"Hokage-sama, you wished to speak to me?"

Sarutobi glanced up with a smile as Hyuuga Hiashi stepped into the office, quietly closing the door behind him. The Sandaime quickly activated the privacy seals before standing and coming out from around his desk.

"I did." Sarutobi nodded. "I will get right to the point as we may be short on time. You recall the Hyuuga Affair, of course?"

Hiashi's already-stony countenance shuttered completely. "Of course." The affirmation was clipped and cold but Sarutobi paid it no mind.

"Eight years ago." The Sandaime continued carefully, gesturing at Takeshi. "I sent a spy to Kumo to make sure nothing like it would ever happen again. A week ago, that spy came back, bringing with him some very startling news."

Hiashi stiffened at this. "Will Kumo try again?"

Sarutobi quickly shook his head in the negative. "No, no, it isn't that. It seems Kumo has been keeping a secret of great magnitude from the rest of the world and, after my spy relayed the information to me, I sent him back out to retrieve that secret. He has just returned with him earlier today." He paused here, glancing at his private office. "I believe showing you would be best. Hizashi-san?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Sarutobi watched the Hyuuga Clan Head freeze, eyes widening when the small office's door opened and Hizashi stepped out, face calm but an almost amused gleam in his eyes, mixed with a healthy amount of concern as the two brothers stared at each other.

"It has been a while, Nii-san." Hizashi hesitated when Hiashi made no move to even speak, only continuing to stare at him, his face having paled considerably. The younger twin glanced wryly at the Hokage. "Perhaps you should have told him first, after all."

Sarutobi shrugged unrepentantly. He rarely ever saw any of the stiff clan heads acting out of character and he needed his own way of keeping himself entertained, Hokage or no.

"Nii-san, it's me. Are you alright?" Hizashi stepped closer and Hiashi finally seemed to pull himself together, rounding on the Hokage with a mixture of confusion and anger blazing in his eyes.

"What is the meaning of this, Hokage-sama?" The Clan Head bit out, jaw tight. "This is not my brother. Hizashi died years ago!"

Sarutobi raised his hand in a calming gesture. "Hiashi-san, I assure you, this is your brother. My spy happens to be a Fuuinjutsu Master and has assured me that the coffin your brother was found in had a Life Suspension Seal placed on it. He managed to break the seal and bring Hizashi-san back safely only hours ago. Kumo managed to save your brother's life after realizing what the Caged Bird Seal would do upon his death and has kept him alive but unconscious ever since while letting the rest of the world believe him to be dead."

Hiashi took this in with a heavy frown as he glanced between Sarutobi and his brother. Seeing this, Hizashi stepped forward again and bared his throat, letting the older of the two see the obvious scar marring his skin.

"I am real, Nii-san." Hizashi reassured softly. "And I am back."

Hiashi continued staring at his twin, eyeing the scar before glancing at the curse seal that, without a Hitai-ate, stood out clearly on Hizashi's forehead. The Clan Head almost stumbled forward a step, unable to look away as if mesmerized. "What was the last thing you asked me to do before you took my place nine years ago?" The man's voice was nearly a whisper.

Hizashi smiled ever-so-slightly. "I asked you to tell Neji why I chose to take your place." He paused in thought. "Though knowing you, you probably have not done so out of some sort of misplaced guilt-"

He was cut off suddenly when Hiashi did stumble forward this time, one hand hovering in front of his younger twin as if afraid that touching him would prove everything to be nothing but a genjutsu. Mere seconds later, the hand reached out and closed tightly around Hizashi's arm, dragging the startled man into a desperate hug.

Several feet away, Sarutobi and Takeshi turned to look out the window to give the two men some semblance of privacy. A smile broke out on his face; it had been a long time since Hiashi had shown any outward emotion. He ignored the quiet murmurs behind him as the two Hyuugas exchanged words and went over the plan in his head instead.

