The First Namikaze
Thanks to all of you who reviewed the last chapter making it the second most reviewed chapter from this story, and for the well wishes of a happy birthday to me. And I must thank all of you who have been with me since the beginning of this story, a few days, the 16th to be exact, will mark it's 1 year anniversary.
Okay, there will be a few things explained in this chapter that happened in the last one, along with some new role's for certain characters. That is all I have to say on the matter as you will soon be reading it anyway.
I'm not going to say much else since I'm very sleepy right now and I don't know what else would come to my head right now...working graveyard does that to you.
Without further ado, here is the 14th chapter...Enjoy!
"Katon..." – Regular Speech
'Suiton..." – Thought/Flashback Speech
'Raiton...' – Demon Speech
"Fūton..." – Jutsu Speech
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto nor anything else that was not my creation in this work of fiction.
– Previously –
In the borders of Hi no Kuni, near Konoha
The trip itself back home wasn't very difficult for the blonde nor was carrying the unconscious weight of two extra people on his shoulders. It was the news he was going to have to deliver to the masses as soon as he arrived that had him contemplating things. What was he going to say? Him being the only coherent person in the group, this job was his and his alone.
No sooner had the gates of the village come into view had four shadows dropped down around him, hands hovering above their weapons should the need arrive. Naruto knew they were coming so he was not startled when they made themselves known, the four then bowed their heads to their leader and gently hoisted the two people from his shoulders onto their own. With the extra weight unencumbering him, he would now get to the village much faster.
'Oh joy.' Naruto was frowning as he hadn't wanted them to do that but he couldn't exactly punish them for doing their jobs.
The closer the group got to the village the more he could make out at the gate. Whomever he had been expecting to see his group return home safely far surpassed what he was seeing at the moment.
'Did the whole village come out to greet us? News must have spread of our return and it spread like wildfire.'
The crowd of denizens consisted of both civilians and shinobi, all tightly packed together allowing for no movement. He took to the rooftops and positioned himself on the highest building within the area but also the one where everyone could see him, it was the Hokage tower.
He cleared his throat...
"Silence!" His booming voice penetrated through all of the murmuring, "Citizens and shinobi of Konoha, I bring you both good and bad news."
A few pockets among the crowd were still talking but for the most part everyone had quieted down to hear him out. He had their undivided attention.
"Myself, along with your Shodai, Uchiha Madara, and Uzumaki Mito went to confront a threat that was on it's way towards our home." he said, letting the information sink in, "We have stopped the threat in it's tracks before it became a danger to you."
People had been waiting with abated breath to hear the outcome and once it was heard cheering rung out at his proclamation. It was good to see his people smiling but he knew those cheerful and smiling faces would soon fall with his next piece of news. Already he spotted the three people whom he did not want to have to hear like this, Izuna, Akane, and Kagami.
He was going to have a talk with Izuna soon, 'Dammit! Why did Hashirama have to be unconscious right now...'
Sighing to himself, he strengthened his heart and resolve, "However...there was a price we paid for being able to defeat our enemies and thus bring peace back to our home and country...a very steep price." he said solemnly.
Celebrations ceased and the people had gone deathly quiet, they were awaiting his next words. Mother nature seemed to share his sentiments as the sun had slowly been blocked out by dark rain clouds, someone aside from the man's family was crying.
He swallowed...and spoke, "My friend, a man whom was my brother in all but blood and an adviser to the Shodai...Uchiha Madara...fell in battle."
His words traveled across the entire village as not a bird, insect, nor a person had made a sound, they were stunned silent. Rain began to fall on the village and in a way it looked like the village itself was weeping at the news. Looking up into the sky disguised his own tears at the deception, but the rain wasn't heavy enough to drown out the crying that was coming from the family. Not even the thunder in the sky booming throughout the land could drown out the sound of them crying from his mind.
Slowly opening his eyes and looking off into the sky, one thought came to his mind.
'And so it begins.'
– Now –
Undisclosed Location
Naruto looked around the room he was in with his eyes, he didn't know where the room he was in was located but he knew he was still within the borders of the land of fire. However, right now he honestly didn't care where he was at, it was the people with whom he was sharing a table with that had his attention.
It had been three days since the tragic news of Madara's death spread throughout the village and had finally reached an awakened Hashirama. The man had been crying when he went to ask Naruto just how it was possible, he had only been unconscious for a few hours at that time.
The blonde explained that there had been an unknown hiding and lying in wait until exhaustion had overcome them, and it was then when they had attacked. Naruto told him the blow was originally meant for him since it would have been a major blow towards Konoha should their Hokage die in battle.
Hashirama was devastated when hearing this news, depression overtook him for a while before he came out of it. The raven haired leader had asked the blonde where the body was so they could give their friend a proper burial, his hopes were dashed once more. While the wound on Madara had been fatal it had not been enough to kill the man outright and instead of dying alone he took his enemy with him to death. So there was no body to bury.
Naruto was treading on thin ice, lying to his leader, especially about something like this was considered treason. He was depriving the village of a powerful shinobi, but it was something he had been instructed do by said dead man. It was all part of the plan constructed by himself and Madara.
– Flashback –
The blonde clan leader was walking shoulder to shoulder with the Uchiha clan patriarch who was currently guiding him somewhere within his clan district. Stopping without so much as a warning, Naruto looked over at his friend but said nothing, it appeared they were at their destination; the Naka Shrine.
