A/N:
Hey there. Kakashi97 here with a brand new story. The idea to this came after a self-challenge I made to myself. Delve deeper into the Naruto-verse. Bring out any and all the what-if scenario's that would make the Narutoverse more intense. I must warn that this story is going to be a little different from my previous works.
Naruto will be stronger but not undefeatable. Definitely not. The story will follow the canon timeline but you'll see a lot of deviations from canon. A LOT! That's the butterfly effect for you. There are characters alive in this who died in canon and characters will die who managed to live in canon. So you'll find a few OCs who are a figment of my vivid imagination.
Coming to pairings, it'll be NarutoxIno. Why? Blame the butterfly effect. I'll explain this in detail in the coming chapters. But don't expect any sappy romance. This is not a romance fic. Their relationship will be vital in the later stages but not it's not my focus point. This is M rated because of the use of coarse language and in some cases, graphic violence depictions. If you're expecting lemons or any sex scenes, you might as well stop reading now.
Finally, I always welcome any kind of reviews. Positive, negative, bashing, anything. But please don't post the plot of this story in your reviews. If you don't like the way things are proceeding, you're free to stop following this. But don't badly summarize and ruin it for the other readers as well. This is my only request for you guys.
Alright, enough rant. Let's get down to the business.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any other characters (*except for the ones I created*) mentioned in this story. I do not make any profits from writing this story either.
Konoha's winter nights are always a chilly affair and start unusually early. As early as October sometimes, this time being one of them. The sun has already set and the cold breezes started flowing, sending shivers down anyone, civilians and shinobi alike, who was brave or stupid enough to be caught without enough layers.
The ANBU guards were few of those brave/stupid people who were bracing themselves against the howling breezes. Clad in their standard uniform, their shoulders were the Achilles heels, open to the air, being affected the most. The location of the cave they were guarding wasn't helping their cause either, being in the middle of a clearing in the dense forest on Konoha's outskirts. Unaware of what exactly was going inside the cave, they were bored and freezing but alert nonetheless. Little did they know that their ignorance was a blessing in disguise for them.
The screams of pain echoed throughout the cave worrying both the male occupants, one who was holding his wife's hand while the other was focusing on the seal. The source of the screams, a redhead women, along with the two male members was sweating profusely. Each for their own reasons.
"I can see the head now. Push harder. Come on, push." Urged Biwako Sarutobi who was playing the role of a midwife.
"Urghhh..." grunted the redhead was trying to welcome a new life into this world.
"Come on Kushi-chan. You can do it. I'm right here so don't worry." her husband said trying to calm her nerves and ease the process of childbirth. Little did he know the extent of wrath he's gonna face for those words.
Kushina took hold of her husband's collar and yanked it pulling him close to her face, her eyes burning with pain induced fury. "Nawaki you baka. I swear I'll kill you for putting me through this. So you better shut up if you don't want to be tortured first before you die." she yelled, the pain around her hips growing unbearable with each passing second.
The brown haired Senju clan head gulped visibly at his wife's threat. He knew better than anyone about Kushina's temper. A prankster by nature, she was dedicated to getting her revenge no matter what. Though not life-threatening, her pranks were never to be taken lightly. He himself had a few first-hand experiences which made him sweat harder.
"Less talking and more pushing. You can't afford to waste your breath like that." Biwako scolded with a frown. "You," she continued turning towards Nawaki, "Hokage-sama is being more helpful to your wife than you. Get out of here if you're just gonna make things more hectic."
Nawaki had a crestfallen expression when he heard the Sarutobi lady scold him. He felt like he was back in the academy again for some reason. But that didn't last long as the Hokage came to his fellow man's rescue.
"It's alright Biwako-sama. I'm sure it's just because of the nervousness and excitement of becoming a father that made Nawaki-san like this." Minato said with a strained smile. Holding the seal containing a bijuu was more tiresome than expected. He doubted anyone other him or Jiraiya could've done this job. Well, there was Kushina too but the fact that she's the one in labour took her out of the equation.
With one final push and scream from Kushina, a new set of cries started ringing through the cave as the child took its first breath in the shinobi world. Kushina looked like she was on the verge of unconsciousness with all her energy drained. Biwako wrapped the crying infant in a soft towel and pushed past Nawaki who was itching to see his newborn's face before placing the bundle beside a tired Kushina.
