Chapter 60
"FREEDOM!" Minashi cackled as she practically bounced out of the senju compound. Not only had she been perfectly fine the past two additional days since her last health check, but nothing she had said had gotten her chakra back until Tsunade said so.
"Just because you have your chakra back doesn't mean I want to see you go overboard and land right back in my care you brat!" Tsunade shouted back from the door. Wakana on her hip, Orochimaru at her side, and Jiraiya belly laugh still echoing from inside with the twins.
"You got it!" The blonde beamed back before turning and racing for the Hokage's office. It had been much too long since she'd been on a mission.
'It feels so good to be free of that imprisonment they called medical leave'
You were unconscious for a week of your 'imprisonment'. Kurama snorted amused from within the seal.
'It was still a day and a half feeling weak as shit, another day and a half trying to convince Kushina and Minato to take me to Tsunade early, then finally two Additional days where I did nothing but read sealing theory since Minato and Kushina were busy compound hunting and wedding planning.'
Minashi could practically feel the deadpan her fox was giving her. With practiced ease, she ignored the feeling of his pointed look at her and instead swung into the Yondaime's window with the largest grin she could muster.
She didn't even get a chance to open her mouth before Sakumo started speaking, all without looking up from the scroll he was reading. Minashi did absently note that his desk was cleared of the stacks upon stacks of papers that she was so used to seeing there when Jiji and Baa-chan were in charge in her past.
"Report to your Team." Sakumo stated evenly pulling her from her memories. The blonde blinked and before she could question further, the Yondaime looked up. "I have a mission for them, so change and pass my summons to your Captain."
"Hai. Oh, and have you seen Kitsune? I wanted to let her know I was back on duty."
Sakumo grunted. "No. She still has mandatory vacation time. I will summon her when I need her. Until then she can take the break she has earned."
Minashi didn't let her internal grumblings out but smiled for the Yondaime. "Don't blame me then if she comes here to kick your ass for giving her free time. Kitsune and free time are not a good combination."
Sakumo just raised a single unimpressed brow at the blonde teen. "I'll take my chances." He remarked impassively.
After a quick rolling of her eyes at the Hatake, Minashi disappeared in a shunshin.
Boar dodged another swing from Tengu's katana and threw a kick into Raiju's stomach to stop his own approach with his tanto. The Captain's instincts screamed and he disappeared in a kawarami. Standing a few yards away he glared through his mask holes at the figure that had tried to drop kick him from above.
"Mina!" Tengu exclaimed the same time Raiju did in a more controlled voice.
The Yosei masked teen gave a peace sign to her teammates.
"Yo! I'm back. Miss me?"
"Baka." Raiju huffed. "Aren't you still on medical leave?"
Yosei just turned to Boar. "Tsunade freed me this morning and I've already reported to the Yondaime with my release forms. I was also told to pass along that we have a mission."
Usagi and Kappa walked over from where they had been in their own training spar.
Boar nodded sharply once. "Thank you Yosei, I'll report to the Yondaime for our mission. Briefing in thirty."
"Hai." The Five ANBU chorused followed by Boar leaving in a shunshin.
"Welcome back Yosei." Usagi said, hugging her fellow Kunoichi. "You are not allowed to do stupid shit like that again. It is too much of a pain to keep all these boys in line by myself."
Yosei giggled even if she felt the affronted flares of chakra from her three friends.
"Do you need a spar to get back into shape?" Kappa hummed.
Yosei took a swing for the Hyuuga who dodged easily since Yosei didn't put much effort into it. "Shut it. I may have been cut off from my chakra but that doesn't mean I didn't keep training when Nee-san and Nii-san weren't around."
"Well, while you were napping princess-" Tengu teased and also dodged a punch from the shorter ANBU "We've been working on individual skills as well. And I'll have you know that my shunshin is getting pretty fast. Even Kappa there can't touch me anymore with his juken."
Chakra calm, Yosei slowly turned her mask towards Tengu. Tengu met those blue eyes hidden barely in the shadows of the mask and felt his instincts scream at him. With a nervous smile he mentally prepared to dodge the smaller girl. He internally beat himself up for forgetting the blonde's damn VIOLENT tendencies.
"Pakkun missed you." Raiju suddenly announced and the slowly growing tension between Yosei and Tengu preparing for a fight, disappeared as Yosei's head whipped to Kakashi.
"Awwwww~" She cooed "Summon that adorable little puppy! I want to hug him."
"No."
"But you said he missed me." Yosei pouted as she glomped Raiju with a hug. "Please Inu!"
"You acted recklessly and got hurt. Leading to our team having to sit out of missions for two weeks. Why should I reward you?" The Masked Hatake stared at her dryly.
Yosei just tilted her masked face as adorably as possible. "Because I'm your best friend and I've missed hanging out with you. Tsunade didn't trust me not to manipulate my way around you or else you'd have been on my patient sitting duty."
Raiju hummed thoughtfully, knowing that that was probably true. It took the sting out of not being asked to help his best friend recover.
"After the mission." He mumbled giving into the masked blonde. The responding glomp was expected and Raiju didn't dodge, having been the one to actually miss his friend. He's always missed her when she's been gone.
Team Ro quickly reported to their rooms shortly after Yosei's return. Once their supply scrolls had been double checked and packed away, they headed for one of the briefing rooms until their Captain would return.
It was thirty minutes later on the dot when Boar returned. He gave a sharp nod at seeing them all prepared and awaiting orders.
"I hope you five are prepared for an extended mission." The Captained raised the mission scroll for them to view. "We have been assigned our first S-rank mission."
Boar could practically feel the air spike with a mix of excitement and warriness.
"We'll be traveling to the country of Cha (tea). Once we reach Fujitori Town, we will transform from ANBU to a civilian family. We will stay in Fujitori for one week of intel gathering before moving on to Cha's Capital Hongawa at civilian pace. There we will stay for a minimum of two months gathering intel on our true target, Hanasake. We are to not only dig up everything about their operations, but if needed infiltrate. The second part of our mission is to tear it down leaving nothing but it's freed prisoners. Hanasake is a rising Slave and Sex Slave Trade organization. The Daimyo's men have only been able to gather enough intel that boys and girls are both going missing. Ages ranging from 12 to 18. Pictures indicated that they don't have any specific tastes, but must be hunting to fit their client's tastes."
Boar stopped and took a moment to let the information sink in. Usagi's chakra flared gently and Boar nodded at her to talk.
"Is there anyone from the seduction corps working undercover already?"
