So it's late, but I am finally posting the next chapter of the "will of fire." It is still technically Monday, so I win. I guess. Maybe not. Maybe it doesn't matter. I don't know, but whatever I'm posting. This chapter is kind of long so I don't want to talk long.

I do want to mention that sometime within the next couple of months I plan to start posting "Family Secrets" along with this fic. "Family Secrets" is an Howl's Moving Castle fanfic. Now I know that is not related to Naruto, but I wanted to promote it anyway. I also wanted to give you enough time to check out the book or the movie before I post it. That way you can enjoy it. The fic will be based off of the book but it would be worth it to experience both. They are both great! Fortunately, they can be acquired for relatively cheap. Which makes "Howl's Moving Castle" an informal recommendation. Please let me know if you enjoy it.

All right, I have talk for long enough let's get on with the chapter!

THE WILL OF FIRE

PART TWO

Chapter 20 - The birth of Naruto Uzumaki

The weeks passed and team Kakashi went on mission after mission. It was as boring as Naruto thought it would be. They were generally easy and involved a fair amount of manual labor. Which Naruto sucked at. Badly. Somehow he managed to bungle up most of the jobs. He just couldn't help himself. He had to go the extra mile! It didn't help that Kakashi had barred them from using their jutsu. He had his point. They needed to learn not to rely it so much. It was not the right solution to every situation. Something that wasn't really taught at the Academy. When not to use jutsu. It was critical lesson that could not be skipped. All genin learned it. These three would be no exception. No matter how much they complained they would learn it. Kakashi made sure of that. It was for their own good. Whether it was chasing the same demonic cat over and over again or weeding the farmer's field team for the millionth time Kakashi managed to keep it going. They needed to think outside the box. They also needed to build up their endurance. Which these tasks worked on. They were working towards their first mission outside the village. They just needed to be more patient. Their time would come. They just needed to wait.

The three of them were desperate for something more exciting. They wanted something more difficult. Something that required the use of their jutsu. Yet Kakashi kept saying no. He believed that they were not ready just yet. They needed more time.

They did enjoy their afternoon training sessions though. Kakashi pushed them to achieve a level of teamwork that they previously did not have. He would not allow them to give up. No matter how difficult the task was he would not allow them to do that. He didn't care if they failed. All he cared about was that they did not give in. That would be critical out there. Kakashi would ensure that before he would allow them to leave the village.

Each student had shown remarkable growth. It made Kakashi so proud. They were starting to become a cohesive unit. It wasn't perfect yet, but at least they were listening to each other. Most of the time that is. They made enough progress that he started to consider allowing them go on their first C-Rank mission. He wasn't ready to offer just yet, but he was open to the concept. That was a huge change even if the group didn't notice it.

After almost two months of D-Rank missions the group could barely take it anymore. They had just about had it. They wanted something more! Which they were not getting. It all came to a head shortly after their latest D-rank mission. They where inside Lord Hokage's office awaiting their next mission when they started whining. It all started when Kakashi asked for another D-rank mission. This was the first time that they had complained openly about it for a long time. They had learned to stifle their discontent. They had learned to take the missions assigned to them. Now his cute, little genin could take no more. They complained loudly as a group. It really was quite sweet. Not to mention funny. Clearly they were still children. They hadn't grown up just yet. Something that Kakashi was grateful for. He didn't want them to grow that fast.

"Dad!" As always, Naruto was loudest of the group. He had to scream his complaint so that the whole building knew that he wasn't happy. "I am tired of all these easy missions. Can't we do something harder?"

Lord Hokage sighed. He was tired of having this argument over and over again. "No, Naruto. Not until your Sensei says your ready."

"But this baby stuff is boorrring!"

Minato was showing signs of annoyance. Then again it made sense. Naruto was acting like a child. He was clearly getting frustrated with his son's behavior. True, he only had himself to blame for his son's lack of manners but that didn't help. He did not like repeating himself. If he said no then he said no. Lord Hokage was not going to change his mind. It was clear that he was ready to kill his son. Kakashi decided to step in before it got too hairy. A family squabble was not going to help things. Besides, he believed that it was finally time for their first foray into the outside world. There was no need to fight.

"Actually, I think we should try a C-Rank. See how it goes. It could be interesting."