"You did well Kushina-chan. It's a beautiful girl." Biwako said smiling fondly at the image of the first meeting of the mother and daughter. Kushina let out a heartful smile when her eyes landed on her daughter. She just kept looking at her newborn baby girl, absorbing her features and imprinting them into her mind.
The girl had short red hair and three whisker-like markings on her cheeks. She couldn't help but choke in happiness when looking at her. All the pain she endured, all those sick mornings, all those back aches paled at the sight of her daughter.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Nawaki whispered leaning closer towards his wife trying to peek at his daughter. Kushina could only nod her head in agreement. "Seems like hair colour isn't the only thing that took she took from her mother. Thank you Kushi-chan. You've made me a father today. I couldn't ask for anything more." he said while kissing his wife's forehead.
Minato just smiled, wiping the sweat off his forehead. "Well, I'll take my leave now. Mikasa-chan will kill me if I left her alone for too long now." he said with a sheepish laugh. Nawaki just walked towards the Hokage and bowed gratefully to the blond.
"Thank you Hokage-sama. I don't know if I can ever repay you for your help. I and my wife are forever in debt to you."
"No need for that Nawaki-san. I'm just helping my fellow villagers and protecting the village. It's my duty after all."
"You're too humble for your own good Hokage-sama." Nawaki replied with a shake of his head, smiling all the while. "Thank you again. I'm sure nee-chan is looking over Mikasa-san as we speak. I won't keep you away from your wife any longer. Whoever said 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' must've had a scary wife. Nothing's scarier than an angry woman."
"Nawaki you baka." Kushina growled from behind before any of the men could've laughed at the jibe. Nawaki immediately tensed and turned with a not-so-reassuring smile trying to wriggle his way out of this.
Minato just smiled at the image of a terrified Senju begging his wife's forgiveness before flashing out of there.
"I swear Kushi-chan, it was nothing. Just bonding over the fact that I and Hokage-sama are gonna be fathers on the same day."
Kushina just sighed at the obvious lie, not having enough energy to argue. "I hope Hokage-sama's child and Shizuka-chan here can be friends." she said.
"Shizuka huh?" Nawaki thought for a while before beaming at his sleeping daughter. "That name suits her pretty well. She will definitely make some good friends."
"Even Mikoto's youngest. He's a couple of months older but they'll attend the academy together. I hope you don't mind if Shizuka is friends with an Uchiha. I just want her to be friends with everyone unlike me."
"What?! Why would I be? That'll be even better. I know the Senju and Uchiha have a long history of bitterness but its all in the past. Nee-san might not like them because of what Madara Uchiha did to our grandfather but even she doesn't hate them. She even respects them a little for standing up against their patriarch and choosing to live in peace rather than rebelling against the village though she never says it out loud. Why would she choose to personally oversee Mikasa-san's delivery if she did?"
"If she didn't hate me before, then she's definitely going to hate me now." a new voice spoke as the smile on Nawaki's face faltered. His expression turned rigid as a wooden stake was now protruding out of his chest. Kushina's face went pale as she watched a wooden stake was driven right through her husband's heart by a masked man who materialized out of thin air.
Nawaki in spite of the pain drew a kunai quickly and tried a backhanded slash at the intruder only to pass right through him. He lost his balance as he turned on his heel and dropped to his knees, blood now seeping out of his pursed lips.
"NAWAKI! NO!" Kushina cried in despair as she watched her beloved dying right in front of him.
"You have something I need and unless you want your newborn to breathe her last breath now, you'll come with me."
Minato flashed away from the cave and reached the hospital gate. He quickly ran up to the ward where his child was about to be born. 'Or already did?' He'd hate not to be there for his wife during labour but he had a duty as a Hokage to protect the village. If the Kyuubi were to escape during the childbirth?! No. That would be a scenario he'd rather avoid. The absence of Jiraiya meant he was the only one who could get the job done.
But now that the job was done successfully, thoughts of family overtook his sense of duty as he barely acknowledged the civilians in the hospital who were bowing to him out of respect. His heartbeat started to increase as he reached the floor where the delivery room was in.
'Is it a boy or a girl? How will he/she look like? I hope I'm not too late.' he thought while rushing towards the delivery room. Being the Hokage has its own perks and royal treatment was one of them. Only a select few people were lucky enough to be taken care by Kato Tsunade herself, his wife being one of them.
