Disclaimer: Here we are for the thirteenth time with me admitting that I own diddly squat. Sure it is demoralizing but here I am trucking on!
Naruto Uchiha: The Prophet with the Cursed Eyes
Akatsuki Hideout
Nine spectral figures gathered around a large, open cavern each not uttering a single word to the other. With a closer inspection you could see that the nine phantom figures were standing on the tips of large fingers with only the little finger on the left hand lacking a presence on it. Soon each finger began to glow with before a black kanji came to life one after one on the fingers. The right thumb glowed with word Zero (零). Next was the right index finger that glowed with the words Green, Blue (青). The right middle finger's kanji came up next and it was for the word White (白). The next kanji was the kanji that was on the right ring finger and it showed Scarlet (朱). The right little finger glowed with the sign associated with the boar (亥).
The left little finger did not light up with the rest due to the lack of a spectral figure on the finger. The next finger that was lit up was the left ring finger and that one was displaying the word South (南). The left middle finger came up next and it was glowing with the kanji for North (北). The left index came next and was showing off the kanji for Three (三). Finally the left thumb ended the series of kanji with Ball (玉). Each person was dressed in robes similar to those of Karento and Deidara's despite the color being faded from the technique used to create the projections.
The figure on the right thumb whose eyes were closed finally opened them to stare at the shinobi on the finger with Scarlet glowing. There for all other eight members to see was the ripple pattern that spread across each eye. This was known as the greatest of all dojutsu, the Saṃsāra Eye or the Rinnegan. Karento did his best to not shift under the eyes belonging to the Sage of Six Paths which took a great amount of willpower. Deidara glanced at his partner inwardly relieved that he wouldn't be on the receiving end of that dreadful glare this day.
"Why have you failed your mission?" The man with Rinnegan asked irritability seeing as how their plan to seal two of the Biju at once had failed with the failure of the mission. Failure was not something he wanted to become a regularity. The Akatsuki needed to be precise and clean not botching any of the chances they had to obtain a Jinchuuriki. The Rinnegan wielder had specifically sent Deidara and his partner to retrieve the Five Tails because of the explosives user's knowledge of the Land of Earth. The man looked at Karento with expectation that the excuse that he had come up with was certainly a good one. He hoped so for their sake.
"We ran into unforeseen circumstances Pain-sama that caused use to lose the trail of the Gobi and It container Han." Karento replied evenly his nervousness around the leader of the Akatsuki off set by the irritation of losing to Mihawk; badly, not that he'd admit that. It was a blow to his pride to be dismissed by Mihawk like he was then to be beaten handily only made the feeling grow.
"What kind of circumstance could take precedent over obtaining one of the Biju?" A firm, feminine voice asked in place of Pain. This was Pain's childhood friend who was with the Akatsuki organization since its founding Konan. Her loyalty belonged to Pain and she felt that this failure was almost as if they had failed Pain himself. The idea of which was blasphemous to the kunoichi.
"The two of us ran into another team of two S-rank shinobi, Mihawk Dracule and Itachi Uchiha. The two were working in collusion and seemed to know at least something about us and they stepped in to try and stop us. You called us here mid fight." Karento informed the other Akatsuki members with a scowl.
"Mihawk Dracule and Itachi Uchiha?" An excited voice asked with a small, appreciative whistle at the prospect of that kind of duo. "That sounds like a whole different kind of two headed monster to me. Sasori we really should try to visit those two?" A large man asked his partner with a large, shark like grin on his face.
A frame that was spherical in shape and possibly hunched over gave a small grunt when he heard the question that was asked of him. "Kisame you are the same battle maniac as always but yes I would love an Uchiha puppet to use as art." Sasori's voice was gruff and very deep compared to those who had spoken thus far.
"Hmm both of those men have quite the pretty bounty placed on their heads perhaps I could pay a visit to the two?" A voice that not quite as deep as Sasori's added with his voice becoming filled with glee when he mentioned the bounties of Itachi and Mihawk. Almost as if money was the driving force behind his life.
"Fuck you and your money Kakuzu. Why the fuck am I paired with this heathen when he would make such a better sacrifice to Jashin-sama?" A figure shouted very loudly with a scythe strapped to his back. Around his neck was a circle with an upside down triangle within the circle.
Pain had, had enough with the useless chatter within his members about their different hobbies and passions. It wasn't helping them with their sealing of Yonbi and therefore it was unnecessary. "That is enough! From now on if anyone of you happen to cross paths with those two while out on your missions you are to eliminate them. This also means we will need to be more cautious with our activities. For now focus on finishing on sealing the Yonbi."
The other eight members uttered a 'yes Leader-sama' in unison before falling silent focusing on sealing the Four Tails into the giant humanoid statue they were standing on. In the silence a number of the members looked at the elderly man with red hair, beard and moustache dressed in a long red sleeved shirt and pants with mesh armor underneath, the soon to be deceased, former Jinchuuriki of the Four Tails Roshi of the Lava Release.
Konohagakure
Naruto stood there staring distastefully at the Hokage's Mansion with his cool blue eyes and dressed in his clothing from the Chunin Exams. Now that he was fully recovered there was now time to deal with the Council and their infinite wisdom. Naruto was not staring at the Mansion of the Hokage distastefully due to any of kind theological disagreement or anything on that level he looked at the building the way he did because it was where the council was no doubt waiting. The Chunin Exams Winner could already recite the questions he was going to be asked by the fools residing there. In their safety blanket of the council the fools had become predictable and boring.
