Sarutobi Hiruzen's chakra stood out like a flame in a dark room. It was warm with a potency that resonated of age and competence, while banishing shadows to the periphery. The Sandaime's chakra had appeared like a lightning strike within the outskirts of Minato's sensory net. A shunshin naturally, but that meant his time was nearly up and the most demanding inquiry of his life was about to begin.
'I don't see why you don't just tell the Sandaime the truth.'
Kurama's voice called to him, but he stayed in the present and smirked meaningfully at the Uchiha on his knees oozing frustration. Kunai in hand, Shisui was muttering curses under his breath while attempting to hack away a wad of sticky gum from his hair. To Minato's joy, Shisui's task was hampered by a bouncing Naruto who was vibrating a little too close and had already caused the ebony haired teen to lose a few strands of hair. Pleased as pie, Sasuke leered as his cousin and basked in an air of superiority and triumph over his conquered relative. Hinata seemed to have forgotten about decorum for the moment since Naruto had pounded her on the back and congratulated her, leaving the girl with a silly smile that suited the adorable Hyuuga perfectly. Minato merely clasped the empty soy packets with a pleased grin: yep, he still had it even at four.
'Don't ignore me gaki!'
'I can't trust him because I'm not so sure I would have believed the truth if I had been the Hokage.' Fortunately, his response appeared to have shut down his quarrelsome bijuu; patiently he continued to explain all the while observing his friends. 'The life of a shinobi is full of battles, tests of character, loyalty, and strength; all of these are inevitable tests of character that every shinobi faces when they accept a hitai-ate. If it were a simple matter of convincing another shinobi of the truth, I would do so. Nothing is ever so simple, Kurama. The burden of a Kage is not for the weak nor the soft-hearted. To serve one's nation, a Kage must put aside their heart, their life, and their families if their village requires it. Therefore, Hiruzen is the one person that must never know simply because he is the Hokage. If I were to tell him the truth, there is a real possibility that he would have me killed or have you extracted which would result in my death.'
'I would never allow that.' Kurama's tone was dangerously protective and it warmed the Senju inside. It was hard to believe that his best friend had once been consumed by hatred and rage. Change had been a slow, coaxing process but it had been healing for both of them.
'I believe you, old friend. But my body it too weak at this point even with your help. You know that I may be capable of using a burst of your chakra, but no more. For now, I must provide enough truths to make a grand deception that is enough to sway not only Hiruzen...but Danzo. He is nearly as dangerous as Sarutobi-sama.'
'I don't like this plan, but you are a wordsmith, Minato. If someone can pull off your foolish plan, it would be you.'
'Kurama, it's not that bad!' He protested. In truth, he was confident because he was already so familiar with the Sandaime that Minato felt certain he would know what strings to pull.
'Not as much as your ridiculous names for jutsu, but it's a close call.'
The image of a disgusted Tobirama flooded his mind and Minato reflexively shuddered while Kurama cackled in the backdrop. 'Maybe I should just stick to letting you name things from now on.'
"I'm never going to get it all out!" Shisui moaned, arms falling to his sides in an overdramatic melodrama Minato was far too-familiar with.
"Ano, perhaps I can assist you, Shisui-san." Hinata took a step closer.
"But you're the one that did this!" The Chunin whined while raking his fingers skillfully around the affected area. "You were like a cute little bunny! I never suspected you were secretly evil!"
Shisui turned and winked at Hinata exaggeratedly. Really, it was a relief that he did so otherwise Minato was positive the girl would have burst into tears. Thankfully the Uchiha was clever enough to think ahead, approving of the shy blush that cropped up on the Hyuuga's face. Unfortunately for Shisui, Naruto took offense on his comrade's behalf and screamed at the top of his lungs directly into the Uchiha's ear-no doubt the poor guy would have a headache after that intimate encounter with his eardrums.
"What's the big deal you jerk! You're the one that declared war on us! You're lucky all you got was a bit of chewed gum in your hair! I saw Sasuke almost fry your ass with that fire jutsu." In reality, the Katon jutsu had barely singed the grass, but it was an impressive attempt for an untrained four-year-old and Sasuke owned the compliment like the peacock he was with an affirming grunt. "And we almost had you with the soy sauce!"
Shisui flinched, only for Sasuke to place a consoling hand on his cousin's shoulder, causing the older boy to pause and tilt his head to peer at Itachi's little brother curiously. "I no longer require lessons from you anymore. It's clear that my brother truly is the superior ninja between the two of you."
"I'm a Chunin." The protest was weak and watching Sasuke's eyes narrow like that, the boy was not buying what Shisui was selling.
"Irrelevant. Nii-san will be a Chunin soon enough and then it's only a matter of time before he surpasses a weakling like you!"
"You take that back!" Shisui barked, looking ready to lunge except a glint of metal stopped him dead in his tracks: Hinata holding the elder Uchiha's kunai an inch from Shisui's eye. Alright, Minato could admit to a failure...he had not even noticed the girl take it; reluctantly impressed, the Senju wondered if the girl had a future in stealth training. Perhaps Naruto would take her under his wing?
"Please hold still, Shisui-san." Hinata murmured, her other hand snaking out to secure the wet, squishy knot of dark hair in a firm grip. "I'm going to cut the gum out."
Preternatural stillness was a talent that every genin attained some skill in by the time they became Chunin. That or they died. It was unsettling watching a vibrant personality like Shisui suddenly freeze like a statue. The other two boys barely paid attention, but Minato was sure the shift in posture was the result of the duo that were now standing barely two meters away.
To his subordinates or the overly interested passerby, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked like a doting village leader taking in the antics of some of the youngest citizens. To Minato, an individual that had once held this man's trust and counsel, the Sandaime looked like a man revisited by ghosts from the past. In a very real sense, Minato was the legacy of Tobirama Senju-the very same man that had sacrificed his life to ensure the future of the next generation. The very same man that had gone to his death after naming the young Sarutobi the next Hokage.
Hiruzen looked significantly older since their last meeting, but the eyes were sharp as ever taking in the scene with practiced assessment. The Hokage was intelligent enough to appear focused on the group, but Minato knew that he was dissecting everything from his appearance, clothing, to the children he was playing with. There was no hostility yet, Minato could work with that.
"You're going to have to get a haircut." Sasuke was doing a poor impersonation of his older brother's stoic mask, even sniggering slightly.
"He might look tougher if he shaved his head." Naruto snickered, both hands extending to prod the clump of dark hair. "This was the best prank ever!"
