Hey guys! I'm glad you're all still enjoying this and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Just a brief statement, the ship will either be Itanaru or Shikanaru, currently I personally am leaning towards Itanaru because of how the scenes I've written with them together seem to be working, but it is still subject to change.

Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura had identified Danzo rather quickly with the aid of a lovely old woman who'd been rather worried about them.

Honestly it was remarkably easy-probably worryingly so, but everyone knew about Naruto now-that she'd saved the Sandaime, it was easy enough to claim that she'd gotten a message that Councilman Danzo wanted to meet her-though truthfully the old woman had been rather stern and told them they should avoid him because he was a dangerous man.

Of course they were unable to do anything to him right away-after all they had to be home by sundown, but they'd come up with an action plan over the next few days- though before that they'd have to visit Kakashi in hospital.

Which was why, early in the morning Rin, Naruto and Sasuke-Jiraiya had opted to visit Kakashi in the evening and Sakura would be seeing him anyway since she was going to be following Tsunade around a lot.

In any case when the trio arrived Kakashi was already awake and sat up.

He looked paler than usual, but he gave them his usual eye smile when he saw them, his gaze focusing on Naruto, "Hey there you three. Naruto-chan, Sasuke-kun. I'm glad to see you're both okay. I heard you convinced Tsunade-sama to return home Naruto-chan?"

"I did, Baa-chan's not so happy with me right now."

"Baa-chan?" Kakashi laughed, "I don't know why I'm surprised." his gaze focused on Sasuke, "You were there when they attacked weren't you. You saw Itachi."

Sasuke gave a tight little nod, looking away. "They didn't tell me if you did anything after-"

"I heard them saying they were after Naruto-chan." Sasuke stared at the wall, a pained look on his face, "I followed to try and protect her. Things got complicated."

"I'll explain everything to Kakashi-kun later." Rin's voice was soft, "Let's not get into the tricky stuff you two-"

"Oh?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "You better explain. But you're both okay? I know Sakura-chan is because I've seen her but what about you two? I gather from what Sasuke said you had some kind of run in with Orochimaru as well as the stuff with Itachi."

"We're fine." Sasuke said quickly, "Naruto got a bit battered but she's all healed up now right?"

"Yep." Naruto grinned, "Sasuke-kun saved my life?"

"Oh? Did he now?" Kakashi raised an eyebrow, "How?"

"The guy who hurt you got to Naruto." Sasuke's eyes had a glint of pride in them, "Itachi and I went after him-" he ignored the raised eyebrow that got from Kakashi, "I used the Chidori Kakashi-sensei. Itachi distracted him and I shoved a Chidori through his shoulder."

"Impressive." Kakashi nodded, "I'm proud of you Sasuke-kun. You're growing into a very capable young shinobi."

"That he is." Rin smiled, "All three of them are. Tsunade-sama's taken on Sakura-chan as an apprentice."

"I assumed as much." Kakashi chuckled, "You did a good thing by getting her interested in medical ninjutsu Rin-chan, I should have suggested it to her earlier. I knew her control was fairly good but she's doing very well for herself."

"She really is." Rin looked proud, "The latest team seven is going to make history." she paused, "You two." she pulled a handful of coins out of her pocket and handed them over, "Go and get yourselves some drinks and snacks while I talk to Kakashi-kun okay?"

"You want to talk to him about Itachi don't you?" Sasuke asked quietly, "And that fake Madara."

"I do." Rin didn't hesitate, "It's important you two, it's something that he needs to know-"

"I can be here for the conver-"

"I know you can." Rin's voice was reassuring "Sasuke-kun I know you can handle it, but I want to tell Kakashi myself because it's important and you shouldn't be forced to hear it over and over again."

"That doesn't sound good." Kakashi's eye narrowed, "My adorable little duo, can you do as Rin-chan says?"

"But I want to tell him about my eyes." Sasuke frowned.

"I... fine." Rin gave a wry smile, "Tell him about that."

"Something to do with the Sharingan?" Kakashi frowned, "Is everything okay?"

"Yeah." Sasuke nodded, "I activated my Mangekyou." that made the blood drain from Kakashi's face.

"How?"

"You don't have to kill your best friend to do it." Sasuke stated quickly, seeing the look on Kakashi's face, "It's the pain of the loss that activates it. When I first saw Naruto-chan after the... after she helped the Sandaime... I thought she was dead. I didn't know it then but I woke it then."

Kakashi relaxed slightly, a surprised look on his face "That... is good to know actually. How did you find out."