"No, Konoha just got this request from the Cha Daimyo. We are going in first to not only decide if one or two will be needed to get on the inside of the operation, if another team will be needed to take them down, or if Team Ro can dismantle it on our own. Any other questions?"
When the four rookies didn't raise their hands, Boar nodded. "Before we reach Fujitori I will be placing a blood henge seal on us all to look more like each other. We'll take votes when we make camp of what features we can all deal with."
"Seal?" three of the four rookies questioned.
Boar nodded once. "Yes, ever since Kitsune-san introduced them to Sandaime-sama, they have been a standard Seal taught to all Captains of ANBU. Because of its blood properties and detailed sealing theory, this henge cannot be broken until I release it or Kitsune-san in an emergency. This protects your identities. Any further questions?"
When no one spoke Boar grunted. "Let's go."
Sakumo looked up when he heard the knocking on his office door. "Enter," he called curious as he felt the familiar chakra signature.
His redheaded student walked in with her normal big smile on her face. "Kushina, I wasn't expecting you."
"Sensei," She greeted with a happy smile before he saw it dim with her apparent nerves he could scent coming off of her like waves. Another discrete wiff also told him of why she was there.
Coal eyes raised to the ceiling with a sigh. "Please tell me my nose is lying Kushina."
The Uzumaki shifted from foot to foot.
"Kushina, you aren't even married." he scolded.
The Uzumaki's hand quickly shot up to show off her new engagement ring. "Minato asked me a few days ago."
"Yes, but if what I'm scenting is right, you two didn't behave while in Ame." He deadpanned. "I already have Hizashi putting in for his own paternity leave at the end of the year for his planned parenthood with Hitomi-san. Not to mention Mikoto is due in five months with her second son. She even has plans to not return to missions this time because of how solemn Fugaku turned Itachi."
Kushina shuffled her feet while violet eyes stayed on the floor. The Uzumaki was once more almost rendered speechless of what to say. Unlike with MInato where she just blurted her pregnancy out to say 'anything' at that moment, she had nothing like that this time.
"Can I at least hope that you will return to active duty?" Sakumo sighed a few silent moments later, his voice that soothing tone he'd always used when she was younger and trying not to hurt feelings further than they were already hurt.
"Yes." The young woman said finally looking back up. "I'm still a kunoichi. So after the standard six months, I'll join the roster again. I won't be taking as high of rank missions unless absolutely necessary. Just enough to help cover the bills."
Sakumo eyed his student before smiling. The Yondaime watched as her body relaxed with the single gesture.
"Then I guess all that's left is congratulations." The Hatake got up and effortlessly pulled the shorter woman into a hug. "You'll make a great mother Kushina." He murmured into her hair. He ignored the sniffling and wetness produced from his words. Holding the Uzumaki until she was more composed, he only returned to his desk when Kushina pulled back. She handed him her maternity paperwork and he sat down to double check it. He wasn't surprised to see that both hers and Minato's pre-marriage paperwork was also being submitted.
"Have you two picked a date?"
"June 7th." Kushina stated after clearing her throat. "I'm six weeks along, so I'll be able to hide my belly still at 18 weeks. Not that we aren't going to be telling friends in a month anyways, but….just in case, dattebane." The Uzumaki began to ramble before Sakumo's chuckle cut her off.
"Understandable Kushina. Most women prefer to wait until after they are three months anyways, especially kunoichi. I'll go ahead and make sure Minato is also taken off the rosters for two weeks after June 7th."
"Thank you sensei." Kushina sighed, one more thing off their checklist.
"I take it you two have checked in with Yamanaka Mai then? After the Sannin's wedding and then the Kazekage's own wedding, it seems that the Yamanaka Matriarch has become a rising Wedding planner."
"Hai! Mai-san has expanded their family flower shop into the Lespedeza Event Planning. Inoichi has told me that he hasn't seen his mom this pleased since Inomi-chan had been born. Apparently she's roped in a lot of the women of the clan that are retired, or civilian into running either the Flower shop section. She's also apparently gotten the MK helping to make connections with businesses in River, Suna, and now Ame."
Sakumo shook his head, not too surprised. Hiruzen had warned him about the Matriarchs of Konoha group. Biwako and Mai were still the heads of the group and were already looking into or had already brought in the next generation of Matriarchs, as they either took their places as Clan Heads or were already married to Clan Heads of the next gen.
A small pinch of pain went through the Hatake as he had a stray thought. 'Kaede would have been right up there with them and happily dragging Tsume, Kushina, and Mikoto to the meetings. Not to mention cooing over Hizashi's shy wife.'
"Sensei?" Sakumo blinked and the image of his deceased wife disappeared from his mind.
"I'm glad to hear the clans working together to create something that is promoting peace and happiness." The Yondaime smiled truly pleased. "Especially with the war over, it should give something for people to look forward to."
"Hai!" Kushina beamed. "I'm actually supposed to be meeting Mikoto to work on the planning. I wanted to bring Mina-chan with me. Have you seen her? Tsunade said that she released her yesterday, but Minato and I haven't seen her."
Sakumo sighed. "What's the first thing a shinobi does when released from the hospital?" He questioned his student.
Kushina groaned. "They go hunting for a mission." She ran a hand through her bangs with a sigh. "Minato and I wanted to tell her the good news about us. She already figured out about the wedding, but we wanted to tell her about the baby. When should we expect her back?"
Sakumo pulled his ANBU mission roster out and checked her team's status. "Her team is scheduled for a minimum of two months away."
"Oh." The Uzumaki wilted. "She didn't have a chance to say goodbye."
"Well, she is ANBU." He reminded her gently. "Minato didn't have the chance to tell you the same when he was in it correct?"
"Hai." She pouted. "I still can't believe you let her and Kashi into it."
"It was either that or suffer her wrath." He grumbled, making Kushina's lips twitch. "Not that i don't love talking with one of my amazing students, but didn't you say-"
"I'm gonna be late meeting Miko!" Kushina squeaked and rushed out the window. Sakumo just watched her disappear into the distance.
"I wonder how long until she realizes she'll not be allowed to use chakra and do stunts like that?" He mused smirking.
Mikoto sat at the table in one of the private meeting rooms of the Lespedeza Events office, hand on her belly and eyes sharp on her four year old sitting beside her reading a book.
"Miko!" Kushina's voice echoed through the building before the redhead exploded into the room. "Sorry, sorry! I was giving sensei some paperwork and lost track of time." She explained grabbing a seat.
