He'd called Ino and told her he wanted to throw a party. That was all he needed to do as she immediately offered her whole hearted support. She was always willing to offer her whole hearted support when it came to a good party. He mentioned to her that he wanted her to bring her clan seal with her when she came over. He let Ino invite their other classmates and handle the details while he concentrated on the Council members.
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"I have some booze hidden in my room," he said.
"All right!" Kiba said. "I'm so there!"
"Great, remember to bring your clan seal with you."
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"My father has a collection of some exotic insects he found while on missions. Maybe you could take a look at them for me and identify them?"
"I would be most willing to do so." Shino answered.
"Thanks, oh and could you bring your clan seal with you?"
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"Free food."
"YEAH! I'll be over early!" Chouji said.
"Good," Shikamaru hoped the sudden deafness was only temporary. "Bring your clan seal with you o.k.?"
XXXXXXXXXX
All the Council members save Itachi showed up to enjoy the loud music, food, and drink. Then at the proper moment he went over one by one and asked them to come upstairs to his room. There Itachi was waiting for them. He asked them all to listen to what the ANBU captain had to say and locked the door.
Itachi spoke and told them of the Hokage's strange behavior, the attempt on his life, and of everything he learned following his interrogation of his prisoner. As he spoke the faces of the children listening to him grew paler and paler. When he finished they were all staring at him.
"No way," Ino muttered. "No way, the Hokage is really Orochimaru?" She began to shiver.
"Grrrr," Kiba's fists clenched. "He killed our parents! Let's kill the bastard!"
"What? You mean the eight of us?" Shikamaru asked. "Even with Itachi we wouldn't have much of a chance. He's a Sannin with a couple hundred body guards, some of them with curse seals."
"Don't play dumb you lazy jerk!" Kiba barked at him. "I mean with everyone! We'll get our clans and slaughter him and all of his body guards too."
"Oh I see," Shikamaru said. "You're going to go in front of everyone and tell them that Fugaku is actually dead and the person whose been acting as Hokage is just Fugaku's body being controlled by Orochimaru's spirit. Yeah, good luck convincing them and getting them to commit treason based on that."
Kiba began to growl but Shino spoke up. "Shikamaru is correct, we cannot expect to be believed without significant evidence." He looked to Itachi. "Would you be willing to speak as a witness to the clans?"
"I thought about that possibility," Shikamaru said. "But the Uchiha clan likely won't believe him. If his own clan discredits him I doubt most people would be willing to accept his story." He looked at all of them with a serious expression that seemed odd with the last uncaring boy most of them were familiar with. "The bottom line is being kids it'll be almost impossible to convince our clans to commit treason by revolting against the man they see as the legitimate Hokage. And if we try convincing them Orochimaru is bound to find out quick. We'll end up dead or in prison or maybe in an insane asylum. No, I'm afraid organizing a revolt with any chance of success is impossible right now."
"Then what the hell are we going to do?" Kiba demanded. "Nothing?!"
Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't have brought you all here if I didn't have a plan."
"Then what do you have in mind?" Chouji asked.
"Hinata," he suddenly said, catching her and everyone else by surprise.
"Ye… yes?"
"Why do you have a sword on your hip?"
Hinata began to press her fingers together nervously as all eyes turned to her.
"Huh, didn't she always wear one?" Kiba asked.
"I do not believe so," Shino said. "Though I admit I am not completely certain."
"I don't think she did." Ino said with uncertainty. Hinata just didn't make a very strong impression.
"The first time she ever wore it was our last day at the academy when the team assignments were announced." Shikamaru said. "She's had it on ever since; I even noticed she had it when she attended the memorial service."
"I… I didn't think any… anyone had noticed."
Shikamaru shrugged. "I'm lazy but very observant. For instance I notice your sword is about eighteen inches long with a slight curve to it, the sheath is obviously made of fine leather, and the handle looks to be inlaid with ivory. Could you show me the blade?"
She nodded slightly and took her sword and held it out. Looking closely he nodded.
"It's as I thought, that's a wakizashi isn't it?"
"Ye… yes it is."
"What's a wakizashi?" Chouji asked.
"It is a short bladed companion sword to a katana," Itachi answered. "Extremely sharp and lethal, only an expert blacksmith who has been specially trained would be able to forge one. Such swords are exceedingly rare."
