Thank you all for waiting for this chapter. It was a little different writing it as it is a flashback chapter. It shouldn't be to hard to follow it. There will be some twists and turns I didn't plan on in the future. Also I would like your input on whether he should stay or go, I have a storyline for both in my head. Write it out in the reviews please.
Shout Outs:
dragonball256: I do not know where it will lead as of yet. I have not even started that part of the book.
Naruhinalover: I have an idea of how to do it, it makes a lot of sense. But there will be large implications for doing so.
wacko12: Read foward.
Bekas Strife: Will look at revising that part of the story. Also I will be doing another reactionary chapter very soon, probably chapter 10. Maybe Konohamuru would be a good addition.
Four Months Later
Naruto sat on the beach just outside the budding village of Uzushiogakure. He would come out to the beach often late at night to clear his head and take in the scenery. It was one of the most relaxing and beautiful sights he had ever witnessed. It has been four months since they agreed to help the villagers rebuild and become accustomed to living without oppression. It wasn't easy at first and they would more than likely have difficulty in the future. Unfortunately he and Hinata had to leave in the morning, and while Naruto sat there, he thought of all the great times he had with the villagers.
Day One
Naruto looked over the people he had just agreed to help and they all had a bemused look on their faces. Not even knowing what he was going to do he brought his hand up to his head as he tried to think of an orderly process to getting things accomplished while still trying to get the research and training done that they had come for. "Right, the first thing we need to do is get everyone that lives here together, that way you will all know what is going on," he addressed everyone inside the compound. Naruto looked over at Hinata for some support, she gently smiled and nodded, and he found it comforting even though they were facing a daunting task. "Meet us on the market street in one hour with everyone please". With that everyone in the compound turned and walked away. When they were out of sight he looked back at Hinata again, "You know this is going to be troublesome. I mean we are talking about trying to help these people rebuild a whole village, and become capable of defending it". He suddenly thought about what his friend Shikamaru would do under this task.
Hinata reached out and placed her hand in his giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Everything will be fine. You inspire people like no other I have ever seen, you inspire me," she leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek.
"I don't know anything about running a village; I hoped to learn that on my way to becoming Hokage. I'm just a gennin right now. I know nothing of politics or policies other than the ones I would break while playing pranks on everyone," he stated realizing the weight he had just placed on himself.
"I can help you. Have you already forgotten that I was the heir to one of the most prestigious clans in Konoha. I did have to play politics from time to time, and I remember a lot from my studies about the intricacies of villages and what is needed to make one run. How about you focus on the rebuilding and training of the villagers?" she said with a sympathetic voice, one with encouragement that he couldn't just deny.
"I don't know hime, but if this is what you want to do we will try. I do have to admit it though, I would feel more comfortable if they were better off than what it looks like know," remembering back to the day they walked up the market street for the first time. Hand in hand they started to walk to the market street to wait for the villagers to gather. "We still have to get our work done too you know".
"I know. As long as we are together we can get it all done," she stopped him briefly so she could embrace him with a kiss, knowing this is who he was meant to be.
They waited at the end of the market street and were discussing how they would help the people rebuild. The only knowledge they had is of their old home, and a lot of the ideas they were agreeing on were modeled after Konoha. After a short while people started coming out into the street and when Naruto or Hinata tried to greet them everyone would shy away as if fear had been engrained in them. As more and more people came they could see an aura of depression giving the entire area a grey hue.
After the hour had passed the elderly gentleman, who was now known as Aguri, told the couple that everyone from the village was present. Naruto stood there for a moment thinking he would rather take another swing at Pain than have to face the melancholy crowd in front of him. The population of the village was a lot larger than they originally thought, roughly five hundred people. In the best voice he could muster he addressed the crowd, "Hello everyone," realizing his voice had a pinch of stage fright. "My name is Minato Saisei and this is my wife Suki. As you know we did kick out the old lord that was ruling over you. We are not here to do such a thing as rule over you. We came only to find some information and then we will be on our way. Once we do you will be on your own. We did offer to help you though and if you would like there is a lot we can teach you". He stopped there thinking of how much of an idiot he must sound like to these people. Here was a sixteen year old kid telling a whole village, a recently lord free village, that he will help them to be free from what they just went through.