"What are you implying, Naruto-kun?! Eh!" Shisui pounced, tickling the startled blonde jinchuuriki. It was a pleasing thing to watch his son-no, his friend being tickled within an inch of his life while squealing with delight.
Hinata was clearly warring with her rigid upbringing and the good mood her friends were in, though Shisui and Naruto's laughter proved to be contagious and soon enough Sasuke, Minato, and Hinata were all giggling heartily.
Hiruzen chakra signature fluctuated between relaxed and tensed for action. If he had to guess, Minato felt sure the Sandaime was using the excuse of observing the group to stall. As a Hokage, if Minato had come across a scene like this, he would have been loath to interrupt even for duty. The sight of a young Uzumaki, a Hyuuga, and Uchiha, and a Senju playing together was unheard of in any generation. Poor Sandaime, the old man was probably having a coronary while they teased poor Shisui.
"Thank you for playing with us, Shisui-san. I'm certain you'll recover from the experience after your hair grows back." Minato, aware of the scrutiny from the sidelines, refused to bat an eyelash. Instead, he shot an earnest look at Shisui who nimbly regained his feet and only shrugged amiably.
"Ah you're all welcome squirts." The group of them suffered ruffled hair from the Uchiha boy, even Minato laughed and enjoyed the moment. Distantly he sensed another approaching chakra signature, but he dismissed it in favor of continuing to covertly watch Hiruzen spy on him from the sidelines. "But don't think you're all off the hook. You all better look out, I'm pretty fast on my feet and I won't be going easy on you next time!"
"Next time?" Naruto did not mask his astonishment as he leaned forward eagerly, earning a calculating look from Sasuke who narrowed his eyes slightly.
The Uchiha boy grunted, before turning to nod at Hinata before finally settling on Minato. "Hyuuga-san, Minato-san, we can meet up again at this park and play sometime. And if the dobe comes, I guess he can play too."
"Hey!" The outraged blonde shrieked. As a parent he would have been quietly amused, but as one of Naruto's friends, Minato just grinned widely and patted the scowling blonde lightly on the shoulder, feeling the boy relax a fraction even if the grumpy expression remained firmly in place.
"Sasuke-kun, you may call me, Hinata." Hinata still remained reserved, but there was a certain steadiness emerging in the girl. Hopefully at little more time with them would banish her shyness altogether. "I think it would be very nice if we could all be friends."
"I imagine your father would be pleased to hear you have made new friends, Hinata-sama."
A low voice that Minato had not heard in a long time called out from across the clearing as the revered branch member quietly crossed to where their collective group was. Shisui stood up, alert but still looking relaxed, while the group all turned toward the new voice. Allowing himself to appear curious, Minato took a moment to glance at each individual of the group. Hiashi's brother was identical to his twin save for the disgusting green seal displayed over the otherwise unmarred face; the man was looked at him once before turning back to Hinata with approval shining in his eyes. Itachi stood at Hiruzen's elbow silently exchanging some sort of coded conversation with Shisui. And Sarutobi was staring directly at him.
Rather than feel intimidated, Minato just smiled and canted his head to the side before deliberately refocusing on Hinata.
"Is that your Tou-san? Do you have to go home now?" Minato staged the appropriate inquiry and infused just a touch of disappointment into his voice. After all, it was not even time for lunch yet-the day was young!
"No." Hinata responded automatically, her chakra flickering with strands of collective anxiety. The girl looked determinedly down and scuffed her sandal on the ground. "I'm sorry for interrupting your day oji-sama."
"Hinata-sama does have to come home." Naruto looked utterly crestfallen and the Uchiha trio were unreadable as ever, but the Hyuuga branch member softened his tone somewhat and his gaze wandered to each child in turn before resting with a softened look to the girl that was all but cowering in front of him. "But I will make sure that she is permitted to play with you all whenever she has free time." Hinata's body jerked like livewire, her posture straightening and the boggled girl looking torn by disbelief and gratitude. "There is no hardship in coming to get you, Hinata-sama. In fact, I am pleased to see that she has made friends in untraditional places."
There was a pointed look from Hizashi to the Hokage while the old man simply smiled indulgently, a fraction of genuine approval in the Kage's demeanor. The older Uchiha boys may have concealed it well, but their wide eyes told everyone exactly how shocked they were by the announcement. Hinata's mouth opened and closed without emitting a sound, but no one more than Naruto who looked shaken to the core that someone would actually choose to allow their children to play with them.
"Well, that's good to hear." Minato clapped his hands together, breaking up the heavy atmosphere with a light grin. "I'm glad we'll get to play with you again, Hinata-san!"
"Yeah!" Naruto all but screamed, complete opposite of Sasuke's mute nod. Minato warmed inside to see how happy their friend looked. And it was barely noticeable, but the longer their little group interacted, the more relaxed the Hokage's chakra became. Instead of a maelstrom, there was an acute wind. A solid difference in Minato's humble opinion.
"It's not every day that a Hokage has the opportunity to see some of our upcoming shinobi at play." Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke with a gentle authority that hardly needed to be loud to command attention-Naruto really ought to take notes. The group turned to look at the robed figure and Minato blocked out Sasuke asking if "the old geezer was actually the strongest ninja in the village. Hizashi had taken his place at Hinata's side and the pair bowed shortly.
"Jiji!" The group collectively flinched and staggered backward when Naruto shrieked and raced toward the Hokage, throwing decorum out the window. The Sandaime looked utterly unphased by the rambunctious blonde practically assaulting him in public and merely placed a gnarled, placating hand on Naruto's head. "What are you doing here?! Are we gonna have ramen?! We haven't been in forever. Can my friends come, old man?"
"I must have eaten lunch with another boy last week then." Hiruzen chuckled slightly, before patting the blonde on the head. "But I always enjoy our time together, Naruto-kun. I promise that I will arrange for us to go out together soon."
"Tonight."
"Tomorrow night, Naruto-kun," the Hokage's tone was friendly but firm and the blonde sighed in defeat and Hiruzen squeezed the boy's shoulder in a show of affection that Naruto unconsciously leaned into. "But I see that you've made some friends. Would you like to introduce me?"
"Right!" Naruto grinned widely and skittered back toward where his friends were standing. The blonde slung an arm around Minato's shoulder, dragged an unwilling Uchiha by his shirt, and Hinata dashed ahead to avoid being bulldozed.
"So Jiji, this here is Hinata-chan!" Said girl flushed scarlet like she was willing herself to sink into the ground.
"Sasuke." The lack of honorific really said it all.
