Story Title: Technological Ninja Naruto Uzumaki

Crossover: Naruto / Star Ocean game series

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or plot from Naruto anime/manga series and the Star Ocean Video games series. This is a work of fanfiction.

Chapter Eleven: Aftermath

Previously...

"... The boy now has the Wood Release bloodline, with the Kyuubi inside him he would become Konoha's most powerful weapon!" The voice of Danzo argued strongly.

"No!" The Third's voice said sternly. "I will not have Naruto turned into just a weapon to be used."

"The boy has been trained, he has a powerful bloodline and bears the Kyuubi inside him." Homura said in a resigned voice. "He had faced off Madara and survived through a certain mastery of the Wood Release bloodline if the report of what Kakashi gave us of the battle was accurate. I would much rather he became a ninja now and come under the village's control then running around Konoha freely."

"We need to gauge his skills, decide where to place him in Konoha's ninja corps." Koharu said. "Kakashi's description of the battle he witnessed is quite frankly unbelievable. We need to know how much of the battle was The Eye's work and how much was Naruto. I suspect that the boy had to be at least of Chunin rank level if he was able to hold off Madara after the battle where The Eye supposedly disappeared. He could be given a special field promotion. Of cause some of the truths would have to be revealed to the village council, but I can see things going well for us if we phrase things the right way."

"Very well, Naruto will be tested and given a field promotion." The Third said in a weary voice, having given up the fight now that the two village elders were actively against his suggestion. "However his history with The Eye is an S-rank secret. I do not want information about The Eye to be spread to the public. We'll have to come up with a plausible story if Naruto's promotion is revealed to the council."

"I have an idea of what we should tell the public. But first, let us discuss how to test young Naruto." Homura began. "He would have to be caught unaware of course, so we can see his true potential..."


Dying fires and ashes covered a major part of the Uchiha compound. Burnt and destroyed buildings, blood soaked earth, and the smell of death lingered on even after the bodies had been carried away for preparations. Scattered around the compound were the muffled and anguish wailing of mothers grieving for their now dead children, of husbands mourning over the loss of their families, of the still figures of those whose eyes stared unseeing into the distance, unable to cope with their losses after last night's attack.

Near the center of the compound however, a landscape of overturned rock and earth with tangled vegetation, a place where it was said that Madara was forced to a standstill against unknown Senjus with Wood Release bloodlines and brave Konoha ninjas, a solemn crowd of Uchiha men and women were gathered.

There were anger mutterings among the group which remained of the Uchiha clan's ninja forces that were still uninjured. A few were trying to pacify the crowd, but almost the attention of them all were focused on the ruling happening in front of them. Fugaku, disgraced clan head of Uchiha was being put to trial by the few senior Uchiha ninjas that were still alive. Most of the Uchiha ninjas had been killed or injured by last night's attack. The senior ninjas that survived had formed a war council after the attack and all had reached an unanimous decision.

"Fugaku Uchiha. For your cowardly actions last night. For your abandonment of your duties during the attack led by Madara Uchiha and the traitors, this council declared you stripped off your titles and position as clan head." Inoten, the most senior of the ninjas gathered, declared in a grim voice as he glared at Fugaku who was standing in front of the gathered crowd.

"Only the actions of your son, once prodigy of the clan, saved you and your family from exile." Inoten continued as the mutterings among the gathered ninjas rose in volume. "He alone of all the Uchiha went up against Madara and survived. His bravery in delaying Madara cost him an arm. The clan owned him a blood debt which we would repay by allowing your family to retain your family home in the compound."

With the conclusion of the judgment, Inoten turned away from Fugaku, with most of the council members following as they publicly shunned the man. Inoten faced the gathered crowd, ignoring the presence of Fugaku behind him, his face set into dark resolution.

"The council had reached a decision. With the threat of Madara Uchiha lurking in the world, with the madman's aim of destroying the clan, it is now more than ever that our clan needs a strong leader especially after we have suffered such heavy losses in lives. After much discussions, the council had reached a decision. The most powerful ninja in the Uchiha clan would be chosen as the new clan head of Uchiha, with the council to guide him.

"It is our decision that Shisui Uchiha, be chosen as the new clan head, for his skills and action of leadership during the attack on the clan." Inoten said into the silence that followed his words. "Itachi Uchiha will be given a role as adviser and council member to the clan. Upon our oath of vengeance, the one who we tasked to destroy Madara and bring him to justice, will be Shisui Uchiha of the Body Flicker. Who is in agreement to our decision?"

The roar of approval that instantly sounded broke the tensed atmosphere hovering around the group. Ignored by the gathered clansmen, the silent and disgraced Fugaku Uchiha turned and walked away without looking back.