The sound of someone politely clearing their throat behind him caused Sarutobi to turn back, his smile lingering when he saw Hiashi standing with his hands at his side once more, Hizashi a half-step beside him. Both were composed again though far more relaxed and an invisible weight seemed to have been lifted from the Hyuuga Clan Head's shoulders.

"Could you please explain the circumstances, Hokage-sama?" Hiashi restarted, voice somehow warmer while still retaining the neutral formality he typically used.

Sarutobi nodded, moving back around his desk. "Obviously, the fact that I sent one of my shinobi into Kumo cannot be revealed. My spy came up with a plan that should cover this truth and we, Hizashi-san and I, believe that this is the version we should give the Council."

Quickly, Sarutobi recounted the plan Takeshi had come up with, smoothing over the rougher parts. "Hizashi-san will slip back outside the village perhaps five to six days after Takeshi-kun is finished. If we time it correctly, no one will suspect anything."

Hiashi mulled this over silently when Sarutobi finished, glancing briefly at his brother again as he had been every two minutes since Hizashi had shown himself. The other two occupants of the room politely pretended not to notice, though Hizashi made the effort to stare back reassuringly whenever Hiashi looked over.

"It is a good plan," Hiashi admitted before looking at Takeshi. "Are you the spy, ANBU-san?"

"That's right, Hyuuga-dono."

Hiashi bowed to Takeshi. "Then I thank you for saving my brother's life. You have my sincerest gratitude."

"You're quite welcome, Hyuuga-dono. As I've told your brother, we're all leaves of the same tree." Takeshi replied. He used to get flustered and embarrassed at thanks and praise, but he's gotten used to it after all the lives he's saved in the war.

"Now then." Sarutobi spoke again. "For now, we need to finalize our plan and execute it before too much time passes. Takeshi-kun, I want you to leave tomorrow morning. How soon can you get to Kumo and destroy the shrine?"

"A day and a half."

Hiashi's eyebrows shot up in surprise but made no comment.

"Alright, three days is the average time a nin can get from Kumo to Konoha. Factoring in rest time for Hizashi-san, we will stage his return four days after the explosion. Your paperwork for integrating back into the village should be finished and processed by then."

Takeshi nodded. "On my way back, I can henge into Hizashi-san and let a few people glimpse me. Rumours would start up that way."

Sarutobi nodded in approval but Hizashi leaned forward with a sudden thought. "One last thing; wouldn't I be quite a bit weaker once I break the seal? How exactly would I manage to blow up a shrine?"

Takeshi shook his head. "When seals are deactivated properly like they should be, there would be no damage to anyone or anything around it. But when a seal is broken by force because it has become weak or someone managed to overpower it, it can cause quite a bit of damage." He paused and noticed he now had a captive audience. "Take the Life Suspension Seal for example. Most human beings, even if they are on the verge of death, all struggle to survive for even just one more minute. That is every average human's most basic instinct; to survive, to live. Even under a Life Suspension Seal, the body is slowly dying. Much more slowly of course, but still dying. If that seal slips, the body will automatically start struggling against it. It's instinct. As the body struggles, because the seal is still keeping most of the body's functions alive but blocked off, chakra will begin to build up. The seal is like a dam, the chakra build-up like a raging river. Water is patient, water can wait. Chakra is the same. Eventually, the dam will burst if not fixed and like that dam, the seal would also break. After that, I think you can imagine what would happen."

There was blatant interest in both Hyuugas' faces and, almost like a student at the academy, Hizashi promptly answered. "The chakra would explode outwards. And a build-up of chakra like that could destroy a small area."

Takeshi nodded. "Exactly. All I'll have to do is release a burst of chakra strong enough to take out the shrine. Easy enough."

It was Hiashi who spoke this time, his question directed at the Hokage even as his eyes remained on Haruki. "Hokage-sama, I believe you when you say that Takeshi-san is a fuinjutsu master."

Takeshi smiled a bit . "That was the simplified version. I mean, I can recite scrolls to you, but that'd never stick properly."

