Chapter 30

Sakumo ran his fingers over the patch of moss. His keen eyes noted the recent disturbance. Standing he headed in the direction his target used the branch to kick off from.

His senses were sharpened, his focus high. He would catch his prey. His movements were silent as he leapt through the trees tracking his target down.

He slowed when he came to the edge of the tree line. Putting a hand on his Tanto, he prepared for a possible battle. Quietly, he crept from the tree line and into the open area. Closer he moved to the edge of the cliff. His sharpened eyes looked over the edge and glared when he realized that his target had let herself be caught.

Black hair blew in the wind across the Hokage Mountain. A lithe figure stood with hands clasped behind her back.

"Are we done with this game?" Sakumo growled as he landed on the Shodaime's head behind her.

"I hear a lot." The woman spoke. "I've seen a lot." She didn't even twitch. "Yet, very few have been able to track me down when I don't want them to." Finally, she turned her head until one Sharp blue eye landed on him. Sakumo stiffened at the look in them. That was a look of a predator. "Your reputation is earned Hatake-san."

Sakumo didn't move to near her. He felt like if he did, she'd either bolt again, or he'd meet the tip of her own blade.

"You ignored both summons of the Hokage."

Kitsune's eyes rolled as her stance relaxed. "Hiruzen just wants to push something that I think should wait a bit longer."

Sakumo relaxed a fraction when she did. He even chanced moving closer until he was standing beside her, only a few feet separating them.

He glanced at her features. The lines running down her cheeks reminded him of Jiraiya, but hers were slimmer, more elegant. She wasn't dressed as ANBU or on duty Jounin. Her Blue Kimono enhanced her Blue eyes as they scanned over Konoha.

"You have this village in an uproar." Sakumo said when the silence had stretched out for too long.

Kitsune chuckled. "But a good uproar." She stated. Sakumo grunted his reluctant agreeance.

"Why have you sought me out Hatake-san?" She questioned turning to face him. Sakumo looked down at her. She was barely to his shoulders. His eyes skimmed the Fuuin work down her right arm. He wouldn't be surprised to find more down her left.

"What is your connection to my ward Minashi Uzumaki-Namikaze?" He asked bluntly.

Kitsune raised a sleek brow at him.

"You came 'out of the shadows' as soon as Minashi arrived in Konoha. You know how and why the Kyuubi was moved to her. Which means you know where the key is."

Kitsune didn't blink. "What do you want with the key?"

"To close her seal." He answered frankly. Kitsune's eyes widened.

"What?" she hissed softly.

"I cannot trust that a five-year-old girl knows when she is or isn't being manipulated. I finally got a look at her seal. It is open. I know enough about jinchuriki seals to know that. I also know that too much Bijuu chakra will poison her. I believe it already is. She has been having episodes of weakness. I believe she is hiding her exhaustion of fighting it until she crashes."

"You haven't discussed this with Hiruzen."

"Because he would lie to me. Again."

"Did you stop to think that it was because he knew what he was doing?" Kitsune countered.

"Hiruzen knows just about the same as I do where Fuuinjutsu is concerned. More so in Jinchuriki seals when Kushina arrived to be able to protect her. Now it's my turn. I am trying to protect a little girl I see as one of my pups. You will tell me where the key is so I can close her seal and save her life before that Bijuu takes it away."

Kitsune's eyes were sharp on Sakumo.

They stared in silence for a while as the afternoon turned to evening, the sun slowly creeping to the horizon.

"Hatake-san, who is the King of Konoha?" Kitsune asked.

He frowned. "How does this-"

"Answer it." She said firmly.

Sakumo reigned in his annoyance as he took her in again before looking over Konoha. He'd spent all afternoon running over Konoha hunting her down. Only stopping to pick Kakashi up and drop him and Minashi off with Kushina who had been happy to do evening training with them.

"The Children." He said easily and looked back at her. Her face was soft with a smile.

"Correct." She whispered and turned towards the Hokage Tower. "I'll meet you in the office to continue this conversation."

"What?" he glared, but she was in a flash of black swirls. "Shit." He cursed and leapt off the mountain for the Hokage Tower.

The Office doors opened for him by the ANBU before they left, and he was left to see Hiruzen and Kitsune behind the Hokage desk. Chakra flared and Sakumo knew that a privacy seal had been activated. He put on his poker face and approached the Hokage's desk. Hiruzen was smiling at him calmly.

"Sakumo. It seems that you had an interesting afternoon."

Sakumo deadpanned him. Kitsune flicked Hiruzen's ear. He grunted and rubbed it before shooting her a glare.

"Ba~ka~" she drawled out. Hiruzen pouted up at her. She just raised a brow. "Stop teasing the wolf."

"But it's fun. He makes it easy." Hiruzen muttered and looked away from her.

Kitsune rolled her blue eyes even as her lips twitched with a smile.

