Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
AN: Part 1 of this chapter is about the group that went to Konoha.
Part 2 is of the group that went to Nami; up until bridge fight.
Part 1 is partially so people get off my back about Naruto's agreement about the mission payment.
Part I and II end at approximately same time.
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Me-Ka was having a hard day. First she had been walking for several days while pregnant. Second she had to fight and explain to her escorts that Naruto had told her to drop the children off at the compound before seeing the Hokage. Finally she was currently standing in front of a legend in of the shinobi world with her escorts trying to explain her orders she had to follow and why she was even there. When Naruto got back from his mission he was going to hear about it from a very irate and pregnant Me-Ka. Her only consolation was she knew she was going to cause the Hokage a headache.
"So, Naruto has taken you and your children in as retainers. I will have to call the council and inform them of this development and I wish for you to be there. Besides that I am happy to welcome you to Konoha. I must ask if you will become a shinobi yourself," said Sarutobi as he contemplated the headache Naruto was constantly making for him.
"I may become a shinobi; if I do it will be after the birth of my child. I am to also inform you that since Naruto-sama now has other people in the clan then just himself he has chosen a clan representative, namely myself. I hope this will not cause undue problems for yourself or the council," stated Me-Ka, smirking a little at the Hokage's horrified look when she mentioned her new position.
Sarutobi wanted to smash his head into his desk with the amount of problems this little development would have. The council had been pleased that Naruto could not vote or even be present for most of the discussions. Now that he was trying to get a representative to take his seat they would be in an uproar. He was impressed though that Naruto had solved one of his glaring problems in the political realm, which is that he technically had no voting power.
"I will call the council for tomorrow, this will allow you to rest and for us to inventory the scrolls to see what exactly Konoha will be coming into as part of the mission payment," said Sarutobi, happy with the fact that this was one easy part that would not cause undue headache.
"Actually Hokage-sama, Naruto-sama stated he wished for the inventory to take place in front of the council. This way neither side could be accused of deception. As your jonin and chunin will testify everything of value, besides some clothing and personal products, is in the scrolls which I would like to seal with Naruto-sama's personal seal and I will allow you to hold unto them until the appointment tomorrow," said Me-Ka thinking to herself that she should show respect to Naruto while in public.
Everyone was speechless as the Hokage gripped his pipe very tightly for a moment and then hit his head on his desk. He quickly recovered to everyone's dismay.
"That will be fine, be here at noon tomorrow for the discussion," replied the calm Hokage as he cried on the inside about how much trouble and paperwork Naruto was causing him. As Me-Ka sealed the ten scrolls with some seal Naruto gave her Hokage unlocked a private safe to store them in. He then bid Me-Ka goodbye and asked Torappu to see her home as he talked to Kurenai.
"So, he went to get her. Do you know why?" asked the old man.
"I have several theories, but with Naruto it is always theories," Kurenai replied.
"I have my own but what are yours?"
"He wanted family, this was the fastest way to that. He also wants power for some reason, this also leads to it," said Kurenai. "My only problem is that he could have had family here along with power, why did he specifically go to an outside source is my point."
"Probably because he would be suspect of peoples motives while in Konoha. People may do help him because of who is parents were, or for his kekkei genkai or just manipulate him. He feels safer with strangers then people he knows which is sad but fair," replied the Hokage. "If that is all, I think you should head home to rest and then escort Me-Ka here for the meeting tomorrow."
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As the council settled down there were collective mumbles on whom the woman standing next to Kurenai and the Hokage was. Finally the Hokage began:
"I have come to inform the council of several developments that arose from the recent mission that Team 8, consisting of Shino Aburame, Hinata Hyuga and Naruto Touketsu Ki are genin's of went on. They are on related assignment right now but Kurenai has brought back their report."
"Who is this woman and why is she here for this important discussion?" cried several of the less disciplined councilors while Shikaku Nara was banging his head slightly. Inoichi, his friend asked why and the reply was "Naruto is always troublesome."
