Welcome back for those of you who are following my story or have favorited it, or my page thank you and a shout out to all of you guys. I would like to thank all of you guys for the favorites and follows. Still hoping that more of you guys will review my story and give me your opinions I want your input on what you guys think of the story so far, as well as ideas of who should be interested in Naruto. The reviews so far have not helped with that last part but so far I have been taking what I can from the people who review my story and applying what I can to make my story better as for those who have been keeping up with it from the start and have found it to their liking I thank you for your support the number of likes and follows has really surprised me and has me wanting to keep up with writing this story still hope to get more ideas on who to pair with Naruto but those will come with time now on with the show.
Kōga couldn't help but groan at his brother's bad joke before asking his question. "Really that's all you have to say. WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG TO GET HERE!?"
"Had to keep Tsunami and Inari safe from the brutes who attacked them but they are fine now." Naruto responded.
"Well, that's a relief to hear." Yakumo commented.
"Well, well, well looks like blondie showed up after all." Zabuza said as he went to block another strike from Yūgao's sword but he was a bit too slow and the blade scored a shallow cut on his arm.
"You got distracted." Yūgao said as she pressed the attack to put pressure on Zabuza.
"Don't you worry you have my full attention." He shot back as he used his strength to push her back.
As the two Jōnin went at it matching each other blow for blow Haku now stared at the newest arrival and the damage that he had done. To be able to shatter not one but three of her mirrors in one strike she questioned if she would be able to take on the three of them or if she was only kidding herself for even considering the idea. However, before she could continue that train of thought she was interrupted as Naruto spoke.
"Haku is this truly what you want?" He asked making her frown behind her mask, "If it is than know this, that I fully intend to fight you with everything that I have and I won't hold back."
Haku smiled behind her mask as she replied. "Naruto know that I would expect nothing less from you than your best and that I will give you my best too because I too am fighting to protect someone who is precious to me." Stepping from the mirror as her jutsu dissolved she fell into a combat stance as Naruto and his two teammates did the same.
The battle resumed with a vigor that could only be looked at with awe. As both battles dragged on both sides were starting to fatigue only for them to stop what they were doing as they heard a voice call out across the bridge getting clearer as it got closer.
"Well, well, well. Looks like the 'Demon of the Hidden Mist' turned out to be a failure." A voice sneered from the small man who stepped from the mist. as he stopped, Zabuza let out a growl.
Gato had seen the last part of the battle and to say he was displeased would be an understatement. He had hired Zabuza because of his renown skill, but apparently a women and a couple of kids were enough to stop him.
"What are you doing here Gato!?" Zabuza yelled out in annoyance, this was clearly not part of what they had agreed to.
Gato let out a laugh before he answered "You must be an idiot if it isn't obvious? I hired you for this job because I had heard that you were a cold-blooded killer who could get the job done. I'm a bit surprised though not a single one of you is dead you must be slipping Zabuza but no matter. All that does matter is that you die here, I keep your pay, and I get a nice fat bonus from the bounty office when I send your head back to the mist."
At this point Zabuza sighed as he said "You know in retrospect; I really should have seen this coming…"
Haku then noted "I did say that we would have been better off if we had just killed him when we had the chance. While I know we're trying to keep off of the Mist's radar and all and that you honor the deals you make, killing that scum is definitely an exception that I think would do the whole world a favor."
Zabuza hummed before he turned his head to Yūgao and said "Well, since our job is basically voided now, I guess it would be best to work together."
Yūgao blinked before she nodded while Naruto looked at Gato with contempt. From what old man Tazuna told him, he definitely would make sure he got what would be coming. Kou mentally growled signifying that he wanted to take Gato down just as bad. However, before anyone could make a move to strike Gato shouted orders to his men.
"Double what I was going to pay Zabuza to the man who brings me his head but don't kill the women we need them in reasonably good condition if we are going to have any use for them, kill the rest." This statement made all three women who were present scowl as they would all agree that this man was trash and needed to be taken out.
Naruto looked over to Zabuza and said "...First one to that bastard gets to kill him?"
This statement brought a frown to Yūgao's face as she turned to look at him. While she knew Gato needed to be dealt with she couldn't help but think 'Would Naruto really kill him?' she questioned in her mind. Kōga was thinking along the same lines as Naruto this scum needed to be taken care of as it would be a public service to people ever where. In his mind Hikari egged him on stating 'Rabid dogs need to be put down.'
Zabuza looked to Naruto as he replied "...deal…"
Without another word the once enemies rushed to oncoming hoard of bandits and thugs taking them down in droves even with their superior numbers. Zabuza hacked and cleaved his way through everyone that stood in front of him, cutting through the army like a hot knife through butter, each swing taking out two to three people who were unfortunate enough to be caught in his path of dismemberment as he charged ahead, taking one too many hits do to being exhausted from his fight with Yūgao. Naruto had made four shadow clones and was making quick work of his opponents with quick clean strikes. However, he took no pleasure in killing these people it was necessary yes but it didn't bring him satisfaction. Kōga had followed his brothers lead and was sweeping men over the edge of the bridge with his Water style: Water bullet Orca and raging waves jutsu. The use of so much water also drowned many of the bandits as they were washed away flood of water. This also allowed Haku to make hundreds of ice senbon which turned many into living pin cushions. Yūgao and Yakumo only fought those who came close to them and mainly watched the backs of the two brothers. After only a few minutes, Gato's army had been reduced to half, to the horror of the remaining members. Gato in particular started shaking uncontrollably as he tried to run, only to find himself trapped between the oncoming ninja and the mob of villagers that could now be seen through the clearing mist approaching the bridge from the village.
