Hello my lovely people! How are you?

Here is another Naruto fic. I'll be posting a new chapter for my other KakashixOC fic this week. Pinky-promise! In the meantime here is a first taste for another Naruto adventure with an OC. For this one I'd like you to tell me who would you like to see my OC paired with. In the future, of course, now she is too young for that! Academy first, boys later! I have two possibilities in mind, see what you guys have in yours and later on I'll let you know my two options, maybe even make a poll and let you decide if I still haven't!

Leave those reviews! Love your all! xoxo

T to be safe for now, maybe M in the future.

It was a nice summer day in the outskirts of Konohagakure, comfortingly warm if you stood in the sun, softly fresh under the shadows. The Head of the Nara clan lifted his chin up welcoming the tingly sensation of sunrays on his already tan skin. Years and years working in the open around the clan's compound and the Nara forest made his skin hard and resilient to inclement weather. Even now, when he barely spent any time outside the Hokage Tower due to his station as a Jonin Commander and Chief Strategist, his body tanned easily. It was a silver lining… His rough appearance would keep him from blending with the white collared population of the administrative buildings he frequented so much these days, no matter how often he had to replace his beloved leathers for regular clothes.

As a breeze flew past him carrying the watery smell of the river nearby, his mind traveled to thoughts of his son, Shikamaru. When Shikaku left early that morning to get to the orphanage in time the kid and his wife were still sleeping, but by now he imagined Shikamaru was having the first nap of the day under a tree. Shikaku smiled, and immediately after frowned. The kid was a carbon copy of himself when he was his age. Both in looks and lack of motivation. A Nara through and through. He worried about him. When summer was over he'd start his classes in the Ninja Academy, and that would disrupt completely his lazy routine. Despite being his only heir to the clan leadership, Shikaku didn't want the kid to feel too pressured, he wanted him to be a kid, and to grow into a good man before he was a good shinobi. Peace was never completely secured, it could start from the top or the bottom. From the selfish pettiness of high lords and ladies against each other, or from starving civilians who had nothing left to lose or too much to fight for. As someone who knew what it felt like to leave his wife behind to fight a war he didn't understand, a war he had no business in, and yet would make him responsible of so many souls… Shikaku wanted his son to be a kid as long as he could, even if it meant leaving his shinobi education for later and spending the whole day working with the Strategy and Intelligence divisions to keep said fragile peace. Finding the time to spend with the kid and, Kami willing, impress a lesson or two in his head was a hard task, but one Shikaku managed on four to five hours of sleep.

A constant buzzing sound managed to take him out of his musings. He opened his eyes and looked around, and then he realized it wasn't a buzz, it was a hum. Someone was humming softly, but he couldn't see anyone in his line of sight. Shikaku followed the sound. Nobody was supposed to be out here but him. The kids that would travel with him to start a new life in Konoha were being readied inside, the rest of the kids were eating, also inside, and the security detail that accompanied him was waiting on the edge of the lot. His feet dragged him around the corner of the porch, to the side of the building. A little girl was sitting on the floor, her feet dangling over the edge, her fingers tapping the concrete in a rhythm that tried to match the made up song she was humming in that uncoordinated way kids her age had. She was completely soaked and dirty. Another breeze flew past them making the kid tremble softly.

''Hey, there, kid.''- Shikaku approached the girl.

''Hello.''- She answered softly, her cheeks turning a deep red that matched the color of the patches of hair still visible through the mud.

''Are you alright?''

''Yes, I am. Thank you. Are you?'' –She asked back.

Shikaku couldn't help the genuine smile that transformed his otherwise stern face. What a polite little thing.

''Yes, I think I am. Thank you for asking.'' – He said sitting next to her. - ''So why are you out here all wet and dirty, why don't you go inside and take a shower?''

''I can't go inside until I'm told so. I am to wait here.''

''But why?''

''I can't go inside looking like this. The important man can't see me. I'll ruin it.''

Shikaku's insides reeled seeing the unshed tears in her eyes. So she obviously had an accident of sorts and she was left outside like an inconvenient stray dog? Why? Because he was there?

