned and worked behind the scenes to hold my son as a scapegoat for everything that went wrong in this village. You barely hid your actions and those who would use a child to advance themselves do not deserve to hold such an esteem position. I also want 30 million Ryu in compensation to the Uzumaki, Namikaze, and Senju clans for the insult given to the clan heir and cousins of these clans."
As Kushina dictated each term the councilors grew angrier and angrier. How dare she order them to do such a thing! How dare she demand they give up their positions and power! To PAY for merely using some child to advance themselves! Didn't she know to whom she was speaking? They were the council, even if she was the wife of Minato Namikaze and that brat was his son they were in charge! Not her!
"These demands are outrageous!" one screamed, "I will never give up my position!" another yelled, "That is 90 million Ryu, the village can't afford to pay that much!" a third stated.
"And who were you to turn an entire village against one child for your own games? Even now you show no guilt for your actions, you simply cry at being caught. Every day shinobi go out and are forced to accept the consequences of their actions, and now you will do the same!" Jiraiya told them with a cold glare silencing several of the quieter civilian councilors and receiving mild approval from several clan heads.
"Who are you make such demands upon us! We are the council, and you are just some whore the fourth fancied! I doubt he even ever meant to marry you, I bet you just got pregnant and forced him to marry you using that bastard as a bargaining chip!" A particularly nasty female councilor said before realizing she had gone too far.
It took less than a moment for everyone to realize Kushina had the woman by her throat, "If it isn't little Naomi Haruno. Who did you have to screw to get your spot on the council?" Kushina told her as she slowly tightened her grip around the woman's throat cutting her oxygen and voice, "I remember you chasing Minato all over the village, just like how I hear your daughter chases the Uchiha. Minato loved me dearly and I loved him more than anything you will ever realize you bitch," Kushina's grip was slowly tightened further as the pink haired woman's face began to change colors.
Tsunade placed a hand on Kushina's shoulder, lightly pulling her away from the woman, letting her drop to the floor.
"Minato wouldn't want you to stain your hands with her blood Kushina, she isn't worthy of such a death," Tsunade told her, although as Kushina nodded and turned to move back to the her original position everyone heard a loud crash and witnesses a gigantic hole in the wall where Naomi Haruno had original been, "But I never said anything about him being upset with me for giving that bitch what she deserved for insulting my cousin." She told them before smiling sweetly, making everyone in the room nervous. "Does anyone else have a comment to make about my godson and cousin?"
The remaining members of the civilian council wisely chose to remain silent as Tsunade returned to her place between Naruto and Shizune, although several still look rebellious.
Shikaku Nara shook his head, "Troublesome, these demands may be a bit far but most are not beyond reason. The Namikaze and Uzumaki clans were always honorable clans and fought for many years for this village. The actions of this village shame itself and require some sort of compensation. She also brings up good points of what we stand to lose if we don't agree. The loss of the Hiraishin, seals, clan techniques, and money, not to mention the prestige would send a clear signal of weakness to entire shinobi world. I, for one, say we accept at least the first portion, get the apologies over with and move on. I know the civilian councilors will understand that this is for the best of the village and willingly make such a sacrifice." He did manage not to smile too much at the final comment, although what smile escaped was not lost on the civilian councilors.
"However, 90 million Ryu is a bit troublesome Kushina. Can you at least make a demand that's not quite so high? Troublesome woman," Shikaku finished.
"Unfortunately I must agree with Shikaku and the council, 90 million Ryu is rather extreme Kushina," the old Kage stated already knowing her plan.
"Perhaps, but what price can you put upon such treatment of a child? What if was your own child who you returned to find had been treated as such?" Kushina stated with a clear, cold voice.
"Can we come to a mid-way point," Choza Akamichi said, speaking for the first time, "how about a monetary compensation, let us say 10 million Ryu for each clan, and we can pass a law that would forbid such action in the future?"
"Choza, such a law already existed and did nothing to stop what happened to my son, do you think I am going to sit by and let it possibly happen again without the village feeling the full repercussion of their actions?" Kushina said.
"However, I am not unreasonable. Therefore, if all other demands of compensation are met, then I will lower my demand for monetary compensation to 15 million Ryu," Kushina said.
