Tsunade is currently nursing a drink while sitting in a lounging chair, dressed in an outfit reminiscent to her usual attire. She's donned a sleeveless red robe that still exposes her cleavage, and white pants. Around her waist is a wide white sash with the symbol of the Hidden Leaf embroidered into it. To her side is a white haori and the traditional Hokage's headdress that she's taken off while resting.
It's different from what she's used to, but it's an official affair and she had to look more presentable. Shizune really got on her case to get these clothes.
Around her is a vast garden worthy of the Fire daimyō. Well, people say 'worthy', but to her, it's overblown and a complete waste of space. No person needs this much space just for a private park that only a handful of people even get to see, anyway. Hedge mazes as far as she can see, beautiful flower beds, topiary art- hedges trimmed in the shape of various animals. It might've been a relaxing sight if she wasn't so stressed over the reason she's here.
She and her regiment arrived a day before to prepare for the meeting, bound to be a rather annoying one. Something like two nations merging into one hasn't happened since the First Great Ninja War. A historical moment that's bound to change how relations will progress in these new times. The Five Great Nations are still keeping the peace and the Kage are civil to each other for the probably the first time since the founding of the Hidden Villages. Smaller nations, however, are still doubtful or everything and things are more strained with them than ever. Not that they can be blamed for it, they've suffered a lot and promises such as this have been broken before. Maybe if they can prove that this time it's serious, things will change for the better.
She's interrupted from her musings by her trusted student and right-hand woman, Shizune. Dressed in the traditional white robes of the Hidden Leaf medical unit which she usually only dons while on duty. She has her cap in her hands and brushes off the sweat from her brow.
"Lady Tsunade, the meeting is to take place soon. We should get ready."
Tsunade turns around and stares at her aide for a few moments.
"Is... something the matter, Lady Tsunade?" She brushes her hair back and dabs her forehead with a towel.
"No, it's just odd seeing you in uniform is all." She notices Shizune is clearly feeling hot. "You know you don't have to wear that thing if it's too much."
"That won't do! I am your aide, but I'm also the head medical ninja, so I must look my part. At least while this is going on."
Tsunade sighs and stands up from her chair. "That's why I really hate this part of leadership. Putting on airs for no reason." She downs her sake in one shot and puts on her haori and headress, making her way inside.
"It is how it is." Shizune turns around and follows. She plans on making modifications to the medical uniform once she gets back.
The meeting hall of the daimyō's palace is as overly large as the garden. Intricate columns line the sides of the room and various pieces of art decorate the walls, from expensive paintings to busts.
There are currently three large tables positioned in the middle of the room. So that their ends are facing each other. On the opposite ends are three grand chairs with the symbols of 'Fire', 'Woods,' and 'Rice Paddy' carved into them, meaning that the three daimyō to be seated in them will all be facing the same point. On the sides are multiple other chairs for the daimyō's advisors and the village leaders and their own advisors.
Currently only the Fire daimyō and Rice Paddy daimyō are seated and the former looks bored out of his mind, his wrinkly and naturally elongated face becoming even more comical.
Tsunade makes her way to the Land of Fire's table and bows respectfully before taking her spot in the middle, the others already seated. Besides her are the elders Homura and Koharu who she'd really rather just have retired already. They keep whispering outdated beliefs into her ear and she's getting tired of it. They're definitely not the people to lead the village to the future.
Thankfully, the other people on her table are ones she can trust. Shizune takes a seat next to Kakashi and Shikamaru, who've taken up the responsibilities of advisors. Next to Kakashi is a brown-haired man dressed in an ANBU uniform with a cat-like mask with red crescent markings around the eyes and green stripes on the cheeks and above the eyes. Only the people from the Hidden Leaf know that that's Yamato.
Opposite of them are the daimyō's people who she doesn't know, nor does she care to know. They all look stiff and boring, although two of them are different. One is an older gentleman, seemingly around his 40s and clearly a businessman, dressed in formal robes, while the other one of note is a cheerful old man, long grey hair and beard, which is in sharp contrast to Koharu and Homura being grumpy all the time. They look about the same age, too.