Hizashi shook his head in mirth. "That is the point. Most novices and even some experts can only recite theory word for word. They are proficient enough at the practical aspect, but if they try to teach others, they simply give them scrolls to learn from. You can talk about it as if you were teaching a class."

Although unseen, Takeshi looked thoughtful. "Well it won't be a secret forever." He took his mask off. "I am Takeshi Uzumaki. As soon as my paperwork is done, I will be taking the Uzumaki seat on the council. My expertise on fuinjutsu is encoded in my blood. We Uzumaki are known to have very little patience, so we find ways to simplify seals that would be difficult to explain to others."

Hiashi nodded thoughtfully but it was Hizashi who spoke. "Have you ever considered teaching fuuinjutsu?"

"I plan on sending a couple clones to the Academy on a daily bases to teach basic sealing to the younger students then make a class to teach the advanced seals."

"Alright gentleman. I've put off my paperwork enough. Hiashi, you and Hizashi may use the Hokage suite to catch up on current events. Takeshi I want you to go to a hotel for tonight, and when you return, you can move into your clan compound." Sarutobi directed.

"Hai, Hokage-sama. If you want my advice, use the kage bunshin for paperwork while you get back into training. Trust me, it would be great for all of us if you got back into training." Takeshi stated before opening and jumping out the window.

Sarutobi was stunned, before a mad grin slowly spread across his face as he summoned a squad of clones. He tasked them with the paperwork while he went to the hidden training grounds that Hashirama and Tobirama built exclusively for the Hokage to train in.

"I've gotten incredibly sloppy and stagnant. I'll use these couple days to regain my strength."

Takeshi's final stop for the day was the Hokage Monument. He booked a room for the night at the Lazy Leaf Inn, then made his way to the monument. He had spent a good amount of his time simply sitting on the edge of the mountain staring out across the village and beyond that. The view was always excellent from so high up and he had done everything from drinking sake to napping to doing absolutely nothing up here.

Standing here now with his eyes closed and the wind weaving through his now long hair, Takeshi could almost pretend that he was still in his own time, back before Konoha had fallen, and was simply waiting for Team 7, all of Team 7, to join him on one of those rare days when they were all free from their duties for a few hours.

With a sigh, his eyes blinked open and he settled down into his usual spot on the Hokage Monument, leaning against one of the spikes of the Yondaime's hair. With his eyes open, everything was different. There were no foreboding dark clouds on the horizon like there had been throughout the entire war. The clouds made it seem as if the battlefield was an entirely different world. It could be as bright and sunny as any summer day could be but the world darkened and the temperature dropped the moment one stepped onto the battlefield.

And the village. It was almost sleepy. Lazy. Careless. The village he had come to recognize as his own had always had a certain tension and weariness weighing it down as if Konoha itself had been tired with the war. Now though, in the distance, Takeshi could make out the civilians talking easily with one another and a smattering of shinobi exchanging easy conversation, happy and ignorant of all the things that would eventually lead this village to its doom.

But that was what he was here for. The future was his burden to bear. His duty was to give these people a chance to live out their lives on their terms.

As he watched the sunset, he cut his palm and bled on the monument. "I swear on my blood as an Uzumaki, I will not fail."

Sunrise saw Takeshi slipping out of the village unseen, hair tied back and black coat flapping behind him as he ran through the forests of his home country.

He made dozens of clones as he went. One went to the Uzumaki shrine that held the different powerful masks. The rest made their way to Uzu. Their tasks is to collect all the artifacts that were left behind.

He never had much opportunity to just let loose and run to his heart's content anymore, but if he kept up this speed, he could run straight out of Hi no Kuni and right through Yu no Kuni and Shimo no Kuni, reaching his destination in the promised day and a half.

"Hokage-sama."

One of the Sarutobi clones glanced up at the formal address as his two advisers filed into his office.

"Homura, Koharu." He acknowledged. "What can I do for you?"

