Chapter 62
Minato arrived outside the Hokage's office a few minutes before noon. Greeting Yamanaka Asuka with a wave, she returned it before pointing to the waiting seats.
"Hokage-sama asked for you to wait until all of the summoned shinobi arrived before sending you in."
"Hai." Minato turned and grabbed a seat. He'd barely gotten comfortable when an Uchiha Shunshined to the lobby in front of the Hokage's office doors. Uchiha Kagami opened his mouth to greet the Assistant when the Yamanaka just deadpanned him.
"Park it Uchiha." Asuka narrowed her eyes on her yearmate, knowing just how distracted he could make people.
Kagami just chuckled and winked at the Yamanaka. "I thought we'd grown out of this Asuka." He teased even as he took a seat beside the waiting Namikaze.
"I grew out of it." She deadpanned him. "You are still a child in an Adult's body."
Kagami just shrugged. "Hey, I have to get my entertainment somewhere."
"I'll be sure to remind your wife of that." The Yamanaka smirked.
Kagami wasn't even phased. "Ema loves me and is used to my shit. She's the only one that can handle me anyways. There was a reason I married her." He sassed back, smirk still present.
Asuka sighed and gave up. "Stay still and be quiet. Hokage-sama will call for you when he's ready."
"Yes Ma'am." The Uchiha smirked before dodging a senbon.
Minato just eyed the Yamanaka woman as he'd barely seen her twitch before the weapon had been launched.
"Feisty as ever Asuka. It still makes me wonder why you haven't gotten hitched yet."
The Blonde just lifted her head from her work to glare at the Uchiha.
"You are not a very bright individual if you think pissing off a Kunoichi is a good thing." Nara Shikaku yawned as he stepped out of a shadow.
"Hey Shikaku." Minato greeted relieved, even as the Nara grabbed a seat beside him.
"Yo Blondie." Shikaku yawned. "You got called here too?"
"Yep, You do know why the Hokage summoned us right?"
"Tch." Shikaku frowned as his half closed eye twitched.
"Hm, seems like we're still one short." Kagami mused. "The Hokage normally is allowed four guards for these things."
"That is because your comrade got the times mixed up." Three heads turned to the open door to see Sakumo standing there with the Hokage robe hanging off one shoulder. "Come on in so we can started."
The three shinobi quickly followed as the Hokage then shut the door behind them. Sakumo quickly returned to his desk and activated the solid barrier around his office.
"One of you, wake Kitsune for me." The Yondaime sighed as he cleared off his desk for the Summit paperwork instead.
Kagami being in a good mood and the more daring of the trio, hopped over to the partially masked Kunoichi and started poking her cheek.
"Kitsune-sama~" He called sweetly. "Time to wake up~"
A snarl rumbled from the kunoichi, startling all but the Hokage.
"You will lose that finger, Uchiha." The Kunoichi hissed as she glared murder at the blinking Uchiha.
"Hm…." Kagami hummed before eye smiling and taking a healthy step away from the Kunoichi he'd only worked a few times with over the years. A powerful Shinobi he may be in recent years, but even he knew he wasn't stronger than the kunoichi before him.
Slowly Kitsune sat up and rubbed her face. "Why the Uchiha? The Nara would have at least been nicer about it. I knew Minato wouldn't have dared, too much trauma from his wife."
Sakumo snorted. "You're a sensor, you should have felt them entering."
"I did." She mumbled stretching. "But I wasn't quite done napping."
"You got two extra hours." The Yondaime rolled his eyes at the grouchy kunoichi. "It's time for our meeting." Sakumo wasn't even phased by Kitsune's grouchiness. He'd seen enough of Minashi's bad days when she didn't get enough sleep and someone dared to interrupt it.
"Hai~" She yawned but moved to sit on the back of the couch against the window instead.
"Grab a seat." Sakumo waved to the other three shinobi. "We'll be here a while talking about the summit."
The next two hours flew by with the four guards going over different protocols concerning the Hokage's safety for the trip to and from the summit. It was also reviewed that Kitsune would be in charge during the summit and would be at his side, not only as an advisor, but they would all be connected by their Com-cuffs. Shikaku would be needed for advice being the Jounin Commander. Kagami would keep his eyes active during the meetings and inform Sakumo if he was being lied to. Minato was there not only as intimidation, but for his own political experience gathering. Plus, he too was a genius and would be allowed to make suggestions if needed. Kitsune would be there as a sensor to back up Kagami's lie detection. He warned them of the points Sakumo would be bringing up for the continued ceasefire and peace treaty. Not to mention the restart of the Chuunin exams and who would be hosting them.
Finally the meeting came to an end and the four shinobi were dismissed to prepare to leave the following morning. Kitsune personally stayed in the Hokage's office and assisted Sakumo in reading mission reports with his shadow clone. This way, he'd be not as far behind on paperwork when they returned. Hiruzen and Commander Dragon, both who would be in charge while Sakumo was gone, would only be doing the bare minimum paperwork. The Hokage could just feel that his predecessor and friend would do it just to be assholes.
Just after sunrise the following morning, a figure sat atop the guard house awaiting her companions. Already the Ravenette had a new seal surrounding her hidden Jinchuriki seal, hiding all of the kyuubi chakra from even her fellow jinchurikis. Her Shadow clones had reported only an hour beforehand with the completed concealment seal.
Now, the Kunoichi was just waiting for the rest of her party to arrive. She hoped the Yondaime appreciated her change in wardrobe. Actually dressed in the Konoha Jounin uniform, her only difference would be her Mt. Azamuki Sage cloak. The silver cloak with red stitching was just as beautiful as the day she was granted it.
"Good Morning Kitsune." A cerulean eye peeked open from her sunrise bathing to spot her fellow sage blocking the sunrise.
"Minato." She hummed sitting up.
"Are you ready for this trip?" The blonde questioned as they both sat on the edge of the guard house looking out for their comrades and Hokage.
"Ready as I can be." She huffed.
"Hm."
"And you pretty boy?" She teased.
