First off A huge thank you to all the readers out there! Because of you this story now has over 900 reviews, 200,000+ hits, 642 favorites and 714 alerts! When I first started with this story I had no idea it would prosper as much as it has so I'm elated. In fact I was so excited I got to work on this chapter right away, so without further ado here's chapter 36!
Chapter 36: To The Future
The smell of ammonia and bleach flooded Anko's nose, and the feel of freshly pressed bed sheets against her skin could only mean one thing…she was in the hospital. Straining to open her eyes the light stung as if it had been some time since she last used them.
After a moment Anko's eyes adjusted to the bright light that covered the room she was in and she stared around her surrounding groggily.
"So you're finally awake I see." A voice called from a short distance from Anko which Anko instantly recognized as Naruto's "The medic said you should be coming around today looks like he was right." Naruto added as he stood up from his chair and walked over to Anko's bedside.
"…Gaki?" Anko muttered in a hoarse tone.
"Who else would I be?" Naruto questioned with a toothy grin displayed across his face.
"How long have I been out?" Anko asked her voice dry from the lack of using it.
Naruto paused for a moment before he sprung it on her. "About four days." He answered casually.
"Four days!" Anko shouted as she sprang up from the bed and knocking Naruto over in the process. "Well how the hell did everything pan out!?" Anko demanded to know while grabbing on to Naruto's trench coat and shaking him with urgency.
"Calm…down…Anko…sensei." Naruto chocked out as Anko shook him. Anko released her grip on Naruto and watched as he rubbed his now sore neck. "I'll explain everything that happened while you were out, so just relax." Naruto advised.
"Yeah just relax." Sukushi added and Anko finally took notice of the beetle perched on Naruto's head.
"Oh it's you again; I forgot how you like to hang around on the gaki's head." Anko muttered while lying back down on the bed and shooting Naruto a look that said start talking.
Naruto took that opportunity to pull up a chair and take a seat before he began to explain. "I guess the first thing you probably want to know about is the fate of Orochimaru?"
"I'll take that as a stupid question." Anko remarked snidely.
Naruto merely sighed at Anko's rudeness but pressed forward none the less. "To put it simply he's…dead." Naruto answered letting what he said linger in the air for a moment before he continued. "That's the reason that seal on yours and Sasuke's neck is gone, at least that's what Jiraiya-sama says."
Anko instantly pulled her hand to the spot where her curse seal once occupied. She didn't know how to process that information. All her life she felt that that mark on her neck would always tie her to the past she wanted so desperately to leave behind. Anko allowed a small smile to grace her lips as she thought about a new future where she could finally part ways with her past.
"So how did you do it?" Anko asked in an uncharacteristically quiet tone.
Naruto quirked his eyebrow at Anko's sudden change in demeanor. He figured it was probably do to the past she shared with Orochimaru and decided it wasn't his business to pry. "To be honest with you Anko-sensei it wasn't me who ended Orochimaru's life." Naruto confirmed.
Anko's eyebrows rose. "What the hell do you mean it wasn't you?"
"Well what I mean is it was the… Kyubi inside me that finished him off." Naruto explained.
"How's that possible?" Anko questioned, not entirely sure how to comprehend what she'd just heard.
Naruto was quiet for a moment before he began to explain. "When Orochimaru tried to take over my body our souls occupied the same space. But unfortunately for Orochimaru the Kyubi and my own souls are intertwined as well. Needless to say the Kyubi didn't take kind to Orochimaru invading our space like that…" Naruto joked weakly despite the circumstances.
"Hm if only I could have seen the bastards face when the Kyubi showed up, I bet it was priceless." Anko stated as she laughed picturing Orochimaru pissing himself out of fear.
"Well I didn't find it amusing." Naruto cut in solemnly, and Anko stopped her laughing to listen to what he had to say. "In fact I turned away from the brutality. As much as I hated Orochimaru for what he did to my deceased father and the two other previous Hokage, I don't think anyone deserves a fate that horrible. Since Orochimaru wasn't actually there in physical form his mind and soul is what the Kyubi essentially devoured." Naruto concluded.
Anko was quiet for a moment before she took notice of something Naruto had said. "Your deceased father, you don't mean Shibi was killed during what happened!?" Anko questioned with wide eyes.
"No my father is alive and well." Naruto confirmed.
Anko stared at Naruto with a bewildered expression plastered on her face. "If Shibi's fine then what did you mean by deceased father?"
"What I mean is…" Naruto paused for a moment. "My biological father."
"Biological father?" Anko muttered. "Damn I always knew you were too weird to actually be from the Aburame clan!" Anko proclaimed loudly. "So who was it then, who the hell was your dad?"
"…Minato" Naruto muttered.
"Minato?" Anko stated before her eyes widened. "You don't mean?"
Naruto nodded as he flashed Anko a toothy grin. "That's right you're staring at Aburame Namikaze Naruto, the son of the fourth Hokage." Naruto announced with pried radiating off of every word.