"I know, but this is supposed to be serious."

"Hai, hai, I saw it. You were right again." Hiruzen muttered even as he packed and lit his pipe.

Sakumo could only stare as he got to witness what had only been hinted at. Kitsune and Hiruzen were close. He wondered how that happened. How was it different from any other relationship he's seen?

"So, Sakumo, you raised concerns about Minashi-chan?"

"Yes. I've already given Kitsune-san my request."

"I don't have it." She said with a shrug before her eyes went out of focus. "I have a theory though on where it might be. I'll be doing some research into that during my vacation."

"Kitsune." Hiruzen said sharply. "You are to rest. Not go off hunting theories."

Kitsune cleared out an ear before looking at Hiruzen. "Did you say something Old man?" She smiled. Hiruzen's eye twitched as he bit down hard on his pipe.

"Insufferable brat." He mumbled and looked back at Sakumo. "Sakumo, I swear that Minashi is fine. I was already aware her seal was open. Inojiro and I were even able to talk to the Bijuu. He is not hurting her or manipulating her."

Sakumo just stared into Hiruzen's brown eyes. All he saw was truth. Something in his chest unwound ever since he saw Minashi's seal.

"She's alright?" he whispered.

Hiruzen smiled kindly. "She has her Bijuu wrapped around her finger." Sakumo saw Kitsune flinch slightly. Hiruzen's lips twitched. Sakumo flagged the scene in his mind.

"Alright. Now can someone explain to me Kitsune and Minashi's relationship?"

"That is above your clearance." Hiruzen said firmly before smirking. "For now."

Kitsune's eye twitched as she narrowed them at Hiruzen. "Oi, are you making plans behind my back again you old Monkey?"

Hiruzen didn't even flinch as he kept his eyes and smirk towards Sakumo.

Sakumo returned the stare. Suddenly his mind clicked when he realized what Hiruzen's words meant. He paled.

Hiruzen smirked. Kitsune looked up and found Sakumo paled as a ghost.

"Huh. He figured it out." She mused.

"He was hailed a genius in his youth, but his demeanor eventually shifted their gossip off of his brain and onto his other characteristics."

"W-wh-what?" Sakumo finally choked out.

Hiruzen raised a hand before pointing to the Chair before his desk. Sakumo stumbled and collapsed into it.

"Kitsune-chan. If you would?" he asked.

Minashi nodded and four more Shadow Clones appeared before her solid barrier appeared. The clones popped and she nodded at Hiruzen.

"Sakumo, I've already sent correspondence to the Daimyo and received his approval. As of today, you will be marked as my Successor."

"What? Why? I've never thought about being Hokage." He stumbled over his words as he looked at Hiruzen and Kitsune with wide eyes.

"I have lived in the Shadows Hatake-san." Kitsune said softly. "Because of that I was able to learn about the real people behind their shinobi masks. You are the best possible candidate for Yondaime at this time. Hiruzen is getting old. I'm not saying he couldn't hold his seat easily for another twenty years, but with a new Hokage comes new ideas."

"You know who we truly protect." Hiruzen nodded. "Kitsune assured me you did, but I needed confirmation."

"We were going to wait until your son and ward were in the academy to confront you." Kitsune glared down at Hiruzen. He just shrugged her glare off.

"Sakumo, when out on your last mission, did you feel it?" He asked.

Sakumo frowned and nodded. "It's beginning. I can feel an unrest."

Hiruzen nodded. "War is coming."

"The cycle of hatred is coming around once again." Kitsune hummed and Sakumo looked at her sharply.

"What?"

"The cycle of hatred." She said with a brow raised.

"Actions in the Second war are sparking a Third." Hiruzen sighed and rubbed his face. "I was born at the end of one war, Lead another, and now a third is beginning to rise. I am tired Sakumo."

Kitsune placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. "You have done well Hiruzen." She said softly. "You have protected your people to the best of your ability. You are doing so again by preparing your successor before you've even set a resignation date."

"This isn't immediate?" Sakumo question shocked.

Kitsune glanced up at him. "Of course not. You need training in politics."

"Oi." He grunted offended. Kitsune just smirked.

She grunted when Hiruzen slapped at her stomach. "You have no right to talk about political training. You Fought a Kage when you were supposed to be working out a treaty."

Kitsune just stared at Hiruzen. "He needed to be knocked down a peg before we would actually be able to talk. Rasa lost, it's not my fault that all that desk time rusted his skills."

Hiruzen sighed and rubbed his head. "Kitsune, please don't antagonize the leader of our new ally."

"Nope. Him and you both need the training." She sniffed crossing her arms petulantly.

Sakumo listened as Hiruzen and Kitsune continued to bicker for a few more minutes including the facts of how Kitsune spoke with the Kazekage. He realized it then. How their relationship was different than any he'd seen before with the Hokage.

"You treat him like a human." He whispered. Hiruzen and Kitsune went silent.