Not bothering to say anything, Madara went inside of the building and the blonde followed.
"So...what are we doing here?" asked Naruto.
Madara did not respond to his query and flashed a few hand-seals and a click was heard. The Namikaze clan leader wouldn't have believed it had he not been looking at it right now...a secret entrance.
Finally finding his voice, "I didn't think those existed." he admitted.
A small smirk found it's way to Madara's face, "That's why they're a secret."
"Point to you...now...where exactly are you taking me?"
Naruto scowled, he was ignored once more. He followed his raven haired friend down the stairs and into a dimly lit room. Looking around he spotted a slab of rock.
"What's this?" he asked, inspecting the rock.
"A plaque." Madara said in humor, knowing that wasn't the question his friend had asked.
He sighed, "I can see that...the question is...why have you brought me here and why can't I understand the writing on it?"
"This plaque has been passed down from generation to generation in my clan, not once has an outsider not of our clan laid eyes upon it. And the reason you can't read it is because you need special eyes in order to decipher the text written on it." explained Madara, looking at the tablet.
"Look at me with your special eyes..." said Naruto getting the man' attention and an eye twitch, "This is all very interesting, but again...why have you called me here?"
Madara ignored the jibe to his eyes and continued.
"From what I've been able to decipher so far, it says...'In the quest for peace, god divided things into Yin and Yang. The opposing forces worked with each other and, in turn, gave us the universe'...a wise, if not generic principle." stated Madara.
By this point Naruto kept his mouth closed and decided to hear everything out till the end before he asks his questions.
"In other words...by having two opposing forces cooperate, we can achieve true happiness. However, there is one more way you can interpret it." The last part was said quietly.
When it seemed the man was finished, Naruto thought about all he was told, "Hmm..." he hummed a bit, "I thank you for the lesson in history, but what exactly are you trying to tell me here?"
Madara shook his head, "Like I said, it's down to an individuals interpretation, your time in the shadows will soon come to an end, this I can see. You are going to be pulled into the light but we cannot have your shadow disappear, hence I will take it." stated Madara, who felt he made sense if not just a tad bit cryptic.
Naruto on the other hand was completely flabbergasted, just what was the man talking about?
"Speak clearly man! And not in these damned riddles!"
The Sharingan user chuckled lightly, "I saw it clear as day when you were in the hospital in a bloody mess, you wanted to leave the village and hunt the rest of them down. Those similar to now deceased Shūra, I could see it in your eyes and I still do, even now."
Naruto's jaw tightened a fraction but it was enough movement to confirm the Uchiha' suspicions, his eyes narrowed and gave the man a miniscule nod.
"Let me help you then, Hashirama can see their threat from the thrashing you received but he can only do so much behind a desk. You are able to move around in the shadows for the sake of our village but only for certain time frames. Let me help the both of you."
He knew where this was heading but he needed to hear the words from the man's mouth, "What are you proposing?" asked the blonde.
"I will go out and find them."
"And do what? Fight them?! While I believe in your abilities and have faith you can kill a few of them, I do not agree to you doing it alone."
"Then I will gather a group to aid me in protecting the peace from the shadows."
"...How do you plan on getting out of the village then? You are an adviser and clan head after all."
Madara hesitated for a moment, "...I will fake my death."
"...Why?...Why do you try and go so far for?" Naruto needed to hear his answer, this was his problem but his friend wanted to bear the burden with him.
He answered immediately, "I know the danger these people represent just from looking at you...plus...I have something worthwhile to protect aside from friends, brother, and clan. I have a wife and child now." he spoke of the last two fondly with a smile.
Naruto's own gaze softened a bit, "You are willing to leave wife, child, brother, clan, friends, and home behind?"
He got a nod in return.
"This is for the good of my family and village. In order for us to achieve peace for the next generation, we of this one must be willing to sacrifice and fight for it."
The blonde closed his eyes for a moment and digested the simple yet powerful message he had just heard. What he said was true.
"All the village will lose in me is a clan leader and adviser, we however cannot lose the man who battles and commands those who work in the shadows...even if its not for much longer."
Naruto knew he spoke the truth, he would have rather been the one to take this task but he just couldn't leave his position. His Anbu would need a suitable replacement for when he really stepped down from everything, he had one in mind already but he wasn't going to voice it until he was sure the circumstances around his nominee wouldn't kill him for it.
He sighed once more, he was doing it a lot lately, "When would you want to start this?"
"As soon as possible or when an opportunity presents itself and even if it doesn't I will create one. Even if it means me turning into a traitor." he whispered the last part.
Naruto heard him, "Hopefully it won't ever come to that...what would you have me say to your family then? They will ask questions. Or of your clan? Who knows how they would take this?" Naruto was getting a headache just thinking about it.
"The entirety of the clan will never find out about this." There would be a few of his clan who would perceive things differently and then a whole mess of problems would arise. And they couldn't afford that.
"What would you have me tell them?"
"Tell them I died saving the village and Hashirama and if there is still dissent among them, then have Izuna deal with them. Once I'm gone he is acting clan head until Kagami is of age."
Naruto understood, the clan would follow the orders of Izuna since he was the man's brother and he was strong as well. The Uchiha clan respected strength.
"I will have Izuna tell them you died protecting the village while I inform him that you passed on doing both, village and friend."