Anko was speechless for a moment, before she removed Naruto's shades and stared at him. "I can't believe I didn't see it before." Anko announced as she slapped her hand over her forehead audibly cursing her naivety. "The resemblance is uncanny, and that old pervert was the fourths teacher no wonder he took an interest in you."
"Well that and he's my godfather." Naruto added casually.
"Jiraiya's your god father!? What the hell possessed the fourth to allow that?" Anko asked indignantly.
"As far as Jiraiya-sama informed me he and the fourth were extremely close, so close that Jiraiya-sama viewed my father as his own son." Naruto explained as he chuckled. "I know it's hard to picture Jiraiya as a fatherly figure."
"Only slightly I guess, the old man isn't half bad when he isn't acting like a perv." Anko offered. "But something I don't understand is why your true heritage was kept secret from everyone."
"Apparently my father may have been viewed as a hero here, but things were exceptionally different in other places. Like Iwa for instance, Hokage-sama feared that there could have been trouble if they ever caught wind of who I was." Naruto explained to Anko. "But since things have been minded between our two villages, there's a good chance I'll be allowed to reveal who I am." Naruto concluded.
"Is that so?" Anko questioned with a smirk. "I'm afraid when you do that; you'll need a full Anbu guard to keep the girls away." Anko joked.
Naruto laughed lightly. "I don't think that'll be a problem considering there's only one girl for me." Naruto proclaimed.
"Little miss Hyuuga huh?" Anko mused. "Well she'll be ecstatic to know you picked her over everyone else." Anko supplied. "Anyway how are Shibi and Shina taking the news of your heritage?"
"They've known the truth since they adopted me." Naruto answered. "So nothing on their perspective has changed."
"I see" Anko muttered.
"So what about you?" Naruto piped back in. "Has you're perspective changed about me?"
"As if kid" Anko snorted. "You're the same ol gaki to me, and I'll continue to bust your ass to shape you into the most badass ninja as I promised. So don't expect to get any special treatment from me I don't give ah hell what your last name is." Anko announced.
Naruto smiled approvingly as he stood up. "I wouldn't have it any other way Anko-sensei." Naruto stated firmly. "And by the way I'm sure Hokage-sama will explain to you the details of what else transpired during the invasion." Naruto assured Anko. "I just felt telling you of Orochimaru's fate was something I needed to do personally. Now that I have done that I really need to get going considering I have a lot on my plate today."
"A lot on your plate, like what?" Anko asked while shifting around in her bed to get comfortable.
"Well according to Sakura, Sasuke has requested an audience with me so I need to see what that's all about." Naruto answered Anko. "After that there's a meeting Hokage-sama has called for some of the participants during the Chunin exams. Then I have to attend a council meeting about my heritage." Naruto finished.
"Damn that is a lot." Anko confirmed with a whistle. "But at least your up and doing something, beats hanging around in a hospital any day. So don't let me hold you up, on your meeting with the avenger."
Naruto nodded. "It was nice talking to you Anko-sensei, and Haku and Fu said they'll be dropping by to pay you a visit as well." Naruto confirmed as he waved Anko off and exited the room.
(Rice Country)
Kabuto looked over the monitors that gave him a view of all the prisoners held at that currant base. Mulling over things he debated what to do with the prisoners. With Orochimaru no longer around he felt that their captivity was no longer necessary.
He himself only provided help to Orochimaru when it came to experimentation, and had no desire to continue the cruel torture without his former master. Sighing to himself Kabuto turned off the monitors and made his way down to the holding cells.
When Kabuto entered the chambers, shouts and demands for freedom were instantly heard. Kabuto merely adjusted his shades and tuned the men out before they finally calmed down enough for him to speak.
"Thank you for silencing yourselves long enough for me to speak." Kabuto announced in a cool tone. "Now I know rumors have been spreading throughout the bases, and I'm here to confirm their validity. "If you heard that Orochimaru has been silenced, then you were informed correctly. The man responsible for imprisoning you all here is no more." Kabuto finished and the inmates instantly erupted into a chorus of applause and shouts.
When the shouts finally died down Kabuto continued. "Now the question remains, is what to do with all of you." Kabuto stated causing the men to stare at him carefully as they waited to hear their fate. Kabuto smirked at this. For all his life he had only played the supporting role, but having full authority for once in his life excited him.
"I have no intentions of keeping you here against your will, for I have no use for prisoners." Kabuto explained. "But I do have a use for soldiers. I plan to reestablish the sound village, and bring it to the glory it's fully capable of achieving." Kabuto stated letting his offer linger in the air for a moment before he pressed on. "I know some of you would like nothing more then to leave this place behind forever, but I'll assure you things will be far different then they have been. But if you chose to deny my offer you're free to leave, as I stated before I have no use for prisoners." Kabuto finished and the doors to the cells opened.