Minato rolled his eyes. "Ready as i'll ever be. The Sandaime had already given me some advice beforehand when he was giving it to Hokage-sama."
"Hm, The Monkey is a wise man." She mused even as her senses were wide open feeling for their comrades.
Minato wasn't even phased at her nickname for the sandaime. Everyone knew that Kitsune was the only one allowed to do as such with him and the Yondaime. Their relationship was just that way. "So, how upset is the Great Fox Sage that you couldn't attend training? With Kushina also being unable to attend, I'm sure she's not pleased."
Kitsune snorted. "Asako-sama is very benevolent. Plus, I spent some of my vacation time with the Foxes. So I'm forgiven. Being the elder Sage, I also have more leniency."
The blonde chuckled. "Funny thing, I feel like it's the exact opposite with the Toads. While most of the toads respect sensei, Gamabunta seems to like me more than my elder sage."
"That's because Jiraiya was a brat when he was younger." Kitsune chuckled. "It's hard to earn respect when you're demanding it when you haven't earned it. I heard Jiraiya was like that when he first landed there. Obviously Gamabunta wasn't impressed with his attitude."
Minato snorted. "That sounds like sensei." The duo chuckle until Kitsune stopped at the arrival of their fellow guards. The Blonde and raven then dropped down to greet their comrades. Moments later the Yondaime arrived in a shunshin.
Kitsune took in the fact that he was in full Hokage clothes, hat and everything.
"Looking good Yondaime~" Kitsune smirked.
Sakumo huffed and looked her up and down. "You wore your cloak."
"Well, I need to be able to be identified." She smirked. "I'm only known in the Bingo books as the Fox Sage. There isn't a name or picture to confirm my data."
"Hm." Sakumo articulated before eyeing his three other guards. "Everyone is packed for the two week trip like planned?"
"Hai!" All four shinobi responded.
"Let's go then."
Moving into diamond formation with Minato and Kitsune taking rear guard and point as the sensors, the Five Konoha shinobi took off for the trees.
It took the Konoha group four and a half days to make it to Tetsu no Kuni (Iron Country). As the group reached the famed three wolves mountains, they were intercepted by Samurai.
"Halt! Identify yourselves."
Sakumo stepped forward and tilted his head down to show off his Hokage hat. Once complete he lifted his head once more with narrowed eyes on the guard, power wrapped around him like the Kage he was.
"I am Hatake Sakumo, Yondaime Hokage. Myself and my guard are here for the Five Kage Summit."
The squad of six guards relaxed their defensive positions; swords were sheathed, and naginata's were pulled back.
"Welcome Yondaime Hokage, We will escort you to your assigned Inn from here."
"Understood."
The six guards took position around the five Konoha nin as they made tracks further into the village of Tetsu. Twenty minutes later, the group was at their assigned Inn.
"You will be summoned to the meeting hall this evening." The Captain of the Squad told the group. "You will have another squad escort you from here to there. All your other needs should be met by the Inn staff. As agreed upon, please refrain from shinobi training or fighting on Tetsu soil. The consequences have already been stated in prior correspondence."
"Understood Captain." Sakumo nodded. "Thank you for your diligent work."
The Captain grunted before leaving with his squad.
"Cheery bunch of folk." Kagami muttered.
"The Land of Iron has and will always keep to their ways." Kitsune mused sagely. "I respect them greatly. While they do not rely on chakra like shinobi they still are honorable soldiers."
"Well said, now let's get out of this weather." Sakumo remarked before ushering his guards inside. While it was still summer, Tetsu was still colder than Konoha.
Kitsune took point and greeted the Inn keeper. Getting the two rooms they had been assigned, the group was quick to find them. Kitsune worked in tandem with Minato to place seals not only in their shared room with their fellow guards, but to place more seals in Sakumo's room that was connected by a single door.
"I think you are being rather paranoid, Kitsune." The Hokage remarked after removing his hat and robes. He eyed the sealing script all over the walls before eyeing the young woman. She wore neither of her masks to his surprise.
"I like you a lot Sakumo, I do not want to lose you to any assassination attempts. Konoha was safe for you. Out here, you never know who will take advantage of your position and try to cash in on your bounty, or restart another war."
Minato shot the veteran Sage a glance from where he was putting up the requested seals over the windows. Sakumo just shot the hidden Uzumaki a dry look.
"Do you not trust in my own strength to defend myself until my guard could arrive?"
Kitsune sighed as she finished up and turned to walk right up to the tall Hatake, even in her Henge she still had to look up to meet his gaze. Pressing a sharp nail into his chest, she narrowed her eyes on the Hokage.
"You protect the King. I protect you who protects all. I made that promise to you the same day you took this hat. I will not fail my duty."
Sakumo hummed before he surprised Kitsune by pulling her into a bear hug. The Ravenette yelped startled even as Sakumo chuckled. After tightening his arms, he let the now rumpled kunoichi go before she decided to stab him, despite her promise.
The darkened Blue eyes glaring at him held promise of retribution.
"Go get settled, Kitsune. The seals are laid, i'm sure you're dying for a shower."
The kunoichi just stuck her tongue out at the Hokage, not caring how immature it made her look, before stomping for her shared room with the other guards. Kagami and Shikaku, who'd come running at the kunoichi's yelp, quickly got out of her way.
"Must you antagonize the only Kunoichi Hokage-sama?" Shikaku groaned.
The Hatake just shrugged. "She's like a little sister. I enjoy teasing her when I can get away with it. She didn't stab me, so I believe it was a success."
"True." Kagami agreed. "Miko would have lit me on fire."
"Tch, Kunoichi and their violent tendencies." Shikaku grumbled as he headed for the bed. He'd already spent a week having the last night shift guard.
Minato just sighed as his friend was instantly asleep. "I'll go order us lunch ahead of time."
"We'll switch off showers when you get back." Kagami agreed. With a wave, the blonde was gone and Kagami was left alone to lean in the doorway as he eyed his friend and Hokage. "How are you really doing Sakumo?"
