A/N: Welcome to my first attempt at a Naruto harem series. I think the content speaks for itself, but know that this chapter is merely a prelude, and is in no way an indicator of the average length of the coming chapters. What this prelude does do, however, is give you a taste of what this story will entail. I hope it strikes your fancy.
Be mindful that this lecherous story will contain lemons.
Now, without further ado, welcome to my latest tale: In the Name of Namikaze
Chapter 1: The Realization of an Oath
"Absolutely not!" Tsunade's loud, angry voice was accompanied by a heavy smack of her fist that made the entire table shake from her might, almost breaking it in two. She regarded her two advisors with fire in her eyes; a conviction that spoke more than a thousand words. "Honestly, are you two even listening to what you're saying?"
"We are perfectly sane, Tsunade," Homura Mitokado said with a stern voice. Despite the Hokage's temper, he retained his calm demeanor – per usual. "Is it not you who is acting like a child?"
"Do not let your feelings for the boy stand in the way of what is best for the village," Koharu Utatane added. "The Fourth made us a promise. In exchange for marrying Kushina Uzumaki, their firstborn son would be the one to set the foundation for the Namikaze-clan once he was of age." She nudged her head slightly to direct the buxom blonde to the piece of paper on the table. "It is written."
That damn written page. If she could, she'd rip the piece of paper in two and act like it never existed in the first place. Before he became Hokage, Minato was already known far and wide as Konoha's Yellow Flash. He was a once-in-a-generation kind of talent, and the council had taken note. By law, a Hokage could bestow a family the position of a clan. It was an honor that could not be denied. Shiruzen – no doubt tirelessly urged by his restless advisors – made a deal with Minato. In exchange for marrying Kushina Uzumaki – and only her – Naruto's fate to start a clan of his own was sealed.
Naruto had only just returned to the village after three years of training with Jiraiya, and already her advisors had begun to act – no doubt secretly persuaded by Danzo in the shadows. That old fart was such a thorn in her side. He only saw power, and a clan of descendants of the late Hokage, and an Uzumaki to boot... He was probably besides himself with glee. Minato's offspring most likely wouldn't have the natural aptitude like the Uchiha had, but it would strengthen the village's arsenal considerably. To someone like him, such objectives overshadowed ethics. The argument was sound, but did Konoha not pride itself in having moved beyond such military tactics? This stood against everything that embodied the Will of Fire.
The Godaime had tried to persuade them otherwise, tried to convince them that Naruto's results in the Academy proved that Minato's talent had been a fluke, but to no avail. "His acknowledgment by two of the three Sannin is prove enough of his talents," they'd argued. Unbeknownst to them, even the third Sannin had once tried to kill him in fear of what he could become. Not even the uproar that would rise from the reveal of Naruto as the son of the Yondaime was enough to change their determined minds.
Hinata's name had already been put forward. Her claim as heiress to the Hyuga clan now renounced, she was a perfect candidate in the eyes of the council. Nevertheless, the Hokage held her tongue. She would not show emotional weakness. She managed to only grit her teeth in her attempts to hide her disdain when Ino's name was called as well, her position as the only daughter of the head of the Yamanaka clan called the only problem – as if her personal opinion didn't even matter to them. But when Sakura's name was also uttered, she couldn't hold herself back any longer. Her apprentice's future would not be decided upon as if she were an animal in some deranged breeding program. "Enough!" her forceful voice was accompanied by a mighty thud as her fist once more fell on the table, effectively silencing her elders – underneath her grey blouse, her legendary assets rose with her temper before gravity brought them back down, making them wobble. "Are you two even listening to yourselves? We are treating these poor girls as nothing more than bona fide baby factories! Have we not evolved beyond such inhumane tactics?"
"Life isn't fair, Tsunade. As long as other villages strengthen their armies, Konoha cannot fall behind, especially during these turmoil times." Homura showed no signs of budging, eying the Hokage sternly. Clearly, he felt his reasoning to be sound.
Tsunade tried to offer a retort, but it was hard to deny they were on the brink of war. Konoha's relations with the other villages was not what it once was, and then there was the mysterious Akatsuki to deal with as well.
"These young women chose this life, and know they can be called upon to perform these kind of acts for the sake of Konoha." Koharu shrugged. "Besides, we aren't monsters. Once they've done their part, they'll be free to decide – marry the boy and be part of the clan, or leave their child behind and start anew. They'll not be frowned upon should they choose to do so, and will even be free to marry another. Not to mention that the children will be looked after by our most skilled attendants."
"As if any of these girls would choose to selfishly leave their child behind!" Not to mention that they wouldn't be allowed to conceive children with anyone other than Naruto. If they wished to start a family, there would only be one decision open to them... with a husband they'd have to share. What kind of disturbed family was that?
"Then they better be prepared to be part of the Namikaze clan." Homura concluded coldly. "As stated before, should they decide to do so, they will all marry him and they will all be treated as the wife of a clan leader. That's the kind of status many women can only dream of achieving." The Yamanaka and Hyuga were perhaps a different story, but the Haruno should thank them for their decision to include her. A chunin with no family name. If not for the Hokage's recognition of her abilities, they never would have considered her.
As if any of those girl would marry someone for nothing more than status... Tsunade thought bitterly. It was disgusting how little these people knew about the girls whose future they intended to ruin. There had to be something. Something to change these girls' fates. "Then let me do it in their stead!" she blurted out without thinking. By now, her desperation was palpable. With her medical abilities, she'd be able to ensure at least one child every nine months. "Imagine, children from the bloodlines of two Hokage. Not to mention my Uzumaki blood to strengthen their own. Surely this dwarfs any of the other possibilities."
"Did you really think we'd allow the Hokage to go down on her knees like a common wench to get taken by a genin of all things?" Homura disapproved as if he had expected such an outburst. The suggestion was ridiculous, and he prayed no one had heard besides the three of them. The scandalous thought alone would be enough to rip her of her titles, let alone actually uttering it. Once again, the blonde's inexperience as a Kage showed.
"Dammit..." Tsunade bowed her head in defeat, stamping her 'approval' of the plan. Against this formal document – signed by both her predecessors – she was powerless as long as the councilmembers refused to budge. "At least... let me be the one to tell him... and them." That idiot Minato... How could he have been so selfish...? "They deserve at least that much."
At least the council agreed to that request.
Though the future clan members did not know it yet, the birth of the Namikaze clan was now a fact, and with it their future was forever changed.
And that's it for the prelude. Short but to the point.
A new poll is up on my profile page.
"In harem series I..."
1. am only there for the lemons
2. take joy in reading the overall story
3. don't have a preference