"Someone has to." Kitsune shrugged. "Everyone forgets that the Kages are more than just leaders and protectors of the Villages. They are Human too."

Sakumo looked to Hiruzen. "It makes sense now. Why you trust her so much. She doesn't hold back the truth from you when you don't want to hear it, doesn't she?"

Hiruzen grunted and glared at she sheepish Kitsune.

"She doesn't hold her punches."

"She will be my advisor as well?" Sakumo asked.

"Duh." Kitsune stated. "There is also a plan to form a younger group of Advisors just below my station as personal advisor. They will be hand chosen by you. The next Hokage can then choose to keep them or replace them with people he or she trusts. This is part of the new system we are working on getting approved by the Daimyo. We already have permission to mark you as the successor, just incase anything happens to Hiruzen before your induction. The mark has already been approved by the Daimyo."

Hiruzen rolled back his robe and on the inner part of his wrist, black ink flare and Fire Threewas bold on his skin. "Seal Masters or Previous Hokage will be able to confirm the mark if there is ever a question." He said before rolling it back down. "If you accept, you will get your mark today as well, as only the current Hokage can mark their successor."

Kitsune cleared her throat and Sakumo looked at him. "While we are on the subject, it will be recommended that within the first six months of your reign, pick a successor of your own."

Sakumo raised a brow. "Why? That seems awfully short."

Kitsune crossed her arms in challenge. "Shodaime barely was able to make it known that his brother was his pick as Niidaime. Niidaime died out in battle after choosing a successor from his team of students. Hiruzen has been damned lucky, but he's also been called the God of Shinobi and Professor for a reason."

"Your point?" he asked again.

"Konoha has a history of losing Good Hokages with succession being shaky. What happened if you died within a year of your reign due to war? Who would take your seat? Sandaime? He's already done his time."

"So, you want me to mark someone with no experience, no training?"

"Of course not!" she snapped. "Hiruzen would be there to train them. If you pick one six months into your reign, even if you did die after a year, they would have at least six months of training and Hiruzen to get them through it. Plus, we're not asking you to pick a random shinobi. You are an Elite Jounin. Look at the generation behind you. Who would you think Hiruzen would have choose to from to replace him if you were not available? That is the list you start from."

Sakumo stared at her sharp blue eyes before sighing. "Alright."

"You accept then?" Hiruzen asked sitting up straighter.

"Hai." He looked at Kitsune. "I look forward to getting to know you more Kitsune-san."

Kitsune chuckled and nodded. "Same." She glanced at Hiruzen. "Does this mean I'll be splitting my missions between Team Cheetah and Sakumo's team?"

Hiruzen hummed and puffed his pipe. "Yes, but I'd also like to partner you two up and then send you with others that will compliment your skills easily on missions."

Sakumo and Kitsune shared a glance before Kitsune narrowed hers and snapped them to the smirking Hokage.

"Oi!" she growled. "Are you thinking of pairing us up with them? That is Over Kill!"

"But a damn fine team." Hiruzen smirked.

Kitsune deadpanned him. "Yeah, if you want to destroy a small nation."

"Are you saying you can't keep them under control as my advisor?" Hiruzen smirked.

Kitsune just gave him a sharp grin. "Who said anything about controlling them? I'd probably be egging them on. You'd be leaving poor Sakumo there to control all four of us."

Hiruzen's face blanked of all emotion as brown met twinkling blue.

"Fine, you'll partner up only where I need you five the most."

"Then cycle Hatake and myself around the other Jounin teams to show our own teamwork."

"Hai, Hai." Hiruzen muttered and started writing notes for himself for future missions.

Sakumo just stared deadpanned at them. Hiruzen was going crazy if he though putting his Mysterious Advisor, himself, and the Sannin together. Rumors were that Kitsune was as strong if not stronger than the Sannin. Sakumo himself was almost as powerful. That was a lot of chakra out on the battlefield. Overkill. Kitsune had described it perfectly.

Sakumo looked down at his wrist. Calling chakra to the area, a bold Fire Four appeared on his skin. It tingled with traces of Hiruzen's own chakra, showing that it was the Sandaime that had marked him. He also felt the trace amounts of a secondary chakra. Sakumo realized that it had to be Kitsune's. But it was so flighty, that he couldn't get a full read on it if he ever had to track it down.

A long sigh filled the air. Sakumo looked up to see that while Kitsune had released her barrier, she'd then collapsed down face first onto the couch.

Hiruzen chuckled. "You alright there Kitsune?" He called as he started shuffling through his paperwork.

"Getting better Jiji." She mumbled back.

Hiruzen only shook his head and then met Sakumo's gaze that had been bouncing between the two.

Hiruzen glanced at Kitsune and nodded when he realized her breathing had evened out. She probably wasn't out cold, but she was giving them some sort of privacy.