When he finally took the turn which led to the room, he saw three people standing outside the delivery room who were in a serious discussion. He didn't know why but he was getting a bad feeling watching them. The whole floor suddenly seemed bleak and lifeless.
'I don't like the feel of this.'
It was supposed to be a joyous occasion where celebrations are meant to happen. But the feeling he was having was unshakable. He started to approach them and saw that they noticed his presence. The faces of all three looked crestfallen as they saw him approaching. The foreboding feeling he had earlier was getting stronger with each passing second.
"Tsunade-san. What's wrong?" he said getting straight to the point. Tsunade could only hang her head down in shame as she rejected to look him in the eye. She couldn't after what happened.
"Mikoto-san?" he looked towards the said person for an answer only to see the woman on the verge of tears. She looked like she would break with the slightest nudge.
He finally turned to the third and last person in the hallway. Even the usually stoic person looked despondent. A rare show of emotion was on display by the current Uchiha clan head. "Fugaku-san?" Fear dripped into his voice as he couldn't help but imagine the worst case scenario about his unborn child.
Fugaku sighed before taking a long breath. He knew silence will only drive the blond insane with anxiety. " It's a boy Hokage-sama. But Mikasa...she didn't make it. I'm sorry."
Minato felt like the whole world around him started to crumble. He didn't want to believe what Fugaku just said. "No. No way." he mumbled, shaking his head in denial.
"I'm sorry Hokage-sama. I failed to save her life." Tsunade spoke with her head still down in shame and guilt. She personally chose to oversee the delivery as a token of gratitude towards Minato for helping with Kushina's delivery. She knew how important it is for a parent to be around during childbirth and when she came to Minato agreed to be for her little brother's child risking missing his own baby's birth, she couldn't help but try to repay him in some or the other way.
But she failed. All her medical expertise couldn't help her through the complication which occurred during labour. She even called him Hokage-sama for the first and meant it even though she never did before. She felt like she didn't deserve to call him by name even though she practically knew for over 10 years.
"C-can I...see her?" Words struggled to come out as the lump in his throat was getting bigger with every breath he takes. When Tsunade couldn't hold herself and tears started to roll down her cheeks, Fugaku placed a hand on Minato back and guided him inside the room.
Minato felt his feet heavier than ever. The small walk to the bed from the door felt like he walking with a mountain on his shoulders. The dreadfulness only increased when he saw the bed with a crib beside it. As he approached the bed, he couldn't help but feel heartbroken at the sight of his wife who looked like she was sleeping peacefully.
His arm moved on its accord and cleared the hair strands which were falling on her face. He cupped her cheek and caressed it with his thumb while holding back his tears. Her long shiny black hair framed her pale heart-shaped face. She looked as beautiful as he remembered. He wouldn't have believed she was dead if her skin didn't feel a little cold.
"I killed her." The Hokage said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Nonsense. She knew about risk and decided to go through with it." Fugaku retorted, his voice soft yet condemning.
"But I should've-"
"It was her decision to give birth Hokage-sama. Please respect my sister's last wish. She sacrificed her life for the child. Don't taint her sacrifice with excuses." His tone gave no room for further discussion as Minato kept watching his wife.
A moment of silence followed Fugaku's words. "How are you able to hold it together? She was your sister. You knew her long before I did. Yet you didn't spill a tear. How?"
"I'm not going lie Hokage-sama. She and I have always been different. Her ideology vastly differs from mine. We never agreed upon the same thing. But she was my sister nonetheless and no matter how different we both were, I loved her more than anything. Am I feeling sad because she died? Yes. But I am even prouder of her than I have ever been."
The last sentence made Minato look at Fugaku like he was staring at a ghost. He didn't understand how can a person be proud of something like death. The confusion threatened to stir up anger in his heart but he controlled himself, giving his brother-in-law the benefit of doubt.
"Many people in this world die a pointless death. They live a pointless life, just surviving for no real reason and dying without a meaning. But not my sister. She died knowing she was giving life to another. Her death had a purpose. How many people can say they died for such a noble cause in this cursed world Hokage-sama? It was her choice and I can't help myself but respect it and be proud of it." He said with a proud voice, though his eyes were watery.
Minato understood how much Fugaku was suffering from losing his sibling. His sadness was clear in his eyes and yet he composed himself, stood tall, feeling proud of his sister and her decision. He was doing it for her so that her soul wouldn't regret her decision of leaving behind her family. He felt shame that he even doubted Fugaku's feelings towards Mikasa.
