Chapter 54
Kitsune stood leaning against the window behind Sakumo's desk. He was busy scribbling away at forms and orders that were needed with her return from the front. Already a month had passed since the final battle that had not only secured Minato an S-rank Bingo Book entry, but had also put Minashi in as an A-rank threat.
She was mildly insulted, but pleased as well. She had a Flee on Sight order to match Minato's and Kushina's own. Yet, hers she knew was because Kitsune was also in the Bingo Book, not that they had a picture to match. Only that she was an S-rank threat from Konoha and training the sister of the Yellow Flash and Uzumaki Kushina. Kitsune had earned a nickname of Konoha's Fox Sage and Shifting Trickster.
That is not why she was waiting in Sakumo's office. The time traveler looked at the back of the Hatake with piercing eyes.
"Stop giving me that look." He droned without even looking behind himself to see her piercing eyes.
Kitsune snorted internally. They really had gotten to a good brother and sister relationship over the past six years. She wasn't surprised he'd felt her look. He knew why she was disgruntled. She'd been ordered to arrive today, on her first day off in forever, to help pass on the duties of her previous friends and informants, to their successors. The only one not in the know, Minato, would remain that way.
Not that the blonde was aware that Sakumo had picked him already in his Will, to be the Godaime, should anything happen to the Hatake. Yet, even today that would be changing.
With the Kitsune mask firmly in place, the personal ANBU just grunted a short warning before there was a knock at the Hokage's door. Asuka stuck her head inside.
"Namikaze Minato is here sir."
"Send him in."
"Inojiro-sama and Inoichi-sama have also arrived with Shikaro-sama and Shikaku-sama."
Sakumo nodded. "I will see them momentarily."
"Hai." Asuka stepped back and the nervous Jounin walked in without a single hint to his nervousness except his scent.
Once the door was shut, Sakumo placed his hand on his desk and the seals Kitsune had installed years ago lit up on the floors, walls, and ceiling. A shimmering barrier was even in place over the open window.
"Minato." Sakumo smiled in greeting.
"Hokage-sama-" Sakumo held up a hand stopping the blonde.
"Not only do I consider you a friend, but a little brother in some aspect Minato. Sakumo is fine."
"Sakumo." The blonde returned the smile. "You summoned me?"
"Yes, Sit." He waved to an open seat, and the nervous jounin took it.
"Your message didn't include what this was about."
Sakumo couldn't hold back his smirk. "Your future, if you are willing to accept. Personally, I've already had you marked down, but because of the war I wasn't able to make anything official just in case anything happened or information leaked. Yet because of your actions in the war, the Daimyo and Council can only finally agree with my choice in decisions in this regard."
Kitsune sighed and head slapped the Hatake. His head jerked forward and he finally looked at her with a glare.
"You're rambling." She deadpanned him. "Get to the point and put the poor guy out of his misery."
Sakumo glanced back and sure enough Minato had a confused look on his face.
"Just before my indictment of Yondaime Hokage, Sandaime-sama and Kitsune devised a way to tell who would be next Hokage." The Yondaime held up his wrist and after pushing chakra into the seal, the dark Fire Four appeared on his skin. "This has the Sandaime's chakra in it as proof of my predecessor. When I place the seal onto my successor, it will contain both Sandaime's and my own Chakra as this seal will transfer some of the chakra onto the new seal. Proof of its legitimacy."
Minato's eyes widened with Sealing Curiosity, yet he looked between Sakumo and Kitsune.
"Why am I here then? If something is wrong with the seal, I'm sure Kitsune could fix it since I'm guessing it was her invention."
"Correct." Kitsune smirked. "I finally convinced Hiruzen to use this. But that is not why you are here."
"You are here to receive it." Sakumo finished.
Minato sat there in stunned silence as his broken brain tried to compute what just came out of his leader, friend and senpai's mouth.
Kitsune and Sakumo watched amused as Minato's mind began firing again. With a leap to his feet, the startled shout wasn't unexpected.
"WHAT!?" He practically screamed, face pale, eyes wild but filled with excitement.
"Congratulations Minato," Kitsune called smiling "You have been nominated as Godaime Hokage."
"Like...like now?" Minato paled and swayed in place. When he didn't faint, but sat back down, Sakumo cursed and pulled out his wallet. He handed the owe ryo to Kitsune who happily counted it in front of the dazed Minato.
"You never learn." She chuckled fondly. "Never bet against me. That only guarantees I'll win."
Sakumo snorted. "I know, I need him to be conscious."
"Spoilsport." She muttered.
"Minato, relax, I am not calling upon you to be Godaime right at this moment. We have just gotten out of a war. I will not place that on your shoulders. All we are here for today is to mark you officially as my successor, just in case anything would happen to me. I still haven't put in a full decade as Hokage. I'm not quite done fulfilling my goals as Hokage. So until then, you will only begin your training as my successor. While an S-rank Shinobi of Konoha, ex-ANBU captain, Jounin-sensei to one of Konoha's stronger Chuunin teams, there is still much for you to learn."
Coal eyes glanced over his shoulder to see Kitsune meet his gaze. The Hatake turned back to Minato with eyes hardened from his position.