He looked across the crowd and wondered if he even sounded like a leader or a Hokage, there was no reaction from anyone. It looked like a street of life size dolls. "We will separate into two groups. One group will be of the people that know about this village any you all look up to as authority figures. The next group will be everyone else". Naruto looked down at Aguri as he was the only one they had talked to since they had been here, "Aguri-san, can you gather the first group? I need everyone that has a working knowledge of the community of this village". Aguri walked through the crowd of people and started selecting people. The people that he spoke with came forward to stand in front of Naruto and Hinata. Once Aguri returned there were fifteen people, who were now going to be a deciding factor for the whole village.
Naruto looked to Hinata, "How are we going to get these people up to speed on being a council?" Just as Naruto said it the idea hit him. He placed his hands making the correct symbol and stated, "Kage Bushin no Jutsu!" In a puff of smoke a clone stood beside him, right then he noticed the look of horror spread across everyone's face. They really never have seen shinobi before, he thought to himself. "It's ok. It's just a jutsu, a clone I created of myself so I can send him to get some things". Still the look didn't change on their faces. He withdrew a kunai from his hip pouch, twirled it with one finger and with one stroke popped the clone. Their reaction changed a little from shock to a little amazement. Naruto summoned one more and he sent it off to the Uzumaki basement to gather some things.
While they waited Naruto addressed the people once more, "These fifteen people here will now be known as your council. They will be the ones you speak with if you have any problems or concerns for yourselves or village. We can teach you what life is like outside of the village, how to defend yourselves, and how to train". Just then the clone arrived again with several scrolls that Naruto took and started looking through. One by one he handed them to Hinata, "These are some of the scrolls I already read through. They hold the village history, political structure that was here before, and the city prints for what this place used to look like. While you are handling the political side and explaining how governments are currently set up you can have the scrolls to use as an example".
Hinata beamed at him with adoration. She knew he was a little uncomfortable with speaking to these people on the spot, but he was showing the best possible leadership he could. He had even thought that maybe these documents from their past would help give them some pride in the village they called home. "That is a great idea, Minato-kun."
"I need your help with something before you start working with the council," Naruto said.
"Sure, what is it?" Hinata replied.
Naruto gazed across the crowd, "They need fighters if they are going to last longer than a month after we leave. Can you use your eyes to check for any chakra levels that would be considered above civilian?"
Hinata activated her Byakugan and started walking through the crowd and started looking at everyone's chakra networks. When she found someone with a decent amount of chakra or above she asked them to step off to one side. Then she saw the strangest thing, "Minato-kun, come here please".
Naruto rushed over and stopped beside Hinata, "What is it?" Hinata whispered in his ear and Naruto looked down at a woman's legs. "No". She whispered something else. He looked at the woman who now instinctively placed a hand behind her left leg and it was resting on something that was not there. "Mam, may I ask you what your name is please?"
The woman started to back up slightly and responded, "Please don't hurt her. She can't control it sometimes. It happens when she is scared".
"Lady, I'm not here to hurt you, your daughter or anyone in this village. I'm just here to help," he was getting tired of trying to assure people that he didn't want to hurt anyone. Naruto leaned down and held out his hand to the small child that wasn't there. "Hello, you can come out. We won't hurt you," he said with the biggest smile he could show. He waited for a few moments and the mother looked down with a smile and nod, suddenly he felt the small hand of a child touch his hand. In a shimmer the child the hand belonged to, began to appear in front of Naruto as if she was a phantom. The sight was nearly as creepy as Yamato-sensei and Naruto had to control his reaction so she wouldn't hide again. Naruto looked back up at Hinata, "It's a kekki genkai, and a really rare one at that. I've never seen anyone that could do something like this, have you"?
"No, I've never seen anyone that could do something like that. It has never been recorded in anything that we were ever taught," Hinata said in amazement.
He then looked at the mother, "Can you do that to?" The woman looked around to the people standing there, trying to avoid their gazed. Naruto knew that look from his childhood, it was a look that she was different and the villagers didn't understand. He placed his hand are her forearm, "It's ok, there is nothing wrong with it". She gave a little smile to Naruto and nodded, and then she disappeared from sight. It was as if she shimmered for a fraction of a second and then wasn't there at all.