The prisoners found it hard to believe they were actually being given the choice to leave, and most instantly took the opportunity and darted out of the holding rooms without a second glance. Kabuto figured as much, as he watched the inmates force themselves out of the base. Forgetting the men that decided to leave he turned his attention to those that stayed and was surprised with the outcome.
A good twenty or thirty men stayed behind and Kabuto eyed them carefully. "May I ask why you men have decided to stay?" Kabuto questioned the men and one of them spoke up.
"We simply have no where to return to." A burly man answered.
"I see." Kabuto muttered. "Well I thank you for your choice to follow me, into the vision of a brighter future." Kabuto confirmed before turning on his heels and exiting out of the door.
Upon exiting Kabuto was halted by Tayuya.
"So you're just going to let all of them leave like that?" Tayuya announced with her arms folded over her chest and not looking happy in the slightest.
"Tayuya" Kabuto muttered. "What purpose would it serve to keep them all imprisoned?"
"The hell if I know." Tayuya fired back. "Its just not the way he would have done things." Tayuya offered.
Kabuto adjusted his shades as he addressed Tayuya. "Listen you must understand that I am not Orochimaru, and by no means shall I run this village the way he has." Kabuto explained tightly. "What good are your followers if they have no trust in you?" Kabuto questioned. That's why I will be purging the bases of all those that do not wish to be here and keep the ones that make the choice to stay on their own."
"You're turning the sound into a bunch of pansies." Tayuya noted before she spat on the ground in front of Kabuto, showing her distaste.
"You know you really shouldn't do that, it's not very lady like after all." Kabuto advised.
"Like I give a damn." Tayuya fired back.
Kabuto sighed. "You know all this time I figured it was your curse seal that made you so angry but I guess that isn't the case."
"You got a problem with the way I act?" Tayuya snapped.
"Your personality leaves much to be desired Tayuya." Kabuto confirmed.
Tayuya's face flushed with anger at the insult and she fired a punch directly for Kabuto which he easily caught.
"I really wish you would show the proper respect considering I am your leader after all." Kabuto warned as he shoved Tayuya backwards. "Had I been Orochimaru you would have already been dead, but I'm far more forgiving then him so please do not let it happen again." Kabuto warned. "Now I have an assignment for you Tayuya. If it's not too much trouble I'd like you to go to our base in the west to retrieve Karin and Suigetsu." Kabuto ordered. "Their both promising young ninja that will be nice additions to the new sound village, along with Juugo."
"Juugo!?" Tayuya stated with widened eyes. "You must be out of your fucking mind sending me to retrieve that freak!" Tayuya shouted in protest.
"Whatever gave you the impression that I wanted you to retrieve Juugo?" Kabuto questioned. "Your assignment was to bring Karin along with Suigetsu. Kimimaro has already left to the northern base to bring back Juugo, considering he's the only one that can control him." Kabuto explained.
Tayuya blew out a sigh of relief, before something dawned on her. "You sent Kimimaro, but what about his health?"
Kabuto smirked. "It would appear his condition was much easier to stabilize with him no longer bearing the curse seal. Although his condition isn't fully under control, and I may need outside assistance to completely heal it."
"So where the fuck are you going to get someone as nerdy as you to help heal him huh?" Tayuya pried.
"That's already being taken care of by Sakon, Jirobo, and Kidomaru." Kabuto explained. "They are currently in search of Tsunade of the Sannin to request her aid."
"Hn those three without their curse seals will get their assess handed to them by her." Tayuya rebuked.
"Of course they would, but I'm hoping that force will not need to be used in this situation. For that would probably not turn out in our favor, so I gave them specific orders to not engage her if she refuses." Kabuto finished.
Tayuya smirked. "As if those block heads would actually skip out on a chance to fight." Tayuya retorted. "Just face it four eyes, you most likely sent them to their deaths."
"If I had it's their own fault for I have given them strict orders to simply deliver a message and not engage. I'm not a babysitter after all." Kabuto concluded.
Tayuya snorted. "Whatever, it's not like I care one way or the other." Tayuya confirmed as she turned on her heels and stalked off to complete her assignment.
Kabuto watched Tayuya leave before he too departed. He had many bases to visit to recruit all he could, and he wanted to see that it was done personally.
(Konoha)
Naruto found himself waiting at a section of the village he'd never visited before. The place was eerily quiet as if it was void of life. Naruto was suddenly brought out of his musings when the sound of someone's voice broke the silence.
"So you came." Sasuke stated bluntly as he walked out from underneath the shade of a nearby building.
Naruto watched curiously as Sasuke strolled up to him before stopping directly in front of him.
"I did" Naruto answered plainly. "Now tell me what's this about?"
Sasuke eyed Naruto for a moment before his eyes found Sukushi on top of Naruto's head. "This is some what personal." Sasuke stated calmly and Naruto instantly got the message.
"Sukushi mind not giving us some space?" Naruto questioned his partner.
Sukushi shrugged. "I guess not, I'll see you later Naruto-sama." Sukushi proclaimed before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
"Is that better?" Naruto questioned.