"This does not mean you get immediate clearance to all of Konoha's secrets. Not until I am closer to retiring."
"Understood." Minato responded crisply.
"Until then, let's go ahead and mark you. I would like to see you again tomorrow, once you've had time to process, to go over a schedule. I don't want to overwhelm you to start with, so we'll pick and choose where you will begin to shadow me."
"Hai."
"Stand." Kitsune ordered and Minato did as told even as she and Sakumo rounded the desk. Gripping Minato's right arm, she flipped it so his inner wrist was exposed. Sakumo did as Hiruzen once did for him. Placing his own right inner wrist against Minato's he looked to Kitsune.
"When you're ready."
The masked Raven nodded and placed her hands on either side of theirs. Chakra seeped into their skin and Minato twitched as he felt his more sensitive skin start to warm before it tingled. Suddenly his senses picked up Sakumo's unique White chakra and the Sandaime's own chakra mingled with the Chakra tingling his wrist. Two minutes later Kitsune removed her hands, followed by Sakumo.
Cerulean eyes looked down to his tanned skin to see there, dark with it's black ink, was Fire Five.
"This is really happening." He whispered. "I've always dreamed of it...but I thought once Sakumo-senpai became Hokage, I'd lost my chance. You are an amazing Hokage, and I've been honored to serve under you…"The blonde trailed off unsure of where he was going with this. "Yet, I was sure you would stay in office for a similar length that Sandaime-sama had." Minato finished looking up to see Sakumo grimacing.
"Kami no. I didn't even want this position to start with. Sandaime chose me because you were too young and inexperienced still. I made it clear when I accepted that I wouldn't stay more than fifteen years max. So, with that promise, there are still many years for you to finish growing, gain the experience needed, and build a family and live with them before I will call upon you to take this hat and it's burden onto your shoulders Minato."
Something in Minato relaxed at those words. He wouldn't have to be away from Kushina so soon after just finishing the war.
The blonde bowed to his waist. "I am Honored to be your chosen successor Yondaime-sama."
"Good. Now, recall your chakra from the mark, it will hide it. For now, your status as my chosen successor is between those present in the room, the ANBU commander, Daimyo, and my advisors. All sworn to secrecy. We do not need to be putting any more targets on your head."
Minato chuckled sheepish, but did as instructed. He watched as the seal disappeared from his skin, but he still felt it there beneath it.
Chakra fluxated and Blue eyes snapped up to watch the barrier drop.
"Return for a meeting tomorrow Minato. There is something else I wish to discuss with you, but I have other important meetings waiting."
"Hai." With a shallow bow, the Godaime-to-be left and held the door for the Yamanakas and Naras. When the office door shut once more, Minato felt the chakra flare with the reactivation of the privacy seal. Curiosity peaked, but he ignored it believing that as new clan heads for their respective clans, his friends were just having a briefing.
Kitsune smirked at the clueless look on Inoichi's face. She wondered just how he would take this.
"Inojiro, thank you for bringing your new Clan Head in." Sakumo said even as he looked at the curious young man that was silently taking everything in.
"As Shikaro has done with his son, it is time for my own to take up some of my own duties. As we discussed, this also pertains to a certain patient of mine." He looked to Kitsune. "You've been avoiding me."
Kitsune twitched and turned her masked face away.
"Do not think I don't know you Kitsune. I know what is waiting for you right around the corner."
"Troublesome." The hidden blonde grunted.
Shikaro snorted. He'd spent plenty of time around a war table with the time traveler to get a better understanding of her. Not to mention all the planning they would do with the Yondaime and Sandaime for future event planning, when and if Kitsune would reveal anything to them.
"Are we finally informing Inoichi on Kitsune's status?" Shikaku asked with sharp eyes, even if his posture was lazy.
Sakumo nodded. "Hai. With Inojiro and Shikaro's retirement, both of you as clan heads will be taking up your fathers' duties. This includes the Kage Level secret that is Kitsune."
"Finally." Shikaro grunted grabbing a seat, Shikaku following a moment later. The two Yamanaka remained standing as Inoichi's pale blue eyes lit with excited curiosity. Everyone wanted to know just who Kitsune was. To know that he was finally being clued in, he couldn't wait. While the Blonde knew he'd never be able to tell another soul, since her clearance was so high, the satisfaction would be enough for him.
A hand landed on the young man's shoulder and Inoichi looked into his father's eyes.
"Kitsune's has a mind that I have been in awe of ever since she arrived here almost eight years ago. I have been wanting to have you join me in the exploration of it for a few years, but Hokage-sama and I agreed to wait until you were Clan Head." Inoichi's mind whirled with just that information alone. 'She's only been here for eight years?'
"So...we are doing a session today?" The younger blonde asked.
"An introductory one, yes." Sakumo nodded. "There is still much to discuss afterwards, so please get to it. Kitsune has information that we need to talk about in greater detail."
Said ANBU moved to the other couch where Inojiro pulled a chair up in front of the masked ANBU, Inoichi copying him.