"May I ask why?"
"If your clan, who's been feuding with the Senju, found out you died because of one then they may just lose it. We can't have that happening."
Madara nodded his head, it made sense.
"Do you want me to tell the truth to Izuna, Akane, and Kagami?"
Now came one of the hard parts, do you tell your family the truth or keep them in the dark, ignorant of your well being. Madara stayed silent for a while before answering.
"If any of them ever reach the mantle of Hokage then you may let them know."
It was a bit of a double edged sword, on one hand all three of them had the chance of finding out but out of them all, only one had any real chance. That was his son, Kagami. While Izuna was strong he didn't have some qualities that are needed and while Akane had those qualities, she was nowhere near the appropriate level of strength to defend a village, Sharingan or not.
Plus, if any of them do make it by chance then they would be privy to such knowledge even if only a few knew of it, since Madara would still technically be a shinobi of Konoha. The Hokage needed to know of all of his forces, even those on very long term missions who are believed to be dead.
"Would you come back to help the village should your Hokage request it?"
Madara raised an eyebrow, wondering where this question came from, "If it couldn't be helped then of course, but only to my Kage, no one else."
Naruto nodded.
"I know you already gave me an answer to this but I must ask you once more...are you positive you do not want to let Akane know? She is your other half, the woman who tamed the mighty Madara Uchiha." he asked with a mirthful tone.
"I...I leave that decision up to you." said Madara in a strained voice, each word coming our harder than the last.
The blonde opened his to say something but abruptly closed it, he gave the man a nod. He already had something in mind for the woman. He asked another question.
"What of Hashirama? If you are willing to let your family know if they ever become Hokage, does that same courtesy extend to our current one?" questioned the blonde, it was a valid point.
"No...yes...I mean...I don't know." Madara was starting to get annoyed and frustrated, "I want him to know but then I know how he will react. This is something that is on a need to know basis."
As his friend, Naruto could see just how much this was troubling him and decided to make the choice for him.
"I will make the choice and tell him when the topic comes up."
"...Thank you."
That was a first for the blonde, a thank you from an Uchiha.
"Don't mention it and since we're going through with this then I will give you what information I have on the group. I will also give you access to my network, use it wisely." Naruto told the man.
Madara was grateful for this, the two continued to talk and they walked out of the room towards Naruto's home to get the info.
– Flashback End –
"...ruto...Naruto!"
"Hm?"
He turned to look at who was talking to him.
"Did you hear anything I said just now?" questioned Hashirama.
"Only bits and pieces, just skip right to the end. Everyone else here heard you and I will just get the rest from one of them." replied the blonde waving off Hashirama nonchalantly.
A few held back a snicker.
Hashirama eyed his friend carefully before speaking once more, "Very well then, I Senju Hashirama of Konoha have decided to step down as Hokage."
No sooner had the words left his mouth, a proverbial shit storm of voices rung out from the others. Naruto wasn't as surprised as the others, he could see the years catching up with the man and the last two events clearly hadn't helped, especially losing a friend like Madara.
"Silence." Naruto heard the calm yet powerful voice and knew just who it belonged to.
"Daimyō-sama?"
Tokugawa Ieyasu, is the Daimyō of Hi no Kuni. He is skilled in both swordsmanship and politics and is ruthless in both. Truly a man fit to rule others, he stands just above 6ft but his aura makes him seem all the bigger to the average person. Black hair sits atop his head with a bit of gray on both sides, along with a thin mustache and beard. He is wearing the traditional robes befitting a man of his station.
Next to him stood his son, Tokugawa Hidetata.
As the son of Ieyasu, he was currently the second most politically powerful man in their lands, their words were law. Hidetata was also wearing his robes but atop his own head was a black bandana and from the looks he was getting, his father and advisers did not approve. Standing a head shorter than his father but just like his father, his aura made him seem bigger as well, soon he would surpass the man and would one day rule these lands.
Aside from his political power, the young man was also a gifted warrior, especially in Sōjutsu(Art of the Spear), as he was always seen holding a spear that was crafted coincidentally by the same man who made his own weapon, Sengo Muramasa. It had even been reported that the youngster would often be seen conversing with his weapon but when the two actually did fight, Hidetata resembled a wild tiger and in conjunction with the color of his bandana he was given a nickname, Kurotora(Black Tiger).
The Daimyō' other members of his counsel were not worth mentioning in his opinion, only the two who were related by blood. Aside from those two, some people from his own village were in attendance as well.
He was there because he was in charge of the Anbu forces but also because he was an adviser to the Hokage which meant his voice counted twice in matters. Since he was there, that also meant that Tobirama was there as well.
Hashirama was a given since the man was the Hokage.
Tōka and Mito were in attendance as well but for different reasons. Both were invited because together they made up the Ni Saikyo Nyonin(Two Strongest Women), and Ieyasu respected strength. The other had more to do with their clans.
Mito was in a sense representing the Uzumaki clan since she was still a part of it while Tōka who was part of the Senju was not the only one of her clan in the room. It didn't mean neither of their voices would be heard, they were just lower on the totem pole.
Izuna was in attendance as well, he was the acting leader until his nephew grew into the role but since his brother was the last of the advisers, that role of power was passed onto Izuna for a short time. Once a new leader was elected, it would go to someone else.
