A/N: So how's everyone doin'? Good yea? Great to hear! Another chapter for you and I know a lot of you were looking forward to this chapter so I hope it lives up to what you were expecting. A lot of you also like the "man code." I'm glad you did because I'll be honest, it was soooo much fun writing that bit. Someone asked if Naruto was going to get the talk from Hiashi before the festival. No he will not, I have something better planned…mwhahahaha! Anyways, some responses and then the chapter!
Whateverdontcare: Yes there will be a fourth shinobi war. Yes he will get bijuu mode. Kabuto is kinda meh…but he is working with Tobi. I'm glad you enjoy this story so much though!
Dksamuri: I'm glad you are enjoying this so much but I don't have a wife lol…at least I don't think I do?
Last time: Madara invoked Option Beta, leading to the entirety of the Hyuuga elders being killed and replaced by white zetsu clones as a way to combat the mysterious activity surrounding Naruto's movements. At the same time, Sakura was able to inform Tsunade that by the end of the week she would have a more detailed report of what was happening. Jihibiki called everyone back to the headquarters to give them ninjas tools known only as the Night Angels. During which he explained that the Uzumaki nearly wiped out both the Uchiha and the Senju. While that was happening, Renge finds out thanks to Neji that Tsunade has possibly been detaining another Uzumaki: Karin and leaves with Neji go find out.
Chapter 27: Welcome to the Family
"Wha?!" Naruto said reeling back in shock. "Uz-Uzumaki?!"
The room was also left silent as they stared at Naruto in just as much surprise.
"It's true." Jihibiki said breaking the momentary silence. "During the clan wars the Senju and the Uchiha were notoriously known as the strongest and most deadly families. However, all of that changed when we Uzumaki entered the fray.
"Our clan was an isolationist, content with safely living in our village and protected by our infamous whirlpools that guarded the island. Because of this, we were able to build our numbers without worry of conflict. Our clansmen were able to grow and mature, learning vast amounts of knowledge and techniques."
"It was for this reason that both the Senju and the Uchiha were no match for the Uzumaki when they began conquering the coastlands off of Uzushiogakure." The commander said taking over again. "The average age for a child to become a ninja was nine. Of the groups that joined, nearly half were killed by the time they were twelve –the academy entrance age for today. After that the numbers steadily dropped with each passing year. The results were very few ninja ever reaching adulthood."
"But…But I thought they were allies." Naruto said in shock. The rest around him nodded in agreement.
"Oh, we were." Jihibiki said with a nod as he crossed his arms. "But that wasn't until much later. Not until we had both the Uchiha and the Senju on the ropes."
Naruto absorbed this as quickly as he could but still felt his head spinning. What was going on? Since when was his clan so powerful? Why the hell hadn't they learned about that in the academy? Naruto was broken from his revelations when Shino spoke.
"Forgive me for seeming insensitive," the bug user said in his drone, "but why didn't the Uzumaki finish off both clan's if victory was imminent? Why spare them?"
Jihibiki's whole demeanor suddenly shifted as he visibly stiffened before his face suddenly took on a grim visage.
"The Uzumaki was a merciful clan." The commander spoke solemnly. "There was nothing wrong with showing their enemies compassion when they knew they could easily crush them. Because of the Uzumaki's mercy, we stand here today and Konohagakure exists."
"Maybe so," Shikamaru countered, "but nobody thought like that during the clan wars. Anyone would jump at the chance to finish off another clan and reduce the competition." Shikamaru turned his gaze to Jihibiki. "What aren't you telling us?"
The man was silent for a moment before taking a deep slow breath and releasing it. With his head bowed he answered.
"You must understand…" he began quietly, "…that it's never easy to kill your own blood."
"What do you mean?" Sai asked confused. "Was there internal struggling within the Uzumaki clan?"
Jihibiki said nothing. Naruto narrowed his eyes as he thought about what Jihibiki said before they suddenly raised so fast it looked as though his eyebrows might climb up off his face.
"You don't mean…" the blonde whispered.
"Mean what?" Shikamaru asked looking at his blonde commander.
"The Uzumaki…" Jihibiki started quietly. "The Senju…and the Uchiha…are all…relatives."
"What?!" was the collective response from everyone in the room.
Looking up, Jihibiki's age was clear by the look of exhaustion and weariness etched across his weathered face. "Though distant, we all once came from the same family. Technically speaking, we Uzumaki are more closely related to the Senju than the Uchiha, but look at a family tree and we can all trace our roots back eventually to the same clan."
