I have edited this chapter and fixed the errors as of 4/7/15 and learned never to post something so late at night. Please enjoy this new chapter of A Clan Reborn.
So not sure if I have to say this each chapter, but I do not own Naruto, said fictional universe belongs to its creator Masashi Kishimoto.
"I am big" God, biju, summon talking
"I am normal" Human talking
"You can't hear me inside my mind" Inner thoughts of a person
So I wasn't planning on updating so quickly but I noticed some mistakes in my writing and it bothered me. It should also be noted that I fixed Chapter 1, and made it fully third person perspective.
Chapter 2: Aftermath
It was over. The Kyubi attack is over. Staring into the eyes of my son I roll over the chain of events that had happened. A weird masked man had ruined the moment of my son's birth by showing up, killing my guards and threatening to kill my him. If that was not enough, he then pulled the Kyubi from my seal, nearly destroying my chakra network, before ordering the damned fox to kill me, only for me to be saved. Then my husband, though secret, sacrificed his soul to summon my god, the Shinigami. Then my lord sealed the fox into my son and rewarded my loyalty by saving my life and letting me watch over my son, even giving him my red hair. All in all, a long night, my son is a jinchuriki, my husband is dead, and I met the God of Death.
Widening my eyes I remember that the Shinigami healed me. Looking down, over my baby boy nestled in my arms; I can see my injuries are healed. Thinking quickly, I flare my chakra and receive the pleasant surprise of working chakra coils. I will be able to train my son; I will be able to protect my son. Truly the powers of a god are not to be underestimated.
The flare did attract attention, my Uzumaki life force and spiritual connection to the Shinigami having given us the famed but false Uzumaki bloodline attribute of large amounts of chakra. So it was no surprise when two people appeared in the clearing in black bodysuits and white masks on their faces, while an older man flanked by two more masked men brought up the rear.
"Kushina, you're alive!?" The older man asked. The man is wearing an old fashioned ninja outfit, something more commonly worn during the Clan Wars Era. His face is wrinkling and his hair is mostly grey, his age beginning to show. He is slightly battered and carries a deceiving staff over his shoulder, a staff that was really the monkey king, Enma. This is Sarutobi Hiruzen.
"Yes, but Minato-kun didn't make it. Can one of you seal him for me, I do not want to disturb little Naruto?" I ask, choosing to believe that Sarutobi's statement was joy at my surviving and not a question of how I was still alive when he is one of the people that knew I am the Kyubi jinchuriki… was the Kyubi jinchuriki.
"Of Course." Turning towards one of the ANBU he continues. "Kuma seal the Hokage's body."
The ANBU, Kuma, stepped forward removing a scroll from his side. Likely he was the leader of this squad, as each ANBU squad carried one sealing scroll on hand and the captain is usually the one charged with the responsibility.
Once he reached my husband, he unrolled the scroll and placed it on his body, before going through several hand seals and pressing down on the center of the scroll. Minato disappeared into the roll of paper, a symbol appearing on the scroll to show where he now resided.
"Come; let us go back to Konoha." Despite Hiruzen's gentle speech pattern, the ANBU set a perimeter around me, two in front, two in back, with Hiruzen by my side. This was an escort.
As we walked, he turned to me. "So is he the jinchuriki?"
For a second I consider lying, saying that I was again the container, that that was why I was still alive, after all to my knowledge there had never been a case where a vessel had their biju taken from their body and survived. Perhaps I could have used the excuse of our non-existent bloodline, say that it had kept me alive long enough for Minato and I to seal the Kyubi back into my seal. But I discard it, while chakra sensors were rare and knowledge of fuinjutsu even rarer; it would have been a simple matter for them to notice the lack of said creature in my body. Not considering that a medical checkup for my son would quickly reveal the seal, and the chakra of the beast inside.
"Yes. The creature my clan has kept for this village has been locked away, Sarutobi-sama." I quickly add the sama suffix to his name knowing that this is not a conversation between acquaintances like when Minato was Hokage, but a conversation between myself and what is undoubtedly my next leader. By adding the suffix he will know that I have chosen to support him.