Naruto figured that if he was being called upon immediately after the Chunin Exams which were his personal coming out party so to speak then there were three likely parties responsible for this. Homura, Koharu, and Danzo three advisors from back in the Sandaime's reign each of which was said to love Konoha just as much as Hiruzen yet the way they went about it was shady at best. Naruto was pretty confident that they would try to pressure and manipulate the laws into making him some sort of weapon or breeding stock to serve the village. And if there was one thing that Naruto wouldn't be it was manipulated.
Naruto strolled into the front of the building his whole person emitting a cool confidence that had a few people deciding against addressing him. The few people working who were going to say something swallowed down their words nervously when they saw the electric blue eyes that seemed to be staring right through them. Naruto allowed himself to wear the faintest of smirks to come past his face seeing he was starting to earn respect even if it was out of fear. Naruto walked to the doors of the council chambers and gave the door a momentary glance before entering the room where a number of annoyances were present.
Naruto cast an observatory glance across the room going over each of the clan heads followed by the three advisors and finally the five civilian council members. Naruto restrained himself from giving the civilians the leers they were shooting his way. He had no desire to give them any ammunition to use against him which no doubt would lead to proof of his demonhood. Naruto's azure eyes drifted towards his father with a look of apathy seeing he had the look of Hokage on his face instead of a father. "You called for my presence Hokage-sama?" Naruto asked levelly ignoring the council for the most part.
"Yes Naruto. Due to your performance in the latest Chunin Exams the council has some questions they would like to ask you." Minato spoke seriously but he had none of these questions that he spoke of so he remained silent. Naruto nodded and turned to face the council with a stark disinterest. Koharu posed the first question of this council session.
"When did you awaken the Sharingan?" The question was blunt and showed no respect something Naruto had expected. The decrepit, old fossil was nothing but predictable and Naruto assumed that there would be a follow up question meant to snare him into being put under their thumb. Naruto closed his eyes and when he opened them Naruto showed off his fully matured Sharingan.
"I came upon these eyes during my time outside of the village's walls." Naruto spoke calmly his eyes looking past the old woman at the wall behind her, blatantly. The woman frowned but if it was because of his answer of his actions was not determinable. The civilians had to bite their lower lip to detain from defaming the Uchiha Jinchuuriki.
"What did you do during this time that awakened the Uchiha's bloodline?" Homura asked sternly looking at the teen the stood at front of them completely at ease. The elderly man frowned at the confidence the boy was showing it was too unfounded it his opinion and it could spell trouble in the future.
"I will not be divulging my activities during that time seeing as how I was not an active shinobi in Konoha's system." Naruto spoke evenly as he glanced at the male who had posed the question with an almost dismissive glance. Homura's brow twitched slightly at the refusal Naruto had given to him but he was beaten to responding by an outburst of a civilian.
"Silence boy! You are lucky to even be standing here so stop being difficult and answer the questions of the council!" The man shouted down at Naruto wisely avoiding the word demon that would have only brought him a swift death. The man was well into his life and was dressed lavishly. Naruto glanced at the civilian parasite with his Sharingan spinning menacingly while his lips gave no facial expression.
"You civilian are lucky to even be here considering this is clearly a matter between shinobi. It would be wise for you to sit down and silence yourself before I do it for you." Naruto spoke firmly while directing a small dose of Killing Intent at the man that made Naruto look like he was wearing the mask of the Shinigami.
Hiruzen who was sitting at the seat for the Sarutobi clan looked at Naruto and shivered slightly as he had a flashback of the times he had met Madara Uchiha. That man was able to inspire fear with his glance all the while looking completely bored much like Naruto was doing just now. 'Now that I think about it his hair style is very much like that of Madara's all he is missing is that armor.'
"Then why not tell the Hokage of your Sharingan when you came back to the village for service Naruto-san?" Inoichi Yamanaka the clan head of the Yamanaka asked curiously giving Naruto a pleasant surprise with how respectfully he had addressed him. Naruto looked at the man who leaned back into his seat when his eyes made contact with Naruto's Sharingan.
"During my time away from the village the Uchiha were slaughtered what was to stop the same thing from happening to me?" Naruto asked rhetorically his eyes surveying the room without his head moving. Naruto ignored the skeptical looks he was getting Hiashi and some of the other clan heads.
Internally Shikaku the clan leader of the Nara was smirking at how Naruto had played the situation. It was obviously a lie considering just who his parents were but it was constructed in such a way that it could easily be considered a truthful explanation. The Nara clan head who was a very perceptive man realized just how dangerous Naruto could be. That brought a smile on to Shikaku's face.
"May I ask that you tell us of where your Uchiha blood comes from Naruto-san?" Shibi Aburame the Aburame clan head was a man not to be swayed by emotional appeals but rather cold hearted logic and factual statements. Naruto looked at the man and wondered if all Aburame wore glasses and hid their faces behind overly large trench coats.
"I am afraid I cannot Shibi-san seeing as that would be a clan secret." Naruto replied defiantly using the excuse of it being a clan secret to hide the fact that he and Itachi had yet to determine the answer to that question. He didn't need to tell this power grab of a council that however.
Koharu's face twisted up in agitation seeing how this boy had not given them anything thus far despite the things they already knew. He was being vague and gave no details which annoyed her to no end. It was this culmination of factors that lead to her angry outburst which was directed at Naruto. "We are the council boy! You will answer the questions of your superiors and you will do it satisfactorily!"
Surprisingly it was not Naruto who responded to her demand but when he realized just who responded on his behalf it was no longer really that surprising. "Watch yourself advisor. What you are demanding is an Uchiha clan secret and will set a dangerous precedent for all of the clans." Mikoto spoke heatedly taking up Naruto's defense getting the teen to crack a smile in gratitude seeing how she played along.