Sasuke nodded his head before he turned to the gate they were standing next to and stared at it. "Tell me Naruto do you know where we are?" Sasuke asked dryly.
"Not really." Naruto answered truthfully. "Although it looks like this place has seen better days."
Sasuke didn't answer right away but choose to push open the massive door. "This is the Uchiha district…my former home." Sasuke trailed off as he walked through the gates and gestured for Naruto to do the same.
Upon entry Naruto stared around curiously as he followed Sasuke through the streets of the Uchiha district. He could hardly believe the size of the place, it was almost as if it could be a small village on its own. He wondered just how the district would have been if it was bustling with life like it once had.
Naruto was brought out of his musing when Sasuke addressed him as they walked.
"I come in here to remind myself of what I'm fighting for." Sasuke stated quietly. "Every time I see these streets void of life, it reminds me of what was taken from me and why I strive to get it back."
Naruto didn't say anything but continued to listen intently to Sasuke.
"For a long time now, I've had two goals in life and nothing else mattered to me more then reaching those goals." Sasuke explained.
"And what were those goals?" Naruto questioned carefully.
"My goals were simple, restoration of my clan and to kill the man responsible for the destruction of the Uchiha." Sasuke deadpanned. "My own brother Itachi Uchiha." Sasuke finished.
Naruto's eyebrows rose over the brim of his shades as he took in the information he was told. "Of all the people in the village, why tell me Sasuke?" Naruto prodded.
Sasuke was quiet for a moment before he turned to face Naruto. "You were the first and only person to not offer me friendship out of pity or for my namesake." Sasuke explained. "I spat that offer in your face all those years ago, because I was…afraid."
Naruto quirked his eyebrow. "Afraid, afraid of what?" Naruto questioned.
"I've lost everything before and I never wanted to experience that pain of losing everything again." Sasuke stated as he turned his back to Naruto. "I felt I could avoid that by driving anyone that made an attempt to get close to me away. For the longest time I was content with that way of existence, but witnessing your triumphs has made me question that way of living."
Naruto nodded his head. "We all have to live with that fear of losing everything dear to us Sasuke." Naruto confirmed. "But it's our fear of losing those things, that grants us the power to protect them." Naruto finished. "Because true strength comes from our desire to protect all that is precious to us."
Sasuke grew silent as he contemplated on what Naruto had said. All his life he had fought for his own means and feed off his hatred to increase his strength. His current strength was proof that Itachi's advice of using hatred was flawed. Hell Sasuke couldn't even figure out why he had taken the advice from a man he hated with every fiber of his being in the first place. Even so he had pushed out so many people from his life he wondered if it were longer even possible to find precious people of his own to protect.
Meanwhile Naruto was in deep thought of his own. Staring around the Uchiha district Sasuke's hatred for the first time made sense to him. Hearing about something was one thing but seeing the results first hand was another. Although he didn't agree to Sasuke's behavior, he could only assume such a tragedy would affect everyone in a different way. It just so happened Sasuke's way of copping with the pain was to isolate himself from the rest of the world, and immerse himself in his revenge.
After a moment of silence between the two boys Sasuke extended his hand towards Naruto. "The reason that I requested you come here was so that we may bury the past…If the offer still stands." Sasuke muttered.
Naruto stared at Sasuke's outstretched hand with astonishment. Never before had he even given it thought that Sasuke would actually seek a friendship with him on his own accord. Naruto took Sasuke's hand in his own and grinned. "The offer was always there Sasuke." Naruto confirmed while shaking Sasuke's hand.
Sasuke nodded his head in acceptance. "There's only one more thing that needs to be buried so that I may forever leave the past behind." Sasuke stated as he looked over the Uchiha district.
"Naruto's eyes widened. "You don't mean you want to destroy this district do you?"
"It's the only thing that will help me forget what I've lost." Sasuke answered. "I will build a new home symbolizing a new beginning for me." Sasuke concluded.
Naruto shook his head. "We can't just go knocking down buildings without permission, and how do you plan to get the money to build a new home here?" Naruto questioned.
"Besides the fact that the Uchiha district belongs to me, I've already been granted permission to demolish it." Sasuke explained. "Money is not an issue either considering the entire Uchiha treasury was given to me. And I really don't see the need for a district, when a clan home would be efficient."
"I see" Naruto stated. "What will you do with the rest of the land if you only plan to build a clan home?"
"Eighty percent I will donate to the village to do with as they see fit. The other twenty will be used to build my estate were my clan will be reestablished." Sasuke confirmed.
"You've really seem to have thought this through." Naruto acknowledged.
"I've had time." Sasuke answered simply. "Too much time…" he trailed off.
Naruto took that moment to look at the sun. "Well I don't have much time to help in the annihilation of the Uchiha district, so let's do this the fast way shall we?" Naruto offered while cracking his knuckles, and biting down on his thumb. "You might want to stand back." Naruto warned as he shouted. "Summoning Jutsu!"