"It's fine. Mai-san isn't here yet."
"Hello Itachi." Kushina cooed as she pulled the four year old into a hug.
"Hello Kushina-oba-san." The little boy hummed with a soft smile. He always loved the hugs Aunt Kushina gave him. They were always so warm.
"Aww you're still so adorable!" She cooed back at him again, dragging the boy onto her lap. Not that the chibi uchiha minded.
"Don't squish him Kushi." Mikoto chuckled amused.
"Never." The Uzumaki declared firmly.
"Oh, good. You're both here." Uzumaki and Uchiha turned to the door where the older Yamanka stood, the white streak of hair almost standing out against her blonde hair. Yet it didn't do anything but accent her already angular face and refined features. "Come you two. It's been long enough, and since Kushina there is finally getting hitched, we can include her as well."
"What?" The two younger Kunoichi chorused, but scrambled a bit to follow the Yamanaka Matriarch. They soon found themselves on the third floor of the building in a much larger conference room where many familiar faces from their kunoichi years and overlapping social circles.
If Kushina did the quick count in her head correctly, there were twenty three other women all gathered in the same room. Women that held important roles across the Shinobi political field of Konoha.
"Ladies." Mai greeted. "Our last two have arrived." Mikoto and Kushina took the last two empty seats while Itachi ran over to where his cousin shisui was sitting at a 'kids' table.
"What's going on? Is something wrong?" Kushina asked worriedly.
Mai had already taken her seat, and instead Sarutobi Biwako stood up. "Nothing is wrong dear, it has come mine and Hanako's attention that it was time to get the next generation of Matriarchs together, with a few additions."
"Next generation…"Mikoto murmured as she eyed her mother and Great Aunt sitting near Biwako.
Hanako was next to stand up with a motherly smile. "It was OUR mothers who started the Matriarchs of Konoha. While the men were off defending the village from outside threats, it was the wives, daughters, sisters, and few Kunoichi that were restricted to in-village missions, that defended Konoha from within. We have access to what spies would slather over. Information, connections. Both from which we get from our significant others or siblings."
"Hanako and I are some of the last of the first generation chosen and trained by our mothers to take up the mantle. Over the years we have also lost many of our own picks to plots, sickness, war, and so much more." Biwako continued sadly.
"That is why Biwako and I have agreed to open the Matriarchs to more than just the immediate line of succession. We tested this with a few Branch Heads last generation." She waved to Shikamae Nara, Yamanaka Sumiko, and Yamanaka Himeri.
"As you can easily observe we have not only picked from the women that have chosen to soon take on Matriarchal duties, have recently retaken Clan Head duties, but your sisters or sister in laws as well." Biwako waved to the many duplicate clan wives.
Biwako wasn't surprised when a brunette with unassuming features, but black intelligent eyes, rose her hand. She waved for the Kunoichi to speak.
"Why am I here?" Nara Asuka drawled slowly.
Biwako and Hanako simultaneously deadpanned the Nara. The two elder Matriarchs ignored the questioning looks the Nara and themselves were getting.
"We know who your husband is." The two elders answered in unison.
Asuka's eyes widened a fraction before she smirked. "Ah. Understood."
Nara Eiko nudged her sister in law, Yoshino. "Do you know?" She asked knowing that as Jounin Commander in Training, Shikaku should know.
Yoshino shrugged. "I've never seen her before." She whispered back.
Nara Shikamae shared glances with her sister in law Honami. Both knew who Asuka's husband was, as they were the very few in the know and there four years ago for the Nara's delivery day. Not that they would spoil it for their daughters.
Biwako clapped once loudly and the murmurs settled down. "How about we go around the table and introduce ourselves? While i'm sure many of us have run across each other at Clan gatherings or other social events, it is still polite to do introductions. We'll begin with the last of the first generation and move onto the second generations. Our new generation will then do their introductions."
"I am Sarutobi Biwako, Matriarch of the Sarutobi Clan."
"Uchiha Hanako, Elder of the Uchiha Clan."
"Yamanaka Mai, Matriarch of the Yamanaka Clan."
"Yamanaka Sumiko, Branch Matriarch."
"Yamanaka Himeri. Branch Member"
"Akimichi Chichi, Matriarch of the Akimichi Clan."
"Nara Honami, Matriarch of the Nara Clan."
"Nara Shikamae, Branch Head of the Nara Clan."
"Inuzuka Kambi, Inuzuka Clan Head."
"Hyuuga Sumire, Matriarch of the Hyuuga Clan."
"Uchiha Yuemi, Matriarch of the Uchiha Clan."
"Now, our new generations. Alphabetical please." Hanako called once her younger Sister-in-law was finished.
"Aburame Yachi, Matriarch-in-training of the Aburame Clan."
"Akimichi Chieko, Branch Head of the Akimichi Clan."
"Akimichi Tomie, Matriarch-in-training of the Akimichi Clan."
"Hyuuga Hitomi, Matriarch-in-training of the Hyuuga Clan."
"Hyuuga Hiromi, Branch Matriarch-in-training of the Hyuuga Clan."
"Inuzuka Tsume, Inuzuka Clan Head-in-training."
"Nara Eiko, Branch Member."
"Nara Yoshino, Matriarch-in-training of the Nara Clan."
"Nara Asuka, Branch Member."
"Senju Tsunade, Senju Clan Head."
"Uchiha Mikoto Matriarch-in-training of the Uchiha Clan."
"Uchiha Ema, Branch Member."
"Uzumaki Kushina, Uzumaki Clan Head."
"Yamanaka Inoiri, Branch Member."
"Yamanaka Umeki, Matriarch-in-training of the Yamanaka Clan."
"Fourteen new members." Hanako smiled as she looked across the table to all the young faces. "New members, new ideas, new perspectives." She took her seat even as Biwako remained standing. "I look forward to how you young ladies will run things around here."
Biwako huffed amused at her old friend. "As am I. For now we will hand things off to our most organized member, Mai."
The Yamanaka head nodded in respect as she stood up and gazed upon all the eyes now on her.
"I will make this clear up front. You do not have to be a part of this group if you do not wish it. I know a few of our Clan Heads present already had enough on their plates. I still implore you to think about it. While we will talk Clan politics here and there, this is also a group designed to keep the village from falling apart from within. This includes stopping false rumors, starting false rumors for suspected spies, controlling intel leaked to possible spies, keeping the peace between the clans, and keeping the village running." Mai then looked to many of the M.I.T with knowing gazes. "We are also here to help plan for our children's futures and make sure they grow up in a safe environment. We all know that sometimes our men forget that our children must be children first, before they can be shinobi."