The silence remained as Jihibiki raised his hands and looked at them. "We didn't know at first. How could we? It wasn't until we started doing some digging on the others during the war that we realized where we all originated from. But it didn't matter. Our hands were stained with each other's blood and that was enough for us to immediately call for an armistice."
"So when you called for a cease fire, the fighting stopped?" The commander asked.
The aged Uzumaki nodded his head. "The Senju and Uchiha had already formed an alliance against us. However, when we realized our kinsmen ship and brought forth the evidence we all agreed on a permanent pact. That's how the existence of Konohagakure came to be."
Silence reigned once again on the group as they all fell into thought. It wasn't until after a few moments that Shino broke the silence again.
"As…enlightening as that truly was what does this all have to do with the Night Angels?" The bug user asked as he motioned towards the box.
"Everything." Jihibiki said ominously. The room suddenly seemed to darken and the temperature dropped. "The items before us right now –they are from a time that was left behind long ago." He suddenly looked over at the commander. "Forgive me; I'm interrupting your story."
"It's quite alright Jihibiki-sama." The commander said with a nod. "This story intertwines heavily with your clan's history."
He then turned his attention to the others. "The Night Angels were the first of their kind. The Anbu were derived directly from the organization that existed almost a hundred years ago. They were protectors, a sword and a shield lurking in the shadows. Their identities were held so closely a secret that even the members didn't know one another's faces. Their stealth was unmatched, their speed uncontested, and their power insurmountable. Their names struck fear into every man, woman, and child that ever crossed them. They saw everything, knew everything, and were always close at hand. They where rumored to be gods in human form…and in some ways, they were."
Resting his hand reverently on the box he then continued. "These were the tools used by the men and woman that worked in the true shadows of the world. They were not known by any except the Hokage and their closest associates." Returning his gaze to the box he added, "And sometimes even the Hokage was unaware of their existence."
Placing his hands on either side of the box, the commander undid the latches and opened it. For a few quiet moments the commander stared at the contents of the box. Then, without saying a word, he turned the box around to reveal four masks resting on a deep purple felt cushion. Each one was a different color and held a different facial expression. They were simple expressions yet unsettling to look at. The eyes were nothing more than angled slits as were the mouths but it seemed as if the masks were staring straight into the men's souls.
A collective shiver ran down their spines.
"You feel it don't you." The commander said quietly. "The shear and raw power these masks are imbued with." Sweeping his hand across the box he said, "Gentlemen, allow me to introduce you to the Night Angels."
Starting at the far left, he pointed to a white mask that appeared to be smiling. "Mercy."
The next one to the right was a deep navy blue and held the expression of indifference –its' mouth nothing more than a straight line. "Justice."
Next was a charcoal grey mask that was frowning. "Vengeance."
"And last but not least…" he trailed of as his hand hovered over the last mask, "Retribution." This one was different from the others, Naruto realized, as it actually didn't have a face. Where the eyes should have been they were merely sunk in and the mouth seemed to be nothing more than a shallow depression. And yet, it looked like a bottomless void, a dark abyss that sucked in all light. The mask was completely black, but dull crimson lines ran from where the eyes should have been almost as if to represent tears of blood. It was unsettling, and even more so when Naruto realized that the mask seemed to be twisting and contorting.
No. Not the mask itself, but the surface of the mask. The color slowly rose and billowed up, curling in around itself to give off the impression of smoke. The more Naruto tried to focus on it, the less he could see. It was unsettling, and the blonde quickly realized that Retribution wasn't the only one to have this kind of effect. The other three were doing it as well, their colors rising slowly and stretching out before curling in before billowing out again.
"It's a powerful yet subtle genjutsu." The commander said as he watched Naruto inspect the masks. "It allows for the masks and by extension the wielders, to be completely swallowed by the shadows. No one is capable of detecting these masks, not even the most powerful sensor on the planet."
"Why is this last on different?" Sai asked as he pointed to Retribution.
"Because retribution is not one individual ideal or emotion," Jihibiki answered. "It consists of multiple facets. It was for that reason Retribution was depicted as faceless. When you combine Mercy, Justice, and Vengeance you get Retribution. It is the cumulative avatar of the three, for one cannot exist without the others. Without all three, Retribution cannot exist. Together they make up the Night Angels –guardians in the shadows, enforcers of truth, and protectors of the world they cannot exist in."