"Word has reached Konoha of a sudden explosion of chakra in Kumogakure." Koharu began stiffly. "And there have been sightings of someone who appears to be Hyuuga Hiashi in Yu no Kuni and Shimo no Kuni. We wish to know if you have received any information on the recent events."

Sarutobi hid a satisfied smile and frowned thoughtfully instead. "I have spoken to Hiashi-san but he too has expressed his lack of knowledge on the matter. I have also checked over the recent missions but we have not had many requests from either of those countries, and no Hyuuga has been sent on the ones that have come to us."

Both of his old teammates frowned and Homura took over for the two. "Yet there must be some sort of connection. The rumors that have leaked back to us were very clear that the man that was sighted has Byakugan eyes."

Sarutobi mentally congratulated Takeshi on a job well done, making a note to have the man's pay ready for him upon his return. Before he could come up with a reply though, rapid light footsteps reached their ears and all three of them turned to face the open doorway as a Chuunin skidded to a stop just outside the office.

"Hokage-sama!" The Chuunin sketched a hasty bow in the general direction of all three shinobi in the office before focusing on Sarutobi. "Sir, a man, definitely a Hyuuga, just appeared at the gates. He claims to be Hyuuga Hizashi!"

Sarutobi forced a look of surprise on his face as he watched his councillors stiffen with shock. Before either could say anything, Sarutobi quickly rose to his feet. "You are certain he said 'Hizashi'?"

The Chuunin nodded. "Yes sir, the Jounin at the gates asked several times."

Sarutobi nodded curtly. "I will go myself. Please go to the Hyuuga Compound and inform Hiashi-san of this development."

The Chuunin shook his head. "Hiashi-sama is already there, Hokage-sama. I believe he sensed the man's chakra signal and went to verify it himself."

Sarutobi came out from behind his desk. "Then I think I will join him. Homura? Koharu?"

Both councillors nodded grimly and all three shinobi swept out of the Hokage Tower, the Chuunin leading the way. As they passed one of the open windows in the hallway, Sarutobi instinctively glanced outside, just in time to catch a familiar flash of crimson disappearing over one of the nearby rooftops.

"This is a surprising turn of events indeed, Hokage-sama. Why was the Council not informed of such a significant development?"

Once Hyuuga Hizashi had been confirmed as Hyuuga Hizashi through two blood tests, a verification of his chakra signal, curse seal, and Byakugan, and a somewhat lengthy interrogation that Hiashi adamantly insisted on performing, the Council, the Clan and Civilian representatives, Danzo, the newly-returned Hizashi, the Hokage, and Takeshi had all assembled in the Council Chamber.

Sarutobi hadn't wasted any time and had immediately launched into the heavily edited version of what had really happened, introducing Takeshi and explaining his part in the discovery and resulting retrieval of the Hyuuga Clan Head's brother. Takeshi had stood at his shoulder, face about as helpful as a stone wall when the other occupants in the room all tried to gauge the redhead's reactions throughout Sarutobi's explanation.

Currently, Homura was staring frostily at Takeshi even as he directed his question at Sarutobi, but it was Hiashi who answered, rising from his seat amongst the Clan Heads.

"This was a problem for the Hyuuga Clan to deal with." Hiashi stated coolly, white eyes surveying the room. "When Uzumaki-san returned with news of my brother, I requested that this matter be dealt with quietly and discreetly. It could cause a potential war with Kumogakure if a spy was discovered to have been in their territory, and by handling this issue as we have, Kumo cannot claim ignorance of my brother's survival." His gaze hardened here. "As they did on the attempted kidnapping of my eldest daughter nine years ago."

A quiet murmur spread across the room and Sarutobi watched Inoichi and Chouza nod in acceptance of this justification while Shikaku remained still in his seat, a calculating glint in his eyes as his attention remained on the redhead standing behind Sarutobi. He said nothing though and the Sandaime let his gaze move on to the other occupants of the room. The Civilian representatives was frowning heavily, occasionally glancing at Danzo further back in the room. Danzo remained expressionless, seemingly weighing Hiashi's words as Homura and Koharu exchanged a few words between themselves.

