The next day, after all the paperwork confirming my promotion was sent to the relevant authorities, I went to the Hokage's secretary to make an appointment.
I didn't expect much. I assume that it takes a few weeks, for time to be made. Imagine my surprise then, just before supper, an ANBU appeared summoning me to the Hokage.
Huh. That was prompt. On arrival, the old man didn't waste time. " I must admit, when my secretary told me you made an appointment I was surprised. Why did you need to see me? We saw each other yesterday after all. "
" I had to make sure I had confirmation in writing of my promotion to Jounin, Lord Hokage. The reason is, I'd like to officially establish the Uzumaki as a Hidden Leaf Clan. Only a Jounin can do that. "
He seemed completely caught by surprise. I wonder what he thought I wanted to see him about. " Do you know what all the requirements are? What you're attempting to do will bring many eyes upon you. Not all of them friendly. "
I look resolute though. " I'm well aware of all the requirements as well as the implications Lord Hokage. I have all the paperwork on my person right now. I have the money ready and I own property. I'm a Jounin. I'm the second generation of my clan to be an active Leaf Shinobi. "
" From my understanding, Lady Mito was neither an active shinobi nor officially a member of the Uzumaki clan. Seeing as she married Lord Hashirama and thus became a Senju. All that's required now is your approval Lord Hokage. "
He looked pensive. I stood and waited as he deliberated. As he was thinking, so was I. Different things I'm sure. The Sharingan in the hands of the enemy is the greatest threat facing this village. I'm not even just speaking of Obito.
Danzo and Itachi are threats as well. Though for different reasons. Those eyes of Shisui are too dangerous. Yet how to combat it. Thing is, Kurenai is the best this village has right now in terms of casting genjutsu. Or atleast that's what most people think.
Inside this village is someone with potential in the art so great, it's criminal that in canon she was only a filler character. I'm talking about Yakumo Kurama, who's genjutsu is so powerful, it can physically alter reality. A dangerous ability that the 3rd Hokage and Kurenai couldn't cultivate.
After Kurenai failed with Yakumo I honestly can't understand why she was given charge of Hinata Hyuuga. Hinata showed a little backbone with the whole debacle with Nagato, but out of all the Leaf kunoichi of her generation, she showed the least growth.
In any case, I'm getting ahead of myself. One step at a time. I'm hoping that with my notoriety as the youngest current Jounin, on top of Clan Head hopefully, Yakumo's uncle will be willing to allow me to take her under my wing.
During my ruminations, it appears the Hokage has also come to a decision. " For all your intelligence I truly think you are biting off more than you can chew, nevertheless you do meet all the requirements. I will run you through the necessary documentation now and then I will give it my approval. ANBU will then summon you when it's time for the council to meet. "
After about an hour of filling in forms I thanked him and left. Let him and the others underestimate me all they want. It's them that will be found wanting. The council here as I've come to know it, consists of the Hokage, Clan Heads, Advisors, and ANBU commander.
The civilians form guilds and they aren't really a part of running the village. They do however regularly give input to the council when asked. It should be noted though, the Hokage and his Advisors play many cards close to their chest, which they don't inform the council of. I'm sure you can guess atleast one such instance.
Regardless, I must be ready. Genin Exams are only a few weeks away. I've decided that I'll call upon the Kurama clan tomorrow. It's rather late now after all. I have big dreams. Being a Jounin and Clan Head was only phase 1.
Phase 2 is getting my own Genin team, as well as the building of a clan compound. Most of my cash has gone now to pay for official clan status. I'll need more money to buy land as well as start building. Fortunately having a team will help.
Turns out that being a Jounin sensei is a very cushy job. To make up for the lost higher mission revenue, a Jounin sensei is paid the equivalent of a C rank mission per week from the Leaf village.
That's not including the money you make on actual missions with your team. It also turns out that for each of your students that become Chunin within a year, you get paid the equivalent of a C rank mission.