Naruto's voice dropped slightly from hyperactivity and said in a quieter voice. "And Minato-chan." Before the quiet exploded with a bit of tacked on, utterly unnecessary information that made Minato wish for a vacation to Iwa. "He's a boy."
Hinata blanched, Itachi twitched, Shisui choked on air and spectacularly failed at suppressing his giggles.
"Idiot!" A solid blow knocked the blonde off his feet and onto the ground clutching his hair and wailing like a kicked pup. For once, Minato did not sympathize with the squirming blonde. Sasuke stood over the scene of the crime looking exceptionally crazed for a mere four-year-old. "Stop stating the obvious already!"
"How is it obvious?" Minato really, really wished he could just flash out of this situation and not because of the looming interrogation. "I really couldn't tell without asking!"
"Eh, that's pretty lame, gaki!" Shisui offered cheerily as he rubbed his patched spot of hair above his right ear. "Your poor friend looks like a tomato!"
'Ah Kushina, all I need is your temperament and I could retaliate freely. Alas, that particular ingredient was not part of this time travel fiasco.'
"I'm sorry, Minato." Naruto really did look properly horrified and nervous, which instantly expelled his embarrassment.
Knowing his son needed him, he wrapped his arms around Naruto's far too-thin body and vowed to do something about it after his interrogation-assuming all went according to plan. Minato felt the other boy tremble slightly before his arms mechanically moved to return the squeeze until finally the other boy was just holding on for dear life desperately. Beyond them, their audience was staring with differing reactions; the other kids both looked uncertain, Shisui had popped a camera out of nowhere and was taking a picture, and the Sandaime was observing with an aura of cautious optimism-still guarded, but a long way from going on the offensive. Minato simply accepted his task of soaking up the other boy's anxiety like a human sponge.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're my friend, Naruto."
"Me too." The words were infused with force cheer, likely to conceal the turmoil the other boy was experiencing.
'I'll always be here, my son. I will always protect you.'
'You can't think of him like that, gaki. This boy's father is still trapped in the Shinigami's stomach. That life is no longer your own.'
'I know. But this time...I'm not sure I can let go, Kurama.'
' You can't be a father to him, Minato. You can be his friend.'
'I know.' He really did, even if he wanted to pretend otherwise.
When he pulled back, Minato deliberately flashed a grin to the other two children who returned the sentiment with their own personal flourishes; Hinata flushed pink and Sasuke smirked slightly.
"I'm very pleased to see that you have made new friends, Naruto-kun." The Sandaime said not unkindly, but strongly enough that Minato knew the Kage's patience was at an end. "But I'm afraid I need to borrow Minato-kun from you for a while."
"Is it because he doesn't have anybody looking after him?" Naruto questioned, frighteningly perceptive in that moment. Unbeknownst to Naruto, but Minato watched Hinata become rather flustered and Sasuke's fists ball. "Like me?"
Minato heard Hizashi whispering something to Hinata in hushed tones and Itachi had moved to place a restraining hand on Sasuke's shoulder. Four years old or not, but their friends were uncomfortable with the latest revelations. The world they lived in was not always fair and for sheltered clan children, this may be their first glimpse of the real world.
"You are certainly insightful Naruto-kun." The blonde perked up as if he had been showered in sunshine. Certainly there was no one better at shamming than Sarutobi Hiruzen; granted, nearly a lifetime leading Konoha just might have that effect. "I am indeed concerned for your friend's well-being. I'm going to have to take him with me until while we discuss his situation."
"Don't worry, Minato-chan!" The blonde Jinchuriki appeared in front of him consolingly. "Jiji is gonna take care of everything. He's the Hokage so he is a lot stronger than he looks." Minato sweat-dropped, uncertain what strength had to do with this equation. "And after that, you can come back to my apartment when you're done!"
So trusting. So naive. The young Senju wished he had such an excuse.
A heavy unyielding hand descended on Minato's shoulder and he tipped his head to stare at the Sandaime curiously.
"My name is Sarutobi Hiruzen and I'm the Hokage of Konohagakure no Sato." Minato felt the heat from the palm of his shoulder and the tickle of chakra testing his own lightly. The Sandaime's tone was light and Minato could tell that the warmth was not entirely fabricated. "I've been informed that by Itachi-san that your name is Minato is that right?"
It was a psychological tactic to ingratiate oneself with younger targets in order to ensure complicit behavior. Minato was more than familiar with the method, have employed it himself once or twice, so he prepared for it and ready to respond accordingly. Submitting easily would go far to alleviate certain suspicions which was something the Senju was banking on.
"Hai." Minato tilted his head up and smile guilelessly. "My name is Senju Minato. It's an honor to meet you." He deliberately turned his head to toward his group of friends, noting Naruto was the only one that looked entirely at ease with the situation. "Naruto-kun cannot come with me?"
A pleased glimmer stole over the Sandaime's face before his expression returned to a friendly neutral look.
"I'm afraid not, Minato-kun. But if all goes well, I can arrange for you to be reunited with him later." Hiruzen baited a carrot and Minato smirked inwardly in triumph before bobbing his head indulgently and even slipped in a disappointed sigh. "But Shisui-san will be coming with us."
"You're taking Gumhead-san! Why can't I go then?" Naruto flipped, turning and glaring at the Sandaime rebelliously. "I'm better company than that guy!"
"Hey!" Shisui protested, bopping Naruto on the head effortlessly with a flick of his hand. "I'm the coolest Uchiha you'll ever meet."
"More like most annoying." Sasuke muttered under his breath earning a fiery glare from his cousin, while Hinata hid a smile behind her hand.
"I don't mind. Shisui was nice enough to play with us so that is good enough for me." Minato stated, grinning when the older Uchiha proved his maturity and stuck his tongue out at a fuming Sasuke. though he turned from the Hyuugas to the Uchiha brothers and up to the Sandaime's hawkish gaze with an imploring look. "If it's not an imposition, may Naruto-kun eat with you? There isn't anything to eat at his apartment and I'm worried he will get hungry."
The atmosphere became rather grim despite the sunny day and the Sandaime looked like he had aged another decade in a matter of moments. Naruto looked horrified and was shaking his head vigorously only to wilt when practically everyone inspected him as they might a bug.
"The dobe can eat with us." Sasuke announced to the shock of everyone, even Itachi gave his brother a subtle once over-probably looking for genjutsu. "Kaa-san won't mind. And Minato can join us later after he's done."
Hinata turned a pleading glance in Hizashi's direction who nodded slowly after mulling the matter over.
"Uzumaki-san is more than welcome to dine with our family. I assure you that he will be welcome." Translation: no harm will befall him.