''Who told you this?''

''Akane-san did.''

Akane-san… Shikaku never liked the orphanage's Headmistress, she was too much for his liking. The place was full to the brim with kids yet she made it feel and look like a funeral home. But this?

''What's your name, kid?''

''Jun.''

''Pleasure to meet you, Jun-chan, my name is Shikaku.''

''Nice to meet you, Shikaku-san.''- She said smiling openly for the first time.

A polite little thing indeed. And very articulate for her age. Shy at first, but she warmed up quick. The kind of kid you can lure with candy, going by how nice and open she was acting towards him, a total stranger, and an adult at that. If she were his he'd worry all the time. Thank Kami Shikamaru was nothing like this. He chuckled imagining someone trying to lure his son: ''Pass'', he would say, and go back to sleep.

''How did you get in this predicament, Jun-chan?''

''I was looking for a purple lotus. I slipped on the rocks.''

''A purple lotus? Those are rare to come by…'' –He mused.

''You know about it?'' – She asked all excited.

''I've heard about it. My clan is kind of famous for our own medicines and herbal remedies. I'm not an expert myself, but I received some basic education in the matter. Are you into that kind of thing?''

''Yes! I like plants and what you can do with them! The library here is small,''-she said rummaging through her backpack- ''and this is the only book I have about it. I know it by heart.''- She said proudly.

''The whole thing?''- Shikaku asked taking the book from her hands as she shook her head yes.

The book was thick and full of names, locations and practical uses not only for herbs but a lot other type of raw materials, from animal parts and secretions to the bark of many different trees. And she knew it all by heart? She looked and sounded really into the stuff, and kids were like sponges but…

''Tell me about the elixir mud.''- He tested asking about the first thing he found in a random page.

''Also known as Banno Doro,''- she enunciated-''it can be used to heal bruises, cuts, and sprains, but it releases a gas that can be toxic if exposed to it for a long period of time. The mud gushes out underground the Hell Valley, in the Nanakusa Island. A large and very aggressive species of lizard is known to inhabit this valley, making the collecting of the mud a dangerous endeavor.''

Well, color him impressed… There was no way that was a coincidence. If it really was the only book on the topic she had access to she probably had read the thing so many times she'd memorized it. It seemed too much of a technical lecture for her age, the fact that she could read it at all was impressive in itself, even when locations and names had not only the kanji but also the kana reading to make it easier.

''How old are you, Jun-chan? Three? Almost four?''

''How did you know?'' –She asked surprised.

''I have a son your age.''

''What's his name?''

''Shikamaru. He's a good kid, but lazy. Not as well-mannered and hardworking as you, that's for sure. But I can't hardly talk, I wasn't those things either when I was your age, yet I turned out well.''- He finished with a wink.

Her shy side came back in reaction to his winking, rushing blood to her face, to match yet again her hair color. Her hair color… As she went silent after putting the book away, he lost himself in his own thoughts. He had only ever met one person with that particular hair color: Kushina. Lord Fourth's wife and… No, don't go there. As a member of the Konohagakure Intelligence Division, Shikaku was trained to avoid and resist mind prodding to a certain point, but as his best friend and expert in the art itself, Yamanaka Inoichi, used to say: ''don't even think about it''. Honestly, that was the most tiresome side of being a part of the Hokage's most trusted advisors. Having to watch not only your words but also your thoughts about sensible information. And he was a reserved man by nature, there was no way a gossip could manage the pressure…

''Would you like to know him?''- Shikaku broke the silence.

''Excuse me?'' –She asked not knowing what he was talking about.

''My son, Shikamaru, would you like to know him and other kids your age?''

''Can I?''-She asked sounding insecure.

''You don't have many friends here in the orphanage, do you? Is that why you read so much?''

''I don't read because I don't have friends. I don't have friends because I read. They say I'm weird.''

Shikaku could see how talking about the dangerous endeavor of collecting elixir mud could make a three year old sound weird to her peers. The amount of knowledge and vocabulary that much reading provided didn't match the cute and currently muddy vessel in font of him. Even now, the way she corrected him in his misconception about her situation, providing the right cause and effect… Her level of articulation made her sound too mature. For kids her age that probably meant weird, and boring.