A few other clans had been invited as well, but they were mostly there on the whims of the Daimyō.
Sarutobi Sasuke was representing his clan. The man made appearance's around the village on occasion but mostly stayed home nowadays training his son. Rumor had it he would soon allow his son to sign his summoning contract.
A Shimura clan member was there as well, he couldn't recall the man's name but with a strong resemblance to the youngster Danzō, it was clear who this man was.
Of course a Hyūga was present as well, they were the fourth noble clan and the fourth strongest. Naruto didn't even want to think about this clan and how they treat the side branch of their family. It disgusted him and made no sense whatsoever, he stayed out of it. Hashirama on the other hand tried to do something, but it was a clan matter, his hands were tied.
The Aburame and Nara were there as well but not because of their physical prowess in battle but the way their minds processed it and made the logical moves. If there was one of the other thing the Daimyō respected and was well known for, it was tactics, and his mind was suited for it.
"Hashirama-dono, are you certain of this?" Ieyasu was looking at the man sharply.
"I am, Daimyō-sama." stated Hashirama, his voice filled with conviction.
The leader of the country looked at the man in question and could see he was serious, he sighed. He had given the okay a long time ago to the man on building a village and appointing a Kage, the man was strong and would represent him well, charismatic as well and sure there were times he didn't like his aloof attitude, but you had to take the good with the bad. He would need to make an even better choice this time around to inherit the mantle.
"Very well then, I Tokugawa Ieyasu accept you resignation. Thank you for your hard work in defending this country these past years." Ieyasu bowed his head a bit.
"Your welcome Daimyō-sama."
The man nodded his head before addressing the room, "Now then, we are in need of a new Hokage, are there any here who would like to nominate a person they feel is suited for the position."
Various amounts of names were being thrown around, Sarutobi nominated himself while others were shouting out Tobirama or Izuna' name. One voice penetrated through the loud discord.
"I nominate Namikaze Naruto."
Everyone turned to the voice that had spoken, it was the former Hokage, Hashirama.
Ieyasu looked intrigued by the choice, "Explain why you offer his name?"
"I think it is fairly simple. I have actually been grooming him to take over for me for quite some time now. I have been showing and talking to him about politics and other things to get him ready. It was always my intention."
"I second that."
Two voices said at the same time.
Everyone once more turned their heads to see who had spoken, and were surprised to see it was the two men many of them had nominated, Izuna and Tobirama.
"He is one of the strongest people not only in our village but in all of the elemental nations, he also has a very keen mind that is ready for anything." stated Izuna, he was trying to get the Daimyō to see that Naruto was strong in both body and mind.
Tobirama followed suit, "He is also the only person who has worked in both the shadows of our world but in the light as well. He is one of a few people who can make proper decisions when it comes to either side."
Ieyasu took in everything the three men said, indeed even he had heard of the man's work in the shadows and the light. He would be a very good candidate to take over for Hashirama. He looked to him.
"What say you, Namikaze Naruto? Your comrades believe in you, are you willing to take up the mantle of Kage?" asked the Daimyō leaning forward, awaiting an answer.
Naruto looked at every single person in the room, it was obvious what the two members of the Tokugawa clan thought of him and it seemed the others were of like mind. Him being made leader would undoubtedly help him in the endeavor to wipe out this organization hell bent on throwing the world to chaos. Plus he could help Madara even more so now.
"I accept, Daimyō-sama." he bowed his head.
"Good, then I as Daimyō of these lands hereby acknowledge that Namikaze Naruto be made Nidaime Hokage of Konohagakure, let all those here be witnesses. Meeting adjourned."
Slowly the Daimyō, his son, and his counsel began to filter out of the room after congratulating him, leaving him and his comrades.
"Well...how does it feel to be made Hokage, Nidaime-sama?" asked Hashirama in a joking manner.
"I thought it would have felt different."
"Don't worry, it will settle in once we return home and we let the villagers know."
Naruto agreed with that and decided to save the congratulations from his fellow peers until after they returned home.
– Konoha –
A few days later
It was as Naruto had expected it to be, there were celebrations when Hashirama announced and presented him as their Nidaime. There were a few who had questioned why the Shodai had stepped down and he gave them the honest truth, they dropped it soon after hearing why.
Naruto would forgo his mask and instead take up the hat, he kept his white Anbu flak jacket thought, had it customized to resemble those of his regular forces. He ditched the arm guards but kept his black suit that he wore underneath. No way in hell was he going to wear the traditional stuff Hashirama always wore, he would only do that when he was in an important meeting.
Currently he was in his office, he had summoned three men whom would help him with the village. A knock was heard on the door.
"Enter"
In walked the three people he wanted to talk to the most, Hashirama, Tobirama, and Izuna.
"You called for us Hokage-sama?" asked Tobirama in his no nonsense voice.
"That I did, I have important things I need to discuss with each of you." answered Naruto, looking each of them in the eye.
"What are those?"
"I have very important jobs that only you three are suitable for."
Each man stood straighter, "What do you wish of us?"
Naruto looked to the younger Senju brother first, "Tobirama, I am going to assign you a position that your brother had forgotten to assign in his reign."
"And what's that?" questioned Hashirama, a bit miffed they were making fun of him. So what if he forgot one position, it was hard remembering things when he had to deal with all of the paperwork.