Clothed in black, with a face mask that covered his face, Hayama Shirakumo inwardly wondered why he was chosen for this task, wondering why the hell the Third Hokage, and the village elders had wanted him to test Naruto Uzumaki in secret. After all, matching a Jonin against an eight year old was hardly fair to the boy, though there had been rumors going around the ninja corps that said demon container in question was found near the Uchiha compound, facing off against Madara Uchiha yesterday night. Apparently the ninja militia had arrived at the edge of the Uchiha compound to find Madara trying to attack Kakashi Hatake who was defending the boy. No one knew why Naruto was there, though speculations had been running rampant.

Konoha was still rocking from the attack by the legendary missing nin. Almost all of the Konoha ninjas were in jitters after the massive attack on the Uchiha clan. When the runners had announced the attack to the public during the morning, there had been a huge outcry from the civilians, especially since military lock down had been imposed onto the village for the next few foreseeable days. The fact that the Uchiha clan, who had been one of the major and more powerful clan in the village, had suffered a fifty percent casualty rate in death and injuries was enough to alarm everyone.

That Hayama was chosen to test Naruto Uzumaki so soon after the attack, when almost all of Konoha ninjas were called up for rotation guard duties, meant that Naruto Uzumaki most probably had an important role to play during the attack yesterday. That a Jonin level ninja was chosen to test the boy meant that the Hokage and the village elders suspected that Naruto Uzumaki must have a certain level of ninja skills. Which was a mystery because to his knowledge, the boy had received no ninja training. It however gave credence to the rumor of the boy actually going up against Madara Uchiha, though how the demon container ended up in that situation, or who actually trained the boy was anyone's guess.

Knocking on the door to the demon container's apartment, a drowsy blond haired boy answered, going inside to change when he was told that the Hokage wanted to see him. It made things easier when Naruto Uzumaki had revealed that he knew the basic chakra exercises and they quickly made their way across the rooftops of the various buildings, with Hayama leading the way.

The journey took twenty minutes, and Hayama lead the boy into training area 34, where Hayama knew that the Third and the village elders were hiding a distance away to observe the test.

"What are we doing here?" Naruto Uzumaki asked with a frown as he turned to face the masked ninja who had stopped. "I thought we're going to the Hokage's tower? Where's old man Hokage?"

"There's no Hokage here to see you." Hayama said cryptically, inwardly rolling his eyes at the corny script the village elders had came up for him. "This is the place where you shall die DEMON!"

His sword was strapped to his back, but it was probably over kill to use it in battle against a child. So kunai in hand, Hayama rushed forward, carefully moderating his speed so that the boy would have enough time to get away, if he was at least as capable as the Hokage and the village elders suspected. Hayama had no idea of the skill level of the boy, and he had no desire to kill a young child by accident.

He was therefore surprised when Naruto Uzumaki quickly leap backwards, his hands flashing into handseals which he did not recognize. Hayama tensed, preparing for a ninjutsu attack when the boy... just disappeared.

For a moment, Hayama stared at the empty spot, his mouth gaping behind his face mask. The technique the boy had used was not a Body Flicker technique, it was not even a replacement technique. The boy had simply vanished from sight. Hayama smiled as his eyes narrowed, observing his surroundings carefully. It seemed that Naruto Uzumaki had some ninja training at the very least, and he definitely had tricks Hayama had never seen before, up his sleeve.

A pulse of chakra to his left, Hayama immediately leap away, just as an eruption of slashing greenery came into being at the spot where he had been standing on only a few seconds ago. Hayama was no newly minted Chunin or Jonin, he recognized the attack for what it was, especially when the whole ninja corp was abound with the first hand accounts from Uchihas who had seen unknown Senjus with Wood Release bloodlines saving them yesterday night.

Somehow, Naruto Uzumaki had the same Wood Release bloodline!

Hayama growled as he glared in the direction where he was sure the Third Hokage and the village elders were hidden. He was loyal to Konoha, loyal to the village, but he could not help but wonder what games were the Hokage and the elders of Konoha up to at the moment. After all, why in the name of the Rikudō Sennin did the village demon container have the revered Wood Release bloodline?


The bloodied faces of those he had killed last night woke him, causing him to jerk out of his bed in cold sweat. He could still see their accusing eyes as they stared at him in death. His only consolation was that he knew he had done the right thing. If he had not, more innocents would have been killed by the Uchiha traitors. But even then, even when it was his clones that killed those traitors in defense of innocents, he still felt ill at ease.

Memories of the clone he sent to the Hokage tower distracted him, the clone had dispelled, passing Naruto what he knew. Instinctively, Naruto was already making the hadseals of the Shadow Clone technique as he absorbed the memories. Fifty over clones appeared to vanish out of his apartment as they took the place of the night clones who were dispelling all over Konoha.

He had felt amazement at learning what the Hokage and the village elders had planned for him, and had managed to have some breakfast before a ninja had came knocking on his door to fetch him to see the Hokage.

Target is Hayama Shirakumo, a Jonin of Konoha. Sica was filling Naruto in as he followed the masked ninja across the rooftop. With memories of the dispelled clone from the Hokage tower, Naruto already knew what he was going to be facing early this morning. Old man Hokage and the village elders had spent part of the night discussing how to test Naruto, and with the Naruto clone and Sica scanning the details of the plan, Naruto was forewarned and prepared for the test that he was going to be facing.