"Dreading the oncoming headache." The Hatake deadpanned the Uchiha.
Kagami snorted and shook his head even as he moved to the available recliner. Sitting sideways he eyed his friend critically as the man just stared at the ceiling.
"Sandaime-sama prepared you for this though."
"Ah."
"Then what's on your mind?"
"Peace. Not just inner village peace, but I don't want to see Kakashi grow any further in war than what he has. I can see that it has already changed him. Only his friendship with your son and Obito have kept him grounded."
"And his Golden Doll." Kagami smirked.
"Her too. Kami, I'm scared to know how solemn and rule-abiding Kakashi would have been without her." He murmured. "She's the only one he can truly relax around, knowing she'll never judge him."
"She is a ball of sunshine. Kenji's been smitten with her for years." The Uchiha chuckled sadly. "He's practically already given up on her, knowing Kakashi holds her heart."
Sakumo sighed as he sat up. "I think that I'm going to split them up. While Team Ro is one of my up and coming best teams, those four need to separate. They are almost to the point where they will never be able to work on another team."
"And Shinobi need to be versatile."
"Hai." Sakumo hummed as he rubbed his clean shaven jaw. He'd made sure to shave at the last river. "Kakashi thankfully has a Solo mission to keep him occupied for a while. Kenji, I'm thinking of moving to one of the tracking squads. Hyuuga Ryouta might be good for one of our pursuit squads. Then there is Minashi. She's a brilliant infiltration specialist. Yet, she's going to be one of my strongest frontline fighters one day. Already she's one of the stronger ones."
"Then put her on an assault squad but have her available for the infiltration squads. Let the Captains know she's available for use and they'll take her if they're smart. Who knows, maybe in a few years she'll be a Captain and will be able to do solo missions."
"Hm." The Hokage grunted and ran a hand through his hair. "Thanks Kagami. My advisors are good sounding boards, but it's nice to bounce ideas off those with different points of views."
"Not to mention I won't baby my own brats?" He smirked.
"That too."
"Shower's open." Kitsune called from the doorway. She stood in kunoichi shorts and a sports bra. A towel was in her hands as she dried her long tresses.
Kagami whistled. "See, this is why i enjoy sharing rooms with Kunoichi. Eyecandy-" The Uchiha ducked when a kunai flew for his head. He chuckled sheepishly and a little pale as he eyed said kunoichi. Where the bloody hell had the kunai come from? The uchiha frantically thought.
"If i'm not mistaken you are married." Kitsune deadpanned him.
"Married, not dead." He quipped back pushing his luck still.
"He's harmless." Sakumo huffed amused. "He makes it a mission to get kunoichi to react. It drove the kunoichi of our year nuts. I think Tsunade is the only true Kunoichi he fears."
"She can level the fucking village with a finger." The Uchiha deadpanned. "I'm not as idiotic or unbreakable as Jiraiya."
"You're lucky your kids are cute." Kitsune retorted. "I'd feel bad making those two boys orphans."
Kagami just watched the Kunoichi saunter back into the room, no doubt to change into a clean uniform.
"Seriously though, why isn't she married? Even Kudo is married."
Sakumo sighed and rolled his eyes at his nosey Uchiha friend. "That is her business and no one else's."
"A shame." The Uchiha stood and headed for the shower.
The knock came around three in the afternoon. Kitsune was first to shunshin to the door, kunai ready.
"Yes?" She called out.
"Captain Yuu, Kunoichi-san. My squad is ready to escort the Konoha party to the designated meeting room."
Kitsune opened the door with violet sage eyes active on the captain, her senses spreading down to the main floor of the inn feeling his five other companions. Lowering her kunai she turned back to her teammates and Hokage.
"Hokage-sama." She acknowledged and reported through the com-cuffs that everything was all clear.
With a nod, Sakumo moved in behind her. Kagami and Shikaku taking his sides and Minato at his back. With a final nod to the Samurai Captain the group moved, the rest of the soldiers joining them moments later as they walked through the village and towards a large building reminiscent of the Hokage tower.
Just before they walked into the building, Kitsune pulled out her fox mask and donned it for now. She wanted to get a look at everyone before they looked at her.
It was almost an additional ten minute walk before the Konoha group and their escorts were stopped at a set of double doors.
"This will be the entrance and exit the Konoha group may use. Who will be accompanying the Hokage to the main floor?" Captain Yuu spoke again.
Kitsune moved to Sakumo's side as an answer. Yuu nodded. "The remaining three shinobi will follow the rest of the escorts to your separate entrance that will lead to the upper seating."
Sakumo and Kitsune just eyed their companions as they walked a bit down the hall to a single door. Captain Yuu finally received a signal from his companions before looking to the Hokage and his remaining guard. "You may enter now."
Sakumo led the way this time as Kitsune fell into step behind him. The tunnel was short, for the obvious seating above them, before they walked out into a well lit hall. A quick glance showed that they had walked under the Konoha banner no doubt hiding the rest of their guard. It would be the same for the other four flags in the room as all the Kages walked in at the same time. Mifune was the only one already present and standing at attention as he waited for them.
The Five Hokage walked almost in tandem to their seats. Kitsune could feel the anger, hatred, annoyance from both the Yondaime Raikage and the Sandaime Tsuchikage.
"Mifune-dono." Sakumo was first to speak instead of meeting the two glares he was getting. "Thank you for hosting once again."
The older man huffed. "Tetsu will always remain neutral. If this will stop and keep the wars of you Shinobi under control, so be it. Shall we?" The Samurai sat and the five Kage followed. "It seems since our last meetings, some of you have succeeded your predecessors. So, introduce yourself and your guard present."
Mifune looked to his left.
"I am Karatachi Yagura, Yondaime Mizukage." The deceptively short young man narrowed his pink eyes at his surrounding Kage, darring them to call him a child. "This is my trusted advisor Ao."
The blue haired young man gave a shallow bow to Mifune.