The Nidaime ignored his predecessor, "You have a brilliant mind and can make the logical choices when in battle, I am giving you the role of Jōnin commander. Aside from the job, when there are meetings with important figure heads, like the Daimyō, you have a seat on my council with whomever my advisers are, along with the Anbu commander." explained the blonde Kage.
Tobirama was going to open his mouth and say something but abruptly shut it. Now that he thought about it, it would have been a tough adjustment for not only him but for the Anbu forces if he had been made commander of them. He and Naruto were just too different and they may not respond as well to someone who is supposed to be just like them.
He gave his leader a nod, he accepts the position.
Naruto returned it and then looked at one of his first friends.
"How are you doing Hashirama?"
"As good as can be expected." he replied, still getting over the death of Madara.
"That's good, how is Yūto doing? Is he getting strong?"
"He is doing fine Naruto, thank you for asking. And yes, he is getting strong, especially under my tutelage."
"Good...good...then that will be your job. I want you to be the father who will be there for him when he needs you the most or just when he wants to play."
"Wha?"
"Is that not good enough?" questioned Naruto, he was trying to give the man a chance to relax and spend it with his family.
"No it is, but I wish to do more to contribute to my home. Is there nothing else?" he asked, sounding almost desperate.
Naruto recognized it, the man was trying to busy himself with work and not let his mind wander towards his friend.
"Hmm, well there is but I wasn't sure how well you would have liked it." admitted Naruto.
"What is it?"
"Do you remember all those years ago, us talking about establishing a school for children so they would never have to face the horrors of battle but instead of education?"
"Of course."
"Then how would you like to be in charge of that, you can create the curriculum and not only teach your son now, but other young minds as well. Teach them all about the village and the importance of being a person and a shinobi. How does that sound?" It was a rhetorical question, he already knew the answer.
Hashirama was silent but all of them could see the shine in his eyes, this fit him very well.
"Or would you rather be a sensei to a group of children? Just like these two had with their little group of brats." Naruto pointed to Izuna and Tobirama.
"That doesn't sound bad either...but I will stick with the school for now. What about you? Are you ever going to take a group of students?" asked the Shodai.
In all honesty, he had thought about it more than once. He wanted to pass down his knowledge not only to his own kids, but to others as well.
"I will at one point, and who knows...I just may end up teaching more than the standard three you either of you did."
"You do know the limit is three, right?"
"Bah! I'm not the type of person to follow some tradition, I will do things my own way. Just you wait and see."
"Speaking of brats, what am I supposed to do with mine if I'm running the day to day things for our regular forces?" asked Tobirama, voicing his concern.
"Can you not handle it all?"
Tobirama just looked at his leader.
"Look me in the eye and tell me I'm wrong, if I am then I can give you something you can handle."
Naruto saw the younger Senju brother' jaw tighten, he had him.
"No, you are correct, I can handle it. I was just curious about them."
"Good, now onto the last person." Naruto was looking at Izuna, "You already know what I am offering you."
It was a statement, not a question.
Izuna nodded, there was really only one thing left.
"What say you?"
Izuna went silent for a moment and thought about the pros and cons of such an undertaking. After a few moments to himself, he made his choice.
"I will take a position among the Anbu, along with the other duties I have." He was referring to his job as clan leader and in raising Kagami.
"Very good and unlike Tobirama, you didn't whine about the load of work." Naruto joked, knowing he blatantly said the Uchiha got one over on his rival.
Izuna smirked at this while Tobirama wore a scowl.
"You however are not just going to be a 'regular' member, I am going to groom you to soon take over my former position as commander. I do not need someone who blatantly follows, I need someone who can be flexible. You were the best choice since you had no prior experience in the doings of my former work."
Izuna understood and nodded.
"Good, are there any other questions before I move on to my next topic." he asked them.
"What about advisers?"
"Advisers...well I will just have to handle it all myself since each of you have your tasks already...oh well."
"Naruto...you are eventually going to need help on certain things." said Hashirama in a chastising voice.
The blonde sighed, "A compromise then, when I need to discuss things that will affect the entire village or when I am to meet with someone, I will ask the three of you. When it comes to the smaller things, I will handle them. How does that sound?"
It sounded good, they agreed. Naruto waited a moment to see if anyone else had anything to ask or add, no one stepped up. He decided to move on.
"Now for the other topic I have brought the three of you here for, war is on the horizon. It's starting to escalate in the north between Kumo and Iwa, and who knows how long before everyone is involved. It's for this reason I gave each of you specific places within the village."
Each of them was confused about this, weren't they just jobs?
"The three of you represent and protect a portion of our village."
Still they did not understand.
"Izuna, you and the Anbu will work in the shadows to ensure that the village and her people may wake to see the sunrise."
Next he looked to Tobirama.
"You will then focus on protecting that sunrise which was defended by the darkness. Your forces work in the light to continue what Izuna and his group started. You two work in tandem, Yin and Yang."
He looked to Hashirama last.
"And you have the most important job, while the light and darkness work to protect it's citizens. You work to protect our future." he said, referring to all of the children.
Now they understood, it was a very well thought out approach.
"And with your particular skill set, you are ideal. I would not put it past another village or person to attack our school in order to draw us in to something we may not be ready for."
That made all of them stiffen.
"After all, there is nothing more symbolic a gesture than to attack a school and nothing provokes people more than attacking children. It just may be what breaks the dam."