Now panicking and thinking of swimming for it, Gato turned around only to face the ones who had slaughtered his entire army in only a short time. As they drew closer Gato started to plead for his life not that it was worth much with what he had done with his time.
"PLE-PLEASE DO-DON'T KILL M-ME!" He begged, tears streaming down his face, the terror that he felt now was unlike anything that he ever felt before.
Before anyone could act, Zabuza stepped forward and swung his sword only to be shot by a crossbow bolt that hit him in the chest causing him to stumble and his blade to changing course and cut Gato's legs off at the knee instead of cutting him in half before falling to the ground from his wounds as his sword left his hands clattering on the bridge. Haku dropped to his side to try and stop the bleeding.
Yakumo saw where the shot had come from and sent three kunai sailing at the spot where the shot had come from. Her aim was dead on as a man dropped from the tree he was peached in dead when he hit the ground.
"GAWHH!" Gato cried out, unable to form a coherent sentence do to the agonizing pain as he tried to get away from these monsters, fear overwhelming him he wet his pants as he saw that this was his end.
As this was happening the small army that had appeared at the opposite end of the bridge, led by Inari who was holding a bow and arrow closed in.
"Naruto! We're here to protect the Wave!" He shouted, as the villagers behind him shouted in agreement. But they were soon quieted when they saw the carnage that littered the bridge and the surrounding water, some turning green and other losing their lunches at the scene.
Tazuna winced at what he knew this would do to his lands people, but he knew it was needed in order to save the Wave, and he also didn't feel anything for the men who tried to take his home and his family from him.
Naruto looked up at Inari's words and then back to Gato with a look of contempt for the man as he pointed to the oncoming villagers, "I should kill you as it would be a service to this village but that's not my job. You see them Gato?" Naruto questioned as he forced the man to look at the gathered villagers, "The men and women that you have been taking advantage of. They'll be your judges, your jury, and of course your executioners but I wouldn't expect any mercy from them. If I were you I would hope for a quick death." And with that statement, he grabbed Gato by his collar and whispered in his ear "Your nothing but a parasite that needs to be removed from this world." With that he hurled the now cripple man so he landed in front of the oncoming group, breaking a bone or two from the harsh landing.
"There he is!" one of the villagers called
"Kill him!" Another of them shouted
"No, make him suffer for everything he's done to us first!"
The villagers mobbed Gato, as his screams echoed across the bridge.
Haku was on her knees trying to stop the bleeding from Zabuzas' wounds Yūgao surveyed the damage with her medical jutsu and found that the damage was much worse than she would have thought. Not only from the crossbow wound which had punctured his right lung and caused it to collapse but some of the other wounds on his body were just as bad, bad enough that she knew he didn't have much time left.
Haku cried as she a begged Zabuza to stay with her but he knew the truth he was done for. "Don't give me all that this was always how it was going to end for me we both knew that." He smiled before continuing, "But you have a chance for a better life in the leaf, one that I could never give you…" He was cut off by a cough that caused his mask to be stained red.
"I am your weapon that's what you told me right? Without you what am I?" Haku questioned with pleading in her eyes.
"Without me you're free to live your life. But know that no matter what you thought you meant more to me than I would ever admit out loud more than just my weapon you were …My Musume." Haku's eyes widened as more tears filled her eyes at those words before his gaze shifted to look at Naruto. "You keep her safe blondie cause if you don't know that there isn't anyone or anything that will save you from me in the afterlife."
Naruto nodded at his last request "I will make sure she is safe in the leaf you have my word on it."
Zabuza wheezed as he looked back at Haku reaching out a trembling hand as he wiped the tears from her check as he spoke one last time. "Now no more tears Momochi's are strong. I'm just sorry it took so long for me to tell you for what you truly ment to me Haku … My Musume..." With those last words the light faded from his eyes as his hand fell from her face he breathed his last. Haku buried he head in Naruto's shoulder as she cried he stood still as he hugged her which she barely noticed as she let out all her emotion for the one she lost.
x x x x
After the fight was over and Gato was dealt with by the people of wave the group of ninja was lead to Gato's hideout by Haku. They found that the man had left the place mostly unguarded except for a skeleton crew who were not expecting to be attacked. They were delt with quick and clean before the whole place was scoured for anything that was of value. Turns out Gato had kept most of the valuables he had taken along with deeds to land that the people of wave once owned. The place also had several girls who had been taken and were scared when they first saw the ninja but when they found out that they were being freed they cried tears of joy as they were taken back to the village where they returned to their families.
The rest of the loot, deeds, and items of value had been sorted and logged. When they met with the village elder they gave him the deeds and money that had been taken and also told him that Gato's shipping business was now in need of new management if the wave wanted to take it over. The elder thanked them as they had no idea how much this would help the wave get back on its feet. The elder had offered to pay them a bonus but Yūgao refused saying that they had already been paid enough and that the money should be used to help rebuild wave country. She however didn't tell him that she had already taken enough money from what had been at Gato's hideout for an A-rank mission but that bit was kept between her team, Haku, and Tazuna who said it was the least they could do as well as give them what had been promised originally since it was only right. Tazuna also offered for them to continue to stay at his home until they were ready to travel.