He liked her. He really liked her. How come she didn't make the cut?

''Can I tell you a secret, Jun?''- He looked around and leaned forward conspiratorially, appealing to her obvious curious nature.

She leaned forward too, nodding her head a bunch of times, really into the idea of learning something new she probably wasn't supposed to.

''I am the important man.''- Shikaku whispered.

It took her a couple of seconds to understand, but when she did her reaction was comical. Her eyes opened wide in panic, and he could see the wheels spinning in that smart head of hers. The important man wasn't supposed to see her this way, she ruined it. She ruined everything. Had she talked too much? Was she polite enough? Was she in trouble?

Shikaku kept talking before she could go into full panic mode.

''Do you know why I am here?''

She shook her head no, looking scared to keep talking.

''Every now and then my clan comes to the orphanage, and we take a bunch of kids of different ages back to Konoha. Some of them get adopted by members of the clan that can't have kids of their own or just want to add to the family. Some others are adopted by other families in the village. But I'll be honest, some kids don't get that lucky. In those cases they still are provided with a proper place and the means to live until they can manage by themselves.''

He gave her a minute to process the information before carrying on.

''What do you know about clans?''- Shikaku asked.

''Nothing really…''

''Some clans have very strict policies when it comes to marriage and progeny. We Naras aren't the case. Remember how my clan knows about medicine and stuff?''

She nodded yes.

''We know of the importance of fresh blood.''

He gave her another moment of silence to think about what he said. He didn't get into the many details that played a role in each clan's rules and customs, like kekkei genkais and the nature of secret technics. She could learn about that among many other things if she decided to join him in his travel back to Konoha. She still had to pass Hiashi's test, but Shikaku had a feeling that the girl was it.

''I guess what I'm trying to say is you're invited. To come with us. I can't promise it'll be perfect, but you'll have a place to call home, people to call family, and a proper education. The academy should keep you entertained enough while the other kids catch up to you.''- He finished flicking her head making light of her social awkwardness with the kids her age.

''So, what do you say?''-Shikaku asked the kid getting up.

''Yes?''-She answered after thinking it through for a moment.

She made it sound like a question, but it didn't deter Shikaku's determination. Her doubtful intone wasn't because she wasn't sure about accepting his offer, but about how to answer to it.

''Yes it is.''- He put the final point to the conversation.

''Shikaku-sama!''-The voice of the Headmistress came from around the corner.

''Over here!''- He called back letting her know his position on the porch.

He saw the kid's demeanor change completely after hearing the woman approaching. It was pretty obvious this wasn't the first time the girl was mistreated, and it made him sick. It'd be wrong to slap the lady, but at least he took pleasure in watching the shock on her face when she rounded the corner and saw the company he kept. Busted.

''OH-''- was all she managed before clearing her throat in a poor attempt to try and cover her reaction.

After all, he wasn't supposed to see the girl, right?

''Shikaku-sama, I see you've met our resident troublemaker.''-Her smile was tight and forced.

''Is slipping on rocks and falling into a puddle of mud considered troublemaking nowadays?''

She looked taken aback, not expecting him to argue with her.

''Well-''

''What do you think, Hiashi?'' –He didn't give her a chance to reply whatever bullshit she was about to spew.

She looked over her shoulder in the direction Shikaku was looking, getting a fright and jumping on the spot at the unexpected presence of the Hyuga leader just a few feet away calmly observing the scene.

''I'd call it an inconvenience, hardly troublemaking.''- Was the Hyuga's response.

When it came to managing their respective clans and living their lives, Naras and Hyugas had very different policies in place, but they collaborated with the orphan plan. Because while a Hyuga, due to their clan's jealousy over the byakugan, would never be able to justify to their council taking in outsiders, they saw the good in others who could do it doing it, both for the kids that were given a second chance and for the village that saw its shinobi forces increased. That's why Hiashi agreed from the start to assist the Naras, checking the kids' chakra and selecting the ones that had the potential to become ninjas.