"He saved my life." Naruto piped up, "I was still injured obviously and Itachi's partner-Hoshigaki Kisame or whatever his name was-" she ignored the way Kakashi's eyes widened again, "Went to attack us and Sasuke's eyes changed and he used-what was it Itachi-san called it?"

"Susanoo. He was pretty shocked." Sasuke's smile was almost smug, "Admittedly it turned out I didn't need it because Itachi blocked the attack but-"

"Impressive." Kakashi stated smoothly, nodding his head, "Very impressive Sasuke-kun. I hope you know that I'm proud of you."

"I know." Sasuke nodded, and Naruto grabbed his arm.

"C'mon now Sasuke-kun. Let's get them talk and we'll go and get a bunch of snacks."

"Fine." Sasuke gently pulled his arm free and followed the blonde out of the hospital room, tucking his hands into his pockets as together they made their way towards one of the many vending machines.

It was just as they reached it that a familiar head of pink hair came zooming down the corridor towards them, and Sakura skidded to a halt in front of them, her eyes wide and face flushed, "You guys need to come with me like, right now."

"What's going on?" Naruto frowned, "Sakura-chan what?"

"Danzo's here." that made Naruto's eyes widen.

"He is?" her gaze flicked to Sasuke, who's face had gone extremely pale, and he was very tense, his eyes narrowed. "Sasuke-kun-"

"Where?"

"With Tsunade-sama." Sakura said quickly, "Hokage-sama made the announcement this morning didn't he? I don't think Danzo is very happy about
her being made Godaime."

"Do you think he knows?"

"I don't know." Sakura shook her head, "But please come." she grabbed their arms and dragged them both back in the direction she'd come from, and it didn't take them long to reach what was presumably a staff room-it looked like it had been cleared out in a rush, there was food abandoned on some small tables and in the centre of the room Tsunade was glaring at Danzo, who's eyes were narrowed and he was speaking

"-want to know what made you decide to return to Konoha and why you agreed to step up as Hokage when you so clearly wanted nothing to do with the village up until this point."

"And why is that any of your business? I'm loyal to Konoha-in all of my years travelling I have never actually betrayed Konoha in any way have I?"

"No, but you must admit-"

"I must admit nothing." Tsunade shot back, "Sensei chose me as his successor Danzo, and he chose me for a reason. I came back because someone reminded me how much I care, and I won't have you marching in here questioning me when I'm supposed to be seeing to patients and whipping this hospital back into shape!"

"Go Baa-chan." Naruto whispered the words, since the trio were now crouched behind the slightly ajar door, and Sakura had to stifle her giggles while Sasuke rolled his eyes.

His eyes did narrow though, when Naruto unsealed a brush, some transfer paper and some ink from her arm and started to trace out a seal. "What are you doing?" he hissed.

"Being opportunistic." she whispered back, "Just trust me asshole."

"His decision to step down is very sudden-"

"Yes, well it may have something to do with the fact that he ended up relying on a twelve year old to help him fight Orochimaru." Tsunade pointed out with a scowl.

"Yes. Nohara Naruto. The daughter of the long presumed dead Nohara Rin. You understand my concern-Hiruzen didn't even inform me that Rin-san was alive, I only found out through rumors-"

"Well he doesn't have to inform you of anything Danzo." Tsunade shook her head, clearly tense.

"Of course." Danzo's smile was incredibly forced, his voice just slightly too tight. "I was just surprised when the rumors reached me-it's not everyday someone returns from the dead after all, I would have though that Hiruzen would inform the council of the situation-especially given who her sensei was and the circumstances of her... disappearance."

"It's not complicated Danzo. Rin was kidnapped by Kiri shinobi, Kakashi tried to save her but he failed and given the amount of blood he assumed she'd died, in reality she was kidnapped but later escaped."

"And didn't return to Konoha."

"She was injured Danzo."

"Yes, and she met some surviving Uzumaki from what the rumours say-she's been living in the Uzumaki compound-"

"Oh yeah." Tsunade laughed, "Naruto-chan might be blonde but she's certainly got Uzumaki blood-she's got an innate skill with Fuinjutsu-that's why Jiraiya showed an interest." she was clearly trying to brush off Danzo's proving questions.

"Yes-from what I've heard she's quite skilled-but rather wild. The Hyuga's aren't happy with her-"

"From what I've heard she really doesn't care."

"Yes. I must say from what I've heard she acts rather like another Uzumaki who you may remember."

There was a long moment of loaded silence at that and then- "Well they are distant cousins."

"Yes, yes of course-and she's found another cousin from Kusa who's settling in Konoha."