In the bingo books, Hayama Shirakumo was listed as a highly experience Jonin specializing in kenjutsu, wind and water affiliated attacks. He killed a number of Iwa ninjas during the Third Shinobi War, his moniker by the Iwa ninjas was Death Blade... Sica revealed as it began listing the capabilities of the ninja sent to test Naruto.

A ninja would be sent to lure me to a training ground, where pretending to be an enemy nin, he would force me into an attack. Naruto inwardly thought as he reviewed the memories from his Hokage tower clone, even as he listened to Sica droned on in his head. The memories were the reason why even though to all outward appearance Naruto seemed like he was leisurely following behind the masked ninja, he was actually fully prepared to go into battle at the slightest provocation.

I would now go over the abilities you should display in the battle once more. Sica remarked, cutting through Naruto's thoughts. The Hokage already knew of your Wood Release abilities as well as your skill with the Shadow Clone technique. There's no point hiding the fact that you knew the Body Flicker technique since it was considered a common Chunin level technique. As for the weaker version of your Fire Release and Symbology techniques, there's not much point in using them and drawing attention to your wide skill sets.

The important thing to take note was that your 'light techniques' were seen by Kakashi and Itachi. This meant that there's no point in hiding them. However you would need to make them seem like real ninjutsu techniques. I've already came up with the necessary fake handseals for your various 'light ninjutsu' it would make for an interesting distraction against your opponent at the very least, and would fit the cover you've told the Hokage, where you have been trained by an infiltration ninja.

Of course, you should moderate your fight. Based on your clones' combat performance yesterday night, you should be able to go up against most Jonins and Chunins without any problem. The objective right now however, is to give a fight that is impressive enough to earn a ninja rank, without drawing too much unnecessary attention to the full power that you possessed. It would be wise to find a reasonable way to lose this fight so that you do not seem too powerful.

Alright then, I'll follow your plan. Naruto communed mentally. He came to a stop as Hayama, the masked ninja, came to a halt in a clearing of a training ground. But there's one thing I need to ask of you Sica. During the test, I wish to fight on my own merits. You can help when I need to use the 'light ninjutsu techniques' but in regards to tactics and battlefield maneuvers, I want to take charge. I want to see if I am able work up a battle plan and go up against an experienced ninja without your guidance, under my own capability.

It shall be as you instructed. I will follow your wishes. Sica said simply.

The masked ninja turned to face him. Naruto looked up, hiding a grin of anticipation. He was most probably going to be tested soon. Wearing a look of childish concern, Naruto widened his eyes as he looked at the masked ninja.

"What are we doing here?" Naruto asked, deliberately frowning in confusion. "I thought we're going to the Hokage's tower? Where's old man Hokage?"

"There's no Hokage here to see you." The masked nin answered in a threatening voice, his body hunching forward as he drew a kunai. If Naruto had not known beforehand that this was all an act, he might really believed the man had ill intentions towards him. The masked ninja held up the kunai in his hand and continued. "This is the place where you shall die DEMON!"

Naruto immediately leap backwards when Hayama rushed forward with his kunai. His eyes taking in his surroundings as he quickly came up with a plan of defense and attack. The first thing however was to hide and get out of the range of the masked ninja, it would be pointless to get into a close range fight. His small body simply was not built for that kind of fight. The only advantage he had were his enormous chakra reserves and his ninjutsu. Of course he could also blind the Jonin... but that might make things a little too easy... especially since even Madara Uchiha had problem with that technique at first. He did not want to draw too much attention to his combat skills and capabilities, at least not not unless he was forced to.

Naruto's hands flicked into the handseals that Sica had came up for the 'Cloaking technique'. As he disappeared from physical sight, Naruto was already making the seals for the Body Flicker technique, moving quickly to a new spot in the clearing.

From his vantage at the top of a nearby tree, Naruto looked down at the clearing where Hayama had tensed up and was carefully looking around him for signs of Naruto.

Naruto's hands flashed into a new series of seals.

Wood Release: Death Whips


In another clearing, a distance from training area 34, Sarutobi sat on a log, Homura, Koharu and Danzo around him, his crystal ball in the center where using his Telescope technique, he was spying on the battle taking place between Naruto and Hayama.

Image of a clearing, with a masked Hayama who had drawn his sword, dodging numerous Wood Release attacks, was reflected on the crystal ball. The image had to be centered on Hayama as young Naruto had simply vanished from sight as soon as the test had started.

"Amazing, Naruto Uzumaki is definitely holding up well against a superior opponent, especially someone of Hayama's caliber." Homura commented in surprise as Hayama cut through a massive tangle of deadly slashing vine whips with a wind technique. Hayama stood in the center of the battlefield, dead vegetation all around him as he tried to locate his invisible opponent. "I can now see how a young boy was able to hold out against someone of Madara's strength. That invisibility jutsu of his, it is not a genjutsu, evident by the fact that he did not even show up on the crystal ball. When Kakashi had reported that Naruto seemed to have a way to disappear from sight, I've not expected something like this."

