Warning: I do not own RWBY, that belongs to Oum & Rooster Teeth. Nor Naruto that is shonen and his creator.
xxx Aburame Clan xxx
"It is smaller then what I expected" Naruto commented. The Aburame clan hold was half the size of the Inuzuka and it's design was more utilitarian in nature. Tall two story buildings were locked with each other as one could barely see the alleyways in between.
"Looks far more prepared than the other clans" sasuke noted. One would think a battle ready clan would have forges bellowing and armored men ready to strike at the slightest misdemeanor, but that was not how shinobi clans worked and more so for the Aburame.
Once the guards had allowed them the Uchiha noticed the layout. To anyone not knowledgeable the area would be a complete maze and with how narrow the alleyways were meant that any attackers would quickly fall, there were dozens of windows allowing shinobi to rain down jutsu's & kunai.
Above it didn't fare any better, there were few places one hide behind but no doubt hidden trap door were scattered and would allow the Aburame to commence hit and run attacks with ease. All in all a very well defended keep.
The trio were lead across the maze-like alleyways before reaching an unassuming building near the middle of the clan keep. Only two guards were outside as they opened the doors and entered. The place carried a more traditional design to it with the fine oak planks and sliding doors around them.
"Lord Senju, we have been expecting you" spoke an Aburame clan member. He was the only waiting for them inside "Apologies from Lord Shibi for not being here to greet you. He is with the other clan heads in the dining room."
"Wait, other clan members?" Sakura asked.
"Indeed, Lord Shibi believe it would be most wise to bring in other minor clan heads. Our clan prides in our alliances with the other minor clans and we have done much to ensure our bonds stay strong" the man answered.
"I see, well then please show us"
xxx
"Naruto Senju, it is an honor to have one of the last Senju among us" Shibi Aburame spoke. Around various men and women nodded and gave their greetings, all of them were placed in different tables and with the Head of the Aburame clan sitting in the largest table with three seats empty. "Please, take a seat."
Naruto nodded as he and his teammates seated themselves.
"Well, where should we begin I believe we have much to talk about. Perhaps starting off with what I may do different or how I would be a better hokage then Sarutobi, those are the most common questions I've been asked" offered Naruto.
"Actually, that is not why we wish to ask" spoke a women close to Shibi "We understand that you have dealt with such topics commonly. Our wish is to know where you stand with the minor clans and more importantly, how will you deal with threats such as Itachi Uchiha."
...
"Ah, I see. Well to start off I think it would be appropriate to ask whether you wish me to refer to you as minor clans or just clans?" asked Naruto.
"Clans, least your giving more respect than the hokage" grumbled one clan head, the man ignored some the looks going his way.
"Very well, let's start off with you ... Lord Abe" the man looked surprised that the blonde knew his clan's name. "I see that you hold contempt for the current regime."
"Well your right about that. I don't need to tell our clans have been giving clan members for Konoha in it's time of need. I served in the 2nd and 3rd shinobi wars myself and many of my clan members have fought and died as well. But what did we get for our sacrifices? Nothing, not even a general praise or even any rewards. Look at the other major clans, Nara clan gets access to conquered lands, Hyuga have first pickings to whatever stolen jutsus we get, or maybe we should add the damn part where my own clan were forced to give up our summoning jutsu to konoha!"
"The Abe clan was forced to give their summoning scroll to Konoha after a dispute with the Akimichi clan" Shibi explained.
"An unfair and corrupt case!" the man spat "We were damn well within our rights for compensation and yet the fair courts decided that the Akimichi clan was the one being persecuted! Don't take just my word either, ask anyone here and they'll give you a similar answers. Damn them all I say, for all their achievements many seem to forget about all the abuse we had to deal with. Why I say—"
Whatever the man was about to say was stopped when Shibi applied some of his KI at him. "Lord Abe, while I understand your past struggles this is not a place for such talks. We are not here to promise revenge against those that have wronged us, we are here to see where Naruto Senju stands."