"Minato-kun, she is still standing there," Hinata said confirming what Naruto had suggested.
Then there was another shimmer and she reappeared. Naruto jumped a little, "That was so cool. What an amazing bloodline trait. Quickly you two go stand over there. You would be perfect". They did as he asked, for what they did not know. Hinata continued through the crowd and when they had finished they had about fifty people who would be the best candidates for shinobi training.
After they reached the front again Naruto addressed the people, "Everybody, the council will be leaving to meet with Suki so they can learn what it means to be a village so they can best serve you. The people over here," he gestured to the soon to be village shinobi force, "will be starting their training to learn how to defend your homes. The rest of you will start to rebuild the damage from years of neglect. Aside from the council you will all begin tomorrow starting here at sunrise. Enjoy the rest of your day and say goodbye to the life you knew". With that everyone bowed to him and started dispersing. He half expected a cheer for what he was willing to do, but passed it off due to the lives of servitude they were accustomed to.
Present Time
Hinata found her Naruto sitting on the beach and she decided to join him by sitting on his lap to get his attention. She wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed him lightly on the lips. "We don't have to go if you don't want to. We could stay here; this has been the greatest time we have ever had since we left our home".
"That's the problem. This isn't our home," he said with a sense of sadness in his heart.
She reached up and gently pulled his face to meet her eye to eye, "It could be Naruto-kun. The world thinks we are dead, the news we got from the port town and the Land of Waves all say the same thing. There has been no movement toward war from Madara, he is probably waiting for Kurama's chakra to re-manifest itself".
Even if there was no threat of anyone coming for him there was something else that bothered him. "But these people do not know who I am. It is not right to them. We have done a good job of getting these people ready to be a village. I don't want to impose on them without them knowing who I am".
Hinata smiled and it melted him inside, "They do know who you are. You are strong and give them hope for their future, the same hope and determination that you have given me. Your name makes no difference to the man they see in you. They look to you for strength and protection, you are always to oblivious to see those that care for you". She then leaned in to kiss him deeper than previously. He returned it just as aggressively as she did while thinking about the first time he protected the budding village.
One Month Into The Rebuild
Naruto walked along the beach while the sun was just starting to rise. There were stars still in the sky and a hint of purple coming over the horizon that marked morning. He liked this spot; it was calm and serene, giving him a good place to think over how he would train the new shinobi for the day. Most of the time he would train them in taijutsu and proper team tactics. He was never good at explaining the workings of ninjutsu as he always just did what he was asked and molded chakra as he was told. Genjutsu was nearly out of the question, he just didn't have the concentration for it. To help get around this Hinata would help him train the villagers for an hour or two when she wasn't busy with the council. She had excellent chakra control and could easily get them to start the basics of what they were taught in the academy.
He looked out over the water and saw a large vessel that hopefully would assist the village in trade. In their first week they sent out a small boat with some men to request assistance in the trade of goods and services from the Land of Waves and the port town in the Land of Fire. Much to Naruto's delight some ships had come to offer commerce, with some of the sailors wishing to stay on the island to start a new life. Some would leave only to return with their families to take up residence in the new village. By this time the village had already acquired an additional two hundred people. This allowed reconstruction work to progress a lot faster.
Getting back to his thoughts on the day's training schedule, Naruto walked on just staring off into the retreating night sky. Something started to feel a little off at that moment when he heard it, "Suiton: Water Shockwave". Naruto turned to where he heard the sound as it came from the direction of the boat, but the boat was no longer there. A large wave of water was obstructing its view, and would most likely damage the beach and create flooding in the beachside houses and businesses. Thinking quickly Naruto stood in its path and flipped through hand signs as fast as possible, "Futon: Air Bullet," a large concentrated burst of air erupted from Naruto's mouth and impacted the oncoming wave, sending it in the other direction. When the water receded the boat was again in view, but he now saw was more alarming. Men were coming from the water; Naruto would guess there was around fifteen of them rapidly approaching. From his time spent traveling with Jiraiya he had heard stories of the potential dangers to towns and villages that resided near the oceans, pirates.
