AN: I don't own Naruto and honestly if I did the series would make more sense, genjutsus would be more understandable in their application, and Anko would get more airtime. Keep in mind I'm trying to remain accurate where I can which means that the portion of the kyubi that is in Naruto is male and more creative than destructive.
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Pakkun looked down at Naruto as Kakashi caught up to him or rather them in the Valley of the End. "The kids are a mess. We need to get them both back."
Kakashi nods his agreement and summons Bull to help carry the two. "Bull, you carry Sasuke since he seems the most stable. I'll carry Naruto. Pakkun, try and see if you can't get us some help as I'm about out of chakra from my dash here." The two dogs nod and set about their assigned tasks. Kakashi begins to leap through the trees to return home with his sensei's son hanging from his back. "I've failed both of you."
Bull follows beside him as fast as his body will allow. Around thirty minutes into their run they are spotted by medics coming toward them. Kakashi silently thanks all the powers that are as they come over to help.
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Kyubi stirred where it was trapped behind a cage in a sewer unhappy with this turn of events. It seemed like it had little choice at this point as it began to release large amounts of its chakra to sustain the child's life. As the seal drew it up and helped to funnel the energy toward the repairs the kyubi knew that this move had brought it one step closer to being fully absorbed into the boy. If it had been asked it was somewhat curious to see what a full integration would result in for the boy but it doubted any would care for its opinion. "Brat, I hope you one day are thankful. If you are just kill that rat bastard Madara for me."
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Naruto snapped awake instantly sitting up in his hospital bed while looking around frantically for Sasuke. Seeing that he was in a hospital room once more had him at least some what mollified as it was the familiar one of Konoha. He had been trapped in a nightmare of being handed over to Orchimaru as a present from Sasuke as he slept.
"Eep."
Naruto turned toward the door of his room to find Hyuga Hinata standing there as if she was coming in. Before he could ask her anything she spoke first which was something new in the blonde's opinion.
"N..Naruto-kun are y..you okay? I he..heard you were h.." At that point her voice cut out as she had ran out of steam to speak up.
"I suppose I was Hinata. Do you know if they found Sasuke there too? I need to know if I managed to bring back the bastard so as to fulfill that promise I made."
Hinata had an odd look on her face for a moment that passed by our oblivious hero's notice. "Yes. Y..you managed tt…to catch him."
"Yatta I did it. Thank you for telling me Hinata. If I may ask why are you here anyway? Shouldn't you be with Kiba or checking on your cousin?"
"N..naruto-kun they released Kiba-kun two days ago and Neji-niisan has al..already been remanded into the c..care of the Hyuga medics. Y..you have been o…out of it for about f..fiv..five days."
"Crap that means I have a lot of training to catch up on. Hinata do you think you could go get Tsunade-bachan for me? I would like her to let me get out of here soon. I don't like being in these places as they make me even more restless than normal."
"Hai!" Hinata seemed a bit embarrassed at first but managed to get herself under control. "A..aaa…anything to help you, Naruto-kun." Hinata answered brightly at this as it was a chance to be of some direct aid to Naruto. As she turned to leave Naruto happened to notice the shift of her hips and how much he liked her voice when she spoke louder as she did earlier.
"Well now that I have the bastard back for Sakura my obligation to her is up. Guess that is one thing on my list of dreams that will never be achieved." Naruto murmured while marking off getting married from his list of dreams on his mental notepad.
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Tsunade sighed as she finished up her autopsies on the Sound Six. Sakon and Ukon were definitely a study in odd medical conditions even if one attributed it to the strange genetic mutations that were called kekkei genkai. The structure of Kidomaru's body was also an interesting study purely from an intellectual standpoint. Judging from what they had pieced together from his genetics his clan at some point must have been similar to Inuzuka clan in that they took on the traits of their partners. The girl and the large boy who she believed were named Tayuya and Jirobo were fairly normal for human remains after some study. She did find traces of the treatments all of the original five had underwent to enable some of their abilities as well as some of the secrets of their jutsus. The knowledge of how to duplicate the kumo nenkin and the chakra kyuin jutsu could be handy some day she was sure. She had sent for Jiraiya to come and help her later in studying the seals on all of the corpses.