The head of the Abe clan reddened a bit before calming himself down. "Forgive me, such topics bring me great anger. But do understand that many of us have felt forgotten by the rest of Konoha and have been allowed to be trampled on."
...
"I understand where you are coming from Lord Abe and the rest of you" the wizard nodded "For most of childhood I have been neglected by the majority of konoha thanks to my burden and understand the pains of being ignored by society at large. I admit that I have never felt the same level of shame or dishonor all of you have gone through since Konoha's founding but that does not mean I will not listen and understand."
"Both Lord Abe and Shibi make excellent points. While we share the same pain it does not mean we must attack at those that have wronged us. No matter what our opinions are of Konoha the fact remains that this place is our home. It where we grew up, made friends, formed families, and left legacies. To attack our very own home will not only bring our enemies closer to our doorstep but also ensure suffering for not just us but also our descendants as well.
What we need is to end this election, to end the constant billite and spatting among ourselves. To focus on changing Konoha and turning it into a place that all clans can be proud of. Attacking and pointing fingers bring no such hopes for anyone and is the last thing we need." Ozma declared.
"I will be frank, if you were to vote for me I will do everything in my power to ensure that your clans are not forgotten and justice be brought to you. As Hokage I will ensure that any artifacts taken or fines unfairly given will be rectified. The courts will change and no longer will a larger clan be able to dodged the arm of justice and for all the crimes already commited I will see to it that they will be revisited and real justice is given" Ozma promised.
"However, I cannot do that alone. Even if I become hokage one man is not enough, I will need people to fill out roles that will need to be vacated and looking around I see various potential people who could hold the many offices within my administration. If you vote for me not only will I promise justice but I will reward all of you as much as I can and ensure that none of you are pushed down or forgotten. But for this to happen I need your support and aid. Only then can I act on what I promise"
"But that is not the only thing you all wish to ask of me. Please, let me know what you wish to ask before declaring anything" said Naruto.
"Thank you Senju, as for our next question we wish to ask about Itachi Uchiha" the head of the aburame clan looked the last loyal uchiha as sasuke forze for a moment. "Understand that his return has greatly worried not only my clan but all the clans in Konoha, this is worse for the minor clans."
"And how so? While I understand your worries why would the minor clans need to worry about Itachi Uchiha?" naruto asked.
"Ignoring that part where he has killed heirs of one of our allies? Senju, you must understand the ramification of when that man killed his entire clan. Since the founding of the village the uchiha have been one of the strongest if not the strongest clan since the fall of the Senju clan. They have always been known to keep their strength and prestige even after multiple wars. For them to all die in a single night ... it struck all of us in a way we never have believed before.
To the major clans Itachi was the boogeyman and, if I may be frank, brought fear to us. To the minor clans ... he was death incarnate, if one man was able to destroy one of the strongest clans then what was stopping him from annihilating them. If Itachi could destroy a major clan in a single night then he could destroy a minor one in hours. The minor clans do not have the strength nor numbers that major clans have, alone Itachi could kill any of them and even together their chances are slim.
Two heirs have already died, what is stopping that man from coming back and have some target practice. Senju, we ask what you can do protect us and our allies and how it is different then what Sarutobi is offering." Shibi explained.
Naruto took a few moments to think as everyone waited for his response. "... I see what you mean, Itachi Uchiha's actions have all scarred us in different ways. But as what I will do, there is not much I can and that is taking into consideration of me becoming Hokage."
"So your saying that you'll do nothing to bring Itachi Uchiha to crime even if you became hokage?" Questioned one of the clan heads.
"And you all know who Itachi is. At this moment there are four people in this village that can be considered on that mans level and only two of them have actually make him worried. Even if everyone's clans came together and tried to attack the man the chances of success are slim, even if I sent ever ANBU and shinobi after him the chances of finding him and killing him will incur massive penalties that must taken in consideration.
To go and exact revenge Itachi Uchiha may not be in the best of the village ... however, that does not mean we will allow such acts to continue. I cannot promise vengeance for any of you at this time but I can offer something of a stop gate, a measure in which we can hopefully avoid anymore tragic loss. What I wish to offer to Konoha is the power of aura or the power of the soul." Naruto declared.