A lifesaving move, for while I believe him to be a good man, the temptation of a jinchuriki unaligned with any clan and malleable might outweigh my own life. However the temptation of a loyal ex-jinchuriki teaching the current should spare my life if my fear should be true.
Sarutobi seems to nod, before we continue our walk in silence. An uneasy silence, made worse when we reached what used to be the main gate of Konoha. To be frank, Konoha is a mess. The main gate and much of the surrounding wall is collapsed, shinobi already working to clear the rubble. Further in, the barracks that housed the forces to protect the gate is gone, the bodies of various shinobi scattered amongst the remains. Past this the training grounds have been decimated leaving a clear path into the clan districts, where the Kyubi had apparently been stalled if the damage is to be believed. From there the merchant district suffered heavy damage and a heavy feeling of the toxic chakra of the Kyubi remains, something that will poison the area for some time. That was likely the area where the Kyubi fired its bijudama.
Looking over at Sarutobi I see his face harden. He had lost his wife to this attack, and now he looked upon a ruined village. Konoha's military is weakened, its gate is destroyed, the clans have been weakened, and finally its economy would take years to recover. There would be a lot of hatred for anything related to the Kyubi. "Time to make an ally"
"Sarutobi-sama, the village will need a leader. I cannot be it, despite my studies for it, and my closeness to the previous Hokage, I am no experienced and I now have Naruto to take care of. The people will need someone they can trust, someone who has lead them through troubled times before. They will need you Hokage-sama… I apologize, I mean Sarutobi-sama." I say this with as much vigor as I can.
The title of Hokage might have been my dream, but I have a family to take care of, and my connection to the Kyubi will easily allow any detractors to rally support to their cause, and see me overthrown. No I will need to gain the trust of the next Hokage, and Sarutobi is likely to be it. I will need his protection for my son, especially since several shinobi have seen me return from where the Kyubi disappeared with a baby in my hands, they will know that there is a jinchuriki, and they will assume the vessel is the child in my arms. No, the secret of who's the jinchuriki will be known to not just the people of Konoha, but to the world. I will need the ANBU to make sure my son survives, and Sarutobi can give me them.
"I see. Then I shall assume I have your support... Kushina-dono, your support will be appreciated during the council meeting, it shall be taking place in an hour, make the appropriate arrangements."
"Yes Sarutobi-sama." I smile as I walk off. While Sarutobi had caught on to my political maneuvering, he had acknowledged it and agreed to accept my olive branch. He knew I would be helpful in the coming meeting. After all, people seemed to have forgotten that like my husband I too studied to become Hokage, a position not just about strength but about words, politics. They seemed to assume that I knew nothing of Minato's position, they could not be more wrong, while Minato was Hokage, I was his advisor at home, I saw how he played the game in person during meetings with the nobility. Yes, Sarutobi knows I am a good ally, a dark horse often overlooked due to my younger years but I knew the game well.
It did not take me long to grab Kakashi, a loyal student of my husband's and a friend of the family to watch Naruto at my home in the Uzumaki district, a series of properties that were bought by Mito during the early days of Konoha, and that I expanded into a whole district during Minato's reign. Once there I grabbed my ninja outfit, the standard uniform for a jonin and put it on, making sure that the blood on my face stayed, a sign that I fought alongside the fourth Hokage against the Kyubi, a show of strength. Turning I looked at the hidden seal in the design at the top of a full body mirror, and grab some key items. Taking a quick look into the mirror as well, I nod before putting my best stern face on and activate the security in the house, now no one can get in and those inside, cannot access the house's secrets unless already keyed into the seal. Of which only I am the only current living person that the seal will recognize. My baby and Kakashi will be safe.
Getting to the bunker underneath the Hokage's tower where council meetings were held was a simple affair. The ANBU easily recognized me as the Uzumaki Clan head and knew of the meeting about to take place. Once inside I took my seat amongst the other clan heads and elders. Without a leader we would not have to stand until the Hokage arrived. There also wouldn't be any civilians at the meeting tonight. Not for this vote.