Koharu seeing that all of the clan heads nodded their head with the Uchiha Matriarch's words backed down but she was still wearing a prominent frown. Kushina cleared her throat getting the eyes of her son to snap towards her. The Uzumaki woman decided now was the time to get the answer to the question she posed in the hospital room.
"Naruto I would like to ask you about the Fuinjutsu technique you used during your second match in the exams." Kushina spoke calmly looking at her son directly to try and find any sign of anything. Unfortunately for her Naruto's body showed nothing but a stoic visage like nothing could bother or fluster him.
"Tell me do you know what makes an Uzumaki clan head?" Naruto wondered aloud seemingly had to disregard Kushina's question but Kushina knew that Naruto kept his word over anything else so she wasn't bothered by his own question. Kushina leaned back into her chair and her eyes closed trying to remember what Mito Uzumaki had told her so long ago.
Minato and all the other shinobi on the council looked over at the red headed woman curious as to what the answer was themselves. Kushina's eyes suddenly flipped open and she let out a small gasp at the implications of Naruto's question. Her son couldn't be the Uzumaki clan head when she wasn't it wouldn't make sense. The room all looked at Kushina curiously except for Naruto as he waited for his mother to verbally connect the dots for the rest of the room who were clearly waiting anxiously. "Y-You're the Uzumaki clan head, Naruto-kun?" She asked her voice trembling slightly in shock.
Naruto didn't answer that either instead the young Uchiha took one step back away from the large desk. Naruto took his deep blue vest off along with his chain mesh underneath leaving his torso bare shocking the room with his brash actions. Naruto brought his hand up to his heart where an Uzumaki swirl was resting on his skin. Naruto spoke like he was reading from an old scroll or tome. "The Uzumaki swirl over the heart of an Uzumaki shows the sign of the current clan head and can't be removed until the clan head names a successor or dies."
"But how… I visited the ruins of Uzu and I couldn't access the main chamber even with my entire prowess in the art of sealing. How did you get in when even your mother couldn't get in?" Kushina asked watching as Naruto redressed himself and regard her with a bored stare directed at her. The woman did her best not to shy away from her son's Sharingan stare but returned it with a determined one.
"The Uzumaki clan was a clan not only known for their phenomenal skill in Fuinjutsu but also for their love for those around them. The clan head of the Uzumaki is a person whose heart is strong but also holds the most love in it. It is my heart that met those requirements and granted me access to the main chamber." Naruto spoke calmly drawing in even Minato in the short but informative tale of the clan long lost. Most of the shinobi found themselves admiring the goals of the Uzumaki and could only imagine if they remained thriving in this age.
Danzo who had remained silent throughout the entire council session was staring at Naruto with no small amount of intensity. The shinobi in front of him came from two prestigious clans that despite their weakened, almost nonexistent state held no small amount of potential. The secret commander of ROOT knew he couldn't take the boy because he had become too visible in Konoha but he could use the boy for the betterment of Konoha. There could be no way that Naruto would turn down his proposition since it could be considered a dream to many a person. All he needed to do was offer it.
"Seeing as Naruto possesses the blood of both the Uchiha clan and Uzumaki clan I recommend that we put him under the Clan Restoration Act. This way we can strengthen both clans and maybe combine them if possible." Danzo spoke calmly looking at Naruto with his one good eye seeing if the boy would give him any kind of useable reaction. Naruto stared up at the war hawk and the two were engaged in a battle of wills.
Danzo and Naruto both missed the dangerous looks in the eyes of Kushina and Mikoto directed at the Shimura as they stared each other down. Minato and Hiruzen were able to keep a much more neutral look but it was clear they didn't like the idea either, just when it looked as if someone would speak on his behalf Naruto answered.
"No."
Koharu looked down at Naruto if such a thing was possible with a smug smirk on her face almost as if Naruto's answer was pathetic. Naruto didn't seem to notice the look on her face because he didn't find her worth any of his attention. "You have no choice in this boy. This is an order from the council! We practically own you." The word choice earned her frowns from the shinobi and smirks from the civilians.
Naruto had to resist the urge to roll his eyes at the foolish woman who was clearly drunk with her own power. Then again he knew that it would only make this next part all the more enjoyable. "You do not have a choice in the matter. I am the clan head of the Uzumaki and as such I come from a clan that did not originate in Konohagakure. You have no power to hold a foreign clan head to your laws. It is only because that there was no real clan head that you are allowed to remain using the swirl on your uniforms in the first place."
Danzo and Homura glared down at Naruto who continued to try and successfully defy them at every turn. Danzo was sure that Naruto would accept what he was offering to him but the Uchiha had proven to be abnormal. The teen was offered an assortment of women for him to indulge himself in yet he had basically said that he had no interest in that. Danzo's hand clutched his cane tightly because that unpredictability meant he was dangerous.
"Naruto is right about that. Even though he has the blood of an Uchiha his position as the clan head of the Uzumaki supersedes the Uchiha part. We hold nothing over Naruto." Hiruzen spoke with experience having read over the act that Hashirama had created many times during his time as the Hokage. Naruto said nothing and only nodded glad that he wouldn't have to explain himself any further.
The lone woman on the civilian council sent a cruel smirk towards Naruto who remained stoic as usual. Naruto could see the gears turning in her more than likely hate filled mind and waited for her sure fire way to try and screw him over. "Then why are we keeping the Uzumaki in the village walls when he could be a threat to our safety?" The woman asked implying that perhaps Naruto should be exiled.
Naruto mentally congratulated the woman for putting a half way decent proposition on the table instead of an irrational piece of garbage. Naruto looked at the woman with a bored expression; the only thing on his face that was moved was one of his eyebrows. "You speak as if I am afraid of being banished from this village?"