The day they left the whole village came out to give a sendoff for the ninja who save them from Gato as the small group now crossed the newly named Great Naruto bridge and headed for the leaf. As they left Haku asked why Naruto had left Zabuza's sword behind. To which he said that it wasn't for him to take it had been left to mark Zabuza's grave. Naruto also commented "He's going to need it for our rematch in the afterlife."
The trip back to the leaf was much smoother than it had been on the way to wave but that was to be expected. Once they arrived and told the guards on duty that Haku was with them, they headed straight for the Hokage's office to make their report. Yūgao was dreading this as it would be one heck of a report. Once they finally made it to the Hokage's office they waited as he was going over another team's mission report. When the door opened Naruto saw his brother and sisters walk out of the room along with Kakashi as per usual Narumi tried to glomp onto Naruto's arm and he side stepped her. The two teams exchanged greetings while Menma commented that they had probably come back to report about how Naruto was useless on the mission to which Kakashi face palmed as he knew what had happened to Yūgao during team twelve's test. Narumi and Mito did however ask who they had brought with them Naruto introduced Haku to his siblings before they were called into the Hokage's office. When they entered Minato was slightly puzzled as to why they had brought a young girl with them who was not a ninja.
"Team twelve and guest ready to make our report Hokage sama." Yūgao said calmly.
Minato had his eyebrow raised at the statement made by Yūgao as it was not normal for anyone outside the team and specific people like him to be part of these debriefings but told her to continue as his eyes glanced toward Haku to look her over and then back to Yūgao.
One mostly true mission report later minus a lot of very important details.
"So, you mean to tell me that you broke procedure and carried out the mission regardless of the danger that was present?" Minato said, his voice growing slightly colder as he neared the end causing a bead of sweat to drop down the heads of everyone present.
"Yes Hokage sama. Yūgao said as she was sure that she was about to have the book thrown at her in the verbal sense.
" Yūgao. Mission protocol states that in the event that a mission isn't what was requested, the ninja who took the mission are to immediately return back to the village and blacklist the individual that requested it. You brought 3 genin who haven't had any experience with missions outside of the village on an A-Rank mission that could've cost them their lives." He said as his voice rose slightly, "Not only that but you would have me believe that not only did they agree to go along but insisted on it."
At this Naruto stepped forward and looked his father square in the eye's before saying, "If you doubt her words have Inoichi come in and mind walk her memories that will show you that she is telling the truth."
Stunned by his son's words Minato was shocked to say the least as his son stared him down.
"We were the ones who broke protocol. Yūgao sensei was simply doing her duties as our sensei and allowing us to make our own choice as ninja on what we would do. If there is anyone who you wish to place blame on, then place it on us, but don't think about placing it on our sensei." Kōga said as he stepped up to stand next to Naruto also matching his brother's tone.
"Kōga and Naruto are right Hokage sama. Yūgao sensei told us that we should turn back and follow protocol but we insisted that we continue with the mission regardless of what would happen!" Yakumo said as she also moved to stand with her team, knowing that it was a group decision and not anyone's alone.
"You guys..." Seeing her genin standing up for her made Yūgao feel proud as she couldn't have asked for a better team as a few stray tears fall from her eyes.
After a moment of awkward silence Minato made a motion and an Anbu member flickered into view. As he bowed Minato ordered him to bring Inoichi here so he could help resolve this matter. After Inoichi arrived and confirmed that what the three genin had said was true, they had insisted on continuing with the mission. Minato was at a loss for words before he turned to Yūgao and apologized for how he had let his emotions get the better of him. To which she replied, "I-It's fine Hokage-sama, I understand that you were concerned about my genin and about mission protocol." As she wiped at her eyes, a small smile back on her face.
The tense moment passing, Yūgao gave her report of what happened over the course of the mission again. This time with more of the details she had left out the first time around and as to the reason as why Haku was here now. A lot of which surprised Minato as it gave him a deeper view of Naruto's skill and that of his team and that they were full of surprises. She did however hold back some details that she planned to ask the Hokage once the rest of her team was gone. When the debriefing was finishing up Minato looked to Haku who had been silent the whole time this had been going on. Looking her over trying to get a read on her but she had a great poker face which gave away nothing.
"Haku san if I may ask what is it that you seek here in the leaf? From what I have been told here you are from the hidden mist right and you helped Zabuza fight against Yūgao's team?" Minato asked her to which she nodded.
"So why not go back to the mist? why come here to us?" He pressed.
"I was almost killed by my own father when I was little because of the fact that the Mist saw Kekkei Genkai as something that was to be feared and needed to be eradicated." Haku said as this statement made everyone pale slightly as they thought about how that must have affected her. After a pause to let the shock of her previous statement ware off she continued, "At a young age I was on the streets alone since no one would take me in I was alone until Zabuza found me and took me in. He gave me a home even if it was one on the road and constantly one that needed to be earned day by day."
When she finally came to the why of her coming to the leaf, she simply stated "Because simply put I have nowhere else to go."