Naruto was frozen like a deer in the headlights, too shocked to move.
Itachi, gifted with intuition and the knowledge of tense clan relations, waited for a verdict from the Sandaime without a word.
"I am very pleased by the invitations from both your clans," there was a genuine sentiment in Hiruzen's tone and the man looked as if a tremendous weight had been freed from his shoulders. "This moment has been a long time in coming. Naruto, go with the Uchiha Clan." The uncertain disbelief on Itachi's face parroted by Shisui was a revelation of the fractured state of affairs in the village. Perhaps this event could be the start in mending that rift. A Kage could only hope. "And if the invite is extended, join the Hyuuga family another time."
"The invitation stands on any day you wish, Uzumaki-san." Hizashi acknowledged and Hinata looked frazzled with delight. "Our family will not turn away a hungry child."
Minato literally had to fight back a dubious glare toward Hizashi. While he trusted the branch member implicitly in his former life, Hiashi suffered a lot of pressure from the elders of the Hyuuga Clan. While the father in him wanted to be thankful, the former Yondaime was skeptical that the offer could be fulfilled. In any event, it was out of his hands.
"Thank you," Naruto mumbled, taking a few shaky steps to stand between Sasuke and Itachi. The shaken boy shot a shaky smile in his direction. "See you later, Minato."
"Very good," the Sandaime commented, cementing his grip on Minato's shoulder. "Shisui, let's go."
"See you later, Naruto-kun." He waved to the other boy just as the ground vanished and they reappeared in front of Konoha General.
"They aren't going to poke me are they?" A childhood worry crept up on the young Senju and he stopped flat, feeling somewhat queasy. The fear brought up an errant feeling or irrationality that he had difficulty mastering. "I don't like it."
"I'm afraid a blood test will be necessary." The Hokage obviously was attempting to be upfront and chivalrous, which he definitely appreciated. Unnoticed by himself, his reaction was scrutinized by both individuals and categorized as a normal response and diminished suspicion slightly. "And we're going to have to ask you some questions, Minato-kun."
Minato's heart sank as a memory of being under Tsunade's care while Jiraiya visited came back to haunt him. His mentor enraging his temperamental teammate before dashing off and leaving an irate Tsunade with his apprentice. A dozen 'necessary' and incredibly humiliating exams later bookmarked the event as one of the most mortifying in his life.
"Chin up, little silver." Out of nowhere, Minato was hoisted onto the Uchiha's shoulders and he reflexively wrapped his legs around the target and gripped the back of Shisui's dark shirt. "I'll stick with you the whole time. And Hokage-sama won't let them hurt you."
Oddly touched since his original background mirrored that of a lonely orphan, Minato felt at a loss of how to proceed. Growing up alone, Minato had not faced persecution like Naruto, but his pool of friends had not exactly expanded until after he became a genin. Touch was not something that he had familiarized himself with outside of killing and Kushina. Not even Jiraiya-sensei had been the touchy type outside of a solid punch-unless you counted the fairer sex. It was different-brotherly perhaps-and it was unexpectedly nice.
"Thank you, Shisui-san." Minato grinned, unable to resist bouncing a little bit on the shoulder supporting him, earning a sputter from below as they stepped into the hospital and immediately turned down a corridor that Minato knew would lead to a restricted area. "Will you be staying too, Hokage-sama?"
"I will, Minato-kun." The Hokage responded amiably, though the shadows under the man's eyes suggested the Kage was more disturbed than he was letting on. Not...the most ideal beginning. "As pleased as I am to meet you, your appearance here is highly unusual and will require some answers."
Minato felt Shisui's grip tighten slightly on his ankles and the Senju fussed with the uncooperative tufts of ebony hair absently.
"I'll do my best to help," he offered it up like a child seeking a reward and Minato felt the briefest measure of success when the Sandaime offered one of his rare, genuine smiles in return.
"If you answer all of my questions honestly, I assure you that everything will go as smoothly as possible."
"I wasn't going to lie." He kept his face honest, ducking deftly to avoid a low hanging plant that Shisui almost ran him into.
"I'm very pleased to hear that." Yep, Hiruzen was using his approving voice. Definitely on the right track.
"See, little silver! The Hokage really is a nice old man! Not scary at all!"
Shisui really was a good egg. The older boy's attempts to keep his spirits up and obvious concern was...touching. A bit concerning for future infiltration and assassination missions, but Minato was pleased with how deeply the young man cared for a child he had just met. To be the focus of someone's protective impulses was certainly a change in nature.
"Do you suppose Sasuke-san has tried to turn Naruto-kun into a crisp?" Minato lead the conversation astray, playing upon his age.
Shisui's tension drain correlated with how relaxed he was and the Uchiha laughed aloud at that thought. "Forget that! My oba-san has probably trapped them both in a torturous genjutsu. She's brilliant with them! Only Itachi is more naturally talented among our clan with that art."
"She sounds scary! Will they really be okay?" Understatement of the century. Kushina was legendary across the nations for her temper, but she had nothing on her best friend's blow ups. Unlike his wife, Mikoto Uchiha possessed legendary patience, however, Minato had been unfortunate enough to witness the Uchiha matriarch's patience crack. It had not been a fun day for anyone, but especially for Fugaku. Needless to say, even Kushina had walked on eggshells if Mikoto showed signs of strain.
"Ah, what's the worst that could happen?" Shisui muttered, sounding unconvinced of his own argument.
They bypassed a few curious nurses before entering another zone labelled 'Authorized Personnel Only' while the Hokage listened to their chatter. Beyond the doors, one of the unlabelled observation rooms awaited with a medic waiting for them patiently.
"Hokage-sama." The woman, undoubtedly ANBU or former ANBU, bowed briskly before smiling faintly up at him. "You must be my patient."
"You're going to poke me." Minato did his best not to pout, though gauging by even the Sandaime's amused look, it was far from a successful effort. But he found he could not recall the lapse in composure when it yielded positive results.
"I am," the unnamed kunoichi acknowledged but her expression was kind. "But it will only be a small pain."
"Alrighty!" Shisui swung him off his shoulders and Minato mourned the loss of the extra height when he was right back to looking up at everyone. Before he had time to react, his hand was encased in larger one. Minato paused, glanced to their paired hands in surprise before turning to look up at Shisui who winked impishly at him. "I told you I'd stay with you, squirt! An Uchiha never breaks a promise!"
"Ahem," the Sandaime pointed to the room. "Head on in."
A plain examination room with an observation room behind one-way glass. No doubt Shikaku was one of the observers and while Minato had a short list of secondary subjects, he was not willing to play unfavorable odds guessing.