Gripping his son's arm, Inojiro cast the Jutsu and once more was transported into Kitsune's mind.
Three blondes arrived on a stone platform in the middle of a calm lake.
Inojiro took in a deep breath and felt his worries disappear, as it did every time he entered this peaceful place.
Minashi watched as Inoichi's eyes widened on the sight of her mindscape.
Inoichi couldn't believe what he was seeing. Between the massive forest with trees upon trees to his left, another grove to his right with even more brighter trees, and in front of him was a smaller grove of trees, but the beautiful twisting one in the back was what caught his gaze. That was until something shifted behind him and suddenly hot breath was pouring down their backs.
Kit. A deep voice grumbled from Above them.
"Kurama." Kitsune's voice came from behind him as well.
You brought the Mindwalker's offspring.
"It sadly was time for it. Inojiro is an old man now."
"I am not!" His father barked heatly. "I'm not even fifty yet." He pouted.
The deep voice snickered in an almost growl. Inoichi had yet to turn around. Fear kept him rooted to the spot.
"Son." Inojiro called gently. "Turn around."
Inoichi stiffly did as told, but his eyes could only take in the towering sight of the kyuubi no kitsune standing over them with his massive head bent down to talk to his father and their patient.
Inoichi couldn't even register Kitsune's true face. No, his eyes were on the fox.
"You know, if he passes out, you owe me 5000 ryo." Kitsune hummed to Inojiro.
The elder blonde sighed. "I know. OI! INOICHI!"
"Fox." The younger blonde whispered. His brain and body fighting the age-old instincts of flight or fight syndrome.
Massive teeth pulled into a terrifying grin, making Inoichi turn sickly pale.
I've still got it. He chuckled deeply. Even after being stuck in you for so long brat, I can still scare humanity with just my presence alone. He barked arrogantly.
Minashi just deadpanned the fox, with a mighty leap, she landed on his head and gripped onto one of his long ears with ease. Her sharp nails bit into his flesh. Granted with his size, it wasn't anything serious, but just an annoyance. Kurama played it up though.
Brat! He snarled and started shaking his head wildly, Minashi only cackled as she held on and even dodged the tails he sent for her in retaliation. With a final shake, the blonde was dislodged and vermillion eyes set on her form. Minashi just smirked before flipping him the bird. With a roar he took off chasing her, the blonde already deep into the thick forest of memories not her own. Not that she would relive them unless she wanted to.
The two goofing off hosts, left behind a fondly amused Inojiro and a stunned Inoichi.
"Dad?" The younger asked.
"They are best friends. This isn't the first time I've seen them rough house. Sometimes Kurama will shrink to make it a little more hands on, but otherwise he stays his normal size just to annoy her."
"Who...is she?"
"Uzumaki-Namikaze Minashi, Rokudaime Hokage." Inoichi snapped around to see said blonde standing behind them on the platform once more. The Yamanaka frowned.
"Rokudaime?"
Cerulean blue eyes twinkled. "Hai. I am the daughter of the Yondaime hokage and Second Container of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. On the day I was born with my twin brother, the Kyuubi was ripped from my mother and split between my brother and I, Making us the Third containers for the Kyuubi no kitsune."
Inoichi starred but felt no lie in her chakra or clue from her mindscape.
"The...Yondaime...is Hatake Sakumo…"Inoichi said slowly, confused.
"In my past, it was Namikaze Minato, dead after his first year of hokageship after sacrificing his life to seal the kyuubi."
Inoichi's gaze held hers a moment longer before finally snapping to his father.
"It's true son." The elder spoke gently. "She is Minato and Kushina's daughter from the future. Much has changed for the better since her arrival."
"But...she's a child." He whispered. "Minashi is a child- Was a child when she arrived in Konoha."
"The price to travel back was my age and existence as a twin to my brother." The time traveler answered. Inoichi looked at her with full focus. "While I am still working my body and skills up to my former glory and even surpassing them in time, Sealing has and always will be natural for me. With my chakra supply and sealing knowledge it was not difficult for me to create and sustain Blood Clones. When I am not Kitsune in a blood Henge, a Blood Clone instead will take her place. Currently I am obviously in a Blood Henge. This allows my body access to everything that I was when I was at this age and power."
"Huh." Inoichi grunted dazed, but compartmentalized the longer she talked.
"Your father and I have agreed to have you shadow my next sessions. As Minashi, I am no longer attending therapy with him. As Kitsune I still meet with him as often as I can. This is mostly because Inojiro finds it fascinating that I have also stored the memories of everyone that shared mine and Kurama's chakra during the Fourth Shinobi War."
Inoichi paled at that. "There was a fourth war?"
"More like a purge war. The Shinobi Alliance banded together to face it. As much as I would love to see the Shinobi Alliance once more, I can live without seeing the reason on why we needed it." The Blonde waved. "I digress, I need you to shadow your father and even go to him for advice when needed, because I need you to keep me sane. This upcoming year and a half will be testing how my meddling has affected the timeline that I knew. Can you do that?"