While civilians do have a say in the government of this village, they do not have a say in the election of the Hokage. The Hokage is the leader of Konoha and the leader of all ninja forces in Fire Country. This makes the Hokage a moderate noble amongst the Daimyo's court, equal to the leader of the samurai forces of our country, and only lower in rank than the Daimyo and their family. Usually the next Hokage is selected by both the Daimyo and the current Hokage but in times of emergency, either the Hokage or if the Hokage is unavailable the shinobi part of the council may select a temporary Hokage to be considered later by the Daimyo. A formality as the Daimyo keeps a close watch on the council and is often in an amicable relationship with the Hokage, and thus trusts our decision.
Taking in the council I observe who arrives and more importantly who doesn't. The Hyuga clan head Hiashi Hyuga appears to be fine, and settled, his face unreadable. He is an old player in the game of politics, raised from birth to assume the role.
The Aburame clan appears damaged, its head changed as an old academy classmate, Shibi Aburame stands in as clan head. This would be his first meeting and despite being the clan heir, now head, he has little experience. His influence will be little and due to the nature of the Aburame is unlikely to contribute, only listen to the arguments and pick the most logical choice.
The Akimichi clan has their current leader Choshi Akimichi, an old man who has been part of the council since I was a little girl. He has stubbornly refused to pass his seat to his son Choza. Unlike his son who takes after his wife, he is not a gentle giant, often wanting a more 'final' solution to problems. However, he is pragmatic and with Konoha in such a sorry state it shouldn't be hard to win his support.
The next is the Inuzuka Clan being represented by Tsume Inuzuka. She is not the clan head, that would be her husband, but the story behind that is easy to see in her demeanor, her husband had either been killed in the attack or crippled. She has zero experience with these meetings and has never had interest in being a clan head, choosing to turn down the position and give it to her husband. According to her, she is 'too blunt for politics'. Her emotional state will make her a wild factor in this meeting.
The Kurama clan didn't show up, a messenger passing along a message stating that their clan compound had been in the Kyubi's path and that their leadership is currently unknown. A sad prospect as the Kurama clan is or rather was one of our bigger clans. For this meeting it is rather good, their views on politics being much like Danzo's, a more recent addition to the village elders and a former ANBU commander.
The Nara clan is represented by Shikaku Nara, a seemingly lazy individual who became clan head when most members of our class were still chunin. Seemingly with no ambition, he has been an advisor to two Hokages, and was even the head strategist during the campaign against Earth Country during the last war. He was even a candidate for Hokage during the last selection despite not having the power of the other two candidates, Orochimaru and Minato, on account of his intelligence. If he should develop an ambition he will be my most dangerous opponent. This is not helped by his views on politics being unknown, choosing the best solution and not always a moral decision, my son may not be free with him in command.
The Sarutobi clan of course is represented by the Hiruzen Sarutobi, a former Hokage and the candidate for Hokage that I am backing. Next to him would have been the Senju clan but ever since Tsunade walked out of Konoha at the end of the Second World War, the Senju seat has remained unoccupied. Only the mercy of Sarutobi due to his past as her teacher, political favors from various nobles, and the fact she does not leave Fire Country stopping her from being declared a traitor.
The Shimura clan occupied the next seat but remained empty, its vote being given to Danzo Shimura, an elder of the village. Normally, you are not allowed more than one vote but with the state of Konoha after this attack the Shimura clan decided to allow their old clan leader to act as proxy until such time as they have recovered from the Kyubi attack. With no Hokage to contest this and the murky area of clan business, this has been allowed for this meeting. Sadly this means a rival of my candidate already has two votes, equaling my own and the Sarutobi clan's.
The Uchiha clan representative is Fugaku Uchiha, a wild card in this selection, but not a candidate for Hokage. As I walked the streets to the tower I could already hear rumors of how the Uchiha may have been behind the attack. Of how Madara Uchiha could supposedly control the Kyubi, complete nonsense if you ask me, but I wasn't alive at the time. The masked man also attempted to control the Kyubi but I doubt it worked, he may not have realized it but the Kyubi has dreamed of Konoha's destruction since it first got sealed into Mito all those years ago. Either way, it would take a coup for an Uchiha to become Hokage anytime soon.