"So where does our family come in?" Naruto asked.
"The Night Angles were a gift, given to Konohagakure upon its founding, by the Uzumaki." The commander answered. Reaching down he grabbed Retribution and flipped it over. The inside of the mask was a dark wood. Or so Naruto thought. Upon closer inspection he saw the dark color actually came from hundreds of tiny seals etched all over the interior. Every where he looked, complicated inextricable seals stared back at him. His brain hurt just trying to even begin picking them apart. However, each and every seal held a spiraling pattern at its very core. "They were a gift as a way of recompense for killing their own kin. These were the Uzumaki's greatest creations –decades ahead of their time these masks utilize seals that to this day are still a mystery."
"That is unless you're an Uzumaki!" Jihibiki said cheerfully.
"As true as that may be, Jihibiki-sama, there hasn't been an Uzumaki in this village for years that could understand these seals." The commander answered before he trailed off, "Not since Kushina at least…"
"Who?" Shikamaru asked.
"We're getting off topic." Naruto said in a tone that told everyone to focus. Nobody saw the look he shot Jihibiki silently telling him not to say anything. It was still a tender subject for him that he still hadn't quite gotten over. "The Uzumaki gave these masks to Konoha as an apology for nearly wiping out the other clans. What stopped the clans from using these to exact their revenge upon our clan?"
"Hashirama was never one for needless violence." Jihibiki answered. "Both he, his brother, and Uchiha Madara were tired of the constant fighting. While they may have all carried a chip on their shoulders, they all understood the importance of family as well as self preservation. After all, the targets on their backs became significantly bigger once the village was established."
"So rather than use the Night Angels to exact revenge the clans chose to give them to their most loyal and powerful warriors to act as protectors over the village during its' early years." The commander continued.
The room fell silent as the members all stared at the pieces of history before them.
"There are over one hundred seals placed on these masks and contrary to popular beliefs, there is in fact a list of seals that came along with these things." Jihibiki said with a smile.
"Come again?" The commander sputtered as his head whipped towards Jihibiki.
Closing the wooden case, Jihibiki rested his hand on the lid and pulsed his chakra. A red seal suddenly appeared on the top of the box followed by a burst of smoke. When it cleared there was a small leather bound book sitting atop the lid. Picking it up, Jihibiki opened the book and thumbed through the pages before grinning and tossing it over to the commander.
"Here's your 'manual' chief."
The commander caught the book and opened it to a random page before his shoulders visibly slumped and he face palmed. "How...How did they over look this?!"
Jihibiki snickered. "Well…this was Hashirama we're talking about here."
"What are you implying?" Shino asked adjusting his glasses.
"Naruto is the reincarnate of the First Hokage."
"Oh dear lord…" Shino muttered to himself in silent horror.
"SWEET!" Naruto yelled as he fist pumped. "I knew I was amazing, but this takes the cake! Everyone! Bow to the awesomeness that is Uzumaki Naruto!"
Everyone was silent before Sai turned to Jihibiki.
"How?" He asked confused.
"How what?" The elder Uzumaki asked.
"How did the village manage to survive?"
"Besides the fact that Hashirama was stupid strong and a genuinely nice guy?" Jihibiki asked as he tapped a finger to his chin in thought. "He also had his brother to make up for his…how do I put this…lack of brain power…"
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Naruto demanded indignantly.
Shino turned towards Naruto and stared at him for a moment before looking back at the rest of the group. "We're doomed."
"You tryin' to say something?" Naruto yelled pointing an accusing finger at Shino.
"No, not at all." Shino said adjusting his glasses once more.
"Sarcasm?" Sai asked looking to Shikamaru who smirked but nodded anyways.
"Assholes, all of you." Naruto grumbled as he folded his arms and looked away pouting.
"Back to the topic at hand." Jihibiki said clearing his throat. "Each of you will pick a mask that will best compliment your strengths. Each mask grants it's user a different ability. Mercy grants the user the ability to slow time, Justice allows the user to lock on and detect whomever they wish to find, and Vengeance gives the wielder the ability to blunt any weapon and seal their opponent's chakra if they're cut."
"What about Retribution?" Naruto asked looking at the last mask.
Jihibiki was silent for a moment before he answered. "Retribution gives its wielder the ability to cut through anything."