The most informative and interesting of the corpses though was the one she was just finishing up on. It really was a shame that this Kimimaro was dead because if there was a way to break his devotion to Orochimaru any village would have given its Kage's arms to get him. Her first task was obvious in that she collected quite a sample of his DNA in any form she could conceive of. The fabled kekkei genkai of the Kaguya clan, Shikotsumyaku, now open for her personal study. Sad that he was already too long dead to collect viable sperm and start up a program to revive it. However there was always the blood line theft option she supposed and unlike Orochimaru she was very good at ninja medicine and gene splicing.
'Orochimaru should really have sent some hunters behind them to clean up after they died. A pity but at least we can learn some things.' She thought to herself while washing off her hands from her job. 'Now to have a visit with the brat I suppose.' She turned around and left the morgue via the elevator. As she stepped out she spotted the little Hyuga heiress exiting another one and looking around. The girl spotted her and began to head her way.
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No matter which way this situation was spun was a potential disaster for Danzo. When the Uchiha had ran he was displeased but he could handle it. The fact that the Uzumaki was sent after him though was bothersome on a whole other level. Both were potentially some of the best tools at the village's disposal and they were being left out without proper supervision. He was afraid that they would lose both to Orochimaru since it would be a boon to gain both rather than only one. Then he remembered some of his reports regarding the Uchiha clan's Sharingan evolution methods and became even more distraught. Losing the Uchiha would have been a loss but their clan had a history of being traitors and he honestly would rather lose him than the potential weapon, in both political and more literal interpretations, that was the Uzumaki. Now they had both back thankfully but he was stuck. Those two old bats Koharu and Homura along with most of the civilians wanted the Uzamaki booted from the village. Even worse they wanted to reward the Uchiha for his defection. 'Damned old bastard should have followed my advice and killed the lot of them back when they tried to have the boy killed the same day he was born. Hiruzen, do you hear me? They are going to cripple the village and I can't do a thing.'
He would vote against kicking the boy out but he knew the game was rigged in this case. There was no stopping it but he might be able to at least salvage it in some way. He had already sent orders to his Root agents to be on standby. The moment Uzumaki was exiled and out of sight of the village he would send them out to collect him and bring him back. While he didn't normally use the approach, he felt that this time the honey might net him more than vinegar so he was going to bring the boy in and train him properly behind the scenes in the Root HQ. He really never could figure out why the boy hadn't been given more proper training as it would have made him a better weapon and a ninja than leaving him to rot in ignorance. Perhaps if he played it right not only would he possibly find a loyal super weapon out of the jinchuriki but also a good puppet to put up for Hokage. On the other side he could also now see about collecting some samples from the captured Uchiha was down and while everyone was in the uproar over the Uzumaki to notice. The boy was a lost cause in his book and should be executed but that didn't mean that his kekkei genkai needed to end with him. Oh what he wouldn't do to have Itachi relieved of his spy mission so he had someone around that was useful. The one true success of the Root training method and he didn't even get the boy's direct loyalty but at least it proved it was effective. He sighed as the council continued to bicker as he pondered if his day or possibly even life could get any worse with all the plans that were being shot to hell at the moment and the effort needed to make new ones.
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Tsunade entered Naruto's room to see how he was doing after Hinata told her about him asking for the medic. She saw that the boy was alert but strangely more contemplative than normal. She attributed it to nearly dying as she spoke up. "Heya brat. How are you feeling?"
"About as well as can be expecting having had a hand pass through my lung and that much electricity near my heart. Any complications I'm going to need to worry about or can I go back to training already? You know I can't sit still in this place for long or I'll go crazy."
"Hai, I know, I know. Now then let me tell you first off that you were damn lucky. I would say if it hadn't been for your tenant you would have died but I suppose you know that already. Your lungs and heart are already back and in perfect working order at this point thanks to at least three medics besides me and Shizune using up so much chakra they themselves had to be hospitalized. Your left side though is going to be stiff for the next week or so though as a result of the damage. On the bright side, you might actually keep a scar from this one so you will have something to talk about with the ladies when you are older."
"Ha! Sure, I'll remember to pack some sticks then for when that day comes around. How is the bastard? He stable yet or is he still an obsessed psycho?"
"Physically he will be alright other than his genes being a bit altered thanks to the level two version of the Cursed Seal of Heaven on him. I must admit I'm impressed, after studying the Sound Six, that the seal can cause such grand and rapid genetic alterations in a small amount of time. His account of what happened has already been recorded as has the one from all the others. Would you mind telling me what you recall of this mission?"