Shouts and commands were coming from the invaders, "Suiton: Water Whip," "Suiton: Water Gun," "Suiton: Water Trumpet". The jutsus were coming in fast along with kunai and shurikens. Naruto took off running, attempting to dodge each attack while reaching into his tool pouch, he withdrew a handful of kunai and started letting them fly. One of the projectiles lodged itself into the neck of one of the attackers. He waited till the attackers started to reach the beach before engaging as many as he could. The first one reached the sand and Naturo sprang into action. With a running slide he kicked the foot of his first opponent out from under him following it up with a rolling kick to his abdomen, before launching the man back into the water. Spring boarding back to his feet he went after the next opponent, running through hand signs, "Futon: Wind Blade Jutsu". The attack cleaved the man in half before Naruto reached him, he continued on to the next person approaching. The two combatants went through a flurry of punches and kicks trying to one-up each other in the hopes for an opening. When Naruto finally saw an opening he face planted the man into the sand. "Suiton: Water Bullet," knowing he wasn't going to be able to dodge in time, Naruto just braced for impact. It hit him full force, he tried to roll with it and eventually landed in a kneeling position. He took a second to recover from the dizziness and the eventual headache, as sharp pain went through his left shoulder. A kunai had pierced his shoulder blade and the pain was ripping through his arm.
Naruto quickly pulled the object out of his shoulder then looked on as the attackers continued moving towards him, "Suiton: Twin Dragons Rising," he saw two water dragons then slam into the men closest to him. Then he saw Hinata running behind his attackers, coming to his defense, she had developed her skills greatly studying the water based jutsus in the scrolls they found in the Uzumaki library. As she ran to the man closest to her Naruto could see the Byakugan activated and her hands glowed as she entered her Gentle Fist style of fighting. She engaged the man and killed him in a single blow with a juken strike to the throat. Not stopping with the least amount of momentum loss, Hinata launched into the air, roundhouse kicking the next one she encountered. Two men noticing there was another person defending the village went to engage her. She fought with a fluidity that would remind him of a whip of water or snake as she modified her Gentle Fist, taking advantage of her extreme flexibility.
Not wanting to be outdone by the slender Hyuga, Naruto got to his feet and reengaged the invaders that were still coming for him. He knew he couldn't use is signature jutsus as that would give evidence to who he was. Even summing a toad would be a dead giveaway. He ducked a punch from a man that had just reached him. Naruto went on the defensive as his left arm was damaged and would likely affect his use of taijutsu. He was literally fighting with one hand tied behind his back. He needed something that would allow him to take an offensive. Rasengan would give him away, as well as clones, he thought of everything he had in his arsenal. Naruto's eyes lit up as he remembered the scrolls he was now studying, a plan came to mind. He had never seen these used in combat situations, but he was willing to try.
His right hand started to glow as he dodged punches and kicks, not to mention the kunai and shurikens. He waited for his opponent to get close enough. Side stepping the left hook the man threw, Naruto brought up his glowing hand and grabbed the man's head "Fuinjutsu: Demon's Nightmare Seal," a seal appeared on the man's face. The man fell limp to the ground gripping his head; horrified screams came from his mouth and soon died down as the man just stared into his hands. It was a large drain on Naruto's chakra system but it was effective.
Two more pirates were coming at him fast. Naruto's hand still glowed and he palmed the ground in front of him, "Fuinjutsu: Binding Sands," the men stopped in their tracks as their feet froze in place. They were stuck there with the sand holding them in place.
There were seven invaders left as Naruto looked for the next target. Hinata was still defending and striking her two assailants. And there were still two more trying to get near her, with three coming at him. A kunai seemed to appear out of thin air near Hinata, Naruto thought it was aimed at her until it zoomed past her head and lodged itself into the right eye of one of the men attacking her, killing him instantly. Looking behind Hinata for the thrower he found no one was there, that was until he saw small footsteps being pushed into the sand. The little girl that took a shine to him was there to help defend her village. Another kunai shimmered into existence and planted its self into the shoulder of another man as he reached Hinata. "Suiton: Water bullet," brought him back to his own attackers as a large blast of water was barreling down at him.
