Last Time:

"Everyone," A called with an unintentionally thunderous clap of his hands, "we'll be beginning in thirty minutes. In the meantime, get something to eat and have something to drink."

That thirty minutes came and went in what felt like seconds. A didn't even have to call for everyone's attention before they began. All the leaders and their successors found comfortable spots around the fireplace/coffee table while their guards stayed posted around very portions of the room. Despite how relaxed they all seemed, everyone had an eye on each other.

Minato and Kushina sat directly across from A, B, and Darui. Naruto was beside Minato and behind them sitting on the steps that led into the lounge area were Sasuke and Sakura. Next to Naruto sat Gaara on his own. To Kushina's left, Mei sat on her own as well. And next to her sat Ohnoki with Kurotsuchi on his right.

"Well," Minato spoke first, "let's get started, shall we?"

Opposites Attract: Chapter 33 – "Don't Forget Who I Am"

Minato recounted the series of events set off a few weeks ago by Watanabe Baji. He was casual with how he spoke and was the most relaxed one in the room. He shared with them how Baji had kidnapped Hyuuga Hanabi and had attempted to blackmail Minato into exposing himself but ultimately failed.

"And who exactly was the man you got to take the fall for that kidnapping?" Mei interrupted with a sweet tone. "He definitely wasn't a member of Whirlwind because I doubt you'd put one of your own behind bars."

"Oh, Takahiro Hibiki?" Minato questioned and watched as Mei nodded. "He's my biological uncle. He was happy to take the fall because he was out living on the streets over in The Whirlpool – that's the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Wards in Konoha – and I offered to compensate him for taking the fall. He's been promised ten million for his time."

A scoffed and folded his arms across his chest. "And how can we be sure that Takahiro Hibiki won't go running his mouth? If he ends up ratting you out and journalist start digging, they're going to discover your ties to the rest of us."

"Takahiro Hibiki isn't an issue," Minato assured.

"And how can you be so sure?" Ohnoki questioned, grouchy. "For all we know, Hibiki could've told someone all about your business dealing."

Minato sighed. "Would you let me finish? Takahiro Hibiki isn't an issue," he explained. He snapped his fingers and held out his hand. Iruka moved from his place and removed a tablet from its case before placing it in Minato's hand. Minato unlocked it and dropped it onto the table, the picture on display being of Takahiro Hibiki lying in his bunk with his throat wide open.

"Did you do this?" A questioned.

Minato simply smiled. He took the tablet back and handed it off to Iruka. "And seeing as Whirlwind has complete control over the media, we were able to let this slide underneath the radar. His obituary will be in the paper this coming Sunday but other than that, that's it."

"Are we sure this was a singular incident and just not a starting point for a much larger attack on Konoha and Whirlwind from Phoenix?" Gaara questioned, slightly concerned.

"I'll admit that I'm not entirely sure," Minato confessed which caused Ohnoki to grunt loudly. He ignored it and continued. "When I arrived at the Phoenix complex, Orochimaru was there."

"Orochimaru?" Mei repeated. "You're just now telling us that Orochimaru was in Konoha?"

"Look," Minato continued, "everyone here knows that Orochimaru simply likes to watch things play out amongst his generals within Phoenix. Watanabe Baji was one of his loose-cannon generals who Orochimaru particularly enjoyed watching destroy himself. Whether Orochimaru has plans of his own or not are unclear but he didn't say much while I was there."

"And didn't capture him?" A questioned.

"Orochimaru wasn't exactly a primary concern at that moment considering that Baji was attempting to escape with our daughter," Kushina reminded them with a cool smile. "And then in a desperate attempt to get even after our daughter was rescued, he drove our son and godson off a bridge and nearly killed them."

Naruto shifted in his seat and his right arm suddenly tingled. He flexed his hand a bit and rubbed his palm before glancing at each of their faces. A mixture of annoyance and sympathy was on their faces as they all seemed to look at his bandaged hand.

"What did you do with Baji's body?" A questioned.

"Dismembered and dissolved in several different barrels of acid that have been shipped off to several different locations," Minato answered. "I'm surprised you would ask me that question since you're well aware of the fact that I know how to clean up any mess that I happen to come upon. So, there's really no need for you to be worried."