"She is a unique individual." He said softly, pulling Sakumo from rubbing the new seal. Sakumo's dark eyes held wise brown.

"So it seems." Sakumo muttered glancing back at her. "Can I really trust her with my life like you do Hiruzen?"

"Hai. Kitsune's first mission is to protect the King of Konoha. Her secondary Mission is to protect Konoha as a whole. Within both of those, she will also make sure that her additional mission is completed."

"And that is?"

"To protect the happiness and welfare of the one who protects them all." He smiled. "I can't tell you how much her compassion has been a Kami send."

"The Trial." Sakumo whispered.

Hiruzen nodded. "I was at a breaking point. A man I thought I knew all my life; had hurt the people I was to protect. I felt like a failure. She reminded me that I still had good people to lean on. Then when I needed a place to just breathe, she took me away so I could. I will never regret letting her into my life."

"You two are very close." Sakumo mused.

"We know each other's burdens, all our secrets. I can't tell you how happy I was that she was finally here to be at my side. Finally, someone that would understand me."

"You love her." Sakumo realized seeing it in the Hokage's eyes and hearing it in the tone of his voice. Hiruzen just smiled.

"Ah, I do." Hiruzen chuckled. "Don't misunderstand me though. I love her like an annoying bratty little sister that has the luck to always be right. There are still places I put my foot down, but most of the time, she is right, and I can't seem to find an argument against her. I have no doubt that you too will fall in love with her. It's just part of who she is. Just like me, it will not be something romantic, but a love of understanding." Hiruzen then frowned. "Well, eventually. There are somethings that even you will not get to know until she is ready."

"Like what?" Sakumo asked.

"Her origins." Hiruzen said simply and puffed on his pipe, his sharp eyes never leaving Sakumo.

Sakumo narrowed his. "You will not tell me after I take the hat?"

"It is her story to tell. She will build her allies as she needs them."

Sakumo crossed his arms. "Orochimaru said something similar."

"Because they are her Allies. They know her origins." He then tilted his head. "I believe she also built the last wall of trust with Rasa by telling him as well."

"Anyone else?" Sakumo asked dryly.

"Inojiro." Hiruzen supplied. Sakumo stared. Hiruzen sighed. "Look, that woman has seen so much Sakumo. She knows she needs help. So, she gets it. He is her ally. He keeps her stable by confronting her past pain. I wish more of my shinobi were as proactive in their mental health as she is."

"Just who is she Hiruzen? She doesn't look like she's even thirty." He sighed rubbing his temple.

"She isn't." He answered simply. "That makes it all the more troublesome. The things she has seen and lived through. I'm in awe of her inner strength. You are known for your patience Sakumo. On and off the battlefield. You will need it with her. Be patient. Earn her full trust and she will reward you with the truth. One you may not be so shocked by in the end."

"Stop rambling you old Monkey." Minashi sighed from the couch without turning towards them. "I'll tell him. Just not until after it."

Hiruzen sighed. "As you wish Kitsune."

"Good. I'm going to go watch the Hyuuga roam Konoha. Then figure out how to dispel the Genjutsu the Uchiha are using to hide their Pink Hair. I can't let the Prankster's good work go to waste." She smirked sitting up before breaking the privacy seal and leaping out the window.

Hiruzen pointed and glared at the open window. "Get used to that as well. The annoying ones always do it."

Sakumo just raised a brow before chuckling. "I think I am starting to understand you a bit more Hiruzen."

Hiruzen just smirked. "So, about that training." He tossed a scroll at Sakumo. "Review that and tell me what you think about it."

Sakumo's eyes bugged at the title when he opened the scroll. It was the Suna Konoha treaty scroll. Hiruzen waved a hand at him.

"It's just a copy. The original is in a secure place."

Sakumo relaxed and moved to the couch Kitsune had once held.

"After that, you'll need to arrange with Shikaro to borrow some of his Jounin for mock battles. You and Kitsune need to learn to fight together. Learn each other's skills before I go tossing you out onto the field."

"Hai." Sakumo sighed already regretting his decision to accept the position.

Minashi sighed as she took a seat once again in the Jounin lounge the following morning. Her clone had reported that they were having a quiz. So Minashi sent another clone in her place. She has taken enough written exams for one lifetime. So, no thank you.

She couldn't help the smile on her face as she remembered last night though. Just spending time goofing off with Kushina as they teased Minato. Kashi had been dragged into it since Sakumo stayed late at the Hokage's office. It ended up being a sleepover at Minato's apartment. Minashi would never tire of waking up in Kakashi's arms. Slowly she was adjusting to their different but similar scents. She was adjusting that she lost the Kakashi she knew, but she was still already in love with the Honest and Caring person he already was. Even if he was a bit training crazy at times.

Propping her feet up on the couch, she curled them up so she could write against them. Minashi wanted to work on the next chapters of Jiraiya's book. She knew she only had this week to do so, especially with the new development with Sakumo.