Naruto spoke up at that moment. "She isn't an enemy, Zabuza asked us to protect her."
Minato quirked an eyebrow at that information.
"And why is that so important?" He asked curious about why it mattered that a rouge ninja asked for her to be protected.
"Because I gave him my word that she would be safe here and I don't give my word lightly." Naruto said as he held his father's gaze.
"You would stake the fate of the village on you giving your word to someone who isn't even a part of the village to protect someone who was only just recently your enemy?" Minato questioned his son.
"She isn't our enemy if she was she would have tried to kill us on the way back to the village but she didn't and she had plenty of chances." Naruto said his eyes never leaving his father's.
"Hokage-sama," Haku said drawing his attention, "I know that you don't trust me and that it will probably take time to be able to trust me even the slightest. However, I don't have any ulterior motives. Without Zabu… No without Tou san I have no reason to be on the move all the time and honestly I've grown a little tired of always being on the move. If I am being totally honest I just want a place that I can call home and that I can come back to."
This statement made the Hokage's eyes rise a slight bit if only just. It wasn't what he had expected to hear from someone who was a trained killer. If this young women was telling the truth than she would be a valuable asset to the village, however if she was a threat she was too dangerous to let walk free in the village. So, to save time He asked a point-blank question. "Haku san would you be willing to have Inoichi here scan your mind?"
Haku didn't even hesitate as she responded, "If that is what it takes to prove that I am telling the truth and that I have no ulterior motives than yes I will."
At this remark Minato motioned Inoichi forward as Haku was asked to sit in the chair she was standing next to. She sat and relaxed as Inoichi placed a hand on her head. For a long time, the room was silent as Inoichi used his jutsu to mind walk through her memories and see if she was also telling the truth. When he had finished he looked to Minato and replied. "She isn't lying," He said before continuing, "She also had numerus chances to kill your sons' team while they made their way back here just as Naruto said I don't believe she is an enemy."
Minato was again surprised by this young girl she not only wasn't lying but she was being sincere about wanting to join the leaf. Someone who would switch villages like she was doing just seemed to put him on edge but then again could this girl really call the mist her home with the way she was treated there. And what's more did he even have a right to judge her for what she was doing? As that thought happened another ran through his mind, 'the same could be said for Naruto.' If he had done what this girl was doing right now would he blame him for it? Heck Naruto had every right to up and leave the leaf just like this girl was doing with the mist and he would be justified in doing so in the eyes of the land of fire. If not for the people who showed Naruto they cared he would have most likely left and never looked back. Minato's mind created an image of Naruto meeting this girl on the road and the two of them having felt like they knew each other went off together and eventually got married and started a family away from the leaf and the mist and were happy that they found each other. That thought both made Minato feel sad and happy at the same time
This girl was so similar to his son she had been treated horribly by the village that should have been protecting her and training her to be a ninja so she could protect herself. However, her situation was not because of someone manipulating people's minds but their fear of things they didn't understand. Minato knew that the mist viewed Kekkei Genkai as dangerous and that anyone who had one needed to be wiped out. Yet somehow this girl had managed to not only survive but make it out of that place all thanks to the kindness of someone she knew nothing about at the time. 'Will things ever get simpler or are we just making them more and more complicated?' Minato thought as he sighed and gave his answer.
"Haku san welcome to the Leaf."
At these words Naruto's face broke into a genuine smile not the ones he had put up to make people think he was okay. Minato couldn't remember the last time he had seen Naruto smile a genuine smile like this.
Haku bowed at this and replied. "Thank you Hokage sama for allowing me to join the leaf."
"I will need you to fill out some paperwork that will help with registering you as a resident of the leaf and will need a first and last name."
"Well, you already know my first name as for my last name it will be Momochi just like Tou san said." Haku replied to which Minato nodded and filled in the information.
Minato told her that she was going to be under observation and supervision from an Anbu squad for an unknown period of time she accepted knowing that it was justified given what he knew of her background was next to nothing besides what had happened in wave. "As for where you will be staying I believe that we can find a place for you to stay for the time being until you can make some money. We will need to have you run through some assessment tests to see where you stand in skill and ability but I think with what has been said and the report given that you should be able to make Chūnin with no problem…" Before He could continue Haku spoke.
"I don't want to cause any trouble by having others think I was given my position unfairly, so if it's possible I would like to be put on a genin team and pass the exams for promotion if it's possible."
Minato looked at her with approval in his eyes at her request before replying. "While I appreciate your wanting to go through the proper channels and all it would take some time to find a team you would be compatible with. And while that was going on you wouldn't be able to be take on any missions you would in a sense be a civilian till a team could be found that needed a member." Minato said only to be surprised when another person who had been silent this whole time simply listening to the report given spoke up.
"If I may, I think that we can solve two problems at once with a simple solution that would help everyone." Orochimaru said as he was now the attention of everyone gathered. "I purpose that we place Haku on your sons' team as a way to not only have her kept under watch, but also since their team has already fought against her they would be the most logical pairing as they would know her fighting style as well. And it would not only allow her to go through the proper channels to advance when the time comes but it would also make it possible for her to earn money and afford a place to stay." The snake Sannin proposed.