"Quiet!" yelled the Hokage, leaking a little K.I. to get everyone settled down. "Thank you, now this is Me-Ka-san. She is one of several new retainers of the Touketsu Ki clan. She is here on behalf of the clan to take up their seat on the council." This got another uproar, which in turn caused Sarutobi to leak more K.I. at the council.
"We are also here to oversee the second half of payment that the Touketsu Ki clan owes to Konoha for a mission recently assigned. As per the agreement any and all ninjutsu scrolls and half of all money found on the mission is to be given to Konoha. Kurenai will testify that everything was gone through and anything not of personal use, such as clothes and such, are in these ten scrolls. When they arrived a personal seal was applied to them and they were then stored in my personal safe to ensure they remained unopened by either party. We will now proceed to open them one by one and collect all that is due to the village. Everything else will be resealed and taken by Me-Ka to the clan property," the Hokage finished before Kurenai handed him the scrolls and Me-Ka undid the personal sealed on one of them. Sarutobi himself personally unsealed all the objects contained within the scroll and then sorted through the items.
After unsealing all the items and placing them into piles by category they looked at what the piles had. In one very large pile were weapons and a moveable forge with anvil and all the tools needed to make most weapons. Another pile was full of furniture, dining sets and many home maker items. There were four other piles; three of scrolls and one of money. The scrolls were sorted in piles of taijutsu, genjutsu and ninjutsu. There were about thirty scrolls on six different and complex taijutsu styles in that pile. The genjutsu pile was smaller but had about fifteen scrolls with one or two techniques per scroll depending on the complexity of the technique. The final pile was the smallest; there were but five ninjutsu scrolls, each with one technique; all but one of the techniques was D-rank or lower. The one that was higher was a C-rank wind technique which most shinobi had no affinity towards. The pile of money was even less impressive; there was about enough money for two D-rank missions, meaning the village would get about one D-ranks worth of the pile.
The council was outraged that they would be getting so little. They saw that the genjutsu and taijutsu scrolls would help Konoha better than some 'worthless' low rank techniques. Many other were admiring some of the weapons that were on display, as many were master craftsman's work. Sarutobi sighed and quieted them as he turned towards Me-Ka, who was in her council seat, for an explanation.
"Naruto-sama wished to state that he never stated there were many of either money or ninjutsu scrolls at the hideout. He merely stated that he was willing to give up either if found. If you had asked he would have informed you that in the letter he received that Shi-kun stated that our former home was not rich in ninjutsu or money. Shi-kun added that in hopes of driving off the greedy from coming to our home in the event of his death. Now that we have split up everything into appropriate piles I believe I will take my clan's property back to our home; if you try to steal, coerce or bribe any of what is legally my clan's from me I will be forced to declare the village has broken several tenants of the law and will with full backing of the Touketsu Ki clan head withdraw our support from the village and make a complaint to the Daimyo," Me-Ka stated as she rose and went to retrieve the sealing scrolls for the non-village items. When everything was sealed she quickly left, leaving many furious councilors on the civilian and shinobi side.
Shikaku Nara just went up to the Hokage and said "How?"
"I trusted his word," was the reply.
"His word is good, you just need to not think he won't try and con you next time. He never said there were large amounts of either money or ninjutsu scrolls. He said he was willing to part with any he found and he was because he had outside information; is he that good at hiding his intent?" asked the Nara.
"Yes, I believed that he offered something of value when he almost knew he was offering me a rotten apple; he and I will talk soon," sighed the weary and depressed Hokage. He didn't want to be so paranoid of Naruto, who was at one point like his grandson, but he had to be, this just broke so much of the trust he still had for the young man. He just hoped that Naruto would regain it eventually.
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Part II (starts a few days before Part I and continues during it.)
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Naruto and his team minus Kurenai were headed towards Nami no Kuni with all due haste. While jumping Naruto could not help but wonder at the reaction of the council to the rest of his mission payment. He knew he was isolating himself and his clan, which is why he was doing it. He wanted his clan to have as few attachments to Konoha as possible; it would make his future moves easier.