"Well trust the Hyuuga to only get the best." Ino said.
"The Hyuuga clan do not normally fight with weapons, they prefer to rely on the gentle fist fighting style almost exclusively, right Hinata?" Shikamaru asked.
"Ye… yes that's cor… correct."
"Which brings me back to my original question, why do you have that sword on your hip?"
Her face began to turn a dark red and she again began pressing her fingers together. "It's… it's… a gi…"
"It was a graduation gift from your fiancé wasn't it?" Shikamaru stated. The betrothal between Hyuuga and Uzumaki had not been a secret. Most of them had heard about it, and then forgotten. "My dad told me about Uzumaki Kushina, she used a katana. That sword was sent to you from Naruto of Suna."
"Yes," she said quietly. "This was a gift from Naruto-kun."
"Ooh!" Ino said excitedly. "That's right! I'd totally forgotten, you're actually engaged to the Yondaime's son aren't you?"
Kiba snorted. "Well that's if you believe the story about that certificate."
"Uncle Asuma wouldn't have lied!" Konohamaru yelled.
"Personal opinion doesn't really matter," Shikamaru said calmly. "What matters is that most people in and out of Konoha do believe him to be Namikaze Minato's legitimate heir. And virtually everyone seems to accept he is the Yondaime's biological son. The Namikaze clan has been reestablished in Suna and every nation but ours has acknowledged it as legitimate."
"Well that's really nice for Hinata," Ino said. "But what does that have to do with us?"
"Namikaze is the single most revered name in this village." Shikamaru stated. "The Yondaime's memory is beloved even now after all this time. I'm sure most people in this village would be overjoyed to have another Namikaze on the throne."
"Shikamaru, what exactly are you plotting?" Ino asked him. Since when is this lazy bum so deceptive and clever?
"Did everyone bring their seals?"
They all nodded and produced the clan seals.
"All right then, I hereby call an emergency session of the Council of Fire. I have two proposals. First I ask that we declare the current Hokage to be formally deposed and stripped of all authority and titles."
"Can we do that?" Chouji gasped.
"We can, but only if the vote is unanimous," Shikamaru declared. "So, by show of hands, who says yes?"
Every hand rose.
"Good, then I declare the Fifth Hokage to be deposed and the position of Hokage to now be vacant. As is our right as Council we must now choose his successor. My second proposal is that we offer the position of Sixth Hokage to Namikaze Naruto."
"What? Shikamaru you moron he's not even a Leaf nin!" Ino yelled at him.
"That's right!" Kiba growled. "He's a Suna ninja, he can't be Hokage!"
"Actually there's nothing in the constitution that says the Hokage has to be a Leaf nin or even a citizen of Konoha. The first two Hokages weren't even born here while Naruto was. Since he was born here he technically isn't a foreigner."
"Why in the hell would you want him to be Hokage instead of someone from here?" Kiba argued.
"Because I think if there were a foreign army at the gates led by the Yondamie's son claiming it was here to liberate Konoha from Orochimaru's control the people would accept that."
They stared at him again.
"You want to raise a foreign army to attack Konoha? Shika that really is treason!" Ino said horrified.
"Does that mean to be loyal we have to support the man who murdered our parents as he slowly corrupts and poisons out village?" Shikamaru asked. "I know how this sounds, and to be honest I have no idea if it's even possible. I don't know what Naruto will think or if he will even help us. I also don't know what kind of pull he and his clan have in Suna and if they even can help us. But this is the best hope we have given the situation we're in. A foreign invasion from without coupled with an uprising from within to overthrow the Hokage and liberate our village." He looked at them all seriously. "Ino's right, this is treason. If anyone finds out about any of this we'll be dead. Along with putting our signatures and seals on the two decrees we just passed I want all of us to sign a pledge to Naruto swearing to support him if he does come here and become Hokage."
"What if it turns out this Naruto guy is worse than Orochimaru?" Kiba asked.
"Then I'll consider that proof that the kamis all hate us," Shikamaru said. "I doubt anything will happen immediately, it will probably take years for this to bear fruit, if it ever does."
"And what are we supposed to do for years?" Kiba barked.