(Hokage Tower Some Time Later)
Sarutobi rubbed his aching temples; the last four days had been anything but pleasant. The rebuilding of all that was destroyed during the invasion resulted in an unimaginable amount of paper work that needed to be completed. Most of it being new negotiations with sand to mend their already shaken alliance. On top of that he was being delayed on the completion of it, considering Naruto and Sasuke had yet to arrive at his office like he requested.
Staring at the three people before him, he thought about getting on with the meeting without the two boys. Fortunately for Naruto and Sasuke they chose that moment to enter the office.
Sarutobi along with the three other guests occupying the room stared at the two boys questionably. Both boys appeared winded and were covered in dust and dirt.
"Naruto, Sasuke nice of you to join us." Sarutobi stated while gesturing for the two boys to take up position in front of his desk along with the three other occupants. "I take it the remodeling of the Uchiha district went smoothly then?" Sarutobi questioned while staring at how dirty the two boys were.
Both boys simply nodded a response.
"Remodeling? What the hell were you two doing out there?" Fu questioned.
Sarutobi cleared his throat to silence any chatter that could have been started. "There will be plenty of time for them to explain that later, as for now I'm on a tight schedule and really need to get this out of the way." Sarutobi explained while reaching beneath his desk and pulling out five green vest, and setting them on his desk.
"Just my luck" Shikamaru muttered under his breath as he eyed the five vest.
Seeing the confused expression on the Genin's faces all besides Shikamaru, Sarutobi decided to explain. "Now normally I wouldn't have considered promoting all five of you to Chunin, but we have suffered our own share of losses during the invasion." Sarutobi explained while lacing his fingers together. "Simply put the positions need to be filled immediately. So Uchiha Sasuke, Aburame Naruto, Hyuuga Hinata, Tonbo Fu, and Nara Shikamaru congratulations on your promotion to Chunin."
Each new appointed Chunin were speechless as they watched Sarutobi spread the vest across his desk.
"If you will I'd like each of you to come here and retrieve your vest." Sarutoib offered.
Fu was the first to get over her shock and she walked up to Sarutobi's desk grinning like an idiot, grabbing one of the vest she bowed to Sarutobi. "Thank you for this honor Hokage-sama." Fu supplied.
"Of course each of you has earned this." Sarutobi acknowledged. After everyone had retrieved their vest Sarutobi eyed them carefully. Each were now wearing their Chunin vest and awaiting further orders.
"You five are free to leave and celebrate your promotions as you see fit." Sarutobi offered. "Well except for Naruto, and Sasuke. I suggest you two go get cleaned up and prepare yourselves for the council meeting that will be held in an hour."
The Chunin all bowed their respects before exiting out of the Hokage's office.
"I can't believe we all made Chunin!" Fu chorused loudly as the group of five made their way out of the Hokages' tower.
"I don't know what you're so excited about." Shikamaru retorted. "All Chunin means is more work, frankly it's just troublesome."
"Hn it also means harder missions." Sasuke piped in with a smirk as he thought about being given missions of actual importance.
Fu nodded her agreement. "And better pay, no more kiddy change, man Haku's going to be so jealous." Fu chuckled.
"I think you have Haku-san mistaken for someone else." Naruto retorted. "If anything she'll be proud of our accomplishment."
Fu sighed. "Yeah you're right, that girl is just too damn perfect." Fu mumbled. "But anyway what's this council meeting all about huh?" Fu prodded.
"Yes I was wondering the same thing." Hinata added as she adjusted the rather uncomfortable vest. "Meetings like that usually have great importance." She added softly.
"Their probably just going to hand him a metal or something for killing Orochimaru. Although that wouldn't explain why Sasuke has to be there." Shikamaru added in even though he didn't sound completely interested in the reason behind the meeting in the first place.
Sasuke shrugged. "I was told that once I made Chunin I'd have to officially take over the duties of clan head of the Uchiha." Sasuke explained. "I guess my presence was requested for that reason."
Naruto at that moment stopped in his tracks and the rest of them did the same.
"What's wrong Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked.
Naruto turned around and stared at the four people behind him. "All I can say for now is it's about my heritage. But I promise after the meeting you guys will be the first to know, if I'm able to reveal the truth." Naruto offered.
"Heritage huh?" Shikamaru stated with a yawn. "I guess you finally figured out the truth then."
Naruto's eyebrows rose. "You mean you know the truth?"
"I had my suspicions since that time in the hall of fame at the academy." Shikamaru supplied with a shrug. "And just now you pretty much confirmed them." Shikamaru added while the remaining three stared at the two with confused expressions on their faces.
"What's he talking about Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked carefully.
Naruto placed his hand on Hinata's shoulder and smiled at her. "It's nothing to worry about I promise Hinata-chan." Naruto assured her. "I promise the moment I get out of there we'll do something to celebrate our promotion to Chunin, and I'll tell you everything then." Naruto concluded.