"It is a ninjutsu of some sort. A type we've never encountered before that make him really vanish from view." Koharu said a hint of surprise and appreciation in her voice. "Who is this prodigy of Jiaraya that taught Naruto? This invisibility technique of his, does Jiaraya know of it?"

"I am afraid not." Sarutobi said smoothly, knowing for a fact that Jiaraya had no knowledge of such a technique. His eyes narrowed as he observed the battle taking place between Hayama and an invisible Naruto.

With the technique that Naruto had shown, Sarutobi now had an inkling of how The Eye must have gained all of his precious intelligence on the village and the Uchiha clan. Not even a Transformation technique, which was a well known hybrid of genjutsu and ninjutsu was able to allow a ninja to simply disappear. With a real invisibility technique, a skilled infiltration ninja would be able to enter any place and observe what was taking place undetected. But that technique must have its flaws, if Madara had been able to pierce through it and get to Naruto.

Sarutobi thought back to the report Kakashi had given them only a few hours ago. "... I have then escaped from the battlefield after being rescued by the Naruto clone. I was out of chakra by then and so have to proceed for help on foot. I've reached the eastern walls of the Uchiha compound when I suddenly sighted Madara Uchiha appearing on the wall in front of me, punching what seemed like empty air... There had been a sharp sound of some sort and the area where Madara had punched shattered into shards of light... Naruto had appeared. It seemed that he had some way of disappearing from sight... A technique which Madara had defeated..."

Now with evidence of Naruto's invisibility technique in front of him, the main question was how Madara had been able to pierce the technique which from Sarutobi's viewpoint looking into the crystal, seemed undetectable.

Loud cursing sounded from the crystal ball as Hayama started swearing, having narrowly avoided being trapped by a wooden cage that sprung into being. Hayama body flickered away, the image on the crystal ball shifted to project Hayama's new position. Hayama looked around him wearily and then his whole posture stilled.

"That's a pretty impressive technique demon." Hayama said suddenly in a menacing tone of voice, the crystal ball projecting his voice. "But I didn't become a Jonin without receiving at least a bit of Sensor training. I have enough skill in it to at least sense your chakra output..."

Hayama vanished as enormous green vines slashed at the spot he had been at. The image of the crystal ball shifted as Hayama appeared in a new position, slashing at an empty spot. Or at least it had seemed like an empty spot... until the very air where Hayama had slashed shattered into shards of light, revealing a shocked looking Naruto. Hayama punched the boy who puffed into smoke. It was a Shadow Clone.

"Impressive." Danzo stated. Sarutobi tightened his lips as he saw the predatory look in Danzo's eyes. Danzo however did not see the glare Sarutobi was giving him, his full attention was on the battle taking place as he continued. "A ninjutsu that makes one disappear from sight, a great weapon in itself. It's only flaw is that the technique could be defeated by detecting the ninja's chakra signature. If the demon container is given training in the silent skills, especially the technique of hiding one's chakra signature, he will be virtually undetectable."

Silent skills were the more polite term for assassin skills. Assassins were considered the elite killers of any ninja village, and Konoha had its share of them. The training of an assassin was harsher than that of a normal ninja, as the main objective of the training was to mold one into a true killer, instead of soldiers for hire like most ninjas were.

There was however no way that Sarutobi was going to let Danzo try to turn the child of the Fourth into a cold blooded killer. For one thing, that kind of mind set would be damaging to a child of Naruto's age. It was already bad enough that he was forced to add Naruto into the ninja corp before he became an adult. Even if Naruto was made a Konoha ninja, Sarutobi's intention was to keep the boy close by his side and not let the boy have any mission that deliberately seeks out a target to kill. At least not until he reached the age of twelve, the age where most hidden villages considered their children to be adults.

"This isn't the Mist village Danzo, nor is Konoha at war." Koharu said curtly, revealing that Sarutobi was not the only one outraged by Danzo's comments. "This is a time of peace. There's no need for Konoha to start training child assassins. The minimum age now for Genin is ten. We're already stretching the law in Naruto's case."

"But I can see merit in Danzo's suggestions." Homura remarked in a pondering voice. "Not in the area of training a child in the silent skills of course, but Naruto will definitely benefit from receiving training in hiding his chakra signature. The Eye is a powerful infiltration ninja is he not? It is possible that he did not pass all of his skills to Naruto. The search by the militia the previous night did not reveal any signs of The Eye. He might already be dead. If we give Naruto specialized training in infiltration, he can carry on the legacy of his teacher."