Shikaku smirked, despite the situation, at Hiashi's deadpan response.

''You don't get more uptight than a Hyuga, lady. You just don't.''

The woman fake laughed trying to make light of her situation.

''Jun-chan, why don't you go take that shower now? I need to talk to Shikaku-sama.''

Shikaku held in the need to snort. She clearly didn't appreciate being called out in front of the kid she humiliated and wanted her out of the picture as soon as possible. He was ready to tell the kid to stay put, but to everyone's surprise he didn't need to.

''Jun-chan?''-The Headmistress tried again, strain evident in her voice.-''Shower. Now.''

But the kid's attention didn't waver from the Nara.

''I said yes.''-Jun said softly.

''Hehehe,''-Akane-san nervously laughed at the situation-''see? A troublemaker. What do you me-''

''I said yes!''- The kid repeated with more confidence this time, keeping eye contact with the man in front of her all the time while ignoring the woman that for some reason was trying to demean her.

It made Shikaku's chest swell with pride. He smiled at her and grunted his approval. The kid was kind of an introvert and clearly lacked self-steem –not a shock, considering how she was apparently treated- but by sticking up to the Headmistress in this moment she was showing she was in possession of a couple of very important traits for any person, but specially for a shinobi: One, she had a natural perception and understanding of authority figures and a chain of command. She wasn't simply defying the Headmistress, she was waiting orders from her new custodian. Because she said yes. And two, she abided by her decisions despite how nasty the consequences might be. She said yes, period.

''Hiashi?'' –Shikaku asked for the Hyuga's verdict, whose byakugan was active from the start of the encounter.

''Definitely, yes.''

With that the Nara gave the kid the order she so desperately was waiting. It couldn't be easy for her, being so young, and so used to the woman's very obvious scorn, to sit there and deny her the power to demean her anymore.

''Go shower and pack your things. We leave as soon as you're ready, kid.''

It was all the girl needed to dash out of sight like the devil was after her.

''I don't understand.''- The strain on the woman's face was painful to watch at this point.

''It's easy. She said yes.''- Shikaku couldn't help himself and pulled her leg a little extra.

''What does that mean?''-And now she just looked ready to scream and pull her hair off.

''It means I'm her new custodian.''

''Shikaku-sama, I must insist on the challenge that girl represents on the daily. I advise against this decision.''

''I take note of this advice and thank you for it.''

With that he walked towards the front of the building, where some of the kids where already waiting with their scarce luggage. Hiashi walked silently by his side. Shikaku appreciated how the Hyuga managed to show him his calm support in this situation while simultaneously letting him deal with it all by himself.

''Shikaku-sama- I- I don't-''

''Aren't you supposed to encourage and celebrate adoptions?''

''Yes! Yes, of course, but I'm also supposed to look for the better match for the kids and the families. Not every kid fits into every family. After years of experience and in this particular case I can assure you-''

''Honestly, Akane-san, I don't understand what's the issue. If she happens to be anything other than the sweet smart girl she seems to be then that's Konoha's administration problem, not yours. In fact, shouldn't you be happy to get her out of your sight? Seeing as she poses such an inconvenient for you.''

He took a good look at all the boys and girls Hiashi had selected as he addressed the Headmistress. The oldest looked to be around ten years of age, and they were the one's carrying the babies that would go into a carriage when they reached their escort party by the outskirts of the orphanage's land. As he finished his appraisal of the kids he returned his attention back to the woman. She was looking down to her feet, obviously tense, hands clasped in front of her turning white with all the blood being squeezed out by the strength of the grip. She had stopped arguing, not knowing what else to say, but she didn't look just defeated but also desperate.

''You didn't object to any of the others. Unless there's something that I'm missing?'' –Shikaku tried to press for information sounding casual and not too curious.

''No, nothing at all. Just-I don't think it's the right decision, that's all.''

But something about the way she said it told the Nara that there was in fact something he was missing. A sideways look to the impassive Hyuga confirmed his suspicions. There was something Akane-san wouldn't or couldn't tell. Kami, was she sweating now?

