The Fox in the Doghouse
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Naruto x Hana
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Author's Note
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Sticking to the Author's no Akatsuki policy. Respecting the nature of this fic as having Sasuke and Orochimaru as the main villains. Will keep to some of the explanations here while using this fics as a conduit for a few future AU plot points for single pairing stories I have in mind.
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Story Start
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Naruto was still trying to take in everything he learned. Becoming aware that many there were many people who wanted to adopt him, Tsume of the Inuzuka clan and Sakura's mother among them was surprisingly startling. But the constant fighting and the threats of civil wars and threats of amassing power threatened to divide Konoha so a sacrifice had to be made. His happiness over the welfare of the entire village of course. While Naruto didn't like it, he wasn't selfish enough to have asked threatening to split the village in two over his own happiness. There was also the reveal of Kiba's oath to him, earning him protection from the entire clan as Kiba was second in line to inherit the position of clan leader. With the meeting soon disbanded the blond was left to his thoughts.
The Hokage's office had changed its decorum drastically since the reign of the Sandaime. The once dusty and overfilled room had been cleared of most of its furniture. Tsunade had kept the old wooden desk but she had replaced the wooden chairs with a sofa. The sofa had the same color as the newly painted walls, which now shone in a green similar to the one used on Tsunade's jacket. Additional to the desk, she had also kept the pictures of her predecessors and had added four pictures to them. One was of Dan and Nawaki, the second one showed her together with Naruto, Shizuna and Jiraiya at a hot spring. The third was only her and Naruto. But it was the last one, which caught the most attention of any visitor. There stood a proud looking Naruto clad in the robes of a Hokage. He was standing on top of the Hokage Monument, incidentally on top of the Yondaime's face. His foxy smile and his bright blue eyes held an eerie resemblance to the very same Hokage's head on which monument he was standing on.
After ushering both of her guests in side of the office and ordering them to take a seat, Tsunade turned and looked out of the window. She gazed upon Konoha and the beautiful sunset which made the whole village glow in different shades of red, yellow and orange. It had been a long day for her and she was eager to finally get it over with. With a smile she turned back to her guests.
"Well I am glad that is over with. So let's get down to business. I would like to know what your planes are Tsume, especially those containing Naruto."
"I don't care what she offers my, but she should keep in mind that I'm here as well."
Tsunade and Tsume's eyes turned to the orange "scarf" on Naruto's neck. Everyone had ignored it during the meeting of the council, thinking of it as one of Naruto's quirks with his beloved orange. But there was more to it, than they had originally though. The so-called "scarf" was no other than the Kyuubi, who had decided that staying unnoticed would be the most benefit action for her and Naruto. But now that the council was gone, she could again speak freely. Or that would have been the case if Tsume hadn't fallen into shock and was trying to keep the fear out of her face.
"But I-I-I thou-ght the Ky-uubi was d-dead?"
Tsunade sighed and shot the fox a look that clearly said:"You will pay for this later!"
"Tsume calm down. Everything is okay, but I didn't tell the council the exact truth about what happened after the battle between Naruto and Sasuke. They would have gone ballistic if I had told them. In reality it is like this…."
After a lengthy explanation, with Tsume interrupting Tsunade several times to ask questions and a second lengthy explanation, this time from Kyuubi, Tsume took a deep breath while nursing her forehead. She hated it when so much shocking information was dropped on her at once. The elaboration of the most powerful of demons relegating herself to Naruto's battle partner and turning him into a hanyou was quite shocking. Taking a moment to contemplate it, Tsume realized she had no choice but to put her fate into the blond and the Hokage.
"Oh well. If both of you trust her, I will do so too. Where would it lead to, if I couldn't trust my own Hokage? Anyway, back to your question about what my plans with Naruto are. Now that I know about the situation more clearly, here is what I have in mind: Since Kiba pledged loyalty to Naruto making him an honorary member of the Inuzuka-clan I would like to offer Naruto full membership and adopt him. I tried to that for years after all! Also I want him to offer him a place at our compound, since I know how the place is where he is living in at the moment. If you can call that dump a place to live that is. This offer stands no matter whether he does become a clan member or not. There is one more thing, but I will come to that only if he becomes a member of my clan."
Naruto had dazed eyes after hearing an offer of being adopted. The chance to have a family.