Mikoto snorted. "Truth." She grumbled side eyeing where Itachi and Shisui had now included a little blonde yamanaka girl, the Senju twins, Wakana, Tsume's daughter, and an obvious Nara boy. The only children not in the play area were tiny little Neji in Hiromi's arms and Yachi's own two month old son.
"Already the mid Generation is closing in on academy ages." Mai looked at the kids table. She was glad she'd bought some of Kitsune-sama's seals. The barrier was invisible and kept their voices muffled. Because kids they may be, but they were still children of shinobi. "Not to mention…." She looked back to the new generation of mothers landing on Kushina. "Those that are expectating the Main generations full of mostly Clan Heirs."
Kushina stared at Mai before her face turned bright red as she snapped to Biwako with an accusing look. The Sarutobi just raised a brow.
"Something wrong Kushina dear?"
"You told them?"
"Of course. The Matriarchs of Konoha have few secrets between us. Unlike the men, we know that keeping things to ourselves will do nothing but create unneeded tension. This also allowed us to plan to gather everyone together under different assumptions."
"Told them what?" Tsume narrowed her eyes on the Redhead.
Kushina bit her lip looking at her friend and most of the familiar faces. Letting out a sigh the Uzumaki spilled.
"I'm six weeks pregnant. In addition, Minato asked me to marry him. We've set a date for June 7th, this year. Mai-san has known about the wedding for a week now since we were going to ask for her assistance in planning it."
"Your shitty planning skills notwithstanding?" Mikoto teased. Kushina just stuck her tongue out. "Mature." The Uchiha remarked dryly, a smirk still in place.
Tsume let out an impressed whistle the same time her mother did.
"How many are pregnant then?" Kambi asked grinning.
"Eight." Eiko huffed.
"We're short one to have three even teams." Yoshino smirked.
Eyes bounced around to all the young childless or non-pregnant women.
Chieko eyed her sister-in-law's raised brow. "I need to be married first if you want me popping out kiddos." Tomie shrugged helplessly. Both her sister-in-laws were still unwed and too busy running their businesses to look for men.
Hitomi and Hiromi's eyes clashed. "I just had a son." Hiromi hummed.
"Hiashi and I are working on it." Hitomi rolled her own eyes. "We're waiting to see if the next tests will come out positive this time."
"Hizashi will not want a second one if we cannot change things with the elders." The elder twin mused. Hitomi only silently agreed with her sister.
Yoshino looked at her sister-in-law with a smirk. "So, will it be you or our sister-in-law Yorimi, to pop out another kid?"
Eiko just grimaced. "Ensui said one was enough. We were lucky enough that neither of us ended up with twins ourselves. Kiosho is troublesome as is. I do not need to be shouting at another Nara man that will let it go in one ear and out the other. I swear Daichi has main family lines in his blood with how much he and Kiosho act like Shikaku did as a brat."
The Two Nara women shared a look before turning and staring daggers into their slightly older cousin Asuka. The woman just smirked. "Don't look at me. My husband only wanted one, I only wanted one. We got our one."
In unison the three Nara's were the bravest to turn to the slightly elder Kunoichi sitting closest to them.
Senju Tsunade stiffened when they eyed her. "FUCK. NO. I have twin hellions, and my Mini angel. I'm done."
"I must agree with Tsunade-san." Ema Uchiha hummed. "I have a teenager and a five year old. I'm perfectly happy with my boys."
"I've got Itachi and one in the oven so i'm out." Mikoto huffed.
"My father was a twin." Kushina mused aloud. "I could have made the teams even if I was expecting twins."
Dead silence across the room. Kushina looked around as the chatter was cut off so abruptly.
"Kushina dear," Biwako called soothingly. "I adore you and your sister, even Tsunade's boys, but I say this with all the love in my heart for you." Biwako took a calming breath. "Please do not grace us with Uzumaki Twins. At only an eighth Uzumaki and Tsunade's boys are hellions. At half Uzumaki, if you were to have twins, they would be terrors to Fire Nation as a whole. I've met your Father and his sister remember?"
Kushina had the decency to blush. "Tou-san wasn't that bad. Ka-san said he was a charmer and very kind."
"To her." Biwako huffed. "Otherwise he was a devil. Put him and his sister together and they could tear an army apart. They did so in the beginning of the second war if my memory serves me correctly. This is not including my clearer memories of Mito-sama ranting to Hiruzen and myself because of her youngest brother. Apparently he'd gone and Married Namika, Shouta-san's twin sister, bringing the twin genes into the main family of the Uzumaki."
Kushina's eyes clouded before they lit with a memory. "Oh….OH. Uncles Ren and Riku...I had...Forgotten about them. Ka-san didn't let me play with them often since they were older."
"Also, so they probably wouldn't influence you." Biwako chuckled. "Uzumaki Michi's line was infected with the twin gene. This is where your adorable little sister got her twin brother."
Kushina beamed at the reminder of her. "I know. I'm kinda sad that we didn't get a chance to meet him. Minato and I were talking names and we were thinking of asking Minashi to let us use her brother's name. Kinda of how Tsunade-oba used her great uncles' names for the twins."
"It does keep their memories alive." Tsunade hummed wistfully. "Grand Uncle used to love telling me about their childhood. Obviously leaving out the grittier things from the clan wars, but it always made something in his eye lighten."
Umeki eyed her own sister-in-law as the conversations came to a lull. "Looks like it's up to you Inoiri, or your little brother. How is he with that girlfriend of his?"
The Yamanaka sighed. "I'm hoping for a boy, but it will have to wait a few years. I want Inoko in the academy and out of my hair before I attempt for a second one. Inozo is out of the question. After he broke up with his latest girlfriend, he found the love of his life."
Umeki raised a brow at her fellow blonde. "Who?"
"A cute Cafe civilian employee." A beat of silence as her lips twitched at Umeki's and a few of the other women's impatient looks. "Yuusuke."
Umeki's brows shot up to her hairline. "Yuusuke."
Inoiri just grinned as she heard the accompanying groan from her mother further down the table.
"That BRAT!" Sumiko growled. "He better be planning to adopt or get surrogates! He owes me a grandkid!"
"I warned him of that." The elder sister grinned at her mother. "He just told me to not tell you yet."
"Yet you just did." Sumiko huffed and rolled her eyes at her daughter's failed innocent look. She was still an Academy teacher, she was immune to those looks years ago. "Give me a grandson and i'll let Inozo think you didn't spill the beans."