The daimyō seems to perk up. "Ah, Tsunade. So good to see you again. This is so boring. Can't we get some entertainment around here?"
"A pleasure to see you, as well, Lord daimyō." It wasn't entirely.
One of the advisors closes his eyes and breaths in before replying. One would get the impression that what he's about to say, he's already said before. "My apologies, Lord daimyō, please have patience."
The businessman lowers his head in the daimyō's direction. "Once the negotiations end for the day, I will personally make arrangements for entertainment."
"Ah, I can always count on you, Mister Madoka." The daimyō gives a relieved smile. "It IS with your backing that the merging of the Land of Fire and Land of Rice Paddies will happen, after all. It's good to have reliable people around."
"Your words honour me." He lowers his head again.
The daimyō opens a fan and begins cooling himself off. "Actually, we're missing one other person from the Leaf, are we not? That hero boy."
"Naruto Uzumaki, sir." Kakashi speaks up. "I'm afraid we've yet to receive word of his arrival."
Tsunade notices a slight change in the expression of the old man opposite her- a smile and an expectant look towards the door. It was brief but she's gotten good at spotting changes in people's expression. Now if only she was as good at seeing through people's bluffs.
"Oh, that's too bad. I hope he arrives soon. I heard he's the son of the Fourth Hokage. He was a nice man."
"He was indeed, sir."
A young man enters the room, dressed in similar robes to the businessman sat at the Land of Fire's table. He appears to be around 20 years old with naturally darker grey hair and a tuft of fringe hair swirling upward. He's accompanied by an elderly monk from the Fire Temple. Bald head as is tradition for the ninja monks, and sporting a short grey beard. He wears the traditional pure white long sleeved robes and grey sash over one shoulder. The two make their way to the Fire Table.
The young man looks at the daimyō's side of the table. "Elder Bansai has arrived. Um, where is he to be seated?"
The daimyō stops fanning himself. "Oh, did I forget to mention? The Fire Temple won't be needed for this. You're free to leave."
"What?" The young man is visibly shocked. "But they traveled so far. I thought the Fire Temple was to take their place in the palace once again."
"Ah, we discussed it some more and decided not to. It's an old system, anyway We don't need it." The daimyō seems very unapologetic.
"Ikkyu." The businessman addresses the young man sternly, but not looking at him. "Lord daimyō has made his decision. I apologise for wasting your time, Elder Bansai."
"But father-" He's interrupted by a hand on his shoulder. Ikkyu turns around to the ninja monk.
"It's quite alright, young master. I appreciate your attempts but it is as the Lord daimyō says, we are an old system." He bows to the table and takes his leave.
Ikkyu looks between him and his father. He clenches his teeth and goes out with the monk.
"I'm so sorry, Elder Bansai. I was sure they were beginning to understand how important your duties are. And yet they do this on the very same day as the meeting." He balls his hand into a fist. "Despicable."
"Anger will lead us nowhere, young Ikkyu. We will continue doing the work we are meant to do, whatever may come our way." The elder man has a serene calmness to his voice that naturally puts Ikkyu at ease.
From behind his mask, Yamato looks on. He remembers his mission with Team 7 that led them to work together with the Fire Temple's ninja monks before they were nearly all killed by the Akatsuki. It saddens him to see them treated this way, but speaking up right now would accomplish nothing.
The daimyō speaks up from behind his fan. "Say, that Fire Temple place… One of them used to serve under us, didn't he?"
"Yes, my Lord. Chiriku of the Twelve Guardian Ninja."
"Hmm. I think I remember him…" He tries to wrack his brain.