''Look, I see now this year we're taking more kids than it's usual.''-Shikaku backtracked in his treatment in reaction to the utter dismay in her body language.-''If it's about the allowance the orphanage receives per kid from Konoha I could talk to the Hokage, see if we could maybe grant you an extra item from our budget. Your work here is greatly appreciated.''

''Thank you, my lord. Is there nothing I can do to change your mind about the girl?'' –She insisted, this time sounding beaten.

''I'm afraid not.''

''In that case, is there anything else I can do for you?''

''No, thank you for your services, Akane-san.''

''You're welcome, my lord. If you'll excuse me.''

At his nod she turned around and walked past the growing group of kids, up the stairs of the front door and past the dark threshold. She disappeared from sight with her head still down, deflated. A shadow of the authoritarian woman he knew. Not even the sound of her heels was the same.

''Is it me or does something smell rotten?''- He asked Hiashi.

''Rotten indeed.''

It was mid-afternoon when the caravan of orphans crossed the main entrance of the Hidden Village and were dispatched to the Nara quarters, where they would be distributed in rooms and provided with a welcome package full of clothes their size, a calligraphy set with scrolls, brushes, an ink stone, ink sticks, a desk pad and a traditional paperweight. They would also receive a little wage to spend around town each week until they were adopted. By the end of summer the few ones who nobody adopted would be placed in their own rent free apartments and keep receiving a monthly allowance until they made genin or find other ways to fend for themselves. This was a process the Third supervised closely with a bunch of social workers. Hiruzen-sama had taken to watch over more gentle matters like the Academy, Social Services and the Hospital, and retired from shinobi business since he appointed Minato as his successor. He still lend his expertise to the Yellow Flash whenever it was needed, but ultimately left the management and decision making to the young man. The Hokage title was for life, but Hiruzen-sama hoped the Kyubi battle from almost four years ago was his last and he could spend his last years leading a peaceful life, doing some good around the village and visiting his beloved Biwako at the cemetery.

Nara Shikaku and Hyuga Hiashi waited patiently outside the Hokage's office, waiting to report to both the Third and the Fourth about their findings. Since the Kyubi was effectively extracted from the current jinchuriki, Uzumaki Kushina, and later sealed back inside of her, selecting the next jinchuriki had been a matter of constant pain in the ass of the Fourth. Every day Kushina grew weaker and weaker, needing periodic maintenance of the seal that kept the demon at bay from her husband. The Elders kept pushing the matter, fearing, not without reason, that one day the seal and Kushina's best efforts wouldn't be enough. Naruto, their son, seemed the obvious choice to replace Kushina as Jinchuriki. But even when the kid's chakra was something else, it didn't have the singular traits that being a full blooded Uzumaki granted. The ones that allowed Kushina to survive the extraction and make use of the Adamantine Sealing Chains. Minato, who studied the seal technics of the Uzumaki clan under his wife's mother, had been working on something new. A way to seal only half the Kyubi's chakra in his son next to a part of himself, while sealing the other half inside the Shinigami's belly. But that particular fuinjutsu, although extremely useful when it came to sealing away the soul of the enemy, also required the sacrifice of the summoner's soul, which would be denied passage to the Pure Land. Minato would die and be trapped within the Shinigami's stomach, destined to fight the Kyubi for all eternity.

The Elders, short sighted that they could be, were down with it, but that day the mostly retired Hiruzen put his foot down vehemently. He appreciated Minato's extra work on the matter, and certainly loved the kid for being willing to die for the village. His will of fire was commendable. Being as he was Jiraiya's student, Hiruzen always considered the Namikaze boy a grandson of sorts. But success wasn't assured, since the Uzumaki secret fuinjutsu was a one-time kind of jutsu. Minato nor any other living person had experience with it, so it could solve their problems just as quickly as it could all go south. There were consequences to failing jutsus, and only Kami knew what could happen if the Shinigami wasn't properly summoned. Plus, the village would not only loose a young Hokage, but also one of the finest shinobis of all time. The Yellow Flash of Konoha commanded fear and respect just by existing. Entire nations granted him a run on sight order. Namikaze Minato was a living weapon, one the village didn't need to use that often. So long as he was alive, most their enemies wouldn't dare make a move. His passing would compromise the whole country's security and it should be avoided for as long as possible.

