Chapter 1: Opening
The shinobi world is currently in conflict. A conflict that could break the world as they all know it. The third shinobi world war rages on with major blows and attacks being thrown by both sides. Iwa and Konoha were locked in a dead struggle while both were attacked by Kumo. Konoha also had Kiri to deal with and their only support being Suna helping distract Kumo.
Out of the 6 great shinobi villages only one managed to remain impartial through the conflict so far. Uzushiogakure. The Sandaime Uzukage had chosen to keep them out of the fighting so far in spite of their alliance with Konoha.
We find ourselves in the Sandaime's office with an ancient looking man sitting behind the desk. Despite the urges over the almost century he had reigned as Uzukage he had yet to choose a successor due to the longevity of the clan. He felt that the right one had not presented themself to him yet. Even his own daughter seem fitting enough for the role.
Kushina Uzumaki was his pride and joy. The day he gave her away to her husband Nagato was the proudest day of his life. Just as proud as the day she had given birth to her son Naruto Uzumaki.
That had been 18 years ago today when he first heard the wail of that child. The thought of that brought a smile to his face. His birth was like no other. On that day the world seemed to hold its breath, as if it had been waiting for this day for a very long time.
In the years since young Naruto has shown great promise as a shinobi and as a man. The Sandaime felt it was time to hand it off and his grandson was the most worthy person he had ever met. He also knew that it was his dream to inherit the position. Today was the day he would know.
There was a knock at the door and then he entered. Naruto Uzumaki had the brightest red hair that had been seen in generations. It stood out red as the new day sun. He had three whisker birth marks on his cheek. These had always been speculated about and the Sandaime personally felt that it was due to Kurama's influence in the womb.
Kushina herself also shared this opinion with her father and Kurama himself thought so too. Who is Kurama you might ask? Well we'll get to that. He was blessed with a great tactical mind and the power to back it up too. His level of chakra was off the charts even for the Uzumaki clan. He would lead the clan into a new era no doubt.
"You asked to see me grandfather?" Naruto asked as he took a seat at his desk. "Ah yes young Naruto so good to see you. I have some news that I thought you might be interested in hearing," The Sandaime smirked. "What might that be? You're not perving again are you?" Naruto asked accusingly.
"That was one time and it wasn't even on purpose!" he shouted in outrage. "Calm down, calm down. I know I just can't help teasing you. I mean come on you ended up in the hot springs, the female side I might add, with no clothes on and a nose bleed. What were we supposed to think," Naruto laughed teasingly. His grandfather's only response was a low grumble. "Anyway what I wanted to inform you of was that we are going to Konoha here soon. They requested an audience no doubt for aid again. But before we do I will be announcing my retirement and announcing my successor," the Sandaime revealed.
"It's about time. I know you love your job grandfather don't get me wrong, but you're not a young man anymore. Me and mom have been worried for a while about the toll it has been taking on you lately. Especially with the war going on. So who did you end up picking? Mom? Dad? Uncle Takashi?" Naruto listed off names before his grandpa cut him off.
"You," he smiled at him. Naruto stopped dead and stared at him for a solid minute. "Me? Are you sure? I know it is my dream but I never believed it would actually come true," Naruto gasped. "Yes I am very sure of this. I have known for years that you would succeed me in this. I have been training you for it for a long time. I have seen in you what it takes to run this village and keep safe all that we love in it," The Sandaime explained.
Naruto was utterly speechless. When the realization hit that it was actually happening he stood up and kneeled. "I swear on my honor that I will live up to your expectations grandfather," Naruto swore.
"I know you will, dear boy. Now that is all for now. Go home and tell your mother. I believe she has her own news that she wishes to share with you. I love you Naruto," his grandfather pulled him in a hug then pushed him out the door.
Naruto ran all the way home whooping to himself. His biggest dream was coming true. When he arrived he ran in and yelled for his mother and father. They came immediately and asked what was happening. When he shared the news with them they were overjoyed.
"That is wonderful news honey. It's about time father retired," Kushina beamed at her son. She was a marvel of the Uzumaki clan. The fairest of them all and one of the fabled users of the chakra chains, a powerful kekkei genkai of the Uzukmaki a trait she shares with her son.
"I'm proud of you son. Truly this is a wonderful day," his father Nagato remarked. Nagato was also a force to be reckoned with being the first person known to wield the rinnegan since the Sage of Six Paths himself.
Kushina looked at her husband and nodded and he nodded back. Naruto watched this exchange confused. "Honey there is something I have been waiting to tell you about too. My seal is weakening and Kurama believes that my body is no longer capable of holding him. We believe that it is time another jinchuuriki is made. And we all believe you are the right person for that," she informed him.
"But mom won't that mean you will die?" Naruto asked concerned. "No honey. Our greatest seal masters working with Kurama's help have devised a way to safely remove him and funnel him into you. I think you are meant for great things and Kurama wishes to help you achieve them," Kushina said happily.
"It would be my honor to host him. Wow today is such an important day. The winds of change blow hard today. When shall the procedure be done?" Naruto mused. "As soon as you get back from Konoha," Kushina told him. Naruto nodded and went to his room to pack for the journey tomorrow.
Naruto, his grandfather, and their bodyguards consisting of Nagato, left Uzu early the next day for the journey to Konoha. It took them two days of walking after a day-long boat ride but they finally arrived outside the huge gates of Konoha.
Naruto marveled at them being his first time here. The guards at the gate saluted them and the gates swung open. Out of them walked a man in Kage dress and a few bodyguards flanked him. Adorning the robes were the symbols of the Sarutobi clan.
There before them stood the Sandaime Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi. "Hello Uzukage-dono and Naruto-san. Welcome to Konoha. It has been a long time since your last visit. If you would both follow me and my guards we shall show you to where you will be staying," Hiruzen smiled warmly.
They followed him to the Hokage mansion and inside to the rooms. Both of their rooms were nice and adorned with many luxuries. "Please rest up today and we shall talk tomorrow. Uzukage-dono the usual tour guide I presume? And young Naruto I have arranged for Shisui Uchiha here to guide you around during your stay," Hiruzen motioned to a man to his right as he said this.
Standing there was a man that looked to be in his late teens to early 20s so around Naruto's age. His face was angular and very masculine looking with coal black eyes that, despite their pitch blackness, held a radiating kind warmth. His hair was also black as night and stood spiked much like Naruto's own red hair. He stood a good 5 inches taller than Naruto and he was obviously built for speed and agility.
Naruto looked him up and down and one singular word came to mind. Sexy. It was well known that Naruto was gay and he couldn't help but feel drawn in by those eyes that looked so kind and inviting.
"Hello there. My name as you know is Shisui. I look forward to showing you around our village. And might I say your hair looks really lovely. Red as a rose," he said this with a warm smile to match his kind eyes.
Naruto blushed at the compliment, stuttering a thank you. "I look forward to seeing it as well. I'm quite tired from the journey so I think I will take a nap now but how bout you show me a good place to eat and it'll be my treat for your kindness," Naruto offered.
"Sounds good. I'll be downstairs when you wake just come find me. Sleep well Naruto," Shisui said and left. Naruto couldn't help but think he noticed a faint blush on Shisui's lighter than normal complexion. This stay will certainly be interesting.