"Anything?" Shikamaru asked slightly unimpressed.
"I mean anything." Jihibiki said shooting a quick glare at the Nara. "Blades, armor, chakra –all fall before Retribution's blade…" He trailed off for a moment before adding, "Even someone's soul."
Naruto was about to say something but he was cut off when Hare suddenly appeared kneeling before him.
"Taichou!" He began, "We have a situation!"
A sudden sense of dread filled Naruto as his head snapped to his subordinate. "Report!"
"There's been a break out at the jail, sir!"
"Are the Hyuuga attempting an escape?!" Hare shook his head. "Then what is it?"
The Anbu seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Reports say that it's Hyuuga Neji and Uzumaki Renge that are attempting the jailbreak."
A pin drop could be heard in the room as Naruto as well as everyone else simply stared at Hare. The shock was finally wearing off when Jihibiki asked the same question on everyone's mind.
"The fuck?"
Karin felt a shiver run through her as she did her best to suppress the cold of her cell. The place was miserable. She hadn't seen Neji in what felt like weeks, and soon after he stopped visiting she was moved to the lower cells of the I.D. which were in a much more decrepit condition. She hadn't been given a reason as to why they had moved her, but she didn't need one. It was clear and obvious as the rising sun. She was down here to waste away, to rot in a prison cell until she finally died.
Stupid Karin. Useless Karin. Always in the way Karin. The names bounced through her head awhile stabbing her in the heart. It was probably best that she died down here, alone. At least that way she wouldn't be in anyone's way anymore. Tears began to slide down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around herself to preserve warmth and give some form of comfort.
"I hate my life..." She whispered to no one. "I hate everything about it…" More tears fell as she lowered her head.
Suddenly the building was filled with the blaring noise of sirens as well as red lights flashing from the corners of the room. After a few moments of surprise another noise greeted her when the grating noise of rusty hinges swinging open filled the air. It told Karin the door that led to her cell block was being opened. Karin quickly wiped her eyes in a futile attempt to hide that she had been crying. It would only serve to fuel the guards' insults. She had already found out the hard way.
She tried her best to try and see who exactly was coming down the hallway to her cell, but her glasses had been broken and confiscated when she was moved. All she could see where two blurs approaching her, one short and one average height. However, her ears picked up what they were saying and she felt heart freeze.
"You watch me; I'll kill her if I have to."
"They're here to kill me!" Karin thought in fear as she pushed back away from the bars and pressed herself up against the back wall.
She shouldn't have been that surprised, they were obviously out of uses for her. Squeezing her eyes shut as the tears renewed, she tried to convince herself that it was best this way. At least she wasn't going to rot away in this cell. At least she'll have some kind of release from this world she knew as hell. Her only regret would not being able to see Neji just one more time.
"Karin…" The gentle familiar voice had Karin's head snapping up in an instant.
"N-Neji-kun?" Karin asked hopefully. She tried to blink the tears away but her eyesight was still blurry.
"What…What the hell have they done to you?" He asked in horror.
Karin crawled towards the bars slowly. With each shuffle her eyes became clearer and the warming face of Neji slowly began to take form. When she finally made it to the bars, she reached out a frail hand and touched his face gently: afraid that he would disappear if she pressed to hard.
The moment her fingertips pressed to his skin his hand came up and closed around hers. The warmth and strength radiated from his hand and spread out through her filling her with such a sudden shock that tears burst from eyes in full force.
"N-Neji-kun!" She all but shouted in relief as she looked up at him with an exhausted smile. A hand came through the bars and wiped away some of her tears with his thumb.
"I told you I wouldn't forget about you." He murmured to her. His response was choked sobs as she lowered her head slightly. Looking back up at his companion he asked, "Well, is she who we think she is?"
"Stand back!" She ordered.
Karin looked up at the strange short woman with fiery red hair in confusion. Neji gave her a reassuring smile and nodded to her to listen.
Scooting back a few feet, Karin watched as the woman raised her hand as if to do a chop and a thin strip of water formed around the edges, spinning so fast it emitted a high pitched whine almost like a band saw. With two rapid swipes of her hand the bars fell away and Neji stepped into the cell, instantly feeling a drain on his chakra. Chakra absorption seals.
"Are you alright Karin-chan?" He asked rushing towards her. He began checking her over while the woman outside the cell stood watch.