There was an examination bed lacking a stool. Minato walked toward it and found the tip of his nose even with the top of the mattress. Before he could attempt to clamber up, Shisui was behind him again, boosting him up. While he would have preferred Naruto's company, Shisui was friendly and nice and felt strangely like a safety net.
Though his disarming nature may be precisely the reason he was brought along on this venture. That and his Sharingan.
"Remember, no test results are to be recorded except on the file that you will hand to me when you are finished. All testing samples are to be destroyed at the completion of your exams. Am I clear?"
"Understood, Hokage-sama. I'll conduct the tests first and leave you the room." The medic spoke, moving toward him at receiving the nod from the Kage.
Look up. Look down. Ear checks. Foot checks-what was that about? Mouth swabs. A needle that he turned away from and sucked in a deep breath while Shisui murmured some funny story involving Sasuke, Itachi, and a hungry rabbit. The blood sample was collected and pocketed by the ANBU-though Minato knew they were doing a DNA comparison and even he was interested to find out exactly what they would discover. Tobirama had not exactly given him specifics so he would just have to roll with the punches on that end.
Finally, they had him strip down to his underwear.
'Here it comes, Kurama.'
'Why were you consorting with that Uchiha?'
'Our lives are on the line and you're busy worrying about your feud with Madara?'
'I'm not going to concern myself with your petty little interview with the Sandaime. You try my patience with your endless quirks, but you are a capable strategist and not completely annoying. The only reason you're nervous like a little schoolgirl is because you are literally feeling your age. Except you and I both know that you are not four so quit pestering me with your moronic statements...but don't expect to get away without discussing that Uchiha.'
'You're still stuck on that?'
'I'm going to eat you someday, Senju.'
'Love you too, buddy. Love you too.'
The medic's diagnostic jutsu paused as it converged over the seal. Like a ripple in the water, inky black lines spread out and away from the centre of his belly. Shisui's breath caught in his throat and the medic made a low murmur. Instantly, the Sandaime had moved from his chair in the corner to hover directly over his exposed navel with a shrewd, calculating look.
"Hokage-sama...this is a seal, but I'm unfamiliar with the intricacies of the art." No kidding. Minato internally snorted. Fuinjutsu was a dying art and he had not had enough time to begin instructing anyone besides Kakashi before his untimely death.
Shisui's fingers clenched his own in a silent show of support and he returned the squeeze.
"This is...this seal is active." Hiruzen's words were numb as he stared blankly at the exposed writings. Everyone automatically considered Jiraiya the Sannin as the foremost Fuinjutsu expert, but the Sandaime's knowledge was nothing to slough at. The man had been one of the pupil's of Tobirama Senju and the teacher for all three members of the Sannin that utilized seals in various capacities. The man was called the Professor and it showed in how the gnarled fingers reached out to trace lines around the seal with a narrow gaze.
"Well, yeah." Minato shrugged his shoulders, hyper aware of the intense scrutiny his flippant reaction was likely to draw, but he just shrugged it off and rolled a piece of string between his fingers like the conversation was boring. "I'm a jinchuuriki."
There was an air of calculation obviously caught off-guard by the casual declaration.
"Kimiko-san, you're dismissed until you have the results of your tests prepared. What you have just heard is an S-rank secret. You know what that means."
"Hokage-sama." The medic responded formally and vanished just as silently.
"Shisui, your Sharingan if you will."
Kurama growled slightly, but Minato's willpower suppressed any trace of demonic chakra from seeping into his chakra network. Instead, he cautiously stared into the red pupils with the perfect three tomoes.
"That looks cool." He said it because he had always thought so but saying so would have Fugaku to react like an offended peacock back in the day. Shisui though, seemed a little more casual.
"I suppose it does." Shisui was still smiling, but his posture had changed. Here was a shinobi.
"Minato." The Hokage had moved his chair so they were directly face to face. "I need to ask you some questions now. I need you to answer honestly. Do you understand?"
"Hai, Hokage-sama." He gave a resolute nod that the Hokage returned slightly.
The former Kage did not miss the subtle signal Shisui gave to the Sandaime.
It was a fascinating thing to watch Sarutobi Hiruzen think. Initially, the thinking was mechanical, like pieces of a cog spinning out possibilities in a logical concise manner. But when a wrench was thrown into the mix, thoughts became lightning quick, spinning through a dozen possible scenarios and weighing inevitable calculations and arriving at decisions. From the perspective of someone who had been a Kage once, the Senju was found the assessment exciting and a solid indicator of something interesting happening.
Except Minato anticipated the next question might cost him far more than he was prepared to sacrifice so he diverted the flow of thinking by offering up some true and exciting commentary like one might offer a juicy steak to a predator.
"I suppose you want to know which bijuu I have." Minato shifted and scratched his leg, knowing the observers were watching everything he did and wanting to project the casual acceptance found only in the youngest children. "Well, I'm the Jinchuuriki for the Kyuubi. I'm not sure if that helps you very much."
Shisui blanched and the Sandaime's countenance adopted a sickly shade of grey like an aging corpse. Minato knew he would garner a reaction, but it was a tactical decision that he felt would be necessary to weave a plausible background for his new identity.
The Sharingan was an incredibly effective lie-detector test when a person knew what to look for; the dojutsu being able to moderate external nuances and make determinations is what made them such excellent interrogators. And as he knew Shisui would, the Uchiha nodded slightly giving the old man unexpected news: The Sandaime knew that Minato was telling the truth. Except...that was impossible, wasn't it?
"Minato-kun," the Sandaime was incredibly serious with no trace of anything except a military leader in his demeanor. "While I believe that you believe this, your announcement is an impossibility due to circumstances only I am aware of. Can you explain yourself better?"
Glancing to Shisui in a childish move for reassurance, Minato waited for the Uchiha to behave as expected as was not disappointed when Shisui smiled and nodded, though it was inevitably a false reassurance.
"Everything is going to be alright, Minato-kun." The hypnotic quality was...almost frightening and possibly with a trace of genjutsu behind it. Either way, it would change nothing. Kurama was already actively monitoring his chakra network. "Just answer the Hokage's questions. The sooner we finish talking, the sooner you can get out of here, right?"
"I suppose so." Minato responded quietly, knowing he was still far from out of the woods. "There are a lot of things I don't know, but I'll tell you everything I can."
Projecting sincerity was easy because Minato truly was sincere-he just might withhold a few specific details.
"Very good, Minato-kun." The Sandaime's tone had morphed back into a coaxing, grandfatherly voice. "Just tell us what you know."