"Work our asses off to become the great ninja and clan heads the Hokage said he wanted us to be." Shikamaru said. "We need to appear loyal while doing everything we can to keep our clans as independent as we can. I don't doubt things will get a whole lot worse before they get better, but if Orochimaru suspects us at all he'll crush us before we have a chance to move against him. We have to fight like ninja, with secrecy and deception, that's our only hope."
"What happens if this Naruto wants nothing to do with us?" Kiba asked.
"Then we'll act on our own once we have real control of our clans and things have gotten bad enough to make people ready to revolt. But hopefully we'll have outside help. We'll all be depending on you to win him over Hinata."
"M… me?"
"That's right, you'll be our emissary to him and bring him our documents and explain the situation to him. I mean who better than his fiancé? The girl he sent a wakizashi to."
"You… you want me to go to him in Suna?" The thought excited her and scared the hell out of her, both at once. "You want me to go… go all alone?"
"You will not be alone," Itachi stated. "I will go with you as an escort and in order to protect myself from future attempts on my life."
"You are both going to have to become missing nin I'm afraid." Shikamaru said. "But once you get to Suna you can start telling everyone all about how you both suspect the Hokage to be Orochimaru in disguise and how he deliberately killed the previous Council. Those rumors will make it back here no matter how hard The Hokage tries to stamp them out. Hopefully they can help set the scene for an eventual revolt and let folks start to at least suspect the truth." He looked at the timid girl closely. "Will you do it Hinata? I know I'm asking a lot, but you are our best chance of winning his support. We'll all be putting our lives into your hands, yours and Itachi's. If anyone sees the documents we give you then we're all dead. And in a greater sense the fate of this entire village will rest with you. So, will you do it?"
"I…" she swallowed and shut her eyes. "I will do it."
"Good, now let's hurry up and get these documents written up, signed, and sealed. You and Itachi will need to leave two nights from now. And once you go you have to make it no matter what or it's the chopping block for all of us."
She nodded. "I know, I will make it to him and try to convince Naruto-kun to help us." Even though she knew her life would be in serious danger and the fate of all Konoha rested with her she found herself nervously wondering if Naruto would be really happy to see her.
XXXXXXXXXX
Omake
Naruto had returned home only a few hours ago and the welcome home party had just wound down. "I can't wait to show everyone just how much I've learned! I have some totally awesome jutsus that are amazing."
Gaara looked at him. "I am glad to hear that brother, but I doubt anything you have learned could defeat my ultimate defense."
Annoyed Naruto looked at him and frowned. "Sure I could!"
"Well Gaara, Naruto, why don't we have a little demonstration right now in the courtyard?" Kushina asked.
Both boys readily agreed.
XXXXXXXXXX
Outside the entire household watched as Naruto tried to overcome Gaara's defense.
"Rasengan!" A sphere of glowing swirling chakra materialized in his palm and he launched himself at his opponent.
Gaara stood his ground and did not flinch. A solid wall of sand denser and stronger than steel appeared between them. Though the rasengan did bore into the sand more sand materialized behind to prevent an actual break through. In the end the energy of the jutsu was exhausted.
"I told you that there is no possible way that you could have learned anything that could defeat my ultimate defense." Gaara spoke casually.
Naruto looked at him with a grim resoplve iot to be upstaged on this of all days. I have no choice, I guess it'll have to be that jutsu. "I'm sorry Gaara, but I'm not losing to you, prepare to be totally defeated." Naruto began going through some hand signs. "Oiroke no Jutsu!"
There was a large puff of smoke. When it cleared there was what looked like a teenage version of Matsuri standing there. 'She' had three scars on each cheek, breasts that rivaled Tsunade's, and not a single stitch of clothing. 'Matsuri' looked at Gaara with naughty eyes and a single finger touching 'her' lips. "I loooooove you Gaara-sempai." Matsuri gave him a wink.
Gaara stood there calmly staring a moment. Then blood gushed from his nose and he collapsed.
Then blood gushed from Michio.
From Kakashi.
From Shinzou.
And from Saishu.
All the males present pitched forward unconscious.
"Mommy look! Naruto has boobies! Can I get boobies too?" Miwa said excitedly.
Kushina stared in horror. "Tsunade?"
"Yes?"
"Get the salt."