"I am Sabaku no Rasa, Yondaime Kazekage. Beside me is one of my elite shinobi and advisors Yashamaru." The redhead monotoned, the standing sandy blonde man too bowed his head shallowly in respect to Mifune.
All eyes that had been following the introductions moved to the Hokage.
"I am Hatake Sakumo, Yondaime Hokage." He gazed at Kitsune; the woman chuckled and reached up to remove her mask. "This is my most trusted advisor, Kitsune."
Kitsune removed her mask and lifted her head to smirk at the Kages. She pointedly ignored the man beside the Sandaime Tsuchikage stiffening as he took in her blue eyes, raven hair, and black facial lines.
"Good afternoon Mifune-dono, it is an honor to be in your presence." Kitsune bowed slightly deeper than the other advisors.
"Hm. Have we met Kitsune-san?" Mifune tilted his head.
"No sir, but I have always admired those that work hard for their skills."
Mifune's lips twitched. "The compliment is noted and received. Continue introductions."
"I am the Yondaime Raikage, A. This is my brother Killer B."
"Yo!" The young killer B, maybe mid twenties, greeted with an exuberant grin. Kitsune felt her own lips twitch at his energy. She'd missed his uniqueness.
"I am the Sandaime Tsuchikage, Onoki. This is my Jounin commander Takeshi." Kitsune marveled silently at how damn short Onoki still was. The only difference was the abundance of hair the older man still had, yet plenty was still missing from the top of his head.
Kitsune had been ignoring the gray eyes of Onoki's commander, but finally she met them to see guarded eyes meeting her own. She just huffed silently and sent him a wink. The incredulous look she got in return was worth the snort she heard Yashamaru cover up as he had been watching their exchange. Kitsune just glanced at him with a warm smile. He returned it with a shallow nod in greeting.
Sakumo sighed and even in view of all the kage threw a hand back and slapped kitsune's stomach. The Kunoichi grunted at the impact.
"Don't cause trouble." He sighed.
Kitsune just grinned unrepentant. Sakumo rolled his eyes heavenward before eyeing Rasa.
"Don't look at me. She's your advisor." The Kazekage huffed.
A clearing of a throat grabbed the slightly tense atmosphere once more to Mifune.
"Are you going to continue to let your advisors test each other's buttons, or will this meeting begin now that introductions are over?"
"Children, the nations are being run by children." Onoki grumbled petulantly.
"I am Not a child!" Yagura snarled.
"But you are a jinchuriki, just like the Raikage has also brought a jinchuriki to a peace meeting." The old man spat at both Kages.
Kitsune raised a brow even as kurama Cackled in her head. If only he knew.
"No need to get your britches in a pinch." Rasa hummed as he suddenly smiled darkly. "Or are you just jealous because both your jinchuriki have run off?"
Onoki just glared at the Kazekage. "Giving them the freedom to wander means they come back easier when recalled."
The disbelieving snorts came from all around the room, even the hidden shinobi.
Kitsune just rolled her eyes with a defeated sigh.
"Aye-o that's a no. The Yonbi and Gobi are rogue shinobi~, both won't be returning~."
"B!" A barked. "None of your rhyming nonsense. We went over this."
"I must agree with your brother Raikage-dono." Sakumo finally added into the bickering, his tone calm and neutral. "Many villages are not known for their treatment of their jinchuriki. I believe only your own brother has gotten out of that treatment because of his relation to you."
A just narrowed his eyes on the Hokage. "Oh, and Konoha is any better?"
"Yes." Rasa hummed. "They are. Not only has their jinchuriki past and present lived a happy life, but their identity is still a secret, no?"
"Correct." Sakumo nodded. "As is Suna's own."
"I heard of your alliance." Yagura hummed as he looked between Rasa and Sakumo. "So it is true. Konoha and Suna have set aside their differences and joined forces."
"Yes." Onoki hissed. "My men met Konoha shinobi in Suna lands, and Suna Shinobi in Konoha lands."
"Should have stayed in your own nation then." Kitsune mumbled, but was still heard if the stiffening of the old man's shoulders were anything.
"AND YOU!" He pointed a finger at her. "You and your Damned FOXES."
"It's in the name, no?" Kitsune smirked shrugging. Onoki just growled while Kitsune cleaned her ear with a pinkie. She eyed B who was snickering even as he got the evil eye from his elder brother. "Are we not supposed to be talking about the cease fire and what each nation will do to continue it?"
"Personally, I am just glad Kiri had nothing to do with this war." Yagura huffed. "I have more than enough issues to deal with then another war."
"Kiri was suspiciously silent once again." A practically growled.
Yagura just held the larger man's gaze. "Because I have more than enough issues to deal with than another war." He reiterated. A growled under his breath but surprisingly pulled back when his brother gripped his shoulder.
"Konoha may not have too many issues to deal with, but my shinobi are tired." Sakumo interrupted. "I am Tired. Growing up in the second war, losing my entire family because of it, and then having to watch my own son fight in the third war while praying I didn't send him to his death. I'm Tired of war. I want Peace." Sakumo put all his exhaustion and hope into the last word.
"There has been too much blood spilt!" Onoki stood up on his chair, fist baning on the table. "Especially by you Konoha-scum!" Chakra fluctuated from the Tsuchikage in his agitation.
"They were not the ones that invaded an innocent Civilian town in attempt to enter Suna tearing through Claw Country!" Rasa hissed back also standing. "You Killed off INNOCENT men and women, children, all to get to our Ore Supplies!" Gold dust swirled in the air around the Kazekage even as Yashamaru attempted to calm his kage.
Suddenly chakra washed across the room and all eyes snapped to the violet slitted eyes of the Fox Sage. Black rimmed eyes narrowed on the Old man and redheaded Kages.
"Enough." She said calmly. To the surprise of the Raikage and Mizukage, Rasa grunted once more before recalling his chakra. Those violet eyes were then on Onoki. The stubborn Sandaime just flexed his chakra more. Kitsune just kept her Sage mode active.