Minato's normally welcoming blue eyes hardened where he saw this was going and he was certain that he wasn't going to lose his son just because a civilian who shouldn't even be present couldn't shut her mouth. "That's enough! We will not be banishing or kicking my son out of the village and that's final! Now then is there anything else that needs to be discussed before this meeting is closed?"
To the surprise of nearly everyone that was gathered it was Naruto who had spoken when the final call was given. "Yes I have something I would like to bring up. There was a girl named Fu who tried to break into my apartment complex which in essence is the Uzumaki compound…"
"That girl is Taki's Jinchuuriki…" Homura spoke up cutting off Naruto from making the point he wanted to make. Something Naruto did not find amusing if the glare he leveled the elder man with was any indication. The glare silenced the elder who could see how irritated Naruto was but said nothing afraid the Uzumaki might lash out at him then deal with the consequences.
"As I was saying before the annoying interruption I caught Fu trying to break into my complex where there are things that are sensitive to my clan. It is for that reason that I thought it would be wise to inform you that I would be detaining her personally." Naruto's agitation quickly faded back into northing more than a neutral drawl. Throughout the entire point Naruto was staring at The Yellow Flash whose was the only opinion that mattered.
"We can't take Taki's Jinchuuriki! They have been our allies for decades if we were to take their weapon they would surely retaliate!" Koharu screeched out indignantly getting a nod from Homura. Danzo showed nothing since having the Seven Tails in Konoha would definitely be a power boost but it could also cause more problems than it was worth in the end.
"Is it not the law that if an intruder is caught breaking into the compound of any clan currently residing in Konoha that the clan leader has the express right to either detain or execute the perpetrator, Hiashi-san?" Naruto spoke looking at the stoic clan head of the Hyuga whose eyes narrowed upon being addressed.
The Hyuga patriarch knew the incident that Naruto was referring to but wondered how Naruto knew about that since it happened when he was five. Could he have possibly prepared that much, which were the Hyuga's thoughts. When Hinata was five a representative from Kumo came to the village to create a treaty but that was only a cover to try and steal the Byakugan and to do so he tried to kidnap Hinata. He managed to catch up to the man and instead of detaining the man he killed him swiftly. Hiashi nodded his head slightly not once losing his composure. "That is correct."
"I am choosing to take the girl as a slave if you will instead of killing her. That is my choice." Naruto spoke calmly despite the foul taste that was left in his mouth from calling Fu a slave. That was another thing Naruto loathed about politics; he hated having to speak like a drone without the ability to speak normally.
"Very well I will send a letter to the leader in Taki explaining the situation. That is the end of this meeting." Minato spoke behind his laced together fingers allowing the councilors to get out of the stuffy room. Minato looked at his son sadly just from the thought of him taking a slave, it wasn't right.
"Oh and from now on I am either to be called Naruto Uchiha or Naruto Uzumaki." With that Naruto disappeared in a Wind Shunshin and the only thing Minato saw as he left was the charm Narumi had bought for Naruto was the charm with the initials U.N.
Naruto was sitting across from Mikoto with the woman glaring holes into Naruto's skull while he looked sheepish at the woman he saw as his true mother. Naruto knew that as soon as she got a hold from him he was in for a scolding so her Sharingan glare was not so bad compared to what he thought he was going to get. He expected she would be angry at him for holding out on the Sharingan but he had his reasons and hopefully she would understand that. That didn't stop Naruto from sighing in relief when Mikoto finally let her Sharingan recede back into her natural, dark eyes
"Naruto, why didn't you tell me that you had the Sharingan, and don't bother trying to say that you just got it because I know a fully matured Sharingan when I see one." Mikoto scolded Naruto sternly which he responded to by staring at her determinedly. Mikoto sighed internally when she saw that look that he would give her back in his childhood. It was that look that told her Naruto would not back down from this.
"I didn't come to you with this because it would be easier to keep you safe if you didn't know about it." Naruto spoke with a voice full of conviction as his blue eyes stared right in to Mikoto's black ones. There was no doubt in the Uzumaki clan head's mind that he had made the right choice in doing so.
Mikoto didn't move a muscle as she continued to stare at her surrogate son trying to find anything in his facial features but there was nothing, just like Itachi. She knew that it wasn't because Naruto didn't trust her. He did it to protect her and she understood that but it was still frustrating to be left in the dark. "Why… I could have helped you try and figure out why there is Uchiha blood inside of you in the first place."
Naruto smiled a genuine smile when he heard the care inside of Mikoto's soft voice glad that she hadn't changed having to deal with Sasuke for so long. Naruto shook his head softly with a small smile getting a frown from the older Uchiha. "I don't think you could have Mikoto-chan. Itachi-sensei and I visited a number of old Uchiha hideouts he used during his ANBU days and we couldn't find anything. And this way I could keep you out of the cross fire in case I let something slip." Naruto added on kindly getting a small smile from Mikoto, who was glad to see Naruto still had that caring side.
Mikoto shook her head in amusement with a small giggle getting Naruto to turn his head to the side in curiosity. Mikoto waved Naruto's questioning look off with a small wave from her hand as she reigned in her laughter. Looking at Naruto she gave the boy a large smile that he returned on a smaller scale. "Fine I understand why you did what you did. From now on however I want to promise me that you will not keep things like that from me!"
Naruto's frowned slightly when Mikoto assertively badgered him into promising her to be more open. "But…"
"I said promise me Naru-kun!" Mikoto exclaimed firmly getting Naruto to curse internally at his need to fulfill his words. He wasn't sure why he was intrinsically motivated to keep promises since he was sure that he was the only Uchiha that was like that. Then Naruto cursed himself for being so different since it made things more difficult.