"Perhaps if Sarutobi is willing to give us a more complete description of The Eye other than some vague details, we might be able to have more eyes looking around, to see if The Eye had really perished after going up against Madara." Danzo said snidely, looking displeased at Sarutobi's unwillingness to share more information about The Eye. "But it is as Homura said, Naruto possesses some of the techniques of a powerful infiltration ninja, it will be in Konoha's interest to build up on those skills. It will also be in the interest of Konoha to get Naruto to share his invisibility technique with the rest of our ninjas."

"Whether Naruto wishes to share his techniques is up to him." Sarutobi said firmly. "No ninjas are required to reveal their secret techniques to others, especially in hidden villages like ours. But after what I've observed, Naruto definitely have the potential to be a Chunin, in terms of power and tactics. I will have promoted him to special Jonin based on his Wood Release specialization, if not for the fact that he is still young and definitely lacking in battle experience."

"That's true." Koharu said looking at the image on the crystal ball. Hayama had created Shadow Clones of his own and had unleashed a powerful Wind Release technique with his sword. The invisible Shadow Clones all around him had vanished into smoke. A solitary figure of Naruto lying on the grass a few feet away from Hayama and his clones concluded the battle. "I believe it is time to meet Hayama and young Naruto. The test seemed to be over. I seconded Sarutobi's opinion. Naruto should be made Chunin, he has the skills and capability for the rank. His mental maturity and combat experience might be lacking due to his age, but those are factors which we could cultivate."

"I agree with Koharu as well." Homura said as Danzo simply gave a nod. "It is a simple matter of finding the right teacher for Naruto, to give him a slightly more accelerated training program. That boy has potential."

"Then with all of you in agreement, I suppose it is time to greet our newest addition to Konoha's ninja corps." Sarutobi said as he canceled the Telescope technique and got up, with the village elders and Danzo following. Their hands flashed into the handseals for the Body Flicker technique and they vanished in a swirl of wind.


Naruto panted as he lay on the soft grass where he had been blasted away by Hayama's Wind Slash technique. It had hurt. Hayama had been able to detect him and his clones even when they were under cloak, much like how Madara and a few of the Uchiha traitor nins he had went up against last night had done. He had limited himself to fifty Shadow Clones in the fight and not using Sica to blind Hayama as a handicap, but even then, it was a testament to Hayama's skills that the Jonin was able to beat all of them, without Naruto having to deliberately loosen his guard.

Of course, the few Uchiha traitor Jonins and Chunins his clones had went up against the previous night had spent a day in the Anbu tower under torture. It was understandable that those traitor ninjas had not been fighting at their peak performance. But even then, the fact that Hayama was able to go up against Naruto and his fifty clones, even while they were spamming chakra intensive techniques, showed the difference in skills between Naruto and the Jonin.

The Hokage and the elders are on their way. Sica spoke up as Naruto pushed himself off the grass. They should be here... now.

Naruto looked up as old man Hokage appeared in front of him and Hayama who remained masked. The elderly figures of the village elders and Danzo also shimmered into view. A look of concern was on old man Hokage's face.

Time to act like an normal eight year old. Naruto thought wearily to himself as he screwed up his face. "Old man Hokage! What is going on? The... the man attacked me!"

"I am sorry Naruto, it was a test. We wanted to gauge your skills in a real combat situation. Please forgive this old man." The Hokage said as he kneed down in front of Naruto, straightening his clothes and checking over him. "Are you hurt anywhere Naruto? Were you injured?"

"I am fine." Naruto said puffing out his chest indignantly. "But why am I tested? And Teacher... did you find Teacher?"

Old man Hokage hesitated, an uncertain look in his eyes. "We're still looking Naruto. I'll let you know once I have any news. In the meantime, these people here are the village elders. We've discussed your actions last night and wanted to reward you for your help during the attack. That is why we tested you."

"Reward?" Naruto asked, opening his eyes wide.

"Yes reward." Old man Hokage said as he got up solemnly, taking something from his robes. "Naruto Uzumaki. Under the power vested in me as the Hokage, as well as the approval of the village elders, you are given a field promotion. You will now become a Chunin of Konoha, for your actions against Madara Uchiha yesterday night."

Hayama who was standing to the side stiffened in shock as the Hokage placed the Konoha headband on Naruto's head, his eyes wide in disbelief.

"I am a Chunin now?" Naruto said in surprise, awe on his face. "But what about the academy..."

"You will be released from the academy and will be apprenticed to a Jonin. You'll be taught all of the necessary ninja knowledge. Until your education is complete, you will not be participating in any Chunin level duties unless requested." Old man Hokage said simply. "You will also be answerable only to me or the village elders. Come Naruto, we can continue this conversation back in my office. There are things I need to brief you in regards to your special promotion..."


Hiashi took his seat in the village council room. As head of the Hyuga clan, which was one of Konoha's current prominent clans, his assigned area was only two seats away from the Hokage seat. In between them sat the current Senju acting clan head, a Jonin who served with Konoha's Hunter nins, and Koharu, one of the village elders. Opposite the table, Homura, the second village elder sat beside the Third. Two new faces however took up the Uchiha clan head position.