Minato had to admit that it made a lot of sense but would it work? He had known of teams that had four genin on them before it didn't come up often but it had happened enough that it wasn't uncommon. But it was one thing to learn how to fight against someone but to be able to take that knowledge and use it in the reverse was something completely different. Only Jōnin level shinobi were even known to be able to do such a thing and it was difficult even for them but to expect it from a group of genin… Minato's thoughts suddenly came to a screeching halt as a realization hit him. He was underestimating the capability that his son's team had already shown, especially if what Yūgao reported was true. In fact, it had been that exact same underestimation that had made almost everyone in the academy believe that Naruto was nothing more than an average shinobi at best. But then again that was one of the shinobi's greatest tools deception. Naruto had been deceiving most of the other students and many of the instructors in the academy for most of his time there. Most of the ones who figured he was holding back were those who are much more observant. After a moments pause to get his thoughts in order again he had finally made his decision and addressed those gathered.
"Haku san I am assigning you to team Twelve as its fourth member you will report to Yūgao as your sensi from here on." Minato said as he looked to Yūgao, "Do you have any objection to this?"
Yūgao smiled as she answered, "Not at all Hokage sama, in fact I think it will make it much smoother for Haku here to adjust to life here in the leaf as well as allow others in the village to get to know her better and not instantly see her as an outsider."
Haku smiled back as she bowed to Minato and thanked him taking her head band. With that the mission report was over and they were free to go Naruto asked if the team wanted to go out to eat to which Yūgao declined as she said she still had some stuff to discuss with the Hokage. Naruto figured it was about what she had left out of her report but didn't pry as it was her business not his. As the now four teammates walked out of the Hokage's office Minato's eye shifted from the door to Yūgao.
"Okay what is it that you want to talk about?" Minato asked to which her reply was.
"Best if you have some tea brought up for us we're going to be a while." At this Minato passed a hand over his face and groaned as he could feel another headache was in his future.
Outside the Hokage tower the four of them ran into another team who was out and about.
"Oh, hey you guys, you just get back from a mission?" Chōji asked as he munched on a bag of chips.
"Hey Chōji, Shikamaru, Ino what's up?" Kōga replied as team 10 stopped to chat, "Where's Asuma sensei?"
"He's off doing who knows what in his spare time after all it's our day off." Ino said as she noticed that a new face was among the members of team 12, "So who's the girl with you guys?"
"Oh, right this is Haku chan the newest member of team 12 and newest resident of the village." Yakumo stated as the members of team 10 were somewhat stunned at that.
"Wait she just arrived here and is already a ninja?" Shikamaru questioned with utter shock on his face.
"Oh, um well thing is she has been trained since she was little by a rouge ninja who ended up helping us." Kōga said scratching the back of his head with a goofy grin on his face not wanting to go into too much deatail.
"WHHHAAAAATTTT!" The three members of team 10 exclaimed in unision as their expressions of shock were priceless.
After a short explanation to team 10 they were both shocked and impressed to say the least.
"Hey, I have an idea." Ino proclaimed as she looked to Haku and Yakumo, "I was going to meet up with some of the other girls who are genin along with Kurenai sensei and Izumi Chan to get something to eat you should come with. It would be a great way for Haku to meet the others and make some new friends."
"Oh, I wouldn't want to impose." Haku said a feeling more than little nervous at the idea.
"You're not imposing in fact I insist you come you too Yakumo since the both of you are on the same team now and seem to be new friends it only makes sense." Ino stated before she grabbed both their hands and lead them off calling back over her shoulder to Naruto and Kōga, "Hope you don't mind if I borrow your teammates for a bit? Thanks!"
"Hey Ino wait!" Shikamaru called but it was too late she was off and there was no stopping her, "Ah man what drag."
"Hey Shika, I was wondering if you would play some Shoji?"
The young Nara was shocked by this statement however didn't show it on his face. Surprised by Naruto's request to play such a complex game, as he asked, "You play Shoji?"
"Is that so hard to believe?" Naruto asked Shikamaru.
The young Nara genius thought about that and found that in all the time he had known Naruto he really didn't know too much about him in fact all he really did know was that he was one of the five Uzumaki siblings and that he ran away from home when he was eight and lived in the forest of death until he came back to the village recently. Other than that Naruto had been really scarce when they were younger so he really didn't get to know him all that well. In fact, most of what he knew about him was from their time in the academy. Most of the time he was using evidence that he gathered from the way Naruto moved and acted. It had been tough though since Naruto didn't give away much with his expressions. However, Shikamaru had been thinking that Naruto was holding back his true abilities while in the academy.
"Well, it's just I hardly imagined you would be the type to sit down long enough to set up the board let alone sit through a whole game." Seeing Naruto's slightly rejected look he decided to take a chance. "Well, since I was just going to watch clouds this afternoon I guess I can play a game or two. Chouji, take them to the spot while I go get my board."
"I have the winner." Kōga chimed in. Once again Shikamaru was surprised but found it to be a bit refreshing.
Chouji smiled as he showed the two brothers to their favorite cloud watching spot, "Hey Naruto, you guys met Haku in wave right?" At this Naruto nodded as Chouji continued, "She seems really nice."