"It's your duty to make sure her purpose isn't wasted away. Raise the boy to be a man who can make my sister proud Hokage-sama." Fugaku said, turning back on his heel and leaving the room to give the blond some privacy.
Minato watched Mikasa's face while trying to absorb Fugaku's words. No matter how hard he tried, he still couldn't digest the fact she was gone. With one last look, he took a deep breath and leaned forward to place a kiss on her forehead.
His attention slowly moved towards the crib. An unfamiliar feeling coursed through him when he laid his eyes on his son who was looking back at him curiously. Fair skin, bright cerulean eyes and with an oval face just like him. The only difference was the hair. It was shiny black just like his mother's. He couldn't help but smile looking at the child. Gently swooping the baby into his arms, he kissed his son's tiny nose.
"You know, a lot of babies would cry by now. But you're different, aren't you?" His son's only reply was a chuckle. A chuckle which made Minato forget the all the pain he endured a couple of minutes ago. A chuckle which made him understand Mikasa's decision.
'I see it now. The feeling I'm getting now, you've had it from long before, haven't you Mikasa?' he thought while looking back at his wife. 'The feeling of completeness due to his presence, the need to protect him at any cost, the feeling of not letting him go. I get it all now.'
Just like Fugaku, even he started to respect her decision and be proud of it. 'Thank you, Mikasa. And I'm sorry.' His attention turned back towards the boy in his arms. Just when he was about to make a silly face to make his son chuckle again, a malicious vibe hit him. A chakra so sinister that it's slightest hint made his son cry.
"Ushhhhh...Don't worry. Daddy will protect you." Minato tried to soothe his son only to fail. The ominous chakra's presence was becoming more potent when he rushed out with his son still in his arms. He looked towards Fugaku with a worried a face only to see even Fugaku frowning. "You sensed it, didn't you?"
"It's faint but it's definitely there. Must be at the outskirts or outside the wall. But who could it be?" Fugaku said though he thought it was pointless. Minato was one of the best sensors in all the elemental nations.
"It's inhuman. Almost like a..." Minato didn't let that thought finish. The mere thought of it made him shudder a little. 'The seal was intact when I left. It shouldn't have escaped.'
Suddenly a group of ANBU appeared in the hallway. "Hokage-sama, the Kyuubi suddenly appeared at the gates and started to rampage." The one with bear mask announced.
All of them turned apprehensive when they heard that the Konoha's bijuu has escaped. Minato carefully handed his son to Mikoto who took the crying baby into her arms without any hesitation. She started to rock him back and forth trying to soothe the infant.
"Don't worry. Tou-chan will be right back." Minato whispered before looking at Fugaku. He realised the Uchiha patriarch's visual prowess would help him a lot. Fugaku just nodded in return, understanding what was required of him.
When he was about to leave, another squad joined them, one of them carrying a bundle which looked a little familiar. "Hokage-sama, someone attacked the cave where Nawaki-sama's wife went into labour. Unfortunately, he along with Biwako-sama were found dead while Kushina-san is missing. We found this child unattended."
Uchiha Itachi, the eldest son of Uchiha Fugaku was staring at his mother who was pacing around the living room worriedly while holding another baby in her arms. He had never seen his mother tense up so much. While he could guess that she was worried about his father not being home at this late hour, he didn't understand why as this wasn't anything new. His father stayed out late many times a week as he's the head of the Uchiha police force.
'Maybe it has to do with that Ominous aura and the faints screams I heard before. But it disappeared a while ago. So what's taking tou-san so long ?' he pondered. The Uchiha district being pushed towards the edge of the village made it difficult for him to know what exactly was happening outside. That and his mother expressly forbidding him to step outside the living room.
'It would be more clear if I can just take a peek outside through the window at least.'
"Kaa-san, what's happening outside? Is the village under attack by enemies?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.
"Uh-No Itachi-kun. Everything will be alright. Your tou-san and Hokage-sama will make sure of it. You should probably sleep along with Sasuke-chan, don't you think? It's already late." Mikoto tried sounding casual but the worry was clear in her eyes and voice.
"Ok Kaa-san." he obediently replied but knew he couldn't sleep. Not without knowing what was going on. So many questions were spinning in his mind. What was that sinister presence? Why isn't his father home yet? But most importantly, who was the other child? He calmly walked into one of the bedrooms and placed Sasuke in the crib beside his bed.