"You're back." Minashi had just barely put pen to paper when the voice spoke. She glanced up to see Shikaku sitting beside her feet staring at her again.

"Hai. My apartment is surprisingly too quiet. That and I did tell Hiruzen I would socialize. I was also hoping to get some work done on a hobby."

Shikaku glanced down at the manuscript before looking back up at her. "Can you multitask?"

"Yes." She said before smirking. "You want to go again?" She chuckled smirking. Shikaku nodded and they readjusted.

Shikaku and Minashi sat across from each other at the coffee table with cushions beneath them. Minashi kept the draft to the right of the board, so her left hand was free to play against the Nara.

Silence filled the air as the first game began. Minashi only glancing away from the draft to move a piece. The sounds of the tiles filled the empty lounge as it was still early morning.

Minashi barely noticed the sun's accent outside the windows. Instead, she was mostly focused on rewriting plot and filling in holes. She added in smut for the women readers' enjoyment, and fixed Jiraiya's god awful grammar and punctuation.

Minashi paused as she ended another chapter. She really looked at the board and smirked before laying her last piece.

"Checkmate." She called.

Shikaku cursed and glared at her. "You were barely focusing on the game. How did you beat me?"

'I can't really tell him I played hour after hour and month after month, against Shikamaru after Hinata and Boruto died.'

That and you studied all the Nara brat's Memories of him playing against his father.

'Ah. He'd actually told me thank you for that. Even though I'd made him cry.' Minashi pushed the memory away. Shikamaru had at first been angry seeing strategies his father played against him, before Minashi explained that she missed Naruto. It was okay for him to miss his dad. He'd called her Troublesome blonde before telling her that his dad had been struggling to beat him before he passed away. 'It won't be long, and you'll surpass me Shika.' Shikamaru had choked out repeating his own father's words to her. She'd held one of her best friends close as he grieved the rest of the night away.

"Well?" Shikaku grumbled as he reset the board.

Minashi swallowed thickly past her tight throat. "I wasn't born smart." She whispered. "I had to earn everything. All my skills, my strength, is because I'm a hard worker and just plain stubborn. My sensei once called me a genius of hard work. I don't deserve a title of genius. I knew geniuses. I learned from them. But I can never be them." She finished and looked up into dark eyes that were so familiar, yet so different.

Shikaku held her gaze before nodding and making the first move. Minashi was glad he didn't prod further. Instead, she switched between playing game after game against him, and finishing up the last few chapters.

She could feel the curious eyes watching them as she continued to beat every strategy Shikaku threw at her. She could only smile fondly as she ended up just watching him instead of finishing the editing.

"Checkmate." She called again at midday.

"Shit." Shikaku growled and let his head drop heavily onto the table. He turned it enough to look up at her with determined eyes. "Again." He demanded.

Minashi just chuckled at him fondly. "Sure." She acquiesced. Shikaku stared at her for a moment before nodding and resetting.

"Have you even beat her once?" A new voice asked with humor clear in the tone, from behind her. She'd felt his approach but didn't recognize his signature right away.

"Fine. You try Tou-san." Shikaku huffed and scooted over. Minashi didn't move, but her eyes tracked the Elder Nara. She remembered it now from the trial. Calculating eyes watched her in returned as he took his son's seat.

"Hello Nara-sama." Minashi greeted.

"Kitsune-sama." Shikaro greeted in return.

"Sama?" She hummed tilting her head as he waved for her to make the first move. Click.

"You are the Personal Advisor to the Hokage." Click.

"Hm." Click.

"How long have you and my son been playing?" Click.

"Since eight." Shikaku provided absently as his eyes moved from the board, his father, and Minashi. Click.

"Shikaku-kun has been very kind in keeping me entertained." Minashi smiled. Click.

"He is one of the brightest of our Clan." Click. "Rarely challenged by others in Shogi."

"It is an honor to challenge him then." Click.

"Challenged but never lost to others beside myself and his mother." Click. Shikaro said clearly.

Minashi paused and met his sharp eyes. "That is because you taught him." Click.

"Correct. We know his moves. We know how he thinks. So, we can predict his line of thinking." Click.

Minashi raised a brow. "Isn't that how it works though? Well, at least until he surpasses you both." Click.

Shikaro held her gaze. "You think he'll be able to outsmart me?" Click.

Minashi rolled her eyes. "Do not twist my words Nara-sama." Click. "I'm merely saying that it's the duty for children to surpass their parents."

Click. Shikaro hummed as he looked down at the board. "That is very true."

Click. "Check." Shikaro said looking up to meet her eyes. Minashi didn't even blink. She only reached for the board, grabbed her piece, and moved it. Click.

"Checkmate." She said in return. Shikaro startled and snapped his gaze down. His eyes widened the longer he looked down at the board. He then smirked and looked up at her.

Something bubbled in her stomach that unnerved her.