"Aura? What is the world is an aura?"
"Aura is the power of one's own soul and the ability to project that power. It is the same one I used during my battle with Gaara." Naruto raised his arm as it became covered in aura "Aura can be used to project a field of energy around you, blocking most if not all types of attacks. As long as you have aura to spare you can keep the shield up. Furthermore aura can be used to enhance the user's physical capabilities to that of superhuman level."
Further to make his point he took a neary knife and stabbed it into his arm. His aura flared up and the knife crumpled.
The heads of the clans all looked surprised and shocked by his explanation no doubt they were wondering how they could use such a powers. It is was Shibi who spoke first. "Senju, this power what more can it do? I admit this is certainly surprising I wonder if there is more to this as well as how you came to such a power."
"Well I will answer your second question first, I had a mentor, his name was Ozpin, who taught me about aura and it's power. Sadly he died a few years ago and what I know is from his teachings and the scrolls he left behind." Naruto answered "As for other powers you would be correct. Ozpin had told me of the last power aura had and that was a semblance. A semblance is the ultimate manifestation of one's soul, these powers come in the form of superhuman strength, or the power to create dopplegangers, to even more unique ones."
"I see, and would it be possible that your mokuton being a product of your own semblance" Shibi asked.
Naruto shook his head "It would certainly be a scandal if that was the case. Alas no, my mokuton is not part of my semblance. My own semblance is in fact time manipulation."
"Time manipulation?" Shibi ignored the whispers around the tables.
"Let my show you. Hmm ... let's use that clock over there, the next moment it moves I'll be tapping on your shoulder, does that sound fair?" Naruto offered. Shibi nodded.
...
The head of the Aburame clan felt someone tapping and his head turned to clock.
The not even a second had just passed.
The entire room exploded in whispers as many looked at Naruto with awe and even a smidgen of fear. Naruto merely sat back and allowed the whispers to continue until Shibi was the one to finally put it to an end. "This is rather a lot to go over Naruto Senju. When I had asked you to come I did not expect this. This aura will certainly change how wars are fought and perhaps the very shinobi nation. I cannot say the Daimyo would appreciate it."
That would be an understatement. The wizard made sure to go over as much on the use of chakra and the relationship between the nobility and shinobi. While many would think chakra was a power exclusive to shinobi that would be false. There were dozens of legal documents and agreements over the usage of chakra. While shinobi use chakra extensively so do certain parts of the Daimyo's armies and various techniques design to kill shinobi.
Theses agreements assured no war between the ruling nobility and ensuring Shinobi were allowed to use chakra to great extent. Of course there were laws to limit the research on jutsus and how powerful they could be, a common reason for so many shinobi turning missing-nin as well.
"I am well verse the chakra agreements written and agreed by the first hokage and the 20th fire daimyo. When this power is revealed I promise to ensure that the very best of our shinobi will be armed with the power of aura and should anyone dare attack Konoha then they will know the new power of our village." Naruto promised.
...
"Clan Sato will pledge ourselves to your cause Naruto Senju" the head of the sato clan declared. "I wished my children had the powers of this aura, perhaps maybe they would be still alive and I will not need to mourn. Maybe I would be spared of seeing my comrades and friends mourning the loss of loved one thanks to Suna and Orochimaru. We cannot change the past but we can change the future, if we can avoid more deaths with aura then I will follow with you."
"Clan Abe will stand too. As long as you keep your promises of seeing justice for the minor clans then we will stand by you"
...
"So will Clan Imube!"
"And the Ōtomo clan"
"The Hashiji clan give our swords to you"
"Ochi clan spears are yours to order"
Dozens of other clan members quickled followed afterward each one promising themselves to Naruto. Eventually It was Shibi who had yet to speak a single word.
"... The Aburame Clan is yours" Naruto grinned as his teammates looked revealed
"Then I accept your offers, all of you. I cannot express my joy but I can say I promise to get that hat. I will see so that the crimes and neglect will no longer be ignored and whatever justice I can I will take" Naruto promised.