A concept he was not familiar with. Before he could answer though, Tsunade had pulled out several scrolls from a drawer in her desk. She handed them over to him and gave him a look that stated he should listen. Whatever came next was very important.
"Naruto these are the letters and belongings left to you by the Sandaime and your parents. Before you accept Tsume's offer, I suggest you read them."
Shaking, Naruto nodded and opened the latter from the Sandaime.
Dear Naruto,
If you are reading this, then it means I have passed on. Firstly I want to apologize. This old man has made so many wrong decisions concerning you and I am so sorry for it. I should have never kept your heritage a secret, nor should I have left you alone when you needed nothing more than a family. If Tsume's offer on adoption still stands after my death, I advise you strongly to take it. There is no clan more loyal to their family members then the Inuzuka. And loyalty along with love and compassion is what you need most. I have also left to things to you in hopes to make up at least a bit for my failures in life. The first thing is the ape-summoning-contract. I know that you already have the contract for frogs from Jiraiya, but you can sign more than one, so it shouldn't be an issue. I only ask of you to let Konohamaru sign it when he makes Chunnin. The second thing I left you is a special ring. This ring is my way of showing you that I believe in your dream of becoming Hokage. You see, the ring originally belonged to the First Hokage and has from there passed through the hands of all Hokages, except whoever takes my place. I want you to have it and prove the entire world what you are capable of. Make me proud Naruto, become the best Hokage ever seen in Konoha!
Sincerely
Sarutobi-"oji-san"
Sandaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato
Tsunade, who together with Tsume had been reading over Naruto's shoulder muttered something along the lines "so that's why he left a note to not touch the ring…" and went over to the picture of the Sandaime hanging on the wall. She pushed aside, revealing a safe and after going through the gruesome process of opening it, retrieved a small box. She handed the box to Naruto who took it and opened it. The ring lying inside was breathtaking. It was made out of pure gold and designed like a normal band. But it was the gems that were placed on it, that made it so special. Rubys, Diamaonds and amber stones were arranged so that it appeared as if a flickering flame was dancing on the ring. The ring itself held a kanji-inscription reading "The Will of Fire" Naruto stared slack-jawed at the ring and stuttered:
"I can't accept this. This is too much! I didn't do anything to deserve something like this!"
"Oh yes you did Naruto. You did more for this village than a ring could ever compensate for. And Sarutobi-sensei didn't also give this as a mere compensation, he left it for you to carry on the legacy of fire. So wear it proudly, together with my necklace. In fact, since the Raijin was destroyed by your team, you now posses all artifacts still in existence from the time of the founding of Konoha. But what better way to symbolize your claim on becoming the past Hokage then with possessing those precious items. So shut up and take it."
Naruto slowly put on the ring and when he did, it suddenly light up, as if the flame came to life.
"It seems the ring approves of you as its bearer, so wear it proudly and carry on the Will of Fire Naruto!"
Naruto nodded and proceeded to open the next scroll, the letter from his parents.
"I will sign the contract at a later time. And please don't try to read this letter, too, it is personal."
Tsunade pouted at this, but both she and Tsume gave Naruto enough space to read the contents of the second letter privately.
Dear Naruto,
If you are reading this, you are ether eighteen years of age or a jonin. Whatever is the case, congratulations on your achievements. The persons writing this later are Kushina Uzumaki, your mother and me, Minato Namikaze, Yondaime of Konohagakure no Sato.
First of all: we love you with all of our hearts.
Second: I apologize for sealing the Kyuubi into you, but I didn't have a choice. When I cannot sacrifice my own child for the village, could I ask someone else to carry this burden? I sincerely hope that the village has treated you as a hero, as it was my last wish. If they did not and instead treated you like a "demon" then please ask the Hokage to open the scroll "special mission by the Yondaime" and read it in an public announcement. I am sadly aware that this option will be the most likely case since the villagers are only humans. Anyway, they will be in for a bad surprise, I hope you enjoy it.
I am sad to say that your mother has died during childbirth, so I only can write in her name, but she can't do it personally. Do not blame yourself for her death; it was her choice to give birth to you earlier by forcing it. She knew what the price for that action would be, but she also knew that everyone would die if I wasn't able to seal the Kyuubi.
Together with this scroll we have left you a few things.
From me you get the instructions for my prized jutsus the Hiraishin and the Rasengan. Furthermore I have included a cloak, designed by both me and your mother for after your birth. May it serve you well.