Inoichi just stared at her before looking at his father. He saw something different in those eyes so similar to his own. It wasn't for a few beats that his mind rebooted and realized what it was. His father was completely relaxed, even while he had a serious look in his gaze, he held no fear. Even with the sight of the Kyuubi back in a cave he'd missed on the other side of the lake they were on. Inojiro did not feel threatened in the least by its presence.
"You are hesitant." Minashi interrupted before humming. "Follow me then." walking over the lake, the trio moved to a tree that Inojiro smiled at.
"You're going to show him?"
"With your permission, since the memories involve you."
"I have seen much of your own. This will help him understand and if he needs further understanding I will share my point of view."
Inoichi spent the next hours watching his father work with the blonde through her own memories. Watching her original mindscape before being in awe of it's new look. How she was able to deal with overlapping faces, learning so much in so little time about the blonde. The memories stopped playing and Inoichi blinked back to reality inside Minashi's mindscape.
"I accept." Inoichi said immediately. "Father was correct. Your mind is...Fascinating, and peaceful. I don't know how much help I will be, since my father has handled most of your trauma of time traveling, but I think we can be good friends." Inoichi's gaze softened. "Especially since you were friends with my daughter."
Cerulean eyes saddened but there was fondness in there too. "Ino….I miss her. You will have your hands full with her Inoichi-san."
"I can't wait to meet her." He grinned back before pausing and looking around. "Uh...weren't we supposed to make this quick?"
I distorted the time in the seal. The kyuubi- no Kurama spoke up and let out a long yawn. As soon as you three arrived, I distorted the time so you could have as much time as needed to get the mindwalker updated.
"Thank you Kurama." Minashi smiled and looked to her two blonde companions. "If you two are good for now, we need to return to reality. There is much to discuss."
"Hai." A moment later Inojiro ended the jutsu.
Sakumo looked up from the file he was reading when Inojiro twitched and let out a long sigh. Inoichi just sat there staring at the masked ANBU.
"Did he accept?" The Hokage asked.
"Yes." Kitsune reached up and cracked her neck. "Kami that never changes. Five minutes or hours, it always feels like I have a crick in my neck." She complained.
"Too bad." Sakumo huffed amused. "Onto pressing matters."
"Hai, hai." She muttered and the Yamanaka's turned their seats back around so they could talk as a collective group.
"I've worked with the ANBU commander. There are at least two ANBU on Uchiha Obito at all times." Shikaro provided.
"Fugaku is also making sure the Military police keep a lookout for the Chuunin when he is in the village. He has also been made aware of the threat to the teen because of his mixed blood as requested. Fugaku wasn't happy with the 24 hour surveillance, but as Clan Head, he's taking it rather well." Shikaku said before yawning.
"Is he aware to make sure all clan deaths are recorded and bodies are being brought back to the village?" Kitsune asked a bit coldly. "The last thing we need is for Them to snatch a different Uchiha instead."
"Um...What?" Inoichi asked.
"There is a threat against Konoha, but most specifically Uchiha Obito because he is half Senju." Inojiro informed his son.
The Yamanaka's brows shot up to his hairline. "That wasn't just a rumor?"
"No," Kitsune said firmly. "There is someone thought dead, but still very powerful that wants him. I made contact with his pest of a partner in my true form, when rescuing Team 7 in Kusa."
"That's why you have a guard on him then." Inoichi nodded. "Sorry."
"I am too, I didn't want to brief him until I knew that he would accept the position." Inojiro bowed his head in apology for not having his son briefed before the meeting.
"Understandable." Sakumo accepted the apology. "We've already taken measures to protect the teen, but in doing her rescue act Minashi has placed a target on herself to our enemy. We have assumed that anyone and everyone close to her will become targets to bait her away from Obito."
"Why not just try to kill her?" Inoichi frowned.
"Because he needs the Kyuubi." Shikaku replied.
Inoichi blinked before a light went off in his head. "Ah….So that's what you meant all those years ago at that Trial." he mumbled absently.
"Yes. You have permission to talk with your father in more detail of this, behind one of my personal seals and only behind it." Kitsune narrowed sharp blue eyes on the two blondes.
"Hai." They chorused.
"Anyways," Shikaro dragged out to get the attention back on topic.
"Anyways," The Hokage nodded. "There isn't much we can do until the enemy decides to attack or change their plans to reach the same goal."
"How do you know they won't change the goal?" Inoichi frowned.
Kitsune sighed. "Because, while the two are partners, I believe that no matter what, and no matter how different their two goals might be, they will not alter from it. They will manipulate anything, everything, and anyone into getting their own separate goals."
"This...Zetsu.." Shikaku frowned "How sure are you of it's plans being close to Madara's that he'll let the Uchiha do as he wishes and continue to play pawn?"
Kitsune sighed and rubbed her neck. "All I have are theories the Niidaime, Tou-san, and Shikamaru helped me with. Zetsu isn't human. When strong enough he was able to have the white zetsu army mimic regular shinobi down to their chakra signature."
"But they aren't strong enough right now." Shikaro confirmed. In the past month, Sakumo, Minashi, Hiruzen, the two Naras, and Inojiro had been meeting to discuss Zetsu since his appearance. Minashi had no choice but to tell them in more detail of what happened at the end of the war. Inojiro being able to clarify things from her memories, or help them see the memories if she couldn't explain it correctly.