Over at the Rice Paddy's side is a similar seating arrangement. On one side are the advisors and on the other- the shinobi. Except with them, there's a young beautiful woman sitting next to the daimyō, dressed in astonishing fancy robes. Her brown hair is cut in the hime style- fringe covering her forehead, sidelocks reaching her cheeks, while the rest of her hair reaches her lower back. She seems to often get glances from the other men around the room. The place next to her deliberately has to seat, so she wouldn't have anyone seated next to her besides her father.
On the other side are the ninja from the Land of Rice Paddies, one of the few clans who remained in opposition of Orochimaru- the Fuma clan. One is a large man with straight dark hair reaching just under his jawline. Another is a young girl with long orange hair, leaning on the table with her elbow. An older woman sitting next to her, with black hair also in the hime cut, pushes her elbow off.
"Sasame, behave yourself." She says in a hushed voice.
"I know, Kotohime." Sasame grumbles.
The doors open once again, with every member of the Land of Woods delegation entering.
A woman with long dark hair and a colourful haori, accompanied by a panther- Kuga Nekomata and Noraneko. A man dressed in a plain shinobi uniform- Mizushi Osui. A man dressed in their equivalent of the ANBU, sporting a demonic mask with three horns- Takeshi Imori.
Behind them walks a man dressed in the standard shinobi gear and flak jacket of the Hidden Mountain Village. His uniform doesn't have any variants like the people who entered before him, with his most distinct feature being his short red hair and a scar that runs from his nose to his jaw. Despite his somewhat ordinary appearance, he emanates an aura of power that's clearly felt by the shinobi in the room. He's unmistakably the leader of the Hidden Mountain- Kaidomaru, whose last name is also only known by a select few to be Uzumaki.
Once they and the advisors are seated, everyone waits with bated breath for the Land of Woods' daimyō, Lady Yaegiri. An incredibly beautiful woman with pale skin and piercing dark eyes enters. Her long black hair sways behind her, catching light and shimmering as if made of silk. Her deep red lips form an alluring smile that captivates every man in the room. With her practiced and dignified walk, she takes her seat at the end of the table.
Everyone is now present.
Outside, Ikkyu and Bansai have reconvened with two other ninja monks of the Fire Temple, dressed in the exact same white robe and grey sash, with shaved heads. One is an older man with a scar on his head, while the other is younger in his late teens and a bandaged right arm.
The young monk clicks his tongue and kicks a rock. "Damn it! They just threw us out? Just like that? After all those promises?"
Ikkyu looks apologetic. "I'm sorry. I took it upon myself to get the Fire Temple to the status it deserves and yet…"
"Oh, no, you're not to blame." The young monk gets flustered. Perhaps his outburst was taken the wrong way. "It's those guys who should be sorry for wasting our time!" He points at the main building.
Elder Bansai reaches out and lowers the young monk's hand. "Pointing fingers and blaming will achieve nothing, young Sora. Have patience."
The scarred monk begins making his way to leave the palace. "There's nothing we can do. Causing a scene would only hurt us even more. We'll bide our time, Sora."
"Either way, you're still my guests so you're free to stay as long as you wish. I might be asking too much, but please, stay for a bit longer."
"I intended to, anyway. There are still things I wish to do while in the capital.
Sora looks downtrodden. Before exiting the palace, he takes one final look outside the window and to a bridge that leads to the main meeting chamber, he spots a person with very distinct blonde hair walking along it and headed inside. He squints his eyes as if to make sure he's seeing what he's really seeing. "Is that… Naruto?"
With everyone seated, an official from the Land of Fire steps forward and begins reading from a scroll. "Commencing with the negotiations for-"
Another official enters the door and kneels. "My Lords. Naruto Uzumaki has arrived."
The people visibly stir at the mention of the name. The elderly man at the Fire table smiles, the people at the Woods table are intrigued although for different reasons that one would assume on the surface. The orange haired girl at the Rice Paddies table, Sasame, stands up overly excited but is quickly pulled down by Kotohime next to her.
After a few moments, Naruto strides in, bows to everyone, and goes to sit at the Fire table, next to Shikamaru.