"You had a great teacher Kitsune-sama." He smiled at her. "Funny, I felt like I was playing family." He whispered for just their small group.

Minashi didn't let her body react. She kept her face blank, breathing even, and eyes steady.

"Did you realize Kitsune-san," She noticed the drop of Honorific "That if one pays enough attention, they can connect all the coincidences around you. Though they are very far-fetched. Yet nothing else fits. Shimura's Trial filled in a few pieces of the puzzle for me. I'm sure no one else noticed. Then I was informed of the treaty with Suna. There were aspects of it that seemed different than any other treaty before." He picked up his 'king' piece. "Then add in the conversation I had with Hokage-sama and Hatake-san." He twirled the piece between his fingers. "You work fast Kitsune-san. I'll give you that. Everyone has bought your story that you were deep undercover or just stayed so far into the shadows, there wasn't a hint of your existence." The piece stopped flipping and he set the 'king' piece down again. "At least until a special little girl showed up in Konoha." Shikaro's eyes were narrowed and sharp on her. "You should have arrived before her. Or waited a few months before coming out of the shadows Kitsune-san. It doesn't look good for you. But you couldn't. You needed to make a place for yourself. A stor-" Shikaro froze when Minashi suddenly lashed out at him and Shikaku. They were gone in a whirling twist.

Minashi glared down at Shikaro and Shikaku. They were groaning and vomiting on her kitchen floor. She huffed and went to her apartment's front door. There she reactivated the seals and added on a second and third layer for safety. When she was done ten minutes later, Shikaku and Shikaro were finally starting to try to get to their feet.

"Kami Damned Naras." She snapped. "You couldn't leave it alone! You would have been filled in soon enough." She huffed and rubbed her temple. "Damn it Jiji. First having to tell Sakumo within a year and now these two? Who next? Inoichi? Minato? Kushina?"

"What the hell was that?" Shikaro groaned as he used the counter to stand.

Minashi glared at him. "That was my version of the Hiraishin. I don't have perfect Chakra control so the best I can do is use more chakra. That is the side affect for any passengers. My chakra doesn't play nice with others until they get used to it. I think it was once described as like getting sucked into a whirlpool."

"Accurate." Shikaku grumbled as he just rolled to his butt and leaned against the wall. "Why was I dragged away too?"

"Because you're as bull headed as your father!" Minashi snapped and ran a hand through her hair. "Kami I knew I couldn't avoid you both forever, but I was hoping to get a few months more before you started putting effort into hunting me down." She stomped away so she could pace and think. Kurama wasn't helping with his snickering echoing in her head.

"You knew we'd see the holes in your story? The coincidences around you?" Shikaro said as he helped Shikaku up and followed Minashi into the living room. They sat and she tossed them two water bottles.

"You're Naras." She deadpanned.

They drank to clear the taste and to watch as Kitsune paced back and forth before them.

"A Nara taught you to play Shogi." Shikaro said neutrally.

Minashi stopped and glanced at him. "That's the final clue that gave it away?"

Shikaro shrugged. "I have a few theories running around in my head. Some are getting more outlandish than the last."

Minashi raised a brow. "Oh? What's the most outlandish one?"

"You really are a survivor of Uzushio and are either the mother or aunt to Minashi Uzumaki."

"Nope." Minashi rolled her eyes and sat down in the chair across from the Nara's.

"That isn't the most outlandish one Tou-san." Shikaku frowned.

"It isn't." He nodded and Minashi raised a challenging brow. "The theory that Kitsune and Minashi Uzumaki are the same person is the most outlandish."

Minashi stared at Shikaro as he studied her reactions. "What makes you think that theory?"

"You've never crossed paths with her. Yet you have inserted yourself with two of the adults in her life. I wouldn't be surprised if you were seen with Kushina more often in the coming months. She felt that you had Uzumaki Chakra. I saw her look at the Trial. You are a Seal's mistress, I'm sure it's not hard to make a seal to hold a henge of a child and turn red hair blonde."

Shikaku looked between her and his father with wide sharp eyes, learning from his father, yet whirling with his own theories.

"There is only one thing I can't figure out." Shikaro said leaning forward. "Why?"

"Why What?" Minashi asked.

"Why go this far? Why pretend to be a child? Why risk your live for a village not your own?"

A village not her own? How Dare He!

Minashi's eyes darkened as both her and Kurama rose up in anger. Her eyes bled red and slitted as her K-9's sharpened.

"Konoha is my Home. Never accuse me of that again Nara. I gave up EVERTHING to Protect Konoha." Minashi snarled, her voice deepened into a growl.

Shikaro swallowed at the thick Killer Intent flooding the room. But he also felt it. The Bijuu chakra. She was the Jinchuriki.

"Tou-san!" Shikaku hissed and yanked at his sleeve. "I think you're onto something but also way off!" Shikaku eyed Minashi as she reigned in her temper. Her Blue eyes remained slitted with her residual anger.