"Um, from what I was told, the Kyuubi's Yang chakra was sealed in a Jinchuuriki while the Yin chakra was sealed away somewhere else." While the Kage made no effort to confirm or deny his assertion, Minato knew the wily old monkey was very much aware that two sealings had occurred that night-though no one else should have realized that. "I was told someone named Orochimaru broke the seal."
Narrowed eyes. "How?" The voice was forceful, angry and stained with remnants of betrayal.
"I don't know." Because he truly, actually had no idea. Suspicions but nothing solid.
"Very well." The Sandaime's eyes closed and Minato knew the old man was burdened with the weight of his mistakes in that moment. "Please continue, Minato-kun."
Cheered by the fact that Hiruzen was softening up to him even if his chakra was flickering continuously like lightning in a bottle-probably Orochimaru's fault. The snake Sannin was a traitor though and the Senju had no sympathy for the snaky bastard. "I know someone else created me using some sort of reincarnation jutsu."
"Reincarnation jutsu?" The professor looked deeply disturbed by this, while Shisui just shifted uncomfortably out of his depth. "Was it Orochimaru then?"
He shook his head, still finding the long hair something of an adjustment. "No. The man who created and performed the technique is dead."
A safe answer that revealed next to nothing with the added benefit of being true. Tobirama Senju was dead. Edo Tensei did not alter that fact.
"Is there anything else you know about the jutsu?" Shisui spoke forcefully, much to the Kage's surprise who whipped around in Shisui's direction. Even Minato tilted his head questioningly, blatantly ignoring Kurama's rumblings in the background. "Anything you remember?"
"I know that someone aside from the jutsu's caster had to give up their life." Again, he sent a silent thank you to the fox for sparing him Kakashi's death. At the same time, he flashed an apologetic look toward stony-faced Hiruzen. "I don't really know much more than that. I wasn't really told all that much."
"Blood and seals, what else?" The question appeared not directed at anyone in particular since Hiruzen rose and was pacing the room. The Kage's pipe had seemingly appeared from thin air and the man lit the thing and stuck it in his mouth and puffed away as his mind worked at a furious rate.
Minato glanced at the clock and sighed when his stomach rumbled unpleasantly. Lunchtime was certainly over by now. If he had been out of here, Minato had considered splurging with the last of his money to buy them something healthier than ramen. Though, thinking of Naruto, he was sure the boy would have put up a fuss at missing a chance for lunch at Ichiraku.
The chair scraped the ground as Shisui rocked back on his heels, shooting him a crooked grin.
"You're doing great kiddo...this has just been a lot to dissect. Some of what you've said is...quite the surprise." Shisui looked far too encouraging and burned so strongly with the resilient compassion that made Konoha so strong. "Just bear with us a little longer. Okay, little silver?"
Minato frowned, unsure how he felt about the nickname, but he reasoned that it was probably better than being called a girl.
"I'm tough." Minato deadpanned.
Shisui burst out laughing and the Senju quickly followed suit, noting the Hokage had paused in his motions to watch them. The Sandaime had been ready for retirement when Minato Namikaze took the hat, Minato could see the weariness in the man's stature and a genuine readiness to be free of the burden of leadership. For now, there was nothing he could do but...on an impulse Minato climbed off the bed and stopped in front of the Hokage and gripped one of the old man's hands and squeezed. There was still strength in this man.
Hiruzen looked genuinely fond when he returned the gesture, going so far as to allow himself to be lead to the bed where they both sat together across from a stunned Uchiha.
"Did you actually have parents, Minato? Do you know who they were?"
Again, Minato disappointed the man with a shake of his head. "I've never known my parents. I've been told that I'm a Senju now...whatever else I am, I don't know."
"You look remarkably similar to my sensei, Tobirama Senju." The old man shared, staring at Minato's face but seeming to look past him into a memory. "If the jutsu you told us about works as I suspect it would, I'm guessing you are of his descent. If that's the case, I have no doubt you will have the potential to be an amazing shinobi if that is the path you would like to follow. But there are a few more questions I need to ask, Minato-kun."
"I'll do my best."
"I could ask no more." Hiruzen chuckled, his eyes showing strain of heartache and the beginnings of something protective.
"Where are you from, Minato-kun?"
"I think the place I was from is gone," he confessed, doing his best to remain honest while still spinning a tale to suit his needs. He allowed some of the sadness he had felt at seeing the countless casualties strewn along the battlefront. So many names he did not even know. "The man sent me here by some sort of strange seal. He told me I would not see him again and used some sort of seal to send me here. There were bodies everywhere. I've never seen so many. There was nothing left, but I was saved."
"A transportation seal?" The Kage mused, lips pursing in thought. "A descendent of that clan?"
Minato looked up at the old man helplessly knowing this was the most crucial moment of all. "Ever since I became a Jinchuuriki, I was sealed away and forgotten." The chakra in the room felt thicker with a furious intensity, but Minato had weathered far more terrifying storms than this. The Shinigami's stomach had been a nightmare even if it did win him Kurama's friendship. "I'm sorry I can't tell you much, but I have nothing except myself and my name. I don't have much to offer you, Hokage-sama. But please, don't send me back."
"You will not be going back." An idea had formed in Hiruzen's mind. Like a stone settling at the bottom of a stream, Hiruzen's eyes were dark with outrage. "The Senju are one of the founding clans of Konoha. Much like the Uchiha." Sarutobi nodded in Shisui's direction, Minato almost recoiling when he witnessed how utterly pissed off the boy looked. "From this day forward, you will be a citizen of Konoha."
"Thank you, sir!" Impulsively, Minato wrapped his arms around the surprisingly broad frame. The man stiffened, but rather quickly strong arms wrapped around his small frame and returned the gesture.
"It may take me some time to decide where to put you...but there is one more thing I need to ask you, Minato." The Hokage pulled back, locking eyes with him.
"Of course." Why did he suddenly feel like the room had become so small as he became lost in the dark eyes.
"You said you were sent here. Were you told where you were going?"
"No." True again. Tobirama could only approximate and had nothing definitive to offer. It was a good bout of luck that landed him successfully in Konoha. "I think he was in a hurry because he made it sound like he did not have much time."
"I see." Minato highly doubted that, but he played along for the sake of things. "Why did you seek out Naruto?"
"I got clothes first," he muttered, knowing that his comment would be verified. "But...Naruto's chakra felt like mine."
The suspicion lifted like a cloud and the old man looked certainly more relaxed and more amused.