The Nara leans over and whispers. "Just barely."
"Look, I literally just got here, gimme a break."
The two friends bump fists under the table.
The official reading from the scroll clears his throat. "Then let us commence."
The meeting dragged on for longer than most would have liked, with the Land of Rice Paddies listing their demand and desires for what would happen and how they'd be treated once the merging was complete, and the other two nations finding compromises and listing how their land would utilize the Land and its resources and what benefits would be given. As expected, Naruto was put on display a lot, being a big bargaining chip for the Land of Fire as the one who saved the shinobi world.
After about an hour of talking, it's the Land of Woods' turn again to address the Land of Rice Paddies. "Lord daimyō, the Land of Fire makes bold claims of your security under them, but let us not forget that it is their fault that we find ourselves in this situation to begin with!"
The man gestures to the Fire table. "It was the Third Hokage's failure to deal with the criminal Orochimaru that lead to the previous daimyō being strong armed into handing over territory which plunged the Land of Rice Paddies to ruin, and then it was the Fifth Hokage's failure to deal with the criminal Sasuke Uchiha that lead to him killing Orochimaru and leaving the land to its own devices for so long! They have proven time and time again to be untrustworthy and incapable, and I see no reason for them to be trusted yet again, do you?"
All of the tables murmur, the Fire table especially being pressed against the wall. They expected such points to be brought up, but their next argument would need to be well put together.
Shikamaru sees his friend clenching a fist. "Don't do anything stupid."
"I know, dammit. I hate them bad mouthing Gramps and Granny like that." On a deeper level, he knew those people had a point and the Land of Rice Paddies would have every right to hold them accountable for negligence, but it still hurt hearing his closest people talked about that way.
Before a counter-argument could be made, the old man from the Fire daimyō's side stands up. "Lords and Ladies, if I may." He's given permission to speak. "Before I begin, please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Awaji Uzumaki."
Practically no one hides their shock at hearing the name, particularly Naruto and Tsunade, and oddly enough the leader of the Hidden Mountain, Kaidomaru, nearly jumps out of his seat. "What? That old man is…"
"A name everyone seems to recognize. I do share it with one other person in the room. I wish to speak to you not as a member of the Land of Fire's council, but as a member of the former Land of Whirlpools and the Hidden Whirlpool Village. As one person who lost his land, to another." He bows to the Rice Paddies table.
"When our nation and village were brought to ruin, many of us sought shelter in the Land of Fire and have been welcomed with open arms. We were afraid of speaking up and making our true identities known, so we hid our Uzumaki name , ashamed as I am to say." He closes his eyes in contemplation. "We have been shown the utmost courtesy and familiarity, and I can guarantee on my name as an Uzumaki which I now proudly call myself once more thanks to the Land of Fire and Lord daimyō, that no one of your people will be treated harshly and that you will receive everything a man of your noble status deserves. I ask that we rebuild what was once ours together for that is how any of us truly survive." He bows and takes his seat.
He turns to Tsunade and Naruto, who share a look between each other, and gives a warm smile.
The meeting goes for another hour before it's dismissed for the day. A decision is not reached and the Rice Paddies' people wish to discuss matters further between themselves. The negotiations are to continue the following day.
As the Fire Table prepares their things to free the room, Naruto walks over to Awaji.
"Hey, old man."
Awaji looks at the young man from top to bottom, his smile never leaving his face. He places a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "I know you've questions, my boy, and I may have the answers, but that conversation will happen soon. For now, have patience."
He bows to the Hidden Leaf shinobi and takes his leave. Naruto looks like he's not happy with having to wait, but Tsunade calls him to leave it for now.
Before they can go, Sasame quickly runs over to them. "Naruto!" She's waving enthusiastically up until she stops right in front of him. "Hey!"
"Oh, uhh, hi?" He looks visibly puzzled.
Sasame's enthusiasm dwindles after some moments of confusion. "You… don't remember me?"