If your entire team passes, you get the equivalent of A rank pay. Naturally no team in the village's history has managed to do that in the Chunin Exams. The Sannin all received battlefield promotions. You are all probably wondering why I'm being so ambitious.
The answer is simple. The Leaf will be invaded in 2 years time. Short of learning the Flying Thunder God jutsu by then, I don't see how the Hokage can be saved. Which speaking of, I don't know why Genma and the other 2 didn't sweep in and save him.
They do know the Flying Thunder God Formation after all. Then again, Raido was badly injured and Genma was busy fighting Baki. But anyway as I was saying/thinking, Hiruzen can't be saved. That presents an opportunity. Slight as it is.
I'll be the one to deal with Shukaku this time around. I'm going to make sure the entire village sees me doing it as well. After Naruto defeated Nagato, everyone in the Leaf treated him like a hero.
Nobody probably believed that he defeated Shukaku. After all, there was no noticeable change in how people treated him. I want them to see me doing it for a different reason though.
I'm pretty sure it's obvious. I want my name in contention to be 5th Hokage. Who knows. I might get lucky. Thing is, I get that Tsunade basically won the 2nd Great Ninja War for the Leaf but at best, that should only have given her a pass at participating in the next war.
Where was she in the aftermath of Kurama's attack? When the Hidden Cloud attempted and failed to kidnap Hinata, the village sacrificed her uncle to stop a war. The Hokage should've launched a preemptive strike to destroy their military advantage.
It would've cost us no shinobi. 2 Of the Sannin at the height of their power should've atleast been enough to kill an entire army of ninja. Tsunade's haemaphobia should've been dealt with long ago. Imagine if a bounty hunter like Kakuzu went after her.
Point is that this village has long been in decline. We've won every war but have got nothing tangible to show for it. There's been years of peace now and Tsunade's idea to have a medic on each team is still not realised.
That reeks of complacency. This place requires a shake up and I don't mind being the one to do it. All this and more runs through my head as I struggle to sleep. Tomorrow will be an interesting day.
The next day dawns and after an appropriate time, I leave home and head towards the Kurama Clan compound. It takes awhile to get there because it's in an isolated part of the village.
When I reach it, a guard, Chunin if I'm not mistaken halts me. I take the initiative and speak first. " I'd like to speak with Unkai Kurama. Tell him Hikaru Uzumaki would like a word. Its time sensitive. " He looks surprised but after a few moments asks me to wait while he goes to enquire.
Not long after, I'm lead into a large traditional home. My senses are prickling. No doubt there's lots of genjutsu protecting the inside of the house. Unkai is seated on a cushion on the floor.
I incline my head and get to the point. He seems like a man who would appreciate that. " I'm here with a proposition for you and your clan Lord Unkai ( as acting clan head he's entitled to such a courtesy ) regarding your niece Yakumo. "
He looks like he wants to interrupt but I raise I hand. " Please, let me finish. I know that Kurenai Yuhi, with her aptitude for genjutsu was asked to mentor Yakumo, but that she failed. I also know that Lord Hokage placed a seal on her but that it was ineffective. "
" I for one, happen to be better than the Hokage at understanding seals. I'd also make a more suitable teacher for Yakumo seeing as we have 2 things in common. Our ages, despite our vast difference in abilities and of course, we both have shall we say, unruly houseguests. "
He looked skeptically at me. " How do you know all this and how do you possibly think you can help her? " He didn't completely disregard what I said so I still have a shot at this.
" How about I prove my skill in sealing to you then. I imagine that there is many instances where Yakumo isn't fully lucid, I can change that by sealing up her power completely, till she has the mental strength to deal with it properly. "
" Don't misunderstand though. It will only slightly affect her abilities for now. Plus to be honest, it will give her the opportunity to hone more skills than just genjutsu. That is what you want isn't it? For your heiress to be strong. For her to reverse the decline in your clan's fortunes. "
" I've recently been promoted to Jounin. It is my wish to take Yakumo on as a student. To do that though, she must take the Genin exams in a couple of weeks. I'm sure your clan has arranged tutors for her and that she'd have no problem with the academic portions. "
" In the coming weeks I can help her learn the 3 basic ninjutsu she'll need to pass. So, do we have an agreement? " He seemed deep in thought. I laid it on thick though. His clan has nothing to lose and everything to gain.