Hinata nodded her understanding while Naruto kissed her softly on the cheek. "I'll see you later then Hinata-chan." Naruto offered as he disappeared in a cloud of smoke, and Sasuke did the same.
"So they know the Shunshin Jutsu huh?" Shikamaru noted. "Now that's one Jutsu that's probably worth the effort to actually learn." Shikamaru stated as he shoved his hands into his pockets and began to walk off. "I guess I'll catch you guys later."
Both girls waved their goodbyes to Shikamaru as they watched him leave.
"Well I'm gonna go track down Haku I believe she's with Sakura visiting your teammate Kiba." Fu stated. "You're free to come along if yah want." Fu offered.
Hinata nodded her head in acceptance. "Of course I've been meaning to pay a visit to Kiba-kun anyhow."
(An Hour Later)
Naruto found himself waiting outside the council's chambers along with Shino. He and Shino were dressed in their best robes for the occasion considering Shina had advised they do so.
"Are you nervous?" Shino questioned Naruto as he watched him pace back in forth.
"Only slightly." Naruto answered dishonestly. "Its just I don't know what to expect. I mean are these people going to try and refute my heritage? Why else would a council meeting involving all the clan heads be needed?"
Shino adjusted his shades. "Namikaze Minato was a man of great importance was he not?" Shino confirmed. "I'd assume he left much behind that will be given to you besides his surname."
Naruto nodded. "You're right, but what do you suppose he left behind for me." Naruto questioned.
"Not sure, but we'll most likely find out soon enough." Shino proclaimed as the door to the council room opened and a woman poked her head through.
"You two may enter now." She stated and both Naruto and Shino nodded as they walked past her and into the council's chambers.
Naruto forced himself to remain calm as he eyed everyone in the council room, his shades doing a good job of hiding his wondering gaze. He noticed Sasuke was sitting in the middle row about three levels up, and Hiashi was about four people away from Sasuke to his right. Every major clan head was there along with all the minor clans that Naruto didn't know about, he even spotted Kakashi among the attendants. Naruto also took note of the civilian members that were there.
Once Naruto and Shino arrived in the middle of the room they took the seats next to Jiraiya, Shibi and Shina that were set up for them. Sitting down Naruto's eyes landed on Sarutobi who was seated in front of the council room. To Sarutobi's immediate right and left were two people Naruto had never seen before. One a female while the other male and both appeared to be just as old as Sarutobi.
Seeing that Naruto and Shino were now settled, Sarutobi cleared his throat to signify he was to begin talking. "I know all of you are wondering why I have summoned each of you here on this day when so much still needs to be done." Sarutobi started. "But I'll assure you this meeting is of great importance." Sarutobi confirmed.
"Just get on with it." A heavily bandaged man interjected from the second row.
"Mind your tongue Danzo." Sarutobi rebuked forcibly, but Danzo only scoffed. "Now as I was saying this meeting was called for one purpose and that's to reveal Aburame Naruto's true heritage."
"What do you mean true heritage." A random civilian man on the council piped in. "He was an orphan adopted by the Aburame clan, end of story."
"I will not hear of anymore outburst while I'm talking…is that clear?" Sarutobi stated coldly and the man pulled himself deeper into his seat trying his best to be invisible.
"Now let's try this once more." Sarutobi offered. "As we all know even an orphan had to have come from somewhere. And that's what I'm here to inform you of now." Sarutobi then turned his attention to Naruto. "If you will Naruto remove your shades and please come up here."
Naruto did what he was told and sat his shades down and stood up and positioned himself in front of the council.
"Jiraiya" Sarutobi motioned and Jiraiya stood up and took position next to Naruto. "If you will please tell them who Naruto truly is." Sarutobi stated.
Jiraiya sighed before he addressed the council. "Aburame Namikaze Naruto" Jiraiya started and the majority of the council's jaws hit the floor, but Jiraiya continued. "Born October tenth, to Namikaze Minato and Uzumaki Namikaze Kushina later adopted by Aburame Shibi and Aburame Shina. Heir to the Namikaze estate and fortune, and liaison between the Aburame and Namikaze clans…also my godson." Jiraiya added.
The council room had become deathly quiet as they soaked in the news. Sasuke for his part kept an even face as he processed the information. To be honest with himself the news actually made since when he thought about Naruto's strength. The fourth was said to be one of the most powerful ninja the leaf had ever produced, it would only make since for his offspring to show talent just as Naruto had.
Eventually some woman from a smaller clan voiced her opinion. "This is so hard to believe, had we known."
"Had you known what?" Sasuke cut in. "You would have treated him better?" The woman became silent as Sasuke addressed her. "Being a classmate of Naruto I've seen personally how the village has scorned him. I originally assumed it was because the clan he came from, but I came to realize that couldn't be true. And after witnessing his battle with Orochimaru I have my suspicions of why he was treated that way." Sasuke announced. "And frankly it's hard to believe adults could be that irrational."
