Pairings: None yet
Rating: PG-13 for some language.
A/N: The first half is just a short filler, re-explaining what happened in someone else's perspective. Obviously it's in Inoshi's (Ino's father). Just so you know, not everyone hates Naruto.
One last chance
Chapter 3: Inoshi's story / A new beginning
That evening
The Hokage was worried. After hearing the story from the fox inside her, she had a right to be. For one, she didn't exactly trust it, but there was no way to verify if what the fox had told her was the real story. Although she hoped it wasn't. Unfortunately, with no witnesses currently in any condition to tell their tales, she was left with the word of the fox.
And second, how had all this dissonance gone unnoticed? She made a mental note to scream at some people later.
---
He awoke to the smell of fresh cut flowers and get-well cards, and seeing his blond-haired daughter soundly asleep in a chair next to the bed gave him the peace of mind to fall back asleep. He would be awoken later by the sound of the door opening, and in walked no other than the Hokage herself.
"Hokage-sama!" The noise woke the sleeping girl. "Good morning Ino, Inoshi- san. It's good to see you awake at last." She gave a smile. "How are you feeling?"
"Just fine, still a little sore though." He actually wasn't feeling that well, but did not want to worry the Hokage.
It seems she didn't buy his act though, and frowned. Ino did the same. "I am the best doctor in this town, you can't fool me Inoshi-san." "Sorry."
"Ino, would you leave us for a few minutes?" After the young girl nodded and left, the Hokage continued. "Since the doctor's order was rest, I'll get straight to the point. You were there, tell me what happened."
"As you wish, Hokage-sama."
Flashback – 4 days ago
Inoshi, Shikato and Chomaru emerged from the bar. After a night of drinking and reminiscing, the three childhood friends split and went their separate ways. Walking down the road towards his house, Inoshi caught the sound of a battle in the next street. "Shit, are we being invaded?"
He ran towards the sound, almost running into a blur that was headed his way. 'Wasn't that the Uchiha kid?'
By the time he arrived at the source of the commotion, he managed to see Naruto being dragged away. 'So it's finally happened huh? Ever since the third died, resentment against the boy's been growing, without Sarutobi-sama to keep them in check, and the new Hokage is unaware of it. Those blasted idiots, the boy's been through enough strife already.' (1)
'Come on, get back up kid. It's not like him to just get knocked out and give up like this. I'd better do something.'
Knowing there was no way to convince the mob to let the kid go, nor for one man to take them all on, he decided there was only one option, take control of Naruto and have him run away. It was risky, but there was no other way. 'I can't let the boy die, he is the last legacy of our great Yondaime-sama.' Hopefully, the Hokage can fix everything later.
He moved himself into a small alleyway, and hid himself in between two recently discarded mattresses. Unknowingly, that was what saved his life later. "Shintenshin no jutsu!"
---
The mind switch skill had apparently failed, since instead of being in Naruto's body, Inoshi found himself in the boy's mind. 'What the!?' There were damp corridors in every direction, and Inoshi could see no sign of anyone.
What the hell do ya think you're doing kid! The voice of the great fox shook the entire corridor. Inoshi could easily see the ripples in the water beneath his feet.
"Getting revenge. Isn't that what you've always wanted?"
'That's him.' Inoshi thought, and ran towards the origin of the voice. Not by blowing us up you twit!
'What the!?'
"What else do you suggest?" Let me handle things. "Not a chance. I'm sorry about this." Don't do this.
Please?
Inoshi found himself at the end of the corridor. Before him was Naruto, and eight seals inscribed into the wall. Each had a handle and a plaque next to it. 'Those could be...the eight inner gates! If he opens them all, the massive surge of chakra flooding out would kill him and everyone in a hundred meters!'
Don't do this!
"Don't do this!" Inoshi screamed. But it was too late. He rushed forward, only to find a barrier holding him back. Naruto had apparently not noticed his presence.
Shit! Chakra jyuufutsu no jutsu!
Seeing as the fox was abandoning-ship, he did the same. 'Cancel.'
He found himself back in his own body, just a split second before everything went bright and hot.
'I've failed. Forgive me, Yondaime-sama.' He blacked out.
End flashback
"I see." Although Tsunade's face betrayed no emotion or thought, she was softly crying on the inside. 'So the fox was telling the truth.' She had been afraid of that, just hoping it had been lying. 'Naruto, why did you have to do that?'
"Thank you Inoshi-san." And turned to leave.
"Matte, Hokage-sama. I just have one question." The only indication she was listening was the pause in sound of the door. "If the fox expelled its chakra, where did it go?"
Tsunade left the room without a word. 'Some sake might help about now.'
"?"
3 months later - October 8th
Tsunade had not been seen in two months. After declaring that she was ill, she shut herself inside her apartment. Jiraiya had been appointed by Tsunade to become the temporary Hokage, and had taken it upon himself to personally investigate the incident. At least the bathhouses and hot springs were safe for a while.