"Hurry up Neji or else getting out will be a lot more difficult." The red head ordered.
"Can you walk?" Neji asked to which Karin shook her head fearfully. "Then hang on."
In one fluid motion Neji had Karin scooped up in his arms bridal style. Karin instantly felt her face flush at the intimate contact and her emotions go out of control. He was risking his life to save her. She mattered to him. She was worth something to him. Her arms tightened around his neck and Neji looked down in concern.
"Karin-chan are you al–"
The rest was cut off as Karin launched herself upwards with her last bit of strength and claimed his lips. The explosion she felt in her chest was something she had never felt before in her life, and longer she held her lips against his, the better it felt. The initial shock Neji felt from the girl's advances quickly washed away as his grip tightened on the woman in his arms and he returned the kiss full force.
For the briefest moment, the outside world didn't exist as the two shared their kiss. It would have continued on that way too if it wasn't for a sudden clearing of a throat that brought them both out of their revelations.
"As touching as that truly is, I think we should get a move on." The woman teased lightly.
Both of them blushed madly before Neji leapt out of the cell to join his companion.
"W-Who are you?" Karin asked weakly after regaining her surroundings, a blush still present.
The old woman's face went from stoic to soft in a split second as she smiled kindly at her. "Someone who's been searching for you for a very long time dear."
Shouting down the halls caused them all to look up.
"Later, first we need to focus on escaping." Neji said with narrowed eyes.
"Psh, what do you take me for?" Renge asked with a smirk as she started to make a hands seal.
"All of you stop where you are right now!" A voice all but roared at them.
Everyone looked up to see Ibiki standing in the entrance with multiple men behind him. A furious look was on his face and he was clenching his fists in anger.
"By order of the Konohagakure I command you to stop at once! You are breaking so many fucking laws I don't even know where to begin! Stand down and you will not be harmed!" He paused as his eyes narrowed. "I won't ask again."
Renge snorted as she finished her hand seal causing everyone to go for their weapons.
"Eat it baldy!" She shouted with a reckless grin before they disappeared in a flash.
Everyone stood in the entrance of the room in shock before Ibiki cursed and shattered the wall of stone with his fist. "Damn you Hyuuga Neji!"
Karin had no idea what was happening, first she was standing in front of her cell and then the next there was a blinding flash and she was outside of the I.D., standing in the middle of the street surrounded by civilians.
"W-What?" was all the red head could get out as she dizzily looked around.
"N-Neji," Renge gasped out leaning on the Hyuuga, "we need to go." She gasped for more air. "Now!"
"You aren't going anywhere!"
Looking around them, the three realized that all of the civilians had been moved away and they were now surrounded by at least thirty ninjas, all chuunin rank or higher.
Neji cursed under his breath as he activated his Byakugan. "Renge-sama, can you fight?"
"I'm spent." The elder said still breathing hard. "That jutsu takes too much out of me. I didn't expect the village to respond to this so quickly."
"Do you have any ideas? Because I'm open to them right about now."
"Working on it!" Renge panted as she touched her necklace and began pulsing chakra through it. Sending a rapid Mors code message to her husband.
"What were you expecting?" Ibiki's voice rang out causing them all to look behind them. He stood there with his men with a scowl fixed on his face. "What were you planning on doing once you escaped? Where were you going to go? What were you going to do?" Ibiki shook his head disappointedly. "I expected better from you Neji."
Holding out his hand he spoke. "Hand over the prisoner and I won't charge you with treason. This is my first and last offer to you."
Neji tightened hold on the woman in his arms but her soft voice stopped from saying anything.
"Neji-kun, it's alright." Karin said quietly. Neji looked down at her in shock but she refused to meet his gaze. "Please, put me down."
"Karin, I–"
"—Just do it!" She shouted at him with tears in her eyes. "Please. You didn't have to do this…it was too much really…" Looking away she continued quietly. "I'm glad that you did this for me…I glad that I mean something to someone…but I won't let you destroy your future for me!"
Looking up at him she gave him a sad smile. "So please, put me down."
Neji stared at Karin for a long moment, searching her eyes and silently begging her not to do this. But her conviction was too great, and with burdened sigh he closed his eyes and set her down lightly. She wobbled heavily and braced herself against Neji for moment. Giving him one last look, she pushed her lips to his one last time for a short bitter sweet kiss before turning and slowly limping towards Ibiki and his men.