All of them were silent at that, they would need to do their best at their new positions. Seeing as their leader had not spoken anymore, they each began to head for the door.
"Izuna!" called out Naruto.
Said man turned around.
"A moment if you will."
The two Senju brothers looked back for a moment but seeing since it was not them he called, they left.
"What's wrong Hokage-sama?"
"Nothing, I just wish to ask you something."
"Hm?"
"How is your clan holding up?"
Ah, now he understood.
"They are grieving but other than that nothing much."
"I see."
"You want to know if any members of my clan wish to exact some form of revenge for his death?"
That made Naruto tense, he nodded slowly.
"Worry not, our clan is very different from the one we used to be known as. Perhaps in another lifetime it may have come to that, my clan respects my brother to much to do something like that. Before they were loyal to him out of fear but since joining Konoha they were loyal to him out of the respect they had for him."
"Can you elaborate?"
"He mellowed out in a sense since we came here and it only increased when he married and had a child. He was a changed man soon thereafter and everyone in my clan took notice, he was nicer to our people and knew he loved the village. So it would be idiotic to do something to the village that their respected leader cared for." explained Izuna as best he could.
Naruto slowly nodded, it made sense. Just because you perceive a clan one way many years ago does not mean they will be the exact same many years later. Madara proved that.
"I see, thank you for taking the time to answer my question. You may go."
"By your leave Hokage-sama."
"Actually, before you leave I have a mission for you."
Naruto told the man whom he wanted him to give this message to prompting the man to nod and leave.
Izuna left, leaving Naruto all alone with his thoughts that soon drifted towards Madara, while he waited for the person he was expecting.
'It seems your clan no longer relies on hatred to move them forward, aye Madara.'
Shaking off the reminiscence of times long since past, a knock was heard. He told them to come in and in walked his wife, Uzumaki Mito.
"What can I do for you, Hokage-sama~"
Mito was playing around but one look at her husbands face and knew he wasn't.
"Mito, I love you and I would do anything for you, but there are times when I ask something of you and you have to listen."
Now she was frowning, this was about disobeying his order not to follow him into battle.
"Granted you disobeyed an order from an adviser which has no real pull over the forces, but you did disobey an order the Anbu commander. Hence, I must give you a form of punishment." he said in a grave voice as he got up from his chair and walked around to his wife.
"What do I have to do?" she asked, hoping he had forgotten with all of the commotion due to him being named Hokage.
He sighed, "Lean forward and stick your lower half out." he instructed.
Now she was getting a tad bit nervous, was he going to place a seal of some sort on her, it wouldn't be harmful, she knew that, but it could be something humiliating. Her husband was childish like that.
"Close your eyes."
She did as she was told.
SMACK
Not once in her lifetime had it ever been done to her, not even her own parents. She guessed there was a first time for everything.
"OW!" she yelped in a cry of pain.
Tears were threatening to fall as she rubbed the sore spot on her butt that her husband had just spanked with some force.
"Okay...your free to go, and thus ends the shortest punishment in Konoha's history." he said, knowing no one would ever beat it, he administered it in under one minute! He was just that good.
Mito was not happy about this and with the risk of getting her other cheek in the same position she opened her mouth.
"Why did you punish me in such a childish way?"
"Because like a child you did not do what I asked of you and went ahead and did it anyway." he responded.
She didn't have anything else to say after that, so she left. She couldn't get him back here when he was Hokage, but that didn't mean she couldn't when he was just Namikaze Naruto, clan leader.
'Should I withhold sex from him, or make him sleep on the couch.'
Naruto watched his angry wife leave his office and felt a cold chill enter his body, he looked around but his windows were closed.
Shaking off his sudden uncomfortable feeling, he summoned a single clone.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."
"I want you to take over for a while, I have some business I need to take care of."
The clone nodded as the original disappeared in a flash.
– Unknown Location –
The blonde Kage reappeared in his signature style in one of the more forested areas his country provided. It was great for hiding things that did not want to be found, as for the area itself, trees surrounded by more trees with a few bodies of water to paint a picture of sereneness.
'I'm pretty sure Hashirama would love it here.' he idly thought.
This area was known only to him since he had traveled through here when he was coming back from the then to be named Suna. It was also currently the den of the Kyūbi no Yokō as he watched it sleep on it's back while it's legs were sprawled all across it's body.
'What have you come here for, stalker-ningen?'
Naruto blanched, it seemed the fox knew he was watching him sleep and was poking fun at him.
"I'm not a stalker..." he muttered.
'And I don't make people run away in fear...so I ask again, what do you want ningen?'
Naruto sighed, he supposed just being called 'ningen' was better than the first option, "My name is Naruto, Na-ru-to. And I came here to see how you were holding up."
The fox snorted, 'Your name is irrelevant to a being like me, in the time it takes me to take a shit your lifespan is already over. And the area could use more trees over there.'
Naruto looked to where the foxes head was taking him and could see a few areas had been flattened, probably when the fox was obviously trying something.
"Hm...that's going to be tough, I would have Hashirama grow some but I don't want to return to see you sprawled on your back as the trees suck out your chakra."
'Good choice.'
Naruto nodded, "Looks like it will have to be the old fashioned way." It would take some time but eventually there would soon be trees in that area.