Naruto set about telling her of all that had happened from his point of view including the conversation with Sasuke. "Upon thinking back on it I believe I've found out something interesting about either his mentality or something, baachan. He talked like he would get stronger if he killed me. I am not sure if it was because it would impress Orochimaru, which I doubt, or that it would flip some switch in his mind that would improve his drive. Do you know why he decided I had to die after declaring me his best friend?"
Tsunade nodded at the story while taking notes and then was a bit more surprised at Naruto's observation. It would seem the boy decided to be serious for once rather than goofing around. "I have reason to believe it is how an Uchiha attains the more evolved form of their Sharingan. I believe it is called the Mangekyo Sharingan at that point. According to some of the records I have it would seem that is the method his brother used to gain that power and I suppose that he thought doing so as well would net him the upgrade. Any other questions?"
"None other than when can I leave and where are my clothes. I can't exactly leave in one of these gowns."
Tsunade chuckled and pointed to a drawer in the cabinet next to his bed. "In there brat. Your original was unsalvageable but I managed to get you some standard wear. Mostly black this time and while I know you love orange I would suggest you wear it and be happy. Right now I think you probably want to just get out, possibly eat, and then head home rather than deal with people bombarding you with questions."
Naruto thanked her and waited until she left before he set about getting dressed. He was arrayed in fairly standard clothing of the black shirt with some of the mesh armor underlay inside it and around the neck and wrists. The black pants were no different than his old ones and had plenty of pockets and such. Dressed to slip through the world and get home Naruto left his hospital room for what he would later find out would be the final time.
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Tsunade watched as the doors to the elevator once again opened to find Jiraiya standing there waiting for her. He simply nodded to her as he entered and hit the button to take them to the morgue. Both say nothing as they know nothing is an absolute secret in a ninja village. She led him into the room with the Sounds and shows him their cursed seals. The two set about studying all they can to determine a possible way to remove them. Jiraiya thinking he has a solution attempts it on the most intact body, that of Kimimaro, but finds that it has a side effect of nearly blowing the whole area around the seal off his body. "Well that didn't quite go as planned. Hime, go home and I'll keep on this. From the notes we have from his old labs and these ones to look over I should have a viable solution for at least one of them come late afternoon tomorrow." Tsunade nodded her head and left to go home. On her way she caught sight of a newspaper that displayed the winning lottery ticket numbers. She almost collapsed right there as they were the same ones she always played. This wasn't good.
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Hiashi stood there in the council chambers after feeling absolutely pole axed. They were planning to kick out Uzumaki judging by how the council was continuing to argue. The Ino-Shiki-Cho trio was arguing against the ruling and that surprised him greatly considering their open hostility about the boy in the past. If he recalled correctly Choza had even demanded the boy be executed shortly after the genin exams a few months ago. The fact that Tsume was also arguing against it wasn't quite so much due to her clans issues about loyalty even if he did not doubt for a moment she would not really hang around the kid though because his smell would probably activate her desire to hunt in any possible interpretation. Personally he saw it futile to argue about the issue since there would be no way to convince the council even if he were to voice his opinion. The Hyuga council would be ecstatic about this no doubt since this would let them move forward with some of their plots. He knew the few Hyuga elders that were in the council would vote for the banishment.
He knew his daughter would be all but killed about it. They don't call the Byakugan all seeing eyes for nothing and her crush on the boy was more obvious than his own nose on his face. Personally he approved if he were asked about it as he knew who the boy really was but his hands were tied as a loyal ninja he had to go along with the plot of the Sandaime. That boy had done more for his clan than he himself had in his opinion and he rather wanted to help him. The fact that his daughter got stronger with each of her interactions with the boy also didn't escape his notice. He would need to see if he could find a way to save his first born from that seal somehow. His first order of business once this meeting was over would be to find Tsunade and the Hyuga elder council be damned he would do it. He continued to ponder a solution as he saw them draft up their doctored accounts of events to send to the daimyo for approval. No way even a well established Hokage could fight against that should he go along with it. Admittedly Hiashi doubted the man would but he again kept his silence. After all the looks on their faces later would be priceless and he needed a good laugh once this was all over.