Hinata meanwhile was reassessing her priorities. While she did like Naruto and had for some time she was thinking of why she liked him. She liked him for the brains and courage he showed to the council and his appearance was also nice but she had to say that while he was never rude, unless in anger, he was not kind or caring or many of the other things she wanted in a boyfriend. She was coming to the thought that unless he majorly changed in some personal tendencies she could not date him for her own well being. He was a friend, a distant one, but a friend none the less but she could not get past that friendship anytime soon if ever. She was sad at this realization but figured it was better now than later.
Shino was wondering of the mission and all its implications. It would give Naruto's clan more power but also bring in new shinobi that could possibly help Konoha. He could not figure Naruto out, he did not seem to like Konoha all that well but had, through the children, brought several nearly extinct kekkei genkai to the village. 'Was Naruto building an army to eventually take over,' was one of his thoughts. But he quickly smothered it with the thought that Naruto would want to appear loyal and not be doing everything to piss off the council if he was to try and make a power play.
Yamato had two distinct lines of thought: one was what the hell Kakashi was thinking when he continued on with a mission that was so dangerous when he had genin to look after. The other thought was that now that Naruto had some power with someone sitting on the council what would he do? This was the more irritating of the two seeing as he knew that Kakashi probably left it up to the kiddies to decide, Kakashi was that lazy. But since he knew Naruto but not what his plan was he had no clue as to how this would affect Konoha, which was his main concern.
Team 8 had camped once before getting a boat ride to Nami no Kuni. They had found the very poor town that was situated on this point of the island. They asked around and finally spotted Sakura shopping with an older woman.
"Sakura, could help us find Kakashi-senpai?" asked Yamato. Sakura jumped at the sudden voice behind her. When she saw who it was asking she nearly hugged Yamato in relief.
"Sorry about that," she said. "I'll take you there when I'm done shopping with Tsunami-san."
As they got led to the house Sakura told them about all the events that had happened in great detail. She also spoke of how Kakashi had started them on the tree-walking exercise to help with control. Team 8 just looked at her like she had a second head for a second before Shino spoke.
"What has Kakashi been teaching you up until now?"
"We usually do team work exercises and D-rank missions. That is after he shows up an hour or two late. We usually get done by four in the afternoon and are free for whatever we want to do," Sakura spoke not understanding why she needed to say it, didn't everyone do the same.
"Ok, how far are we until the house," said Yamato to try and stop the conversation before his students asked some more embarrassing questions or attacked Sakura's teacher verbally.
"Only around that bend up ahead," Sakura said as she quickened pace.
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Team 8 had been there for a few days and was not impressed with what Kakashi had taught his students before the mission. They realized that the only person getting more training then what Sakura stated was Kiba. Kiba had been led off every now and again for an hour or so lecture and technique session, usually when Sakura and Sasuke were distracted. (Remember Kakashi's orders.)
Team 8 meanwhile had been perfecting some skills they already knew and Yamato was guarding the bridge builder in the mean time. Hinata was practicing taijutsu forms and sparing Shino occasionally. Shino was working on moving his hive better and getting his response time up while sparring Hinata. Naruto had said he needed to work on some clan stuff and left the others to their own devices. It was during one of his sessions that he found a woman picking herbs in a clearing.
"Hello there, what are you up to today?" asked Naruto.
"Oh, you sacred me. I am picking herbs to help a sick friend of mine," was his reply. Naruto noticed a little twitch in her finger when he had first approached and realized she was lying, but for what reason he did not.
"What herbs are specifically looking for, I have some knowledge in that area and could help," he said.
"That would be wonderful," said the woman as she showed Naruto the plants she was collecting.
"So, does the pretty lady have a name or am I to call you Niwashi (gardener)," Naruto said to try and get a conversation going as the woman smiled.