"Fine I promise I won't keep the big things from you anymore." Naruto relented with a defeated sigh getting Mikoto to smile victoriously. Naruto smiled when he saw her smile knowing he couldn't deny his mother figure for too long before he caved. But that was okay for him since she was one of his precious people.
"Now then you can tell me why you plan on taking that young girl as a slave instead of letting her return home." Mikoto spoke with an overly sweet smile that told Naruto if he gave her the wrong answer then he would be in a world of pain. That danger registered with Naruto immediately making him wave his hands in defense furiously. Seeing that the smile did not fade away Naruto swallowed down the nervous feeling that only a few people could instill in him. Naruto remembering just what Fu told him about her past became serious something Mikoto noticed and looked at Naruto in worry.
"I didn't meet Fu by chance. When I reached the tower in the Second Stage I overheard her teammates calling her a demon and things of that nature. So I went to talk to her and her story wasn't a happy one. She wasn't beaten like I was but instead she was completely isolated by everyone in Taki. She didn't have someone like you taking care of her like you did for me. We came up with this plan and that slave part is just a cover so I can keep her near me and give her a friend." Naruto's eyes iced over giving them a cool, determination that Mikoto knew all too well.
At first mention of this idea of a slave at the council meeting Mikoto was going to go out of her way to correct that sideways form of thinking but she wanted to give Naruto a chance to explain himself. Now hearing his reasoning she couldn't be more proud of the little boy she knew all those years ago that was becoming a fine man.
"I think you are getting soft Naru-kun. I knew that tough guy act was all for show." Mikoto said happily getting a small tick mark to form on Naruto's forehead. Mikoto saw it and giggled into her hand having missed being able to tease the young man across from her. "Yup just one big old softie…"
"Hey!"
Naruto in the aftermath of talking with Mikoto about everything that has happened around him trudged back into his apartment complex drained of all his energy. Naruto opened the door and found his 'slave' seated on his couch watching television. She gave Naruto a bright smile and the two talked for about a half of an hour about what happened in Naruto's day.
Naruto was about to stand up head to his bedroom where he could rest and hopefully recharge his batteries after that dull meeting with the council. The talk with Mikoto wasn't as bad but he was still drained from before that so he was still feeling a bit tired. Naruto smiled at the thought of getting some meaningful sleep.
Just before Naruto could take a step away Fu tugged on his arm forcefully forcing him to take the seat next to her on the couch. Fu glanced up at him with her orange eyes and gave him a brilliant smile. "C'mon Naruto-kun you could at least relax and watch some television with me!"
Naruto looked down at her at couldn't find himself able to deny the woman her request and relented with a quick nod and a small grin. Fu cheered a quietly getting a chuckle from Naruto who got comfortable. Fu wrapped her arms around Naruto's arm and leaned her head on his shoulder obviously getting comfortable herself.
The pair watched any and everything until the sun went down when Naruto felt the need to get up and stretch before going to bed. Looking down at his shoulder he saw that Fu was already asleep with a small smile on her face. Naruto decided against waking her up after a few moments of deliberation.
In the end Naruto just brushed off her actions as her need for some form of emotional support from her only friend. Naruto was unaware that the feelings were anything more than those of friendship. Naruto looked up to the roof of his apartment complex before leaning his head back into his couch.
'I guess this is comfortable enough.' Naruto thought contently as his eyes slowly closed and he faded into the land of slumber with Fu sleeping happily on his shoulder. It was quite the scene for the third party Suisei who was watching from the balcony.
"You called for me?"
Naruto asked as he looked at his father who was calmly seated behind his desk looking straight back at Naruto. Naruto was dressed in his blue vest with the trident separating the two clan emblems. Lower body equipped with black shinobi pants and Twilight clipped on a sword belt around his waist Naruto was geared up and ready for his first mission as a Chunin of the Village Hidden in the Leaves. Minato nodded his head slowly and thumbed through a stack of papers, nodding when he found the piece of paper he was looking for. Handing the paper over to his son Minato spoke.
"Yes I did Naruto. You have been called to take this mission." Minato began before waiting for his son to read over the parameters of his first mission as a team leader. Naruto's eyebrow rose almost up to his hair line as he finished going over everything in the report with his deep, blue pools. Minato began once more now that he had the Chunin's full attention. "You are being assigned a team to deal with the elimination of the Fuma Clan." Minato spoke seriously getting Naruto to nod in acceptance having already read over what the goal of the mission was.
"As you have read the request comes from Sunagakure who has been having issues with the Fuma as of late. Before, Suna could finish the job the Fuma clan fled to the Land of Rivers before settling in a new compound inside of the Land of Fire to escape their persecution. We can't have too many Suna Nin running around uncheck in the area even if they are our allies. That is why we are sending you and a team to take care of things quietly." Minato said looking right at his son who didn't seem to even be bothered by what he was saying to him.
"Suna is asking us to finish what they started but couldn't finish themselves. I doubt they told you what the Fuma clan did that warrants elimination but that probably doesn't matter at this point. Did Suna send a team that I need to work in tandem with?" If Naruto was being honest he knew that could be a problem. Having to deal with a Suna nin or two that would have more experience meant he would have to deal with them trying to usurp his authority. Then much to Naruto's surprise the Hokage shook his negatively. Naruto was left baffled by the choice Suna had made.
"No Suna will not be an active participant in this mission according to the Kazekage though he did not specify why. If I had to make a guess it is probably because they are fearful of what may happen if they operate in a foreign land. They are still recovering from the last war." Minato spoke speculatively as he looked at Naruto who didn't offer any insight on the subject he was not knowledgeable in. Naruto was simply surprised that Suna would allow Konoha to deal with one of their clans on their own, something the Konoha council would never allow. Hell would freeze over before that could happen.