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At around midnight Shizune awoke to a knock on the doors to the Hokage's mansion. She went to answer it to find, much to her surprise, Hyuga Hiashi standing there. He immediately looked at her in a manner that conveyed just how urgent the matter he was there for was. She simply nodded and let him in knowing better than to let him speak outside of the secure building where he could be overheard.
Once inside he spoke. "I know this is not the proper time but there is urgent business I must see the Hokage about. It concerns my clan and possibly even the future of the village. Please wake her so I might have a word."
Shizune was again surprised because this was perhaps the most polite she had ever seen Hiashi when he had business to conduct. "Very well, please wait in the office while I go get her." Shizune ran off to get her sensei awake and aware enough to speak with the Hyuga head.
Moments later Hiashi found himself seated across a rather weary looking slug sannin. "What do you want, Hiashi? I need my beauty sleep."
"It is about the council. They are planning to have Uzumaki banished and have already sent the forms to get the daimyo's consent."
Tsunade suddenly was wide awake and one could feel the killer intent radiating off of her in a manner that would have even made Orochimaru run for his life. It helped to clue one into her anger when her desk split down the middle just with how hard she pushed her finger into it. "They have done what?"
"They are kicking Uzumaki out. It is, in their infallible wisdom, the correct thing to do since he not only drove the Uchiha to those who kidnapped him but also beat him senseless when he was disoriented from the drug he was given."
Tsunade growled. "The damn fools have overstepped themselves. Can you tell me who opposed this ruling?"
"Yes. The following clans opposed it: Nara, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and Inuzuka. As you know the Hatake seat and the Sarutobi seat are lying empty with no one to man those chairs at the moment. I also opposed it but the Hyuga clan over all voted for its passing. Only moderately surprising is that of the village elders one voted against the banishment with that being..."
"Let me guess Danzo. No doubt worried about possibly losing his super weapon he has been trying to make Naruto into for years. The boy won't even make it 20 feet out of sight before Root, Akatsuki, or Iwa assassins get him." Tsunade begin to plot what to do.
"Whatever you plot out to resolve this Hokage-sama, you have my support. I only ask one thing in return. My daughter will be destroyed by this turn of events and I have no way of saving her. That boy inspires her and without him I am afraid she would just give up. I am at wits end to determine what to do to help her."
"You are speaking of Hinata aren't you? I knew she had a crush on him but surely you are overestimating its effect."
"If anything Lady Tsunade, I am understating it. If I must I will arrange for the boy to kidnap her on his way out if it comes to that. I would rather she be out there in the world with him than cooped up here with the plots of the Hyuga elders waiting to grasp her. I can't disown her or anything because they would still put the seal on her in that event."
"That serious you say. Hm.. I might have a solution then Hiashi. Send the girl to my office tomorrow around ten a.m. I need to plot and work out a solution as well as get some things together. After all, I can't let someone who can make those fantastic salves fade into obscurity if nothing else."
Hiashi laughed on that part. "I see you have seen her work. If this were happier times I would have come to you about possibly training her in medicine considering she is already somewhat on that path and I think it wouldn't hurt her fighting ability to know even more about the human body. It might even help her with her shyness when she moved onto handling the sex organ studies."
Tsunade chuckled. "Yeah, the brat had some on him and I found it worked quite well on some of my wounds from a small tussle we had on our way back. He told me who made it and I was impressed. No I take that back I was surprised to hear a Hyuga had made it since I had heard they were discouraged from practicing medicine even if they would be perfect for it."
"I will send my daughter to you in the morning then. However you help her you will have my thanks if no others. I will do what I can to help in any thing you decide on. Good night Hokage-sama." Hiashi stood to leave the office.
"Good night Hiashi. I should have something cooked up by then." With that Hiashi left while Tsunade turned to Shizune who was next to her. "This isn't good but I have a plan. They will probably come tomorrow to tell me that he is banished so we need to move stuff around now while we supposedly don't know anything. Shizune, I want you to send for Konohamaru at dawn as I will need to speak with him concerning something. Let him know he should bring his uncle too. I'm going to the personal library of the Hokage's for the next little bit." Tsunade picks up an empty scroll. "Mind tagging along? We might learn something." Shizune got the feeling that Tsunade had a crazy plan and would not talk about it in here. They both knew of the Root listening device but knew that Danzo would not inform the rest of the council about tonight's conversation as there was nothing in it that was a threat to the village itself and they did not need him to hear what they were plotting. After all it wouldn't do to spoil the surprise.