"Very well, Hiashi-sama." Koharu accepted grudgingly, nodding at Hiashi as the man sat down again. "This issue seems to have been handled quite efficiently. We will now be able to demand compensation from Kumo's Raikage, which will be quite beneficial for Konoha."

"And wonderfully executed, Uzumaki-san." Inoichi added, blue-green eyes on the Jounin at Sarutobi's side.

Takeshi dipped his head in acknowledgement. "Thank you, Yamanaka-dono, but credit must also go to Hokage-sama and Hiashi-dono, as well as Hizashi-dono. They ironed out the finer details of the plan."

It was here though that Danzo finally spoke up, shifting forward to stare intently at Sarutobi. "I do wonder though, Hokage-sama, where did this Uzumaki-san came from? I have never seen his face before, nor do I recall sending any Jounin to Kumo for infiltration."

Sarutobi didn't even blink. "Seeing how Takeshi was the last of his squad, I'm willing to discuss this topic. My predecessor implemented a small program that would only be known by the Hokage. It was called the Veiled Blade. Each Hokage would choose four shinobi to choose one bladed weapon to master and they would be literal ghost. Only the Hokage would know of their existence, and all records of them would be destroyed. Their codenames would be their preferred blade. Standing by me was Katana. He's been in service for 20 years now, and I believe it's ample time for him to return to the open. Besides, when he learned the state of how his clan was being treated, he didn't fight his retirement."

"A-are you saying that he's-" Koharu started a bit hesitant.

"Yes. I'm saying that Takeshi-kun has decided to claim his seat as clan head of the Uzumaki clan. Though due to the heavy insults that were directed towards the clan, Konoha are going to have to pay reparations to them." Sarutobi interrupted.

There was a lot of clamoring after that announcement. "What exactly have we done to insult the Uzumaki clan? Just because we didn't make it in time to give them aide?" Homura asked sternly.

A pulse of killing intent swept the room, but was quickly restrained. It did cause the room to go silent again. It was then Takeshi spoke. "You dare ask me what you've done? You sit there after you erased any knowledge of my clan to spite a lone child. Then you encourage the hatred of the only child of my beloved onee-sama just because he's a jinchuuriki. It's as if you fools want Konoha destroyed! Do you not know that all the anger and hatred will pile up on the child and make him snap to the point where he'll willingly release the seal allowing the Kyuubi to be set free at the cost of his own life?!"

"He needs to remain humbled-" Danzo spoke, only to be interrupted.

"Humbled?! From my investigation, all he's able to eat is ramen because the only restaurant that will serve him is a ramen one, and the food he could buy is cup ramen because it's the only food he could buy in bulk that will somewhat sustain him. The vendors would either refuse to sell to him, or they'd charge him exorbitant prices! Let's not mention the shithole he's forced to stay in that gets broken into and ransacked every other day. How much more do you need for him to be "humbled"!" Takeshi ranted.

No one said a word.

"Now, back to reparations. I will be taking the Uzumaki seat on the council, and will be adopting him. Next, I demand the removal of the Uzumaki symbol from the back of every flak jacket. Konoha hasn't respected the Uzumaki, so you don't get to flaunt our symbol. Third, I will be restructuring the Shinobi Academy. They way it is structured now, leads to the death of many shinobi and the capture and rape of a disgusting amount kunoichi. Either these demands are met, or the Uzumaki will leave Konoha and take all that belongs us, including the barrier seals that surround Konoha."

"You can't-" Homura was cut off by Takeshi walking towards the door.

"Where are you going?" Someone asked.

"I'm going to pack my belongings, then collect my kin, then collect everything that belongs to my clan and leave. I told you my terms were nonnegotiable, and you assume I'm bluffing." Takeshi continued to the door before he was called again.