"That is intriguing that Suna would let us handle such a delicate manner alone without their supervision." Naruto mused aloud getting Minato to frown but nod his head along with his son's train of thought. Naruto looked back at his father when it looked like the man had something to say in response to his harmless musings.
"Why is that so surprising? We are their only allies as of the moment so it is only natural that they rely on us every now and then." Minato said optimistically a clear contrast from his son's natural cynicism. Naruto looked at his father with an arched eyebrow saying 'do you really believe that'.
Naruto shook his head in disagreement with what the village's Kage had just said finding himself to be thinking the exact opposite. "A treaty is just as sturdy as the paper that it is written on. Don't think for a second that Suna wouldn't stab us in the back if they had enough incentive to do so."
Before Minato could respond to Naruto's grim assessment of what village cooperation was the doors to the office opened up and in walked three shinobi. Naruto and Minato both looked at the shinobi of Team Nine. None of the elder Genin looked any different from how they were at the Chunin Exams. Once the three Genin got over the shock of seeing Naruto standing in front of them their emotions returned back to normal. Neji looked as serious as ever, TenTen looked both friendly but ready to go and Lee well he looked like he was ready to explode at any moment.
Naruto hoped to keep the mentions of youth as low as possible during this mission, his first. Turning around Naruto gave each of his subordinates a keen once over getting their bodies to straighten up. "Report to the gate in an hour and don't be late." Naruto ordered getting three nods from Team Nine before they left just as quickly as they came.
Naruto turned back to face his father with a blank look on his face but he did narrow his eyes at the man. "Are they aware of the mission I am taking them on?" Naruto asked suspiciously and groaned when he saw that Minato shook his head negatively. Naruto's eyes narrowed even further hiding most of his blue irises.
"Have they ever killed anyone?" Naruto spoke his voice growing ever more irritated with the situation his father had given to him. He couldn't possibly have given him an elimination mission with a team shinobi who have yet to end a life. Naruto suddenly doubted that statement when he saw his father's eyes widen like he just remembered something.
Minato regained his composure and gave Naruto a serious stare showing just why he could lead a village like Konoha. Naruto resisted the urge to groan and the huge overlooking of how Team Nine had completed their missions. "No… no I don't believe Gai has had them kill any bandits or shinobi as of yet."
"You have to be kidding! You want me to do an elimination mission with a group of shinobi who haven't killed yet. That is something their Sensei should have done long ago. And I don't want to hear about how Konoha is morally above something like that." Naruto ranted more than rightfully annoyed by the handicaps he had been dealt. "What do I do if they refuse to kill the Fuma?"
Minato didn't reprimand his shinobi for the outburst because he had forgotten to check on the Genin to see if they had taken a live yet. Sadly, that was the best Minato could do for his son at this point in time. It is true that this would usually be a mission for a group of Chunin but with the mission traffic from the Chunin Exams this was the best they had. "If they refuse to follow out with the mission objective then tell them they will be on house arrest for three months and not even Gai will be able to do anything about it. My orders."
That gave Naruto reason to smile since he figured there would be objections about the mission but this meant one less thing for him to deal with. "Hai, Hokage-sama."
"Oh and Naruto when I say elimination I mean it. Make sure no one in that settlement survives." Minato spoke seriously giving Naruto the cruel but necessary command getting a dutiful nod from the Uzumaki clan head.
Underneath Konohagakure
Danzo stood in front of a mirror as he looked into the glass where his reflection met him with an equally serious expression. Only what Danzo was seeing was something very different from the reality of the situation he was in. The Danzo in the mirror was with one crucial addition and that was with the hat belonging to the Hokage settled on his head with a satisfied smile on his time withered face. Then just like someone had broken him from a Genjutsu Danzo was left looking back at reality, a reality where he was still in the shadows. Bringing his hand over the side of his face that was not bandaged Danzo scowled.
'Damn you Hiruzen! Damn you Minato! You stole Konoha from me and stopped it from becoming the dominant force in the world! And now I am relegated here to the shadows while you bask in the light!' Danzo knew that even with his secret ace in the hole that beating Minato was still slim at best. If Hiruzen was still the acting Hokage Danzo had no doubt he could defeat him and rebuild a better Konoha from the ashes if need be. However, that was all taken away from him by Hiruzen! First he was named Third Hokage then he handed it off to his groomed prodigy.
Danzo reeled back his emotions when he realized that they threatened to escape the mental pen he had them pushed into. Walking back to his throne underneath Konoha the only sound in the darkness was the constant tapping of his walking cane on the stone floor. Taking a seat Danzo proceeded to wait for his agent to come back and report back to him. Danzo knew that the only person who could possibly match his work in the shadows would be Orochimaru but the snake was too obsessed with his world than the real world. Yet if he wandered out of his hole then Danzo would make sure the head was cut from the snake.
There was a slight shift in darkness that alerted Danzo to the arrival of the shinobi he was waiting for. The shinobi was lean and his spiky mop of dull black hair was facing down from the act of submission, bowing. Only a part of his nose and his mouth were showing and the rest of his face was covered by a black mask. The teen was wearing a high collared black outfit with a red sash tied around his waist. He had a black apron that fell over his black pants and black gloves covering his hands. Over the outfit was a black jacket with red straps over the shoulders something customary for all ROOT shinobi.
"Danzo-sama I have confirmed that Naruto Uchiha has left the village to deal with the Fuma clan as requested by Suna." The shinobi's tone was empty of everything but loyalty to the man seated on the throne. The teen's eyes were trained on the ground almost as if he was afraid to make eye contact with the shinobi on the underground throne.
Danzo's head moved up and down slightly not that his subordinate was aware of the action. ROOT's commander tapped his cane on the floor an act he had done many times while coming up with ideas. Danzo opened his one, green eye and looked down at the raven haired ROOT member. "What of his team?"