The final clan is the Yamanaka Clan, represented by Inoichi Yamanaka. Part of the Ino-Shika-Cho, he would support his old partner Shikaku to become Hokage. His views since his daughter was born have been geared solely towards peace, wanting nothing to endanger his princess, a sentiment I can understand and appreciate. While he currently clashes with the clan head of the Akimichi, their old ally, the clan heir of the Akimichi is an old friend and shares his view. While not a power block vote at the moment, in the not far future they will have a three vote alliance. It would be wise not to alienate myself from them.
The next are the elders, they are ninja that have survived wars and are trusted by the Hokage. The current elders were chosen by Sarutobi, even the most recent elder, Danzo. Minato in his close to two years in office would never get around to replacing the current elders. Besides Danzo, the other elders are Koharu and Homura, both members of Sarutobi's team. They are pragmatic and see jinchuriki as weapons but may be split in their support between Danzo and Sarutobi, both powerful leaders.
Any others in the room would be for testimony, advice, or opinions. All together there are a total of fifteen votes in this council. If there was a Hokage there would also be a Hokage vote which counts as three votes. However, with the Kurama clan abstaining and the Senju clan gone we only have thirteen.
I only need to get a majority of the clans to vote for Sarutobi to win. Four of these votes are already decided, mine and the Sarutobi going to the third Hokage, and both of Danzo's votes to himself. That leaves ten up for grabs, plus however many go to Shikaku when not if he is nominated.
"I shall start this council meeting, as the predecessor to the late Hokage this is my right and duty. Today we have suffered a terrible tragedy. The Kyubi no Kitsune, strongest of the tailed beasts has attacked our home and our loved ones. All of us here can feel their lose and have lost someone we hold dear. Sadly we cannot yet grieve, our enemies are watching, our home is vulnerable, and without a Hokage we may be inviting war. It is for this reason we sit here, we must choose a leader." Sarutobi begins taking a position of power by stating his former position and establishing himself as chairman of the council in one fell swoop. As expected of a former Hokage.
Looking around the room the Hokage continues. "To that note I shall now open the table to nominations. Think carefully on whom you choose, not only will they be the leader of Konoha, but they will be in charge of every ninja in Fire Country and will lead them in times of war, also a Hokage will have routine interactions with the royal family. All candidates must be both strategic and diplomatic, so once again choose carefully."
"I nominate Shimura, Danzo." Bellowed the loud voice of Choshi Akimichi.
"I nominate Nara, Shikaku." Inoichi states.
"I nominate Uzumaki, Kushina." Fugaku contributes.
"I nominate Sarutobi, Hiruzen" I speak.
Waiting a few moments for more nominations, Sarutobi clears his throat. "Since I have been nominated for Hokage, I shall transfer chairmanship of this council to Hyuga, Hiashi, so as to avoid an abuse of power."
"I shall accept this honor and uphold the honor of this council and the integrity of the title of Hokage." Hiashi states formally as he takes over chairmanship of the council. A powerful choice to give the position to as the Hyuga will appreciate the show of trust. Already in Hiashi's mind he can see a favorable relationship with Sarutobi if he is willing to turn over chairmanship of a Hokage election to him.
As for the nominations, I am slightly surprised at the open disagreement between the Akimichi and Yamanaka clans. It would not have been absurd to have assumed that they had talked in the time before the council and agreed on a candidate; still I expected a little conflict. No what truly surprised me was the Uchiha clan nominating me for the position. While I am not surprised to be nominated, being a powerful kunoichi, a friendly person, and knowledgeable of politics, I did not expect the Uchiha clan to be the one to do so. Perhaps there is enough reason to worry about the rumors of the Uchiha being behind the attack, enough that they want an ally on the seat of power. My relationship with Mikoto, Fugaku's wife is not a secret after all.
"Now we shall give the nominators a chance to state their reasons, then the nominees shall state whether they believe themselves qualified for the job. Due to the nature of the disaster we are facing, we shall not be taking a recess nor shall we allow for deliberation. The vote must take place at the end of this meeting. Also, until such time as we have a leadership, discussions on the reconstruction of Konoha will be put on hold until a later meeting. Are we in agreement?" Hiashi mandates, setting down the rules of the election.