I have something to gain as well. I have no doubt that I can help her. I also know that when I've proven my worth and actually get Yakumo to what she always had the potential to be, I'd have her clan as my staunchest allies.
I'd also gain the respect of many of the higher rankings shinobi in this village. Those who have been on the fence about me up till now. All possible votes to maybe becoming Hokage.
Finally he stirred and said " very well. We shall put our trust in you. If you succeed, you will forever hold the gratitude of the Kurama clan. I shall go and fetch Yakumo so the sealing can commence. "
I nodded my head. I wonder what seal the Hokage applied looks like. I have an inkling that he didn't quite understand what is inside of Yakumo. Fortunately I have greater insight.
As she's led in, I can't help but stare. She's about my brother's height. She's pale though and there's dark rings around her eyes. I also feel a deep weariness inside of her. I nod internally. Yes, I'll help this girl become who she always had the potential to be.
" Hello Yakumo, my name is Hikaru Uzumaki. I'm a Jounin. I've come here to help you. You see, I don't believe that the Hokage or Kurenai for that matter, understand how your Ido kekkei genkai works. "
I motion towards Unkai to leave us. He hesitates but finally complies. She's looking at me now. " What do you know of the 9 Tails Attack Yakumo? " I can see she's caught off guard. No doubt wondering where I'm going with this.
" All I know is that it attacked 10 years ago and that the 4th Hokage defeated it. " I nod my head as she speaks. Time to throw her another curve ball. " That's true, but also not the full story. Tailed beasts are made up of chakra, thus they cannot truly die. "
" To stop the 9 Tails therefore, the Hokage had to seal it within something. Or somethings as it turned out. My brother and I. So you see, I have a unique insight into having something malevolent inside of me. "
As I speak I see the disbelief building on her face. She looks shocked. At the end a myriad of emotions cross her face. " So you see Yakumo, you are not alone. I have a new seal for you. One that will eventually help you to completely master your powers. Do you want to try it? "
I wait patiently. I have no doubts as to what she'll decide. I'm offering her a chance at not just normality, but power as well. Eventually she nods her head. I create a few shadow clones. They clear out the furniture to the edge of the room.
I came prepared. With a thought, a slender scroll appears in my hand. I flick it open and let go. It unravels and forms a perfect circle around us. Then the seals on it glows. Unlike when Kakashi sealed Sasuke's cursed mark I have no need to draw seals on the ground to act as containment. It can be premade.
I ask her to remove her top. I remove a jar of sealing ink from my person and dip my right index finger in. After her back is bared to me, I channel chakra to my finger then bring it to her back.
My new seal takes form quickly. I call it the 3 Sided Shuriken Seal. It's self explanatory. It takes the form of a three sided shuriken. The purpose of the seal is to prevent any entity from speaking with her mentally. It also insures that only she can access her chakra and thus use jutsu.
It sounds simple but it's not. It will also have 2 side effects if you will. The first is that it will cannibilise the original seal to add to its power, the second is that the jutsu of the Yamanaka clan to speak to someone mentally will not work on her.
When I activate the seal I watch as it gets to work. Lines start extending from the new seal to the old. When it connects, the old seal shudders. After a moment it completely dissolved and that's when something starts spreading from the centre of the old seal.
Before it has a chance to do anything though, the lines multiply and stab into the growing darkness like many hooks. The darkness gets surrounded and then pulled towards the new seal. After that the seal glows briefly then stops.