"Take this prisoner and move her to one of the maximum security isolation cells." Ibiki commanded. He then shifted his attention to the other two. "Detain these two for aiding a prisoner." Giving Neji one finally glare he added, "Be thankful that's all you're getting."
Neji watched helplessly with a steel glint in his eyes as the men converged on all three of them. Just as they grabbed Karin they were interrupted by a booming voice that caused them all to freeze. A sudden icy feeling a dread washed over everyone present as the temperature visibly dropped and the very earth began to rumble.
"I WILL GIVE YOU EXACTLY FIVE SECONDS TO TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF MY FAMILY!"
Tsunade stared at the scroll before turning her gaze back to Samui and her group. What she was reading was unprecedented, it was history in the making, and –in her opinion –the stupidest decision she had ever seen.
"Why is he doing this?" Tsunade asked gesturing to the scroll. "Having both Jinchuriki here would make Konoha a massive target!"
"The Raikage understands this Hokage-dono," Samui said with a small bow. "But he also believes that from here we can send the two Jinchuriki into hiding."
"Then why the hell can't they just meet at the destination?" Tsunade yelled slamming her hands down on the desk. "Need I remind that impulsive man that my village is still recovering?! I can't be putting a target on my people's back!"
"I understand Tsunade-sama." Samui said gently, doing her best to coax the juggernaut of a woman down. "I agree with you completely, I'm just following my orders. Besides, Killer Bee-sama was rather…persistent that he comes here for the festival." She closed her eyes and braced herself for the blowup that was about to come.
"That's why he's coming here?!" Tsunade yelled crushing her desk in anger. "He's coming because he wants to enjoy the festival!"
"Hokage-sama…" Samui started but shut her mouth when she was leveled with a withering glare.
"No! I don't care if he is the commander of the alliance! I refuse to allow something like this to happen!"
Samui was at a loss for words. She wasn't used to dealing with this kind of thing. Sure she was used to the Raikage and Bee-sama's impulsiveness, but she was completely unprepared with how to deal with the pure rage that was being emitted by the woman in front of her.
"Um…Hokage-sama, if I may?" Omoi asked hesitantly. "Killer Bee-sama is actually quite famous in Kumo as well as the surrounding elemental areas for his…" he trailed off looking for the correct word, "music."
The other two visibly flinched at Omoi's description but he continued. "Bee-sensei would be more than willing to put on a concert. I know that it would make your village a target, but the ticket sales could potentially give you a significant increase in revenue to help the village recover."
This stopped Tsunade's rampage for a moment. She couldn't deny that the extra income would greatly help with the village's recovery, but she wasn't about to put innocent and defenseless lives on the line just for money.
"That won't be enough." Tsunade said folding her arms and looking at the three. "I need something else to ensure that my village will be protected." Walking over to the window she peered out over the village before continuing. "Tell the Raikage that if he wants your Jinchuriki to come here he's going to have to ensure my village is protected."
"What do you request?" Samui asked politely.
"I want a platoon from each village here to guarantee the protection of my village." Tsunade said after much debate.
"What are you insane?!" Karui blurted out before slapping a hand over her mouth in shock and fear. Tsunade turned to her and raised an eyebrow.
"I will forward your request, Tsunade-sama." Samui said with a bow.
"See that you do." The Hokage replied before an Anbu appeared before her kneeling.
"Hokage-sama, we have a situation at the I.D."
Tsunade's eyes widened as her stomach dropped. "What happened?" she demanded.
"A prisoner has escaped."
"On me now!" Tsunade shouted as she ran from the room. In an instant four Anbu surrounded her as they sprinted away.
The Kumo nins looked at one another before Omoi pointed at the door. "Should we?"
"Yes." Samui said with a nod and the three chased after the leader of the hidden village.
Everyone turned towards the voice to see their favorite blond stalking towards them; black muscle t-shirt stretched taunt across his chest, red cloak with black flames billowing in the wind, and red slitted eyes glaring menacingly somehow at everyone at the same time. Trailing behind him was Shikamaru, Sai, Shino, Jihibiki, and the Anbu. Even they seemed to keep their distance from the furious blonde.
Naruto's eyes rolled over everyone before coming to a rest on the two who were holding Karin. His glare intensified tenfold and the ground began to quake under his pressure. In an instant the two men released Karin and took a step back as the red head slumped to the ground. They continued to back away as Naruto approached them and then placed himself directly in front of her.