Naruto back flipped several times as he retreated from the impact area and threw two more kunai at his attacker, where they were deflected. He ran at the man and propelled himself off his opponent's leg when the attacker made a mid-sweeping kick. Landing behind the man Naruto ducked knowing a roundhouse elbow was sure to follow as the pirate turned around to face the blonde. As Naruto came back up he placed his glowing fingers on the man's stomach, "Fuinjutsu: Chakra Seal," the man collapsed unconscious.
Naruto turned back around as he knew there should be two more nearing him quickly and was surprised as he saw a man from the village with a sword cross-slashing through one of the invader's chest. The other pirate was lying on the ground from the fatal impact of a large stone that was shot at him from another village defenders' ninjutsu. All that remained were the two still fighting with Hinata, Naruto started to make a mad dash toward her when the scene played out in front of him. One of the men already lay dead, apparently from multiple kunai being lodged into his chest. He then noticed Hinata had her arm drawn back and was bringing it forward, Naruto just listened to the most beautiful voice he had ever known as she dealt the final invader the finishing blow, "Rasengan!"
Most of the villagers that had been watching from the edge of the beach started to come down to see what had happened now. Majority of the pirates were dead, although Naruto wanted to make sure he left some alive as an added caution. The two villagers that assisted Naruto and the little girl who was the first to come to their aid started to make their way to Naruto, with Hinata not far behind. While they were approaching Naruto went to the two attackers that were stuck to the sand and laughed at the sight. Their feet weren't the only things stuck now but their knees, hands, and even one of them had his face stuck to the sand. He called over the two who helped him and then released the seal, allowing the pirates free. "Keep an eye on these two. Take them to gather what they can of their dead, and grab whatever bodies you can. After that, meet me by the water." With his left shoulder already healing he grabbed the man who would be in a constant nightmare and the other, which had his entire chakra system sealed, by their collars as he dragged them down to the water. Hinata even picked up the guy she had hit with the Rasengan and was carrying him. The man must have fallen hard as his neck hung at an odd angle, it was broken, and he too was dead.
As they gathered by the beach they all began to walk on the water out to the boat from where the pirates had come, planning to send them back on their way. Addressing the only two left standing Naruto said, "This is Uzu no Kuni, the capital here is Uzushiogakure, and it is protected. When you reach where ever you are going and meet others that may wish to attack it, you tell them this. It will cost them more than a few men. Your men were even defeated by an eight year old girl!" One of the attackers looked back to the beach to see a small girl jumping up and down waving at them. The sight of such a small child killing them sent shivers down his spine. They lifted the dead, and living, back onto the boat and the two villagers started back for the shore. When the boat was ready to leave Naruto went through a series of hand signs, "Futon: Air Bullet," and with that he created a gust of wind that sent the boat away from the island at great speeds. Hinata and Naruto started to walk back to the village; she grabbed ahold of his arm and leaned her head on his shoulder. He looked down with a raised eyebrow and a slight grin on his face as he said, "Show-off. Bet you're pretty proud to have mastered that, now aren't you?"
She lifted her head and kissed his cheek with a slight blush, "I had to show my sensei that all the time and effort he put into my training wasn't for nothing".
He gave her a kiss on the top of her head as she laid it back down on his shoulder, taking a minute to breathe her in. He could smell the flower scent of her herbal shampoo, but there was a hint of the sea in it from the fight they just had near the water. As they reached the beach the villagers stood there until Naruto and Hinata approached them. At once the village and all its inhabitants erupted into cheers. They stood there in awe of the adoration they were receiving, when something like this was nothing out of the ordinary if you were to take a snapshot from their lives training and doing missions in the past.
Present
It was getting late into the night, they needed to get back to the compound to prepare for their departure tomorrow. They would be continuing their training in secret for the battles that needed to be dealt with in the future. He lifted Hinata up and let her feet touch the sand before they continued on their way into the village for the last time.
Hinata broke the silence, "Have you talked to Kurama-sama about what he thinks we should do, stay or go?"
"Not since that one time when you were there," he said with an impassive tone.
"Well, at least you made a friend with the Kyubi," Hinata said with a smile.