The room stared at Kakashi for a long time. No one expected that to happen. Not even Naruto. After a minute or two of silence, Minato asked, "Are you sure, Kakashi?"

He nodded. "Yes, Lord Fourth. I believe that they are ready."

Minato's mind raced. He wasn't quite ready to send his son out there just yet. He knew that he would have to someday soon, but he wasn't ready. Fear clouded his mind. What if he got hurt or killed? Kushina would kill me! Minato thought as tried to regain his composure. He reminded himself that Naruto was a shinobi. He was growing up. He had to take that risk. It was the price of accepting that headband. He had to let him take that risk. As Hokage, he couldn't show favoritism towards any of his men. He couldn't shelter Naruto. If Kakashi said that Naruto was ready then he was ready. He had to accept that. Even if that meant that Naruto was put in harm's way. Seems I can't keep you safe any longer. He thought sadly.

"Alright. If you believe that they are ready."

Minato began to search through the available C-Rank missions. He wanted to find an easy, 'safe' mission for them to take. Nothing too difficult or risky. That would not do for their first outing. They were not ready to take on something truly challenging. It had to be the right mission. So he took his time looking for the right now.

Naruto danced in place as he waited. It had been a long time since Minato had seen his son that excited. It was clear how much D-Rank was killing him. Not that Minato cared. D-Rank missions kept him safe. They were always within the village limits. Where he could protect his boy adequately. A C-Rank mission would send him out of the village. Naruto would be out there without an escort. For his father couldn't justify sending ANBU with him. It would be a waste of village resources. It would also draw far too much attention to his son. Something that Naruto couldn't afford right now. No, he would have to go out there without his guard. That would keep his father up at night. He couldn't help but worry about his son. It was part of being a parent. Not that he would tell Naruto that. Not that he would understand anyway. He was far too excited to go out on his first 'real' mission. He wasn't thinking about the consequences.

Finally, he found a nice, 'safe' mission for them to go on. An escort mission to the Land of Waves. A bridge builder needed to get back safety to his village and be protected from thugs as he finished building a bridge. Nothing too difficult for the genin to do. Especially, with a jonin along. Kakashi would protect them if anything went wrong. He trusted his former student to do that. He could see how attached Kakashi was to the group. He would bring them home safe. Just as any Jonin would. Their charges were their life. They couldn't fail them. Minato had to trust in that.

"You will escort a bridge builder home to the Land of Waves. Then you will protect him as he finishes the bridge. The mission starts tomorrow morning. Please meet up with the Bridge Builder at dawn. You are dismissed." They nodded then started to leave. "Kakashi, Naruto, please remain for a moment." The genin stopped in their tracks. They seemed unsure of what was going on. Finally, Sakura and Sasuke left the room. They knew better than to question their Hokage.

Once the door closed Minato created a privacy seal. There were special security arrangements to discuss with his son. If Naruto wanted to go on this mission then he had to follow them. Otherwise, Minato would never allow him out of the village. Naruto didn't understand how dangerous the world was for the son of the Hokage. His life was in danger just for being his son. He didn't appreciate just how many enemies his father made over the years. While his enemies could no longer hurt him directly they could hurt Naruto. The boy was fair game. It was essential that he understand that. If he didn't then Naruto was as good as dead.

"Naruto, before you leave there are some security measures that I must go over with you." He tried to sound stern as he explained. That way Naruto would do what he said, "First off, from the moment you leave the village you will not be Naruto Namikaze anymore." Naruto started to argue, but Minato silenced him, "You will be Naruto Uzumaki. A son of a scattered clan. You will be addressed that way so long as you remain outside the village." He tried to soften his tone so that Naruto didn't misunderstand him. He wasn't rejecting him. He was protecting him. "Having the name of Namikaze paints a target on your back. Powerful shinobi will be gunning for you. You are not ready to fend off their attacks." Naruto tried to interject but Minato hushed him, "I don't want to hear it. I know that you don't like it. Hell, I don't like it!"