"I'm worried because this doesn't just affect Whirlwind," A argued. "This affects all of us because Phoenix is like a goddamn parasite. They'll stop at nothing until we fall and they start gaining the power they think they deserve. And quite frankly, I beginning to believe you're not capable of handling Phoenix if they happen to come for you again."

"Excuse me?" Minato smiled. And for whatever reason, that smile of his sent an uncomfortable chill down Naruto's spine.

"They kidnapped a high-profile heiress, Minato," A began. "Covering up something like that had to be a challenge, right? And with an organization as large as yours, well," A shrugged, "I'm sure there are a few holes. Who knows, Phoenix may be operating within Konoha and you just don't know it?"

Naruto noticed the change in his father and the man he became was someone he didn't recognize. Minato leaned back against the couch and crossed his legs, rest one hand on his lap and put the other along the back of the couch behind Kushina. He was calm. Too calm. And far too relaxed for what A was insinuating.

"A," Minato's voice came out cool as ice, his smile long gone, and his eyes seemed to have darkened a few shades, "I would appreciate it if you kept your farfetched, convoluted, bullshit assumptions and theories to yourself. I respected your request for this idiotic meeting about something that had nothing to do with you and I refuse to sit here and be targeted by all of you over nonsense."

"There's no need to go on the defense, Minato," Mei chimed in. "Whirlwind has been operating within Konoha for twenty-years and your yakuza is the youngest one here, first generation even. I will admit that you're doing very well for yourself, but you did grow rapidly and with that rapid growth, there could have been some abnormalities that you just happened to miss."

"You have a large heart and because of that, you allow just anybody to join your yakuza," Ohnoki chimed in. "Those kids that were distributing Styx in your neighbor are all members of Whirlwind now, are they not? If you ask me, that's one of the more idiotic decisions you made besides adopting that pink haired whore sitting behind you."

Minato didn't even have to turn around. He whistled and Sasuke stopped in his tracks. Minato stood from his seat and went over to where Ohnoki sat. He carefully moved aside the plate and drink sitting in front of Ohnoki on the coffee table and sat down. He leaned forward and laced his fingers together, his smile returning to his face, but his eyes caused Ohnoki to tense up. "What did you call my daughter?"

Ohnoki didn't answer.

Minato chuckled. "Don't make me ask you again, Master Ohnoki. What did you call my daughter just now?"

"Master Minato," Gaara spoke up.

"Stay out of this," Minato said without looking at Gaara. "Sakura-chan, come here Sweetheart."

Naruto looked over his shoulder and watched as Sakura hesitate to stand. She stood and made her way over to where Minato sat and Ohnoki continued to avoid eye contact.

"Master Ohnoki," Minato resumed, "I do believe you owe my daughter an apology for your snide remark just now."

Ohnoki scoffed, "An apology? To a young tramp like her?"

"Ohnoki," Mei warned.

"I'm not going to apologize because you took sympathy on used goods like her," Ohnoki declared as he finally met Minato's eyes with a deadly glare of his own. "Let me tell you something Minato: you're on a quick path to self-destruction, you got that? Your inability to judge character and only see the good beneath all the bad is what's going to ruin you. And if it's not those kids you took in from Baji, it's going to be this girl here. And if it's not her, it'll sure as hell be someone else. You're too trusting!"

"Master Ohnoki, I understand you're an older gentleman, but do you remember when your granddaughter was kidnapped fifteen years ago?" Minato questioned, and somehow caused a shift in the room. "She was about five or six, very adorable at the time, you remember, don't you?"

Ohnoki swallowed hard.

"The man I sent to rescue your daughter was named Hatake Sakumo, remember?" Minato questioned. "He used to deal for Phoenix but after I promised him a better life with my family, he joined me. Now, had I not seen the kind of man Sakumo was, then your granddaughter very well may be dead right now."

Ohnoki clenched his jaw tight.

Minato snapped his fingers and stood. He walked around the backside of where A sat and continued, "And A! Do you remember how you called on my men and I to secure a route for your weapons because you had heard that it was compromised because someone in your yakuza turned out to be working for Phoenix the whole time? Not only did I come to your aide, I cleaned up afterward and allowed you to use my men to help you carry out the rest of your delivery and I didn't ask for a single penny in return."