From your mother you get the sword of the Uzumaki clan. It is the only relict she could save when the Whirlpool country was destroyed, so keep it safe.
Whatever you are doing, I am sure we would be proud of you. Please carry on our legacy!
I should also add that since your real name is Namikaze you don't have a clan, since a clan can only come by the father's side. But just make a name for yourself Naruto, I am sure you can do that.
I love you my son, as does your mother
Kushina Uzumaki of Whirlpool country
Minato Namikaze Yondaime Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato
After reading the letter the first course of business was to get Naruto proper training so he could bring honor to his family names. Which not only included Kenjutsu, but Tsunade volunteering to train him in medical jutsu and politics. A Hokage had to be a well-rounded and intelligent individual after all. When that was all sorted out Tsume brought back the question that was at the forefront of her mind. "So will you take up my offer?"
"Hai Tsume-san I will. But only if I am allowed to keep the name of my father and be called "Uzumaki-Namikaze-Inuzuka". I want to honor my parents at least that much."
Tsume grinned at his answer and nodded enthusiastically.
"Of course you can keep your name; it would be an honor for the Uzumaki and Namikaze-names being carried by one of our clan members. But from now on you must call me Tsume-chan or oka-san. Whatever suits you better. Now with that being over, I must ask Tsunade a favor since you are now a member of my clan." She cleared her throat to gain Tsunade's attention, which she did.
"Hokage-sama, Naruto has agreed to become a member of my clan and move in with us at the compound. Because of the special circumstances, with him now having an animal partner, I would like to ask a favor of you. I want to establish a clan-team, lead by myself. Team seven will most likely be disbanded anyway because of Sasuke's defection. I, together with my two children could train Naruto best in his new powers."
Tsunade looked thoughtful for a while before she smiled and nodded.
"Very well, but Naruto shall also be trained by several others from time to time. Kakashi wants to make up to him for his failures, as does Jiraiya. Naruto you should know Jiraiya is your godfather. Because of his spy-network he was not in the village before this point. I think it's the first time that Sarutobi-sensei experienced a mad Jiraiya when he found out how you were being treated. Also you asked me to train you and you will need time for learning Kenjutsu. We will work out something, don't worry. "
"Excellent Hokage-sama! If you excuse me for a moment, I will gather some help to move Naruto's things to the compound. See you later Naruto-kun and once again, welcome to the clan my boy."
With that the Inuzuka left into the now dark Konoha leaving Tsunade and Naruto behind.
Tsunade turned to Naruto and gave him a serious glance before speaking up.
"Naruto, everything regarding your transformation and Kyuubi is a SS-ranked secret. I have already told this to the Senseis of the Konoha Twelve per hand signs during the episode in the hospital. So don't worry about one of them leaking this.
Furthermore I should inform you of several things concerning future plans and actions. An organization called "Akatsuki", they are after the tailed beasts according to the information Jiraiya has gathered. But because of the invasion and the fact that both I and Jiraiya are near you, they have decided to leave you alone for about six years. So we have enough time to train you up to a level where you can meet this challenge.
The second thing for you to know is that we will engage in a war with the sound in about one year. I want you to be ready for it because you will lead part of it. Don't be surprised, if you want to be Hokage, we should start getting you familiar with responsibility early on. Also you will attend the next chunnin exams in Suna in six months and then, if you are ready, the jonin exams in 10 months hear in Konoha. You think you're up to the challenge Naruto?"
"Of course baachan! I can take everything you throw at me, believe it!"
Both shared a laugh at his enthusiasm. They then left the Hokage tower and waited in front of the building for Tsume's return. By now darkness had settled over Konoha and both could see the stars.
Kyuubi, who had been silent for a while, actually sleeping through the whole deal with the letters, was still hanging around Naruto's neck. She yawned and stretched a bit before asking Naruto what had happened. After a short explanation, she crawled up on his head.
"Well Uzumaki, this is going to a very interesting time indeed. I will give the summoning contract to you tomorrow; you can sign it along the one from the Sandaime. For now let us enjoy the silence during our wait for Tsume."
Naruto agreed wordlessly and a comfortable silence surrounded them, only interrupted by the nightly noises of Konoha. Naruto was gazing into the sky, thinking about this most eventful day which wasn't over yet. Whatever awaited him next, one thing was clear to him:
"I will show everyone what I can do, believe it!"