Naruto: Archer and Loner
Author's Note: Well, I'm back again with another chapter. Once again, I own nothing. Neither Naruto nor Bleach belongs to me. All I am doing is providing some entertainment for the masses.
Chapter 16: The Truth is Revealed!
Uzumaki Compound (Naruto's Study)
Naruto watched from the window as the Hyuga party left, Hiashi carrying his daughter. Naruto turns around and sits at his desk.
"Well? What do you think," Naruto asks Kiski.
"This is an unexpected situation, Naruto," Kiski replies. "Although it is both, a good and bad situation. On the bad side, you and I know that the Hyuga clan will demand that Hinata and any children she may have be branded with their seal. I'll have to go through the Uzumaki archives here to see if we can nip that idea before it takes fruit. On the plus side, you'll have a few more people added to the Uzumaki clan. Hiashi won't allow Hinata to be without protection. We'll have to wait and see what Hiashi will exactly do. Also, you'll have to deal with a young woman who is infatuated with you," Kiski says.
"You're talking about how Hinata used to follow me when I was younger," Naruto replies. "I never caught her until you trained me enough to sense others around me. It'll be problematic at first for sure."
"That isn't even taking into account the issue you're currently having with Yhwach and your bloodline becoming stronger," Kiski replies.
"Well, I guess I'll just tackle it like any other Uzumaki. I'll just charge forward," Naruto replies. "Tomorrow go searching in the archives for what you need. Tomorrow night, we'll have a meeting with the Hyuga clan council. Goodnight, Kiski."
"Goodnight, Naruto-san," Kiski replies as Naruto heads for his bedroom.
Hyuga Clan Compound Meeting Room
Naruto and Kiski had a late breakfast after Kiski came out of the Uzumaki Archives. In a slight rush, they ran to the Hyuga compound to make it to the meeting on time. Now they sit in the meeting room waiting for Hiashi and Hinata to come in. A few of the Hyuga council glared at Naruto when he first came in. He ignored them and just sat quietly.
'Glare all you want, you pompous bastards,' Naruto thought to himself. 'You'll be eating crow by the time the Uzumaki clan is done here today.' Naruto glanced up at the sound of a door sliding open. Hiashi, Hinata and Ko stepped into the room.
"I apologize for being late," Hiashi started. "I had to take a bit of extra time setting up guard rotations for my younger daughter, Hanabi. I am sorry you have waited so long, Uzumaki-san."
Naruto and Kiski stood and bowed to Hiashi. "It was no problem, Hyuga-san. We are patient and know important issues crop up from time to time and it is best to deal with them then and there," Naruto said.
"You are young and wise, Uzumaki-san. Please be seated," Hiashi replied taking his seat at the head of the table.
"Hiashi, why is this boy here," one of the older council members asked.
"Uzumaki-san is here to honor a contract the Hyuga clan made with the Uzumaki clan," Hiashi replied. "And the next person who shows disrespect to Uzumaki-san will find out just how talented I am in Juken." The older members of the council looked down at the table in shame and straightened their backs more.
"Now, onto why we're here. We are here to announce the betrothal of Naruto Uzumaki to Hinata Hyuga in accordance to the marriage contract written and signed by myself, my late wife and Uzumaki-san's parents." Naruto perked up at hearing this.
"I know you'd like to know who your father is, Uzumaki-san," Hiashi began, seeing the longing look in Naruto's eyes. "However, I can't disclose who your father is because of his signature on the contract being protected by seals of a strength I have never seen. I do know who your father is, but because of a promise I made, I can't tell you. I am sorry, Uzumaki-san. I understand the need to know who your father is." Hiashi bowed his head towards Naruto, shame showing in his eyes.
"I understand, Hyuga-san. Can you at least tell me if he loved me," Naruto asked.
"From the moment he found out your mother was pregnant. He never went a day without saying how excited he was at the prospect of becoming a father. He would go on for hours about the things he would teach you," Hiashi replied.
"When was this contract made, Hiashi," a council member asked.
"It was made a few months before Uzumaki-san's birth," Hiashi replied.
"What if we refuse to allow this to happen," another council member asked.
"Then you would bring shame and dishonor to this clan. Something I would not allow to happen. It was the wish of true friends of the Hyuga clan that this contract be honored. I will honor it without your approval," Hiashi said sternly.
"Very well, Hiashi. We will honor the contract. We'll start preparations to place the caged bird seal onto Hinata," a council member said, a gleam showing in his eyes.
"Like hell you will," Naruto said standing. "Hyuga-san, may I have the floor? I have some things to bring up with the Hyuga clan about honor and contracts."
"Yes, you may, Uzumaki-san," Hiashi replied.
"Thank you, Hyuga-san," Naruto said with a slight bow to Hiashi. "We all know that Kohona was founded around 70 years ago, correct?" He got nods from everyone at the table. "And before that time, it was known as the warring clan time. Is this also correct?" More nods. "Well, the Uzumaki clan always had an extensive history archive. They wrote down pretty much everything. Kiski found this contract in the archive. It is between the Uzumaki clan and the Hyuga clan. The Hyuga clan asked the Uzumaki clan for help. Any guesses as to what that help was for?"
"My guess is that it had something to do with seals and possibly protecting the Hyuga clan bloodline," Hiashi said, a small smile on his face.
"You would be correct, Hyuga-san," Naruto replied. "The Uzumaki clan was asked to create a seal that would protect the bloodline from being stolen. They created a seal that would be placed at the back of the neck. The seal was small. About the size of a mole. Ko-san, you are from the branch family of the Hyuga clan, correct?" Naruto got a nod in response. "Do you have the caged bird seal and can you show it to me?"
"Hai, Uzumaki-san," Ko replied. He stood and removed his headband showing the caged bird seal across his forehead.