Almost laughing he responded, "I don't know if I would call it a friendship. Let's just say we have an alliance of sorts. But he is a lot happier now with his new surroundings, and the chance to train with him has been a bonus".
Last Month
Naruto and Hinata had poured through the history scrolls more times than they could remember and they saw a pattern that started since the founding of the shinobi world. There was a direct correlation with the patterns and Konoha. Even the Uzumaki clan and Uzu no Kuni were involved. They needed to speak to the Kyubi and try to get some answers and details that only the beast would know. That night before turning in, they entered Naruto's mindscape for that reason alone.
There Naruto and Hinata stood in front of the sealed gate that contained the demon fox. "Kurama, I need some answers," Naruto said with a raised tone that demanded attention.
From behind the bars two large red eyes popped open as a growling and menacing voice spoke, Watch how you speak to me Kit. There will be a time that I am free of this prison and if I do not receive your respect I will tear you apart.
"Yeah, yeah fur ball. We were reading through the history scrolls and we know that you were there for all the attacks on Konoha. You were sealed into Mito Uzumaki on your first attempt to destroy the village. Why would you target that specific village?"
Why should I tell you? This information is not relevant now. The fox said as if he wouldn't divulge his past as it was a reminder of how he became imprisoned in a human to begin with.
Realizing that Kurama was in one of his moods again Naruto knew he wouldn't get any answers without giving something in return. "How about we come to an agreement? You tell me what I want to know, no secrets from the things I ask, and I will give you a little freedom?"
Hinata looked at Naruto in shock; he wouldn't release the fox just to get some information. Would he? Kurama spoke the words that Hinata had already thought. You would not release the seal for something so trivial.
Naruto stood there and shook his head, "No, but I can give you some room to stretch out". Naruto closed his eyes and concentrated. He brought up his hands and pushed outwards with what looked like force, this caused the walls to be pushed back into what looked like black nothingness. The lights were dim with the exception of the glow of the bars and the red shine coming from the fox's eyes. He then brought his hands back together like he was crumpling up a piece of paper and the bars of the cage collapsed in on themselves, they too could not be seen. Even the seal had vanished from sight. Now Hinata and Naruto stood in the darkness with the eyes of the fox piercing down on them. This caused Hinata to panic a little until she heard Naruto clap twice. Then there was an explosion of color, Hinata had to close her eyes to let them adjust to the extreme light. When she opened them they were standing in a green field with rolling hills. Along the edges, in the distance, were trees that made up a forest surrounding the field. In the center, on top of the hill near where they stood, was a small cluster of trees with one enormous tree in the center. Just in front of them stood the demon fox, low and to the ground before it stretched to its full height. After it took in the scenery it noticed there was nothing in its way from getting at Naruto. Naruto just stood there with his eyes open looking at Hinata when the fox reached back with one of its massive paws with the claws outstretched and brought it across Naruto.
"Naruto!" Hinata screamed as she knew the hit would kill him instantly. As she saw the whole thing she almost lost it until she noticed the large claw passed right through him.
"Now knock that off fuzz ball. You try that again and I'll put you back in that cage," he spoke as if he was talking to a child. The Kyubi stood there in astonishment while it tried to figure out what had just happened.
With tears ready to fall from her eyes Hinata asked, "How?"
Naruto just smiled at her again, "What you saw before was a construct that I had grown accustomed to. That was how Kurama saw his prison in me. When I was unaware that the fox was sealed in me his will was stronger than my own. His view dominated what I thought of his surroundings. I just accepted it. But this is my mind and I can make his prison whatever I wish it to be". Naruto noticed the fox was hanging on his every word. "For the time being if he accepts my offer I will keep it like this and he can roam and stretch out all he likes. The sun will continuously shine or it can be dark as night". With that thought Naruto concentrated a little as the sky shifted to show a moon and a starry sky.
"But he hit you, which should have killed you?" Hinata said in bewilderment.
"He can't hurt us here, just like we can't hurt him, well not physically. As I said it is my will that controls this place, as long as I remain in control of my own mind and I am aware of this place then nothing can happen unless I wish it. Think of it like a dream that you make up yourself," he said as a matter of fact. Then the fox tried again, this time just trying to push one claw through Naruto's back. Naruto looked back at him, "I said knock it off! Weren't you listening?"