"Enough Uchiha, you're the youngest member among this council so mind your place." Danzo broke into the conversation.
"Hn" Sasuke retorted simply.
Sarutobi smirked at Sasuke's behavior. He figured Sasuke would be fun to have around considering how young and inexperienced he was with handling matters that the council often dealt with.
Deciding to ignore Sasuke's lack of respect Danzo turned back to Sarutobi. "Even if what you say is true, why was this kept a secret? By all means we had the right to know that the fourth had blood relations that still live."
"What good would that have done?" Kakashi countered the old war hawk. "If it were made public knowledge too soon assassination and abduction attempts would have been apart of Naruto's daily routine."
Hiashi turned to face Kakashi. "Am I to assume you knew prior to this meeting about Naruto-san's heritage?" Hiashi questioned.
"Naturally." Kakashi answered with a shrug. "The fourth was my Sensei after all."
"If that's true why have you always shown an indifference towards Naruto?" Choza Akimichi jumped in. "I'd assume you'd want a relationship with your Sensei's only son." He concluded.
"And what makes you think I didn't?" Kakashi rebuked. "It was established that until Naruto's heritage was revealed that either me or Jiraiya-sama had to stay away from him." Kakashi explained. "If both of us were to show interest in him that would most likely raise questions, considering both my and Jiraiya-sama's close ties with the fourth."
"So we've established that Naruto is the son of the fourth Hokage, but why inform us of this now?" Shikaku Nara threw the question in the air before slumping back into his seat.
"We felt it was no longer logical to hide the truth." Shibi answered in his usual cool tone. "Through unforeseen circumstances Naruto had discovered the truth, not to mention Iwa was aware of it as well." Shibi concluded.
Slight gasp were heard at that revelation.
Sasuke not knowing why everyone took that news like they had cut in. "I don't understand so what if Iwa knows' who Naruto's father is, what's it matter?"
"What are they teaching you kids in the academy now days?" Danzo replied with a snort.
Sasuke's eyes quickly found their way to Danzo. "I never had any interest in history, so why don't you enlighten me old man?"
"Impudent child, you will not speak to me with such disrespect." Danzo retorted.
"I don't know you, so I don't respect you." Sasuke fired back to Danzo.
"Alright Sasuke that's enough." Kakashi warned his student. "As for why Iwa knowing that Naruto was a Namikaze would have been bad news, simple because the bad blood between our villages. The fourth was responsible for eliminating the majority of their forces personally during the third great shinobi war." Kakashi explained.
Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "So basically you're saying they may seek retribution by targeting Naruto?"
"That's right." Kakashi answered simply.
"At least that's what we feared." Shina interjected. "It seems that Iwa has revaluated their way of thinking, and even wish to establish a stronger relationship with our village. Even with the knowledge of knowing who Naruto is." Shina finished.
"If that threat no longer exist, I assume you plan to make this news public knowledge then?" Tsume Inuzuka questioned.
Sarutobi nodded. "It's why I arranged this meeting in the first place." Sarutobi explained. "To decide on an official day to announce that the Namikaze still has one more surviving member."
"I see, and do you have a day in mind Hokage-sama?" Hiashi Hyuuga questioned.
"In fact I do, Naruto's heritage will be made public knowledge one week after Tsunade's return to the village." Sarutobi confirmed.
Gasp were once again heard throughout the room. "Tsunade of the Sannin will be returning to the village!?" Was the most common thing heard among the chattering of the council.
Jiraiya turned an uneasy eye to Sarutobi. "When and why did you decide on that?" Jiraiya whispered to Sarutobi.
"Jiriaya you know as well as I do that it's time I handed the mantel to someone else." Sarutobi explained in a hush tone so only Jiraiya could hear. "My fight with Orochimaru made it painfully clear that I cannot physically handle the duties as Hokage much longer."
"And you think Tsunade will be willing to take your place?" Jiriaya retorted with obvious doubt in his voice. "I'll be surprised if you could even get her to return to the village let alone take your job."
"I think you have too little faith in your old teammate." Sarutobi countered.
Jiriaya shrugged "Well at least tell me the poor fools you're sending to retrieve her."
Sarutobi leaned back in his chair. "Considering I don't think it would go over too well if I sent a team of Jonin to retrieve her I decided to send some of the younger generation."
Jiriaya's eyes widened. "You don't mean you're sending Naruto do you?"
Sarutobi nodded. "I felt that if I sent Naruto along with a team of two other youngsters she'd be less likely inclined to well… hurt them." Sarutobi trailed off.
Jiriaya folded his arms over his chest. "Maybe I'll tagalong with them, just to make sure things go smoothly." Jiriaya offered.
Sarutobi shook his head. "No this is something I'd like to see if they could complete themselves."
Jiriaya and Sarutobi's private conversation was interrupted when Danzo stood up.
"What are your intentions for bringing Tsunade back?" Danzo demanded to know.