A looked away.

"As far as I'm concerned, Whirlwind has been something of a blessing for some of you," Minato announced as he made his way back to his seat and propped his feet up onto the coffee table. "Yes, our organization is large, but you better believe I know every name of every single person. I know their stories, I know where they come from and I know just how far they're willing to go to ensure that Whirlwind reminds safe and in the position we're in. You're free to run your yakuzas the way you want but don't try and tell me how to run mine.

"So, Master Ohnoki, I would greatly appreciate it if you apologized to my daughter," Minato added. "You owe me that much."

Ohnoki glanced up at Sakura before looking away. "I apologize for my remarks."

"I am well aware of the fact that Phoenix is a parasite on all of us but when it comes to all of us and our yakuzas, I believe we have something like a symbiotic relationship," Minato suggested. "I scratch your back and you scratch mine. Though I'm sure it's not likely that Phoenix will attack on my territory, I do believe I will be able to call on you all for assistance and I'll receive said assistance, yes?"

There was silence, but Minato smiled.

"Perfect." Minato stood up and adjusted his jacket. "The next time you call for a meeting, I do hope it's for something far more serious rather than me giving you a fucking progress report." Minato snapped his fingers and all their security detail stood. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

Whirlwind left. Naruto hadn't expected his father to bulldoze the entirety of the meeting but he did and he was amazed. He knew his father had a dominant personality, but he didn't know he was capable of being the most dominant person in a room full equally – well, not that equal – dominant people. Naruto noticed the way his father's jaw flexed and saw just how tightly his mother squeezed his father's hand.

"Minato-kun," Kushina cooed. "Deep breathe in. Long exhale out."

The same exercise Minato had taught Naruto just two hours ago. Minato did as Kushina advised and almost immediately, that Minato was gone, and the Minato Naruto was familiar with was back. Minato gave a bit of an apologetic smile to Naruto but didn't say anything.

"I wish I had my camera," Anko broke the silence with her comment and a sigh. "The look on their faces was priceless."

There was a bit of light laughter and things were back to normal. When the elevator doors opened, they were joking around with one another and laughing, all of them mainly talking about how scary Minato was and how Kushina was struggling from containing herself.

"Master Minato!"

They all stopped and watched as Mabui ran up to them. She was slightly out of breath and they let her compose herself before speaking again.

"Master Minato," Mabui swallowed, "Master A wanted me to tell you that he apologizes for anything he said. He didn't mean any disrespect and he certainly didn't mean any disrespect with arranging this meeting. He was just worried about the status of Phoenix's activity and was hoping you had any information that would've been of any use in preparation against Phoenix soon."

"Of course, he sends the apology and doesn't do it himself," Minato sighed. "Do you still have him on the phone?"

Mabui nodded.

Minato held out his hand and Mabui hesitated, but she removed her phone, disconnected the Bluetooth, and handed Minato her phone.

"A," Minato was cheery again, "I do apologize for my outburst just now, but I just don't appreciate having fingers pointed at me when there are inconsistencies at the other end of that finger as well."

"He really is upset," Obito whistled and they all chuckled amongst themselves.

"Yes, I'll be sure to let you know if there's any movement from Orochimaru," Minato assured. "Yes, you too." Minato hung up and handed the phone back to Mabui. "We'll be heading back to our hotel now," Minato informed her.

Mabui nodded. "Have a good night."

With that, Whirlwind left Thunder and Lightning Hotel & Casino. Naruto rode in silence in the same limo as his parents, the two of them sitting beside with another with their fingers laced together and Kushina's head on Minato's shoulder. Minato stared out the window at the passing city while Kushina had dozed off.

"Otou-san," Naruto spoke softly as to not wake up Kushina.

"Yes?" Minato looked to his son.

Naruto wasn't sure what to ask first. And Minato seemed to notice because he smiled.

"There's a lot we need to talk about," Minato told him. "We'll talk about everything when we get home, okay?"

Naruto nodded. "Sounds good."

When they made it back to the hotel, Naruto quickly dismissed himself and rushed into the building before anyone else. He was on the elevator and pressing two by the time the rest of them were coming through the revolving door. He glanced down at his watch. It was a little bit pass midnight so the chances of Hinata being awake were slim.