Mikoto looked the child in her arms who was now sleeping after crying uncontrollably.' Poor thing must be exhausted.' she thought. Just then, the door of the room slid open to reveal Fugaku who seemed dreary than ever. "What happened?" she asked, knowing something was clearly wrong.
"The Kyuubi is resealed," he replied, slumping down onto a tatami mat.
"Resealed?"
"Yes. The newborn daughter of Nawaki-san and Kushina-san is the new Jhinchuriki of the Kyuubi."
"But what about Kushina?"
The silence was enough of an answer for her. She gasped at the realisation of Kushina's death.
"Her body is yet to be found but we doubt she would survive the bijuu's extraction. Uzumaki or not, even she is human."
"It's going to be hard for the child. Being a Jhinchuriki and losing both her parents on the same day she was born." Mikoto couldn't help but feel sympathy towards her friend's daughter. She never expected things would go wrong this horribly.
"Tsunade-san and her husband Dan-san said they'll take care of the child. She'll be raised by them as their own. Discussing the adoptions was the reason why it took so long."
"Ohhh." She said, not able to find any other words to say. She always thought that she, Mikasa and Kushina would be those mothers who would meet up once a week and talk about how hectic things are with their respective children. Or how their husbands are so busy with work. Similar scenario's played through her mind until she caught on Fugaku's words.
"Wait... Did you just say adoptions? Like multiple?"
Fugaku sighed. He lost count how many times he did it this night alone. But he knew out of all the details, this was going to be the most shocking. "Minato is dead. He died resealing the Kyuubi into the girl."
Mikoto's face went pale. "He's ...dead?". Minato was practically family even before he married Mikasa. The blond had a way of getting into peoples' hearts. In more than one way. That's what she always used to say to him. Even though Fugaku was initially against the idea of his sister marrying his unspoken rival, even he couldn't object it for too long. To think that he was no more was really a heart-wrenching thought.
This day was tragic as it was and now even the Hokage died. She immediately looked at the boy in her arms, worrying about his future before she pulled back to reality when Fugaku continued to talk.
"I don't know what that fool was thinking doing what he did." Fugaku cursed slamming his fist on the floor. Anger mixed with sadness flowed through every inch on him. "He sacrificed himself to seal away the Kyuubi. Tried to play the hero and look where it got him. To top this all, he chose his own son to be the Jhinchuriki."
"What?!"
"That was before Tsunade-san talked some sense into him. 'How can I ask for someone else's child if I can't subject my own to the same fate' he said. His misguided sense of morality could've destroyed this boy's future."
Mikoto took in all the details carefully. Silence enveloped the Uchiha couple before she decided to speak again. "So, what about Naruto's future?" Fugaku just looked at her with a confused frown.
"That's what they were gonna name this boy. Mikasa mentioned it once before." Explained the Uchiha matriarch.
"I've decided to take him in. I know it's going to a burden to you handling two infants but I couldn't let him be an orphan. He's my sister's son. He's family."
Mikoto just placed her hand over his and smiled. "You don't need to explain. I would've done the same thing. And I think I can handle another child. I too am an Uchiha and he's as much as a family to me as to you."
She knows how much her husband values his family. His actions may look strict and harsh sometimes but deep inside his heart, she knew he held nothing but love and care for them.
"Then it's decided. The fifth member of our family is Uchiha Naruto."
"You can't let the Uchiha's take him sensei. They...they are...you know how they are." Jiraiya tried to plead his case against the decision of Naruto being adopted. He was the kid's godfather and he had to have a say in this decision.
"I know exactly how they are Jiraiya. They love and care for family above anything else." The sandaime calmly replied, taking a drag from his pipe.
"Fugaku hates Minato and you're putting his son under the care of his arch nemesis?"
"Don't exaggerate things."
"You know as well as I do that Fugaku-san had his eye on the Hokage's position for a long time."
"Yes. But he didn't object when I decided to appoint Minato-kun. He even agreed and supported him when Danzo questioned my decision."
"That's just a farce. Don't tell me you bought it."
Hiruzen just sighed. Why did his students have to be so stubborn? "You're forgetting one thing Jiraiya. Mikasa-chan was his sister. That makes the child his nephew and he has the right to adopt him. There's no reason for me to reject him." he reasoned.
"Even so-"
"Then what do you want me to do?" The current acting Hokage roared in frustration, slamming his fist on the table. He had enough of his student's baseless apprehensions.