Hiashi recognized Shisui Uchiha, known for being one of the two prodigies born to the Uchiha clan in recent generations. The young man had even earned a place in the bingo books of other hidden villages as 'Shisui of the Body Flicker' famed for his near instantaneous Body Flicker technique. That he now sat in the Uchiha clan seat meant that the political situation within the clan must have changed. Behind Shisui stood Inoten Uchiha, a Jonin that Hiashi recognized as a classmate from the Ninja Academy a long time ago. Inoten seemed to be taking on an advisory role in the current meeting, as he stood rigidly behind the seat of the Uchiha clan head.

The council room was rapidly filling up with the other clan heads and civilian members. By now, news of the attack on the Anbu tower and the Uchiha clan by one of the most infamous ninja in Konoha history had spread across the village like wild fire. The village was also under lock down, and so it was not really surprising when The Third had called a council meeting to discuss the night's attack after things have settled down, especially since all the clans and civilians were in jitters if Madara Uchiha would suddenly reappear and attack them next.

Hiashi already had some of his clan members going about the village gathering intelligence about the current situation, but a briefing by the Third would probably reveal more than he could find out. The outcome of this meeting would also influence his decision whether to lessen up or increase the patrols in his clan compound.

The Third and the two village elders entered the council room, with Danzo, a prominent ninja who had a council seat, following. The four took their assigned positions, the Third looked down the table to ensure that all council members were present before nodding to the two Anbu beside the door. The two Anbu walked out of the room, closing the door behind them. A pulse of chakra from outside surrounded the room in a chakra bubble, sealing the room from any spying attempts.

"I am glad that all of you came once you've received my summons." The Third said in a grave voice as the room silenced and all turned to look at the leader of the village. "I am sure by now all of you have heard about last night's attack. Many ninjas from the various clans in Konoha also took part in the militia counterattack, so most of the clan heads probably have a good idea of what was going on. To get straight to the point, we've gathered all of the Uchiha traitors who were involved in last night's attack. They would be held in an undisclosed location for interrogation and trial at a later date. Unfortunately, Madara Uchiha had escaped from Konoha. The patrols and the reserve militia had been called up to do a full sweep on the village and he had not been found..."

"But he is Madara Uchiha! The man who according to history fought the First to a draw many times." One of the civilian council member spoke up in fear. "How can we really be sure he is still not in the village?"

"We can't... be a hundred percent certain." Koharu said in a waspish voice as she glared at the council member. "That's the reason why there are heavy patrols in the village and why Konoha is under lock down. The only thing we can do now is remain vigilant and recoup from our losses."

"What about our ninja strength?" Tsume of the Inuzuka clan asked. "A lot of the Anbu were dead or injured after the attack on the Anbu tower, that means a large portion of our Jonins are out of action."

"Homura, if you will brief the council on the village's strength right now?" The Third said with a sigh. Homura nodded, opening up a folder in front of him.

"39% of our Anbu task force were in the tower during the attack. 7 died during the attack, 18 are badly injured, 15 will recover within the week and resume active duties...

"Our active strength in Konoha, a total of the Elites, Militia and Reserves... Not counting those on border patrols... Jonin strength now number at 158... Chunin at 457... Genin at 676...

"Konoha Military Police Force is now 75% manned by Elites and Militia ninjas for the time being due to heavy Uchiha casualties after the attack last night..

"We're recalling all of our ninjas currently out on missions. They should arrive back within a week, bringing up our numbers..."

Hiashi sat quietly, listening and observing as the council descended into chaos. A few were asking if The Third was going to reinstate Wartime protocols for Konoha. Some questioned how Madara Uchiha remained alive for so long. Many were asking how the Third would deal with the threat of a Kage level ninja out for Konoha's blood. As Hiashi watched the Third expertly fielded and maneuvered the questions, his respect for the elderly ninja rose. He straightened however when Koharu called an end to the questions. His hackles rose at the looks in the eyes of the Third and the village elders. The gleam in Danzo's eyes also gave him a sense of unease, wondering what Koharu was about to say.

"... proceeding to the last item for today's meeting." Koharu was saying, her lips in a grim line. "By now you know of the actions of Shibi Aburame and Kakashi Hatake's teams who were placed to observe the Uchiha clan after the arrest of the Uchiha dissidents. These two teams were instrumental in saving a large number of Uchiha lives, albeit suffering heavy casualties to themselves...

"The Third in his foresight however placed a third secret team near the Uchiha clan during the attack... The source of the rumors about ninjas with Wood Release bloodlines... who had saved Uchiha clan members during the attack... This third team was the source of that... I would however need to reveal a village secret to do that..."

"I am sure most of you knew about the history with Orochimaru. He was one of the three Sanins, along with Tsunade and Jiraya. He was banished from Konoha after our ninja forces discovered that he was conducting illegal experiments on kidnapped children...