The raven haired minion of the old war hawk answered after a pregnant pause, not expecting that to be of consequence. However, he had the information ready for his lord for this very reason. "Naruto Uchiha was seen leaving the village with Maito Gai's team of Genin towards the Fuma Clan's last known location."
"That is good news. That team assignment will certainly make this operation more likely to go in my favor." Danzo spoke clearly pleased by the developments surrounding Naruto and his mission. This was the first step on his plan to finally get the son of the Hokage firmly under his thumb and into ROOT.
The shinobi looked at the floor but his eyes were certainly reflecting the unsure feelings he was currently experiencing. He wasn't sure if he was speaking out of place but he was curious as to what his master meant. "I don't believe I follow your logic Danzo-sama. Wouldn't be easier to kidnap the Uchiha if he was alone?"
"That may be true but as of late Naruto has been very active in Konoha and his disappearance would raise questions. However, his first mission as a Chunin is with a team that has shown to be very successful. If he was to fail the mission and maybe lose one of those Genin his credit would go down the drain. Torune I want you to visit the Fuma clan and warn them about the team coming to handle their elimination." Danzo's lips curled up into a disturbing smirk as the newly identified Torune uttered a 'Hai Danzo-sama' and Shunshined out of the area.
Danzo strengthened his grip around the handle on his walking cane as he got back to his feet and closed his eye. 'I will take pleasure in slowly ruining your life Minato. I will ruin your life just like you ruined mine when you took the seat of Hokage from me!'
Maybe Danzo couldn't take the seat from Minato at this time but he could do the next best thing. That thing would be taking away the man's strongest shinobi and turning him into one of his personal soldiers that would eventually lead him to the Hokage's seat. Then he would have Minato stand in submission as his son took his life after he had taken the life from the rest of his family.
Danzo laughed, he actually released a dry, croaking laugh as the image of what he just painted came to full life in his mind. Danzo nodded as his laughter faded thinking just how appropriate that would be. He would groom his own protégé and he would dispose of The Yellow Flash once and for all. Danzo slowly walked into the shadows were he would wait till the time was right like he had always done.
The sound of the forest filled the immediate area with small rustling the occasional call of an owl and a number of other nocturnal animals. The crackling of burning wood accompanied the sounds of the forest. The brilliant orange glow of the fire bathed the ground around the site of the kindling. The fire illuminated a number rocks each shaped differently, three tents and two logs. The stars shone down on the peaceful scene with the Moon taking center stage in the night sky. There were four presences sitting in on this scene each remaining silent for the time being.
Naruto looked across at his three subordinates blankly with the look being returned by Neji and TenTen but Lee's look was much more enthusiastic. Naruto and his team were taking the one break that was necessary for the shinobi before they could make it to their destination. Naruto had yet to explain to the three Genin what the mission entailed but he was sure that it wouldn't be a pleasant experience. Giving the Moon one last whimsical glance Naruto turned his attention back towards his team for the mission. Seeing their attention had been drawn into the ever changing fire Naruto cleared his throat bringing their eyes back to him. Naruto almost chuckled at the symbolism of the three being seated on one log and he on the other.
"Alright now it is time that we go over the mission and its details. Suna has asked us as their allies to take care of a problem they have been having in regards to the Fuma clan. They have requested Konoha to take the mission of eliminating the Fuma clan and that is what we are going to do." Naruto told his team bluntly not feeling the need to sugar coat it for them like children. Naruto watched as all three pairs eyes widened in surprise and maybe horror, Naruto wasn't sure. Naruto tried not to grin at his luck as he glanced down at the raging fire of the camp.
Naruto blinked once before looking back up at the Genin to see if they had come to terms with what they had to do. Naruto was glad to see that Neji looked unsure but overall he looked ready to do what he needed to. TenTen looked uneasy about the whole thing but when she saw Naruto's blue eyes on her she nodded hesitantly, if it was the mission it had to be done. Finally Naruto looked over to Lee and frowned. Naruto found himself to be frowning because Lee looked absolutely appalled by what Naruto had just said. Naruto gave Lee a derisive stare that did nothing to deter the outburst coming.
"We can't just eliminate a whole group of people just like that! It is simply inhumane do something so un-youthful. I can't kill people who have never wronged me Naruto-san!" Lee cried out passionately his bandaged hands clenched in a fit of anger. Naruto could only shake his head at the childish belief. Perhaps Lee shouldn't have been a shinobi if wasn't ready to kill even when the mission called for it. Naruto closed his eyes full ready to bring the weight behind his position down on the defiant Genin since it was clear that it was needed. Naruto stared solely at Lee who was actually glaring at him.
"You do not have a choice in the matter Lee, you really don't. This is what the mission calls for us to do and not complying is insubordination which is grounds for Shinobi Review at least for a Genin it is." Naruto warned the Fuzzy Browed Genin trying to get him to fall in line before he would make a mistake that he would regret in the future. TenTen was looking between her teammate and team leader clearly conflicted about what was happening. Neji just sat there in silence with his eyes closed and arms crossed. Lee still would not be swayed however.
"Gai-sensei would never allow such a thing. They can't be exterminated like rats just because someone has a problem with them. That would be over kill and would only cause pain and suffering!" Lee spoke with a childish naivety that made Naruto want to send him straight back to Konoha which he would have done if he didn't need the manpower provided by the green wearing Genin. Naruto thought about asking Lee thought what his Sensei did during the wars Konoha was in but that could destroy his mental state and make him dead weight and once again he was needed for the mission.