Greatly relieved Hinata asked one more question, "What about the seal that keeps him in?"
Naruto took Hinata by the hand and led her to the small crop of trees on top of the hill. "The seal is fine. It too is a construct, just an image and a reminder to the fox that it is sealed. But I kind of liked it so I placed it on the large tree in the center of this small crop. The real seal the fox could never get to as it is on the outside of me and imprinted into the skin on my stomach. I found the scroll detailing the seals design and it had additional notes for the interactions with the Kyubi". Naruto pointed to the trunk of the large tree and there was the construct of the seal nailed to its massive trunk. Naruto turned around and addressed the fox, "Do we have a deal? Or do you get crammed in a hat box?" Naruto thought briefly again and the sun came out as the sky turned blue again.
Kurama stood there for a minute or two thinking about it. This was a better change in scenery than the one before. There was enough room here for him to actually run, not at full speed, but a decent workout still. His tails waved through the air as if they were alive on their own and it felt good to have them move around like that again. We have an agreement Kit. What would you like to know?
They all talked for what seemed like hours, about his imprisonment into Mito, the battle with the first Hokage, and even Naruto's mother. They talked about Madara and what his ambitions were. He evidently wanted revenge on Konoha for his abandonment and exile from the Uchiha clan. All of the Great Shinobi Wars were started by Madara for power in one form or another. The first war was evident through the use of clans conquered by the Uchiha and fought with the Senju of Konoha after its founding. Uzu no Kuni was destroyed during the second war as Madara sought information on how to remove a Biju from its container. The seal designers of Uzushiogakure made the demon binding seal that held the tailed beast in. The third war was created to lure out the container only to find it in a small girl that was well protected. Madara would have to wait until he could get another chance and that happened the night Naruto was born. His path this time may be different though as he is not only seeking the Kyubi, but the other tailed beasts as well. With this revelation Kurama had agreed to assist Naruto in the use of his chakra, as he never wanted to be used by a mere human like a puppet for their enjoyment or wanton destruction on a whim. Madara had done it twice in the past and he would rather suffer a fate locked in Naruto than be under a humans control again. If by any chance Naruto would defeat Madara, Kurama still vowed to get free from the container he was in.
When Naruto asked Kurama about the decision on moving and traveling again he simply stated, It matters not to me where you go. But the question you wish to ask is 'Is it safe to stay in this village to live?' As long as Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuga are dead there is no reason to fear any pursuit.
Present
The couple had reached the newly refurbished compound and began to get ready for bed. The villagers had insisted on bringing it back to its former glory as a way of gratitude for helping the village gain the strength it needed to stand again. Naruto had at first tried to convince them otherwise since they would be leaving soon, but they would not listen and did it anyways. Thoughts of their short life in the village ran through his mind, it was about to end and there was adventure on the horizon. He was excited to travel like he had done with his former teacher, Jiraiya. At the same time he had grown to make loyal and trust worthy friends. As they lay in each other's arms for the night they put the past and worry over the future aside. Living in the now they made love passionately as it would be the last time unless it was under the stars or in the bed of an inn.
The next morning they had packed their things and were on their way to the market street to meet with the council. The council insisted that they stop there so they could be given supplies to help in their journey. Despite their strength the elder men and women still worried about them because they were only seventeen and would be travelling alone. Hinata walked beside Naruto with their fingers interlaced she kept looking up at him with a smile that always made him want to kiss her and a sparkle in her eyes that told him she wanted more than just that. As they started to round the corner into the market they heard a murmur that would signal the sounds of businesses happily serving customers. What greeted Naruto's eyes was not the scene of commerce but the entire village filling the street from one side to the other.
There were decorations lining the awnings and windows of the stores. Just in front of them was a small stage where the head councilman stood with a smile and was encouraging them to stand up there with him. Naruto and Hinata did so, and Naruto was in complete shock, the more than twelve hundred villagers that currently called Uzushiogakure home came to see them off. The village had more than doubled since they arrived as people came by boat looking for a new life.