"Hai" Was the collective response. We all knew what is at stake. If Konoha cannot produce a new kage and soon, the shinobi forces in our country will be leaderless, leaving our nation vulnerable to our opportunistic neighbors.
"The time table has been acknowledged. Akimichi, Choshi please explain your selection." Hiashi requests.
"I shall keep this brief as we all want to be home. Konoha is vulnerable and as such the land of Fire is vulnerable. Our enemies will not come with samurai armies or engage our teams during missions, no they will come with sabotage and assassins, doing their best to break our economy and destroy our leadership. Then they will attack and we shall be left defenseless."
"The reason I nominated Danzo-dono is because we need our forces ready for these actions. The shinobi stationed here in Konoha are diminished and we will not recover our numbers so quickly, but Shimura-dono used to command the ANBU, he knows how such forces think and he knows how to use small numbers, numbers we currently have, to accomplish an objective. For our immediate safety we must elect Shimura, Danzo the fifth Hokage." Choshi explains, his words entrapping the other two elders, their heads already nodding to his words.
"Next, Yamanaka, Inoichi. Why have you elected Nara, Shikaku?" Hiashi asks.
"I look around this room and I see our choices, two men that are past their prime, and a woman. While I have nothing against Shimura-dono or Sarutobi-done, the other nations shall view it as a lack of kage level shinobi. It is also sad but true that most shinobi do not live to their fifties, not ones that have served where they have, and those that do, do not live past their sixties. Electing them will be a temporary fix, one maybe five years later we will have to address. The other nations will view an opportunity if we have cycle through leaders again so soon."
"Then our other choice is a woman. There has never been a female kage and while I have nothing against Kushina as a person, the other nations still look down on females. Yes we know of Kushina, she is a powerful warrior, one of the strongest in our village, and the world still remembers the power of Tsunade, the weakest of the sannin. But at the end of the day, the election of a woman will invite attack. It is sadly the perception of our world."
"I nominated Nara-dono because of several reasons. One is his age, with his election we shall have a Hokage for many years to come, one young enough that our children will be ones to debate on the next Hokage. The other is his strategic knowledge. Nara-dono is one of the most dangerous strategists in the elemental nations, known for outmaneuvering forces three times his own and decimating them. Such a man would silence the other nations, for none would want to fight such a man on his home turf. The final reason for picking him is because he is a balance between Sarutobi-dono's and Shimura-dono's ways, balancing aggression with diplomacy, as has been shown numerous times in this very council room. This balance will lead us away from war, warding off our enemies but not instigating a conflict, one that will involve our children." Inoichi's impassioned if not aggravating speech attracts its followers, the Aburame and a reluctant Inuzuka, the children part grabbing her support.
Allowing a moment for the Yamanaka's words to settle Hiashi turns to Fugaku. "Uchiha, Fugaku please give your reasons for why you nominated Uzumaki, Kushina."
"I will admit that I am being partly selfish in my nomination, it is no secret that Uzumaki-dono is a friend to my family. However this friendship has allowed me to get to know her. She is an intelligent woman, knowing the most complicated of ninja arts, fuinjutsu. My wife and I saw as she fought in the war and how it affected her, watched as she increased the Uzumaki properties into a whole district, and have seen her strength."
"I have watched her grow from a foreign orphan into a successful member of our society. She knows our ways and is both merciful and vengeful when appropriate. The Daimyo and his family know her, just as they know Sarutobi-dono, as she served as advisor and confidant to the Hokage during the fourth Hokage's reign. Let us not forget how during the Second World War, when the public cried for vengeance for the people of Whirlpool, the Daimyo used her to help propaganda during the war, meeting with her between several war rallies. None of the candidates are closer to the Daimyo's family, the heirs to the throne."
"Finally there is her lineage with the Senju to consider. By her legacy she is indirectly related to two of our Hokages. The acknowledgement of this lineage will soothe the people putting something familiar into power. Kushina herself is young and from a clan famous for their longevity and healing, with her as Hokage we could see an unprecedented stability in our leadership and while not a strategist of Shikaku-dono's level, she is still quite feared on the battlefield."