Sarutobi smirked he knew the news he had for Danzo was surely going to piss him off. "If you must know Danzo I intend to make Tsunade my successor for seat as Hokage."
Danzo almost lost the grip on his cane at that statement. "Preposterous" he spat. "The last thing this village needs is another pacifist in office. Just look what your rule has done for us." Danzo remarked in a condescending tone. "You've made this village spineless and ready to be walked on. Take note of how easy Suna turned its back on us, simply because they saw how weak we've become under your rule."
"Yeah and maybe your approach would be better." Kakashi rebuked. "I'm sure being crippled is every ninja's dream."
"That's enough!" Sarutobi announced forcibly. "This is neither the time nor place for this discussion, so take your seat Danzo."
"I grow tired of this meeting." Danzo countered. "The fate of the Namikaze does not concern me, so I'll take my leave." Danzo announced while turning on his heels and hobbling out of the room.
Sarutobi didn't even bother batting an eyelash as he watched the door slam shut behind Danzo.
"Forgive me for that interruption." Sarutobi offered to Naruto, who for the most part remained quiet throughout the entire meeting. "But try to bare with me just a little bit longer, I'll wrap this up and you'll finally be able to see all that was handed down to you." Sarutobi explained before he turned his attention back to the council. "If there is no more to discuss I'll call an end to this meeting."
"If I may." A civilian council woman member piped in.
"Go head." Sarutobi offered to the woman.
"If Naruto-san is the new heir to the Namikaze clan, what exactly will be given to him." She asked nervously.
Sarutobi sighed, leave it to a civilian to instantly see dollar signs. "Besides the seat he will be given on the council as head of the Namikaze, he'll also be given all that his birth parents left behind for him."
The woman grinned as she sat back down in her seat.
Jiraiya shook his head, and placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder. "Kid welcome to the life Sasuke Uchiha lives." Jiriaya joked, before Sarutobi cut back in.
"If that is all you are all dismissed, and this goes without saying that everything discussed today will not be repeated outside these walls." Sarutobi warned. "This will remain under wraps until the announcement is made official." He concluded.
The council members did what they were advised and began to file out of the room. A few people offered apologies for how they shunned Naruto in the past. Naruto waved them off stating that their apologies were not necessary. But not because he didn't think he deserved it, but because he felt their apologies were not sincere.
After all had gone Sarutobi turned his attention back to the Aburame family. "I'm sure you're eager to see what was left behind for Naruto, so Jiraiya please show them to the Namikaze estate?"
(Amegakure)
It was raining just as the village name would suggest. Purple ringed eyes looked over the village carefully; watching over the village always helped him to think.
"Why are you so troubled Pein." A feminine voice called from behind him.
A moment of silence enveloped the two before Pein addressed the blue haired woman behind him. "Apparently Orochimaru has been killed." Pein answered bluntly.
The woman's eyes widened slightly before she regained her neutral visage. "Why does this news trouble you?"
Pein stood up and turned his sights on the woman before him. "His death does not concern me, but the person who killed him does." Pein explained.
"Who was it?" The woman asked carefully.
Pein narrowed his eyes dangerously. "It was the nine-tails host, Naruto Aburame." Pein answered. "His triumph over Hidan was one thing, but Orochimaru is another."
"The woman nodded her head in agreement. "Yes Orochimaru was easily in a superior class to Hidan, to kill him would take exceptional skill."
"Exactly, his power continues to grow at a rate I hadn't foreseen." Pein summarized. "If we don't capture him soon things may become more problematic." Pein concluded.
"You always did have a knack for over thinking things." A new voice interrupted the two, as a man clad in black stepped out from the shadows behind them.
"Madara" The woman muttered.
"Good to see you as well Konan." Madara offered.
"What are you doing here?" Pein questioned Madara bluntly.
"To make sure you don't do anything reckless, like going after the nine-tails yourself." Madara explained. "I know the score you wish to settle with the leaf, and we can't let personal matters distract us from our goals." Madara stated.
Pein didn't say anything but continued to stare at Madara.
"Leave this to Itachi and Kisame." Madara ordered. "Their more then capable of bringing one brat down, so trust in them." Madara advised while turning his back to Pein. "Their on their way to Konoha as we speak, and I'm sure they'll get the job done." Madara confirmed before the space around him distorted and he disappeared without a trace.
Konan watched the spot Madara had vanished from for a moment before turning her attention back to Pein. "Were you really considering going after the nine-tails yourself?"
"If we are ever to realize the peace I dream of we must be willing to get our own hands dirty as well." Pein confirmed, before he resumed his position of watching over the village beneath him.
And that's a wrap folks, I hope you liked and are looking forward to what's to come. Now I have a question considering that it's possible this story could becoming to an end within the next four chapters. I say possible because the time skip will becoming up within four chapters. I wanted to know if I should end the story at the time skip, and make a sequel to this, or just make this all one long ass story. Let me know what you think about that anyway as always please review and I'll see you with the next chapter.