The elderly councilman Aguri then turned to them, "Minato-sama, Suki-sama, we cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for this village and these people. We were lost in the darkness and the light that you both brought here has made us whole once again. We now have a sense of pride, a feeling of honor, family that is not bound by blood, and hope. This would not have been possible without the both of you". Naruto for the first time in his life was completely speechless. Yes, Hinata took his breath away, but the feelings of these people were tangible, it was almost more than he could bear. Aguri then knelt in front of him, and Naruto was about to stop him until the man set a box down; it must have been some sort of going away gift he was trying to open. Then he looked out at the crowd and he saw the whole village do the same. Everyone was on their hands and knees with their heads down as a show of gratitude, respect, and loyalty to Hinata and him.
He was pulled back to reality as he heard Aguri speak again. The man was still kneeling, "In the past of this village, long before its destruction, a single figure lived for the people who call this place home. His wisdom guided them as a light guides a ship to shore in the darkest of times. His strength protects them, not by standing alone, but with those who share his resolve. Love rules him as this village becomes more than its structures or its people, but as a living embodiment of everyone within it as if it was his own child. He was the Uzukage of Uzushiogakure, and with this knowledge we ask you to take the mantle as you have already been that and more to us". In his hands was a robe made of the purest white silk Naruto had ever seen. At the bottom was a swirl design that the village was known for, in bright blue. It was a Kage robe that denoted the leader of a Hidden Village.
Not sure what to do he looked at Hinata, who was leaning against his side, for any sign that would help him get out of this embarrassing situation. She was looking up at him with a smile that could have melted the thickest snowcapped mountain in the Land of Snow. Tears were rolling down her cheeks as she watched him, wondering if he would ever take his dream.
Konoha Present Day
Finally it was all done. The last of the papers stamped and approved. There wasn't but a small pile in the now "Done" box that could be seen in the whole office. It was only early afternoon, time to relax. Tsunade decided to celebrate with her favorite friend. She reached into her drawer and pulled out a small bottle taking a swig to start it off before retrieving a small dish. She was about to turn her chair to gaze out the window at the nearly completed Konoha village. Things were progressing at a rapid pace without the threat of another war, namely because the Akatsuki could no longer attain the nine-tails because Naruto had died, taking the demon with him. That had been the most unwelcomed gift she had ever received. Tsunade would have faced down the Death God himself if it meant she could hear him call her Baa-can one more time. Suddenly the door swung open and in walked her assistant. Tsunade slowly started to turn back around expecting a stack of paper three feet high to now occupy her desk.
"Lady Tsunade-sama, this just arrived for you," Shizune said as she placed a red folder on her desk. Seeing that it wasn't more paperwork, she would have set the stack on fire, she opened it and skimmed through it.
"This is the recent report on the Uzu no Kuni?" she said with boredom apparent in her voice.
"Yes, my lady," was the response.
Looking through it she saw that the old daimyo was thrown out and replaced. Nothing unusual there as far as news, that happened every few years. Evidently there had also been increases in trade with the Land of Waves as well; maybe the new leadership had some compassion and brains for government. Then there was a very interesting report. A band of pirates tried to raid the village under new management and were beaten back, not uncommon, but what was concerning was the pictures that came with the report. The dead were nothing unusual in a failed raid, bodies were bodies, but the survivors had more concerning injuries. There was a photo of one man's stomach and on it was a seal, not that of a jinchuriki, but that of a chakra seal. Someone had used a seal in combat, by the looks of it he will not wake until someone breaks the seal. There was also testimony of two men that were stuck to the sand of the beach where the battle was by what they described as fuinjutsu technique. The last photo was the most disturbing yet. It was a picture of a pirate that looked to be screaming in pain, complete and utter horror played across his face. Along with the raw emotion there was a seal that spread across his face as well. It was a difficult seal and one Tsunade had never seen before. Most seals in the modern day were basic and served as tools rather than weapons. They protected rooms, homes, and stored stuff within scrolls it had been many decades since a seal was ever designed to be used in combat. Most people didn't use them this way because of the chakra drain it caused and the limited number of seals that were known. This sent a chill up Tsunade's spine; someone had found the Uzumaki library.
Shizune was staring at her sensei waiting on any orders concerning the report and Tsunade did not fail to deliver. "Get me Shikimaru Nara now".