"Do you wish to see your grandchildren fight and die in a pointless war because you were too stuck in the ages long past?" Kitsune asked simply. Onoki's chakra output paused, but Kitusne continued, her voice never changing from the calming tone she used. "It is the duty of the Kages to protect the next generation. Iwa has a bad habit of sending their next generation out before they are ready. Yet that is because your shinobi are stubborn and loyal to the bitter end. One day Sandaime-dono, you will realize that your mistakes have caught up to you when those most precious to you are dead because of your archaic decisions."
Onoki wanted to scream, yell, anything at the kunoichi, yet as he locked eyes with her he couldn't. There was no bitterness, no arrogance, no hatred, anger, or anything negative in her gaze. Only the truth of her words. Confidence in her words. Wisdomin her words. Yet…
"You say that yet your Apprentice was sighted on the battlefield. If her own fox summons were any clue. Not to mention her own actions with her blasted elder brother Namikaze."
Kitsune just raised a brow. "Namikaze Minashi is my apprentice, but her views on peace are the same as mine. I wouldn't have taken her on as an apprentice otherwise. She stepped onto the battlefield at a young age because she had the skill, knowledge, and power to be out there, Protecting those who did not need to be on the battlefield instead. Konoha will not send toddlers to the battlefield."
"I Do NOT-" Onoki started but was cut off.
"The Age of the Warring Clans, The First War, Is Over." Kistuned said firmly, starting to get a bit angry with the stubborn old fool. "If you cannot move on with the ages, see that your own shinobi are Tired of burying their loved ones, then you need to step down and let us Children as you named us, Plan out a future that may finally bring peace to the nations instead of further bloodshed."
Silence reigned in the Hall at Kitsune's words. While she had still remained calm, her eyes were burning with determination to see peace, and to protect those precious to her.
"That is not as easy as you desire." Killer B said surprising them all. "Human greed will always break the peace. Hatred from those seeking revenge. I've seen it too much over the years."
Kitsune opened her mouth to retort, but her words came from a surprising source.
"To break the cycle then, someone has to make the first steps in forgiveness. Pain can never be forgotten, but the wounds will heal and people will move on as the pain lessens." Takeshi said from beside his startled Tsuchikage. "Right, Kitsune-san?"
"Correct." The kunoichi hummed. "You remembered."
Takeshi huffed and looked away. "You kept your promise."
Kitsune's expression softened slightly at the memory.
Takeshi snarled as he realized he was trapped. Suna and Konoha Shinobi were pinning him in on all sides as he tried to escape through Fang country. He was also wounded and his team either dead or captured. He wasn't sure and didn't know how to feel. They had sacrificed themselves to give him a chance to get away after the mission had gone belly up.
Searching his pockets for ANYTHING to help him with the shinobi slowly surrounding his hiding place, his hands paused on a familiar slip of paper. Pulling it out, Takeshi frowned at the Fuuin scrypt. He hadn't a clue what it would do. But….
'If you are ever in a life or death situation and have no way out, push chakra into this. It will summon me.'
"Summon her." he murmured and before he could process it in his brain, his body was already feeding the chakra to the paper. The Fuuin ink lit up and a few heartbeats passed in silence. Finally with a dark swirl of chakra, the strange Kunoichi was before him. Cerulean eyes took in his bloody and battered state.
She let out a soft whistle as she took in his form and gave a teasing smirk. "Need help?"
Takeshi felt his body relax just the tiniest bit. Pride be damned, he was still a gentleman and not stupid. "Please."
With a grunt he was pulled back to his feet with an arm around the Ravenette Kunoichi's shoulders.
"Hold Tight Takeshi-kun."
A dizzying twisting gut wrenching whirl later, the Iwa Commander was spat out from space time and promptly slammed with vertigo and lost his stomach all over the ground before him. With another heave, he felt something slapped onto his forehead, sending familiar medical chakra into his system.
Releasing a sigh, Takeshi scooted back on the ground until he found his back up against familiar boulders. Tired gray eyes gazed up at the kunoichi that was surveying where they landed.
"We're back in Iwa." She stated evenly. "Currently I'm suppressing our positions. Once I leave, the next patrol should run into you. This is a path on one of your patrol runs." She sighed before moving to him and pulling off a tag from his forehead.
Cerulean blue met gray. He saw genuine concern in her eyes. "Will you be okay until they arrive? I guess they have a few hours until they pass through here again."
Takeshi grunted. "If you have a flare tag that would be better."
The Ravenette hummed before she pulled one out, pulled a Kunai from his own pouch and wrapped it around it.
"Need any water or food until help arrives?" She asked once more.
"I'll survive." He grunted with a wince as his breathing reminded him that his ribs were fractured.
The Kunoichi gave him a fond look before shaking her head at him. "Stubborn. You are similar to my dead lover in that way. Or maybe it's not wanting to look weak in front of others." She mused a bit distantly.
Takeshi just eyed her. "You know, you never told me your real name."
The Ravenette looked back to him with a raised brow before a twinkle of mischievousness filled those blue eyes.
"Maybe next time then Takeshi-kun." With a quick spin and application of chakra the kunai was soaring into the sky. Seconds later a bright red flare exploded. The Kunoichi hummed as she tilted her head sideways. "They are on their way. Mostly Chuunin. So at least an hour." She kneeled before Takeshi once more. "Take care of yourself, Takeshi-kun."
"No promises." He grunted. The kunoichi just chuckled with that husky voice of hers before disappearing the same way she appeared. If not for the swirl he could have sworn it was the same as that damn Namikaze's. But she was skilled in Fuuinjutsu, so maybe he copied hers with some tweeks? Takeshi groaned and ignored his rampaging thoughts. He was too tired and sore to think.
"What promise?" The Tsuchikage and Hokage asked at the same time.
Kitsune just smiled innocently at her Hokage while Takeshi looked away from his Kage.