"... the village was told that only children were kidnapped and and only one survived... that's... the official story...

"... the truth was that Orochimaru had also kidnapped a Chunin who managed to survive... the experiment he was conducting was the implanting of the First Hokage's genes, in order to bestow on others the Wood Release bloodline... which I am sure most of you knew by now..."

"Orochimaru is nothing but a bloodline thief!" Natsu who was the acting Senju clan head seethed in anger. "Who is the Chunin that survive the experiment?"

"Calm yourself Natsu. Let me finish first before you all ask your questions." Koharu said in a fierce voice as the gathered council members erupted in exclamations of shock and accusation at the news.

"... as I was saying, the Chunin survived. He was trained in Wood Release techniques to get a better handle on his bloodline... Jiaraya personally took an interest in the young man and instructed him as well... He became a Jonin... It was thought he was one of the two Wood Release users in Konoha, until another was found with the bloodline... naturally..."

Koharu gave a stern look at Natsu Senju when he tried to open his mouth again. She continued on in a loud voice that carried across the room, cutting off whatever he wanted to say.

"This new Wood Release bloodline user was a child... It was believed that he might be descended from a distant Senju line... This child was an orphan and was taken in by the Third... he received training in Wood Release techniques under the only Jonin in Konoha with the Wood Release bloodline...

"The teacher and student duo were the third secret team sent to observe the Uchiha clan compound... Through the use of Shadow Clones, they managed to assist in saving those trapped beneath the rubble of the Anbu tower, they managed to rescue those under attack by the Uchiha dissidents... they also managed to halt Madara Uchiha until help could arrive...

"... the teacher was believed to perish in the attack... the student survived... he was given a special field promotion to Chunin with regards to his actions... The Third and us elders believed it was no longer necessary to hide the identity of Konoha's remaining Wood Release user...

"He is... Naruto Uzumaki..."

There was a pin drop silence. A few of the council members had their mouths wide open as they stared at Koharu in shock... and then chaos descended into the council room.


"... the village demon container has the Wood Release bloodline?" a voice cried out in disbelief and was buried by the loud masses of voices that followed.

"... Naruto Uzumaki... if he is really a pure blooded Uzumaki... the Uzumaki clan when it still exists used to be distant cousins to the Senju clan, its possible he might be descended from a Senju line..."

"... the Uchiha clan owed this child a blood debt it can never repay. We request to adopt Naruto Uzumaki into our clan..."

"Outrageous! The Wood Release bloodline belongs to the Senju clan! That Naruto Uzumaki awakens to the bloodline proves that he is descended from our clan! Hokage sama, the Senju clan wishes to adopt Naruto Uzumaki and take him back to his real descended clan..."

"... but he is the village demon container... he is a danger to all of us..."

"... you are just a civilian so I will forgive you for that slight... what that child has done for the Uchiha clan more than proved his worth to us... Hokage sama please let the Uchiha clan repay our debt to the boy!"

"Inoten Uchiha! That child belongs to the Senju clan! You will not fight us over this matter!..."

"Man... it's really turning into a shouting match in the council room." N5 said dryly as S5 relay the scanned conversations going on in the village council room, into his head.

"There's a 95% probability that Boss will be adopted into a prominent clan. A 100% confirmation that Boss will gain popularity through public announcement of his actions during the attack." Sica remarked. "I have analyzed the situation. The village elders most probably thought they could bind Boss closer to them by helping him gain good will of the villagers. The story they spin up also highlighted the fact that the Hokage and them were on the ball regarding security matters in Konoha. This cover which they wanted you to operate under would gain them serious political points."

N5 shook his head resignedly. As a clone of the Boss, he also have Boss' memories, in particular the memories of the time when old man Hokage had taken Boss back to the Hokage tower, with the village elders and Danzo following, to debrief him on his "secret assignment".

"... Naruto, we know of your tutorage under The Eye and what he had done to you. In respect to the Third, we'll keep The Eye's existence a secret. However many in the village were already asking about the Wood Release users that supposedly helped rescue those trapped in the Anbu tower and under attacked in the Uchiha clan... we believed it would not be wise to hide your existence in this situation... there's also the fact that people might question how you became Chunin when your rank becomes official..."

"... You would operate under a cover... This cover would be told to the public and you must keep it up at all times... This would be one of your first duty as a Konoha ninja..."

"In order to keep The Eye's existence a secret... we can't reveal to public that you gained your Wood Release bloodline through some artificial experiments... We will tell the public this instead... Listen carefully Naruto..."

And right after that little talk, when the village elders and Danzo had left, old man Hokage had given Boss another secret briefing.

"... Naruto, in order to protect The Eye, your teacher, I have to tell the elders that he was a student of a famous Konoha ninja... You must keep this a secret... This is to protect your teacher..."

"Manipulative bastards... and that includes old man Hokage as well." N5 said in disgruntlement. "All of them are just protecting their own interests. I can't believe old man Hokage will just follow along with their schemes and pull Boss along."