"Correct. Madara is only surviving off of part of the Juubi husk and Hashirama's cells. He'll need Nagato to summon the rest of the husk from the moon so that the Bijuu chakra can fill it. Once that begins, stronger white zetsu can be created from it."
"Any word on the teams we sent to Ame?" Sakumo asked his Jounin commander.
"With the confusion of the war, we were able to get two small infiltration teams into the city of rain." Shikaro confirmed but paused. "After a few weeks they did get enough intel to learn that while Hanzo is still in charge, there is a rebellion building. One by the name of Akatsuki."
Kitsune let out a long sigh and removed her mask to let her grim face be known.
"Then we have our next target." The time traveller confirmed. "With Obito guarded, we need to work on helping the Ame rebellion defeat Hanzo without any lives lost by the three leaders of the rebellion."
"Who are they?" Sakumo asked, already understanding that these would be details from her own past.
"Students Jiraiya once trained during the end of the second war. War orphans. Uzumaki Nagato also currently possesses Madara's Rinnegan."
"Troublesome." Shikaro growled.
"This is the same Akatsuki that ends up flattening Konoha right?" Inojiro frowned.
"Not yet. Yahiko still lives. As long as he is alive, Nagato will not drown in despair to be manipulated by Zetsu and Madara." Kitsune countered. "Granted Danzo being dead also helps to not exacerbate the issue as he'd used Hanzo and his ROOT to take the Rebellion down, and in return Hanzo would aid in killing the Sandaime, so he could be Hokage instead."
"What are we going to do then?" Inoichi asked, still new with all this saving the future stuff, as crazy as that seemed in his own head.
"Ally with Ame." Shikaku stated. "Just like Kitsune said. We need to aid the Ame rebellion into overthrowing Hanzo."
"Warning, Ame hates us." The younger Yamanaka deadpanned.
"Yes, but Uzumaki's are loyal." Kitsune countered. "I suggest instead of sending a Jounin squad, or even a full ANBU team, we send a small squad with the Uzumaki Princess."
Sakumo's brows rose. "Are you suggesting that Kushina will know Nagato?"
"I'm saying she does." Kitsune confirmed. "Kushina recreated the Uzumaki Clan family tree when she heard news of its destruction. That is how Konoha is able to have an accurate account of how Minashi is related to her. There were many names that were marked MIA because Kushina herself didn't know if they'd made it off the island with her or died on it. Fuso and Ise Uzumaki were two of them. They had a small son that Kushina babysat often. Especially since Fuso was more her Aunt than second cousin."
The Hokage eyed her impressed. "How do you know this?"
Blue eyes twinkled "Minashi has been asking her Nee-san for stories about their family whenever she was home to visit and not back for a mission. Kushina at first was a little reluctant, but soon was telling me as much as she could about everyone she was close to, which sadly wasn't much. Kushina was raised a little isolated from the elder generation and distant branch family, but she did have friends in her family that were her age or close to it."
"Sneaky of you to grab that information as her imouto." Shikaku hummed.
Kitsune shrugged. "Personally I was actually happy to learn more about my Clan and Family. There had never been anyone to tell me beforehand. Tou-san kept me from using the Edo Tensai to call her back, so this is really the first time I'm hearing these stories from her. Everything else I know of the clan I learned from others."
The ANBU cleared her throat. "Anyways, with Kushina, I will also be going as a guard and negotiator. Who else would you suggest going as a guard?" She asked her Hokage and the Naras.
"Jiraiya and Minato." Shikaku offered. "If they were Jiraiya's students he would be best to talk to them first. Plus having a Sannin go against Hanzo would be better than none at all."
"But didn't all three of them lose to Hanzo once before?" Inoichi frowned.
"Yes, but this time, Hanzo will be going up against two Toad Sages, and Two Fox Sages." Shikaro smirked at his son's brilliance. "The Ame rebellion will not be able to refuse the offer. With this we will also be able to be in good standing with a smaller nation that had hated Konoha in the past. It would be a good step in making up for our past mistakes."
"I agree." Sakumo nodded. "We will meet again to finalize the plans and inform the three other parties of the mission and it's stakes. Until then, dismissed."
Kitsune and Sakumo watched as the two Nara and two Yamanaka left the Hokage's office. As soon as they were gone, the next meeting came in. Advisors Uchiha Kazou, Senju Orochimaru, and Sarutobi Hiruzen walked in with the addition of Senju Jiraiya.
They took their regular seats with Jiraiya standing behind Orochimaru's with a hand on the back of his neck in comfort. Once more the privacy seal was activated.
Sakumo let out a long sigh. "Let's get started." He shuffled through his papers before pulling out the missive from Suna. "I received a letter from the Yondaime Kazekage. Per agreement with our alliance and peace treaty, it is time to seal the Ichibi into its new host. Rasa has requested an escort for the Host. He has also included that the host is still...unborn. So with this, instead of just a child and their guard, we will be escorting a pregnant woman and her unborn child here to have the ichibi contained. Not to mention those going will have to have enough sealing knowledge to keep the tea kettle stable until it's arrival in Konoha. I've already told Rasa we will be sending the escort as soon as we can gather them. Recommendations?"