It turns out what Inoshi had said was true, without the third's vigilance over Naurto's affairs, the villagers had began whispering and talking in the shadows. Resentment towards him had grown right under the shinobi's noses, and nobody was the wiser. None of the villagers had believed that Naruto had been the one to defeat the dreaded Gaara of the Sand. After all, once a dropout, always a dropout. And even less of them believed Sasuke's betrayal was not his fault. Afterall, Sasuke was the gem of the village, the only remaining heir to the once-greatest clan of Konoha. He couldn't possibly be evil, and they found the perfect scapegoat.
Even after Jiraiya proceeded to scream his anger and threatened violence the villagers would hear none of it. With Gaara's mysterious appearance at Jiraiya's side a week later they quickly changed their minds and began to listen. But not all of them were convinced. When Gaara had voiced his anger at the death of his only friend, they fled in terror. Jiraiya smirked.
---
October 10th - Afternoon
Kakashi walked down the road towards the Hokage tower, having been summoned to meet with Tsunade, he wondered what had happened in the last two months. Afterall, nobody but Shizune and Jiraiya has seen her since she suddenly shut herself away from the village. The rumor mills in the village had gone into overtime when it first happened, people began spouting wild stories of her disappearance. Talks ranged from an attempted assassination, by anyone from Gaara, evil bogeymen, to even the ghost of Naruto himself, to the talk of her hiding from angry creditors.
One unlikely rumor even hinted at her being with a child. Ha! What nonsense people churn out these days!
He stepped into a waiting room outside of her apartment, and found two others waiting there also. The one with long white hair was currently staring out of his telescope, in a direction aiming suspiciously close to the bathhouses while drooling. The other was a younger man, with brown hair tied up in a ponytail and a scar across his face, and was currently shaking his head in disgust.
"Oh, you two were summoned as well?" The gray-haired ninja said as he walked in.
"Apparently so. And it seems you're actually on time for once." Iruka was the one to reply. Jiraiya was still drooling and made no indication he was aware of Kakashi's presence. "Should the current Hokage be doing that!?" Iruka screamed.
"Heh. I'm only the temporary Hokage. And something tells me I won't be much longer."
"And it's about time too. Your latest book's been delayed too long." Kakashi said with a sly smile (not that the other two could see though). Iruka fumed at the two, and was prepared to scream some more. His outburst was stopped by Shizune's appearance, who had entered and announced that Tsunade was ready to see them.
When the trio entered the room, they were greeted with the sight of the Hokage in bed, with a child in her arms.
The copy-ninja was the first to speak. "Ah, so the rumors were true."
"What rumors?"
Kakashi smirked. "There were rumors of your 'situation' floating around town. I should have paid more attention to them."
Iruka could do nothing but stare in disbelief.
"Does this mean I'm off the job? I'm running out of excuses for my publisher."
"Jiraiya! How can you say that at a time like this? You should be celebrating your child." Disbelief had turned to anger turned to joy. Kakashi had to marvel at Iruka's emotional control. Must be because he was a teacher.
Jiraiya's jaw hit the floor. "You actually think it's mine?" He burst into laughter. Tsunade look as if she would throw up. "ME with HIM!? Are you crazy!?" (2)
As Jiraiya couldn't stop laughing, and Tsunade was switching between anger and complete disgust, Shizune explained to the two the current situation.
"What I called you here was to help me fix a problem." Tsunade explained. "We made mistakes the last fourteen years, I don't want them repeated. We need to raise this child in a loving family, away from the village. And most of all, nobody can know about this." She paused uneasily, "I would love to take care of him, I considered Naruto my little brother and this would be my chance to make things right, but ... I have no husband, and I'm tied down to my duties as Hokage. I have absolutely no time to take care of him. And if I were to suddenly come up with a child, it would raise questions, and people would find out eventually."
"I'll take him!"
"No Iruka, we need a family situation. You're not married are you?"
"I'll ask Kurenai to marry me! We've been going out for a while now." Kakashi blinked, since when was Kurenai dating Iruka? "I have a suggestion."
"You're not taking him Kakashi, we don't need another one of you in this town."
The one-eyed nin seemed quite insulted, judging by his only visible eye. "I wasn't suggesting myself. As I recall, my sensei was good friends with Hyuuga Hiashi-sama." (Remember Kakashi was taught by the forth)
"Hmmm, that might actually work."
---
Iruka, who had been in somewhat deep thought, spoke up. "Do you know, today would have been Naruto's birthday."
The others could say nothing.
tsuzuku - TBC
A/N: Now the first part's done, the action will come soon. But I'll be skipping a few years. And Gaara might be back later.
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Notes
(1) - Since all the villagers are still giving Naruto the cold shoulder, I assume they still hate him, and that only respecting the third's order stopped them from doing anything.
(2) - Tsunade and Jiraiya are old teammates, and similar Naruto and Sakura, Jiraiya would constantly ask Tsunade on dates. She of course thinks he's a disgusting pervert, which he is.
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Jutsu list
'Chakra jyuufutsu no jutsu' - Chakra expel technique
'Shintenshin no jutsu' - Mind body switch skillExpels the Kyuubi's chakra from the body. I think it's possible because Naruto opened the eight chakra gates.
Enables the user to take control of the victim's body by transferring his/her consciousness into them.