"She is but she just lost someone close to her so she is going to need some time to get used to things around here, hopefully this little outing with the girl's idea that Ino had will allow her to make some more friends and help her to open up to others." He replied as the three of them headed off to the spot Shikamaru had mentioned.
x x x x
Haku was nervous. She had never 'hung out' with other girls before. Before she had joined Naruto's team her life was training with Zabuza as his weapon. Now she found herself sitting in a restaurant waiting for the rest of the girls to show up. Looking over she saw Mito looking at the dessert menu with her face scrunched up in a thoughtful way.
Ino smiled at Haku. "So, how did you and Naruto happen?" This question not only drew the attention of both the Uzumaki sisters but Izumi as well as Hinata who was wide eyed at this.
Haku blushed slighty at the memory of their first encounter. "Naruto and me what do you mean."
Ino watched the girl across from her to study her reaction and had to admit she had a great poker face. "Oh, so you're not an item than? I mean, from the way you were looking at him outside the Hokage tower I just assumed that you two were together."
"No, it's nothing like that we're just on the same team and he was nice to me when he didn't have to be." This caused most of the girls sitting at the table to blink. Naruto? The same Naruto, who was always off who knows where and was never around much. The one who was always distant when in class and always seemed to score average on his tests. The same Naruto who managed to sneak itching powder in the Anbu laundry and is the self-titled 'Prankster prince of the leaf. This statement caused Mito and Narumi wonder what had happened between the two of them. It also caused them to be a little jealous of how her and their brother were closer than they were, and a little shame at how they treated Naruto in the past.
They were snapped out of their thoughts when Ino called and waved to Sakura and Hinata who arrived together with Kurenai in tow. After a round of introductions they were all seated and started to talk as they looked over the menu.
"So, Haku you're a Leaf ninja now?" Sakura said as she had seen the Leaf symbol on a metal plate fastened to her black choker.
Haku nodded politely. She could see Sakura was trying to figure out what this girl was doing here.
"How did that happen?" She asked to which Haku told them how she met Naruto and how she came to be here now.
When she was finished Sakura scoffed. "Why would you protect a bastard like Zabuza anyway?"
Haku restrained herself and growled out, "He took me in when no one else would. For that the least I could do was fight for him. You can't tell me you expect every mission you go on to be for some noble purpose. Ninjas are hired to kill the innocent, protect crime lords, and steal for the greedy every day. You're lucky to have been born and raised in a village that has a semblance of moral standards." The speech had a profound effect on girls around her. They each thought what it would be like to be sent on such a mission.
"It is true that as ninja we have to do some distasteful things. I can only image what you've had to do to survive, but you're a Leaf shinobi now Haku and the past is in the past, right Sakura?" Kurenai was trying her best to defuse the situation. It wouldn't be fun to explain to the Anbu why a fight broke out in the middle of a restaurant between the two kunoichi.
Sakura blinked as she was brought back from her thoughts and sighed before she replied, "Sorry I didn't mean to cause trouble."
After the waiter came and took their orders he brought there drinks and left. Ino wanted some more details about Haku and who she liked "So Haku, who is more your type, Naruto or Kōga?" This question caused both Haku and Hinata to nearly chock on their drinks as they both took a sip while both the Uzumaki sisters stiffened at the question, not sure on how to take it.
After this Izumi spoke up and asked Haku what she thought about the leaf. Haku answered that she hadn't seen much of the village yet since she had just arrived with Naruto and his team since they got back. Ino, being the great gossip queen she is, wanted more. As she rapid fired questions at the newest leaf ninja. Haku felt a little uneasy but answered as best she could.
After they finished their meals they paid and Sakura left mentioning something about she had something to do while the rest of the group walked down the market street. It then came to Ino's attention that since Haku came to the leaf village with next to nothing she didn't have a proper wardrobe. After Ino mentioned something about how Haku would look nice in the dress a manikin was wearing, Haku admitted to only having her combat kimono and the pink one that she was currently wearing. At this Ino gaped before replying.
"That simply won't do." Taking Haku by the hand.
She soon found herself being dragged into the store and having various articles of clothing thrust into her arms by the blond and told to use the changing room. After entering Haku grimaced as she had never much been into fashion but apparently Ino was. Resigning herself to her fate she stipped off her kimono and tried on one of the outfits and walked out for the rest of the girls to see. The girls all gave her two thumbs up and Ino handed her a new outfit. One by one she tried on new outfits as the girls all gave her their thoughts. This went on for about an hour and by the time they were done Haku had several new outfits. When they got to the checkout counter Ino said she'd pay for it since Haku didn't have any money to speak of.
"I can't except this you guys already paid for my meal, but this is too much I…" Haku tried to protest but Ino held up a hand stalling her before replying.
"No no I simply won't have one of my friends going around the village and on missions with only two changes of clothes."
Haku finally caved after a bit more convincing from the group and allowed Ino as well as the rest of the girls to chip in and help pay for her new wardrobe.
x x x x
Naruto was playing like he always did since he'd had a lot of time to play when he was living with the wolves. When he wasn't training with them he hadn't had a lot of stuff he could do in the way of fun, playing mental Shoji and or Go with Kou had been one of the few things he been able to do. Shikamaru unfortunately was relentless with his play. Naruto was no slouch mind you since he had been playing for almost just as long. But it seemed like Shikamaru would always know what Naruto was up to. Any ploy he seemed to come up with Shikamaru would counter it with merciless precision. They had played four games games total. Two had been Naruto vs Shikamaru and the other two had been Kōga and Shika. Shikamaru had beaten Naruto game one and the second although it had been much closer it had still been a loss. Kōga had lost one game and tied the seconed game. As for this match it was shaping up to be the same as the last one. Naruto had more pieces but Shikamaru had better position.