"Who is the carrier of the Child?" Kazou asked.
"Rasa's wife." Kitsune answered. "Karura is known as one of the two Sand Siblings in the Bingo Book. This, along with her title as Lady of Suna, puts a target on her back. The information that her unborn child will become Shukaku's host is still a Kage Level secret, known only by both Kage's and their most trusted advisors."
"Who will be doing the sealing?" Orochimaru asked.
"Myself, Jiraiya, Minato and Kushina."
"Then we should also send one of you to Suna to ensure the tea kettle remains stable until transfer is ready." Hiruzen hummed.
"Acceptable." Sakumo nodded.
"Then I request an Uchiha with the Mangekyou as well." Kitsune stated, to the shock of Kazou.
"How do you know about that?" He whispered.
Kitsune just stared at him. Silence reigned before he let out an annoyed but slightly fond sigh. He had never figured out how this mysterious Kunoichi always knew the secrets of all the Konoha clans. He whole heartedly agreed with Sakumo some days that she should have just taken the Hokage's hat and stopped fucking with everyone.
"That can be done. Mikoto will join the escort." Kazou nodded.
"Kushina can be one one sent to Suna then." Jiraiya supplied. "Her and Mikoto are best friends and two of Konoha's elite Kenjutsu specialists. They have also gone on plenty of missions together."
"She can't." Sakumo interrupted.
All heads whipped to the Hokage. He held up a form with Mikoto's name on it. "Said Kunoichi has already handed me her maternity leave paperwork and resignation from the Jounin forces. She's going to be a mom to her children for the next decade at least. She is unsure if she will rejoin once her youngest is in the academy."
Kazou stared blankly before rapidly blinking as his brain began rebooting. "She's pregnant again?" he asked softly.
Sakumo sighed. "I'm sorry to inform you like this, I thought she had already told you."
Kazou just gave a beaming smile. "No worries, I'm sure it was just bad timing. We had dinner planned tonight and I guess this was the news her and Fugaku wanted to share with me. I wonder if they've told little Itachi-kun yet?" he mused happy to go into blissful grandfather mode.
"Kazou." Sakumo ordered sharply, shaking the elder Uchiha from his pleasant day dreams of coddling a little girl like Mikoto. Itachi-kun was already so serious at barely four. He needed a little sister to help him relax and be a kid again.
"Hm?" The Uchiha smiled.
"Shinobi with advanced Sharingan?" The Hokage probed.
Kazou hummed as a frown deepened on his brow. "Mikoto is the one that has trained with it the most due to her friendship with Kushina…." he dragged out before looking up with an answer in his gaze. "My eldest has it as well, but has rarely used it. He doesn't want to go blind from overuse and not be able to see his wife's smile or his sons' grins."
Kitsune sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Kazou, didn't we have this discussion before?"
The Uchiha looked at the Kunoichi with a raised brow.
"Just like when I warned you about the Tablet in the Uchiha shrine. There are truths and lies in the legends of the Uchiha history."
"Yes, you told me that you've spoken with the bijuu before and that it was possible the tablet had been manipulated over the course of the ages. We have since destroyed it minus the information it held about the Sharingan."
The time traveler sighed heavily again. It had taken almost two full years to convince the Uchiha patriark to destroy the tablet. She didn't know if Madara had changed it or if it was part of Zetsu's manipulations of the Uchiha, but all she knew was that it was bad news. She was glad it was gone.
"What do you know of Madara and his brother Izuna?"
"That the death of Madara's brother is what convinced him to accept Hashirama's proposal for the Village. It's written in some of the Clan's historical Journals."
"Anything in there on When Madara got the Mangekyou Sharingan? How about why after a decade of using it against Hashirama, he never once lost his sight?" Kazou opened his mouth before snapping it shut and pouting at her as dignified as an elder could.
"And I assume you do know?"
"I actually don't for the former." She smirked and Kazou's eye twitched. "What I do know is that when Madara and Izuna were young adults, they switched eyes when Izuna's own began to fail him. That was how the brother of Madara was able to keep up with Senju Tobirama. That is why even though the Hiraishin technique Tobirama used on Izuna was supposed to kill him, it only ended up as a mortal wound when the infection set in. Not when it should have ended him then and there on the battlefield."
"It is very disturbing that you always seem to know more about my ancestors than we do." Kazou pouted.
"I trained Kurama's host. I got to meet and talk with the Bijuu that sat in Mito for decades. He wasn't cut off from her senses, so he heard Mito comforting Tobirama after Madara and Hashirama's battle. She would also talk about Hashirama to the other Senju as well. So it really isn't surprising that I know these things."
In actuality she had heard it from Hashirama and Tobirama themselves. Madara had told Hashirama before he'd gone rogue. But her lie was also possible, if not for the single fact that Kurama couldn't hear or see shit in Mito's seal. That woman had his seal tighter than the buns she wore on her head.
Kazou sighed and gave her that point. "So your point?"