'A mission led our paths to crossing. I spoke with Takeshi on my views of peace, feeling the third war looming. In apology, I lent him some of my sealing work in case he was ever in a bind. I'm surprised he didn't use it to capture me, but he probably thought it would blow up instead. But he used it. I helped him out in a tight spot, and all's forgiven.' Kitsune beamed at Sakumo as she explained herself over the com-cuffs their group shared. Thankfully the other three hadn't needed to speak so far.
'Troublesome.' Ah, she spoke too soon. Shikaku's voice spoke of how utterly done he was with Kitsune already.
"Troublesome." Sakumo echoed with a sigh. "Why do you make my life difficult?"
"Keeps you on your toes Wolf-chan!" Kitsune beamed. Rasa and Yashamaru snorted beside them.
"You walked into that one." Rasa huffed. "You should know better than to ask that, Sakumo-san."
Sakumo just sighed and eyed Rasa. "Can I lend her to you? My paperwork gets done easier when she isn't in the village and bothering me."
"Are you still surprise attacking the Hokage? I thought you only did that to Rasa since he still can't outlast you?" Yashamaru easily asked over the two Kage's heads to the Kunoichi who only beamed back with a peace sign.
"Sure am. If Sandaime-jiji could keep up with me in his old age, then these two young bucks should be able to keep up! Plus, you never know when some idiot assassin will attempt to gut them over their own desks they spend way too much time at."
"Then you should have taken this damnable hat when Sandaime-sama offered it." Sakumo barked back. He did not like the fact that Kitsune, even in her Henged form and with no kyuubi chakra could beat him around. He'd just recently almost beat her in sage mode, and that was only because his guard had finally gotten accustomed to her somewhat and made an opening for him.
"Careful then Hokage-sama, you lend her to me and I might throw the hat at her instead." Rasa teased, smirking at the Ravenette kunoichi who was going paler and paler.
"Fuck that Shit!" Kitsune hissed, baring sharpened K-9's at them. "I'm a kunoichi, not some paper pushing old-"
"Watch it-" Sakumo glared.
Kitsune's jaw snapped shut as she glared at him. "I know who Konoha's prankster is." She warned. "I'm sure they would be pleased to prank the Yondaime. They were so pleased when the last prank on the Sandaime went so swimmingly." She threatened. "Not to mention Konoha's entire ANBU force has been pranked multiple times."
Sakumo twitched. Rasa raised a brow. Yagura's eyes widened. Onoki just stared at the strange kunoichi and the Hokage and their interactions.
"Wait." A frowned. "I remember reports from my shinobi who couldn't stop laughing after a run in with Konoha shinobi." A looked at Kitsune with an indescribable look. "This Konoha prankster really turned all the ANBU into squeaky voiced idiots?"
Kitsune glanced at A but saw Killer B trembling as he held back his laughter.
"Oh yes. They even pranked both the Uchiha and Hyuuga Clans. I hear both clans have upped their security because of the pranks. Then there is also the prank on Sandaime-sama. He wasn't very pleased to be breathing bubbles out of his pipe for a week."
Kitsune only smirked when she heard the face palms from the Konoha shinobi still hiding and the resulting insults flowing to her from the com-cuffs.
"It's your resident Uzumaki then." Yagura hummed with a thoughtful look. "If memory serves me correctly, and it does, I remember hearing tales from my sensei and even Sandaime Mizukage-sama of Uzushio's Uzumaki Clan. While a single Uzumaki could take down a full Kiri squad, they were also a menace because of the Pranking habits."
Onoki grunted. "Damned Uzumaki. I'm glad that accursed nation is gone." He hissed. "Damned Uzu shinobi had a habit of leaving traps behind. You would either die by them or die of embarrassment. They were a dangerous Clan."
The room temperature dropped as KI lashed across the room, sending a shiver of fear down all present. Sakumo rapidly stood up and stood in front of Kitsune. Dark Coal eyes met violet that were tinted with red flecks.
"Kitsune." He ordered firmly. "Stand down."
She only growled and bared fangs at him. Sakumo called up his white chakra and gripped her shoulder. She hissed softly at him, but he didn't relent.
"Onoki is an old fool that has no filter." He said to his friend in as calming of a tone as possible. "He's not wise like you and can think on what his actions would do to others. But he is a Kage, he did what he thought was best for his people. Plus if you get angry at him, you get angry at every other Kage here."
"Konoha is not at fault. Danzo is. Danzo paid his due for keeping Konoha from helping." Violet eyes narrowed even as her voice was tinged in a constant snarl.
Sakumo pushed more of his chakra into her coils. "My point still stands. You will stand down."
Kitsune snapped her teeth but recalled her chakra. Sakumo's eyes narrowed on her but recalled his own before sitting down. Cold coal eyes met Onoki's narrowed black eyes. The old man knew even more now that this Kitsune was a dangerous person.
"You would be wise to not antagonize my shinobi. Kitsune is stronger than me and I would not be able to hold her back if she had been pushed further. Uzushio is a topic to not be discussed in such ways to any Konoha shinobi. Uzushio was our sister village. Kitsune especially had precious people on Uzushio and lost them. As Did I. You would be wise Onoki-san to be mindful of your words in the future. Otherwise I might just let Kitsune remove your head from your body, fully knowing that no one here would be able to stop her."
The silence was tense as Sakumo's own Killer Intent flickered about the room, and tension radiation from both the Konoha and Iwa guards.
A sigh filtered the room, breaking the silence. Kitsune pushed a hand through her hair.
"I wouldn't kill him." She mumbled. "Kick him around a little, yeah. Beat some sense into him, yeah. Pray I can beat some tact and manners into him, sure. But he's old. Very few old dogs can learn new tricks." She huffed and was faintly amused at the offended spark in onoki's chakra.
Mifune cleared his throat, breaking the last of the tension. All eyes snapped to Mifune who was rubbing his temples. "Children; the lot of you." He mumbled to where only when they pushed chakra into their ears, did they hear his mumbled words.
"You are here to be talking of your Cease fires and Peace Treaties. Stop squabbling and comparing your sword lengths and get this done. I do not have all the time in the world to attempt to keep you brats on topic and from killing each other."