"Wait! Wait. I'm sure none of us want the Uzumaki to leave. We can discuss the specifics of your demands." Koharu placated.

Keeping a disinterested expression, Takeshi turned and found a seat in the Clan head section.

"Alright. Let's talk."

Naruto wondered why he was being called to the Hokage's office. He's yet to pull a prank, and he hasn't truly done anything to warrant a need for a visit.

As he entered the room, he saw a man with a familiar looking face and really nice hair. He also saw a bunch of clones of his jiji doing paperwork on a long table and silently weeping. 'How are they moving by themselves? And who's this guy?'

"Hey, jiji. Who's this? Why'd you call me?" Naruto asked.

"Come sit, Naruto-kun. There's much we need to discuss." Sarutobi said seriously.

A little apprehensive, Naruto walked further in and took a seat by the other occupant.

Once he got comfortable, Sarutobi began. "First and foremost, I'd like to apologize to you, Naruto-kun. For years I've been lying and keeping secrets from you. I've allowed myself to grow complacent, and negligent. I know who your parents are, and why the villagers hate you. I thought by keeping it secret, I was protecting you, but instead, I was hurting you."

Naruto was frozen in his seat. "Wh-who were they? My parents."

Sarutobi smiled sadly. "Your mother was the heiress of the Uzumaki clan, Kushina Uzumaki, the Red Death. Your father was the Yondaime, Minato Namikaze, the Yellow Flash."

Naruto's head was reeling. "If the Yondaime was my tou-san, then why does everyone hate me?"

"Because the Kyuubi is sealed inside you." Sarutobi stated bluntly.

"What?! I'm the Kyuubi?" Naruto was hyperventilating. He couldn't hear anything else that was being said until he was slapped across the face. The sting from the slap gave him a distraction from distress.

"You are not the Kyuubi. Think back on what the Hokage said." The stranger spoke.

So Naruto did. "You said the Kyuubi is sealed in me. So I'm not the Kyuubi, it's just trapped in me."

"Exactly. You are the prison, and the Kyuubi is a prisoner." Sarutobi confirmed.

"Then why does everyone hate me?"

"They are being willfully ignorant. The Kyuubi did a terrifying amount of damage that night. Many people, shinobi and civilian alike, lost their lives. They know that you and Kyuubi are two different beings, but they hate the Kyuubi so much, that they're willing to ignore the fact that you exist and try to take their anger on the Kyuubi through you. That's why they treat you as less than human. If they don't acknowledge you as an equal, they can't feel guilty about how bad they treat you." The stranger explained.

"I-I see. I need a moment to process all of this." Naruto said.

"Well your here for some good news too." Sarutobi stated tentatively. Seeing Naruto give him his attention again, he continued. "It seemed with all the information that you have to process, you glossed over the fact that you belong to a clan. The Uzumaki clan."

"I'm in a clan. I'm heir of a clan." Naruto recited. "How come no one knows?"

"Without my knowledge or consent, my advisors as well as members of the Civilian Council removed all knowledge of the Uzumaki clan from the curriculum and from the library. The red swirl on the back of your jacket, as well as the back of the shinobi flak jackets, is the symbol of the Uzumaki clan." Sarutobi explained.

"So, just because I exist, they tried to keep me from learning about my family." Naruto said morosely.

"Well that's no longer the case."

Looking back up at the smiling Hokage, Naruto was confused. "What do you mean, jiji?"

"Well, Naruto-kun, I'd like you to meet your mother's younger brother, your uncle, Takeshi Uzumaki." Sarutobi tilted his head in Takeshi's direction.

Naruto looked at him in scrutiny. "Where have you been?"

"Deep uncover mission for close to a decade in another country." Takeshi spoke.

Naruto's eyes sparkled. "Wow."

"Yup. Now that I'm back and retired from ANBU, I can take care of you. I can give you proper training, teach you about our family, and make you stronger without anyone complaining. You not alone anymore, nephew."

Naruto teared up at that. He got up and hugged his uncle.