"The Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan. Kagami and Mikoto can switch eyes. It works best for close families. This way neither will go blind and will actually come out stronger for it."
The Uchiha just stared at her. "And you haven't told me this why? I have a few good shinobi unlucky enough to awake it, slowly going blind or fearing to use it because of the blinding risks."
"Honestly, I thought you knew." Kitsune shrugged. "I didn't realize you didn't until you spoke of Kagami's fear. I can't read that tablet, I thought it would be described on it."
Kazou grumbled. "It's not, but it explains why part of it was still locked."
Kitsune paused. "Remember, the tablet has been messed with-"
"Don't trust it." Kazou huffed. "I'm aware. I'm not going to fall for the manipulations of another madman."
Kitsune relaxed. Kazou had been so stubborn and adamant about the tablet not being altered; before she reminded him that whatever was on it would only prove people like Danzo right in the curse of hatred the Uchiha clan was rumored to be possessed by. Only stepping away from the past and thousand year old tablet, that could be messed with in all that time, could change the fate of the Uchiha clan once more. Changing it for the better of the Clan. They were already doing so well with integrating into the regular forces and allowing other clans and clanless into the police force. Why risk the peace their clan was finally experiencing for an old rock?
"Thank you." Kitsune said sincerely. Kazou refused to blush. Not only was she too young for him, but he was still married. But she had such an honest and open look and smile that told him even without his eyes active, how much it truly meant to her that he wouldn't put their friendship at risk for some silly ravings of the past. The elder Uchiha could see just how beautiful she was either way. Plus, those blue eyes with black hair so much like his own clans, only opened up his thoughts for allowing his clan to marry outside of it. Now, if only he could swing that. And Uchiha with those baby blues….He would almost not care if they didn't awaken the Sharingan if only the child ended up as beautiful as her. He would have to ask Fugaku to get him a list of their single men. Maybe they could see if anyone would be of interest to the ANBU agent.
"Yes…" He cleared his throat, putting a pin in the idea to set up Kitsune with a member of his clan for later thoughts. "Well, like I said Kagami has it as well. I will talk to them both about switching eyes. It might have to wait until Kagami returns from the Escort mission, but before Mikoto gets too far along her pregnancy."
"Talk with Tsunade." Sakumo nodded. "She can make sure the process is smooth and painless with a short recovery time."
"Of course. The Uchiha and Senju are allies." Kazou smiled proud at his own words. That talk so long ago with the Senju princess had led to a deal that Obito would always have a safe place at the Senju compound if anything went wrong. The boy had even bonded well with her two sons and dotted on the newest Senju princess.
"So, Uchiha Kagami, Uzumaki Kushina, who else?" Sakumo continued their discussion.
"How about two Chuunin teams?" Hiruzen suggested. "Teams Hizashi and Chouza could use the experience."
"Who are the Chuunin on those squads?" Orochimaru frowned as he looked through his notes for the answers. "I haven't had the chance to reacquaint myself with the squad lists since returning."
"They've also returned to their previous squads instead of their Frontline squads." Hiruzen reminded his student.
"Team Hizashi contains Chunnins Nara Shikari, Yamanaka Inomi, Akimichi Hideki, and Tokubetsu Jounin Hyuuga Komine." Sakumo recited from memory. "Team Chouza contains Chuunins Namiashi Raido and Shiranui Genma. It also contains Tokubetsu Chuunins Maito Gai and Ebisu."
"Any of them have medic training?" Kitsune asked, internally surprised to see that Gai, Genma, and Ebisu still ended up on the same team, just delayed.
"No." Sakumo frowned.
"They'll need a medic." Kitsune looked to the two Senjus. "Shizune is a Chuunin correct?"
"Hai." They answered together. "Tsunade personally trained her before we did." Jiraiya continued.
"She doesn't have the perfect Chakra control for Tsunade strengthening jutsus though, but she's still one of the best medics we have." Orochimaru smiled fondly at the thought of their adopted eldest child. Paperwork long completed for her assimilation into the Senju clan.
"Does she have training in midwifery?" Kitsune clarified.
"Hai." Orochimaru nodded. "Especially after the twins' birth she's been studying under Biwako-sama."
"Then that's settled." Sakumo wrote her name down for the mission.
"Will the Kazekage not see two full squads and two extra Jounins as overkill?" Kazou asked, a bit worried.
"What's overkill?" Kitsune grinned.
Kazou sighed, he'd walked right into that one.
"Sending four Sages to deal with Hanzo." Sakumo muttered with a smirk, but was still heard.
"What?" Jiraiya startled. "Who? When?"
Sakumo held up a hand. "That is another matter we will discuss after this. I just finished a meeting with my strategists on that front. I will be discussing it with my advisors once this matter with Suna is complete."
"Hai." Jiraiya backed down easy enough.
"So, Two Jounin, one Tokubetsu Jounin, six Chuunin, and two Tokubetsu Chuunin all to escort the Ichibi's next host and current containment to Konoha for sealing." Sakumo announced and finished up the missive to Rasa and notes for the mission to later turn into a mission scroll.