"What? No, of course I do, uhh, you're…"
Sasame huffs and crosses her arms, expecting a light bulb to switch on.
Tsunade taps her foot. "Naruto, have you broken some poor girl's heart already? Does Hinata know about this?"
He flips around, flustered. "No, of course not! We just met when I was travelling with Pervy Sage and- … Ah." A lightbulb clicked. He turns back to the girl. "Sasame?"
She beams again. "Yup! So you do remember."
"Wow. You've changed so much, I didn't even recognize you. What's it been, like 5 years?"
"Yeah, and lucky for me, you still have the same goofy face. Although it sounds like you've really made a name for yourself."
Naruto rubs the back of his head. "Hah, yeah,a lot's happened since then."
"Hey, how about we catch up once things settle down with everything? Hinazuki and Kotohime won't say it, but they're really excited to see you again, too!"
"Yeah, for sure!"
With that, Sasame skips back to her clan and they leave the hall.
The entire envoy from the Hidden Leaf is making their way down the corridor to leave the palace, and head for the overly expensive inn they're staying in. Shizune had almost immediately taken off her cap and unzipped her uniform.
"So, where's Hinata, anyway?" As usual, Shikamaru has his hands in his pockets.
"She stayed out in the garden with Kotori."
Everyone looks confused. "With who?"
Naruto realizes that no one actually knows about their new family situation. This should be … fun. And maybe a bit weird. "Ah, well, you'll see." The others look between each other and can't help but wonder what Naruto's gotten himself into.
On their way out, they spot the ninja monks from the Fire Temple along with the businessman's son, still present around the premises. Naruto reminisces of the last time he saw them and the tragedy that happened.
Ikkyu and the younger monk make their way for the Leaf shinobi.
The monk has his hands within his sleeves. "Naruto, long time, no see."
Naruto stiffens. Oh no. Another person he's forgotten about. To begin with he never interacted much with the monks so how would he remember them?
The monk sees Naruto's dilemma written all over his face. "Yeah, I didn't think you'd recognize me. It's me, Sora." He brushes over his bald head.
"What? Sora? Seriously? But your hair..." Yet another person from his past he didn't expect to meet. This has been an odd day
"Hah, yeah, I've been continuing my training at the Temple. I still have a lot to learn but… I finally feel I've found my place, you know?"
"I think I know what you mean, yeah." Naruto extends an arm and grins. It's then that Sora sees his bandaged right hand reminiscent to his own bandaged hand.
Sora smirks and grasps Naruto's hand. Not a handshake, but more a brotherly clasp. "So I was that big an impact on you that you bandaged your hand in my image? I must say I'm honoured."
"What're you talking about, only way I'd be influenced by you is if I started losing all the time."
Sora and Naruto, still gripping their hands, pull the other closer to themselves, butting heads.
"You wanna say that again?"
"Did you lose your hearing along with your hair?"
"Why you little…"
The two of them burst out into laughter and let go.
"It's good to see you again, Sora."
"You, too."
Tsunade places her hands on her hips with a lightly playful smirk. "Well if it isn't my would-be assassin."
Sora stiffens and goes to bow. "My deepest apolo-" He's stopped by a hand on his head.
"Don't even think about it. Water under the bridge."
Ikkyu steps forth and extends a hand to Naruto. "Pardon the intrusion. I'm Ikkyu Madoka, heir to the Madoka Trading Company. I'm a big fan."
"Hey, I'm Naruto Uzumaki."
"Oh, I'm well aware. I keep an ear out for promising shinobi and you're the most promising of them all."
Naruto gets flustered. "Oh, wow, I dunno if I'd go that far. So the two of you are here together? How do you know each other?"
"I've taken it upon myself to aid the shinobi who need aid in these changing times. There's many who doubt and mistrust and I aim to change all of that, starting with rebuilding the Fire Temple's status and helping spread their message."