"I think you should take Naruto-kun to his apartment to pack his things so you can move into the Uzumaki compound."

Peeling Naruto off of him, Takeshi stood up, and nodded to the Hokage. "I'll be focusing on his training and healing his malnourishment. He'll graduate at the top of his class next year."

Sarutobi nodded back, but before they left Naruto spoke up. "I'm upset, jiji. I thought you were the one person I could trust in this village that hates me. It's going to take a long time before I could trust you again."

"I understand, Naruto-kun. Just know that I will strive to earn that trust once again." Sarutobi swore. Naruto nodded, and both Uzumaki left.

"Now, to get back to training."

As they walked, Takeshi spoke up. "That was some really great acting in there."

A bit startled, Naruto looked at Takeshi. "What do you mean, Takeshi-oji?"

"I know that you already knew about the Kyuubi, and most likely your parents too. I also know that you are much stronger and a lot smarter than you let on. As someone who wore a mask under the direct command of the Hokage for 20 years, I can recognize when someone else wears one." Seeing Naruto sweat, Takeshi smirked in amusement. "Relax. I won't tell anyone. With me here, and the changes I forced the council to implement, you'll be able to slowly remove it. You won't have to keep holding back, and I'll be able to teach you personally."

He saw Naruto's childish confusion turn into a neutral expression. "That's a relief. Playing the dumbass and having to wear this bullshit tracksuit got old years ago."

Takeshi chuckled. "Yeah, that thing is an eyesore. Anyways, I managed to swipe several boxes of food bars that shinobi, mainly ANBU, use to keep us filled when we're in enemy territory and unable to buy food."

"Okay?" Naruto said, actually confused.

"You'll be stuffing your face with as many of these bars as you can. Like, your going to have gorge yourself with these like you do with ramen." Takeshi explained.

"But why? I imagine I'd vomit if I stuff my face with anything other than ramen."

"These bars are packed filled with enough nutrients for a healthy meal. Because you were forced to only eat ramen, your height has been majorly stunted, and I'm sure you're only alive because of your Uzumaki blood, and the Kyuubi. I plan for you to be packed filled with the nutrients, then I'll adjust the Kyuubi's seal so that it'll pull on their chakra to heal you immediately instead of when you're near death." Takeshi expressed.

Takeshi looked at Naruto, and saw him looking "apprehensive". He chuckled again. "Oh stop it. I'd bet you're already talking to them. I'd also bet they were the one who told you about your parents."

Naruto dropped his apprehensive mask and turned his head, pouting. "Hmph. Fine you're right."

"Has the Kyuubi ever told you what happened that night? I know that onee-sama was his previous container, and Minato was proficient enough in fuinjutsu to be journeyman level by Uzumaki standards, so the seal couldn't have broken by itself."

"Yeah, he said that their was an Uchiha who took me as hostage, and while my tou-san was distracted with saving me, the Uchiha freed the Kyuubi from my kaa-chan's seal and immediately put him under a genjutsu to attack Konoha." Naruto orated.

"Hm. I honestly wish I knew them better." Takeshi "lamented".

"Who?"

"Your parents. Onee-sama and I were separated when Uzu was destroyed. I ended up under Hokage-sama's wing and was trained daily so that I could take my place as one of his personal ANBU. A part of a squad so hidden that there isn't any records of us existing. I saw onee-sama again by complete coincidence. We were both on a mission, her with her team, while I was on my first solo mission. I was happy to see her alive and looking happy. Unfortunately I couldn't connect with her again, because I wasn't supposed to exist."

Naruto was saddened by that. "That sounds like a lonely life."

"It was. At least we have each other now. We're family, and I'm certain there's more of our clansmen out in the Elemental Nations and the just need to get word that the Uzumaki clan is back. We will once again grow in prominence and the Nations will once again fear the Uzumaki clan."

Naruto was filled with something. Pride? Elation? Honor? He didn't know, but it put a genuine smile on his face and had him walking straighter.