"Gomen'nasai." Kitsune bowed to the Iron Leader.
"Hn." Mifune grunted and waved the Kages to retry to talk peace.
Hours later after arguments and arguments all mostly started by Onoki or A, Kitsune flopped herself back onto the bed she'd be switching out with, with Minato. Both would be on opposite shifts as the two sensors of the team.
A groan left her throat even as her three other companions and even Hokage looked in on them from the door. Sakumo was even holding a bag of ice to his head. Shikaku had followed her example and flopped onto the other bed and was already out cold with a muttered 'troublesome'.
"Well that was by far, hours of my life wasted." Kagami grunted, flopping into the available recliner.
Minato shuffled awkwardly near their Hokage. "Will they be like that tomorrow?"
Sakumo growled with narrowed eyes at the thought. "They better not. My headache is already teetering on migrain levels."
Kitsune snorted even as an arm was thrown over her eyes. "God Damned Onoki. Always such a stubborn old man." She sighed. "He'll make tomorrow's talks about the Chuunin exams as long as possible. He's a greedy petty old fool like that."
"Don't forget A-san." Kagami grunted. "He's practically a warhawk. So quick to jump the gun all to prove Kumo's strength."
"At least he's not into bloodline thief like his father." Minato reminded them.
Kitsune snorted. "Way to jinx us, pretty boy. Plus, Yagura's silence and Ao's covered eye would be things to be truly worried with at the moment. Not to mention that A and Yagura both had the advantage in strength at that meeting."
"Hm? How so?" Minato asked sitting by her legs.
"Yagura is the Sanbi Jinchuriki." Kitsune reported.
"And Killer B was already called out for being one." The blonde rubbed his neck with a frown.
"Troublesome. You could still take them." Shikaku groaned as he eyed the ravenette.
All of the guards looked to Kitsune who hummed thoughtfully. "Yagura, yes. He and Isobu still work well together, but Killer B san and Gyuki are the two I would struggle against. They have a good partnership which is why Kumo probably treats them better."
"Isobu? Gyuki?" Kagami asked, startled.
"Hm." Kitsune sighed. "Just because they are beings made up of Chakra doesn't mean they didn't have an origin and were named."
"How do you know this?" Kagami asked again.
"You were gone." Sakumo sighed, tossing the ice pack away. "Kitsune is the one that moved the Kyuubi from Kushina to his new host."
Kagami's eyes snapped to his fellow Raven haired shinobi. "How? Sakumo said Kushina was okay, but we didn't think something like that could be done without killing the host. Even if the brat was an Uzumaki."
Kitsune sighed and looked to Sakumo. "The room is secured. Shikaku is already in the know. Minato to an extent too."
Sakumo waved her off. "Kagami grew up with the Sannin and I. He's next in line to replace Kazou-dono as my advisor when the old man is ready to retire."
"Hm." Kitsune sat up and stared the Uchiha into his eyes. "Uzumaki Minashi is the Current host to Kurama, the Kyuubi. She has had a part of him sealed into her since she was born. Not like Gaara-kun, but directly after she was born. Her father had in possession parts of the kyuubi he'd run into in his journey. He sealed them into Minashi to keep them safe and out of dangerous hands. He designed her seal to also call to any other remnants she would run into. With her powerful seal, as soon as she got close enough to Konoha, Kushina's part of the fox returned to Minashi." Kitsune decided to not include Minashi's twin since it wouldn't be relevant for Kagami to know.
Kagami just blinked once. "Huh."
"Minashi is special." Minato interrupted and looked at his fellow guard. "She's made friends with the fox. Kushina never dared because of her fear of the fox. My imouto though, has a heart of gold and looked past the fox's anger and apparently found someone that was just lonely and angry for being forced into imprisonment."
Kagami's eyes widened just a bit at Minato's addition.
"The fox is a consciousness for Minashi-chan." Sakumo added smirking. "I get much enjoyment watching when he calls her out for something unintelligent. Her pout as he's apparently laughing at her is adorable. He's basically not only a father to her, but a brother as well."
"Kurama is a big softy." Kitsune smirked even as she heard said fox roaring out denials in her head. "He's the eldest of the Bijuu so it's probably natural for him to act in an elderly big brother fashion to his host. Not to mention that Minashi is one of the few humans he'll probably ever truly stand. She's told me multiple times that he loathes other ningen." She smirked.
"This doesn't explain how you know the Bijuu names." Kagami turned the distracted conversation back on his question.
"I've talked to Kurama before." Kitsune told them. "When moving bijuu from host to host, or container to host, you have to connect your chakra to them." Kitsune looked away as she tried to find a way to explain it without giving up her jinchuriki status. "You can say that i've been in enough contact with Bijuu chakra my entire life, that i've learned that there is much more to the sentient beings than meets the eyes. They are thousands of years old, which means there is still much to learn from them." She said as sagely as possible. "Because of this, I respect them greatly. In return, I earned their respect back."
Kagami just stared at the mysterious Advisor. He could see it in her eyes though. Wisdom and knowledge that he was still being kept out of, but a glance to his friend and Hokage and he knew he wouldn't learn more than he was allowed. He couldn't help it though, he needed to know more. He needed to protect his friend, family and village.
"So, you're strong enough to take on a Bijuu?" The Uchiha decided to change the subject.
Kitsune huffed. "Yes. I would still struggle fighting any of them, but depending on the synchrony between host and Bijuu would determine how quickly I could take one down."
"You do not possess Mokuton or a Sharingan. Both known to be the two things able to control a Bijuu." Kagami challenged back. How far can I push her?
Kitsune could see their companions' gazes bounding back and forth between her and the Uchiha. Entertained and unsure if they should stop the conversation, but curious still nonetheless.
"Lie." Kitsune challenged back. "Uzumaki Sealing chains can also stop a Bijuu. Senju Uzumaki Mito was able to stop and seal the Kyuubi with her chains, thus becoming the first Jinchuriki since the Rikudo Sennin."