"Now, onto the business with Hanzo in Ame. We've received intel from teams in Ame that a rebellion has been built up to overthrow Hanzo the Salamander. Kitsune and my strategists have come up with a plan to gain an ally with the future leaders of Ame. Currently the group is only known as the Akatsuki."
Jiraiya and Orochimaru twitched at the name and looked to Kitsune. She just held their gaze.
"Why are we getting involved with a rebellion group?" Kazou frowned.
"Because we owe it to Ame for the second war." Kitsune answered. "We trampled over their people and their land, whether intentional or not. The cycle of hatred will not end until someone makes the first steps in making amends."
"We also have reason to believe that one of the leaders of the Akatsuki is in possession of the Rinnegan." Sakumo added.
Kazou's eyes almost popped out of his head. The rest were unsurprised seeing as they've heard bits and pieces of Minashi's past.
"How..what-" Kazou mumbled before Kitsune shot him a look to hold his questions.
"Shikaro and Shikaku have laid out the start of a plan. Word is that one of the leaders, the same one with the Rinnegan eyes, is an Uzumaki."
"You want to send Kushina out again to see if she knows them." Hiruzen concluded. "Use their connection to open an alliance between our two nations."
"It wont be easy." Kitsune said. "Konoha was the cause of these young leader's status as orphans."
"They lived." Jiraiya's whisper was loud in the paused Kitsune had taken. All eyes went to him. "I only taught one boy who had those eyes….I didn't think they were really the rinnegan. I trained them at the end of the second war. They were strong and unique orphans. I lost contact with them and got a report that they died."
"Your contact was wrong then. They lived and they are gunning for a man that will do anything to wipe them out."
"Four Sages." Orochimaru muttered as he looked at Sakumo. "You are planning to send not only Kushina, but Kitsune, Minato, and Jiraiya….Why not Tsunade and myself as well? We did go through the trouble of actually learning the Art as well."
Kitsune threw a kunai at him. Orochimaru deflected, making Jiraiya duck the deflection.
"Oi!" The Toad Sennin grunted.
"Because you have four kids to look after." Kitsune glared. "And THAT would be serious overkill."
"What's overkill?" Orochimaru taunted her own words back.
Kitsune growled, enticing another smirk from the Snake Sennin.
Sakumo let out a long sigh. This is why he dreaded meeting with his advisors sometimes. Kitsune and Orochimaru were friends, but it was always a game of antagonism. She enjoyed getting under his skin and he enjoyed riling her up. He was lucky if the Sandaime didn't join in. Only Kazou was ever on his side.
"Children!" Sakumo barked when they had continued to snark back and forth for another two minutes.
Silence reigned and Sakumo narrowed coal eyes between the Snake Sennin and Kitsune.
"Do you two WANT to be stuck on Academy duty?" The Yondaime threatened with a growing grin.
Orochimaru paled, which was saying something as he'd gained some color to his skin in the last few years. Now he looked as pale as he once was. Kitsune's own face had blanked of all emotion.
"I didn't think so." Sakumo huffed. "I will think on your suggestion, Orochimaru. Kitsune does have a point about your kids though. You three barely made it out of there the first time, but…." He glanced at Kitsune then back to the Senjus "If you are aiding the Akatsuki, their numbers and our younger Sages could deal with Hanzo's army and loyal followers. You Four elder Sages could then take out Hanzo. I believe with Four Grand Summons, you'll be able to cover for areas that you were lacking in last time. Not to mention you won't be exhausted from fighting an army, and you'll have Kitsune and her unique abilities."
Kitsune couldn't really refute the idea now. She was curious about the Salamander anyways, especially after hearing how Mifune had gone up against him and won, if only at the cost of his own life.
"When you put it that way…."Kitsune hummed. "It does kinda sound fun."
"We need the Ame rebellion to agree to meet first." Hiruzen reminded their group.
"I'll have our team in Ame make contact with the rebellion and try to get a meet and greet with the forces we're willing to offer them." Sakumo paused and looked up to his two friends. "Tsunade is not pregnant again, right? I've been getting a lot of Maternity requests from my other clan heads for their wives."
Kitsune burst out cackling when simultaneously Jiraiya and Orochimaru paled.
"Kami no." They chorused.
"She'll kill us if we get her pregnant again." Jiriaya said while almost checking out of reality, from just the memory of Tsunade's threat to their junk.
"We have Shizune, the twins, and Wakana. We're good." Orochimaru said tersely.
"Okay then. I will want her opinion on this possible mission. Overkill might actually be the best way to deal with Hanzo. The Akatsuki can still get their pound of blood from Hanzo's forces, we take out an old enemy, and Ame and Konoha get a new ally."
Kitsune listened as Sakumo moved onto the Iwa peace treaty results. She didn't have as much of a place in this particular alliance, but would be there if needed. Slowly but surely the Advisory meeting came to an end hours later.
Drained mentally, Kitsune was happy to leave when dismissed. She did have a Sealing and then political/ tyrant elimination mission to prepare for. She could only pray to whatever Kami was up there looking out for her, to help make the initial communications with the rebellion go through without issue.