"It is logical that a village would be forced to pay some form of compensation when such an insult has been given to a prestigious clan. Were this the Uchiha or Hyuga there would be little question that such compensation would be necessary. Therefore it is only logical that the Uzumaki and Namikaze would receive such compensation. I only disagree with the cousins of the Uzumaki, the Senju, also demanding money." Shibi stated.
Hiashi raised a single eyebrow to Shibi's comment but refrained from denying the truth of his word. Had his own daughter borne the brunt of such an insult for so long he would likely have demanded even more than Kushina had. What Hiashi didn't understand was why Kushina's demands were so reasonable and low key.
Unless this isn't about insults or demands, it's about the council. Kushina wants to remove the civilian councilors! But why? What would she gain from their removal when they are only to be replaced in a few months? Hiashi's thoughts were occupied by this new revelation. She had not attacked the clan heads at all and an apology from the councilor of the Hyuga was not an apology by the Hyuga clans and could be used furthermore to establish possible negotiations with Kushina if the clan sought a marriage arrangement. Hiashi's thoughts remained occupied for most of the meeting wondering what Kushina stood to gain from her demands of the council.
"The Senju will withdraw its demand for compensation so long as everything else is accepted," Tsunade said, already having decided ahead of time that this would take place.
It was simple really, they threw out a list of demands beyond what the civilian council would normally accept and would typically use their votes to block, then a massive monetary demand following the other demands. The council would immediately latch onto the monetary sum, then Kushina would use that monetary demand to get them to agree to the other demands, thus ending any power the civilian council had in the village for a time and allowing the third Hokage a chance to restore the power of the Hokage that the civilian council had slowly been attempting to take for themselves. Neither clan needed the money, it was simply a ploy to get the civilian councilors dismissed and the council's formal, public apology to Naruto.
In short order Kushina had what she wanted along with the extra 30 million Ryu. The civilian councilors lacked the votes to stop the demands from passing without Danzo and Naomi still unconscious from being thrown through the wall, and the clan heads and shinobi elders cared little if they lost their seats.
"There is also the matter of the clan seats of the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans. I would like both of them reinstated with myself as representative of the Uzumaki clan and my acting as proxy for the Namikaze until my son is old enough."
Hiashi frowned at this, "If you married the Fourth you joined his clan, the Uzumaki clan wouldn't get a seat on the council Kushina."
Sarutobi also frowned, "He is correct Kushina, unless there is a legitimate heir I cannot agree to giving the Uzumaki a seat on the council. But you do have the right as clan head for the Namikaze."
Kushina nodded her acceptance, knowing she would be pushing her luck to try and get that seat, before withdrawing back to her son and friends while ignoring the death glares of the civilian councilors aimed at her back.
That's what you bastards get for messing with my family! She thought to herself.
The remainder of the council meeting proceeded quickly with little else to discuss and the civilian council grumbling but lacking either the votes or support to alter the circumstances of Kushina's demands.
After the meeting Kushina and Naruto left with Kakashi and Shizune before they could be cornered by any of the clan heads. Kushina wanted to avoid having to play politics or any attempts to arrange political marriages for a while longer. Sarutobi asked Jiraiya and Tsunade to remain behind.
"I know you're both here to help Kushina and Naruto but I need your help with something as well…" he started off but was interrupted by Tsunade.
"Sensei, whatever it is will have to wait, I came here for Kushina and Naruto, nothing more," she informed him to which Jiraiya nodded his agreement.
Sarutobi scowled for a moment, "Listen, you're both active ninja under my command. And I am asking this as your friend and sensei, I don't want to have to make this an order, but it's too important to let wait so please, just hear me out."
The two Sannin glared at their teacher but remained silent, waiting for him to continue.
"As you know, we raided Danzo's ROOT base. Inside we found 243 children he had stolen from either clans or orphanages. Many are severely injured and will require your help or else will probably live the rest of their lives disfigured and disabled. Also, many contain seals which we have never seen before. Most appear to be experiments placed on the subject once they proved useless from training. I need you to help them with the seal removals and rehabilitation."
Jiraiya shook his head, "Sensei, I'm sorry for what has happened to those children but I spent ten years of my life running away, leaving my godson alone to fend for himself, and he is my first priority. If the seals aren't hurting them now then they probably can wait while I spend my time with my godson. Have someone make a design copy and send it to me, I'll look it over while I am helping to train Naruto."