"That's a really awesome goal. I'm sure many will appreciate it. I plan on helping whoever I meet along my way to becoming Hokage, too! So we'll bump into each other on our paths, for sure."
"I hope so, but for now I'm afraid we must take our leave. We've other matters to attend to."
Ikkyu and Sora take their leave and go to join Elder Bansai and the other monk. Before going out of earshot, Sora turns his head. "We'll catch up later."
Inside, Sasame is looking for the daimyō's daughter who'd split off from the group. She'd excused herself and requested some time to herself but the daimyō got worried and ordered the Fuma clan to find her. They'd warned not to leave her to her own devices in a foreign land given her importance, but she has a way of getting what she wants from father dearest.
She spots her at the end of a long corridor, but making his way toward the princess from another corridor is the leader of the Hidden Mountain. Sasame raises a brow and hastens her step, hand at the ready to draw a weapon if needed. Kaidomaru moves his hand behind his back to take something from his pouch. Sasame Flickers forward.
She quickly makes her way to the princess and bows. "Lady Mikoto." From the corner of her eyes, she keeps watching Kaidomaru.
He eyes the young shinobi and clicks his tongue. He bows politely as one would to the daimyō and his family, and turns for another corridor.
"Miss Sasame, I asked to be left alone!"
"My deepest apologies, my Lady. Lord daimyō calls for your presence."
The princess puffs her cheeks. "Very well, then." and they walk toward the section of the palace dedication to housing them for their stay. Sasame keeps looking out for Kaidomaru in case he gets close again.
The Leaf ninja find their way in the vast gardens of the daimyō's Palace. Following the path, they see Hinata sitting in the grass surrounded by peacocks. Besides her is an official from the palace, presumably to stand guard, and a little girl.
"Hinata, Kotori!" Naruto calls out to them.
The girl sees him and rushes over, holding a very long peacock feather in her hand which waves in the wind like a scarf. Hinata follows her in a more relaxed.
Kotori hugs him by the leg. "Dad! I made friends with the peacocks and made a feather! Although it's really big so it takes a lot of chakra, but look." She drops the feather and forms the Bird seal, ready to mold some chakra and create a feather.
Meanwhile, everyone's jaw dropped to the ground the moment this girl addressed Naruto of all people as 'Dad'. They look as if they want to ask questions but aren't sure where to begin.
Naruto places a hand on her head, interrupting her focus. "Don't you think you ought to say 'hello' first?" He motions to the people behind him with his thumb.
"Oh, sorry." She looks slightly abashed before bowing to them. "I'm Kotori Uzumaki."
"Lady Tsunade, everyone, it's so good to see you again." Hinata comes closer and smiles warmly.
"So… who wants to explain?" Before Tsunade could receive an answer, she adds. "Actually, Hinata, you explain."
"Oi…" Naruto hurt. I mean, he knows they're right but it still hurt.
"Oh, that's right. We never actually told anyone… Kotori is from Tsuji Town. She was involved in everything that happened there. Once we resolved the issue, we stayed behind a while longer and adopted her."
"That's… okay, I wasn't expecting something like this to happen." Shizune dabs her forehead. "I mean, I knew you two would get close but to start a family so fast?"
Shikamaru playfully jabs his friend on the shoulder. "When I told you that one day we'd have students and kids of our own to take care of, you took those words to heart, huh?"
Naruto laughs. "Haha, yeah, we weren't exactly planning on something like this happening, either, but surprises happen."
"Well, it's very nice to meet you, Kotori." Tsunade leans down to greet the child. "I hope you've been taking good care of these two. They're very precious to us."
Kotori puts her hands on her hips and puffs out her chest. "They're a handful but I'm managing."
Everyone laughs, now feeling a bit more at ease, and they go to their inn along with the apparent new family.
Over at the Madoka estate, Ikkyu and his father have returned home. The ninja monks, still being official guests, are staying in a different wing of the manor. The elder Madoka takes off his cloak and a servant takes it from him. Another servant tends to Ikkyu.