He took a breath. "I'm proud of you, Naruto. I want you to bear my name. But right now that's impossible. This is what we have to do. It's the only way to allow you to go on missions. Eventually you can take back your name but that day is not today." He sighed. "The truth is Naruto that I can't protect you out there. Anything can happen out there. If I could, I would go out there with you. But I can't. When you step outside those gates tomorrow you will in danger. My enemies won't hesitate to hurt you. They will take out their rage upon you. There is only so much that I can do to protect you. It's a reality that I live with everyday. Please, understand that is for your protection. This is not meant as a slight. You are my son. I do not want to change that."

"I may not be able to protect you out there, but I can change your name. Give you the cloak of anonymity. Make you into just another young genin of the Leaf. Hopefully then people will be less likely to realize that you are my son. That way they do not target you anymore than they would target the others. It's the best that I can do for now. Forgive me."

Naruto stared at him. His father's rant worried him. He never rambled on like this. Not even when his son got into trouble. Minato usually just let everyone else do the talking. He just didn't like to talk that much. This was important to him. The message had been received. Naruto understood that his father was serious. That worried him. He wasn't used to seeing his father like this.

Naruto asked quietly, "Is it really that dangerous?"

Minato sighed, "Yes, son, I am afraid it is."

Naruto bit his lip. This was not what he wanted to hear. "Oh. I see."

Minato went around the desk and sat on the edge next to Naruto. He did not like the look of fear on his son's face. Naruto was trying to hide it, but his father knew better. He wanted his son to take this seriously but he didn't want him terrified. He would never send him out there without some precautions. He wasn't that kind of man. He would never do that. His son was precious. Minato would do almost anything to ensure his safety.

"Look Naruto, I am not going to lie to you. It's going to be dangerous out there for you. It's possible that you will get hurt or die. I can't stop that. No one can. That doesn't mean that I will send you out there without some protection. I would never do that." Naruto looked up into his father's eyes. They were soft and comforting as always. It reassured him a lot. "First, we will change your name. That way it is not so recognizable. You can choose another name if you like. You don't really have Uzumaki. It can be something else. I just figured you would prefer your mother's clan. It is your right. You are Uzumaki just as much as you are Namikaze. You could claim that name if you like, but you don't have to. So long as it is not Namikaze then it is fine."

"Next, you will dye your hair. Again, the color is up to you. So long as it is not blonde then it is fine." Minato pulled one of his kunai out of his pocket. He handed it to Naruto then explained. "Finally, I want you to carry this with you at all times. If you ever need my help, just throw it and I'll be there. It doesn't matter what I am doing, I'll be there in a flash. Okay?"

Naruto nodded. "Okay."

Minato stood up. He tried to instill confidence in his son as he closed the meeting. "Good. You'll be fine out there, I promise. After all, you have your 'big brother' Kakashi out there with you. He will protect you." Kakashi nodded in agreement. "Listen to him, alright?"

"I will, father."

Minato ruffled his son's hair. "Good. Then you'll be fine. Now, go and get ready for tomorrow's mission. You have a lot to do before sunrise."

With that the meeting was over. Minato broke the privacy seal and returned to his desk. He had a lot of work to do. It would help him ignore the fear gnawing at his stomach. This mission would be just as hard on Minato as it would be on his son. Neither he nor his mother would sleep well until he returned. Not that Naruto needed to know that. It was better that he didn't. It was best that he acted as normally as possible.

"Make sure you're home by dinner time though. Your mom will provably want to make you a big dinner before you leave. So, don't be late."

"I won't dad."

With that Naruto was gone. Kakashi lingered for a second, promising that he would protect him, then disappeared as well. Minato already knew that. That was one of the reasons why he choose Kakashi to be his sensei. He would die to protect his son. Truthfully, Minato didn't want that to happen. He wanted both of them back alive. For they were both his sons in his eyes. They were both precious to him. He would give his life to protect either of them. His family was his life.

Speaking of family; there was someone that he needed to inform about this mission. Someone who kill him if he didn't tell her soon. Kushina was not going to be happy at all. She was even more protective than he was. She did not want him out just yet. Then again Minato want it either. But he had to let his son go. As did she. This was going to be a difficult few weeks for them. The first mission always was. They just had to entrust his life to Kakashi.

"Come back safely Naruto." Minato whispered as he left the office.

So that's it for this week. It was quite a long chapter, but I hope that it was entertaining. I certainly enjoyed reading it again. See you all next week!