Jiraiya was taken back by his sensei's outburst. The ever calm and collected Sarutobi Hiruzen losing his cool was a rare and terrifying sight. They don't call him the second coming of 'God of Shinobi' for no reason. But that outburst also made him realize how stupid he was being. He knew the Uchiha's valued family above anything else. They were harsh and cold but not cruel.
"I'm just worried how he'll end up being raised by the Uchiha's. What if he turns out to be too pragmatic or calculative or a power-hungry boy? We know that Uchiha's only respect power. What if Fugaku-san hammers it into him?"
"Mikasa-chan was the daughter of Uchiha clan head too. Did she turn out like that?" Hiruzen had to make Jiraiya see the current situation without any biased opinions. Only then can everything be alright. "Or do you want me to hand over the boy to you so that you, a bachelor sennin who writes erotic novels, can raise him? You maintain a spy network which is too valuable for the village. We can't have you babysitting for the foreseeable future. And you're definitely not the person who should raise a child by your own under any circumstances."
Jiraiya raised his eyebrow in a questioning manner, daring the acting Hokage to repeat the last sentence.
"Do you disagree with what I said?"
Jiraiya understood what his sensei was trying to say and stayed silent.
"A child needs the love of a mother and the care of a father. The Uchiha's is the only place where Naruto-kun would find those. A strict upbringing is better than the life of an orphan."
"Fine." Jiraiya conceded with an eye roll. "But if something happens to that boy..."
"Nothing will happen to him. Trust me. He's in good care. That being agreed upon, how long are you planning on staying in the village?" His expression turning a little sly at the last question.
"Oh, no way you're convincing me to take that chair sensei. I came by because I heard about the incident. Now I'm leaving because I got what I wanted." he replied while rising up from the chair he was sitting in for a dramatic effect.
"Come on Jiraiya. I'm too old for this now."
"True. But you know as well as I do that I'm not fit for that position. I never wanted to that position and an unpassionate Hokage is the last thing this village needs."
"I'll help you as an advisor whenever I can. Come on now, don't make me beg."
"Sorry sensei. But you have to find someone else for this job."
"Like who?"
"I don't know. There are many capable shinobi in Konoha besides you and me. There's hime or Dan-san or even Fugaku-san for that matter."
"Really? Fugaku-san?`" Hiruzen asked with his eyebrow raised. He couldn't believe his students was suggesting a person for the seat of Hokage whom he didn't trust even with the upbringing of his godson but to protect the whole village.
"I might not like that person but even I can't deny his capability. He's a shrewd and powerful man who knows how to play politics better than me. Heck, he might be the only one who could put those old hags and Danzo in their place. And if your statements about the Kyuubi's attack is true, he can even control the Kyuubi using his Sharingan."
"On the other hand, he's a stern man who's thinking isn't too far away from Danzo's. Both of them believe in strength and power rather than compassion and nurturing. So that man may be Kage level shinobi but he isn't a Kage material."
"Kato Dan, on the other hand, is a kind and passionate person who carries the will of fire. He's as good as Tsunade and Me, so his capabilities can't be questioned. So it's up to you and those damn elders now." He said while pacing around the room.
Hiruzen just carefully watched his most goofy student analyze and asses one of the most difficult situations for any village. He couldn't help but smile at how much effort and thought Jiraiya was putting behind this, thinking of potential candidates, analyzing their pros and cons and also keeping their personalities in their mind.
'You might say you're not passionate about the job, but you care for the village's well being more than anything else. You just think that being Hokage is all about paperwork. Putting that aside, you're the perfect candidate to place the village's safety. It's such a shame you don't want to take up the mantle.' Sandaime thought.
"I'm a free spirit sensei. I don't want to be chained down to a desk for the rest of my life. And if I'm too busy being the Hokage, then who'll carry on my legacy and write the next Icha Icha book?" The lecherous grin on him only grew when his sensei smirked with a shake of his head. He walked towards the open window and started to climb out of it when he heard the Sandaime speak.
"Don't you want to see your godson before you leave?"
"I will when the time is right. Just...not today." he replied and hopped down to take off.
Hiruzen just pensively stared at the door in front of him. 'Kato Dan huh?!'
A/N: That's the first chapter. I hope the changes from canon are clear to you guys. If not, leave a review and I'll clarify them when I post the next update.