Stepping further inside, the older Madoka addresses his son without even turning to him. "Your little project was rejected. What do you intend to do now?"
Ikkyu grips the hem of his robe. "I won't stop. There's something fundamentally wrong between the relationship of the citizens of the Land of Fire and the shinobi. And even deeper than that, the relationship between the citizens themselves. I will change that."
"This isn't something that can happen with good intentions. To change that, you would need to rise high in the ranks. Council, or even daimyō."
"Then I will. I'll build my influence and fight my way to become daimyō."
Mr Madoka glances from the corner of his eyes "Then you'd best get to it." and walks up the stairs to the second floor.
Over at the Koukan Inn the Leaf ninja are staying, Naruto, Hinata, and Kotori were shown to their room already and everyone got a table to have dinner at.
The inn is one of the fanciest ones in the capital as would be fit for people of their status. Even with her years of traveling, Tsunade never stayed in places like this, mostly because she was always in debt. In a certain way, being pampered feels nice.
The trio sit down with the rest of them. It takes Naruto a moment but he notices someone he didn't see before.
Naruto jumps back in surprise. "Wait, Captain Yamato, you're here, too?"
Yamato sighs. "Yes, Naruto. I was the one in the ANBU mask."
"Oh…" He rubs the back of his head in embarrassment.
During dinner, the group shares stories while Kotori listens on with interest in meeting her parents' friends. Naruto and Hinata give detailed information, or as detailed as they can, about the sudden emergence of these Great Beasts that even Kurama and Gyuki are worried about. On the other side, they talk of the missions that have been given out and how the foreign ninja have been fairing while staying in the Hidden Leaf. Some adjusted better than others but overall it's been going well.
Tsunade downs another drink, her cheeks ever so slightly reddened. "Like keeping peace wasn't hard on its own, we gotta deal with whoever's decided to mess with the Uzumaki seals. Damn those bastards."
"Oi, Granny, careful how you talk around Kotori!" Somehow Naruto ends up being the adult in this exchange.
"Oh, she's fine! She's gotta start learning at some point."
The girl looks between the two of them, a bit confused as to who everyone is exactly. "So are you my new grandma?"
Tsunade chokes on her drink. "Hah, no way, kid. And besides, I'm the Hokage, you know, leader of the village, I'm not anybody's grandma."
"Oh." She looks a bit dejected and apologetic that she got it wrong. Last thing she wanted to do was insult someone.
The Hokage stiffens on seeing the girl's expression and tries to brighten her up again. "But, y'know, I guess I could take you under my wing and be your grandma."
Shizune fills her drink. "Well, in a way, you and Naruto are related."
Naruto puts on a comical questioning expression. "What? How are me and her even slightly related?"
Shikamaru sighs. "Don't you know, Naruto? Lady Tsunade's grandfather is the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju-"
"Well, of course I know that! I even fought with him in the Fourth War, remember?"
"Let me finish, you knucklehead. Her grandfather is the First Hokage and her grandfather is Lady Mito Uzumaki, the first jinchuriki of the Nine-Tai- I mean Kurama. We studied this in the Academy."
Hinata meekly speaks up from next to him. "I thought you knew."
"Hold on. For real? For real real?" Naruto props himself on his knees and leans way over the table to get as close to Tsunade as he can. "Granny, so you actually ARE my granny? Why didn't you say anything?"
She pushes him back. "First off, I'm not your granny. Something… distant cousin or something, I don't know. And I didn't say anything because it never really mattered. And it still doesn't."
"I just…" He clenches his fists, still leaning over. "I always thought I was alone. That I didn't have a family. But it turns out I did." Naruto feels a tug from both his sides. Hinata places a hand over his and that puts him at ease. From his other side, Kotori is tugging at his clothes.
Tsunade calmly looks on. "And you do now." She places her cup on the table. "Look, Naruto, you remember what I was like when we first met. I was barely ready to be myself, let alone anyone's family. But you were already surrounded by loving friends and teachers. You didn't need me and you still don't."
