"Are you injured? ", Tobirama asked him the moment they entered the apartment, his red eyes scanning sharply over the young child, looking for injuries.

Naruto rapidly shook his head. "No…I am not…but…what happened?! Who was that guy? Did you just throw him down the street?!" the questions fell out of his mouth in a constant, agitated stream.

The Nidaime put a steady hand on the boy's shoulder and fixed him with a calm gaze. "Relax, child. I am here. You are safe now."

Naruto sagged into the man's firm grip as the Second's chakra wrapped around them like a protective cocoon; sharp, dominant, and powerful.

"Can you tell me what happened?" Tobirama asked, once the small form in his arms had stopped trembling.

Naruto nodded slowly against the man's chest and began to speak, his voice sounding rather muffled.

Tobirama listened to his retelling with furrowed brows, subconsciously drawing the child closer to him.

"Are you sure his eye was red?"

"Yes," Naruto confirmed quietly, peeking up to look at the ghost because the man's voice had sounded strangely tense.

"And he called you little fox and asked after his pet?"

"Hmhm."

Tobirama was alarmed. A mysterious masked man had been sighted close to the Uchiha district, had attacked Naruto - and called the Nine-Tails his pet.

To make things even worse, the attacker's eye had been red with "weird black things in it," as Naruto had so aptly described it.

The conclusion Tobirama drew out of these facts was not reassuring. It sounded very much like Naruto had come across an Uchiha.

An Uchiha who might be responsible for the Kyuubi attack seven years before.

But why had the man turned up now?

What had he been doing so close to the Uchiha district?

Was he living there?

Were more Uchiha involved in this?

Or was he a rouge like Madara?

Tobirama had countless questions and zero answers.

One thing was sure, though. He needed to up the child's training. If he hadn't been there tonight, this incident might have ended quite differently.

The ghost glanced at the sleeping child. He was loath to leave him alone so soon after this incident, but he needed to know what Hiruzen thought about today's happenings.

Tobirama brushed over Naruto's hair, a soft green glow illuminating his hand as he deepened the child's sleep, before he reluctantly left for the Hokage tower.

The Nidaime stood behind his former student, as the Third looked sharply at the assembled ANBU in front of him. "There was nobody there?"

"No, Hokage-sama," the Wolf masked ANBU answered. "We searched the entire surroundings, but we did not find anything amiss. There was no distinct chakra residue and Hound's search came up empty, too."

"So, you are telling me that there was enormous chakra blast in the middle of Konoha and you have no idea where it originated from?" the Hokage snapped, slapping his hand on the tabletop.

Tobirama watched in displeasure as the assembled ninja exchanged clueless looks. He did not judge them for not being able to find the source, it had been him, after all, but their lack of action irked him.

They should have closed down the entire village as soon as it had happened, but instead of that the village's elite was assembled in a single room, musing over the source of the chakra.

"Could it have been the Nine Tails?" one of the shinobi asked and shivered slightly when he suddenly felt Tobirama's invisible, but cold gaze on him.

Someone snorted loudly in derision. "If you are incapable of differentiating between a chakra blast and tailed beast attack you should think about revisiting the academy."

There was soft laughter across the room and the shinobi who had suggested it looked away in embarrassment.

"Kakashi is correct," the Third agreed. "This has nothing to do with the Kyuubi. Now, has anyone some useful suggestions?"

Tobirama raised his head as he felt a strong signature approaching. He watched as the door was opened and an old man entered the room.

The Nidaime recognized him immediately, even though he had aged tremendously.

It was Shimura Danzo, a member of his old guard.

He was still alive.

"Any progress yet?" Danzo inquired immediately, zeroing in on the village leader.

A flash of well-hidden annoyance flitted over the Hokage's face. "No," he replied curtly and turned towards the ANBU. "Search again. We need to find the cause before people start pointing fingers and make up conspiracy theories. You have two hours, if you still have not found anything by that time, start the cover-up. Dismissed."

"Yes, Hokage-sama," the assembled shinobi answered in unison and left the office one by one.

"Do you wish for me to search as well?" Danzo inquired once they were alone.

The Sandaime gave him a dry look. "Are you honestly telling me that you have not already done so?"