Kagami's eyes unconsciously snapped to sharingan at the mention of the legendary figure. Kitsune felt Kurama growl in the back of her head as those eyes were set on her.
"Then are you confirming that you are an Uzumaki? From the rumors I've heard since the traitor's trial, many still believe that the redhead you turned into was your true face." Kagami tilted his head at her, eyes shifting to Mangeykou. "You absolutely have the reserves that the uzumaki are known for. Is this because you can access the chains and control the bijuu?"
Kitsune's blue eyes darkened as her eyes narrowed on the uchiha. "You are interrogating me while we are currently on a mission, a Political Mission." She warned.
"Because ever since I've heard of you, I've been suspicious of you. I may not be able to be Clan Head, but I am still second in charge behind Fugaku and Mikoto. I am the next Clan Head advisor. You pop out of nowhere, exposing Shimura and all his crimes, move the kyuubi, and act like you've known our Hokage's all their lives. You've taken the Kyuubi jinchuriki as your apprentice and made yourself a known threat to the other nations yet helping out our enemies-"
"Hatred breeds hatred." Kitsune growled. "If saving one life of my enemy means that one day he'll show mercy to one of my precious people, then so be it."
Kagami shot up to his feet. "You are still suspicious because you had father destroy a clan Relic in repayment for apparently saving our Clan!"
Kitsune stood up and walked right to meet the Uchiha's eyes that were changing to his Eternal Mangeykou sharingan.
"I made sure most of the tablet was destroyed because it held lies. The information on your different levels of Sharingan was kept, but what those eyes would have allowed you to see was nothing but a lie. A lie that was added to only breed hatred and discord."
"How can you know?" He hissed lowly as he saw nothing but truth in her gaze. How did a non-Uchiha even know that their clan relic, centuries old, was altered?
Kitsune's eyes narrowed. "You do not need to know how I know. All you need to do is drop your suspicions of me, Uchiha, and understand that my actions will always put my precious people first."
"Kagami." Sakumo ordered firmly.
The uchiha's lips thinned as he tried over and over again to see past the kunoichi's henge. Seal or not, his eyes were powerful. Years he'd spent watching the woman that had apparently saved his clan. He could tell his Senju friends knew more than they were letting on. It was obvious that the Sandaime and Sakumo knew. He wouldn't be surprised if the Nara heads knew. But he couldn't stop pushing. His instincts were screaming at him that something just wasn't right with this kunoichi. Plus she never said Konoha came first. How could he trust her? How could Sakumo trust her so easily?
"Kagami!" Sakumo barked firmer.
The Uchiha grit his teeth holding the kunoichi's eyes. Time slowed as he saw it for just the split millisecond that it was. Cerulean blue eyes disappeared for vermillion red eyes, with vulpine slits. Just as quickly as it was there, it was gone. Just as it was for that killer intent that was flashed back in the conference hall, it lashed out in the room once again, but gone just as quick. A warning.
Stand down. Those red eyes had warned.
Eternal sharingan eyes deactivated as Kagami pulled at his smile and flashed it at the Kunoichi before him.
"Stubborn one aren't you?" He grinned, mind a whirl of theories and confusion.
"It wouldn't be the first time I've dealt with stubborn men that think they can bully information from me." Kitsune remarked back calmly, like they didn't just have an interrogation/ argument. "Uchiha especially are their own brand of stubborn. But i didn't get to where i am today without knowing how to put those stubborn men in their place."
Kagami twitched at the insinuation.
"Yet, I can forgive you for pushing me Uchiha. You are a good shinobi and father. You only want to protect your family, friends and village." Kitsune backed up a step. "Fear is common in humans. Fear of the unknown. I know I am still unknown to you and many others. Fear me if you wish, or you can trust your friends and comrades. Trust in them and their decisions to trust me. Yes, i will protect my precious people too Uchiha, but I will also protect Konoha and her next generation." Kagami sighed as he rubbed his eyes while narrowing his eyes at the Kunoichi. How could she tell his questions were based on fear of the safety of those dear to him?
"Are you two done?" Sakumo drawled deadpanned.
Kitsune tilted her head to her Hokage with a smile. "Hai, For now. Uchiha are a stubborn bunch." The kunoichi chuckled. "Come Nara, we've got first watch this time."
Shikaku let out a long groan but followed the kunoichi out the door. Once it was shut Sakumo's head snapped to Kagami.
"What the fuck?" the Hatake hissed to one of his best friends.
Kagami sighed and fell onto one of the beds to sit. Poor Minato just continued to sit awkwardly on his own, not sure if he should comment or not.
"Sorry Sakumo, my instincts just scream that something isn't right with that woman."
"You've been on plenty of missions with her in recent years. Why do you still question her loyalty?" The Hokage glared, arms crossed.
Kagami hummed as he rested his head in a hand. "I don't know. I just feel like...There is more to her than meets the eyes. I've just got this feeling that while she may call konoha home, that she's trying to protect other nations as well."
"Kitsune wants peace." Minato said evenly. "I've had a hard time trusting her too. Especially with how my own theories say that she sent my imouto to Konoha and only revealed her status as Konoha shinobi afterwords to protect her."
Kagami eyed the blonde.
"Kitsune's identity is beyond Hokage level secrecy." Sakumo said firmly. "Even as my successor, Minato may not even find out." The Hokage narrowed his eyes on his two guards and friends. "Just because her history is secret that only she can reveal, doesn't mean that her wisdom should be ignored. Konoha would not be as it is today without her intervention. Respect your superior. She has become a close friend and family to me. End of discussion."
Coal eyes narrowed on Kagami. "Never, corner her like that again. Your father accepted her request because they did owe a life debt to her. That too will be the end of that. No more Kagami."
"Hai." The uchiha muttered and moved to the bed. "I'm getting some rest."
Sakumo hummed before glancing at Minato. "You should do the same."
The younger man nodded and soon, the trio were falling asleep even if their minds were all on different things as they attempted to fall asleep.