Even though he was only going up one floor, the elevator seemed to take years to reach the next floor up. Once the elevator reached the second floor, he squeezed out the door and half-ran half-jogged down the hall until he reached 217. He swallowed hard, adjust his clothes, and knocked.

He waited a bit and was about to know again until he heard the lock come undone. The door opened and Hinata stood on the other side in a pair of pajamas. He hadn't realized how long it'd been since he'd seen her up close until she was standing just a few feet in front of him. Without thinking, he stepped inside and pressed his lips against hers.

The door fell shut behind him as they backed away from the door, their greeting getting close to crossing the point of no return as Hinata's back was against the wall. Hinata's hands were against his chest but they weren't pushing him away. They were gripping as his shirt and his hands were hanging out on her hips. He was about to slide his hands around to her bottom when her hands finally pushed.

He pulled away, his breathing heavy as he looked down at her. "Hi."

"Hi," she breathed, her eyes just as wild as his.

She pushed again, and he stepped back enough to let her off the wall. He watched as she walked away from the entryway and sit on the edge of her bed. The only light on in the room came from a tabletop lamp but it was bright enough for them to clearly see one another.

Naruto took a seat on the plush and wide arm chair by her bed. He pulled it over so that he was sitting in front of her. "Do you want me to start first?" he asked.

Hinata pulled some of her hair behind her ear. She nodded quietly.

Naruto sighed. "That's fair." He paused for a moment before he finally decided where to start. He told her who Baji was in general, "He was a general within Phoenix, a yakuza that originated out of the City of Oto and spread into other cities. They specialized in illegal narcotics and human trafficking."

Hinata shifted in her seat.

He told her everything. He told Hinata the truth about how Sakura came to join his family and where she came from before. He told her what Sakura had endured – in as minimalistic detail as he could manage – and why Sakura was willing to sacrifice herself for Hanabi's sake.

"And I killed him," Naruto admitted aloud. "And I feel absolutely zero regret or remorse over it," he admitted aloud for the first time. "I haven't lost a single wink of sleep and there isn't a day that goes by where I think about that bastard."

Hinata pursed her lips together. "You killed someone…"

"I know," Naruto breathed.

"You told me that your family wasn't like your typical yakuza; that you protect the citizens of Konoha," Hinata reminded him. "You didn't have to kill him. From what you said, he would've died from his injuries anyway. Why did you shoot him?"

He hadn't thought about it and he didn't have to. "I wanted to," he admitted. "You didn't see how damaged Sakura-chan was when she came to live with us in the beginning. She didn't speak, she barely ate, and there wasn't a night that didn't go by without Sakura screaming in the middle of the night because of nightmares. He tormented her for the better part of her childhood and robbed her of her innocence. And he threatened your family, took Hanabi, and threatened my family. He deserved that bullet."

Hinata was silent.

"I know that's not what you wanted to hear but I swore to myself that I would never lie to you," Naruto confessed. "I refuse to keep anymore secrets from you because I don't want you sitting up at night and wondering why."

"I…" Hinata sighed and shook her head. She looked down at her hands, her thumbs twiddling around one another. "That's fair…I understand wanting to kill him but…"

"But?" The knot was beginning to come back. "Hinata?"

Tears were in her eyes and Naruto's heart sank. "I can't handle something like that. I understand you felt that you had to do what you did but I…you killed someone. It may not weigh on your conscience but I'm not comfortable with it."

"What are you saying?" Naruto didn't want an answer.

Hinata wiped her eyes and sniffled. "I can't be with you."

Naruto felt a lump in his throat. "Hinata? No, no Hinata, please. Look at me."

She refused.

"Hinata," Naruto's voice was strained. "Hinata, please. I'm begging you," he reached for her hands, but she jerked them away. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"Please go," she requested.

Naruto clenched his jaw and watched her for a second. He stood and simply gave her a gentle kiss on her head. He stayed there for what seemed like a long while before wiping away some of her tears. "I will always love you. If you ever need anything, anything at all, call me."

Naruto flashed his traditional grin before leaving Hinata's room. Once he was outside, he leaned against Hinata's door and slid down to the ground, tears filling his eyes and streaming down his face. He silently sobbed and gripped his hair while he tucked his head between his knees.

To Be Continued...