Danzo remained unimpressed. "I am only looking out for Konoha's future."

"Then kindly do so from outside this office," The Third replied, rising from his chair. "I have a meeting witch Uchiha Fugaku now."

Danzo threw him a displeased look and turned to leave. "Very well."

Tobirama glanced at the clock above the Hokage's desk. The meeting had only lasted twenty minutes.

Naruto would be asleep for a while longer, so he might as well use this chance to see what Danzo had been up to.

Perhaps he would get to see Danzo's family?

He wondered what kind of woman the man could have married. Considering his character, it would certainly have to be a formidable kunoichi.

Very interested now, Tobirama followed the man's chakra signature.

The ghost frowned as the signature started to lead him to the outskirts of the town. What was he doing so far out there? Had Danzo moved out here? But then why did he feel the man's signature coming from the ground?

Was there a room below him?

Tobirama furrowed his brows, channeled his spiritual energy and slowly sunk down.

He found himself floating inside a gigantic, rectangular room that reminded him strangely of the Hokage's office. The chair behind the large desk was occupied by a very familiar person.

It was Danzo.

The Nidaime narrowed his eyes. Just what had he discovered here? Why was Danzo sitting behind a desk in an underground office like some shadow Hokage?

His intuition told him he had stumbled across something that should be investigated further.

Throwing a last apprehensive glance at the man behind the desk, Tobirama stepped through the office door.

It was not only an office. It was an entire facility. Tobirama came across several masked people looking strangely similar to Konoha's ANBU.

But they weren't.

Tobirama knew the signature of the real Badger ANBU and the person wearing the mask had an entirely different one.

He was furious.

Why was there an entire organization of pretend ANBU running around inside Konoha?

Did Hiruzen know about this?

Grimly the ghost floated through a heavily looked door into the deeper parts of the facility. The area was growing darker now as the metallic walls made place for crude, rough stone.

The silence was almost eerie, but Tobirama still moved on, intent on finding out more about this place.

Doors appeared at both sides of the corridors. Tobirama stopped in front of the first one, his finger tracing over the intricate seals etched into the heavy wood.

Chakra suppression, Solidity Enforcement, Temperature control, Noise cancelation.

Tobirama's eyes narrowed. This were the kind of seals you would put on a prison cell.

He stepped through the door and froze at the sight of his brother's preserved remains laying on top of the operation table.

Tobirama could feel his chakra flare inside him, his posture froze in silent fury, the ferocious, angry fire inside him burning even brighter as he remembered Hashirama's blood-covered form.

How dare they!

Icy coldness settled into his eyes.

Danzo.

He had trusted this man.

Seen him as one of his confidants.

Made him part of the elite.

And that was how he thanked him?

By breaking his trust?

By undermining the Hokage's authority and creating an underground organization?

By defiling his brother's memory?!

Did he really think that he could run around unchecked just because he was dead?

He had betrayed his trust.

He would pay.

Dearly.

Tobirama stroked gently over his brother's cheek. "I swear I will get you out of here, brother."

Grass was tickling against Naruto's bare feet and a soft breeze mussed his unruly hair up even further.

A soft glowing light appeared in front of him, slowly taking the form of a humanoid figure. "Naruto," a male voice whispered softly, and the boy squinted his eyes to see just who was talking to him.

The man's outline was familiar, almost as if he had seen it before and there was something about his presence that made Naruto relax immediately. He instinctively knew that the person in front of him was safe. In fact, he reminded him very much of the Shodai's tree.

Wait. The tree?

Could it be?

"Shodai-sama?" he asked hesitantly.

The figure laughed lightly, the light around it receding and slowly revealing the form of Senju Hashirama. "Yes, Naruto."

Hashirama stepped forward and smiled gently at the young child. "I owe you my gratitude, young one. Without you my brother would have been lost."

Naruto's eyes widened, and he hastily shook his head. "I didn't do anything!" he protested immediately. "I don't think he needs me. I would be the one lost without him!"

The First chuckled. "You truly are a precious child, Naruto. Do not underestimate the influence you have on him. My little brother still laments my death even though it has claimed both of us," the man's eyes saddened. "It broke my heart when I heard of his fate. I feared he would be cursed to wander around for eternity, a mere shadow unseen by all. But then," his smile was back. "You came along and reached out to him. And he opened up to you in return."