"Kiski, is that the original seal the Uzumaki clan gave the Hyuga clan,"? Naruto asked. Kiski got up and looked closely at the seal on Ko's forehead.
"No. This is not the original seal," Kiski replied.
"Hiashi-san, would you flip your hair up and show us the back of your neck please," Naruto asked.
"Why, Uzumaki-san," Hiashi asked.
"I want to see if my suspicions are correct," Naruto replied. Hiashi nodded and held his hair up to bare his neck. Kiski moved over behind him and looked closely at his neck.
"Your suspicions are correct, Naruto-sama," Kiski replied.
"What is the meaning of this," a council member asked. "Why have you asked these questions?"
"I have asked these questions because I have proof that the Hyuga clan has dishonored a contract. I have proof the Hyuga clan altered an Uzumaki seal. I have proof the Hyuga clan have continued to use the unaltered seal on clan heads at least," Naruto said angrily.
"What do you mean, Uzumaki-san? What proof can you show me," Hiashi asked.
"Take a look at this, Hyuga-san," Naruto said, handing a piece of paper over to him. Hiashi looked down at the paper.
Contract of Employment
In the third month of the year 995, we, the Uzumaki clan, have been approached by members of the Hyuga clan for a matter of protecting their bloodline with a seal. We, the Uzumaki clan, have developed a small seal that will be applied at the back of the neck. It is no larger than a mole and will protect the Hyuga clan bloodline from theft even after death. The seal will destroy the eyes of the Hyuga if the eyes are forcefully taken or the member has passed away.
We, the Uzumaki clan, honor this agreement with the Hyuga clan.
Jinkini Uzumaki
We, the Hyuga clan, honor this agreement and agree to not alter the seal in any way.
Hibiki Hyuga
Hiashi looked up after reading the contract. Shock showed on his normally emotionless face.
"Is this true," Hiashi asked. "Is this contract real?"
"Yes, Hyuga-sama, it is," Kiski replied. "That contract was made over 120 years ago. As you can see, it was a contract of honor. The Uzumaki clan upheld their part and their honor. However, by looking at the supposed 'cage bird seal,' you can see the Hyuga clan has not upheld the agreement."
"And I have the original seal on the back of my neck," Hiashi asked.
"Yes. You have the original seal that the Uzumaki clan created for the Hyuga clan," Kiski replied. "Naruto-sama asked me last night how a clan heir could be a ninja without a seal to protect your bloodline. It made no sense to either of us to allow a clan heir or a clan head to be a ninja without some form of protection from kidnapping or theft of your eyes."
"When could this seal be applied," Hiashi asked glaring at his father.
"It could have been applied shortly after birth," Kiski replied. "There would have been no danger to the child to have the seal applied."
Hiashi stood up, killing intent radiating from him. "Who here knew of the original seal," Hiashi shouted. "Who here knew of this?" Three of the twelve council members refused to meet Hiashi's eyes.
Hiashi's father, Himsha, stood up. "Son, I tell you now that I had no knowledge of this. I know we don't see eye to eye on a lot of issues, but I know you remember your uncle who was forced into the branch house because of me being born first. Just like your twin brother. If I knew of the truth, I would've done something about it before now. Thank you, Uzumaki-san for bringing this to light. Understand that I will do whatever the Uzumaki clan asks of me to regain the honor of the Hyuga clan." He bowed deeply towards Naruto.
"This changes everything, Uzumaki-san," Hiashi said. "Kiski-san, are you knowledgeable enough in seals to remove the caged bird seal?"
"Yes I am, Hyuga-san," Kiski replied. "And I know how to apply the original seal also."
"Thank you, Kiski-san," Hiashi says with a small nod. Turning to Naruto, Hiashi gets down before the young man and bows with his head on the floor. "Uzumaki-san, the Hyuga clan has brought shame and dishonor upon itself and the Uzumaki clan with the alteration of the seal. Tell me what the Hyuga clan must do to rectify this and regain our honor."
Naruto sat down in front of Hiashi and placed his hand on the man's shoulders gently lifting him up until they sat eye to eye. "Hyuga-san, what the Uzumaki clan requires is the removal of the caged bird seal and the placement of the original seal on every member of the Hyuga clan. We also require that there no longer be a 'branch house.' From now on, the Hyuga clan will be whole. No longer will someone lord over someone else. Everyone is family and must be treated with respect and honor. We require the Hyuga clan to reward those of the previous branch house for their years of loyal service and allow 6 elders to be placed on this council to voice their opinions. We ask of you to destroy every note on the caged bird seal. It is an affront to the Uzumaki clan and a painful reminder for the Hyuga clan. Do all this and heal your full family, Hyuga-san. Do all this and bring honor back to the Hyuga clan."
Hiashi sat with tears streaming out of his eyes. Never once while Naruto spoke did he attempt to wipe them away. "I ask that you and Kiski-san honor the Hyuga clan and stay the night. Tomorrow we will have a full clan meeting and bring to light everything that has been spoken about today."
"We would be honored to be here, Hyuga-san. We will stay until the branch members have the new seal," Naruto replied.
Whew! This one took me a while to figure out the direction I wanted to go. I came up with the seal idea because it made no sense to me why Hinata and Hanabi were allowed to become Ninja. If they didn't have some type of seal on them, there was always a chance they could've been kidnapped on a mission or something. The idea of the Uzumaki clan creating the seal made perfect sense because that is what the clan was known for. It was why the clan was destroyed. People feared the power of their seals. The next chapter will deal with Naruto confronting Hinata about her true feelings for him and how she sees him. I'm hoping that I'll be adding some training with Zabuza and what Sasuke and Sakura are doing. I am hoping to have the next chapter done within the next few days or so.