"Only after Inoko's in the academy."
"Deal." The two Yamanaka came to a final agreement much to the amusement of the surrounding women.
"Looks like we'll just have to hope there is a Genesis shinobi in the Civilian bunch." Yoshino sighed.
"Or some of the 1st or 2nd Gen shinobi have kids." Tsume barked amused. "The Shirunai family seems to be making a name with their kids."
"Hm, I believe the Umino family also has another brat in the academy." Sumiko said as she thought about her class roster and her fellow Chuunin's rosters. "The Morino Family also has another son in the academy. After that, we have mostly civilians or 2nd Gens entering until the Senju twins will be of age to enter." The Yamanaka trailed off as she did the math in her head.
"Then yes, the next largest graduating class with more shinobi clan kids than civilians will be the next round of Clan heirs, for those that didn't get jump starts." Sumiko stated with a dry tone, eyeing up Tsume, Inoiri, Ema, Eiko, Asuka and Mikoto.
Hanako clapped once, loudly, gathering the attention of her youngers. All eyes turned towards her and Biwako.
"We've gotten off track. Basically, if you are comfortable with keeping no secrets between this group and want to make sure our future generations grow up in a safe home, please remain seated. Those that will not be able to share their knowledge and will instead take our advice in the future instead, you may go."
The Uchiha elder hummed when no one left. "Good. Let us begin."
"Asuka, let's start with you, since We know you have one of the most hidden secrets of the village, trumping the current Jinchuriki's host."
The Nara raised a brow before huffing. "The room is sealed?"
Biwako nodded "Hanako, Mai and Myself commissioned it so from Kitsune-chan. It's even more secure than the Hokage's office."
The Nara hummed before nodding. "Publicly I am Nara Asuka. Officially I am Senju Asuka, wife to Kudorama Senju. Who is the son of Fujirama Senju and Sukitama Uzumaki. Who~ is the son of one Tobirama Senju." The Nara said boldly all while holding Tsunade's gaze.
Honey brown eyes were wide until her jaw dropped. "My son is one Senju Tachirama, he is the same age as Wakana and currently being watched by his grandmother. One of the Last Uzumaki's. Sukitama is from a civilian branch of the Uzumaki Clan, so she has no claim to the title of Clan Head." She finished off eyeing Kushina.
Kushina was trembling though as a shaking hand went to her mouth. "There's...There's more Uzumaki?"
"Hai." Asuka nodded. "I apologize for the secrecy, but due to Kudorama's position in the village, and how it's succeeded, none have ever been made aware of our branch of the tree except immediate family."
"Who-Who else knows?" Kushina asked.
"Yondaime-sama." Asuka answered easily. "Sukitama's sister was Ruriko Uzumaki, Hatake Satoshi's second wife."
"Sakumo would have been Ruriko-san's children's age." Tsunade sighed realizing it. "With Sakumo's mother passing during his birth, Ruriko would have raised him. Being sisters, the two Uzumaki's raised their children together."
"Correct." Asuka nodded.
"Why didn't sensei tell me I still had family left?" Kushina whispered hurt.
"Because my husband's position in the village must remain biased." Asuka stated neutrally. "He's that much of a security risk should his family line be found out."
Honami hummed as she contemplated the young Senju's predicament. "You have no siblings Asuka-chan."
"Correct."
"Your son needs socialization."
"That has been our dilemma."
"Who does your son take after in looks?" The Nara Matriarch Head smirked as her plan started to fall into place at the understanding look in Asuka's eyes.
"Like his father and his father before him. White hair, Red eyes, Red birthmarks."
"Your son can join his peers in the academy and his fellow agemates for playdates." Honami announced smirking.
"How?" Tomie Akimichi frowned. "Those are all very distinct markings."
"Easy." Tsunade sighed, shaking her head with a fond smile. "Kitsune's seals."
"Hai~" Biwako smiled as she met Honami's gaze. "Just ask your husband to apply the Blood Henge to your son. If you speak with Kitsune-chan, I'm sure she should be able to tweek the seal to have a fixed range. Active outside your home, deactivated within your home."
"I will seek her out." Asuka nodded as a boulder was released from her shoulders. The knowledge that her son's identity would remain safe, a relief of stress that had been four years brewing.
"I expect you to bring him over to meet his cousins after this." Tsunade said roughly. Her heart aching and soaring at the same time that there were still pieces of her grand uncle left in this world.
Asuka met the Senju's head's gaze. "Of course."
"Are they in the clan roster?"
"No, for safety-"
"I want them all recorded….And...please, Move back home. Kitsune redid the seals on the compound years ago. Only senju blood and those with their signatures keyed in can enter the grounds. Please….I've lost so much of my family, I...I want to also meet and get to know my cousins."
The Nara softened at the longing and old pain in the Senju's eyes. "Of course Tsunade-sama."
"Thank you." Tsunade swallowed thickly, holding back her tears of hope by a thread.
Biwako smiled as she watched her daughter in all but blood find more family to heal a very old and painful wound.
"Next, Kushina dear."
The Uzumaki snapped around from watching her cousin and cousin-in-law, a thought brewing when Tsunade had mentioned the compound.
"Yes?"
"Secrets?"
"Oh, Minashi is the Kyuubi Jinchuriki and is friends with the grumpy old fox." She announced, not only trusting her senpai's seals, knowing that kitsune could handle any of the other kunoichi if they dared to put the blonde teen at risk. Not that Kushina believed any of them would. Biwako wouldn't summon them for no reason.
The spluttering of a few of the Kunoichi and Civilians were not unexpected. Many noticed that only the Sarutobi, Senju, Yamanaka and Nara Heads didn't look the least surprised.
"What?" Hanako spluttered and whipped her head to her slightly younger Companion. "Biwako! Did you know this?"
"Hm? Oh, of course." The Sarutobi smirked.
"Why didn't you tell me?" The Uchiha frowned, not pouted, frowned.
"Because we made a bet years ago Hana-chan, remember?" The younger smirked. "I was just able to find out sooner than you."
Hanako huffed glaring at the triumphant looking Sarutobi.
"Hold up!" Kambi exclaimed, catching everyone's attention. "Did you just say that your little sister is friends with the Kyuubi?"