"You could sense him." The Sandaime stated more to himself, looking highly amused. "My sensei was an incredible sensory type...I should have guessed that you would inherit that from him."
A knock and the ANBU returned carrying a folder and looking incredibly unsettled.
"I ran the test results twice, Hokage-sama. I'm at a loss to explain them, but they will be as you see them."
"Dismissed." Just as quickly, the woman let herself out and the Hokage opened the file, eyes widening again before snapping the file shut.
"However improbable, these results definitely demonstrate the success of your reincarnation jutsu. Senju Minato indeed. I will make arrangements to have a relative of yours brought back into town. Also...it appears you're going to have an older brother...Minato-kun. Unfortunately, he is out of the village at the moment but ."
"A brother?" His face must have looked absolutely bulldozed because Shisui snickered at him teasingly. What exactly had Tobirama done?
"According to these records, your two parents match the DNA of Senju Tobirama and Hatake Sakumo. Both were Kage level shinobi which possibly explains why they were the focus of the jutsu. Sakumo had a son, Kakashi, before he passed away. I will arrange for you to be introduced when he returns."
"So...can I stay with Naruto then?" He kept himself hopeful, noting the increasingly indulgent mood of Hiruzen.
"Actually," there was a scheming, purposeful element lighting the Hokage's eye. "I think it would be best if Shisui took you home with him for now. I can think of no safer place than among the Uchiha. Is that not so, Shisui-kun?"
The chunin looked elated on one side and horrified on the other, but eventually he nodded stiffly.
"It'll be good. Fugaku-sama might just realize what a good thing having you around is." Shisui muttered.
"Can Naruto stay too?"
The room was dead silent again.
"Only if you promise not to discuss the similarity you sensed in your chakra with Naruto."
That was not a best case scenario, but Minato agreed to it anyway.
"I promise."
"Very good." The Hokage looked particularly pleased and reached out and placed a hand on Minato's head like a benediction. "I'm very pleased that you're here, Minato-kun. The Senju Clan has been missed."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama," he dipped his head, squeaking when Shisui jerked him back to his feet.
"I can take him then?" There was palpable relief in the Uchiha's voice.
"You both may leave. But Shisui, you are to remain with him at all times." There was something dark in the old man's tone that reminded everyone exactly why the Sandaime was so feared among the nations. "Am I understood?"
"O-of course!" The black haired boy ran a hand through his hair nervously, only to moan when he stumbled upon the crater of missing strands. "Let's go, Lil Silver."
"Wait."
"What is it?"
Minato gave the Chunin his best Kage stare, folded his brows, and crossed his arms. "I want to ride again."
"Ugh! Slavedriver!" the Uchiha whined, but complied just the same, boosting him up on his shoulders. "I thought you were cute, but Sasuke might pull out as a favorite!"
"Bye Hokage-sama!" He hollered just as they stepped outside the door. "Thank you for letting me stay! I like it here!"
The Hokage's office was particularly quiet that afternoon. The Sandaime had issued an order to deny entrance to anyone short of an attack on the village and now the Nara and Yamanaka clan heads were digesting all that they had seen and heard. In a nutshell, today had become a classic case of troublesome.
The boy was the spitting image of his sensei. Bearing the family name of his predecessor and possessing half of the legacy of his fallen successor. And given the boy's appearance, any possibility of deflecting attention from his identity had little chance of success. In fact, Hiruzen was surprised his old friend was not breathing down his back already.
"So what do you think?" The Hokage inhaled deeply from his pipe, feeling like he had earned it considering all that had taken place.
"I think our intelligence division must have dropped the ball," Inoichi started the conversation, huffing over Shikaku's mutterings. "Before today, I would have said we had a fairly successful information network. We have agents inside nearly all the minor villages and even a successful informant in Suna and Kumo. Compile that with information provided by Jiraiya-sama, I felt comfortable with our level of intel. Except one of the shinobi world's greatest secrets was just discovered, unbeknownst to us, in the very heart of our village. Worse yet, we didn't have a clue he existed."
"Let's not forget to top off the involvement of one of our village's missing-nin." Shikaku shot him an openly disapproving look that the Hokage returned with his own steely glare. Enough regret had already gone into allowing Orochimaru to get away, but Hiruzen allowed Shikaku to get away with the disrespect for now. Enough cages had been rattled.
"That compounded with a wildcard fuinjutsu expert capable of using a reincarnation jutsu on top of resealing half the Kyuubi's chakra..." Inoichi swallowed and stood, showing tension through his upper body. "I just don't know what to say, Hokage-sama. I feel more than a little out of my depth here."
"Shikaku." The Naru was tensed like taut ninja wire and merely nodded slightly. "Do you believe the boy is lying?"
"I'll be frank, Hokage-sama." Shikaku tugged a kunai free and stared it before replacing it in his supply pouch. "I do not believe the boy is lying, though I do believe he may possess more information than he revealed." Sarutobi nodded, that had been his assessment as well." I do believe he genuinely wants to be here and I'm impressed by how he responded to Uchiha Shisui."
"Hmph." Inoichi snorted, snapping his ponytail from side to side. Shikaku glared at his former squad mate with familiar impatience common to the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. Inoichi merely rolled his eyes before continuing. "I'm also of the opinion the boy is telling the truth. Now that I know what to look for, I can definitely confirm the presence of a bijuu inside him. If anything, I think we're lucky we picked him up when we did."
"While it's troublesome, I'm inclined to agree." Shikaku twiddled his fingers while staring at Hiruzen's empty shogi board with a look of pinched concentration. "The fact is that our information is limited. What we do know is that someone was more than likely looking to grab a jinchuuriki when the mind is still young and malleable. Minato definitely is a perfect age to be raised by any village and turned into a weapon."
Hiruzen's mouth formed a grim line.
"You believe whoever attacked Minato's location was after the bijuu?"
"That would be my opinion, Hokage-sama."
"Kumo or Iwa would fit that bill quite easily, Sandaime-sama." Inoichi volunteered, only for Shikaku to sit upright with a peculiar jerk.
"What is it?" Hiruzen demanded, voice clipped.
"Perhaps the seal master in question was a part of a group of Uzushio survivors...or former captives that were being hunted down." The room fell into uncomfortable silence as the possible implications mounted. If Kumo or Iwa had gleaned any critical seal intelligence they would certainly have the ability to do crippling damage with that intel. "This additionally provides potential cause behind this assault our young Senju detailed. I saw the look on his face and I believe he did witness some sort of massacre scenario. But Uzumaki fuinjutsu was feared for good reason, if any sizeable group were discovered still alive..."