A mischievous twinkle entered his eyes. "I am glad you think we are awesome, though. Even if I am just considered so by association."

Naruto immediately blushed. "You…you heard that?"

"I am watching over both of you now," Hashirama replied lightly. "And whenever you are around my tree, my vision is the clearest. So, to answer your question: I heard everything."

Naruto's blush deepened even further, and the man's gaze on him softened. "I was very happy about your updates on my brother," he admitted. "You have a kind heart, Naruto. I could not find someone more fitting to entrust my legacy to."

He laid a solemn hand on the child's shoulder. "I believe you can manage what I failed to do. I leave my dreams in your hands, Naruto. My dreams, and my little brother."

Naruto swallowed at the heavy responsibility the First had just handed to him. But he was ready for it. "I won't disappoint you, Shodai-sama," he replied, meeting the man's eyes with determined blue orbs.

A hand ruffled his hair. "I know you won't," he paused for a moment, before adding. "I may be dead by now, but I would still be glad to call you family. My brother has all but adopted you."

He had barely finished when he already had a very excited child in his arms. Laughing, he returned the boy's enthusiastic embrace. "I take that as agreement," he commented amusedly.

Naruto nodded into his chest. Of course, he agreed! How could he deny anyone who wanted to be part of his family? Especially not his jiji's older brother!

There was a moment of silence, before Hashirama spoke again. "I will have to go soon," he informed the child regretfully. "My time is running out. I have only been allowed to visit you for a short time."

Naruto immediately tightened his grip around him.

"I have to tell you something important, Naruto. Please listen closely."

Hashirama's voice took a serious tune as he continued. "My brother just made a disconcerting discovery. I cannot tell you what happened, because I am not allowed to interfere, but I can tell you this: Whatever he does, or however he acts, you never have to fear him. So, don't let him scare you off and just treat him normally."

Naruto froze slightly at that ominous warning, his mind whirling with questions. He opened his mouth to ask, but was stopped by Hashirama's next words.

"My time is up now," the First told him sadly. "Give my little brother a hug from me, will you?" he asked as he slowly began to fade away. "And please tell him that I love him and that I am very proud of him."

Naruto extended his hand towards the dissolving figure, as if trying to keep him from disintegrating, but his fingers brushed right through him.

Tears trickled down the boy's cheeks. "I will, Hashirama-jiji!" he yelled loudly, his eyes burning with an intense fire.

A bright smile illuminated Hashirama's almost transparent face. Then was gone.

Naruto's eyes opened to the sight of his bedroom ceiling.

A/N

I really threw you off last chapter, right? *xD* To be honest, this was the scene I had planned from the very start.

At least you all know now why I gave Naruto so many resources.

As a fun fact, the entire fic is being written just because I wanted Tobi to say: "The Nine-Tails Jinchuuriki cannot be allowed to grow." *xD*

A side note: I have collected all the cut-scenes from this fic (about eight now) and a few omakes starring Kakashi on linewalkers. tumblr. com.

Yamajiji Haha. Yes, they really aren't. Good that Naruto has an ace in form of a dead Hokage =)

Blu3b3rryT3a Yes, very bad Tobi! And you got your first appearance of Danzo ;-)

Luraso Thanks, I am glad to hear that. :-) Hm, that's possible, too, but I rather likedliked the idea of him sacrificing himself more, because it gives his death a purpose.

alharethabdelmonum Haha. Scared you good, didn't I? ;-) Well, I've been waiting to use this sentence since the very beginning. I was literally cackling when I wrote it in. *xD*

Mr Ragnarok ;-)

sayaka uzumaaki Yeah, he really is. *xD* I guess it's almost a running gag by now...Poor guy - and our dear Tobi will have a really hard time with all these people around. *xD* As for the tomatoes...well, they'll be mentioned next chapter, maybe. *xD*

Princess Hinashi *nods* Very mean! :-/

JudgmentKing Maha. Because I can, that's why. ;-)

lostxinxthexdarkness Glad to hear that, thanks!

ReadingFenatic Thanks! That's my favorite line there, too. :D

GT Porter It could be. But right now, I've no plans for him, we'll see if he turns up.