"Boss had similarly manipulated things in his own way, it is unfortunately the only way to keep certain things secret. From analysis of the Hokage's actions, he had done all he could to protect the interest of Boss without damaging his own power base." Sica revealed. "The main cause of this massive web of schemes was due to the action of the one named Danzo. He was the one that guided the village elders to a confrontation with the Third Hokage."

"Danzo... what do we know about him?" N5 asked.

"He was the leader of Root, an Anbu faction which the Third Hokage disbanded in recent years." Sica answered. "He was a powerful ninja and widely respected. There's talk of making him a village elder, though the notion had not yet come to pass."

"Root? What is that?" N5 asked in interest.

"Root was a Konoha Anbu subdivision founded by Danzo. They carried out missions that might be less than respectable, espionage, assassinations and terrorism to name a few. Certain agents had went rogue, nearly causing international incidents, and that was what forced the Third to shut down the subdivision." Sica said as it shifted through the data it had scanned from the Konoha archives in the past.

"Really... and Danzo's the leader of such an organization. Seems like Boss' instinct was right. This guy need to be watched." N5 said with a grimace.

"A clone is already on standby and will follow Danzo after the council meeting is over." Sica remarked.

N5 grinned. "I wonder what dirt Boss can dig up this time..."


It was night fall by the time the council broke up, several members still gathered outside the Hokage tower arguing in loud voices, a few were trying to prevent a fight from breaking out. N17 paid them no mind however as he moved from his position on a roof of Konoha's bank, trailing after a solitary figure that exited the Hokage tower.

The figure made his way deeper into the warehouse district of Konoha, a place that was virtually deserted at night. However, hidden under cloak, N17 was secured in the knowledge that he could follow undiscovered, trailing closely behind the man.

He was therefore startled when Danzo suddenly vanished... and then the man reappeared right in front of him, punching through his cloak. N17 gave a cry of alarm as Danzo wrestled his hands behind his back, immobilizing him.

"My, my... what have we here?" Danzo said as he looked down in amusement at the alarmed face of N17. "It seemed that you are not as innocent as Sarutobi thought. Isn't that right Naruto Uzumaki? Creeping around in the night... The Eye probably taught you more than you had showed Sarutobi. Impressive thinking and training for someone your age. Definitely Infiltration ninja material."

N17 kept silent. He was helpless right now with his hands forced behind him, unable to do any handseals. But whatever Danzo was going to do to him, Boss would get his memories when he dispel.

"After seeing your little trick this morning. I thought it was prudent to get a sense of my surroundings wherever I go just in case. It was a lucky thing this old warhawk's instinct remained as sharp as ever. Chakra Sensors came in different levels of capabilities my dear little Naruto, I am one of the rare few that could sense one's chakra even if they were not actively using ninjutsu or genjutsu." Danzo said with a laugh that sent chills down N17's spine. "You're such a wonderful little specimen. With the proper training, you can become Konoha's most valuable asset. You interest me greatly boy. I'll have you one way or another."

N17 shivered and began struggling fiercely at Danzo's words. The gleam in the older man's eyes, the way his hands were forced behind him... Oh god he was in the hands of a pervert! Sica help!

"Still keeping silent eh... Could it be that you're just a Shadow Clone?" Danzo said looking at N17 who was now struggling wildly in his grasp, N17's eyes were wide in alarm. A blaze of light suddenly came into being in front of Danzo's eyes, blinding him. In pain and shock, Danzo released N17.

Quickly taking the opportunity he had, N17 immediately body flickered away. Only the instructions from Boss prevented him from actually fleeing all the way home or simply dispelling. Instead he body flickered until he was a mile away from Danzo, keeping the man just within Sica's scanning range. He had no idea how ninjas with high level sensor training actually sense other chakra sources, but Danzo would not be able to scan him if he was a mile apart... right?

S17's scan picked up Danzo's words as he recovered, and transmitted those words directly into N17's mind.

"That's certainly interesting... Naruto Uzumaki... I will make you my tool... one way or another..."

Dread settled in N17's stomach as he continued following Danzo a mile apart, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"Get Boss to send a replacement soon." N17 plead to S17. "I don't want to follow a pervert who likes little boys, to wherever he's going!"


Author's Note: A big thank you to everyone who reviewed my story. I really appreciate all those feedbacks and comments, they really motivate me. I am sorry I couldn't reply all of you, but I actually visited the profile pages of most of you ;) I am a big reader of fanfiction, and always thought that people who reviewed my story will have roughly the same preference in stories as me, so I always like to check out the favorite stories of you guys.

Anyway, I am trying to keep up my pace of update. So I hope you guys enjoy this latest installment to this story. :) I am also looking for beta readers. So for those interested, please let me know. I'll probably open up a forum thread and post future unbetaed chapters there for constructive beta and criticism. PM me for those interested ^^ It'll take a while to set up the thread though, I am still working on the next chapter.