Naruto sits back in his position and puts a hand around Hinata and pulls Kotori closer into a hug. "You're wrong about that, Granny. I may have found a family but you're still precious to me. That makes you my family, too, Uzumaki or not." He flashes a grin.
Tsunade looks to him for a moment and slams her cup on the table and stands up. "What do you think you're doing, getting sentimental like that? I'm off to bed, you're getting on my nerves." She goes to leave and Shizune scurries on after her.
"Lady Tsunade, wait!" The aid catches up and notices a tear welling up in her mentor's eye.
The Hokage brushes away the tear with a thumb. "That dumb kid."
Somewhere in the much more run down part of the capital, a young boy no more than 7-8 years old, hides behind a corner, keeping a close watch on a nearby stall, the baker packing his leftover bread for the evening and taking them inside a building behind. The boy places a cloth over his silvery hair, long enough to reach down past his cheeks, clearly not taken care of in a while. He rolls up his leg sleeves, his clothes ragged and worn out.
Once the clerk is inside, the boy runs up and grabs a loaf of bread. He tries to get another one a bit further on the stall but hears a voice call out from inside. "Hey! Get outta here!" He runs out and the boy makes a break for it.
"Get back here, thief!"
The boy dashes and darts between the alleyways, the older baker on his heels. He tries to shove crates and cans and whatever people had left lying around. This doesn't seem to work. He's able to keep a lead but doesn't look like he'll manage for long.
Desperate, he notices a wooden fence with planks either broken, rotten off, or twisted, creating an opening for him to slip through. He's thankful nobody cared enough to fix it. He slides through but it looks like it'd be big enough for the baker, who's a bit more exhausted and sweaty now. The boy forms hand seals and weaves his chakra.
"Crystal Style: Crystal Wall"
A semi-translucent screen appears in front of the fence, blocking the hole. He continues to run, hearing the exasperated man on the other side give up on his chase, unable to climb over the newly appeared wall.
The boy takes detours a while more, just in case he's still being followed, and eventually makes his way to a rundown shack, barely holding itself together. The roof is in patches, the door is on its hinges and has a cloth in front of it which seems more reliable than the door itself, the windows are barred with the actual glass being long gone.
He makes his way inside the 2 room shack with the bare basic amenities and furnishing. He enters the second room where a woman is lying on a straw bed. She's extremely weakened and unnaturally thin, her sunken in skin much paler than it's ever been. Her silvery hair is dirty and in strands. She weakly turns her head to see the young boy walking in, loaf of bread in hand.
Her voice is barely a whisper. "Yokumaru. Where did you get that?"
"It's fine, Mama. Just eat up, then I'll wash your hair." Yokumaru runs his fingers through his mother's dried hair. He places a hand on the back of her head and helps her get up.
"I can do it. Please…" She places a hand on his cheek. "Don't do anything rash."
He holds her hand. "I'll keep you safe, Mama. Whatever it takes, I'm gonna be strong."
Name meaning
Awaji Uzumaki (うずまき アワジ, Uzumaki Awaji) = named after Awaji Island, Japan. It's connected to Naruto city via the Great Naruto Bridge under which are the Naruto Whirlpools. The titular character and manga are named after them.
Mikoto (ミコト, Mikoto) = 'Highness'
Yaegiri (ヤエギリ, Yaegiri) = named after Princess Yaegiri from folklore. The supposed mother of Kintaro/Sakata no Kintoki/Kaidomaru.
Yokumaru (ヨクマル, Yokumaru) = his name will make more sense once his last name is revealed
Trivia
Sasame and the Fuma clan are from the 'Land of Rice Fields Investigation Mission' arc (Naruto ep.136-141)
Sora and the ninja monks are from the 'Twelve Guardian Ninja' arc (Naruto Shippuden ep.54-71)
Ikkyu Madoka is from the Boruto timeline as the Land of Fire's daimyō