The Sandaime closed his eyes in silent regret and took a long puff from his pipe. "They would be targets for slaughter. Very well then, we have a few different theories, all plausible, to work with."
"And unfortunately no point of origin to begin a new search." Shikaku rubbed his brow before smiling ruefully.
"That boy is going to be a target as soon as word gets out." Inoichi mused, expression oddly abnormally pessimistic even by Yamanaka terms.
"But as soon as word does get out, it may flush out some answers for us. And if anyone considers making an attempt for him, Konoha will be prepared." Hiruzen was aware he was radiating killing intent. Outside his office, the ANBU stirred like a hive of restless insects, but their loyalty kept them at bay even if they were disturbed.
"So..." Inoichi cautiously began speaking, able to ignore the killing intent for the most part even if the man certainly made an effort to select his words with care. "This will certainly be a boost to morale that our village needs."
Shikaku looked thoughtful and Sarutobi grimaced. Politics were an unpleasant aspect of running a military dictatorship, but the founding clan had become all but extinct so a new 'heir' would certainly be cause for celebration among both the civilian and shinobi populace.
"I can arrange for an ANBU detachment to shadow him." Shikaku offered, folding his arms tightly. "Whether we make the announcement or not, the boy is not just a Senju. As a Jinchuuriki he will be a village asset."
"The boy's destiny was no longer his own from the moment he drew his first breath." Hiruzen glanced to the portrait he seldom looked at of his stern faced predecessor and wondered what his sensei would think about the fate of his young clansmen. From a pragmatic perspective, he knew that Tobirama-sensei would have understood and approved, but...a daring glance at the kind-faced Shodai had Sarutobi closing his eyes for a moment in shame.
Forgive me, Hashirama-sama. This child of your line will be a symbol of our village and the will of fire that you believed in. Do not think me unfeeling, but I am Hokage now and I will do what I must.
"I intend to place him under the protection of the Uchiha Clan."
Inoichi sucked in a breath sharply and Shikaku stilled in the manner only a Nara could manage so perfectly.
"You risk much doing so." The Nara Head finally murmured. "There will be opposition to this decision."
"Understatement," Inoichi massaged his temples with a growl. "The Hyuugas are going to be a disaster."
"Considering how amiable Hizashi-san was when he met young Minato with Itachi's brother in attendance, I rather doubt the fallout will be as you imagine it." Sarutobi rubbed his hands together, mind firmly entrenched in a web of plots. "Hiashi and Fugaku share a mutual animosity-that fact is not in question. But his daughter was playing quite happily with Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and our Senju."
Again, the silenced overtook the room and the man revered as the Kami of Shinobi felt an ounce of illogical satisfaction at his accomplishment. The Hyuugas and the Uchiha were oil and water, surpassing the notoriety of Madara's dissatisfaction with the Senju Clan. But together, the combination possibilities were endless.
"I see that you are already considering using Minato's position to reintegrate the Uchiha Clan back into the village." Shikaku confronted him boldly, extending a hand to place a closed fist on the Hokage's desk. "But there is a flaw in your plan, Hokage-sama."
"Speak then."
"That boy has a brother. Peculiar circumstances or not, Kakashi will have to raise him."
"Hatake-san is hardly stable enough to raise the boy," Inoichi snapped, drawing the stone-faced Nara up short. "I'm in charge of the psychological welfare of our shinobi and I can tell you right now that Hatake is far from over the death of Namikaze-sama. He is in no position to look after a goldfish let alone a four-year-old."
Something strange passed through the Nara's eyes and the Kage acknowledged that it would probably need to be addressed at some point.
"The Uchiha will be given charge of Naruto's protective detail with Itachi and Shisui keeping an unofficial eye on things. Most importantly, I'm recalling Jiraiya and Tsunade." Inoichi swallowed audibly and Shikaku nodded curtly in understanding after Hiruzen levelled a particular glare in his direction. "I may have to tell Naruto-kun about his tenant due to Minato, but I will not discuss the matter further."
"Tsunada-sama swore never to return..." Inoichi trailed off at the positively glacial look on his face.
"Tsunade will return or she will find herself a missing-nin. I intend to place Minato in her care; I know my student well enough to believe the comfort of family may be just the thing to help her." The Sandaime was pleased to see something like approval shine briefly in the Nara's eyes before the man's expression closed off. Inoichi merely looked troubled, but accepted it just the same. "Everything we have just discussed will be classed S-rank and to be discussed with absolutely no one for now. There will be a Council meeting tomorrow morning since it will be rather unavoidable and Danzo is certainly going to raise trouble. Inoichi-san, thank you for your time and your insight. You're dismissed for now."
"Anytime Hokage-sama," the man bowed, looking like he wanted to say something before turning and leaving.
The two remaining men waited quietly and the Hokage reached down, snagged two glasses from his drawer, and poured a couple glasses of sake. The Jounin Commander accepted the beverage with a grunt, downing it before turning to stare at the shogi board again.
"Orochimaru hmm?" Shikaku muttered, the village's greatest mind looking sharp like a finely kept kunai. "I've had a team in mind for some time now. All we need is solid intel on a location and I can prepare a kill team."
"I know that you never approved of my decision to let Orochimaru go." Admitting the truth was a bitter pill, but the youthful face of his favorite student was engrained upon his heart. The loss of his son had been painful, but that had been nothing compared to the sting of Orochimaru's betrayal. "Regardless, if this operation is to be successful and without so many numerous casualties, I need your help. This incident had helped me harden my resolve and I am prepared to do what is necessary-by my own hand if I must."
"Explanations are unnecessary, Hokage-sama." Shikaku looked up from his board with a wry smile. "But I am pleased that our village will finally have the opportunity to bring its greatest traitor to heel. And while I'm dubious about using the boy to settle tensions among the Uchiha, I think the existence of the opportunity is too good to pass up."
"Very well, then. Shikaku, you can go."
The man stood and walked toward the door at a deceptively casual pace before pausing.
"Hokage-sama."
"Hmm?" He puffed on his pipe, staring at the fading sunlight casting the last rays upon the sky.
"You should tell Uzumaki Naruto." Hiruzen sucked in a breath, feeling like it was just one more no-win scenario for the day.
"I'll consider it."
Nothing more was said. Soon enough, Hiruzen was alone with his thoughts penning the first of more than a dozen missives due to go out. This one was special. A bit of chakra into a prepared scroll and one of Jiraiya's messenger toads appeared.
"Yo!"
"I need you to take something to Jiraiya."
"You got it Sandaime-sama!"
AN: Writing is no fun without an audience. Please review! And thank you!