Shikamaru had to admit he was impressed; The brothers were definitely not beginners. He was surprised however by the strategies they would employ. The skill that both were showing was that of veteran players. This was shown by the way they were thinking fifteen to twenty moves ahead. Of course, Shikamaru tended to think twenty-five to thirty moves ahead. However, Naruto was surprising him, every now and then he would make a move that would catch him off guard. Even now Naruto was catching him off guard with his latest move. Naruto had just made a move that would force the game to end in a stalemate.
Shikamaru looked at Naruto with a curious expression. "Why did you do that Naruto?"
Naruto smiled. "I may not win this time but neither will you. I figure if I'm going down I'll take you with me."
Chouji was beside himself. Nobody in their age group or even their seniors at the academy had beat Shikamaru let alone force him to a stalemate as both the brothers had. Even Asuma-sensei was hard pressed to beat the young Nara. Matter of fact the only person that consistently beat him was his father.
After Kōga and Shikamaru had finished another game that ended in a draw. Shikamaru decided to ask a question that had been nagging at him for a long time now.
"Naruto why did you always leave when we were little?"
Naruto fumbled the piece he was about to move thankfully he didn't drop it. He put the piece back in its place and looked up at Shikamaru with a raised eyebrow.
"Why do you want to talk about something like that?" Naruto asked confused at why Shikamaru would want to talk about that.
Shikamaru thought over his response before answering, "Well it's just that when we were younger you would always leave, I mean I thought we were friends?"
Naruto shook his head at this, "We are friends." He said before making his move, "The reason I left all those times was that Menma showed up and I knew that you were also friends with him and I didn't want to cause problems between you guys."
Shikamaru was a bit confused but he decided this was a time to dig for info since he didn't know a lot about why Naruto would leave when they were little.
"Why would it matter if we were friends with your brother or not, we're friends too right we all should have just hung out together." He said making his next move.
"If I had stayed well… Menma and I don't get on well and it would have just ended up causing problems for everyone." Naruto said as he made his next move.
Shikamaru's focus was split between both the game and the conversation. On the one hand he could drop the subject and move on or on the other hand he could ply Naruto for more information. Naruto happened to pick up on this and decided to try and use it to his advantage as a way to distract Shikamaru.
As the game went on so too did the conversation until with one final move, "And that's check mate." Naruto declared to the shock of both Shikamaru and Choji. While both stared in shock Naruto just flashed a goofy smile at them. "Looks like you let yourself get too absorbed in the conversation which let me sneak in and topple your king." He said never losing his smile.
At this Kōga burst out laughing and was joined by the rest of them as they couldn't help it. Shikamaru whipped at his eyes as he congratulated Naruto on his well-deserved win. The game bord was almost reset when Naruto finally noticed how late it was getting he turned and to Shikamaru and thanked him for the games and said that they would have to play again some time or maybe next time they could play Go if Shikamaru wanted to change things up Naruto said he would enjoy either one. After that Naruto and Kōga left for home know that their mother would be wondering what was taking them so long.
x x x x
The next day Minato was in his office slightly hunched over his desk hands folded in front of his face with his elbows on the desk he went over the meeting with Yūgao which had lasted much longer than he had thought it would.
Flash Back
"What is it that you want to talk about?" He asked as Yūgao sat down in one of the chairs in front of his desk. While tea was brought up for them.
She took a minute to compose her thoughts as she sipped her tea before asking her question. "How much have you told your children about the night the nine tails was sealed?"
Minato blinked at that as he and his wife hadn't told their children much about what had happened. The only facts that they told them was that he stopped the nine tails from destroying the village, and that he had split the chakra and soul among four of the siblings since a tailed beast can't be destroyed. Other than that, they had never told them anything more than that.
"Not much in fact we have only told them that they have the chakra of the nine tails split among four of the siblings so as to keep the village safe." Minato stated
Yūgao was a little surprised that the siblings had been told about what Minato did to keep them and the rest of the village safe. She would have thought they would keep it a secret but it seemed that they made the right choice by telling them the truth as it would have been worse for them to find out suddenly.
"Why do you ask?" He questioned her with worry on his face as he took a sip of his tea.
"Well, it would seem that Naruto performed a feat that I have only ever seen Kushina Sensi be able to do but it was different from hers at the same time." She commented before continuing, "Not only that but your son used said technique during his fight with Zabuza."
"This ability what did it look like?" Minato questioned now curious about what had happened.
"It was as if chakra was pouring from his body to wrap him in it almost like a cloak, it felt like the nine tails chakra but it was somehow different. Not only that but the chakra was a vibrant shade of green if that means anything to you," She said as she went on describing what she had seen, "Also his eyes turned from their normal blue to a yellowish color and Naruto face turned more animal like."
To say Minato was shocked would be an understatement but he hid it well. What Yūgao had just described was a technique that only a true Jinchūriki could do as his wife had told him when he had seen her use the tailed beast cloak. But the color of the chakra was all wrong and when she did it her eyes looked like the foxes. However now many things that she had told him about during the mission report that seemed too good to be true were now seen in a different light. As he now had all the information.