"These orders come straight from the Hokage himself and you as a Genin have no right to question his judgment. However, if you do then you will be put under house arrest for three months and not even Gai-san will be able to get the punishment removed. My question is, are you willing to put your shinobi career on hold for a quarter of the year?" Naruto then looked at the two quiet Genin. "Are any of you?" Naruto knew he was being tough on them but he was responsible for this mission and failure wasn't an option especially his first as a Chunin. If he was just another member he wouldn't really care what Lee's viewpoint on the mission was.
Naruto waited for an answer from each and he didn't find it surprising that after a minute of silence that Neji was the first one to answer his question. "I always knew that this was one of the requirements of being a shinobi. We were spoiled to go this far without taking a life. I will be ready Uchiha-san." Neji was determined to become stronger than he was during the exams and this was the first step to see if he was emotionally stronger.
Naruto nodded pleased with Neji grasp on how this world really worked unlike his teammate who was lost in the fantasies of the world. Naruto turned his attention to the kunoichi with hair done in buns. "I will get the job done Uchiha-san." TenTen spoke meekly but Naruto could see that her eyes were slowly gaining resolve.
Lee shot up from the log he was sitting on with his teammates a scowl on his usually cheerful face. He looked at his teammates before looking at his squad leader with a furious shaking of his head Lee spoke. "I refuse to kill someone who has done nothing to wrong me or my friends! You two should be ashamed!" Lee scolded his teammates before storming off into the woods and away from the camp.
"Lee wait!" TenTen shouted as she too got to her feet and chased after her upset teammate without even thinking about it. Naruto watched the two of his subordinates disappear into the forestry content with letting TenTen deal with Lee. Naruto looked over at Neji with an arched eyebrow.
"Not going to follow them?"
Neji looked at the Uzumaki and shook his head with his eyes drifting to the light of the fire subconsciously. "No Lee is being childish. If it is for the Leaf then I will kill the Fuma clan without reservation."
TenTen followed the sound of a loud but constant thumping hoping to find her fuming teammate before he did something stupid. It only took the weapons user a minute to walk up behind her teammate as he was punching the trunk of one of the many trees. TenTen sat there for about five minutes until Lee's fury ran out of steam and he stopped assaulting the tree. Lee turned around and gave TenTen an apologetic smile which she returned with a small but sad smile.
"Lee you can't fight Naruto-san on this. It was orders from Hokage-sama himself." TenTen tried to reason with Lee but found no headway. Lee frowned deeply at the mention of having to kill once again something he made sure not to do so far in his career. Lee didn't have a problem with Naruto at all he just had a problem with the killing aspect of his mission.
"TenTen I can't kill people who are innocent even if they are a clan of shinobi! How could I possibly face Gai-sensei after I was the cause of senseless bloodshed?" Lee asked conflicted hoping TenTen could give him the answer in place of his mentor who was not available. Sadly for the Second Green Beast TenTen did not have the answer.
TenTen leaned against the tree that Lee was previously wailing on with a pained expression on her face while she looked down at the grass at her feet. "What do you think that Gai-sensei did when he fought in the Third Shinobi war and in the times after that?" TenTen asked seriously looking at her teammate expectantly.
Lee blinked once before shaking his head in denial at what his teammate was implying about their Sensei. "No, no that is completely different TenTen. Those were times of war and that was Gai-sensei fighting to protect his comrades! All I would be doing is killing a group of people who want their freedom!" Lee called out passionately jumping to conclusions about why the Fuma clan was being hunted for.
TenTen sighed sadly and pushed herself off of the tree she was resting against with a small frown painted on her face. Walking up to her teammate the daughter of the blacksmith placed her hands firmly on Lee's shoulders getting him to look into her eyes. "Lee I don't want to do this either but it is inevitable when one becomes a ninja! I hope you understand."
Lee watched as the kunoichi of Team Nine left him and walked back towards the campsite as he tried to think of something to overcome this obstacle just like all the others put in front of him. Sadly, for Lee he knew this was not an obstacle he could defeat with his fists like he would normally do. Then an idea hit Lee, an idea he thought was absolutely brilliant and would give him a way out. That was deception…
'Okay more than likely we will have to separate to deal with all of the clansmen so I can use this to my advantage. I'll make sure to separate from Naruto-san and then I will just knock them out with my Taijutsu and go on to the next one. It is genius!' Lee thought happily nodding his head in agreement with his thoughts.
Renewed with a new sense of drive Lee launched himself at the tree he was formerly beating on and smashed through the trunk with a powerful flying kick. Sighing once more Lee put on his usual chipper grin and made his way back to his team ready to outfox the confines of the shinobi world.
Review Response:
Akatsuki Partnerships: I know that this was answered in the story but I'll answer it here as well. Yes Sasori is part of the Akatsuki but he is partnered with Kisame taking Itachi's spot. Where I filled Sasori's spot with an OC. I thought about putting Karento with Kisame but I wanted to spread out the swordsmen to different teams.
The Scene in the Dark: Who knows what or who that voice belongs to? I mean you don't know… Hell maybe even I don't know. Just read in the future and we will all know. (Sorry but I won't be saying anything about this.)
Fights: I am glad you guys find my fights acceptable. I wasn't too sure about writing the sword fights so that's why it was kind of short.
Praise: Oh man I got tons of praise this time compared to what I got last time. Thanks you guys are wonderful folks.
AN: Well here is the 13th chapter of my story guys and gals! Man Naruto sure is a hard ass when it comes to missions eh? That wasn't Lee bashing by the way that's just how he is. Any who here is my next chapter with all kinds of plans and misdoings. Man what kind of plans is my twisted mind creating? Leave a review, if you haven't done so Follow it and Favorite it! Ja Ne! –Matt
Happy Fourth of July my fellow Americans!