Sarutobi nodded his acceptance of Jiraiya's offer and turned his head to Tsunade.
Tsunade nodded at her old sensei, "Naruto and Kushina are my first priority. Shizune will be able to help with the rehabilitation in my place though and I trust her completely. If there is an emergency then I will come but otherwise I am here to be with the last of my family."
Hiruzen nodded, "I'll have them send you the information on the seals so you can look at it when you have free time Jiraiya, and thank you Tsunade."
With that the two sannin nodded to their sensei and left the office through the side window. The old Kage sighed as he leaned back in his chair and pinched the bridge of his nose. He knew that things were simply going to become more complicated now that the civilian councilors had to be reelected and Kushina and Naruto's heritage was to be made public knowledge tomorrow.
With one last sigh his hand automatically opened the secret panel under his desk and retrieved his latest gold issue of Icha Icha. Now was time for Sarutobi Hiruzen to relax before the coming storm as perverted giggles flooded his now empty office.
Hyuga Compound an hour after the council meeting
The elders of the Hyuga sat in silence as Hiashi entered and took his seat at the front of the room. The hour was late and the elders were curious as to what caused Hiashi's summons directly after the council meeting. Normally they were informed at the regular clan meeting of the actions taken by the council, something important must have happened for Hiashi to feel the need to summon them tonight.
The room in which they sat was the large meeting room within the Hyuga clan compound. It lit by candles along the walls which gave an eerie glow in the late night. The elders were separated into two sides, the main branch being in front, seated on padded pillowed before the raised dais the clan head sat upon. The branch elders were relegated toward the rear of the room where they sat on simple mats.
"Kushina Uzumaki has been found," Hiashi told them. The elders did not react to this news, they were Hyuga and while it was surprising, they refused to show it. It was considered a failure as a Hyuga to show express to such simply news. Their emotions would always remain neutral at all times, to lose control was considered a breach of honor for the Hyuga involved.
Kushina Uzumaki, was a well known figure to many of the elders. Several had helped engineer the plan after the destruction of her native village in whirlpool to have her married to a clan member. Their attempt had failed when she had laughed in the face of the clan member they had sent to court her.
"Furthermore, she has been revealed as the wife of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage," Hiashi stated. This time the eyes of several of the elders widened as they found this news… unsettling, to say the least. But otherwise little reaction could be seen. However they all knew what this simply statement meant, Kushina Uzumaki would have access to both the Uzumaki clan and the Namikaze clan accounts and prestige. Several began to wonder if they might be able to arrange a marriage with her, she was, after all, a widow.
Hiashi waited a moment to let the elders digest this information before continuing, "It has also been found that Minato and Kushina had a son, Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, as he is now to be known. The Hokage will be making the announcement of their heritage tomorrow."
At this news one of the elders could no longer restrain themselves, "What? Are you saying the kyubi brat is the heir to the Namikaze and Uzumaki clans?"
Hiashi nodded to the elder. The Hyuga were not among Naruto's friends growing up. While the clan had always tried to maintain close ties with the Namikaze many of their family had died the night of the Kyubi attack and it left the survivors bitter toward the boy. While the elders did not show open hatred, such things were beneath them, it did not stop them from ignoring the growing problems the boy faced in his life or turning a blind eye when they saw him in need of help. While they may not have contributed actively, they contributed through inaction.
After the initial outburst the elders of the Hyuga quieted to consider the situation until one of their number broached the subject they all were contemplating, "This could affect our standing among the village. With the Uchiha all but gone and the Senju clan dispersed among the populace we are undoubtedly most prominent clan of Konoha, but with the return of a combined heir to both the Namikaze and Uzumaki it will no doubt adversely affect our control and prestige. The financial power alone will be far greater than ours. We must find a way to turn this to our advantage!"
"I have already considered this," Hiashi informed the elders, "The last time this clan attempted to gain control of either the Uzumaki or Namikaze clans it failed. The failure was not with the idea of marriage between our clans, and then eventual absorption of their offspring, but with the method used. We were to bold with our intentions. By sending clan members to the target and announcing our intention we placed them on guard and they were able to refuse us without giving it a second thought. We must learn from such lessons now. I suggest we are a much more quiet method. My daughter, Hinata, may not be a worthy clan heir but she is in the same class as the boy. She is quiet and shy, qualities which make her unfit for a clan heir, but which would place Kushina Namikaze off-guard. I think it best to have her befriend and gain the boy's trust first, lead him into a willing union he would choose, and then we could absorb his clan without them every realizing," Hiashi told the elders as he outlined his plan to have his eldest daughter used to gain control over the potential rival to the Hyuga.