Minato knew that he would need to talk to Kushina about all of this. As this news was not only a shock but something that begged a question. 'Who told Naruto how to use the chakra of the fox, as well as who had trained him in its use to begin with?'
When the meeting was finally over Yūgao got up to leave however before she could Minato spoke to her "Yūgao please keep looking after Naruto." At this she nodded stiffly before replying, "I've been looking after him since he was 6 Hokage-sama," Minato had winced at that statement. "And I will also train my team the best I can. I won't favor one student over another, I may see Naruto and Kōga as my Otōto's but that doesn't mean I will treat them special. Three of them are my overall responsibility as a team." And with that she had left.
Flash Back end
Minato had just summoned his messenger toad and ask him to find Naruto and ask him to come to his office as well as an Anbu to have Kushina come to his office so he could talk to her about it, or at least as Naruto would talk about it. Minato was left feeling drained after that meeting yesterday and couldn't help but slouch in his chair and sigh as he passed a hand over his face. For being a literal ninja genius, he could be really dense when it came to certain things. Like noticing changes in his own kids. The report Yūgao had given him was eye opening for him about just how far Naruto had progressed as shinobi. Not only that but just how much he had kept hidden from not only him but everyone.
"Man...," he said, "Genjutsu or not, I've really screwed things up,"
"You can say that again, kid."
Minato blinked and turned toward the window and saw his teacher, Jiraiya, the Toad Sannin standing there with his arm crossed.
"Sensei, when did you get back?" he said, as Jiraiya walked further into the office.
"Just now," he said, "Had to check in on my information network and see if any of my sources had any news for me."
"Anything that I need to know about?" he asked the sannin, who sighed as he leaned against the wall.
"I've been hearing some whispers of that group of high Rank Missing Nin," he said making Minato frown before he replied.
"The Akatsuki right?"
"That's them though I haven't been able to find out what their goals are or much about their members, they have been taking high rank missions for the highest bidders,"
Minato sighed at that, "Anything else?" he Questioned, but Jiraiya just shook his head.
"Nope. But my contacts are keeping an ear out for anything on them, if they get any new info, they'll tell me," he said, and Minato nodded.
"Right," Minato said, before he gave Jiraiya a serious look, "Sensei, I want you look into Danzo as well,"
Jiraiya blinked at that, but then sighed, "What did the old bastard do now?" he asked.
"We, and by that I mean myself, Kushina, and Hiruzen-sama, all suspect him of being responsible for the genjutsu that caused most of the village to neglect Naruto," he said, causing Jiraiya to arch an eyebrow slightly.
"What makes you think that?" he asked.
"Mizuki, a recently discovered traitor and a former Chuunin instructor, had managed to manipulate Narumi into stealing the Forbidden Scroll for information he promised her while you were gone," he said, making Jiraiya worried, "He hinted that a 'mummy' was the one behind the villages neglect of Naruto."
Jiraiya frowned at this, knowing that nickname pointed towards the old war hawk for sure as many of the ninja and even civilians had referred to him by that.
"It's gonna be tough, Minato," Jiraiya warned, "Danzo is the type of guy to hide his tracks well. It'll be difficult to get proof that he was behind it."
Minato nodding in understanding, "Just do what you can," he said, and the Sannin nodded, "Also, there's something else I need to tell you about and tell Kushina when she gets here."
Jiraiya perked up at this listening intently as he spoke.
"I believe that...somehow...," he said pausing to order his thoughts right, "Naruto has somehow become a True Jinchuriki,"
It was quiet in the office as Jiraiya stood there with eyes wide, mouth slightly agape, and looking at his favorite student like he had grown a second head. For a full minute nothing happened Minato was about to wave a hand in front of his sensi's face to see if he had accidently broken him. Or at the very least snap him out of it.
Blinking he shook his head "I-I-I-I'm sorry Minato, you wanna run that by me again?" he said, "I think my ears are playing tricks on me." Minato sighed a bit before another voice came from the office balcony.
"Me too." Kushina said looking like she had just been slapped.
Minato sat back in his chair as he proceeded to tell them everything that Yūgao had told him about the mission her team had gone on and the ability Naruto used when fighting Zabuza.
Jiraiya blinked at what he had just been told, "What a minute did you say green chakra?" he said, and Minato nodded.
Kushina was stunned by this news she couldn't believe that one of her children had somehow become a true Jinchuriki. Suddenly the conversation with the fox had come back as some thing he said went through her mind. 'Naruto left for more than one reason.' Could this have been one of the reasons her son had run away?
"This is something I never heard of before," the sannin said, "If somehow, Naruto has become a true Jinchuriki to something that was born out of the Kyuubi's chakra...if any of the other villages find out about this, they're gonna start sending spies to figure out what it is he's become host to."
Minato and Kushina both paled at that. There was no doubt that if the other hidden villages find out that the Leaf had somehow acquired a new bijuu that was sealed in the son of the Hokage. This news was bound to give the village and Naruto problems if it got out.
And Another chapter finished. I hope you all continue to enjoy the story and remember to send me your ideas and thoughts about how to make the story better. As always I hope to hear from you guys until next time.