"How so?" Shikaro said keeping his eyes off the angry ones of the Kunoichi he'd just angered.

Shikaku instead looked to Minashi. "I remember something from the trial. It was something you said that stuck out to me the most. How if you weren't there Danzo could have gotten away with everything. Gotten away with killing another clan. Taking eyes, using the Shodaime's DNA, attempting to use the Kyuubi."

Shikaro stared at his son as he tried to recall her wording. He sucked in a gasp as the most impossible piece made it all fit.

"It did happen. Didn't it?" Shikaku said calmly.

Minashi just stared at them. Her eyes glazed over as she remembered Sasuke's pain of betrayal when he left to hunt his clan killer. Learning his brother was just trying to protect Him and Konoha. Learning the truth about Danzo. Helping Tsunade to grieve.

A shaking hand reached up for the necklace beneath her shirt. Pulling it out to be able to touch some anchor. She clutched it tight as her memories turned darker. All their friends dying to protect them. Watching her own brother died to protect her. Erasing them all to give them a second chance.

"That's the Shodaime's necklace." Shikaro whispered to Shikaku. "I just saw Tsunade-sama wearing it this morning."

"But I've been with her all morning. They couldn't have-"

"There are two." Shikaro hissed as his eyes brightened. "She really is. I didn't think your theory could connect them, but they do. It connects all the pieces."

"So, she is from the future?"

"Hai." Shikaro mumbled as he realized Kitsune was lost in painful memories if the tightness in her eyes was any clue. "And it looks like a dark one."

Shikaku saw Kitsune's tense frame. "Kitsune-san?" he called, but she didn't react.

"Uzumaki." Shikaro called instead, louder.

She twitched.

"Minashi." Shikaro tried again. She blinked and blinked again before taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. She stayed that way taking deep breaths.

It wont happen. Kurama reassured her. You are gaining allies to keep it from happening.

'They won't have to live the life we did.' She confirmed before opening her eyes. Two sets of Sharp black eyes watched her wearily. She took another deep breath before releasing the Kitsune Mask. Black turned Blonde. Facial markings disappeared to instead turn to whiskers. A henge went over her outfit to include just her robe and hat over her casual clothes.

"Hello Nara-sama, Shikaku-kun, I am Minashi Uzumaki-Namikaze, Rokudaime Hokage. Shikamaru warned me of his father but said nothing of the brilliance of his grandfather. It's very troublesome." Minashi grunted at the end of her introduction.

Both just sat there blinking at her.

"No questions?" She mused.

"H-How?" Shikaro choked, shocked that their most impossible theory was sitting right before them.

"Studying Fuuinjutsu under the Reanimated Shodaime, Niidaime, and Yondaime. Preparing Tactics and strategy with the Reanimated Sandaime and Nara Clan head. Training with the Kage Council of the Shinobi Alliance. Laying out the completed seal and combining Bijuu chakra with the last Kage level Chakra holders of the Shinobi Alliance. Then praying to Kami that I landed back far enough to make a difference." She deadpanned.

"I was right?" Shikaku whispered. "But that was an Impossible theory!" He exclaimed.

Shikaro sighed and placed a hand on his shoulder to settle his teenage son down. "No need to repeat the obvious son. As Impossible as it seems, it happened, and it looks like we are now in the loop."

"Yes." Minashi drawled annoyed. "Much earlier than I wanted as well. "Things are moving much faster than I wanted. First Sakumo's successor mark, and now the Nara heads."

"You were going to include us?" Shikaro confirmed.

"After I'd made Genin. Same for Sakumo. Before we made Chuunin in the Fall exams being hosted by Konoha. And it was only going to be you Shikaro-san to start with. When Shikaku-kun had taken over, so would he take over the right to know if he too was Jounin Commander."

Shikaku winced. "This is my fault then. I told Tou-san you beat me in Shogi. But that your playing style felt familiar. So, I was going to challenge you some more. I didn't realize what it was until Tou-san said it."

"I invited myself to watch." Shikaro sighed. "I noticed it as I watched your last game. The fact that you were playing with a Nara style of strategy with a few unpredictable moves thrown in." He then smiled. "Children are to surpass their parents huh?"

Minashi felt a small smile on her face as good memories of Shikamaru popped up. His bored looks, his triumphant smirk when he beat her again, his soft look when talking about Temari.

"He was such a pain in the ass." She whispered. "So damn lazy."

"That's pretty normal." Shikaro nodded as he crossed his arms.

Minashi shook her head. "No, Jiji said that he was the laziest Nara he'd ever met." She then chuckled. "Choji and Naruto agreed when they theories about him though. He's so lazy because when he needs too, Shikamaru's brain would work faster and harder than any other. His laziness meant that all his energy went into those moments of brilliance."