Homura, Koharu and Danzo weren't happy to be denied a seemingly instant solution. But some matters couldn't be rushed. Finally a compromise was made: Minato's plan was still on the table and would be carried out as a last resort. Meanwhile, he would reinforce his wife's seal weekly for good measure, and extra efforts would be made in the search of a suitable jinchuriki.

Unfortunately, Kushina's parents were the last contact the village had with the remaining members of the Uzumaki clan, and she was running out of time.

Finally the office's door opened and Minato's guard platoon walked out, with Shiranui Genma to the head.

''The hokage will see you now.''- Genma informed them before leaving with Raido Namiashi and Iwashi Tatami on his tail.

It was Friday, Shikaku realized, so they must have been discussing Minato's agenda for next week and deciding on the kind of security he would need.

''Hiashi, Shikaku, come on in.'' – The Fourth waved at them from behind the desk, the Third sitting by the window behind him, smoking his pipe.

They walked inside the office closing the door behind them.

''Hiruzen-sama, Minato-sama.''-Shikaku saluted and Hiashi bowed next to him, leaving him to do the talking.

''How was the visit to the orphanage. I hope everything went smoothly.''- Minato gestured to the chairs in front of the desk offering them to sit.

''Yes, it went smoothly, mostly…''- The Nara let the last detail sink in for a moment.

''Now, now, Shikaku, what do I always tell you about being a tease? Start talking.''- The Third addressed the visitors for the first time with a roguish smile.

Shikaku was more than eager to let them in on the information Hiashi and himself discussed on their way back from the orphanage, but first he gave the closed door of the office a meaningful look that the Yellow Flash recognized all too well. Without missing a beat the Yondaime walked to the door and, holding an open palm on it, he let out a calculated yin release. Immediately, the otherwise invisible seal placed over the wooden surface came to life. The black ink of its characters spread around the room, ceiling, walls and floor, before disappearing again. A privacy seal, put in place and activated to insulate the room when matters of the upmost importance and secrecy where discussed. It isolated the room from the rest of the world making impossible to hear a word that was said inside, but it also placed a genjutsu that avoided anyone to look from outside. For anyone looking through the windows, the office would look vacated and dark, preventing anyone to even read their lips.

''Well, consider me intrigued.''- The Yondaime said sitting back.

''Hiashi and I might have run into a solution to our problem.''

''Which one?''-Minato asked making Hiruzen snort behind his pipe.

Yeah, maybe he should have been more specific. The race against time finding a jinchuriki wasn't Konoha's only big problem, unfortunately. It was also the unknown whereabouts of the masked man and the looming threat of him coming back to finish the job. It was the growing strain between the Uchihas and the village after rumors of the beast being controlled by the sharingan got out. It was the attempt on the Third's life soon after the attack. It was Orochimaru on the wind. It was treason among peers.

''The jinchuriki problem.''

Any trace of mirth disappeared from the Kages' faces the moment the words left Shikaku's mouth. Minato dropped his laidback stance, chair creaking under the shifting weight of his body, to lean with his forearms on the desk.

''Go on.''- The Yondaime instructed.

''While Hiashi was selecting the kids that would make it to Konoha inside the orphanage's facilities I ran into a girl outside. She was covered in mud and that got her into trouble with the Headmistress. She was instructed to wait outside to avoid shaming the institution…''-At this both Kages' frown deepened.-''…or so I thought, at first.''-Shikaku continued.-''Akane-san is a stiff-necked woman most of the time. When she found me with the kid she wasn't happy, but when I informed her of my intention to take her into Konoha's custody she went into full panic mode, although she did her best to try and cover it. It didn't make any sense. I thought maybe they were keeping some kids hidden so they could keep receiving the stipend per kid. I even offered to talk to you about the possibility of adding funds to their current budget after I realized this year we were taking more kids than usual. But it didn't seem to quell her worries.''