"In summation I believe that her familiarity with the current leaders of the world through her experience as the confidant and advisor to the late Hokage should be considered. As should her power and lineage connecting her to the first two Hokages." Fugaku concludes. His words seem to have affected the elder Homura the most, as well as the Nara clan head. If I actually wanted to be Hokage at this time I would have to thank him.
"And finally, Uzumaki, Kushina why do you think Sarutobi, Hiruzen should be Hokage?" Hiashi finally turns to address me.
"I believe Sarutobi-dono should be the Hokage for several simple reasons. One is that Sarutobi-dono has already been Hokage and was Hokage longer than any two Hokages combined. During this time he faced many turbulent moments, perhaps the most was taking command of a tired shinobi force after the second Hokage died during the Second World War. Yet he still led us to victory. Another turbulent time is one all of my fellow councilmen are familiar with, as we all fought during it, the Third World War. Even then Sarutobi-dono would lead us to victory, whether we faced ninja or samurai or even jinchuriki, we would survive, and we would persevere."
"Look around Konoha, our walls have been torn asunder, barracks have been shattered, clans decimated, and even the civilian quarter lies in ruins. This is not the time for a new leader, it is a time for a successful leader, and Sarutobi-dono has been just that."
"The truth is that we need a leader, a tested leader. You speak of the new blood and how it would be temporary, then let it be temporary, let him establish us once more. He can train his successor, take us as advisors, as generals, and when he steps down, he will know who is better for the job. That is why I believe Sarutobi-dono should be our leader in these desperate times, it is because he has been here, and he has succeeded, can any others say the same?" I finish my impassioned speech with a solemn note, catching many of my councilors up in the emotion; something I had learned from Minato, sometimes you did not need fancy words, you just needed passion, and people that will listen that will feel it, and then they will get swept up in it. Right now they are remembering the days of glory under Sarutobi, days we want to keep.
Hiashi pauses and collects himself before addressing the council once more. "You have heard the reasons for nomination; now let us hear from the candidates themselves. We shall start with Shimura, Danzo."
"Konoha is vulnerable, it has lost its protection and has been brought into the light. The shinobi of our village have lost their appearance of invincibility, and like the samurai who die on the open field, we have been exposed as mortal. If I am elected I shall get us back our mysticism, put a legend out there that only the mightiest demons of Hell can harm us. We shall retreat into the shadows; we shall counter our enemies and eliminate those who threaten our homes. We will be feared and most of all we shall be left in peace." Well that was haunting and the peace statement at the end was something I never truly expected Danzo to say, as he often says 'there is always a war going on, it is his job to keep it silent'. However, it is clear that if he is elected we shall become the assassins of lore once more, no more escort missions or D rank missions, an interesting prospect.
"Nara, Shikaku please state why you should be elected."
"After hearing the words of those who have spoken before me, I have decided that I will not accept my nomination to the Hokage seat. Instead I shall vote with Uzumaki-dono. Uchiha-dono is right she is the prime candidate, while at the same time Uzumaki-dono is right in that Sarutobi-dono is a proven leader. If Sarutobi-dono should win then as Uzumaki-dono has stated I shall offer myself as his advisor while Uzumaki-dono can be his general. I shall see what my chosen candidate thinks. Since if I trust Uzumaki-dono enough to be Hokage, then so to must I trust her judgment on who should lead." Shikaku says giving his endorsement to either Sarutobi or myself. I did not realize I had this much influence. Perhaps a contingency plan is in order. If Sarutobi turns out to be untrustworthy, then maybe an alliance can be made. One I can use to protect my son.
"Uzumaki, Kushina would you give this council the reasons for why we should elect you? Hiashi continues with the proceeding after Shikaku's pledge of support to my cause.
"I too would like to withdraw my nomination for Hokage. I believe the fourth Hokage would have wanted Sarutobi-dono to be the next Hokage. After all I should know best, Minato-kun was my husband." There were shouts of surprise and a call for order as I quickly pulled the paper I took from the seal in my mirror out.