"Naruto what is the meaning of this!" Ibiki demanded. This was getting out of control!
"I'm here to greet my long lost family member and take her home." Naruto said firmly.
"W-What?" Karin said in confusion as she glanced up at the blonde.
She wasn't the only one confused though; everyone stared at Naruto in shock. There were more Uzumaki? Ibiki was the first to recover.
"I don't care if she's a family member or not, she's a prisoner of the Hidden Leaf and any interference will result in your detainment." Ibiki's eyes narrowed. "I don't care if you are the hero of the village, we have rules and you will abide by them."
The tension in the air increased as everyone was pushed closer to the edge. It was one thing to fight a Hyuuga and a winded old lady. It was a completely different story having to face off against the man who had defeated the leader of a terrorist organization consisting of S-class ninja and who single handedly destroyed the entire village with one jutsu. Needless to say, avoiding confrontation was on everyone's minds.
Naruto snorted at Ibiki's threat and turned his back to the man, blatantly dismissing him as any kind of possible threat. Crouching down, he gave Karin an eye blinding smile.
"Hi! I'm Uzumaki Naruto! It's nice to finally meet a family member that isn't as old as a fossil!"
An indignant "hmph" from Renge and cry of dismay from Jihibiki were heard but he ignored them.
Karin just stared at the insane blonde grinning down at her. One minute he appeared as if he were about to massacre everyone and the next he was smiling warmly down at her.
"F-Family?" Karin stuttered out in confusion.
Naruto threw his head back and laughed. "You're too cute, you stutter just like Hinata-hime!"
Karin blushed slightly before looking to Neji for help. Said Hyuuga shook himself from his shock before moving forward and helping her up.
"Naruto, I wanted to tell you sooner but I–" Neji started but was cut off as Naruto raised a hand.
"It's fine Neji." He then leaned in and looked him dead in the eyes. "Thank you for looking out for her."
They were interrupted from their little talk when Ibiki shouted at them.
"Naruto, this is your last chance to stand down! I will arrest you just as I will arrest everyone else!"
Naruto whirled around on the spot and glared so hard at the scarred man that he flinched.
"You and I both know you can't do that even if you wanted to!" he hissed. Ibiki was about to give a retort when Naruto cut him off. "No matter how much the leaves demand it; the mighty oak's trunk does not sway to its' the branches."
Ibiki shut his mouth in an instant and glared at Naruto. The message, an old Anbu code meaning executive order, was loud and clear.
Back the fuck off, you're out of your jurisdiction.
Even if Ibiki wanted to do something, he couldn't. The blonde in front of him was into something, something far more important than what was apparently going on now.
"It's true Ibiki." The commander voiced stepping out from the crowd. Whispers quickly circulated amongst the ninja as Ibiki stared at the commander for a moment before sighing in defeat.
"Whatever." The man said gruffly. Turning on his heels, he was about to enter when a new voice stopped everyone.
"Just what the hell is going on here?"
Everyone turned to see the newest arrival, the Hokage, and she was looking none too pleased about the sudden alarm.
"Oh nothing much Baa-chan." Naruto said with a wave. "Just taking the newest family member home."
Tsunade's eyes fell upon Karin and hardened. "Naruto, you know that woman is a criminal."
Naruto's eyes suddenly matched hers and he growled. "And you knew she was related to me but said nothing, didn't you!" He accused.
Tsunade flinched but recovered quickly. "She was working for the Akatsuki, Naruto! We couldn't afford any kind of distractions!"
Karin suddenly felt like she had been punched in the gut as all the air left her and her knees went weak. Uzumaki Naruto, container of the Kyuubi and the man they were supposed to be hunting. That's why the name sounded so familiar when he introduced himself! She was done for. There would be no forgiveness for what she had done. Her only family left and she was hunting him down. Her grip tightened on Neji unconsciously and he squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.
"I don't care." Naruto stated shocking everyone present save for everyone that new the blonde personally. "What matters now is that she's home!"
Tsunade's fists clenched together in frustration. "Damn that Uzumaki stubbornness!"
"I won't let her roam freely in Konoha! She will return to prison!" Tsunade shouted. "I won't let the village become endangered just because she's a family member! She's still a threat! She still was working for the Akatsuki!"
"I will personally burn this village to the ground if that's what it takes!" Naruto all but screamed as his eyes pulsed to red. "No one will lay a hand on my family!"