''This is the official list of orphans they provided when we arrived.''-Hiashi continued passing Minato the clipboard he was carrying with him.-''One check for the rollcall, two checks when I deemed they had the potential to become shinobis.''-He explained as the Hokage turned the pages.

''Twenty two kids. You're right. This year we are about five kids up compared to last year.''-Minato pointed out.

''Plus one.''-Shikaku added.

''I beg your pardon?''

''Twenty two plus one. The kid I met outside the building isn't on that list.''

''You're saying they kept her off the record?''

''Apparently so.''

''Couldn't it be she's here under a different name?''

''No.''-Hiashi butted in again.-''I called them up one by one in alphabetic order to check their chakra system. She is not on that list.''

''But why would they do that?''

''We don't know. But we think it may have something to do with her Uzumaki lineage.''

''This girl…You think she is Uzumaki?''- The Yondaime asked trying to conceal his excitement at the prospect.

The Yellow Flash was ready to die sealing the beast inside his own son. Such was his will of fire. The Kyubi couldn't be let loose a second time. But if somehow they found another way… A way he could be a father to Naruto and a husband to Kushina for a little longer… It'd been almost four years of dead ends searching for any trace of the Uzumaki clan. They even ventured anbu teams into other countries to no avail. To think the answer to their prayers was so close, right under their nose, hidden in plain sight…

''Are you certain?''-Sarutobi Hiruzen intervened for the first time since the conversation started.

''Quiet certain, Hokage-sama.''-The Hyuga leader asserted.-''Her chakra is the most similar I've ever seen to your wife's, Minato-sama. It burns just as bright, in a smaller version. Not in the way Naruto-kun's is though, your collaboration in the making of that one ruined the final result.''

The Yellow Flash dropped to the floor twitching in pain at Hiashi's sharp jibe while the Third howled in laugher and the Nara sweatdropped. Minato knew his chakra was nothing special. Even when hard work and discipline over the years granted him more than enough chakra reserves to teleport away a bijudama, he came from nothing. His parents were civilians. No clan, no lineage, no elite to boost his path. To think he would become Hokage one day and the Namikaze name would be granted the clan status… Either way, there was no need to be so harsh… Hyuga's and their matter-of-fact assessments…

''If that wasn't enough, she has the hair color too. And the eyes. Same as Kushina.''- Shikaku added as prove of the kid's heritage.

''And Mito before her. You lot are too young to remember, but Hashirama-sama's wife shared those traits too.''

Yes, that hair and those eyes were as hard to come by as the infamous Uzumaki chakra.

''How shall we proceed, Yondaime?''- Hiruzen-sama asked his successor.

Minato gave the situation some though, trying to make sense of everything he was told, elbows on the desk and fingers crossed over his mouth. Why would the orphanage's Headmistress hide a kid from Konoha? Not just a kid, an Uzumaki kid…

''When does a merchant hide a specific merchandise, Shikaku?''

He hated the comparison, but as much as he hated it, it was close to the truth. After being targeted by other nations for their skill in fuinjutsu and almost wiped out from existence Uzumaki's had become a rare commodity.

''When someone already paid for it. Or when they're waiting for the right buyer to show up.''

''Exactly…'' – The disgust was evident in the voice of the young Hokage.

Someone was trading with human beings right under his nose. In the very orphanage he was founding.

''We must address the situation at the orphanage. I'll send a team to investigate as soon as possible.''

The other three men nodded their agreement.

''In the meantime maybe we should follow Akane-san's lead. Keep the kid off the records. Don't put her up for adoption just yet. Nobody outside this room must know about her heritage. I must talk with Kushina before deciding any further.''

''Hai!''

The three men bowed respectfully and left the room, leaving the Yellow Flash of Konoha alone with his thoughts. Almost four years after the attack that left Kushina unable to hold the Kyubi as easily as she was used to… After seeing her struggle and suffer in silence for so long… After being desperate enough to come up with a plan that meant his own demise…

Kushina… Soon, my love.

Next chapter: A decision must be made. Minato and Kushina talk. News from the orphanage and more!