"Haku is my name and would you tell me yours or shall I call you Bunya te(field hand)," was her reply. Naruto smirked at this answer.
"I am Naruto."
"What a unique name. Let me ask you Naruto, do you have someone precious to you?"
"Not as of yet; I had some but events have made me realize that I was not viewed the same by them. I hope to gain several people precious to me eventually," he said with much regret.
"I am sorry, it is just my view that people who protect those precious to them become stronger than those who don't," Haku gave him a sad smile.
"I would say that to an extent you are right. I believe that faith, not necessarily religion, but faith in someone or something is important. A man who believes that they are fighting for a noble cause or an ideal can have more fervor then most other men. You have faith in someone precious to you, which is good, humans survive on faith but does this person hold you in the same regards. But what is faith in them that is not returned? If they do not return what is showered upon them then they do not deserve that praise; if they would do an act of kindness, but only for their own gain, it is not kindness. A king that takes in the peoples love or money and uses it to help the people in turn is better than one who hordes it for his own personal gain. That is my belief at least."
"It is a nice ideal, but what would you do if someone saved you but asked of you something that is hard to give and causes you pain to perform?" asked a slightly upset and disgruntled Haku.
"I would thank them for their kindness and leave. If barred from that I would leave whenever I could," spoke Naruto.
"I admire you for your bravery but I must take the herbs now and go," Haku got up to leave.
"Before you go, can you tell me what Zabuza did to save you?" Naruto asked a shocked Haku.
"Who is this Zabuza?" asked a slightly flustered Haku as she secretly went for her needles.
"Your master is Zabuza. You move like a shinobi and noticed me entering the clearing, by the way nice acting like you didn't. The plants you have picked up help cure chakra exhaustion and help get nerves working again. Those are the perfect plants to help with someone who fought a ninjutsu master and was put into a death like state. Please do not lie to me," stated Naruto.
"What will you do with this revelation?" asked the hesitant Haku.
"Nothing is you answer a few questions. One is; what did Zabuza do to secure your loyalty? Two is; when will you attack so can have preparations ready for departure ready? Three is; would you like a home with a loving family and the potential to do whatever you desire in life?"
Haku hesitated for a moment. "Zabuza saved me from the purges in Kiri. We will attack in two days time. I would love for a home but can't leave Zabuza. Why would you ask?"
"I am willing to offer you, and Zabuza if you care to inform him, that I will adopt you into my clan. Tell him that the son of the Yodaime Hokage keeps his word. I also want you to know that I just adopted several dozen children, some from Kiri with similar problems that you had. You may have a relative amongst them. But for now I believe you should go back to Zabuza," Naruto stated.
Haku was perplexed but listened to the blonde and left while not even protesting the assumption that she was female.
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AN: Someone asked why Sarutobi and others were trying to control Naruto so much. They think the Hokage was jumping at shadows with his reaction. Here is my explanation:
Naruto is a former demon container; he has every right to hate Konoha and to want to see it burn.
Naruto wields the kekkei genkai of the founder of Konoha; if he left it would be a blow to the moral of the population and be an international embarrassment.
Naruto is the son of a Hokage; reasons from 2.
Naruto has the potential to be one of the most powerful shinobi ever and they believe he has no loyalty to Konoha.
No one knows what Naruto is thinking or what the fox talked about or did to him.
Naruto has already isolated himself from Konoha and most of the council sees him as dangerous as a potential enemy in the future.
Sarutobi feels guilty but the council is forcing him to keep tabs on Naruto.
When Naruto gets back from the mission he will get his personalized weapon.
Also, I like Kakashi, but he is not the best genin instructor. He would be a good ANBU instructor or teaching new jonin. He does not teach genin, who may or may not know what they need to work on, very well. I believe he assumes that the genin would know their own weaknesses and work by themselves to improve upon them. This is the way he was taught and raised because he was on the battle field since he was young. It is like taking a college professor and putting him to teach Middle School, Jr. High, kids; it doesn't work.