During this, I could feel and see Yakumo shuddering. When the seal activates she stills. After about I minute she turns towards me. There's wonder in her face. " The whispering has stopped. I can't hear it at all anymore. With the old seal I could hear faint whispering, it's gone now. It's gone! " With that said she starts laughing and crying. I smile and give her a hug.
Unkai finds her still smiling 5 minutes later. He looks surprised and hopeful. I look at him and nod. " The sealing has been successful, which brings me to my next order of business. Yakumo, I'll be training you for the next 3 weeks. It's my hope that you will then take the Genin exams next month and that I will become your sensei. What do you say to that? "
She beams at me. After giving her assent and after receiving Unkai's thanks I leave. As I'm walking back home I muse to myself about everything I need to get done before the exams. There's the council meeting next week to consider as well. Sigh. Why do I do this to myself I wonder. Then I laugh.
Over the next 3 weeks I keep Yakumo on a hectic schedule. The first week is spent entirely on learning the tree walking exercise. Like Sakura in canon, she managed it in a single day. That's just the beginning though. I have her running up and down the tree the entire week to build up her stamina and chakra reserves.
Initially, she'll only be able to play a support role as a kunoichi because all she knows is genjutsu, but I plan on changing that. I won't allow her to be as one dimensional as Kurenai. To that end while she's learning to tree walk, I start teaching her basic taijutsu. Nothing strenuous or difficult.
We stick to learning how to punch properly, how to kick, how to use your opponent's momentum against them and how to dodge. The latter being the most important. I applied a resistance seal to her the very first day of training. She'll never be a taijutsu powerhouse but she'll need speed to compensate for that fact.
The second week I start teaching her the substitution technique. It's arguably the hardest of the academy 3. It takes her 4 days to get it down. That's when we move onto the transformation technique. She gets that and the clone technique done in 2 days each. I'm proud of that.
On the final few days we go through everything. I'm fortunate her tutors already taught her basic weapons usage so she can atleast use kunai and shuriken.
On the day of the exam I walk with Naruto to the Academy. Unkai said he'd like to take Yakumo. Likely to show off his clan's heiress. She'll be the first of her generation's heirs to graduate. Alongside Naruto. I'm not an heir. I was technically by clan law if not by village, the Clan Head the moment my mother died.
" Naruto, do your best okay. I'm proud of you. " He smiles brightly and I hug him. He waves and then enters the Academy. He's been feeling down lately. Sasuke's doing. He wasn't pleased that Naruto is graduating a year earlier than him, so he's been a complete ass.
I'm actually surprised by Sasuke's personality. Despite a number of his clan members being alive, he keeps them at a distance. He's not as standoffish as he was in canon but it's possible he could get there.
He was with us when the massacre occurred so Itachi didn't get the chance to subject him to Tsukoyomi. I don't intend on giving Itachi the chance to try again. Not only is it needlessly cruel, it will set Sasuke on an eventual collision course. With me.
Itachi is a huge problem I muse as I wonder around the village. There's no doubting his loyalty to the Leaf but just like Danzo he's a fanatic, if of a different sort. It wouldn't be right to kill him, but he can't return to the village. Not without causing massive civil unrest.
So what to do? I'll have to think more on this. I blink when I realise where my feet have led me without me even noticing. I'm on the Hokage Mountain. I smile slightly as I make my way to Tobirama's head. I sit down and simply take in the sights.
I create a clone though to get takeaway Ichiraku ramen. It's our celebration food. I've already left a clone as we left the flat this morning. It's baking a chocolate cake. My brother's favourite. Speaking of him, I can feel his chakra spiking, no doubt in excitement.
I take a moment and focus on his location. He's likely waiting at the Academy gates for me. Well I don't intend to dissapoint. Time to make an entrance. I focus my fire natured chakra and condense it inside me. Then I release it and dissapear in a body flicker.
In a burst of fire I appear at the gates. I hear gasps and excited chattering. Naruto has stars in his eyes. I smile. " Let's go home little brother. You have a big day tomorrow. The start of your shinobi career. "