The fox let out a sigh at this but it was better than the first option, "So...are you going to tell me your name yet?" asked Naruto.
'No...as I said before, you need my trust for that.'
"And how do I gain that?"
'How should I know that, you ningen proclaim your the smartest beings in these lands. So you figure it out yourself.'
"Tch, fine...I guess I will."
Naruto could see the sun would soon be setting, he should be getting back home soon.
"I better get back, I'll come back in a few days to see if you need anything. See you in a few." he waved to the fox.
'Hmph, next time bring some drinks blondie.'
Said blonde cracked a smile, he went from being called a stalker to human and now to blondie. It was an upgrade.
"That's a start! See you later, Fuzz-face and try not to flatten anymore trees with your gigantic ass." he said aloud, laughing as he vanished.
'Wha! Why you little-'
Naruto laughed out loud as he returned to his office, having gotten the last word in with the mighty tailed beast. He then sighed...
"I guess I have to get back to work now."
He sat back down and sighed, the stacks of paperwork just seemed never ending, like he would be here for a few years.
– Two Years Later –
Life was very good right now inside of his village, but not so outside of its walls. The young generation was turning thirteen but even they could feel something was wrong. Most people in his village were ignorant of this fact, but in the past two years the threat of war was on the teetering on the edge of spilling over, all it would take was one major battle for it to begin.
Sooner or later, reality was going to come crumbling down on the heads of those naive or ignorant enough not to see the signs. He had already gotten reports of Kumo and Iwa going at it and even others of Suna and Iwa. Whatever was going on with Iwa, they seemed to be the most aggressive in trying to take control.
Madara, his friend and secret operative, was doing incredible work at gathering this information for him while doing his other job. It was his skill that allowed him to see that internal problems were brewing in Suna and they had nothing to do with Iwa. He sent back a message informing him to leave Suna as they would probably implode on their own, he wanted the Uchiha keeping an eye on Iwa.
'Whats on your mind, Namikaze?'
Naruto looked over his shoulder and saw the Bijū lazing about without a care in the world. Over the past two years the two had grown somewhat closer, or at-least as close as a chakra entity would let it anyway. He still didn't know the foxes name but it had given him a clue...it started with a K.
The blonde didn't know if the fox was trying to take him for a ride since Kyūbi started with a K as well, only time would tell if he ever got it. He had brought the drinks as requested the last couple of years and now was no different.
"Nothing is wrong...Kuno?"
'Bzzt...wrong again Namikaze.'
"Dammit, I was sure that was your name. Anyways, nothing is wrong per say but one wrong move and the world is thrown out of whack and we're looking at war." he expressed his concerns.
'Hn, I don't understand why you humans are always waging wars, killing your own kind at the simplest of provocations.'
"Humans are flawed creatures by nature...BUT...it's because of those flaws that makes us humans and from that most of us can rise up and become something better." he explained as he stood up from his seat. It was beginning to get dark already, he needed to get back home.
'Hmph, if you say so. You are flawed, on that we can agree on.'
"Always the cynical one aren't you."
'I prefer realist.'
Before Naruto could offer rebuttal he suddenly closed his mouth.
'What's wrong?'
"One of my Hiraishin kunai's was thrown just now, I need to go and investigate. I can't be too careful, especially with the current times. I will fill you in on what happened later!"
And with that, he was gone.
Everything in the day had been going great for him, he knew it wouldn't have lasted but he just never expected the sight in front of his eyes. His home, it was in ruins.
"Tōka! Mito! Kazuhiko! Kiyomi!" he called out to them, a sense of panic coursing through him. He couldn't sense their chakra, he ran towards the rubble.
"Naruto!"
He turned around and breathed a sigh of relief. As they came closer, he could see they were bleeding while cuts littered their bodies, but they were alive...and that's all that mattered.
He looked at them but neither looked at him in the eye, 'Something is wrong.'
"Are the two of you alright? How are the kids?" he asked quickly, his two four year old's were very important to him.
"We are fine...but..."
"But...what?"
They still couldn't meet his eyes, he felt things once more and noticed only three signatures. In his hastiness, he failed to notice one was missing, Kiyomi. But something else was wrong as well, the bundle in Tōka's arms did not have the same amount of chakra his son should have had, he looked deeper and felt like crying, his son' chakra network had been tampered with and was far too broken to repair.
"...Where is Kiyomi?" his voice as hard as stone.
"She was taken."
"...By who?"
"We don't know."
It was the truth, one minute the two mothers are tucking their children in for bed and the next they are fighting off four masked shinobi. They caught them unawares but not for long, as Mito was able to kill one of them before he other three fled. Both Tōka and Mito went after the ones that had their child but only Tōka came back with hers, Mito couldn't not hope to catch the man who was holding her daughter while trying to survive the onslaught of the other one. She had managed to cut deeply into the leg of one of them but unfortunately, they both vanished soon thereafter after they both kicked her away but not before sending some exploding tags her way to deter her even more.
Before he could rush out to find his missing child, a member of the Anbu dropped down behind him.
"Hokage-sama, we have captured one of the enemy shinobi. He is being held at headquarters and-"
Naruto was gone, he didn't need to finish hearing what his operative was going to say.
The Nidaime hadn't bothered to greet or give the password to enter the building, he stormed through the front and headed straight for the holding cells. His entire body froze upon seeing the prisoner, it wasn't the man behind the mask, it was his headband.