Kushina perked up. "Hm? Oh yes. He's still the same bastard when he was in me, but she grew up with part of his consciousness already sealed within her with part of his chakra. So when her seal summoned the rest from my seal, her Kyuubi fought and won the other part of the fox's consciousness. Minato and I are actually almost glad he's in her. The Kyuubi is almost like a conscious for her, keeping her from doing too many impulsive things. But we also know he likes it when she creates destruction, so it's different sides of the same coin." The uzumaki rambled off, ignoring the looks she was getting the longer she talked.
Hanako just stared before letting out a long sigh. "Right….That is a can of worms we'll get into another day. For now, we need to address where everyone's connections in the village lie. This will help us to expand our network and be able to work more efficiently when needed."
Two weeks later…
Tsunade clenched her teeth, balled her fists, and swore she would not break her bathroom counter in her anger and disbelief at the test strips before her. She had sworn that her Chakra scan had just been wrong….all three times she scanned herself.
"Mama?" Honey eyes went to their twins set on her mirror image from her own childhood.
With careful control and patience, Tsunade let out the breath she had been unknowingly holding as the last test had shown her the same damned plus sign the other six had.
Bending down, she carefully picked up her four year old toddler and resigned herself to nine more months of cravings, swelling, mood swings, and her husbands walking on eggshells around her. Not to mention the three months she'll go without chakra usage at the end of it all.
"Are you okay mama?" Wakana hummed snuggling into her mother's neck.
"Peachy." Tsunade grunted out dryly, even as her free hand swept all but one stick into the trash. The other she capped for sanitary reasons and headed out to hunt down her husbands. "Hey sprout, how do you feel about getting your Papa and Daddy for me? Can you tell them that you get to tell them a special secret?"
"Really!" the blonde toddler perked up with a big smile that was all Jiraiya in size.
"Yes really." Tsunade couldn't help but smile back. "When you come back with them both, you can show your papa and Daddy this special stick I'm holding. But don't tell them about the stick until I tell you so okay?"
Tsunade set her daughter down in the living room and patted her bum. "Papa should be in his lab. Remember to knock first. Your Daddy should be out in the garden watching over your brothers."
"Hai!" Wakana beamed and took off like a rocket. Tsunade just sighed and stared at the pregnancy test with a small smile. While she didn't need another kid, she really wouldn't mind there being more Senjus. Tachirama was an adorable kid, if lazy like a true nara. Brilliant like her grandfather as well, if that spark of intelligence in his red eyes was any hint.
"Tsuna?" Orochimaru purred, softly running a hand across her shoulders, the in question female already having stashed the test in her pocket. "Wakana said she had a surprise for us?"
"Yes." Tsunade hummed as he started rubbing the knots in her shoulders. "I have a surprise for you and Jiraiya. Wakana gets to tell you both."
"Hmm." He hummed and pressed a kiss to some of her bare skin.
It was only a few minutes later when Jiraiya came walking back in with Wakana holding onto him by his mane of hair and the twins cackling as they dangled from his flexed arms. The grins on all their faces warmed both Orochimaru and Tsunade's hearts. Jiraiya was such a good father to the kids. At first it had been surprising, but then they remembered that he could be a kid like them too much easier than Orochimaru or Tsunade ever could.
"So!" The tall Senju laughed. "Our little princess here says that our Queen has a surprise for us!"
"I get to tell! I get to tell!" Wakana bounced until her Daddy helped her down. There she ran to her mother who happily scooped her up and ushered her four boys onto the couch. Wakana standing as patiently as a four year old could before them all. Tsunade kneeled behind her daughter and discreetly pulled out the test.
Cupping her other hand around Wakana's ear, she whispered just enough for the little girl to hear, and her husbands not to.
"You're going to be a big sister." Tsunade couldn't help her smile as Wakana's face went blank before the biggest smile appeared on her face.
"I'M GONNA BE A BIG SISTER!?" She squealed and took the test from her mother. "Tama! Rama! I'm gonna be a big sister!" She laughed joyfully as the two boy's own smiles matched hers.
"Really?" The twins asked in unison to their mother who just gave them a helpless smile.
"Yep."
"Brother or sister?" Itama asked first.
Tsunade shook her head. "Just like Wakana we'll have to wait until I'm 14 to 21 weeks along. What do you three hope to have?" She asked as the boys stood before her now with a still bouncing Wakana.
The twins shared looks before looking at Wakana's excited face.
"Sprout?" Tsunade cooed at Her princess.
"Hm?" The adorable blonde barely kept her attention on her mama.
"Little brother or little sister?" Tsunade asked, smiling softly.
Wakana paused in her bouncing as she frowned. "Uh...I don't know. Does it matter?"
"Not really. We already have two amazing sons and a beautiful Princess." tsunade cooed at her replica.
"Then whatever mama wants!" Wakana cheered.
"Boys?" Tsunade eyed her hellions.
"Whatever makes you happy." They chorused once more. It was always odd when they did that, but the Senju triad had gotten used to it over the years.
"Surprise baby it is." Tsunade huffed. "Literally." She mumbled as she stood and snapped her eyes to her husbands trying to sneak out the back slider. "And where do you two think you're going?"
Tsunade was sadistically pleased when she felt and saw the alarm shiver up their spines and chakra.
"Run!" She heard them hiss in tandem before disappearing in shunshins.
Tsunade chuckled darkly as she cracked her knuckles and stepped out to the engawa to shout for the two idiots to hear even as they fled for their lives….or more appropriately...their balls.
"YOU BETTER RUN! VASECTOMIES! THE BOTH OF YOU!"
Sakumo looked up from his paperwork, as two screams of pure unadulterated male fear echoed across Konoha, shortly following -what he had sworn only moments before was- Tsunade hollering about Vasectomies.
"Asuka." He called through his open office door. The Yamanaka's head popped out enough to see him. "Please prepare the standard Maternity paperwork for Tsunade."
The blonde blinked before paling. "What?" She whispered horrified of what that one sentence meant.
Sakumo looked up to meet her frightened gaze. "If my hearing isn't deceiving me" which it shouldn't, he was a Hatake "Then I believe I just heard Tsunade castrate her husbands for getting her pregnant again. She did smell of changed pheromones yesterday when she visited for her Hospital budget update."
Sakumo was internally pleased when his office suddenly reeked of unadulterated fear from his ANBU guards. The Yondaime allowed the smirk to lift his lips.
"Lion~" The yondaime practically sing-songed up to his Guard Captain. The ANBU froze. "Commander Dragon if you would-" Sakumo didn't even finish before the masked Uchiha was gone.
Snickering Sakumo went back to looking at the village budget for the upcoming meeting with the Daimyo. He wanted to get all their numbers, supply lines and stocked inventory before the first Kage summit scheduled in three months.