"What I hold in my hand is proof of my marriage to Minato-kun, witnessed by Jiraiya of the Sannin, Sarutobi-dono, Hatake Kakashi, and the Fire Daimyo himself, Koshiro Nobunaga. With this document I can say with confidence that I would know my husband's wishes best, that he would want Sarutobi-dono to be the next Hokage." I laugh slightly in my mind. It might have caused a little chaos but tradition states that the Hokage elects the next Hokage. What I had just done was throw doubt onto their choices and now there was no chance for a rebuttal. In the back of their minds they will think about how I, the wife of the previous Hokage, the one who knew him best, had stated he would choose Sarutobi. Now all Sarutobi had to do was give a few convincing words and he shall once again be Hokage.
"Thank you Namikaze..." Hiashi begins before I interrupt him.
"Uzumaki. Minato-kun took my name, as of the two of us, I was the one with a clan. Minato-kun's name was legally Uzumaki, Minato." I state before I officially lose my clan name while also declaring a former hokage as a member of my clan. It was true, Minato had married into my clan since there wasn't a Namikaze clan, just like a civilian would marry into the Hyuga clan.
"Yes, thank you Uzumaki-dono. Now Sarutobi, Hiruzen please state why you should become Hokage."
"I believe I should retake my duties as Hokage because I believe I can bring stability and prosperity to Konoha once more. I believe that with your help, I will make us the strongest shinobi village once more. All I ask is that you put your faith in me just as your fathers did decades ago. Minato-sama was a good Hokage and he would have wanted you to be safe, let me give you that safety. The same safety I gave years ago." With Sarutobi's words the debate was over. It was now time to vote.
"You have heard the reasoning and from the candidates themselves. I shall now go around and ask each representative of their selection. You shall state their clan name if they have one when it is your turn to vote. After the vote has concluded, we shall have our new kage." Hiashi says, giving the directions for how the voting shall go.
"The Aburame clan votes for Shimura-dono."
"The Akimichi clan votes for Shimura-dono."
"The Inuzuka clan votes for Sarutobi-dono."
"The Nara clan votes for Sarutobi-dono."
"The Sarutobi clan votes for Sarutobi."
"Both my Shimura clan vote and my elder vote go to Shimura."
"The Uchiha clan votes for Sarutobi-dono."
"The Uzumaki clan votes for Sarutobi-dono"
"The Yamanaka clan votes for Sarutobi-dono"
"My elder vote goes to Shimura-dono" Koharu votes.
"My elder vote goes to Sarutobi-dono" Homura votes.
"The Hyuga clan votes for Sarutobi-dono. Concluding this election, with five votes for Shimura-dono and eight votes for Sarutobi-dono, Sarutobi-dono is now the temporary Hokage. As per the code of this council, chairmanship shall go over to Sarutobi-sama."
"Thank you for once again choosing me as your Hokage. I shall strive to repay your trust with excellence. Now for our first order of business, go home, mourn for your loses, hold your loved ones, and burn your dead. Tomorrow we shall rebuild." With those words Sarutobi stood up and dismissed us.
With a tired sigh and a crack of my back I stood up, sore and ready for bed, but Sarutobi signaled me to stay. "Hokage-sama." I greet.
"Uzumaki-dono, just know that your loyalty today is noticed." This was all Sarutobi said but he needn't say anymore.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." I say with a slight smile on my face. For now it seems that ploy has worked. My son will be safe.
It did not take me long to reach the Uzumaki District and thank Kakashi for watching my son. It took less for me to curl up with Naruto on the bed. It was as I watched him that I finally allowed the day to catch up to me, all that I had lost, all of my exhaustion, and what I had gained.
"I will miss you Minato-kun, but Shinigami-sama will take you to a better place, you shall go to paradise. For now my love until we meet again, I will protect our son" With that final thought I closed my eyes and went to sleep.
I was surprised with how quickly I received a positive response for my story, much less how many have looked at it and read it. So I was inspired to write the next chapter ahead of schedule.
Truthfully this chapter was originally going to have more Naruto in it as he is my main character and begin his story as a child but it evolved into a lot of Kushina time. Also to address the concern stated in one of my reviews, Kushina did love Minato. As for the Shinigami the reason for his actions is that he is very possessive, and since Uzumakis are the only humans that worship him and he is possessive of said worshippers, he only likes Uzumakis.
Next Chapter will have Naruto in it and you will start to see more of the character I have planned out. As a quick note, this is not a Bleach crossover.