Everyone present stared at Naruto in a mixture of fear and awe. Tsunade the most, her mouth agape as she stared at the blonde boy she had tried to look after and raise as best she could. He was openly admitting that he would commit treason.
"N-Naruto…" Tsunade whispered.
His bangs shadowed his eyes as his fists clenched together. "We are Uzumaki! We stick together! We fight as one and we die as one!" Looking up, he stared at Tsunade with conviction as he jabbed a thumb into his chest. "As long as there is breath in this body, as long as there is a beat to my heart, as long as there is strength in these fists, I will defend every last one of my kinsmen!" Leveling his adoptive mother with a glare he finished, "I swear on my life that I will."
The tension in the air grew to be stifling and several of the shinobi around them began to shuffle anxiously. Tsunade attempted to overpower Naruto with a withering stare but he gave it right back without breaking a sweat. Two immense powers were battling it out silently, and you could almost see the invisible forces of their wills pushing against each other in a test of strength. It was nerve-wracking, the most powerful ninja in the village, they're leader, was battling it out with the only other person that could possibly threaten her. And he was refusing to listen to a direct order. If this erupted for whatever reason the devastation would be wide scale, nothing would be able to escape their destruction.
Finally Tsunade closed her eyes and shook her head. "You do this Naruto, this will be on you."
"I'm fine with that." Naruto retorted. "Consider this me calling in that favor."
Staring at him for a moment, Tsunade then turned and began walking away, but not before saying just loud enough for him to hear, "She's your responsibility. Consider us even."
"Thank you." Naruto said gruffly to which he received no reply.
There would be repercussions for this later, in a private setting like her office, but it could wait.
With that everyone let out a breath they didn't know they were holding. Closing his eyes Naruto took a breath before letting it out and turning around with a smile. Walking over to Karin he was joined on either side by Jihibiki and Renge.
"What's your name?" Naruto asked gently with a soft smile.
The red head looked up at Neji for a moment. Seeing him nod she gulped and answered. "K-Karin."
Naruto's eyes lit up as a reckless grin broke out across his face and he extended his hand to her. "Well, shall we go home then, Karin?"
Karin stared at his hand before looking up at his eyes. In a split second the same reckless grin spread across her face as well and nodded her head. Walking up to her, he wordlessly offered her his back which she climbed on to. Joined on either side by the elders, they began their trip back to his apartment. Riding across the strong shoulders of the blonde man that had come to her rescue, she basked in the overwhelming light that poured from inside of him. She could feel her limbs and eyes getting heavy as the emotional and physical stress finally caught up to her. He was comforting, warm, and strong and Karin felt the protection radiate from him. As she rested her cheek on his shoulder she heard him call out to her.
"Hey…"
"Hmm?" She answered sleepily.
He turned his head slightly and looked at her with the smallest yet most genuine smile ever. "Welcome to the family, Uzumaki Karin."
Karin cried the rest of the way home. But for the first time in her life, they were tears of happiness.
Neji watched them leave as a smile broke out across his own face. Turning the opposite direction, he suddenly found the urge to train. Hard. So hard that he wouldn't be able to walk home.
So without wasting any time he hurried home to grab Hiashi and begin training again. Those who he wished to protect had just increased, and so had his need to train.
Up on the rooftops the commander as well as Boar and Hare watched everyone go their separate ways.
"Well I suppose that it's a good thing the Taichou found a new family member." Boar said with a shrug.
"But was it worth it?" The commander asked nobody in particular.
"Sir?" Hare asked not understanding.
"The enemy will not have missed this. They will have seen this conflict between the Taichou and the Hokage and they will try to exploit it. This could prove to be dangerous."
"I guess we'll have to wait and see." Boar said as all three of them looked out across the village.
On the horizon thunder boomed as dark ominous clouds slowly approached the village, the towering structures billowing and twisting around slowly –ever changing, strength hidden, and promising destruction. The men could help but shake the foreboding feeling of imminent bloodshed.
A/N: So there you have it! The Uzumaki are now officially all together! I was really trying to get the standoff between Tsunade and Naruto to be a tense one as well as believable. I'm pretty sure that would be a natural reaction for him as well as Tsunade. I needed them to butt heads on this and I hope it worked. Let me know what you think! Oh, and I hope you guys enjoyed the little Nej/Kar moment!