It was five minutes later when Dragon shunshined into his office.
"You Summoned for me?" Dragon monotoned.
Sakumo's head slowly lifted and as soon as the Masked Senju saw one of his best friend's and only friend's wolf-like grin, he knew the man was just going to ruin his day.
"Standard Maternity Detail." Because that had become a damned thing over the years with all the Clan Heirs popping out their own heirs. Main for the ones with Bing Book entries.
"Who?"
"Tsunade~" Sakumo grinned unrepentantly.
Kudorama facepalmed with a deep groan. "What the fuck?" He hissed. "Weren't those two idiots in agreement to NOT get Tsunade pregnant?"
Sakumo shrugged. "Their private affairs are not my responsibility."
Dragon just groaned before ending it with a defeated sigh. "I'll get my shinobi to start sparring for the honor of watching over Tsunade." With a small flare of chakra the masked Senju was gone in a shunshin.
Sakumo continued to chuckle for the next hour, his mood officially made pleasant.
It was shortly after his break for lunch when his day turned for the unpredicted. He'd just returned to his office and his guard stiffened when they too felt what he could smell. Lion and Wolf pushed open the doors first and had kunai pointed at the intruder, only to pause.
Instead of the human they were expecting, there was instead...Foxes. The largest sat primly before Sakumo's desk, Four deep red tails swaying slowly as golden eyes fixed onto the Yondaime.
The Wolf summoner was quick to spot the Leaf insignia strapped to the fox's foreleg as a bandana.
"Reynard-san." Sakumo gave a shallow bow of his head in acknowledgement. His ANBU was still on guard because they all knew Kitsune had never summoned this pack of Foxes before.
The four-tails returned the bow. "Yondaime-sama, I have not been able to reach my summoner."
"She is on vacation."
"What of our younger summoner?" The Four tails questioned.
"Undercover mission."
"Hm." The fox glanced at the nine other foxes that were in a large pile near the only open window. "Kitsune-sama sent on a mission years ago. We are sad to say it has taken us this long to complete it. But our target was well hidden and then there was the matter of helping the targets escape."
Sakumo held up a hand. "Hold." Black eyes turned to his ANBU. "Return to post." The two ANBU on duty did as told while Sakumo moved to his Desk and activated the privacy seal.
The ten foxes' eyes looked over the sealwork before nodding.
"Kitsune-sama's work." The largest murmured for the group.
"Let us try this again. May i know your name?"
"Haku. Kitsune-sama raised me from a kit. She raised us all and taught us how to hunt and track targets no matter their distance." Haku reported.
"What targets did Kitsune send you for?" Sakumo questioned the four tails that had shifted to face him as he moved.
"Uzumaki Hunting." Haku grinned, flashing fang.
Sakumo's back straightened and eyes widened. "Failure or success?"
"Success."
Sakumo's shoulders relaxed. "She will be pleased. Where have you stashed them? I can send a squad with you to fetch them and return them here safely."
Haku grimaced and shifted nervously as his tails dropped and curled around his paws. "Uh...well, you see the thing is….When I couldn't get ahold of Kitsune-sama or Minashi-sama last month when we found them," The Reynard reached up and scratched his chin nervously. "I might have….made the executive decision to head for Konoha with both targets." He pointed to the pile of fur that made up the other nine foxes. "We knew you had a good nose and covered their scents up with our own."
Slowly the small fox sized two tails, and dog sized three tails shifted until there was a human finally revealed within their furs. Curled up around a blanket that had strands of red hair poking out of it, the obvious mother slowly uncurled, red hair flowing all around her. Sakumo's own dark eyes met the vibrant red ones that peeked out from between her own red strands.
The Hatake swallowed when the woman before him sat further up and pale skin and a dusting of freckles was revealed over the bridge of the Uzumaki's nose. The breeze by the window pushed her scent forward. She smelled of herbs and vanilla. Her features were the exotic Uzumaki traits all the way, but less round like Kushina's and more heart shaped. All in all, she was a vision.
A throat cleared and Sakumo's gaze snapped away from the Uzumaki to look back at the smirking Reynard.
"You are as troublesome as both of your summoners." he growled deeply, fighting off the slight embarrassment as he knew the foxes could probably smell his bodily reaction to the Uzumaki.
"Well, she did raise us." He smirked back.
"Anything else?" Sakumo warned the apparent leader of the pack.
"I've only been asked to stay until Kitsune-sama or Minashi-sama was available. Uzumaki-dono is not comfortable around strangers."
"The rest of your pack will return to their summoning realm then?"
"Hai."
Sakumo nodded sharply once. "Good, Please dismiss all but your fastest messenger."
With continued pops of smoke, only the Uzumaki and sleeping infant remained with the Four tails and a single two-tails. The silver fur glistened in the noon day sun. Sakumo smiled at the small Vixen.
"Hello Vixen-san."
"Hello Yondaime-sama." She bowed "I am Chie, the youngest and smallest of our pack, but I'm the swiftest."
"Oh, i don't doubt you. You remind me of one of my own pack members. She's a beautiful white wolf. She's the runt of her litter, but she is not only the smartest of my summons, but the fastest."
Golden eyes widened in wonder.
"Maybe when Kitsune-san returns we can schedule a day for you two to race."
"Yes please!" Chie barked, twirling in an excited circle. Haku and Sakumo's chuckles filled the air. Haku gently bumped the young fox with a tail, stopping her spins.
Sakumo quickly wrote out the summoning for Kushina and handed it to Haku. The large fox then placed it in Chie's messenger bag.
"Who to, Yondaime-sama?" Chie yipped.
"Your third Clan summoner."
Chie blinked before letting out a bark. "Consider it done!" The fox turned and leapt for the window sill. In a howl of excitement the vixen was off.
"You'll have to excuse her. She's only had her second tail for a few years. She still considered a kit to some of us." Haku huffed amused.
"No worries. I've raised and trained a pack myself, not to mention helping Kakashi with his own." Haku nodded before glancing at the Uzumaki woman.
"Is there anything i can do for you Uzumaki-dono?"
The redhead shook her head once sharply.
"May I ask Hokage-sama to summon a healer though? I know the wounds are gone, but Senju Tsunade is the best. She should be able to take care of the scars like I said before. She can also look at Aka-chan."
The Uzumaki bit her lip, but gave a small nod. Haku didn't have a chance to even turn back to the Hokage before he'd already sent signs to Wolf to fetch the Senju.