"I've been told that yes." Tsunade nodded, "I've not really met the girl properly but I know she exists."

"I wonder if she's like Uzumaki Kushina too, of if it's just this Nohara Naruto who's so like Kushina-san."

"Danzo-"

"You can't really have thought I didn't realize." Danzo shook his head, "Hiruzen tried to conceal the fact from me but the girl has the name first name as the daughter of Namikaze. I'm no fool Tsunade. I mean the girl no harm-I only want the best for Konoha."

That made Naruto scowl as she tucked away the ink and brush that she was now finished with- Yes she understood doing what was best for Konoha but there had to be lines that couldn't be crossed or the village would start to rot and turn bad. If she didn't believe that then she couldn't believe anything.

"Come right out and say what you're implying." Naruto could sense Tsunade's anger-but the woman was clearly using all of her self control not to show it.

"I know the girl isn't Nohara Rin's daughter Tsunade. The age, the name-it was naive of Hiruzen to believe that he could keep it from me-and foolish to want to. I have never harmed this village-I have dedicated my life to protecting it. I wish no harm to the girl-oh I wish to meet her of course, but I'm hardly going to try anything foolish. What do you think I'd do Tsunade-"

"I know about your history with Root." Tsunade's voice was poisonous-and Naruto wondered just what this Root thing was, "I'm not going to let you take her and try and turn her into a weapon-"

"Oh there's no need to. The girl is already incredibly strong from what I've been told. She helped Hiruzen fight off Orochimaru and he's made it very clear that without her intervention he's have died, and I feel confident in her loyalty. I won't be taking any foolish risks with the girl." he paused.

"I am aware you're there. Nohara-san. And I presume the two others with you are your teammates Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura."

Naruto tensed-briefly considering bolting, but she took a deep breath and straightened up, stepping into the room, Sasuke and Sakura very close behind her. "Danzo-sama." she knew how tense and uncomfortable she sounded but she couldn't exactly help it, "I'm sorry for eavesdropping. I wanted to come and see Baa-Tsunade-sama." she could feel her friends almost plastered to her sides protectively, Sasuke was outright glaring at Danzo and Sakura was tense and ready to fight if she needed to.

"I've been wanting to meet you anyway." Danzo's eyes were glued to Naruto, "I assume you were eavesdropping long enough to know that there's no need for you to hide your identity around me."

"What makes you think I care enough about you to hide my identity." Naruto snarked, crossng her arms over her chest.

"I'm sure you've been warned to be careful around me-"

"Nah, I didn't even know who you were until today." Naruto interrupted, rocking back on her heels and acting as if she didn't have a single care in the world, as if she wasn't stood in front of a man who she'd happily use the Rasenshuriken on.

"I'm sure." Danzo didn't falter at the disrespect, "Tell me, do you have control over the demon?"

Naruto's expression tightened slightly and she stood slightly tenser than before, a glint in her eyes as she stared at Danzo.

"I can currently use up to four tails-I did so during the fight with Orochimaru, and I have no doubt that within a year or so I'll officially be able to claim that I'm a perfect Jinchuriki."

"Very good. And if there's another attack against Konoha?"

"Do you really think anyone would dare attack a village with a Jinchuriki who has full control over the Kyubi's Chakra?"

"I'm not a weapon!"

"I know Kurama I know, but it's probably better not to piss him off right now. Baa-chan will deal with him soon we just have to grin and bear it for
now-If Sasuke-kun can then so can I."

"The Uchiha looks like he's sucking a lemon he's not doing a good job."

"Yeah, well Danzo's hurt his family a lot."

"True."

"Very good." Danzo sounded rather satisfied, "You're going your village proud Nohara-san." he held out his hand, clearly going in for a handshake, and Naruto, as much as she didn't want to, knew that it was her best chance. So she reached out and shook his hand, patting the top of his hand with her other hand, sneakily pushing some chakra into the seal. The sensation of the transfer would be masked by the feeling of her hand patting his hopefully.

Then she pulled her hand free and stepped back.

"I don't need you to tell me that." Naruto glanced at Sasuke and Sakura-and Sasuke was almost trembling. "We should be going, my mom and Kakashi-sensei will be waiting for us." she whirled around, grabbing Sasuke's arm and dragging him with her-she didn't have to grab Sakura she knew the other girl would follow her.

"Of course." and as they were leaving Danzo spoke again, "The only thing you may need to work on is your stealth Nohara-san." and Naruto paused for just a moment and then;

"I'm not that type of shinobi, I fight on the front lines, that's my strong point. I don't do sneaking around." then she was moving again, dragging Sasuke with her.