This met with resounding approval from the Hyuga as several nodded and one or two even showed signs of a smile at the thought of gaining access to the power, prestige, and wealth of the rival clans. Others inwardly rejoiced at finding a use for the first born daughter of Hiashi.
Not all in the room were as happy with the plan Hiashi had outlined. Several of the branch elders in the room however maintained their reserve as their thoughts turned to worry. The branch family found Hinata to be a perfect heir to their clan. She was kind and quiet and treated them well. Hinata also hated the caged seal that kept them in servitude and was considered their best chance at ending the caged bird seal once and for all. If this plan was successful she would never become clan head and they, in turn, would lose their best chance at freedom.
However, if either side could see what Hiashi was thinking they would have been shocked, Congratulate yourselves while you can you old fools! You have toyed with my family long enough, Hiashi thought, my daughter will NOT be used in your political games. I will fulfill my promise to her mother!
Konoha Ninja Academy the following day
Hyuuga Hinata once again walked into class 3-A of the academy. It had been three weeks since Naruto had disappeared from the academy. No one had seen or heard from him since the day the red haired woman and the Hokage had taken him at lunch. It was as if he had completely disappeared.
Hinata sighed to herself and took her usual seat in the back of the room as she watched the other students enter. Of the students at the academy only a handful really stood out and they were mostly from the clans of the village. She allowed her head to sink down to the desk she was at as she watched the last of the students enter and once again Naruto was nowhere to be seen.
Hinata barely listened as their sensei droned on about chakra manipulation and the history of the village. She had visited Naruto's apartment and found it completely empty, he was never at any of his normal training fields, and even the Ichiraku Ramen stand hadn't seen him. She was beginning to wonder if he had run away but when she had asked Iruka Sensei about it he had told her Naruto was away dealing with personal matters he could not discuss with her.
Before she knew it the class was over and they had been dismissed. Class had ended early today because of a special announcement that was being made by the Hokage. Hinata sighed to herself as she left the classroom and her eyes automatically watched the floor as she exited the academy building to meet her escort home. The branch member smiled gently at the young Hyuga Heiress and motioned for her to quicken her pace.
"Lady Hinata, we must hurry to meet your father at the Tower with the elders. It would be unseemly for you to be late for the Hokage's announcement," the branch member reminded her as they set a brisk walk toward the Hokage Tower.
"Y-yes Toa, I-I'm s-s-sorry," Hinata responded just barely managing to meet his eyes.
In short time Hinata and the branch member escort arrived at the tower and joined her father who turned a slight glare at his eldest daughter without a greeting.
"I-I ap-pologize f-for be-being l-late father," she told him with a bow while inwardly cursing herself at her stutter.
Hiashi made no response to his eldest daughter, hardly acknowledging her presence, and returned his gaze upon the balcony where the Hokage was walking out from his office to address the people from.
The Third Hokage raised his hands for silence as the gathered masses of Konoha looked on. Obviously this was only a small portion of the village as many were unable to be at the announcement, but thousands had still managed to make it and they would be the messengers to bear witness to what the Hokage would say this day.
The crowd was silent as their leader addressed them, "People of Konoha. I am proud to stand before you today to welcome back what was once thought to the annals of history. Many of you remember our beloved Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze. Ten years ago he gave his life for us to protect this village and with his death we thought lost to us the Namikaze Clan Bloodline forever. I am here today to inform you that we are fortunate to learn that this was not so! Our beloved Fourth Hokage married in secret, his wife's name kept from all for her own protection and the protection of his child from the enemies the Fourth had gained through his life! Today I proclaim the return of the Namikaze clan! One of the most noble and powerful clans to ever exist in the Shinobi world! May I present to you Kushina Uzumaki-Namikaze! Wife of Minato Namikaze, Fourth Hokage, and her son, Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze, the son of the Fourth Hokage and heir to the Namikaze clan!"