"Is there anything I can do for you?" Sakumo asked, trying to make eye contact once more with the beautiful woman.
Red eyes shyly met his but then looked away and shook furiously.
"Can I make a request then?" he asked softly, quickly understanding that this woman was not acting like any of the Uzumaki he knew. Trauma. His shinobi mind put together. Fearful red eyes snapped to him. "Please move to the couch? I would feel like a better host and gentleman if you were no longer seated on the floor."
The frightened Uzumaki glanced at the said piece of furniture, before carefully getting up. Haku moved slowly to assist her up, even if Sakumo's own hands twitched to help. Soon she was curled up in a ball once more, her body and knees supporting and protecting the sleeping infant in her arms.
It was after tension filled ten minutes later that there was knocking on his office doors.
Sakumo slowly got up so the Uzumaki could track his movements. Placing a hand on the doors, he checked who was on the other side. Confirming it was the two women he summoned, he quickly opened the doors and pulled them in, shutting the door behind them just as quick.
"Sakumo!" Tsunade growled. "What the hell-"
"Mariko-nee?" Kushina's trembling voice stole the elder two's attention.
Wide vermillion eyes were on Kushina as Violet eyes teared up at the sight of her elder cousin.
"Kushi?" The scratchy voice of Mariko whispered.
Kushina burst into tears and she lunged for her elder uzumaki.
Mariko too burst into quiet sobs as she soaked in the feel of Kushina's Uzumaki chakra.
Sakumo pulled Tsunade to the side while the Uzumakis were reacquainted.
"They'll need check ups." Sakumo whispered, stating the obvious.
Tsunade hummed in agreement. She could spot the bite marks poorly hidden by the clothes she was wearing.
"I would suggest Inoichi or Inojiro as well, but…"He sent the sobbing women a look before meeting her gaze once more. "It's obvious that she will not do well with male attention."
"Definitely not." Tsunade grunted softly back before patting his shoulder. "Don't worry. We'll take care of them."
The two returned to standing a respectable distance from the two Uzumaki when they heard the crying settle down.
"I-I thought you were dead!" Kushina cried out holding Mariko away from her, taking her in completely. Her eyes darkened at the sight of the bite scars. "Who?" She snarled.
"I...I exchanged healing for housing." Mariko finally whispered out. "First in Hot water, a few small towns in Kumo, before their Hunters looked for me. They wanted Uzumaki breeders. After that I hid out deep in Iwa. I only started venturing inward when I ran across a bingo book." Mariko looked between Kushina and Sakumo. "I saw...I saw the Fox Summoner...I saw...Your entry. I was making tracks to Konoha, but I had to wait for the war to end. Then, I needed to stop in Kusa…" She looked down at the infant in her arms. "I had...I was...I got trapped by a patrol in my travels….They thought I died….They didn't realize I was Uzumaki. I healed, I moved on. Kusa exchanged me room and food for healing. I had Karin in the small cottage they provided me. They were….making sure i couldn't escape...Using Karin….against me." She choked. "I tried running, but they caught me and locked me away and only brought me out to heal." She sobbed. "They even planned on making me have another….So they could have a spare healer."
Kushina just pulled her elder cousin closer and hugged her tight.
"Then Hisa-chan found me...the-the brown one. She let Karin chase her tails...then the others came. They put up barriers, chased away the Kusa Shinobi. When they couldn't contact their summoner, they brought me here. I...I got to ride a Fox Kushi." The Uzumaki giggled as she started to realize she was free. Seeing those dark but kind eyes of the Yondaime listened to every word, and feeling just how calm and soothing his unique white chakra was, settled her soul and instincts.
Kushina choked on a half sob/ half giggle as she wiped away Mariko's tears and her own.
"You're home now. You're with family. Konoha will protect you-"
"I trust you Kushi, but Konoha abandoned-"
"No." Kushina shook her head. "Konoha didn't abandon Uzu. A very despicable man was pulling strings. He gave away Uzu defenses to her enemies. He even made sure our messengers never made it to Konoha. Sandaime had sent a scouting team as soon as he noticed something wasn't right."
Mariko's eyes widened. "Who?"
"An Elder." Kushina growled before grinning sharply. "He's dead. Kitsune-senpai exposed his crimes against not only all of Uzu, but many shinobi and civilians of Konoha. He can't hurt us anymore."
Mariko's shoulders dropped and tears leaked. "We're safe?" She whispered.
"Hai."
"Good." The Uzumaki mumbled and then promptly passed out. Kushina exclaimed her name in worry as Tsunade rushed forward.
The Uzumaki held the baby while The Senju scanned her new patient.
"Calm. She's just sleep deprived with exhaustion mixed in. Some good food and rest and she'll heal up." Tsunade hummed and went ahead and did an extensive skin repair on her, a few times removed, cousin. It still took an hour with how many scars there were to heal, but she then moved onto the sleeping child.
"Little Karin here is perfectly healthy. My guess is she's around 11 to 12 months old."
"Sensei?" Kushina looked up to her mentor and Hokage.
"Tsunade, can she stay with you on the Senju Compound?" He asked the other kunoichi in the room.
"Of course." Tsunade said carefully picking the redhead up, Kushina standing with her as she cradled the sleeping infant. "Kushina and I need to also have a talk that we didn't get to complete."
The Uzumaki smiled at her Aunt. "We do." She gazed once more at her sensei. "Thank you sensei for finding-"
"Your thanks belongs to Kitsune-san. This has been her own personal mission to search for any stray Uzumaki."
Kushina nodded and gazed down at the little girl asleep in her arms. "Let me know when she's back then?"
"Will do. Go get those two settled in. I'm going to talk to Inoichi and see if he has any kunoichi available for your cousin to see."
Tears filled Kushina's eyes. Her sensei was so thoughtful for seeing and planning for her nee-san's obvious traumas. She moved to him quickly and gave him a one armed hug. Sakumo easily returned it and soon sent the Senju and Uzumaki on their way. He turned to the Four-tailed fox left still in his office.
"I know my gratitude should be shown mostly to your summoner for even giving you this mission. But Konoha itself owes your clan and your pack especially for finding, protecting, and bringing those two here. Please, let me know if there is anything i can do for your hunting pack to repay our debt."
Haku gazed at the wolf summoner before bowing his head shallowly. "I will speak with my team and see if there is anything we all can agree on. Until then, please be sure our summoner is made aware of our completed mission as soon as possible."
"Of course." A moment later and the Fox was gone with a release of chakra smoke.