Shikaro eyed Shikaku. "Your kid is going to be troublesome."

Shikaku groaned and threw his head back. "Mendokusai." He grumbled.

Minashi twitched.

Kami it is hereditary. Kurama groaned and covered his ears, echoing her own thoughts.

Minashi's lips began twitching before she couldn't hold it back. She threw her head back and laughed. She laughed and laughed until she had tears streaming down her face. Tears of joy and longing for the same words from a different mouth.

Slowly Minashi regained her composure and dismissed the Kage henge. She sat back in her clothes and met the gazes of the Naras before her.

"Hai, he will be. But he'll make you proud." She smiled at them

Shikaro smirked. Shikaku had a soft smile.

Minashi calmed and looked at them with a serious gaze. "You do not know me. But I hope you will trust me. With that, I ask for your help in protecting the future of Konoha. Will you lend me your aid?"

"You speak of my grandson with fondness. You looked at my own son with that same fondness. You are not lying. As Head of the Nara clan, you have mine, and my Clan's help." He bowed at the waist. Shikaku following a moment later.

"I, Shikaku Nara, also swear to aid you in any way possible to protect the King of Konoha."

Minashi felt her eyes burn. "Thank you."

"So, can we have another match?" Shikaku smirked. Shikaro sighed. Minashi snickered.

"Sure. I'd love to. Can we return to the Lounge? I do need to socialize more with the Jounin."

"Sure." He nodded before paling. "Can we walk or roof hop?" he whispered.

Minashi snickered but nodded.

"Before you two run off. I have a couple more questions. Who else is in the know and are you really an adult or adult in a child's body?"

"Hokage, Sannin, Rasa of Suna, and Inojiro. And the cost of jumping back was my age. I'm physically in the body of a five-year-old."

Shikaro eyed her. "That isn't a henge."

"Blood Henge Transformation." She smirked. His eyes lit with interest.

"Really?"

"Hai, now, shall we Shikaku-kun?"

Shikaro leaned on the doorway to the Hokage's office. Two of the people he was seeking out were once again talking in hushed whispers at the Hokage's desk.

"Do you have a moment Hokage-sama? We need to talk." He called shutting the door behind him.

Inojiro straighten to greet him but saw the seriousness in his friend's eye. "I'll leave you-"

"All of us." Shikaro reiterated. Inojiro froze and shot a look to the Hokage.

Hiruzen's eyes were narrowed on Shikaro. "Leave us." He ordered the ANBU. Once gone, Shikaro felt the privacy seal slip into place. "Speak Shikaro."

"Shikaku and I have sworn allegiance with the Roku. With this will come the support from the clan should she ever need our assistance."

Hiruzen stared before his head thumped to the desk with a whimper. "Damn you Shikaro, she's going to kill me. I was pushing my luck getting Sakumo marked early. Now you figure it out before we can bring you in on it?"

Inojiro gave his Hokage an understanding look. Inojiro glanced back up to his friend that was staring at him. Inojiro gave him a tight smile.

"Gomen ne. It was SS-rank. I wanted to tell you, hell I needed your advice, but I couldn't. You know what would happen if her origins got out."

"I do. What I want to know is why a Kage from another Nation knows."

Hiruzen sat up. "Minashi was best friends with the Godaime Kazekage. The youngest son of the Yondaime Kazekage. Also, the one destined to have the Ichibi sealed within him. It finalized the treaty as well."

Shikaro nodded and grabbed a seat. Inojiro joined him. "So, tell me what her plans are and if you know what she's changed so far, or is planning to change soon."

"Something upcoming is Hatake's death. She'll prevent it." Inojiro admitted.

"She admitted that it will be changing the Yondaime." Hiruzen sighed.

"Who was it before?" Shikaro asked.

Hiruzen smirked. "Minato Namikaze."

Shikaro raised a brow. "That's a bold move. He's still young."

"Sakumo wasn't available and I apparently didn't want to chose from my students then. So, I had to wait for Minato."

"What was wrong with your students now? Any of them would make good candidates."

Hiruzen snorted. "I've been told on multiple accounts that they actually don't. But they are back and together because Minashi brought them back."

"Just as she exposed Shimura." Shikaro finished.

"Hai." Hiruzen nodded. "And even she keeps denying to taking the hat. Even with her getting a position in the public eye, she still refuses." Hiruzen replaced his pipe into his mouth, but the smirk was still at his lips. "For now." He whispered, but both still heard.

Shikaro raised a brow at his scheming Hokage. He chose to ignore that for now.

"So, does she have anything planned for the upcoming war?" He asked.

Hiruzen grunted. "Of course, you figured that out too." He muttered and pulled out a scroll. "She hasn't talked much about it. But from the spy reports, and skirmishes, we are starting to get an outline of what we will be walking into."

"Good. Let's get started then." He moved closer and grabbed the scroll of notes even as Hiruzen began retelling the verbal reports.