"But we cannot stop yet" Sakura spoke up "We will need more allies to truly take the hat, and that leaves one clan that can help us. The Hyuga clan."
"And my teammates brings up an important topic. If you know anything about the Hyuga then please, I need to know them and how to get them on our side." said Naruto "To be frank, I have very little knowledge in their inner workings."
"You are not the only one Senju" Shibi spoke "Most clans know little of their inner workings. They are very isolantionst when it come to their internal issues."
"Ironic that they are our top diplomats" grunted another head.
"It is, but there are few that are allowed into their inner workings. Extended families through marriages & being the hokage or his representative are the only real ways. However, those are the official ways, I admit I have made many hyuga friends in my past. From what I heard many of them are split on the issue. Some want to stand by the hokage while others see potential in siding with you. "
"The main group you need to care about is the main branch, they are the decision makers and like the rest of the clan are on the fence. I cannot say what is being discussed but right now they want to keep a neutral stance and look for any chance to gain more power or prestige."
An understandable stance. Everyone wanted more power, either to calm their ego or maybe ensuring their own safety. For the Hyuga it seemed to to be the latter. If they sided with either him or sarutobi and lose the election they had a lot to lose. But if they were on the winning team they could gain even more. However if they stayed neutral too long it will be the same as losing.
"What is their position right now?" Naruto asked.
"Probably not willing to side with you. Surprised that the inuzuka have sided with you but that's it" Lord Sato offered "But once they hear the our support and Aura I have confidence they will side with us"
"They may want to ask for concession before even considering that" warned another head.
"Sakura, what do you think the hyuga clan would want. For such a clan so powerful what could they desire?" Naruto turned to his surprised pink hair teammate.
The girl looked alarmed as everyone turned to her, the wizard saw her clench her hands as she tried to calm herself. No doubt the gears in her head wer working away "I had to guess ... the office of Foreign Relations"
"You guess?"
"No ... I know that is what the hyuga want. Because there never has been a single hyuga in office and yet they are our top diplomats" Sakura declared.
"You are correct. Even when the village was founded the office of Foreign relations have always been out of their hands. The only time they ever had the chance was during the Lord Tobimaru Senju's time but that was before he was slain. For years the upper management levels were in control of key allies of sarutobi." Shibi explained.
"And for good reason, the hyuga's power has only grown since joining and the office of Foreign Relations represent the goal of the hyuga."
"But why? Wouldn't a position as the Jonin commander or any lead role in the military council be a better option. Surely they have more prestige than foreign relations?" Sasuke asked.
"Perhapes to the Uchiha clan. But you must understand that the Hyuga clan are not natural warriors, they are traders and diplomats by nature." said Shibi
"He's right, the Hyuga clan were from the land of lighting and if I remember it right ... it was considered a stable area during the clan wars" Sakura saw the head of the Aburame nod.
"Correct, the land of lighting was a very peaceful area and where words had more sway than swords or kunai. Looks, prestige, and wealth were what determined power. Even after joining konoha they never let go of their traditions and played a key role in the villages early agreements with our current allies. And it is why they butted heads with the uchiha who were raised to fight."
"But then why deny them such a position if they played a critical role as that?"
"Power sasuke, the hokages realized that giving them such a post would essentially mean giving konoha's voice to a single clan. Something that could not be allowed" Naruto explained "And why even I cannot give them such a role."
"But what can we give them?" the Uchiha asked.
Naruto stroked his chin as he leaned back "... I believe I have an idea but enough about that. We have wasted for too long and no doubt the chiefs must be furious. Please, let us eat and drink for now. Today is a feast a victory my people."
Shibi sent out a pulse of chakra as slowly servants entered into the halls. Cold meats, cheese, and drinks streamed out as Ozma took a sip of water.
Now all he had to was wait
xxx A Few Days Later xxx
"Is this ... that fast!?" Sakura gapped at what was in front of them.
"I thought they would take more time" Sasuke muttered.
"Perhaps they are done waiting around" said Naruto as he grabbed the letter.
An invitation to the hyuga manor