'Ame.'
The prisoner sat motionlessly with his back to the wall but was wide awake, he could clearly make out the sound of footsteps heading in his direction. His leg was still pretty bad from that cut he received from that red-headed bitch.
Hearing the steps come to a halt, he looked up to see the Nidaime Hokage.
"Well, well, well. To what do I owe the pleasure of-"
His voice died in his throat as he gazed fully at the Kage. His leader had informed him all about the blonde man, the similarities were spot on, except for one thing. It was his eyes. He had been told they were a unique kind of blue, but what he was looking at right now was anything but.
Eyes that were as dark as blood were staring at him, both slitted. He could see the sheer hatred and malice that shone through them, they were staring right through him. This was unlike anything he had ever seen in his life, he did not want to speak right now but his mission was not yet complete.
All he had to do was say a few words to the man or whatever he was, and he would understand.
"I kept my promise from ten years ago, Namikaze. I said I wa-"
CRACK
Faster than the Anbu members stationed around the cell could react, Naruto opened the cell and broke the man's neck with a single kick, leaving the man's head hanging to one side. He no longer needed to hear the rest of the message, he knew exactly who it was from and the fact the man made good on his promise he had made more than ten years ago.
"Hattori Hanzō."
Hatred was pouring out of him, he was going to kill the man and demolish his village and anyone who was apart of it. This was a declaration of war and he would give them one.
"Naru-!"
Both Mito and Tōka were startled, never had they seen their husband with red eyes. But it was gone as soon as they had seen it, they caught him as he stumbled a bit.
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, just a bit tired, but I need to address the village."
A mass of people had been gathered in the middle of the village, some had been awake already while others had been roused from their sleep. Complaints were being thrown around until their Kage' voice broke through the noise.
"My people...to long have we been subject to attacks from other villages. The assassination attempt on your beloved Shodai, the two times Kumo attacked and just tonight, my family was attacked and one of my children was hurt...while the other was taken."
Gasps could be heard throughout the crowd. Mostly from people who had children, they instinctively pulled their own closer.
"I am not going to lie to you, times are going to get rough in the next coming years...BUT...I promise you this...we will come out victorious. So I ask you my people, prepare for the coming war." he said and went to converse with his three generals.
Nobody had said anything, they were still digesting his words. They all left the area hurriedly but quietly.
"...Hashirama."
"Yes?"
"I know you do not wish for war, but I'm afraid this is unavoidable. All we can do is lessen the amount of casualties."
Hashirama sighed, "I know that Naruto, I just wish it hadn't come to this."
"I know my friend...I know. You, along with a few selected shinobi, are going to hold the fort down and protect our home and the civilians. If worst comes to worst then keep them safe and find them shelter. That is going to be your assignment, if anything arises then let me know."
Both men nodded to each other.
"Tobirama, I want you to address the regular forces and choose a select few to remain here, not too many that we are spread thin. The two of us are going to prepare our plans of attack."
Tobirama nodded and added something of his own.
"I believe I have a technique that may help us win this war faster."
Naruto had no time to ask what it was or did, he just nodded to the man.
"Izuna, the same thing with your Anbu. I want a few remaining here in the village while you and the best infiltrators go into other villages or as close as you can get. I want information on what the other villages are doing, information will be the key to winning this war."
"Hai, Hokage-sama!"
"And what will you be doing?" asked Hashirama.
"I'm going to go and get my child. I will be leaving in a few minutes and when I return home, there will be no doubt in my mind that the other nations will hear of what I have done to Ame and at that time, we will officially be at war."
End of Chapter 14
AN:
Okay, so that was the 14th chapter, what did you think?
Made Naruto the Nidaime Hokage and not Tobirama, but I did give him something else. I made him the Jōnin commander while I made Izuna the Anbu commander. And I put Hashirama in charge of the school and the children, what did you think about the new roles for these characters?
Tokugawa Ieyasu and Hidetata, they aren't going to have much of a role in this story aside from being the Daimyō'. So don't look to much into them being in this story. It was a last minute thing I decided on and not just some generic Daimyō.
As some of you have accurately guessed, but I am going to have Madara act like what Itachi was in canon, but he's going to be a good guy. I already explained his purpose in this chapter, but don't think he is just going to sit in the shadows when the war comes into play. He is going to play a key role in some spots. Just wait till I get there to see what I mean.
So I also created the school, it doesn't state when exactly it was established but it had to have been before Hashirama died. I was recently reading a chapter of Naruto when I saw it in the flashback of when the village was first starting out.
One thing I want to touch on that you may have questions about...
Naruto & Kurama – So as many of you have noticed, Naruto's eyes had changed to resemble that of Kurama's. It doesn't mean he is accessing chakra from when he had the Kyūbi sealed into him from the other time-line. It will be the end result for sure, but I have a different way of going about that problem. Things will be explained later on, perhaps in the 16th chapter.
Naruto & Hanzō – It was always the plan to have Hanzō abduct one of the children which would be the lead up to the actual war. It was why I had planned on giving Naruto children later for that exact plot point but I went ahead on did it a bit earlier. Just wait till you read what I have planned for this. This was a fight I had already conceived all the way back in chapter 3, it had me giddy every-time I thought about it while listening to my music.
Anyways, look forward to the next chapter! And as always...Review Please!
Later!